H4 EGYPT AND THE SOUDAN.

employes, and the remedy I propose is to send up Zebehr as my successor, who would receive for a time a subsidy from the Egyptian government in order to enable him to maintain an armed force. As to Egyptian employes, I mean that I appoint men of Soudan to places which they do not care to accept for fear of compromising themselves with Mahdi, and that is my difficulty, which arises from haziness of future. This would be all over if Zebehr was here.

The combination at Khartum of Zebehr and myself is an absolute necessity for success, and I beg you and Lord Granville to believe my certain conviction that there is not the slightest fear of our quarrelling, for Zebehr would know that the subsidy depended on my safety. To do any good we must be together, and that without delay. . . .

Believe me I am right, and do not delay. Things are not serious, although they may become so if delay occurs in sending Zebehr. My weakness is that of being foreign and Christian and peaceful; and it is only by sending Zebehr that prejudice can be removed."

Colonel Stewart was in complete accordance with this view — "It seems evident to me that it is impossible for us to leave this country without leaving some sort of established government which will last at any rate for a time, and Zebehr is the only man who can assure that. Also that we must withdraw the Sennar and other besieged garrisons, and here also Zebehr can greatly assist us. ... I assure you none are more anxious to leave this country than myself and Gordon, and none more heartily approve the government's policy of evacuation. Unless, however, Zebehr is sent here, I see little probability of this policy being carried out.

Every day we remain finds us more firm in the country, and causes us to incur responsibilities towards the people which it is impossible for us to overlook."

On the 5th of March Lord Granville sent a despatch to Sir E. Baring, which appeared to have a satirical intention.

" Her majesty's government would be glad to learn how you reconcile your proposal to acquiesce in such an appointment (the