2S EGYPT AND THE SOUDAN.

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ught not to be lost. Work, position, conditions can all be arranged with yourself here to your satisfaction. Do take six

months' leave and come." The answer returned to London was, -Inform Hart Gordon will leave for Shanghai first opportunity.

As for conditions, Gordon indifferent."

It must be remembered that General Gordon was still an

officer in the British service, and, of course, had to apply to the

war-office for leave to go to China, where his friend " Li," who had been the imperialist governor-general of the Kiang provinces

co-operating with the commander of the "ever-victorious army" to quell the Tai-ping rebellion, was anxiously awaiting that com-

mander who had been known all over Europe as "Chinese Gordon." The war-office authorities naturally hesitated to grant leave

of absence to an officer of the British service unless he could state

his purpose in going to China and the position he was to hold there, for it was with Russia that the Chinese were contemplating

hostilities in connection with the operations at Kashgar. In answer

to these inquiries he could only reply, " I am ignorant;" but that there might be no obstacle in the way, he sent in the resig-

nation of his commission, and sailed for Hong-Kong. He certainly had no reason to complain of any undue restraint being placed upon him by the military authorities, especially as the news of his intention was likely to, and afterwards did, cause great anger and excitement in Russia. His resignation was not accepted, and he received permission to go on condition that he should not enter on any military service. Even to this he would not pledge himself.

All he would say was, " My fixed desire is to persuade the Chinese

not to go to war with Russia, both in their own interests and those of the world, and especially those of England. To me it appears

that the questions in dispute cannot be of such vital importance that an arrangement could not be come to by concessions on both sides. Whether I succeed in being heard or not is not in my hands. I protest, however, against being regarded as one who wishes for war in any country, far less in China. In the event of war breaking out I could not answer how I should act for the present; but I shall ardently desire a speedy peace. Inclined