43 EGYrT AND THE SOUDAN.

Egyptian government. Preliminary instructions had been given to& prepare for a retreat. The Egyptian governor and commander of troops entirely agreed with him. On the following day Earl Granville asked whether General Gordon or Sir Charles Wilson would be of any assistance under the altered circumstances of a new ministry having been formed at Cairo; but the answer received in a few hours was that it was not thought that the services of either of them could be utilized at present. On the 14th of January Earl Granville telegraphed: "Can you give further information as to prospects of retreat for army and residents at Khartum, and measures taken?" and on the 16th the answer came: — "With reference to your lordship's telegram of the 14th instant, I hope soon to be able to telegraph fully, as the subject of the withdrawal from Khartum is now being discussed. There can be no doubt, however, that very great difficulties will be encountered. It was intended to despatch Abd-el-Kader, the new minister of war, to Khartum; he at first accepted, but now declines to go. The Egyptian government would feel greatly obliged if her Majesty's government would select a well-qualified British officer to £0 to Khartum instead of the war minister. He would be given full powers, both civil and military, to conduct the retreat." This, of course, was the same thing as leaving the government here to appoint Gordon at once.

We have already noted what were the instructions to General Gordon contained in a letter from Earl Granville setting forth the objects of his mission. It was first arranged that Gordon should not go to Cairo on his way to Khartum, as he had no desire to have an audience with the khedive Tewfik, and thought it better in some respects that he should go entirely untrammelled, so that he might not be subjected to any Egyptian official restrictions; but Earl Granville had, on the 19th of January, sent to Sir E. Baring saying:— " I inclose copy of the instructions which I have addressed to Major-general Gordon, who proceeds to-night to Egypt, accompanied by Lieutenant-colonel Stewart, to report to her Majesty's government on the state of affairs in the Soudan. General Gordon will be under your instructions, and will perform such