6o EGYPT AND THE SOUDAN.

It is said that the khedive in conversation with the Baron de Malortie on January 29th remarked : " I could not give a better proof of my intention than by accepting Gordon as governor-general with full powers to take whatever step he may judge best for obtaining the end my government and her Majesty's government have in view. I could not do more than delegate to Gordon my own power and make him irresponsible arbiter of the situation. Whatever he does will be well done, whatever arrangements he will make are accepted in advance, whatever combination he may decide upon will be binding for us; and in thus placing unlimited trust in the pasha's judgment I have only made one condition, that he should provide for the safety of the Europeans and the Egyptian civilian element. He is now the supreme master, and my best wishes accompany him on a mission of such gravity and importance, for my heart aches at the thought of the thousands of loyal adherents whom a false step may doom to destruction. I have no doubt that Gordon Pasha will do his best to sacrifice as few as possible; and, should he succeed, with God's help, in accomplishing the evacuation of Khartum and the chief ports in the Eastern Soudan, he will be entitled to the everlasting gratitude of my people, who at present tremble that help may come too late. To tell you that he will succeed is more than I or any mortal could prognosticate, for there are tremendous odds against him. But let us hope for the best, and, as far as I and my government are concerned, he shall find the most loyal and most energetic support."

It has been mentioned that Abd-el-Kader, who had been commander at Khartum when Hicks Pasha reached it, and who was recalled on the appointment of Alladeen, or Ali-ed-Din, was now minister for war at Cairo. He had been requested to go to Khartum, and some preliminary preparations had been made for his conducting the evacuation of the province; but he probably saw that the task would be beyond his capability, or would be too difficult and dangerous for him to undertake it. At all events, he declined to £0.

Before the khedive had held the conversation with Baron de