A MEDLEY. 63 cussed was the financial one, but so many rumours were afloat to the effect that a secret treaty with France was under ministerial consideration ; that an understanding on matters unconnected with finance was to be arrived at with that country ; that Parliament would be kept in the dark as to all that was done ; etc.; that the House of Commons was goaded into a high state of irrita¬ bility, and evinced the same by pertinacious and pointed questions.

So great in fact was the reticence of the Government, that rumours now flew thick and fast. It was asserted that the co-operation of a Turkish army was sought by the Cabinet ; that troops were shortly to be despatched to Khartoum ; that a railway was to be built for the conveyance of a force from Suakim to Berber ; that international control was to be adopted ; that a dual control was again to be tried ; that British influence was to be altogether withdrawn from Egypt; and such like.

Meanwhile in Egypt itself British influence fell to low-water mark. Mr.

Clifford Lloyd was recalled from Cairo (May 28), on which occasion a high Egyptian official was heard to remark, “England’s paramount influence in Egypt began on July 11, 1882, and closes on May 28, 1884. I have learnt English ; I shall now learn French.”

In England affairs seemed altogether in a strange state. It was as if the diagnosis of the disease under which the country suffered was thought to be a mistaken one by the consulting physicians (public opinion) who were called in, that a new and powerful remedy had been applied, and that both the attendant doctor and the new arrivals were watching its effects with curiosity, and not without anxiety. A pretty strong dose had been prescribed by the new-comers, which the patient, beginning to lose faith in his old adviser, took with avidity. But unfortunately the regular practitioner kept on his old treat¬ ment, and for a time perhaps the last state of affairs was worse than the first. Dissensions, too, arose in the Conservative ranks. And altogether the public mind was tossed about by every wind of policy.

In Egypt and in the Soudan there was no better outlook. No news came from Khartoum, and no news could be sent to that ill-starred town. It was rumoured that the Mahdi had gone thither in force, and that its fall was imminent. Yet nothing could be done. Troops were stationed at Assouan, troops were stationed at Korosko, but the rebels over-ran the country and excited the neighbouring tribes. Attacks were made nightly on Suakim. What news could be gleaned of Gordon showed that he was still harassed by his ever-increasing foes. The only welcome intelligence came from the tele¬ grams of the pious Mudir of Dongola, who, “by the help of God,” managed new and again to defeat a few troublesome insurgents. A little by-play (as though an episode were not enough) was introduced in the shape of a treaty concluded by Admiral Sir William Hewett with the King of Abyssinia, who