THE ANGLO-FRENCH MINISTRY. 195 by a responsible Ministry, supported indirectly by the Governments of Europe, would be most conducive to the true interests of Egypt In a note, which he wrote at a date when Egypt had long passed under British occupation, I find the following words : — "From the moment when the idea of judicial reform" (by the institution of the International courts) "had taken hold of my mind, I came to the conclusion that despotic rule, tempered and controlled by an organized system of justice, independent of the authority of the despot, was the form of government best adapted, for many long years to come, to the character of the great majority of Oriental races." From this conviction, and from the collateral conclusion that European intervention should, if possible, be indirect, and not direct, he never wavered up to the end of his life.

When Nubar returned in Egypt, he was received with the utmost cordiality by his Highness. I am assured, by persons familiar with the Vice-regal Court, that the impatience of Ismail for the arrival of his Premier-elect resembled that of a young man waiting for the coming of his bride. Nothing could exceed the frankness with which the Khedive apparently accepted his new position as a constitutional Sovereign, who reigns, but does not rule. He was always fond of repeating catch phrases, and at this period his favourite catch-word, to any one who called upon him, was, Nous ne sommes plus en Afrique,