THE ANGLO-FRENCH MINISTRY. 197 Nubar's views in respect of the appointment of a French Minister. Under these circumstances, further objection was futile. Nubar had to give way, and M. de Blignires was nominated Minister of Public Works. Again, though Ismail had formally undertaken to surrender his estates, he could not be induced to sign the act of retrocession. After various delays, he proposed the surrender should be subject to an undertaking that he should be entitled to a civil list of ;500,ooo a year. Nubar declined to support this demand, and it was only when it was discovered that the Rothschilds refused to proceed with the negotiations for the Domain Loan, unless the surrender of the Domain lands was made at once and unconditionally, that the Khedive signed the decree by which these lands were restored to the State.

In the latter days of November, 2870. Mr. Rivers / jrfl' Wilson and M. de Blignieres entered upon their duties at the Treasury and the Ministry of Public Works. Writing at the time when this Ministry was still alive, though in extremis, I described their functions in the following words : — / " In a confused sort of way, there is a general understanding that they are to administer the affairs of Egypt in accordance with European ideas of government. But \ towards whom this obh'gation was ever contracted, and by \ what agency its performance is to be enforced, are questions / to which it is impossible to furnish an answer." / However, as all experience has shown, the most )