THE ANGLO-FRENCH MINISTRY. 203 he intended to assume the Presidency of the Ministry in the place of Nubar, whom he had dismissed from / the post of Premier. - \ In as far as a constitution could be said at this * period to exist in Egypt, the Khedive was acting within his constitutional rights. Nubar had accepted office, in common with all his native colleagues, at the hands of the Khedive ; and the right of appointment involved the right of dismissal. But, as a matter of fact, this exercise of his authority, even if technically legal, violated the understanding on the strength of which the Governments of France and England had consented to officials in their own / service becoming members of the Egyptian Ministry. 1 Both M. de Blignieres and Mr. Rivers Wilson stood \ most loyally by their late Premier. They caused/ strong representations to be transmitted to Paris and London, urging on their own Governments the fatal consequences certain to ensue from the arbitrary dismissal of Nubar Pasha, and from the high-handed act of the Khedive in assuming, of his own free will, the Presidency of the Council. I should doubt these representations having been warmly endorsed by the Consular authorities, through whom they were transmitted. Anyhow, they met with very little response, either at the Quai d'Orsay or in Downing Street. The French Government declined to insist upon Nubar s/ reinstatement, and the British Government, after its 7 wont at this period, followed the lead of France. The J only step actually taken was that the two Powers sent