2IO THE STORY OF THE KHEDIVATE.

from office. I think I shall not be misrepresenting the instructions they received in reply as having been to the effect that their respective Governments recommended the adoption of an attitude of " masterly inaction." M. de Blignieres and Mr. Rivers Wilson were dismissed from their respective offices on the 7th of April, 1879, and it was not till the 25th that England and France demanded their restoration. The demand was not accompanied by any distinct threat of action in the event of its not being complied with. The Khedive contented himself with replying that their reinstitution was an impossibility. This excuse elicited no protest in return on the part of the two Governments, and may, if silence gives consent, be said to have been accepted as valid.

Meanwhile, the Khedive, whose desire was to preserve the appearance of regularity in his relations towards the European Powers, proceeded to display his readiness to carry out the conditions under which the Anglo-French control was to revive of itself in case the responsible Ministry system should cease to exist. Major Baring and the Comte Bellaigue de Boghas, who had both served on the Commission of the PiAlic Debt, were requested by Cherif Pasha, as Premier of the new native Ministry, to fill the posts which had previously been held by Mr. Romaine and M. de Malaret. Both these gentlemen, for private reasons, refused the offer, and the matter was allowed to drop for the time being. The Commission of Inquiry met for the last time on the loth of April,