. :GYPT UNDER LIQUIDATION. 241 were raised to the payment of their debts out of the proceeds of the confiscated estate, they brought actions against the Government before the International tribunals, and obtained judgment in their favour. The Government thereupon agreed to pay the debts of the estate on condition that the title deeds of the deceased's houses and landed estates should be handed over in exchange. These title deeds, or hodgets, as they are called in Egypt, were in the custody of the Mekemeh, and cannot by the law of Islam be handed over to any one without the consent of the owner, or, in the event of his death, of his executors. It was by no means clear how far this rule could be overridden by any decision of the Commission of Liquidation. In this particular instance no decision was arrived at. Native public opinion, though, as I have said before, very hostile to the Mufettish, strongly disapproved of the wholesale confiscation of his property and the consequent impoverishment of his children. In accordance with the advice of the Commission, a compromise was come to between the executor and the Government, in virtue of which all legal proceedings were withdrawn, and a substantial portion of the estate was restored to the family of the unfortunate Mufettish.

In every case brought before the Commission they were confronted with issues arising out of the perpetual confusion between the late Khedive in his private capacity and in his public capacity as ruler of R