328 THE STORY OF THE KHEDIVATE.

Lord Dufferin's hands, however, being tied, he came — if I read his report aright — to the conclusion that, on the assumption of our occupation being solely of a provisional character, he had to carry out such reforms as were required to facilitate the departure of our troops ; and to suggest a series of measures which — if they could be set on foot previous to the with-, drawal of our army, and if they could survive its withdrawal — might conceivably enable the native Government to maintain law and order at home, while it would still remain protected from foreign intervention by the power of England. I should doubt greatly whether the author of this scheme bad any personal confidence in its feasibility. I am convinced that in Egypt no such belief existed. Still under the conditions of the case, the scheme was about the most plausible that could be suggested. At any rate, it satisfied public opinion in England, and enabled the Ministry to adhere to their persistent contention that, within a short time, the condition of Egypt would be such as to justify the withdrawal of the British troops. In justice to Lord Dufferin, it should always be remembered that, at the time when the report was issued, the Soudan insurrection was far from having assumed the importance it developed after his return to the Embassy at Constantinople.

With regard to the action taken by Lord Dufferin, as a de facto Resident, there can be nothing but praise.

His first official act was to advise the Khedive to abolish the Dual Control, and to substitute for it a