344 THE STORY OF THE KHEDIVATE.

that, whatever my personal opinion might be, it was commonly and honestly regarded as an ''occupation provisoire.'' His answer was, " Provisoire je lien doute pas maisy c'est nn provisoire qui durdra etemellemeni.'' The event, so far, has justified the truth of the prophecy.

The receipt of the above despatch, as communicated by Sir Evelyn Baring, produced a result of rare occurrence in Egypt. The Prime Minister, Cherif Pasha, resigned office on a question of principle, while nobody, for a considerable interval, was forthcoming to take his place. Riaz Pasha and two or three other of the few public men of any eminence in Egypt were offered the post, but one and all declined the honour, on the ground that they did not like to incur the obloquy of signing the decree recommending the evacuation of the Soudan. Public affairs were at a standstill, when the crisis was brought to an end on a report being circulated that if a Ministry were not formed within twenty-four hours. Sir Evelyn Baring had stated he should go down to the public offices and take the administration of State affairs into his own hands. The intimation, however it arose, fulfilled its purpose. On the evening of the day when the report was circulated, our Consul-General was summoned to the Palace, and informed by the Khedive that he agreed to the evacuation of the Soudan, and that Nubar Pasha had consented to form a Ministry prepared to carry out the policy dictated by her Majesty's Government.