35-1 THE STORY OF THE KHEDIVATE.

Envoy of the British Government, within a few hours of his acceptance of the offer made him by the Ministrj', armed with full powers to make any arrangements he might deem advisable. It is, however, characteristic of his singular personality that, on his way out to Egypt, he changed his mind about going to the Soudan simply and solely as an Envoy of Great Britain — a point to which, in his previous interviews with the Government, he had attached special importance— and telegraphed to Sir Evelyn Baring, suggesting that he should be nominated by the Khedive Governor-General of the Soudan. The request was acceded to without difficulty. It is significant also that in the final memorandum given to Gordon at Cairo by our Consul-General, on behalf of the British Government, it is stated — "You are of opinion that restoration of the coun should be made to the different petty Sultans, who existed at the time of Mahomet All's conquest, and whose familie still exist ; and that an endeavour should be made to form confederation of these Sultans."

It is obvious from this that Gordon shared tlu delusion entertained at home that the insurrection w; solely caused by Soudanese hatred of Egyptian ruh and that he failed to appreciate the fact that it was tl antagonism of the Mahdi and his fellow.-fanatics, m of the descendants of the Soudanese chiefs, whicr-A he had to encounter. It is noteworthy also that thm one non-official visit he paid during his brief sojour/i