THE SUEZ CANAL Ferdinand de Lesseps' connection with Egypt — British opposition to the Suez Canal — M. de Lesseps* character — Concession granted by Said Pasha — The Porte refuses to sanction concession as originally proposed — Financial difficulties of construction — Corvee system forbidden — Award of Napoleon III. — Unfairness of award.

Amongst the Frenchmen who drifted into Egypt during the reign of Said Pasha was Ferdjtand de r Lesseps. It is no discredit to him to say that he came there in search of employment. His father had been French Consul at Smyrna, and he himself had held a sort of semi-diplomatic position at Rome when the Second French Republic sent an armed expedition under Marshal Oudinot to besiege the Eternal City and to restore the temporal power of the Papacy.

He must at 4he commencement of his active Egyptian career have been a man close upon fifty, who had led a chequered life in many lands, and who, after the wont of rolling stones, had gathered but little moss. With a bright, handsome face, a pleasant smile, an air of genial bonhamiey and a singularly plausible manner, he speedily became a favourite" in Egyptian court circles, and contracted a, close / mtjmfpy yjjth Said. It was, I believe, some little \, time before de Lesseps' arrival in Egypt that the \ I I