THE "CONDOMINIUM." 505 Nile. In the same way the erection of the huge dam at Assouan, which is now on the eve of completion, has influenced popular opinion in Egypt far more than any of the legal, administrative, and sanitary reforms which have been inaugurated under the British occupation. It is true this work was constructed, not by the British Government, but by , British capital and by British commercial enterprise.

Still it is obvious to every educated Egyptian that the funds would not have been forthcoming to erect an immense reservoir above the first cataract, had it not been for the security from internal trouble and external attack afforded by the British occupation.

The most ignorant of fellahs thoroughly understands and appreciates the value to Egypt of having a perennial supply of water for land culture, in addition to that supplied by the annual overflow of the Nile; and can hardly fail to recognize the truth that, whatever else England may have done, or left undone, in Egj'pt, she has largely extended and improved the system of irrigation, which forms the life-blood of the country. Abbas 1 1, is far too intelligent a Prince not to appreciate the benefits; in respect of her water supply, which Egypt has already received as the result of the British occupation ; and the consciousness of this fact has done much to lessen the disfavour with which the British occupation was at one time regarded by the Khedivial Court. I have reason, too, to believe that his Highness was very favourably impressed by his recent visit to England, and was