A RETROSPECT. 521 and with the certainty that they can keep for themselves the pittance they earn by their own toil. Whatever else we have failed to do in our attempt to reorganize Egypt, we have improved the lot of the fellaheen, and of that we may well be proud. Many years ago, in the early days of the British occupation, I happened to have a conversation on business matters with one of the wealthiest of the Levantine usurers, long since dead, who, in the course of our interview, expressed himself in indignant terms about the folly of the Government's attempting, at British instigation, to provide a better system of education for the fellaheen. In reply, I used the only argument I thought likely to impress my host, who had been entertaining me most sumptuously, and suggested that with higher education the fellaheen would become better customers, and that this would lead to an extension of trade. ** That may be so," he answered, ** but if once the fellaheen cease to be as ignorant as they are, they will never work for their present wages ; and it is the cheapness of labour which has made my fortune."

I should be the last to deny that the various improvements which have been introduced into the administration of Egypt by the British authorities are calculated to ameliorate the general condition of the native population. The rapid increase of the population from about seven millions to ten millions in the course of a dozen years speaks volumes for the general well-being of the Egyptians under British supremacy.

The establishment of native courts, where justice is.