522 THE STORY OF THE KHEDIVATE.

as a rule, fairly administered under British control, the improved conditions of military service, the suppression, to a considerable extent, of bribery and corruption in the public offices, the regularity and fairness with which the taxes are collected, the reduction of taxation, the sanitary measures, enforced in the interest of the public health, the ameliorations introduced into the prisons and hospitals, the extension of railways, the spread of education, have all contributed to the wonderful prosperity of Egypt, and to the consequent recovery of her national credit. I am by no means certain, however, that these reforms, beneficial as they may have been, have commended themselves greatly to the native mind. Their ideas are not our ideas ; their ways are not our ways. The Egyptians have been used to be ruled despotically for centuries without end ; and their ideal of government is that of personal rule, administered by a strong and wise ruler. Delegated authority is unintelligible to their minds, and of all delegated authorities, that of boards and officials is the least congenial to their tastes. I should not be at all surprised to find that even amidst the classes which have benefited the most, both directly and indirectly, by our reforms, there were often regrets felt and expressed for the bygone days, when the will of the Effendina, the Lord and Master, was supreme, and when, by his favour, the lowest might be exalted to rank and fortune, while, by his disfavour, the highest and mightiest might be crushed to the dust. To have measurably suppressed bribery and cruelty, backsheish.