A RETROSPECT. 525 as yet towards the avowed object of our policy, as propounded in Lord Dufferin's report, namely, that of reorganizing the administration of Egypt on enlightened ideas, so as to render the country capable of governing itself in accordance with these ideas supposing our troops should be withdrawn. What progress has been made towards this end seems to me to be of the crab order — backwards. Our theory of teaching Egypt how to govern herself, by enabling her to enjoy the advantages of just, honest, and progressive administration under British control, however sincerely the theory was conceived, and however loyally it has been carried out, was based on a delusion. England has indeed sue-' ceeded in establishing a system of administration in Egypt, which is an enormous improvement upon any Government the country has ever known ; but this system depends for its vitality upon its being carried I out by British officials. If the work was left in \ the hands of native officials, not subject to British \ authority, the old abuses of all Oriental government \ would revive at once. Tutelage is an excellent system J for administering the affairs of persons incompetent to manage their affairs by themselves ; but this system does not tend to render the persons under tutelage competent administrators. No wise man uses the word " never *' with regard to the future.

I do not say therefore that a time will never come when Egypt is fit for self-government, but I do say the prospect of this consummation being accomplished