526 THE STORY OF THE KHEDIVATE.

is too remote to enter into the calculations of practical statesmanship. Until Egypt is able to govern herself we are compelled to remain there, if we are not prepared to ignore the considerations which caused even a Liberal Government, under Mr. Gladstone, to come to the conclusion that our armed intervention in Egyptian affairs was essential to the safeguard of our Empire. We have got therefore to remain Lords paramount in Egypt, and this we can only do by retaining our military occupation. A year or two ago there was a dinner given at Cairo, at which there were present most of the British officials who have taken leading parts in the reorganization of Egypt. The conversation naturally turned upon the marvellous transformation effected under British administration, and not unnaturally there was a certain amount of self-laudation. Amongst the guests was an old Anglo-Indian visitor to Egypt, who had held high rank in the Indian service. On a paust in the conversation, this gentleman remarked, " I agree with everything I have heard said about the good work that has been done in Egypt ; but it seems to me we are apt to forget that this work has really been done by one man, and one man only." Some dissent was expressed by the rest of the company and the visitor was asked to name the man to whom he considered the credit of having transformed Egypt was solely due. "His name," the visitor replied, ** is known to all of you. It is Tommy Atkins." This is the plain truth. Tommy Atkins s