of law and order. His cooperation and support were, as Lord Kitchener himself would be the first to admit, vital factors in the successful campaign which resulted in the reconquest of the Soudan, and the restoration to Egypt of her lost provinces. His skill has steered the Egyptian bark through many diplomatic perils and dangers which often threatened shipwreck, until it has at last been brought into the calm waters of the Anglo-French agreement. During the earlier years of the Occupation there have been many occasions when an Egyptian conflagration seemed on the point of bursting out, but the crisis has always been averted by the sagacious and patient statesmanship which has been the keynote of Lord Cromer's policy. It is quite as much by what he has averted as by what he has effected that Lord Cromer has earned the gratitude of his countrymen, and contributed to the cause of peace. The system of government which has grown up in Egypt under Lord Cromer's inspiration may be described as a benevolent despotism—the best form of government, in the opinion of many philosophers, when you can get it. Most historical despotisms have been either inherited or obtained by violence, and the present case is one of the rare examples where power has been earned by merit. Strength of character, firmness of purpose, patience to wait for the opportunity, and courage to seize it when it comes—the exercise of qualities such as these have gained for Lord Cromer the confidence not only of the country which he represents, but also of the country over which he rules. Personal power that is not so acquired and not so justified can never be expected to produce good results.
Given the man and the power, the next question is how the one will use the other, and here we come to the second principal cause of the success of England's government of this Oriental people. The great aim which Lord Cromer and his English assistants have ever had before them has been the promotion of the welfare of the Egyptians, and the prosperity of their
