ins a high opinion of Zobeir Pasha's
energy and ability. He possesses great influence in the Soudan, and
General Gordon is of opinion that _circumstances might arise which
would render it desirable that he should be sent back to the
Soudan_."

M62 Zobeir

100 (_From his diary._) _March 9._--... At night recognised the fact of a
cold, and began to deal with it. 10th. Kept my bed all day. 11th.
The cabinet sat, and Granville came to and fro with the
communications, Clark having prohibited my attendance. Read _Sybil_.
12th. Bed as yesterday. 13th. Got to my sitting-room in the evening.
It has, however, taken longer this time to clear the chest, and
Clark reports the pulse still too high by ten. Saw Granville.
Conclave, 7-1/2 to 8-1/2, on telegram to Baring for Gordon. I was not
allowed to attend the cabinet.

101 The case of the government was stated with all the force and reason
of which it admitted, in Lord Granville's despatch of March 28,
1884.

M63 Condition Of The Soudan

102 In the light of this proceeding, the following is curious: "There is
one subject which I cannot imagine any one differing about. That is
the impolicy of announcing our intention to evacuate Khartoum. Even
if we were bound to do so we should have said nothing about it. The
moment it is known we have given up the game, every man will go over
to the Mahdi. All men worship the rising sun. The difficulties of
evacuation will be enormously increased, if, indeed, the withdrawal
of our garrison is not rendered impossible."--Interview with General
Gordon, _Pall Mall Gazette_, Jan. 8, 1884.

... "In the afternoon of Feb. 13 Gordon assembled all the
influential men of the province and showed them the secret firman.
The reading of this document caused great excitement, but at the
same time its purport was received evidently with much
gratification. It is worthy of note that the whole of the notables
present at this meeting subsequently threw in their cause with the
Mahdi."--Henry William Gordon's _Events in the Life of Charles George
Gordon_, p. 340.

103 Wingate, p. 110.

M64 Question Of An Expedition

104 Lord Hartington, House of Commons, May 13, 1884. An admirable
speech, and the best defence of ministers up to this date.

105 Address to th