religious prejudice, and all the forces which cluster round an archaic and corrupt social system, may do their worst. They will not succeed. We have dealt a blow to the forces of reaction in Egypt from which they can never recover, and from which, if England does her duty towards herself, towards the Egyptian people, and towards the civilised world, they will never have a chance of recovering. PART VII THE FUTURE OF EGYPT Nullum numen abest, si sit prudentia; nos te, The essential qualities of national greatness are moral, not material. LECKY's History of England, vol. i. p. 490. VOL. II 561 20 CHAPTER LXII THE FUTURE OF EGYPT Quo Vadis?-The question of the occupation-Its duration-Egyptian autonomy-The Capitulations-Desirability of training the Egyptians-Importance of finance-Display of sympathy-Conclusion. It is probable that few Englishmen ever ask themselves seriously the question of Quo Vadis in connection with either Indian or Egyptian affairs. Even fewer are tempted to hazard any confident answer to this crucial question. The practical instincts of our race lead us to deal with whatever affairs we have in hand for the moment, and to discard any attempt to peer too curiously into the remote future. That instinct seems to me to be eminently wise. Whether, however, it be wise or unwise, it certainly exercises so powerful an influence over my mind as to preclude me from endeavouring to forecast what will be the ultimate solution of the Egyptian Question. That solution, moreover, depends, in no small degree, on a factor which is at present both unknown and uncertain, viz., the conduct of the Egyptians themselves. We cannot as yet predict with any degree of assurance the moral, intellectual, and political results likely to be obtained by the transformation which is at present taking place in the Egyptian national character. Although, however, I will not venture to predict the goal which will eventually be reached, I |