Egypt in 1898. By G. W. Steevens. (W. Blackwood and
Sons.) —It would not be easy to find a more interesting book in its way than this. Interesting it would be in any case ; it becomes doubly so now that it is supplemented by the victory over the Khalifs. Mr. Steevens gives us information of the most recent date about many things, about the Canal, for instance- " it is at least strange that the British directors do British interests so little good "—about the towns, or would-be towns, which the Canal has made or unmade, about the fellaheen and other classes of the Egyptian people, and chiefly, for he cannot help returning to the topic again and again, about the British occupation. It is true that we have promised to go, but every year makes it more certain that we have come to stay. For this France herself is, in no small degree, responsible. The unwisdom of her policy is quite strange. "A string of blunders," Mr. Steevens calls it. It has striven to hinder British efforts to make Egypt all that Egypt ought to be, with the obvious result that these efforts have to be continued indefinitely. It is possible that if she had been helpful, instead of obstructive, we might have actually attempted evacuation some years ago. Mr. Steevens's reports of native opinion on the subject are well worth considera- tion. It cannot be said that we are popular ; that is not our way. But we are trusted. The Englishman cannot be bought and cannot be frightened. One of the most significant testimonies to the necessity of our presence was borne by an adversary. 'You ought to go '—such was the substance of his remark= but if you go, I go also.' It is noteworthy that though the Egyptian can be made into an excellent soldier, it is not so easy to make him into even a decent official. More and more Englishmen have to be employed in Government offices.
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