19 FEBRUARY 1876, Page 1

The debate expected on Monday on the purchase of the

Suez Canal Shares did not come off. Sir Stafford Northcote, in apply, ing for permission to borrow £4,000,000 from the Commissioners of the National Debt, who are to receive the Khedive's £200,000 a year, and so pay off principal and interest in thirty-five years, made an able but slightly tedious exposition of the financial part of the measure,—which we have analysed elsewhere. When he had finished, Lord Hartington asked the Premier to adjourn the debate, on the ground of the quantity of new matter imported into it, and particularly of the explanation offered of Mr. Cave's mission. Mr. Disraeli at first declined, but Mr. Gladstone stated that more information was needed, and threatened, if the debate went on, to reserve himself for another occasion, and the Premier gave way, the debate being adjourned to Monday next. It is expected to be a fierce one, but the House, though interested in -- the financial details, has made up its mind upon political grounds, and cheers every allusion to British interests in Egypt.