Mr. Norwood, who moved the amendment accepted by the Government,
reserving to the House of Commons perfect freedom of judgment, did not deplore the breaking-off of the negotiations, but held that there was plenty of leverage for future arrangements with M. de Lesseps, without taking up Sir Stafford Northcote's position. He himself believed that if M. ee Lesseps were not inclined to concede what he ought to the representatives of British commerce, British commerce could find an alternative route for itself,— and he inclined to the route by way of Palestine from Acre, by way of the Jordan and the Dead Sea, to the Gulf of Akabah. In fact, Mr. Norwood altogether underrated the advantages of M. de Lesseps' position, and seemed to think that be would give them up out of pure dread of the persistency and resolution of British commercial nen, with their heart set on having their own way.
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