THE MARDI'S TOMB. [To THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."] Sre,—I
send the following observations on the chance of your thinking them worthy of publication. Every one will sympathise with the sentiment embodied in Mr. Morley's censure of the desecration of the tomb and remains of a fallen foe. The question is whether this was an exception to the rule. I respectfully think that it was. The Madhi was not simply a fallen foe, either of Great Britain or of Egypt. Whatever he may have been in the beginning of his career, it is certain that he was during the period of his power a cruel and brutal sensualist of the lowest type ; an oppressor and exterminator of all who opposed him, whether Christians, heathens, or Mahommedans ; in short, an enemy of the human race. Face to face with the tomb and remains of such a man, the British commander could not have avoided passing some kind of judgment on such a character. To have done nothing would have been to give the tacit approbation of the British nation to pilgrimages of religious honour to a sacred shrine ; in other words, to stamp with British approbation the career and character of a monster, whose infamous life was unrelieved by a single good quality. He sent others to die bravely that he might pursue his career of imposture and sensuality. Their graves were worthy of all respect. But I hold that the British commander did.well to stamp with the signet of England's reprobation the inhuman character of the Mandi. He was between the two alternatives of tacit approval or reprobation ; and I think he made a right choice. The first accounts of the mutilation of the body were revolting ; but Mr. Balfour's explanation put matters in a less offensive light. For my part, I think Lord Kitchener would have been justified, in the interest of humanity and civilisation, if he had solemnly and ceremoniously cremated the Mandi's body as a; protest on the part • of the British nation against crimes which. ditgraced human nature. But however that may be, I repeat that Lord Kitchener was shut in between approval of religious honours paid to the memory of the Mandi, or conspicuous reprobation of his infamous career. It has been said that Gordon would have disapproved of what Lord Kitchener did. I think, on the contrary, that Gordon would have entirely approved of it. He did things himself which were far more questionable.—I am, Sir, &c., The Residence, Ripon, Tune 7th. MALcorm MecCorz.
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