As regards Egypt, Lord Salisbury said that some expected him
to proclaim a protectorate—a remark received by the com- pany at dinner with ringing cheers—but for the present "I cannot rise to the height of their aspirations. We are quite sufficiently satisfied with the state of affairs," though it must be fully recognised that the position has been changed. "A.
stricken field is one of the stages upon the road of history," and as our position after Tel-el-Kebir was different from what it was before, so our position has become different since Omdurman. "Bat I earnestly hope that no circumstances will occur which will compel us to modify in any degree our position in Egypt, for I am convinced that the world would not get on as peaceably as it does now if that necessity were imposed upon us." Lord Salisbury finished with a fine perora- tion about the determination of the people to hand down their Empire unimpaired, thus ending a speech which, in spite of its lofty tone, leaves on us the impression that he scents danger somewhere. No hint of its exact kind or place is given, but the words used about the appearance of America as a new factor are decidedly unusual. It would be too much to say that he is expecting trouble over the Philippines, but that is one at least of the many places in which gunpowder is lying about. It is evident in every line of the speech that England is awake, and ready, if so dreadful a necessity should arise, to face more Powers than one.
