The British in Egypt have at last attempted to force
one practical reform upon the Egyptian Ministry. Acting, it is believed, upon the advice of Mr. Clifford Lloyd, now Adviser- General to the Department of the Interior, the Ministry in Cairo have ordered the Governors of Provinces to visit the gaols, to examine the prisoners, and to release those who are innocent,—a duty which will be zealously performed, and be most profitable to the officers who perform it. Still, though bribery will increase, suffering will be diminished. For the future, all gaolers are to refuse to receive the prisoners sent in, unless they are forwarded by some competent and responsible authority. That is the true rule, if only it can be enforced; but then, can it ? The gaoler's patron is the man who im- prisons at will, and the gaoler will not affront his patron until the law makes him penally liable for his conduct. We fear the only effective method of preventing false arrest would be to authorise resistance ; but to this no Asiatic Government will consent. The next best way would be to have none but European gaolers, or gaol inspectors ; but then, that involves precisely the system of direct government which it has been resolved not to introduce.
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