The news from Egypt is not good. The Mandi remains
in- active, but the Egyptians have suffered another ominous defeat. The Governor of Suakim, instead of waiting for General Baker, sent 700 men, 500 of them Nubian Regulars, to reconnoitre the road to Berber. As soon as they entered the passes behind Suakim, the bill Absa swarmed down on them, and though the Nubians fought bravely, the whole force was destroyed, only a few officers escaping alive. The effect of this blow is to make General Baker's march to Berber most dangerous, to stop recruiting to such a point that pressgangs have been sent out to seize un- employed Negroes, and to take all heart out of the Egyptian Government. Rumours, probably false, are spread of Tewfik's abdication, but it seems to be true that military aid has been asked from Great Britain, the Egyptian Ministry acknowledging that they cannot defend the country. Of course, as the alternative is Turkish rule, we must defend Egypt, though not the Soudan ; but how is defence possible, unless we stand forward as the pro- tecting State, at least for a time? We cannot garrison Egypt, and defend Egypt, and therefore tax Egypt, and then say that in Egypt we are only temporary guests. The Egyptian deficit for the year already exceeds £2,500,000, and the Four per Cents. have dropped to 62i.
