The English and French Governments have come to an arrangement
upon the Egyptian question. M. de Blignieres is to be Egyptian Minister of Public Works, with control over all railways, canals, and ports, except Alexandria, and to exercise substantial influence in the Cabinet. The Khedive, moreover, pledges himself that if he dismisses either the French or English members of his Government, he will dismiss both. The effect of this absurd arrangement will be an endless struggle for influence within the Cabinet of Cairo, and a demand from the Frenchman that his portion of the revenues shall be spent in his way. The only ter- mination to that must be the dismissal of both Ministers, or the effacement of both before the Khedive, prospects which all who are inclined to throw fresh English wealth into the morass of the Cairo Treasury will do well to consider. In assenting to this arrangement, our Government has recognised the right of France
to keep one key to our Indian house-door. Imagine the control of the Eastern end of the Suez Canal being handed over to France
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