THE ORIGIN OF THE SUEZ CANAL. 263 



" A letter from Constantinople which I have just re- 

 ceived is to the following effect : 



" l M. Benedetti has been shown the correspondence 

 between Kiamil Pasha and his brother-in-law the 

 Viceroy, and he has succeeded in obtaining the notes 

 written by Keschid Pasha himself, and which served 

 as data for this correspondence. He first of all 

 sought for a direct explanation from the Grand 

 Vizier, whom he charged with having inspired the 

 letter in which the Emperor's name is made such an 

 improper use of. The Grand Vizier defended himself 

 as best he could that is to say, very badly laying all 

 the blame upon Kiamil. Instructions were asked for 

 from Paris, the Sultan was made acquainted with 

 what had occurred, and, after several ministerial 

 councils had been held, Keschid Pasha has been dis- 

 missed out of deference to the just susceptibilities of 

 the French Government.' 



" The upshot of all this is that we shall be left in 

 peace so far as Constantinople is concerned for some 

 time to come. I am therefore free to return to 

 France to carry on my propaganda, and to act in 

 accordance with the programme to which your High- 

 ness has been pleased to agree." 



To Count Th. de Lesseps^ Paris. 



" ALEXANDRIA, May 19, 1855. 



"Before embarking for France I have had a con- 

 versation with Mr. Bruce, the British Consul. He 



