THE ORIGIN OF THE SUEZ CANAL. 15 



prosperity by the removal of injustice and of the abuse 

 of power. 



" ' When I reached the Soudan provinces and saw 

 the misery in which they were plunged, owing to the 

 excessive sums levied upon the lands, I decided, moved 

 by the spirit of justice, that all this system should be 

 abandoned, and I desire that henceforth the taxes 

 shall be distributed according to the means of the in- 

 habitants, so that all fears may be calmed, that the 

 land may prosper, and that there may be no further 

 cause for complaint or exasperation. 



" ' When I reached Berber I asked the sheiks and 

 inhabitants who came out to meet me what could 

 insure their tranquillity, and how much they could 

 afford to pay. They replied by asking that each 

 sakie should pay an import of 250 piastres ; but as my 

 love for my people makes me desirous of giving them 

 the utmost possible prosperity, and as I am anxious 

 to restore confidence to those who have expatriated 

 themselves and induce them to return, I have decided 

 that they shall pay only 200 piastres for each sakie. 

 I then arrived at Khartoum to meet the other sheiks 

 and notable persons, and if these latter had arrived 

 promptly, they would have experienced, by the effect 

 of my presence among them, the marks of a generosity 

 which they had never yet experienced. But as I have 

 made you Mudir of this province, you must above all 

 things concern yourself with the welfare of the popu- 

 lations, with all that can ameliorate their position and 



