THE ORIGIN OF THE SUEZ CANAL. 49 



" In any event, your Highness is certain to decide 

 for the best ; and when my English tour is ended, and 

 I am prepared to go to Constantinople, I will first 

 come to Egypt to take your orders." 



MEETINGS. 



The months of May and June, 1857, were devoted 

 to going to the principal towns in England, Scotland, 

 and Ireland. The resolutions passed at these meet- 

 ings were unanimously in favour of the execution of 

 the canal, that which was carried at the London 

 meeting (June 24th, 1857) being similar in terms to 

 the rest : 



"At the public meeting of merchants, bankers, 

 shipowners, &c., held at the London Tavern, Wednes- 

 day, June 24th, 1857, Sir James Duke, Bart., in the 

 chair, it was proposed by Mr. Arbuthnot and seconded 

 by Captain Harris, of the P. and 0. Steam Company, 

 4 That the canal through the isthmus of Suez having 

 been declared practicable by competent engineers, 

 and all nations having been invited to take part in 

 the enterprise, which will not be placed under the 

 exclusive protection of any government in particular, 

 this meeting, being quite satisfied with the explana- 

 tions given by M. de Lesseps, is persuaded that the 

 success of the canal will be eminently advantageous 

 to the commercial interests of Great Britain.' Carried 

 unanimously. 



"JAMES DUKE, Chairman." 



