124 RECOLLECTIONS OF FORTY YEARS. 



permission to report their conversation to his govern- 

 ment. 



" The Viceroy was all the more justified in making 

 this outspoken reply to the irregular step taken by 

 Mr. Green, seeing that he has just completed for the 

 benefit of England the railway from Alexandria to 

 Suez. He deserved some better return for the out- 

 lays he has made in English factories and workshops, 

 notably in those of Stephenson, and for the rapidity 

 with which the works were carried out." 



To the Due d'Albufera, Vice- President of the Suez 

 Canal Company. 



11 VIENNA, February 21, 1859. 



" I have already had a long conversation with 

 Baron de Bruck and his colleagues in the Ministry. 

 We are quite agreed as to the subscription for shares 

 being announced in all the towns of the empire, under 

 the patronage of government. Each country has its 

 usages, and it appears that here a public appeal for 

 funds would not answer. I am going to-morrow to 

 Trieste, where deputations are to wait on me, and 

 where I shall arrange with M. de Eevoltella for realis- 

 ing the Austrian subscription for shares. 



" The venerable Prince Metternich greeted me, as 

 was his wont, with extreme good nature, and compli- 

 mented me upon my ' manipulation de 1'entreprise de 

 Suez,' to use his own words, adding that if we went on 

 steadily and prudently, the irresistible force of truth 



