THE ORIGIN OF THE SUEZ CANAL. 125 



made our success certain. I am going to jot down 

 our conversation, which was a very interesting one, 

 in iny journal." 



To the same. 



" ALEXANDRIA, March 7, 1859. 



" I have presented the deputation from our board 

 to the Viceroy, and handed him the declaration, of 

 which I enclose you a copy. After the customary 

 compliments, I had a private audience with the Vice- 

 roy, being anxious to see what impression the recent 

 visit of the English consul had produced upon his 

 mind. I found him as kind as ever for me, and 

 thoroughly resolved to pursue, or perhaps rather to let 

 me pursue, the enterprise of the canal. He confirmed 

 the accuracy of the report of the interview sent us by 

 M. de Kegny, but added that the consul had at the 

 same time thanked him for the completion of the rail- 

 way, which, to use the expression contained in a 

 letter of congratulation from the P. and 0. Company, 

 4 so happily realises to the advantage of England the 

 wished-for communication between the Mediterranean 

 and the Eed Sea.' The Viceroy afterwards asked the 

 French Consul-General whether he would, if neces- 

 sary, support the operations of the canal company ? 

 M. Sabatier replied that he had no instructions, but 

 would apply for them if required. The Viceroy's 

 secretary then went to see M. Sabatier, and offici- 

 ally requested him to inform his government of the 

 step which had been taken by his English colleague, 



