148 RECOLLECTIONS OF FORTY YEARS. 



with him this morning, the Yiceroy having ordered a 

 special train for us from Cairo to Samanoud and a 

 steamer from Samanoud to Damietta. I have tele- 

 graphed to M. Yoisin to meet us, for before I knew 

 of the Due de Brabant's proposed visit we had 

 arranged to inspect our works together. 



" The Yiceroy will return from Constantinople in 

 about three weeks, and we shall then make our finan- 

 cial arrangements previous to my starting for France, 

 and he has repeated to me several times, i I don't 

 wish you to reach Paris until the company is com- 

 pletely satisfied.' He made a similar declaration to 

 our consul, and also told him that he intended to 

 effect the payment of his shares in such a way as to 

 obviate any necessity for making a fresh call upon the 

 French shareholders. 



" His Highness informed me a few days ago that he 

 had steamers to bring contingents of workmen from 

 Upper and Middle Egypt for the month of Eamaden, 

 during which period there is not, for this once, to be 

 any suspension of labour. It was very desirable that 

 such should be the case, as an interruption of the 

 work would certainly have been misinterpreted, and 

 this the Yiceroy saw. 



"These facts confirm, therefore, the favourable dis- 

 positions which his Highness manifested from the 

 first, and our affairs in Egypt are going on as well as 

 possible." 



