iS 2 RECOLLECTIONS OF FORTY YEARS. 



holders' money. We have laboured and sown ; we 

 intend to reap the harvest. 



" These fresh intrigues, if they really exist, will 

 share the fate of the financial and political intrigues 

 which have preceded them. 



" I tell you what I think, and must leave you to 

 decide as to whether it is expedient to inform the 

 Empress of the matter." 



To His Highness Prince Ismail, Viceroy of Egypt 

 and Ethiopia. 



" CAIRO, September 1, 1863. 



" Monseigneur, A letter from the Grand Vizier 

 was addressed to your Highness in the early part of 

 August with reference to the Suez Canal. 



" The French Embassy at Constantinople having 

 succeeded in obtaining a copy of this letter, and com- 

 municated it to me, I have lost no time in drawing 

 out a memorandum on the subject, in which I venture 

 to call your close attention. I may at once say that I 

 am of the same opinion as the French Government, 

 which has never, it is true, had occasion to take any 

 initiative in regard to the Suez Canal, and which has 

 rightly refused to make a political question of it, but 

 which is firmly resolved to uphold, together with 

 your rights, those of the company in which French 

 capital has been legitimately invested. 



" It will be for the representative of the Emperor 

 at your Highness's Court to give you, with more 



