304 RECOLLECTIONS OF FORTY YEARS. 



occasion, he threw his sword across the room, fearing 

 that in a moment of passion he might strike you 

 with it, and how, when he had calmed down, you 

 found him in tears because you had anticipated him 

 in suggesting ideas of reform, is typical of the 

 Eastern despot. The barbarian is always more or 

 less of a child, and Mohammed's friendship was a 

 glass which the least pressure of jealousy might break. 

 You felt this, and your well-stored and supple mind 

 provided for every contingency. It is only men of 

 strong character who can deal properly with bar- 

 barians. Said had taken with him a service of Sevres 

 china for his own use, and he had given you another 

 for your own use. The Viceroy's service, for want of 

 proper care, was soon broken, while yours was intact. 

 This would never do, so upon one occasion the well- 

 trained camel which bore your service was replaced 

 by a very skittish and almost savage camel. You 

 were too sensible to remonstrate, and in a few minutes 

 your service of china was broken to bits. The 

 Viceroy nearly cracked his sides with laughter, and 

 the work of the isthmus was safe. For from this 

 period the piercing of the Isthmus of Suez was your 

 constant preoccupation, and you had almost succeeded 

 in getting your all-powerful friend to embrace your 

 idea. Your views in this matter dated from an 

 incident which followed your arrival in Egypt. You 

 came from a country which had a clean bill of health 

 to a country infested with disease ; and, in obedience 



