[Footnote 122: Now Earl of Derby.] [Footnote 123: _Report of Royal Commission on the Relations of the Naval and Military Departments to Each Other_, 1890.] [Footnote 124: Now Field Marshal Viscount Wolseley, G.C.B.] [Footnote 125: This gallant young naval officer, whose services were so valuable during the night march, unfortunately received a wound on entering the works, of which he died a few days afterwards.] [Footnote 126: Now Lord Alcester.] [Footnote 127: Visiting card of Arabi Pasha, found at Tel-el-Kebir. [Illustration]] CHAPTER XXIX GIBRALTAR--ITS VALUE FROM A NAVAL AND COMMERCIAL POINT OF VIEW--ZOBEHR PASHA A STATE PRISONER--SANITARY CONDITION OF GIBRALTAR. Soon after my return from the expedition to Egypt I was appointed Governor of Gibraltar, and on January 2, 1883, took over the command from my distinguished predecessor, Field Marshal Lord Napier of Magdala. Before alluding to the present position of Gibraltar, and to the duties in connection with it during my tenure of office, it may be as well to refer shortly to its eventful history in the past. One of the most ancient fortresses in Europe, it owes its exceptional interest and importance partly to its position at the entrance to the Mediterranean and partly from its vicinity to the kingdom of Morocco. From the early part of the eighth century, when first occupied and fortified by the Moors, it became, as it were, their chief base of operations in the gradual conquest of the greater part of Spain. Its history in those days is indeed one continual record for several centuries of sieges, and of battles fought in its vicinity; and although re-taken in 1309, and held for a few years by the Spanish forces, it may be said to have been in possession of the Moors during almost the whole of the eight hundred years of their rule in that country. During that long period its value was chiefly of a military character; and it is only in more recent times, as circumstances in Europe gradually changed, that its unique position in regard to naval power in the Mediterranean has been fully recognised and developed. Subsequently to the expulsion of the Moors in the sixteenth century it was held by the Spanish Government, but its defences were apparently neglected and its importance little appreciated; so that when attacked by the British fleet under Admiral Rooke in 1704 it was captured with comparative ease, its possession being confirmed to us by the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. Since that date, although it has undergone several sieges--notably that by the allied armies and fleets of France and Spain, which lasted from 1779 to 1782, it has successfully resisted all attacks; and its past history would appear to prove that, if properly armed and resolutely held, it is practically safe from capture by land or sea. [Illustration: GIBRALTAR FROM QUEEN OF SPAIN'S CHAIR]