For this reason I have decided now finally on publication, giving the text of my Memoir as it was completed in January, 1905, the identical text of which my friend signified his approval suppressing only certain brief passages which seem to me still too personal in regard to individuals living, and which could be excised without injury to the volume's complete historic value. I can sincerely say that in all I have written my one great aim has been to disclose the _vérité vraie_ as it is known to me for misguided History's sake. If there is at all a second reason with me, it must be looked for in a promise publicly made as long ago as in the September number of the "Nineteenth Century Review" of 1882 that I would complete some day my personal _Apologia_ in regard to events then contemporary. At that time and out of consideration for Mr. Gladstone, and for the hope I had that he would yet repair the wrong he had done to liberty in Egypt, I forbore, in the face of much obloquy, to exculpate myself by a full revelation of the hidden circumstances which were my justification. I could not clear myself entirely without telling facts technically confidential, and I decided to be silent. There is, however, a limit to the duty of reticence owed to public men in public affairs, and I am confident that my abstention of a quarter of a century will excuse me with fair judging minds if I now at last make my conduct quite clear in the only way possible to me, namely, by a complete exposure in detail of the whole drama of financial intrigue and political weakness as it was at the time revealed to me, substantiating it by the contemporary documents still in my possession. If the susceptibilities of some persons in high places are touched by a too candid recital, I can but reply that the necessity of speech has been put on me by their own long lack of candour and generosity. During all these years not one of those who knew the truth has said a confessing word on my behalf. It will be enough if I repeat with Raleigh: Go, Soul, the Body's guest, Upon a thankless errand. Fear not to touch the best, The truth shall be thy warrant. Then go, for thou must die, And give the world the lie. WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT. NEWBUILDINGS PLACE, SUSSEX. _April_, 1907. CONTENTS PREFACE OF 1895 vii PREFACE ON PUBLICATION, 1907 ix I. EGYPT UNDER ISMAÏL 1 II. SIR RIVERS WILSON'S MISSION 19 III. TRAVELS IN ARABIA AND INDIA 38 IV. ENGLISH POLITICS IN 1880 51 V. THE REFORM LEADERS AT THE AZHAR 73 VI. BEGINNINGS OF THE REVOLUTION IN EGYPT 92 VII. TRIUMPH OF THE REFORMERS IN EGYPT 109 VIII. GAMBETTA'S POLICY. THE JOINT NOTE 129 IX. FALL OF SHERIF PASHA 146 X. MY PLEADING IN DOWNING STREET 162