For a few months after Mr. Gladstone formed his second administration things seemed to have quieted down in {195} Egypt. The new Khedive was a weak character and the country was practically governed by French and English Ministers in the Cabinet. Sir Evelyn Baring (afterwards Lord Cromer) and M. de Blaquières worked together in perfect harmony. Sir Evelyn Baring had originally come to Egypt as Commissioner of the Debt, and had worked so successfully towards a new settlement that when the question of the appointment of an English controller to advise the Khedive's Ministers arose, he was the person naturally indicated for the post. "Thus," as he says, "the various essential parts of the State machine were adjusted. A new Khedive ruled. The relations between the Khedive and his Ministers were placed on a satisfactory footing. A Prime Minister (Riaz Pasha) had been nominated who had taken an active part in opposing the abuses prevalent during the reign of Ismail Pasha. The relations between the Sultan and the Khedive had been regulated in such a way as to ensure the latter against any excessive degree of Turkish interference. The system which had been devised for associating Europeans with the Government held out good promise of success, inasmuch as it was in accordance with the Khedive's own views. Lastly, an International Commission had been created with full powers to arrange matters between the Egyptian Government and their creditors."[3] But, suddenly, as it seemed to those who had not been watching events on the spot, across this peaceful sky flashed the red meteor of rebellion, massacre, and arson.