see a collision of the same ambitions and fears which strove together in 1807, the only difference being that the meshes of the secret plotting between the rulers of the world are woven at London and Berlin, instead of at Paris and Constantinople; and that they stretch out to Cairo and the Suez Canal instead of to Constantinople and the Bosphorus. Whatever the means, the aim is ever the same: the division of the empire of the world. Alexander I. would not allow Napoleon to blockade Europe by land, and to lead his army to India. Will Prince von Bismarck let England blockade it by sea, and lay hands on the Suez Canal and on the future railroad to Bagdad?
The grim iron Chancellor has been busy for the last fifteen years in building up the Empire of the West; and his work is yet unfinished. Sir Garnet Wolseley, master of Cairo, has practically handed over the Empire of the East to his Queen, Sovereign of three kingdoms and Empress of India. It is all very well for M. de Bismarck to declare that Egypt is not worth the life of a single Pomeranian private soldier; "The grapes are sour, and not ripe as I thought," says he. But the supremacy of Germany is imperilled by the Egyptian question, and German newspapers openly threaten England with the fate some day of the "sick man." In the settlement of any transaction, we must recollect that the covetous are poor givers, and that lukewarm friends and shuffling acquaintances are more unsafe than an open enemy. England is playing the conquering game, and it must be admitted that she plays it with astounding and justified boldness. She has sent thirty-five thousand soldiers to Egypt, including the Household Guards, that is to say, the bulk of her available forces. Had she suffered a defeat, her situation would have been most critical. Successful, she will continue to prosecute her plans; and doubtless she will take care to make friends in prosperity in order to have their help in adversity. Yet we cannot suppose that M. de Bismarck is inclined to allow England to grasp the Empire of the East. He is simply holding back for a time whilst sending Turkey to the front. He will step forward as soon as destiny strikes the hour. M. de Bismarck always counts the cost before he commits himself When this fatal moment comes, France, mindful that time and place often give the advantage to the weak
