Page:Distinguished Churchmen.djvu/293

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THE REV. MONTAGUE FOWLER, M.A. 251

Bishopric," and the readers of that non-party organ generously responded with contributions amounting to upwards of ^"2000 in twelve months. Now that political and other difficulties have been removed, it is confidently expected the fund will grow apace.

So much by way of a general summary of Anglican endeavour in Egypt, and of the condi tions that demanded it. But now for a few bio graphical facts relating to the man who has so much identified himself with this particular phase of Church work. By birth the Rev. Montague Fowler is a Londoner, born in 1858 in close proximity to that well-recognised centre of Church influence, known as Dean s Yard, Westminster. He does not, however, come of clerical stock. His father was Sir John Fowler, the distinguished engineer, to whose genius the Underground Rail way and the colossal Forth Bridge afford lasting testimony. Mr Fowler, the engineer, was made a K.C.M.G. in 1885 for services rendered to the Government under Mr Gladstone in connection with the Egyptian campaign. It came about in this way. When the lamented General Gordon was murdered, the Government wanted to send an expedition under Lord Wolseley, but they were perplexed as to how he was to get to Khar toum. Various routes were suggested one through Suakim to Berber ; but, knowing that Mr Fowler had acted as Consulting Engineer to the Egyptian Government, and that he had surveyed the whole

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