And so it was--so
successful, indeed, that it was listened to with equal attention by the
Tories as by the Liberals, though nothing could be more abhorrent to the
Tory imagination than the proposal by Sir Charles Dilke of an early
evacuation of Egypt. Perhaps their indignation was a little mitigated by
the fact which Sir Charles Dilke brought out with such clearness, that
Lord Salisbury was just as deeply committed to the eventual evacuation
of Egypt as any other public man.
[Sidenote: An awkward situation.]
It was curious to watch the House of Commons during this debate. There
is no doubt that a very awkward situation was before that assembly. On
the one hand, there were the interests of the country--as they are
understood by the Tory party; on the other, there was a very difficult
party situation--a situation difficult enough to tempt even the most
patriotic, self-denying, and impartial Tory to gaze on the Liberal
leaders opposite with a certain amount of mischievous curiosity. How was
Mr. Gladstone going to make a speech which would fulfil those extremely
diverse purposes? First, leave the door open for a continued stay for
some time longer, and at the same moment for final evacuation; secondly,
please Sir Wm.
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