available.

"Her Majesty's Government do not desire to be made acquainted with
the purport of the message. But you must explain that they are
unable to accept any responsibility for the results to the safety
or health of the explorer which the delay in quitting his present
situation may bring about."

The official papers closed with the following laconic despatch from
Lord Salisbury to Sir E. Monson, bearing date 3rd October.

"I request your Excellency to inform the French Minister for
Foreign Affairs that, in accordance with his wish, his message for
M. Marchand has been transmitted to Khartoum, and will be
forwarded thence to its destination. In order to avoid any
misunderstanding, you should state to M. Delcasse that the fact of
Her Majesty's Government having complied with his Excellency's
request in regard to the transmission of the message does not
imply the slightest modification of the views previously expressed
by them. You should add that, whether in times of Egyptian or
Dervish dominion, the region in which M. Marchand was found has
never been without an owner, and that, in the view of Her
Majesty's Government, his expedition into it with an escort of 100
Senegalese troops has no political effect, nor can any political
significance be attached to it."

In the appendix were given past speeches and despatches by M. Decrais,
M. Hanotaux, Lord Kimberley, Sir E. Grey, etc.

The rest can be quickly told. Military and naval preparations for war
in both countries were redoubled and the public tone was bellicose.
Consols were affected and war appeared almost inevitable. It was
an occasion for union among all who rightly set patriotism above
party. Lord Rosebery, Late Premier, with splendid grace and
disinterestedness, in a speech, 13th October, voiced the sentiment of
the masses and classes. His lordship said:--

"Behind the policy of the British Government in this matter there
is the untiring and united strength of the nation itself.
(Cheers.) It is the policy of the last Government deliberately
adopted and sustained by the present Government. (Cheers.) That is
only a matter of form, but it is the policy of the nation itself,
and no Government that attempted to recede from or palter with
that policy would last a week. (Loud cheers.) I am perfectly
certain that no idea or intention of any weakening on th