ops that they were splendid soldiers if only
they would not run away. [Laughter.]

It was a quaint way of putting it, but it was very accurate. They had
splendid physique; they had great fidelity and loyalty to their chiefs;
they had many of the qualities of the soldier, but like men who had been
recruited under the slave whip, and who had been accustomed to the
methods of despotism, they had not that courage which can only be
obtained by freedom and by united military training. [Cheers.] What they
lacked has been supplied to them, and the Egyptian army, as it has
issued from the hands of Sir Evelyn Wood, Sir Francis Grenfell, and the
Sirdar, is a magnificent specimen of the motive power of the English
leader. [Cheers.] We do not reflect on it, yet if we have any interest
in the administrative processes that go on in various parts of the
Empire we cannot help being impressed by the fact that numbers on
numbers of educated young men, who at home, in this country, would show
no very conspicuous qualities except those we are accustomed to look for
in an English gentleman, yet, if thrown on their own resources, and
bidden to govern and control and guide large bodies of men of another
race, they never or hardly ever fall short of the task which has been
given to them; but they will make of that body of promising material
splendid regiments by which the Empire of England is extended and
sustained. [Cheers.]

It is one of the great qualities of the Sirdar that he has been able to
direct the races that are under him, to make them effective and loyal
soldiers, to attach them to himself, and insure their good conduct in
the field of battle. [Cheers.] He has many other qualities upon which I
might dilate if time permitted. Lord Cromer, who I am glad to see Lord
Rosebery noted as one who ought to have his full share in any honors you
confer on those who have built up Egyptian prosperity, who is one of the
finest administrators the British race has ever produced--Lord Cromer is
in the habit of saying that the Sirdar has almost missed his vocation,
and that if he was not one of the first generals in the world, he would
be one of the first Chancellors of the Exchequer. [Laughter and cheers.]
I daresay many people think it a small thing that a soldier should be
able to save money [laughter], but it is not so if you will only
conceive for yourselves the agony of mind with which in former times the
Chancellors of the Exchequer or financ