The Sun.
London, England, 1863-01-23 00:00:00

,4
ttg r
'4l°
$""'N
41111 t
0-‘114)

LONDON, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 1863.

The reply of the new VICEROY of E3YPT to the
Consular Body appears very satisfactory. The
address itself proved the high estimation in which
he was held. Those who presented it knew from
experience much that was gratifying and encourag-
ing in the past, and hence could hope for great
things from the future. This passage evinces their
already high estimation of the Prince :—" Each of
us has had the honour to know your Highness in
private life, and on more than one occasion to
appreciate the eminent qualities which led your
Highness to avoid, with a reserve as dignified as it
was wise, taking any part in public business during
the late Government." This reticence of character
displays in itself a care and caution that are emi-
nently becoming to a statesman, for it is never
those who thrust themselves forward officiously who
prove the most efficient when the time of trial
comes. It was no want of ability that kept IsMAIL
PASHA. from interference. On a late occasion when
he was Regent for a short time ho so conducted
affairs as to create a favourable impression. This
is rslluded to in the address in the following
words :
—"During the Regency which your Highness was
called upon to assume, you were able, despite the
difficulties of the position, to secure the respect and
sympathies of the people whose destiny was com-
mitted to your charge, and in dealing with the
foreign representatives your Highness gave proof
of firmness and justice that inspired the profound
respect of the whole colony."
The first words of the Viceroy's reply prove that
he is in earnest in his solemn undertaking. He
says—" I am deeply impressed with the
task which GOD has imposed upon me,
by recalling my uncle, and placing me at the head
of the Government of Eypt." After stating that he
was determined to devote himself to the prosperity
of the country he went on to observe that "the base
of all good administrations is order and economy in
the finances. This order and economy I shall
follow by every possible means, and I have resolved
upon abandoning the system of my predecessors,
by fixing for myself a civil list
which I shall never
exceed." Besides this excellent resolve the Vice-
roy has a still better plan in prospect—to abolish
the system of forced labour. This system, he states,
is the principal, and, indeed, only cause which has
prevented, and still prevents, the country from
taking all the development of which it is suscep-
tible." This is a step in the right direction, and
ISMAIL PASHA deserves the greatest credit for his
resolution in this respect. The snore he
follows the example of more enlightened countries
progress be made, and the
the more rapidly will
more steadily will it be maintained in the country
over which he presides. It is refreshing to notice
so extended a view taken of affairs, at the outset of
a new reign, and it is surely some foundation for
our hopes to rest upon, that will outlive the first
exciternr:nt of the inauguration, and remain to win
the admiration and respect of succeeding times.
,
Such a change as the Viceroy proposes to make is
un era in the history of the Fast, and it is to be
:trusted that he will go on in the good course which
ha Nil commenced; undeterred by the objections of
those whose prejudices may be wounded by his
rcforms, and unisfluenced by the advice of in-
terested partizans. The principle that the Viceroy
acknowledges in this speech is that 01
pregus,icm, and the spirit that animates