Evening star., 1885-06-24

Governments. Religious Reflections
and Grotesque Sketches.
Special Cable Dispatch to THE EVENING STAR.
LONDON, June "a.
The demand for the diaries of Gen. Gordon at
Khartoum, to be published by Kegan, Paul,
French d Co., tomorrow, has far exceeded even
the latters expectation. The ten thousand
copies printed for the first edition are hardly
sufficient to meet the orders booked before pub
lication. The price is one guinea, SO that the
publishers are already secure of the five
thousand guineas paid for the copyright. The
contents are awaited with the liveliest interest.
Nothing about them has been allowed to be
known here, but from q copy now before me
am able to give the following account of this
extraordinary book:
1t is large, red volume of 5S7. pages, with a
portrait, two maps and thirty illustrations after
Gordon's sketches. First comes the introduc-
tion by the editor, Egmont Hake He contends
that il is unfair and illogical to say that Gordon
exceeded the Instructions of her majesty gov
ernment, because he was appointed by the
British government. The latter could have no
control unless it openly declared for the an
,t, nexaiion OF Egypt and the soudan, The khe-
dive delegated his own power to Gordon: there
fore, says Mr.. HaSe to exceed his instructions
was an impossibiiity, and, secondly, Gordon
was constantly thwarted and never supported
Hake gives thirteen specific instances of re-
fusal of Gordon's most pressing requests At
last Gordon telegraphed he would do his BEST
but felt convinced he would be caught at khar-
toum.
SIR CHARLES WILSON'S EXPEDITION.
Next comes a description of Gordon's posi-
ton at Khartoum, the mission of Sir Charles
Wilson and description OF his journal, all by
his brother, Sir Henry w. Gordon. The latter
expresses the belief that no blame attaches to
wilson. The diaries from the 10th of Septem-
ber to the 18th OF December were sent down the
Nile by steamer as soon as completed. The
government handed them 10 Sir Henry express
ing wish for their complete publication. Only
six or seven pages are omitted. On the outside
wrapper, which is glass cloth, is written 'nO
-ecrets SO far as am concerned. G. G. Gordon"
On the back of the cover ''this journal will want
pruning, and ii thought necessary publish
The diaries filled 395 pages, and there are 154
pages Of appendix.
A STRANGE MEDLEY
The diaries are a strange medley, and were
written evidently in perfect sincerity, but vary
ing in style, manner and subject from page TO
page. One page will be abstruse statistical dis
cussiOn OF social and political aspects of the
Egyptian problem. Then follows, perhaps, a
page of reading like biblical commentary,
with many scriptural quotations and cross ref
erences giving Gordons peculiar views, which
explain in foot notes. Then suddenly comes Il
bit of reminscence of life in England else
where. or a story about some Arab child. Then
he turns aside to discuss his own feelings habits,
and ends, perhaps, with funny sketch, fol-
lowed by a declaration that he is resigned to
Gods will. Much is underlined.
A SPECIMEN.
The following extracts give an idea of the vary
ing character of the diary and GOrdOn's Opin-
ions: ''For my part, am always frightened, and
very much so. fear the future OF all engage
ments 1t is not the fear of death. That is past,
thank God, but the fear OF defeat and its con-
sequences to us. The near approach of the
we should meet face face ere the matter
ended. [GOrdons head was taken before the
mahdi, according to the latest accounts.] toss
up in my mind whether, ii the place is taken,
to blow up the palace and all in it or be taken,
with Gods help maintain the faith. and, if ne
cesSary, suffer for it. l think l shall elect the
last. From professional military point OF
view, speaking materially,
WISH WAS THE MAHDI.
would laugh at all Europe. l own to having
been very insubOrdinate to her majesty's gov
ernment but ii is in my nature; l cannot help
it. know if was chief / would never employ
myself tor l am an incOrrgble; hope / am.
Not going down to history the cause of this
expedition. decline the imputation. come
to deliver the garrison this is constantly re-
peated). The waste OF money and expense of
life by the present expedition is utterly due to
the indecisiOn of our government.
HATE OUR DIPLOMATIsTs.
think, with few exceptions, they are arrant
humbugs." Here follows a funny sketch oftwo
diplomatsts. entitled "E. n. and b. e., discus
sing the above statement Put yourself in
my position. you say make a rapid retreat
and leave Senaar TO its fate, will say no; l
would sooner die first. Ifyou say then you are
no longer governor general, then am all right
all the responsibility is on you.''
The above Is repeated again and again, and is
the key OF Gordon's whole view. "If any en-
missary letter comes ordering me to leave, l
will not obey it, but will stay here and fall with
the town and RUN all risks" This is in capitals.
GORDoNS LAST ENTRY.
The last entry is December 18th, and says:
"NOw, mark this. If an expedtionary force,
and ask for no more than two hundred men
if they do not come in ten days the town may
fall. / have done my best tor the honor of our
country. Good bye
A LETTER FROM THE MAHDI.
The appendix contains q letter of nine pages
from the mahdi to Gordon, telling of the cap
ture of Stewart and the consuls, and giving the
contents of many of GOrdOn'S dispatches, ad-
ding: 1--WE never miss any your news, and
summoning him to become a moslem or sur
render. GOrdOn's only comment on this letter
was "Come on.' Throughout the diary it is
stated that the help of Turkey would be the So
luton of the SOudan problem.