The Kingdom of Egypt 271
British. Zaglul's public pronouncements were none the
less, or shall we say all the more, uncompromising. For
example, in one speech he denounced the Declaration
of Independence as being the worst of calamities for
Egypt and mere camouflage for a Protectorate. It was
none the less doubtful whether he could by such profes-
sions of faith retain the confidence of and control over
his extremist followers, while carrying out what must
necessarily be in practice a policy of co-operation.
It seemed as though Zaglul's personality and popu-
larity would be sufficient to carry him through this diffi-
cult and delicate enterprise. For this tall, angular,
ungainly fellah in many ways recalls another provin-
cial lawyer, who brought his country through as difficult
a crisis. Like Lincoln, Zaglul is very human. For
example, he likes gambling, bad jokes, and good food.
But his career shows that he can gamble without losing
his head and that he can lead his people from the flesh-
pots of Egypt into the wilderness. He is wholly of the
people and for the people. His house is Beit el Watan
(the House of the Nation). His wife, who brought him a
small fortune, is a leading feminist. He only learnt
French late in life, and now, a good omen, he is learning
English. He is in some ways the first really representa-
tive Egyptian and one racy of the soil. Whether he
thunders like a minor prophet or chaffs in dialect like a
man of the people, he speaks a language that every
Egyptian can understand. Conscious of his power as he
is, he has none the less a disarming humility and humour.
When shot in the shoulder while speaking at a railway
station, he was saying; "I pray Allah He will curb
any pride that I may feel at this great gathering,'' and, as
he fell, he added with a smile : <( Allah has granted my
prayer/'