141. In Morocco, 21st November 1885.
On October 28th the Burtons went down to Hatfield, where there was a large party, but Lord Salisbury devoted himself chiefly to Burton. After they had discussed the Eastern Question, Lord Salisbury said to Burton "Now go to your room, where you will be quiet, and draw up a complete programme for Egypt."
Burton retired, but in two or three minutes returned with a paper which he handed to Lord Salisbury.
"You've soon done it," said his Lordship, and on unfolding the paper he found the single word "Annex."
"If I were to write for a month," commented Burton, on noticing Lord Salisbury's disappointment, "I could not say more."
However, being further pressed, he elaborated his very simple programme. [500] The policy he advocated was a wise and humane one; and had it been instantly adopted, untold trouble for us and much oppression of the miserable natives would have been avoided. Since then we have practically followed his recommendations, and the present prosperous state of Egypt is the result.
On 21st November 1885, Burton left England for Tangier, which he reached on the 30th, and early in January he wrote to the Morning Post a letter on the Home Rule question, which he thought might be settled by the adoption of a Diet System similar to that which obtained in Austro-Hungary. On January 15th he wants to know how Mr. Payne's translation of Boccaccio [501] is proceeding and continues: "I look forward to Vol. i. with lively pleasure. You will be glad to hear that to-day I finished my translation and to-morrow begin with the Terminal Essay, so that happen what may subscribers are safe. Tangier is beastly but not bad for work.... It is a place of absolute rascality, and large fortunes are made by selling European protections—a regular Augean stable."
Mrs. Burton and Lisa left England at the end of January, and Burton met them at Gibraltar.