Consols fell two points in twenty-four hours.

Even raising the Bank rate and shutting the door brought only a temporary relief.
Lord Glump, the greatest financial expert in London, was reported as saying that if the Wazoos rose England would be bankrupt in forty-eight hours.
Meanwhile, to the consternation of the whole nation, the Government did nothing.

The Cabinet seemed to be paralysed.
On the other hand the Press became all the more clamorous.

The London _Times_ urged that an expedition should be sent at once.

Twenty-five thousand household troops, it argued, should be sent up the Euphrates or up the Ganges or up something without delay.