CHAPTER XXIV.

I'BE CRIMEAN WAR.

A the end of May, 1853, Cobden had described to his brother
"hat there was a good desl of uneasiness at headquarters
shout Turkish affairs. The Cabinet,” he said, © has been
Yivided almost to a split upon the question of more or less
direct interference on our part. The Peelites and Moles-Worth
 are the least disposed for intervention. The Whigs
nd Palmerston are for the old stereotyped phrases of Inte-Srity
 of the Turkish Empire, Balance of Power, ete. They
*6 words without meaning, the mere echoes of the past, and
¥ are admirably suited for the mouths of senile Whiggery.”
By the end of the year, owing to a series of causes which are
20w well understood, the relations of Russia tothe two Western
Powers had been allowed to fall into an extremely dangerous
Position.  Cobden’s account of the state of the Government
%a8 unfortunately correct. The Cabinet was divided, and that
ame to pass which always happens in such circumstances.
The section which had the strongest and most definite con-Fictions
 won the day. This was the section practically
beaded by Lord Palmerston, and supported by the great inluence
 of Lord John Russell. Instead of trying to know
"he facts of the condition of Turkey, these two Ministers
"ested upon the old phrases which Cobden so truly de-Scribed,
 Nor had either of them, again, a well-conceived
tion, as Sir Robert Peel had. of the function of diplo-1854.


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