Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 9.djvu/298

 '4G8 LORD RAGLAN. CHAP, merit was nothing serious.* On the same day, ' he went through the conference he had sought with P^lissier — one perhaps that to him may have seemed more difficult, more full of peril than any he had yet undertaken. At a later hour, he wrote to Pelissier, sending him a translation in French of the Memorandum demanding great changes in the conduct of the siege to which we shall soon revert. On the 25th, Lord Kaglan was preparing to attend the funeral of General Estcourt when he found himself so much overcome — not by illness, but grief — that — perhaps hardly thinking it fit to show emotions so strong in the presence of troops — he remained for the time within doors. In the evening, he however went out and visited the tomb of his friend. On the same day, he re- ported the death of General Estcourt to the Sec- retary of State, and not only advised the Govern- ment on the choice of a successor, but fully stated the grounds on which he recommended Colonel Pakenham for the vacant post. After the arrival on the same day (the 25th) of a despatch from the Secretary of State of the 11th of June, Lord Raglan dealt keenly with a curious suggestion it contained, and wrote with his own hand a minute recording the judgment he had formed. Thus the indisposition which showed itself on the 23d of June did not either prevent Lord liaglan from attending to public business, or con-
 * ' Rieii de grave.'