Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol 7.djvu/310

 266 THE WINTER TROUBLES. CHAP, province of Russia ; and, although perhaps doubt- ^^ ing their prudence, lie had answered them with i^ai^V- t^^® Ahna campaign. Step by step they had P"*^- followed, and step by step had approved the joint strategy of the Alliance, greeting even what was called ' the flank march ' with vehement, un- measured praise. They now saw their general hampered and gravely imperilled, yet still under the tbgis of victory, for ' Inkerman ' had not been reversed by any later engagement. If before, in imagination, and with the glow of just pride, they had followed the chief into action, they now saw his spirit sustain itself under a heavier kind of trial, and radiate into the hearts of his soldiery with a power which guarded his camp against the approach of despair. For their hopes of a for- tunate issue out of battles to come, the Ministers pnt faith in their general, and so, they knew, did our army, and besides — a thing of great moment —the army of our French allies. It is true, there was need that the genciral, whilst able to lead, should be one who could also administer ; but no member of the Government could help knowing well that, if Lord Raglan was the Lord Fitzroy Somerset of the Wellington campaigns, he was also the Lord Fitzroy Somerset of later days, pre-eminent in our State departments for his mastery of official work. The Cabinet knew that Lord Raglan had a closer, a more accurate acquaintance with the labyrinth of our army administration than any other man living, and that in the transaction of military bnsiness under normal conditions he was unsurpassed ; but,