Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol 7.djvu/342

 298 THE WINTER TROUBLES. CHAP, of coucurring in Lord Panmure's heedless words IX, may happily prove to be one in which, though the State gravely erred, the Queen herself had no part. The accusations levelled against Lord Kaglan and his Staff were not made public, but being conveyed in an official despatch they could be produced at any convenient moment to show how well, how minutely, Lord Panmure was obeying the ' Times ; ' and meanwhile, there were numberless lanes between Whitehall and Black- friars by which any well-trusted messenger could carry this proof of allegiance from the Secretary of State to the editor. Private let- I havc Said that the Minister was false to ter accom- ii- -r n ^ • i> pauyins the himsclf, and this not without due authority ; tor our State ways in England are such that a public servant who sins in an official despatch can re- cord his ' qualm of conscience,' or assign his secret motives in a private letter ; and Lord Panmure used this resource. After completing his despatch, he took smaller paper and wrote : ' I have most reluctantly come here, not that I ' expect to do any better than my predecessor, ' but because I wish to protect as far as possible ' the interests of the army, and to stand between ' you and those who are so angry at all that has ' happened.' ' Some think a Committee should be appointed ■ to enquire into the whole management of the I ' army. This I wish to avoid for your sake, as • you have done great and gallant deeds, and I