Page:The invasion of the Crimea vol. 1.djvu/144

 102 ORIGIN OF THE WAS OF 1S53 chap, gathered in Bessarabia, and the activity of the last ' few months in Sebastopol, would not fail to make the Turks see that force was at hand. The arma- ments' in. reud'nees were more than enough fur the occupation of the Danubian Principalities ; and as soon as the) should become swollen by the unfailing aid of rumours, they might easily grow- to be thought a sufficing force for some great en- terprise against Constantinople. His choice For some time, the Emperor Nicholas hesitated bassudor. in the choice of the person to whom this extra- ordinary mission should be entrusted. He hesi- tated between Count Orloff and Frince Mentschi- koff. lie did not hesitate because he was doubt- ing which of the two men would be the fittest instrument of his policy, but rather because he had not determined what his policy should be. Count Orloff was a wise and moderate man, much associated with the Czar, and accustomed to speak to him with becoming freedom. To make choice of this trusty friend was to avoid any such out- rage as would lead to the isolation of Russia. To choose Frince Mentschikoff was to choose a man whoso feelings and prejudices might cause him to embitter the Czar's dispute with the Porte, and who, to say the least, could have no pretension to moderate the zeal of his master. It was for this very reason, perhaps, that he was preferred. In an evil hour Nicholas brought his doubts to an end, and made choice of Frince Mentschikoff. •rince Mentschikoff was a Frince of the sort which deutsc Q our t almanacs describe as 'Serene.' He was a