Page:The invasion of the Crimea vol. 1.djvu/239

 BETWEEN THE CZAR AND THE SULTAN. 1 9"7 ami whoever was seen to be in favour with the CHiAO** XII Czar was brought into favour with all ; and who- ___!_ ever was believed to have incurred the Czar's dis- pleasure, was immediately forced to perceive that lie had become displeasing to the rest of his fellow-creatures. Strange to say, the members: of the diplomatic body were not exempt from these vicissitudes : if a foreign envoy felt obliged to offer resistance to the imperial, will, his life was made cold and gloomy to him; and, on the other hand, he was sure to be well caressed if he chose to cringe to the Czar. At a critical time, and in the presence of a ' society ' which thus called upon even a stranger to fall down, and join in Czar- worship, it was of great moment that foreign States should be represented at St Petersburg by men of high spirit, by men with some strength of will, and, above all, completely acquainted with the real purposes and desires of their respective governments ; but, unfortunately for the peace of Europe, these conditions were wanting, for M. Castelbajac, representing France, and Colonel Eochow, representing Prussia, were both of them a good deal too courtier-like for the exigency of a lime which required that their demeanour at the Court of the raging Nicholas should be grave at the least, if not stern ; and although it is true that Count Mensdorf, the representative of Aus- tria, was an honest soldier too high-couraged 1o be capable of shrinking from what he understood to be his duty, he was not a man so well versed in the task of a diplomatist as to have a largo