Page:The invasion of the Crimea vol. 1.djvu/391

 BETWEEN THE CZAK AND THE SULTAN. 349 undertaking a duty which pressed upon her more than upon any other State in Europe, was vol- untarily taken upon themselves by two States whose dominions were vastly distant from the scene of the evil deed. It was much as though the forces of the United States and of Brazil were to come across the Atlantic to defend Antwerp from the French, whilst the English looked on and thanked their enterprising friends for relieving them of their duty. There was not, perhaps, more than one of the members of the English Cabinet who desired the formation of this singular alliance on grounds like those which moved the French Emperor; and it is believed that Lord Aberdeen and several other members of the Government were much governed by a shallow theory which had prevailed for some years amongst public men. The theory was, that close union between France and Eng- land was a security for the peace of Europe. ' Sure I am,' said one confident man who echoed the crude thought of many — 'sure I am, that if ' the advisers of the Crown in this country act ' in cordial concert with the Government of the ' Emperor of the French, and if the forces of the ' two countries in the Mediterranean are to act in • concert, then it will be almost impossible that ' any war can disturb the peace of Europe.' But of course, to men of more statesmanlike views, the main temptation was the prospect of seeing France dragged into the policy which England had always entertained upon the Eastern Question. CHAP. XV.