Page:The invasion of the Crimea vol. 2.djvu/55

 IX TIIK ^VAIi AGAINST RUSSIA. 2o ' tlic strongest terms to the favourable attention c ir a p. ' of Her Majesty's Government as a measure 1__ ' incumbent upon himself and them to take ; ' and he avowed 'the disappointment which he ' shoukl feel if a difference of opinion prevented 'its adoption.'* This language is cogent — it is also significant ; and, to one who can read it by the light of a little collateral knowledge, it may open a glimpse of the relations subsisting between the Prencli Court and public men in England. On the 17th, the English Government had taken a step in pursuance of the moderate decision to which the Cabinet had come ; but on the follow- ing day they were made acquainted with the will of the French Emperor. It woidd seem that there was hesitation in the Cabinet (as well there might be) — hesitation lasting fully two days;f but those members of the Government who would have liked to maintain their former decision, had against them our angry people, now joined in their impatience by the French Emperor, and apparently about to be led by one whose power wnthin the last few days had seemed to be rising high. It was at a meeting of the Cabinet on Thursday the 22d, that the proposal of the French Emperor closed in like a net round the variegated + So late as the 20tli, and when within forty-eij^ht hours of the decision, which went in an opposite direction. Lord Clarendon evidently believed that the former determination of the Govern- ment would be maintained. See 7505/ in footcote, p. 36, an extract from his despatch of the 20th.
 * ' Eastern Papers,' part ii. p. 307.