Page:The invasion of the Crimea vol. 2.djvu/88

 58 CAUSES INVOLVING FRANCE AND ENGLAND CHAP, tional change which obliged the old ruling classes VII O D o ., to share their power with the people at large ; and thence it was inferred that the desire of England to remain at peace was not the mere whim of any Administration or of any political party, but was based upon the solemn determination of the whole people ; and it has been seen that the Emperor Nicholas had deliberately founded his policy upon this belief. A deeper knowledge might liave taught him that a fiery, generous people is more quick to plunge into war than a cold, worldly, politic oligarchy ; and that, even if the policy of England were as much under the control of the masses of the people as he believed it to be, there would be all the more likelihood of her being })rone to take up arms ; because in States which are much under the governance of the democratic principle, a proposal to make war against the foreigner is often resorted to by one of the contending factions as a stratagem for baffling the others. But these truths lay below ; and what appeared upon the surface of English poli- tics was a sincere devotion to the cause of peace. Over and over again it was laid down, with the seeming concurrence of unanimous thousands, that war, if it were not for mere defence, was not only foolish, but was also in a high degree wicked. But the English can hardly ever be governed by a dogma; for although they are by nature wise in action, yet, being vehement and careless