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 France," said he, "strengthened two years ago by the touching ovations of which our fleet was the object at Cronstadt, have grown closer every day, and the honourable exchange of our feelings of friendship must be an inspiration to all who care for the benefits of peace, confidence, and security," and so on.

In both speeches the reference to the benefits of peace and peaceful celebrations comes in quite unexpectedly, and without any connection. The same thing happens in the telegrams exchanged by the Russian Emperor and the French President. The Russian Emperor telegraphs:

In his reply telegram the President said:

La dépêche dont je remercie votre majesté m'est parvenue au moment où je quittais Toulon pour rentrer à Paris. La belle escadre sur laquelle j'ai eu la vive satisfaction de saluer le pavilion russe dans les eaux françaises, l'accueil cordial et spontané que vos braves marins ont recontré partout en France