A time of vexation for Her Majesty-Nicholas of Russia WR CHAPTER XV E have now reached a period which above all others in the reign was fraught with vexation personally and politically for Her Majesty and Prince Albert. In the autumn of 1853, the peace of Europe which had lasted forty years was threatened, not by a war between France and England as had recently been predicted, but by complications in the East. Το simplify an intricate chapter in history, it may be stated that the Emperor Nicholas I., of Russia, who for some time had looked with longing eyes on Turkey, claimed to be the protector of the members of the Greek Church in that country. This chivalrous action when viewed in a mundane light, meant that fourteen millions of Turkish subjects would if his claim were recognised, regard the Czar as their supreme protector, and the Sultan as a cypher of whom they were more or less independent. If this demand were refused, it would mean war by Russia on a country unable to protect itself, and the annexation of part of its territories by the Czar. It was not in the interests of other European powers that this should be permitted. Napoleon who had received slights from Nicholas which he was not unwilling to repay, and who desired a friendly alliance with England, promptly offered to join her in protecting Turkey. The Cabinet to which this proposal was made had in its Prime Minister Lord Aberdeen, a weak and trusting man who wished to think well of all the world including Nicholas; and had for its members men of varied convictions who were not in agreement with him either in home or foreign politics. Austria held aloof, and Prussia refused to join England or France, much to the displeasure of Her Majesty, who believed that if the European Powers joined in bringing pressure to bear on Russia, its Emperor would yield and war be averted. But if the English Government was vacillating, the English public was unanimous in its cry for war. Hatred of Russia and sympathy with Turkey were almost universal. Mass meetings were held all over the country to denounce the Czar and to demand protection for the Sultan ; while petitions for the same purpose were signed by thousands not only in the capital but all over the country. Both the Queen and Prince Albert dreaded a European war, shrank from the cruelty and slaughter which it must entail, and clung to the hope that the impending danger might be avoided. Time has proved that in this they were right. Had the English Government refused to back Turkey, the Sultan would have made terms with Russia; or had the Czar been firmly assured-as Palmerston advised-that in case he made war on Turkey, England would at once protect her, there is little doubt that peace would have been preserved. Instead a vacillating policy was taken. The English Ambassador at Constantinople was instructed to employ the English fleet in company with the French, to guard Turkish territory in case of Russian aggression. A formal declaration of war was made by Russia, October 18, 1853. On November 30, the Russian fleet attacked the Turkish squadron in the harbour of Sinope and utterly destroyed it. At that outrage the British and French fleets entered and occupied the Black Sea, when the Russian fleet retreated into the harbour of Sebastopol. That no further action was taken by the English Government, increased public indignation against it; an indignation which rose to frenzy December 16 when it was suddenly announced that Palmerston had left the Government. Though this was stated to be due to his dissent to an Electoral Reform Bill framed by John Russell, it was generally attributed to his disgust at the pusillanimity of his colleagues regarding the war. All denials to the contrary by the friends of the Government were not believed; especially as The Morning Post, Palmerston's organ, published a violent article confidently declaring that his disagreement over the Eastern Question with the Cabinet was the sole cause of his quitting it. This step on his part |