Chapter XXX: WAR

The War Fever in 1854--Attacks on Prince Albert--Aberdeen’s Correspondence with the Queen--The Queen’s Opinion of the Country--“Loyal, but a little mad”--Stockmar on the Constitution--Prince Albert’s Position at Court--The Privileges of a Reigning Queen’s Husband--Debates on the Prince’s Position--The Peace and War Parties--Mr. Cobden’s Influence--A new Vienna Note--A Challenge to Russia--The Russian Ambassador leaves London--Recall of Sir H. Seymour from St. Petersburg--Russian Intrigues with the German Powers--The Czar’s Counter-Propositions--His Sarcastic Letter to Napoleon III.--An Austrian Compromise--Lord Clarendon’s _Ultimatum_ to Russia--The Czar’s Reply--Declaration of War--Omar Pasha’s Victories in the Principalities--The Siege of Silistria--Evacuation of the Principalities--The Rising in Greece--The Allies at the Piræus--The Allies occupy Gallipoli--Another English Blunder--Invasion of the Crimea--The Duke of Newcastle and a Sleepy Cabinet--Lord Raglan’s Opinion on the War--The Landing of the Allies at Eupatoria--Battle of the Alma--Russian Fleet Sunk at Sebastopol--At Balaclava--Death of Marshal St. Arnaud--The Siege of Sebastopol--Battles of Balaclava and Inkermann--Mismanagement of the War--Public Indignation against the Government--Mr. Roebuck’s Motion--Fall of the Coalition Ministry 574