questions-they may float on the stream of public opinion; but those who in reality modify and, in some degree, direct the general sentiment are our thinkers and literary men; and national action every day becomes less and less the result of individual effort, and in a larger measure is influenced by the operation of general causes, and the growth of ideas amongst the bulk of the community. In England our thinkers and literary men to a great extent form conclusions for society at large, in the first instance, and bring before the intellect of our educated population the materials for the ultimate decision of most questions; and it is a remarkable fact bearing upon this, that the periodical and daily press is more and more directed by University men, insomuch that it may with truth be said that in it are now to be found the chief points of contact between Oxford and Cambridge and the mind of the rest of the country. British diplomatists have of late been sharply attacked by Mr. Goldwin Smith and others, but the reason why British diplomacy is not more popular BRITISH DIPLOMATISTS. 139 may be, very much, that its topics are seldom understood by the public. The Author cannot agree in the depreciatory assertions often indulged in respecting the British diplomacy of the present day. As a well organised and systematised branch of the public service it is second to none of those by which the administration of the affairs of this country is conducted; and the personal honour and untiring zeal of our diplomatists have never even been impugned in any way that deserved serious attention, either by their own countrymen or by strangers; they are English gentlemen, and seek to do their duty. It must be admitted, however, that British diplomacy may too possibly be led astray by traditions which it has long cherished, to the effect that it is necessary to preserve the domination of the Turks in Europe; for any such traditions express a view which, not being founded on fact, is calculated to mislead. The idea may or may not formerly have been a just one, but what is now required is, as has been said before, to come to an understanding with France, in order to neutralise and civilise the countries lying between the Mediterranean and India. It is all very well to assert that we wish to act with France; but every member of the Eastern Church at all events-that is to say, every individual among the whole population of Eastern Europe, will feel inclined to scrutinise this declaration rather unfavourably, when they compare it with the course we adopt in reference to Candia, in doing which we hold aloof equally from the policy of Russia and from that of France. The French may fairly estimate the present professions of our Government from considering the same fact, and also from remembering the course which, up to the present moment, has been pursued as regards the Suez Canal. This assertion of a wish to act with France amounts, in fact, to very little, unless it is followed up by entering into a cordial understanding with a view to neutralising and civilising the East; inasmuch as an understanding of this nature can alone render united action possible to any extent that will meet the exigencies to be LORD STANLEY AND THE EASTERN QUESTION. 141 provided for. Lord Stanley apparently deprecates the bringing forward of the Eastern Question; but events will bring it forward, and so will the exertions of those who desire to see the name of England allied with the cause of civil and religious liberty, and, above all, of men who feel a Christian interest in it and consider Christian principle to be involved in it, and in the fate of Christians who suffer persecution for the Cross of Christ, which is literally the state of the case; since every Christian in Turkey can at any moment free himself from any religious grievances to which he may be subject, by giving up the Cross and becoming a Mahometan. Those who feel it to be their duty to be unceasing in such exertions are not likely to be silenced by appeals or denunciations, any more than persons impressed with serious religious convictions could be silenced by similar appeals and denunciations when they urged, not many years ago, the pre-eminent necessity for pursuing an Indian policy, in accordance with the dictates of Christian morals, as likewise for giving fair play to Christian Missions, and allowing Government officials to take part in supporting them-points at last conceded, to the great benefit of our position in India, since an end has been made of foolish misapprehensions, such as those which took place in reference to greased cartridges some years since among our native troops (who fancied that, by compelling them to use these cartridges, our Indian authorities intended to convert them to Christianity)-now that they better comprehend what Christian principles really are. No mutiny will ever again arise from any such cause; and that it was the cause of the Sepoy revolt is the opinion of the highest living authority-of Sir John Lawrence, the man who has been declared by the unanimous voice of his country to have been mainly instrumental in suppressing that revolt and in saving India. Lord Palmerston declared in the House of Commons, that the opening of the Suez Canal must give a vast advantage to France, as compared with this country, by enabling her fleets to pass through it from Toulon into the Indian |