al_ truth--which _consequently_ is not told him! There is the
misery of being violent and passionate; if Princes and still more
Kings and Emperors are so, _no_ one will _ever_ tell them the truth,
and _how_ dreadful that is! I think one never can be too careful in
bringing up Princes to inculcate the principle of _self-control_.

We have a good deal of rain and thunder since yesterday, which I hope
will revive poor parched Nature. I must now wish you good-bye, as
I expect dear Victoire shortly. Nemours intends going to fetch the
Queen. With Albert's love, ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 29: In consequence of the Russians firing upon a
flag of truce, Odessa was bombarded on the 22nd of April, and
most of its batteries silenced or destroyed.]

[Footnote 30: The conversations of Sir Hamilton Seymour and
the Emperor Nicholas in the year 1853 had now been given
to the world. The Czar, believing the time ripe for the
dismemberment of Turkey, had expressed himself openly to the
British Ambassador, and the conversations were all reported to
the British Ministry. On the 2nd of March 1854, an obviously
inspired article in the _Journal de St. Petersbourg_ professed
to contradict the statements of Lord John Russell in the
House of Commons reflecting on the bad faith of the Russian
Government, and accordingly, in their own vindication, the
English Cabinet now published the conversations above referred
to.]

[Pageheading: THE SULTAN]

[Pageheading: THE BRITISH FORCES]

_The Duke of Cambridge to Queen Victoria._

CONSTANTINOPLE, _13th May 1854._

MY DEAR COUSIN,--I have not as yet announced to you my safe arrival
here, as I was anxious first to see the Sultan and the general state
of things before giving you a report of what was really going on....

I found a great proportion of the Infantry arrived, a portion of the
Artillery, but as yet no Cavalry. Lord Raglan is well and in good
spirits, Lord Stratford de Redcliffe ill in bed with a bad fit of the
gout--most miserable to see in every respect. The Sultan[31] received
me at once on the day of arrival, and made his return visit to
me yesterday. I confess I was not much impressed with either his
appearance or general ability. He is, to say the truth, a wretched
creature, prematurely aged, and having nothing whatever to say for
himself. A few commonplace civilities was all the conversation