which
passed between us. I said everything I could think of to make a
conversation, among other things messages of civility from yourself;
but though he appeared pleased and expressed his satisfaction at our
being here, I could not get him to enter into anything, and I was not
sorry on both occasions when our interview was at an end. As to his
Ministers, and in fact the whole population and country, with the
exception of Redschid Pasha,[32] they are all a most wretched and
miserable set of people, and far, far worse than anything I could
possibly have imagined or supposed. In fact, the "sick man" is
_excessively sick indeed_, dying as fast as possible; and the sooner
diplomacy disposes of him the better, for no earthly power can save
him, that is very evident. This is the opinion of every person out
here of both armies, French and English, and you may rest assured it
is the truth. The great thing is that we are here and no other Power
can now step in, but diplomacy must settle what is to happen, for as
to the Turks remaining in Europe that is out of the question, and the
very fact of our being here now has given them their death-blow. I
hope, my dear cousin, you will forgive me for being very candid on
this point, but I really do not think that anybody in England had any
idea of the real state of affairs here. The sooner therefore that they
are put in possession of the truth unvarnished the better. The great
and imperative necessity is that the four Powers of Europe should
strike together, otherwise things will become much worse than they
are even at present. Everybody is very civil and obliging to me, the
Sultan has put me into one of his best Palaces, very nicely fitted up,
and is anxious to do everything I wish. I find it inconvenient, as the
troops are on the other side of the Bosphorus, and I therefore intend
going over there to reside if possible. Marshal St Arnaud is here and
Prince Napoleon, but no French troops. I have seen the latter once; he
was very civil indeed to me, but I do not think he has made at all a
good impression here, his manner being offensive and harsh. I do not
think the Army like him at all. I am afraid the French Ambassador is
giving much trouble. Neither St Arnaud nor the Prince like him at all,
and I believe they have written to demand his recall, which would be
a very good thing, as he cannot hit it off with anybody. As to our
movements, I know nothing of them as yet, nor do I think that m