their disposal, when
threatening complications in the East compelled Lord John to return to
London. The peace of thirty-eight years was nearly at an end.

ROSENEATH, _September_ 2, 1853

My poor dear John set off to London, to his and my great
disappointment. The refusal of the Porte to agree to the Note
accepted by the Emperor makes the journey necessary.

Lady John soon followed him.

_Lady John Russell to Lady Elizabeth Romilly_

PEMBROKE LODGE, _October_ 21, 1853

MY DEAREST LIZZY,--... I have never ceased rejoicing at my sudden
flight from Roseneath, though its two causes, John's cold and the
Czar's misdeeds, are unpleasant enough--but his presence here is so
necessary, so terribly necessary, that neither he nor I could have
stayed on in peace at Roseneath.... What he has accomplished is a
wonder; and I hope that some day somehow everybody will know
everything, and wonder at his patience and firmness and
unselfishness, as I do.... I trust we may be very quiet here for
some time, and then one must gather courage for London and the
battle of life again. Our quiet here will not be without
interruption, for there will be early in November a week or so of
Cabinets, for which we shall go to town, and at the end of November
Parliament may be obliged to meet....

Your ever affectionate sister,

FANNY RUSSELL

_Lady John to Lord John Russell_

PEMBROKE LODGE, _December_ 9, 1853

Your letter just come, dearest ... I don't think I am tired by
colds, but indeed it is true that I think constantly and uneasily
of your political position, _never, never_, as to whether this
or that course will place you highest in the world's estimation. I
am sure you know all I care about is that you should do what is
most right in the sight of God.

It may be well to remind the reader at this point of the diplomatic
confusions and difficulties which led to the Crimean War. The Eastern
Question originally grew out of a quarrel between France and Russia
concerning the possession of certain holy places in Palestine; both the
Latin and the Greek Church wanted to control them. The Sultan had offered
to mediate, but neither party had been satisfied by his intervention. In
the beginning of 1853 it became known in England that the Czar was looking
forward to the collapse of Turkey, and that he had actually proposed to the