ire to
increase my empire. It is large enough; but I repeat--the sick man is
dying; and if we are taken by surprise, if proper precautions are not
taken in advance, circumstances may arise which will make it necessary
for me to occupy Constantinople."

It was a bribe, followed by a threat. England coldly declined entering
into any stipulations without the concurrence of the other Powers. Her
Majesty's government could not be a party to a confidential arrangement
from which it was to derive a benefit. The negotiations had failed.
Nicholas was deeply incensed and disappointed. He could rely, however,
upon Austria and Prussia. He now thought of Louis Napoleon, the new
French Emperor, who was looking for recognition in Europe. The English
ambassador was coldly received, and for the first time since the
abdication of Charles X., the representative of France received a cordial
greeting, and was intrusted with a flattering message to the Emperor.
But France had not forgotten the retreat from Moscow, nor the presence of
Alexander in Paris, nor her attempted ostracism in Europe by Nicholas
himself; and, further, although Louis Napoleon was pleased with the
overtures made to win his friendship, he was not yet quite sure which
cause would best promote his own ends.

Fortunately Russia had a grievance against Turkey. It was a very small
one, but it was useful, and led to one of the most exciting crises in the
history of Europe. It was a question of the possession of the Holy
Shrines at Bethlehem and other places which tradition associates with the
birth and death of Jesus Christ; and whether the Latin or the Greek monks
had the right to the key of the great door of the Church at Bethlehem,
and the right to place a silver star over the grotto where our Saviour
was born. The Sultan had failed to carry out his promises in adjusting
these disputed points. And all Europe trembled when the great Prince
Menschikof, with imposing suite and threatening aspect, appeared at
Constantinople, demanding immediate settlement of the dispute. Turkey
was paralyzed with fright, until England sent her great diplomatist Lord
Stratford de Redcliffe--and France hers, M. de Lacour. No simpler
question was ever submitted to more distinguished consideration or was
watched with more breathless interest by five sovereigns and their
cabinets. In a few days all was settled--the questions of the shrines
and of the possession of the key of the great