ghting is going on) will in
the long run resent the absurdity and punish the criminality of
taking arms in a worthless cause. I am sick of heart at the thought
of what is coming, here as well as on the Continent. I have begged
Carlyle to write a last appeal to The Times. We must agitate in the
great towns, we must protest against what we may be unable to
prevent. The Crimean War was innocent compared to what is now
threatened, yet three years ago there was scarcely a person in
England who did not admit that it was a mistake. I do not know what
may be the verdict of the public about a repetition of it at the
present moment. I know but too well what will be the verdict five
years hence, and the fate which will overtake those who, with
however good a motive, are courting the ruin of their party."

"December 22nd, 1877.---The passion for interference in defence of
the Turks seems limited (as I was always convinced that it was) to
the idle educated classes. The public meetings which have been, or
are to be, go the other way, or at least are against our taking a
part on the Turkish side. The demonstrations which Lord B. expected
to follow on the first Russian success have not followed. The
Telegraph and Morning Post have used their whips on the dead Crimean
horse, but it will not stir for them. It will not stir even for the
third volume of the Prince Consort's Life. But I am very sorry about
it all, for the damage to the Conservative party from the lost
opportunity of playing a great and honourable part is, I fear,
irretrievable."

"December 27th, 1877.--The accounts from Bulgaria and Armenia turn
me sick. These sheep, what have they done? Diplomalists quarrel, and
the people suffer. The management of human affairs will be much
improved when the people tell their respective Cabinets that if
there is fighting to be done the Cabinets must fight themselves, and
that the result shall be accepted as final. Nine out of ten great
wars might have been settled that way with equal advantage so far as
the consequences were concerned, and to the infinite relief of poor
humanity."

"March 10th, 1878.--I met Lord D. at the club the other night. He
looked As Prometheus might have looked when he was 'Unbound.' He was
in excellent spirits and talked brilliantly. Not one allusion to the
East, but I guessed that he had a mind at ease."

"April 8th, 1878.--I wish I knew whether the Cabinet has determined
on forcing war upon Russia at all e