exceedingly cordial; asked, through his interpreter, all sorts of
questions about the British Government, British statesmen, admirals,
and generals, and the Army and Navy; but, above all, he was anxious
to hear whether the British people were for or against Turkey. He was
aware that Disraeli was with his nation, and regretted the attitude of
Gladstone. He said poor Turkey had many enemies, and when the captain
told him that he thought the bulk of the British people were in favour
of Disraeli's policy, he held out his hand again in token of
appreciation. The captain spoke very frankly about the Bulgarian
atrocities, and the bad policy of the Turkish Government with her
subject races. The pasha admitted that reforms ought to be given, but
held that the Balkan insurrections were encouraged by Russia in order
to ultimately get hold of Constantinople.

"My Government," said he, "is a better Government than that of Russia.
We do not treat our people worse than she does hers. Are there no
atrocities committed in Russia proper, in Siberia, in Poland? Why does
Mr. Gladstone not demand that Russia shall give reforms to her
subject races? Is it because she is big, and near to India, and calls
herself a Christian nation? We are Mohammedans; and our religion
teaches honesty, cleanness, sobriety, devotion to our God and his
prophet Mahomet, and we adhere to it. Does the Russian adhere to his
religion, which I admit, if carried out, is as good as ours? I think
our consistency is superior to theirs, and the extent of our cruelty
no worse, though I do not justify it. But do you think that the
Servians, Armenians, Herzegovinians, Montenegrins, and Bulgarians are
saints? Do you think that the Turkish people and Governors have not
been provoked to retaliation? There may have been excesses, but no one
who knows the different races will say that the Turks are all bad, or
that the subject races are all good."

He then requested to be shown the position of the steamer on the
chart, asked if there was any danger of collision if the fog
continued, and hoped she was steaming full speed, as he must get to
Constantinople without delay. The captain informed him that so long as
he heard the whistle going the fog was still on, and it might become
necessary to ease down as she drew towards the regular track of
vessels; and when the danger of collision was explained to him, he
agreed that it was necessary to guard against it, but asked through
his int