The Czar, who could not reach St. Petersburg by water
on account of the ice, and dreaded the long land journey round the Gulf of Bothnia on account of his children, at last made up his mind to travel through Germany. It is etiquette on such occasions for the Sovereign of the country traversed to meet the Sovereign traversing, who is in theory his guest; and the Czar and the Emperor were accordingly to meet on Friday. The Czar arrived in Berlin on that day as arranged, and though nothing is yet known of the visit, something was expected from it in Germany. Prince Bismarck had been sent for from Friedricharah, and although M. de Giers remained in St. Petersburg, still the Czar is his own Foreign Secretary. There is not the least probability that Alexander III. will re-enter the old alliance; but it is quite possible that, in view of the misfortunes which have fallen upon his kinsmen, he may strongly repeat his old promise to permit no war while his great uncle is alive. Kings cannot always keep such promises, alleging when they are inconvenient, that they are constrained by public opinion; but it would be something gained towards immediate peace.
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