Its appearance is the more noteworthy, because during the week
the tendency has been to conciliation. It is stated demi-officially that the Government of St. Petersburg was misled by its agent at Vienna, M. de Balabine, and issued its answer under the impression that Austria would consent to form a new Holy Alliance. Austria has blankly refused, and Prince Gortschakoff's tone is said to be already lowered. This rumour is probable enough in itself, but our readers will remember that till the Russian answer arrived, it also was said to be eminently pacific. It is hard to believe, if Austria is really in league with the West, that Russia will resist so formidable a combination, but the "old party" is strong at Court, and the Czar may well consider that defeat could scarcely injure him more than the virtual freedom of Poland. One thing alone seems certain—the Emperor of the French does not intend to suffer calmly "a diplomatic Waterloo."
