Sir H. Layard has failed in his last fight with
the Turks. The Sultan handed him back Dr. Koller's manuscripts, the German Ambassador having taken up the Missionary's cause, but declined to dismiss Hafiz Pasha, alleging that he had himself given the orders—which is clever, as Sir Henry is not prepared to dismiss the Sultan—and proposed to exile Ahmed Tewfik, the school- master, to some Turkish island with a Christian population. This is a complete defeat, for the concession to Dr. Koller will be regarded as a concession to Germany, Hafiz Pasha triumphs, and Ahmed Tewfik will be regarded in Constantinople as one destined to an early death. Sir Henry Layard is now endeavouring to pro- cure a decree annulling the ecclesiastical sentence of death upon the schoolmaster, in which he will probably fail. The result is uncomfortable for those who think England deserves some consideration in Constantinople, and the Tories are consequently trying to remove the impression by insinuating that Russia instigated the whole business. That is very pro- bable, but the whole truth should be told. Russia not only did this, but she is now sending relays of fog to London, to embarrass Lord Beaconsfield, a fact which is proved by the fogs coming from the West. If they came from the East, Russia would be suspected, so Prince Gortschakoff intrigues with the east wind to blow from the west. At the same time, the east wind is ravaging Russia, which will consequently be bankrupt. Could anything be plainer P
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