Everything, therefore, is regarded in the highest European quarters as
smooth and intended to remain so. That is most satisfactory, but it would be foolish to overlook the weak points in the situation. These are, first, that too much hangs upon the lives of a few individuals, one of whom is a time- worn man, and another a sick lady ; secondly, that a revoln.
tion of some sort in Turkey must come; and thirdly, that the peoples who fill the armies are not half as wise or as self- restrained as their rulers.. That is the new feature in inter- • national politics which worries diplomatists, and makes states- men say dangerous things in order to placate Deputies with votes There is, besides, the influence of the Papacy always working against a peace which abolishes the temporal power, and the incalculable effect of accident, which, like a falling stone, need not break any head, but is perfectly certain not to mend one.
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