MR. 1JRCITHART'S VIEWS.
Bayswater, 16th March 1854. Sra—Englishmen just now are all agog for war. Six months ago they were all agog for peace. They think at this moment that the sending out of soldiers or sailors will prove the salvation of Turkey, and the ruin of Nicho- las of the knout. The simple-minded Turks also appear incapable of dis- cerning what is really on the cards, and, resting on their arms, are looking for Western aid, when they should be capturing Prince Gortschakoff and his Kalmuks before the melting of the ice enables Russia to bring up rein- forcements. What will be the end of all this misplaced confidence P1 fear this. Russia, having accumulated troops, will attack with vastly superior numbers, and in all likelihood defeat the Moslems on the Danube. Then will she pro- pose her own terms. Taking ground on Turkey's assumed weakness, France and England will then set to work and join with Russia in " partitioning " the Ottoman empire. To this will succeed a quarrel between France and England about the rich spoil ; and when the cock of Gaul and the lion of Britain shall have thoroughly exhausted each other's strength, they will be made to feel in their vital parts the beak and talons of the Muscovite eagle. These are Mr. Urquhart's views. God grant he may prove a false prophet ! but I have not concurred with him in these conclusions without a close stud) of the past, which alone can furnish a key to the future.
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