The Czar and Czarina landed in Leith on Tuesday, under
a salute from the Channel Squadron, and proceeded by rail to Ballater, whence they drove in open carriages to Balmoral, where they were warmly received by the Queen, who, it is said, has a personal affection not only for her grand.
daughter, but for the Emperor of Russia. The life led is in the main that of a sporting party in a great Highland house, but as Lord Salisbury goes down on Saturday, it is not probable that business will be altogether avoided. No hint has yet been made public as to the Czar's opinions about Turkey, but the current of rumour tends towards some agree- ment between M. de Staal and the British Foreign Office which will be submitted to the Sovereigns at Balmoral, and, if accepted, will probably be endorsed by the French Govern- ment. The agreement may be important, but we greatly fear that as yet the only decision of the Powers is to look on while the Sultan murders, as paralytics might. The four great Continental States are agreed that force must not be employed to coerce Yildiz Kiosk, and Great Britain and Italy are afraid of them. The only hopeful feature in the situation as yet is that the Ambassadors at Constantinople are much more irritated than their Courts, and that the European squadrons, the Russian included, are hovering near the Sea of Marmora. It is assumed that the Sultan will at once obey a European order, but perhaps Pharaoh's heart will be hardened even to that.
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