It is useless as yet to form any opinion as
to the probable course of events. All the conditions of a frightful outbreak are present in Constantinople. The Sovereign is a man of keen but unstable mind, dominated at one moment by fanaticism, and at another by fear ; the dominant caste has been irritated for months by what it deems insults from its slaves; the Armenian slaves are in a passion of despair ; and the Greek slaves are more than inclined to side with the Armenians. If there is a genuine rising of Christians, or if the Turks resolve "to read their slaves a lesson" in the regular way by massacre, the scene will become so fearful that the European Powers will be compelled for very shame to interfere, and quiet all parties by threatening a bombardment. It is more probable, however, that the
Sultan will pay up part of the military arrears ; that some General will then restore order; and that the Christians will settle down in terror, while the Pashas deport, im- prison, and torture them by the hundred. Then the Sultan will make some " concession " which France will declare sufficient, and all will go on as before, the Mahommedans sulkily, the Christians despairingly, awaiting the next event. Nothing is certain except that the Ottoman dynasty will obey the law of its being, and when it goes down, will go down in a storm of fire and blood. There is no hope, save in England, and England is half-crippled by the fierce jealousy of France.
