202 THE COUNSELS OF THE ALLIES. CHAP. itL'uded. Tur liiinself, he declared that, it' lie were ^^^' to incur the appalling risks of which he had spoken, when, as he niaintained, this crviel neces- sity could be averted by putting in battery tiie magnificent siege-train which the Government liad placed at his disposal, he would be con- demned by the voice of his conscience, and the Emperor would never forgive liim.* In listening to his colleague at a conference of this kind. Lord Raglan would of course try to see whether Canrobert, with a mind yet open to con- viction, was feeling his way towards a right con- clusion, or whethei he was adducing arguments in support of a determination already formed. In the one case, it might be Lord IJaglan's duty to endeavour to persuade ; in the other, to hold his peace. Evidently the tenor of Canrobert's speech was nut such as to leave mom for doubt. lie had made up his mind. Without the concurrence of Canrobert there could, of coui'se, be no assault. He had refused to concur — had refused in such terms as to show the hopelessness of any endeavour to shake his decision. Tiie (question was ended. -f"
- The rapidity of this transition fioiii ' the voice of con-
• science' to the French Emperor will be aiit to remind people of a celebrated refusal which amused wicked Loudon and Paris some few years ago, — ' Jiunais ! Dieu le defend, et nion niari ' ne le permet pas ! ' + It is just that, before men cast blame upon (ieneral Can- robert personally for a want of cuiportune daring at this con- juncture, they should know the tenor of the very peculiar general instructions under which the French army was acting. The instructions are before nie ; but couhidering the circum-
