Page:The invasion of the Crimea vol. 2.djvu/154

124 CAUSES INVOLVING FKANCK AKD ENGLAND CHAPTER XI. CHAP. XT. Recapitu- lation. Standing causes of disturbance. Effect of personal government by t)ie Czar. The train of causes which brought on the war has now been followed down to the end. Great armies kept on foot, and empires governed by princes without the counsel of statesmen, were spoken of in the outset as standing elements of danger to the cause of peace ; and their bearing upon the disputes of nations has been seen in all the phases of a strife which began in a quarrel for a key and a trinket, and ended by embroiling Europe. Upon the destinies of Eussia the effect of this system of mere personal government has been seen at every step. From head to foot a vast empire was made to throb with the passions which rent the bosom of the one man Nicholas. If for a few mouths he harboured ambition, the resources of the State were squandered in making ready for war. If his spirit flagged, the ambition of the State fell lame, and preparations ceased. If he laboured under a fit of piety, or rather of ecclesiastic zeal. All the liussias were on the verge of a crusade. He chafed with rage at the thought of being foiled in diplomatic strife by the second Oaiining; and in-