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xii PREFACE. ment of his own provinces, the Conference has failed ; and yet in other and better ways it has perhaps done much good. It has apparently brought about a better understanding than before between the Powers repre- sented at Constantinople, and more especially between Eussia and England, has given a strong impulsion to the minds of those Turkish statesmen who are intent upon reforming the polity of the country, and then also by the mere effect of delay, interposed at an opportune time, it has averted war — averted war for the moment, but perhaps for weeks, perhaps even happily for a period much further prolonged.
