CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Arrival at St. Petersburg-Interview with Prince Gortschakoff-Audiences of the Emperor and Empress-Cordial Reception by His Imperial Majesty-The Foreign Ambassadors-Great Sympathy evinced on the Assassination of Lord Mayo-Conversation with Prince Gortschakoff on the Relations with the Pope-Renewal of Diplomatic Relations with the See of Rome-Mode of Appointment of Roman Catholic Bishops in Russia-Public Thanksgiving at St. Paul's for Recovery of the Prince of Wales-Enthusiastic Demonstration of Loyalty-Queen's Letter of Thanks to the Nation-Attack on the Queen by O'Connor-Differences between the Bulgarian Church and the Patriarch at Constantinople -General Ignatieff-Unsatisfactory Relations with the Khan of Khiva -An Expedition meditated against Khiva-Gortschakoff's Concurrence in warning Roumanian Government against Disorders between Christians and Jews at Easter Festival, but Refusal to participate in Joint Representation against Persecution of Jews-His Reasons for declining Celebrations of Bi-centenary Anniversary of the Birth of Peter the Great-Observations on the Greek Church-Russian Customs -The Court-The Society CHAPTER II. Peaceful State of 1872-Rising Discontent in Christian Provinces of Turkey-Visit to St. Petersburg of Sir Moses Montefiore-His Reception by the Emperor-General Ignatieff-Visit of the Archduke William of Austria-Visit of Emperor of Russia to Emperor of Germany at Berlin to meet Emperor of Austria-Motives of Emperor of Germany in wishing for Presence of Emperor of Russia-Complete Reconciliation between Emperors of Austria and Russia-Probable Subjects of Deliberation between the three Emperors-Success of Count Andrassy-Dinner at Governor of Moscow on Emperor's Fête Day-General KaufmannObject of his Visit to St. Petersburg—Disorders on the Russo-Chinese Frontier-Occupation of Kuldja by Russia-Apathy and Weakness of China-Arrival of General Kaufmann-Negotiations for Delimitation PAGE 1 of Afghan Frontier-Final Arrangement and Hopeful Results from It-Count Schouvaloff's Mission to London-Conversation with Him on his Return-Death of the Grand Duchess Helen PAGE 28 - CHAPTER III. Removal of the Greek Patriarch of Jerusalem-Observations thereon-Evil Effects of Polemic between English and Russian Press on Central Asian Affairs-Warning to Russia not to Infringe on Afghan Frontier, as mutually agreed to-Reasons for the two Governments to act in Union Attempts of Russian Press to invalidate Agreement with England Conversation with M. Stremooukoff-Rustem Bey appointed Governor of the Lebanon - Dinner at Court to the Foreign Ambassadors Conversation with the Emperor in the Summer GardenThe Seclusion of the Court, in consequence of the Death of the Grand Duchess Helen-The Russian National Hymn-Theatres-Life of the Fashionable Ladies in Winter-Exclusion of Daylight-Prolongation of Night-Ladies' National Court Dress-Attempt of Captain Wiggins to establish Direct Trade between Siberia and Scotland-Communication by M. Stremooukoff of Non-existence of Merv - Internal Defensive Power of Russia-Her Weakness for Aggression-Faith in her Pacific Professions-Visits of the Emperor of Germany and of the Shah of Persia 52 CHAPTER IV. Visit of the Emperor of Russia to Vienna-Fall of M. Thiers-Election of Marshal MacMahon as President of the French Republic-Surrender of the Khan of Khiva-Betrothal of the Duke of Edinburgh and Grand Duchess Marie-Favourably received in Russia British Cemeteries in the Crimea-Suggestion for their Permanent Conservation-Grand Parade at Krasnoe-Seloe-Arrival of the Duke of Edinburgh, of the Prince and Princess of Wales, and of Prince Arthur -Lord. Sydney-The Dean of Westminster-The Crown Prince and Princess of Germany-The Duke of Coburg-Reception of the Diplomatic Corps by the Prince of Wales and Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh-Private Audience of the Emperor-Death of Count Berg, Viceroy of Poland-Appointment of Count Kotzebue-Marriage Ceremony - Magnificence of the Court Fêtes-Influence of Royal Marriages-Festivities at the British Embassy-Strained Relations between France and Germany, arising from reported Language of Prince Bismarck-Arrival of the Emperor of Austria-Toasts at Gala Dinner to His Imperial Majesty--Departure of English Princes CHAPTER V. The Emperor of Russia's Visit to England-His Reception-Banquet in St. George's Hall-Reception by His Imperial Majesty at Buckingham 73 Palace of Diplomatic Corps and Distinguished Personages-His Visit to the Comte de Paris and to the Empress Eugénie at Chislehurst -Fête at the Crystal Palace-Reviews at Aldershot and WoolwichState Ball at Buckingham Palace--Luncheon at the Guildhall-His Departure from Gravesend-Betrothal of Grand Duke Vladimir and Princess Marie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin-Russian Law in regard to Imperial Marriages-Letter to Lord Derby on his Return to the Foreign Office-Retirement of Count Brunnow-Appointment of Count Schouvaloff-His Wish for Cordial Relations with EnglandHis Disapproval of Course taken in regard to Khiva-His Explanation of It-Conference at Brussels to discuss Means of Diminishing Calamities of War--Naval Warfare excluded-Emperor declines German Proposal to recognise the Spanish Government-Letter from Don Carlos-Reuter's Persian Concession obnoxious to RussiaEmpress of Russia's Visit to England-Turcoman Tribes-Their Submission to Russia PAGE 96 CHAPTER VI. Disquietude in Central Asia-Deposition of Khan of Kokand--Its Final Annexation by Russia- Conversation with M. Stremooukoff on Turcomans-The Porte and Danubian Principalities - Offer of a Burmese Mission to visit St. Petersburg civilly declined-Recognition of King Alfonso of Spain-Reception of Diplomatic Corps by the Emperor on 1st January-Differences between the Porte and Montenegro-Letter to Lord Derby-General Le Flo-On Montenegrin Question-Russian Sympathies towards France - Special Mission of M. de Radowitz-Illness of M. de Westmann-Interview with Prince Gortschakoff-Conversation with Count Schouvaloff-Pacific Assurances of Emperor William and Prince Bismarck-Insurrection in Herzegovina and Bosnia-Count Andrassy charged with drawing up Proposals to the Porte-Insurgents demand European Guarantees for Execution of Reforms before Submission—Increasing Russian Sympathy for Christian Populations in Turkey-No Progress towards a Solution-Baron Jomini's Opinions-Further Action postponed till the Emperor and Prince Goitschakoff Return 116 CHAPTER VII. The Andrassy Note-General Ignatieff's Audience of the Sultan-Opinions of Prince Gortschakoff-Visit of Archduke Albert of Austria and Prince Charles of Prussia to attend Festival of St. George--The Emperor's Speech-M. de Giers appointed Assistant-Minister for Foreign Affairs-Opinions of Russian Press on Purchase by Her Majesty's Government of Suez Canal Shares-Treaty between Russia and Japan for Cession of Saghalien- Refusal of Insurgents to submit without European Guarantee - Audience by Emperor of French Ambassador-Prince Reuss succeeded by General Schweinitz-Death of Grand Duchess Marie Nicolaievna -- Disturbances in KokandDeposition of Khan-Annexation of Khanate to Russia-Insurgents of Bosnia refuse Submission-Failure of General Rodich's Mission Conversation with Prince Gortschakoff-Alarm at reported Intention of Turkey to attack Montenegro-Porte's Denial-Conference of the three Imperial Chancellors at Berlin-Murder of French and Prussian Consuls at Salonica-Turkish Fanaticism-English Fleet ordered to Besica Bay for Protection of British and Christian Populations-The Berlin Memorandum-Its Rejection by Her Majesty's Government -Lord Derby-Despatch stating Motives for Refusal . PAGK 141 CHAPTER VIII. to Murder of French and Prussian Consuls at Salonica-Fall of Mahmoud Pacha - Deposition of Sultan-His Suicide-Accession of Murad V.Declared incapacitated by Ill-health-Succeeded by Abdul Hamid -Murder of Hussein Avni and Reschid Pachas at a Council --Bulgarian Atrocities-War declared by Servia and Montenegro-Russian Sympathies for Servians-General Tchernaieff--Imperial Efforts restrain Servia and Montenegro-Meeting of Emperors at Reichstadt --Conversation with Prince Gortschakoff on Eastern Affairs ---Defeat of the Servians-Appeal of Servia to the Powers for a Suspension of Hostilities-Speech of the Emperor to his Army-Proclamation of Prince Milan as King of Servia by his Army-My Mission to the Crimea Conversation with Prince Gortschakoff-Audience of the Emperor My Despatch reporting Conversation with His Majesty -Livadia-Yalta-Orianda-Aloupka-Prince Woronzow-Communication to Prince Gortschakoff of Lord Derby's Proposals as Basis of Peace-Emperor's Departure-My Return to St. Petersburg 165 CHAPTER IX. Conference invited by Lord Derby at Constantinople-Lord Salisbury appointed British Plenipotentiary with Sir H. Elliot - Speech of the Emperor at Moscow-Review of Troops by the Emperor at St. Petersburg-His Address to Them-Prince Gortschakoff's Despatch announcing Mobilisation-His Answer in regard to reported Secret Russian Agent at Cabul-His Denial of any Hostile Intention against Merv-Question of Privateering discussed by Russian Press-Russian Loan Terms agreed to by six Powers to be presented to the Porte ---Formal Opening of Conference and Salvoes of Artillery proclaiming New Turkish Constitution-Turkish Representatives submit CounterProposals-Porte determined not to permit Foreign Interference-Rejects Proposals of six Powers-All Endeavours of Lord Salisbury with Sultan and Grand Vizier fruitless-Difficult Position of Sultan -Conference broken up-Lord Salisbury and Sir H. Elliot leave for England-Great Disappointment of Emperor and Prince Gortschakoff-London Protocol--General Ignatieff-Porte Rejects Protocol -Prince Gortschakoff's Answer "Fiat Lux "-The Emperor's Dog "Punch"-Prince Gortschakoff's Circular-Despatch announcing War Correspondence between Lord Derby and Prince Gortschakoff in regard to British Interests during the War-Satisfactory Reply of Prince Gortschakoff-Departure of Emperor for Seat of War, and of Prince Gortschakoff for Bucharest--Invitation to a "Te Deum" in com- memoration of Battle of Navarino declined-Military Operations- Guards ordered to the Seat of War-Plevna-Russians repulsed in three Attacks-Prince of Roumania joins Russians with his Army- General Todleben summoned-Fall of Plevna on December 10th- Russian Successes in Asia-Kars taken-Erzeroum invested-Servia declares War against Turkey -The Porte asks, through Her Majesty's Government, for Peace-Emperor will entertain Proposals if addressed direct by the Porte to Russian Commanders-in-Chief in Europe and Asia-Preliminaries and Armistice signed end of January, 1878- War ended, but Russian Army continues its March-British Fleet ordered to Constantinople-Death of Grand Duke Serge-Correspon- Return of Emperor-Imperial Rescript-Interview with Prince Gortschakoff -Telegram from Sultan to Emperor-His Majesty's Reply-Continued Advance of Russian Army-Order to Admiral to proceed with Fleet to Constantinople-Lord Derby's Resignation: but withdrawn on Counter-orders to Admiral-Lord Derby finally resigns in March is succeeded by Lord Salisbury-His Circular-Despatch to British Embassies, and Prince Gortschakoff's Reply-Basis of Peace and an Armistice signed at Adrianople-Subsequently converted into Treaty of San Stefano-Divergence between England and Russia in regard to Free Discussion of Treaty in Congress-Critical State of Affairs- Great Uneasiness at St. Petersburg-My Suggestion to M. de Giers adopted-Instructions to Count Schouvaloff to propose Confidential Negotiations with Lord Salisbury-A Basis of Arrangement agreed to: Approved by Emperor with some Reserves-Congress convoked for June 13th-Appeal of Greece-Dissatisfaction of Roumania-Court held by their Majesties-The Emperor's Observations to Me-His |