The Second Funeral of Napoleon
Page: 15

Little, however, did Mrs. Corbett, the St. Helena landlady, little
did his Royal Highness Prince Ferdinand Philip Marie de Joinville
know what was going on in Europe all this time (when I say in
Europe, I mean in Turkey, Syria, and Egypt); how clouds, in fact,
were gathering upon what you call the political horizon; and how
tempests were rising that were to blow to pieces our Anglo-Gallic
temple of friendship. Oh, but it is sad to think that a single
wicked old Turk should be the means of setting our two Christian
nations by the ears!

Yes, my love, this disreputable old man had been for some time past
the object of the disinterested attention of the great sovereigns of
Europe. The Emperor Nicolas (a moral character, though following
the Greek superstition, and adored for his mildness and benevolence
of disposition), the Emperor Ferdinand, the King of Prussia, and our
own gracious Queen, had taken such just offence at his conduct and
disobedience towards a young and interesting sovereign, whose
authority he had disregarded, whose fleet he had kidnapped, whose
fair provinces he had pounced upon, that they determined to come to
the aid of Abdul Medjid the First, Emperor of the Turks, and bring
his rebellious vassal to reason. In this project the French nation
was invited to join; but they refused the invitation, saying, that
it was necessary for the maintenance of the balance of power in
Europe that his Highness Mehemet Ali should keep possession of what
by hook or by crook he had gotten, and that they would have no hand
in injuring him. But why continue this argument, which you have
read in the newspapers for many months past? You, my dear, must
know as well as I, that the balance of power in Europe could not
possibly be maintained in any such way; and though, to be sure, for
the last fifteen years, the progress of the old robber has not made
much difference to us in the neighborhood of Russell Square, and the
battle of Nezib did not in the least affect our taxes, our homes,
our institutions, or the price of butcher's meat, yet there is no
knowing what MIGHT have happened had Mehemet Ali been allowed to