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28

SULTAN'S HAREM.

their fair charges, but all their endeavours were useless, and they were compelled to acquiesce in the new arrangement.

The Sultan's women were frequently there, and it was easier to get close to look at them than at any of the others. The one whom I conclude was the chief favourite, was in a carriage drawn by four fat, clumsy horses-a very inferior article for one in her position. All the equipages were very dingy affairssome like a bad style of brougham, but the generality were arabas, either drawn by horses

or oxen.

By the 18th of May, a considerable force was assembled at Scutari, principally infantry. A few transports had arrived with cavalry, and the artillery were gradually appearing; still it was plain some time must yet elapse. before the army was in anything like a fit condition to take the field. I had been some months absent from England, and was anxious to return, even for a short period. I judged that no time would be so good as the present, and that I might be back again before any meeting had taken place between the Allies

NO CHANCE OF EMPLOYMENT.

29

and the Russians. I was most unwilling to miss the chance of seeing the commencement of hostilities, and would have put myself to great inconvenience rather than fail in my object.

I had only left the army some eighteen months previously, and during that time had held a commission in the militia, with which I had done duty. Always having had a love for a military life, and being a soldier in spirit and by profession, I was most desirous to obtain some employment in connection with the army. I foresaw that, sooner or later, irregular corps must be set on foot; accordingly, as soon as possible after Lord Raglan's arrival, I made application for employment whenever an opportunity offered.

The answer I received was evasive, and although not a refusal, was still far from encouraging—at least for the present. A hint from one of his staff confirmed me in my opinion, that there was no immediate prospect of employment, that the army would not take the field for some time, and that I might safely go home, without any risk of missing

30

TO ENGLAND.

what I so much desired to see.

Accordingly,

I made my arrangements for going to England at once, having been two months in Constantinople.

Before leaving, I went to take leave of my numerous friends in my old regimentmany of whom I was never to see again.

I left Constantinople on the 20th of May, in the French mail steamer, for England. General Baraguay d'Hilliers was also on board; having been recalled from his post of ambassador in Turkey. A passage of seven days, including twenty-four hours' stoppage at Gallipoli, Athens, and Messina, brought us to Marseilles; and, in about four days more, I arrived in London.

I was very much surprised that the state of affairs in Turkey should have created so little interest among the English public. To me, the general impression appeared to be,, that all would be settled without coming to blows. It was useless to argue against this. Few would reconcile to themselves the idea that war in its worst forms was not only inevitable, but close at hand; and the raising of the Siege of Sil

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istria, only strengthened them in the contrary opinion. I always maintained that Austria would never take up arms against Russia; but hardly any person I talked to, would agree with me.

I remained two months in England, much longer than I had at first intended; as there appeared no immediate prospect of our army assuming the offensive. I went up to Stockholm and the Baltic, previous to returning to the east; and only got back a few days before the intelligence of the battle of Alma arrived. I felt disgusted at not having been present, and the false report of the fall of Sebastopol only vexed me the more, that I should have been so thrown out; however, I resolved to make up for lost time, if possible, and start immediately for the seat of war.

CHAPTER III.

TO THE CRIME A.

On the 4th of October I left London for Constantinople via Trieste. Forty-four hours' travelling brought me to Dresden-a day's halt there, and twenty more hours to Vienna, where I staid for three days, having that time to spare. The passport system is a positive nuisance in Austria. When entering the country, the passports are examined at every town of consequence; and travelling by night trains, one is constantly woke up by a surly police agent, who shakes the passenger from a sound sleep, growling at the same time in his

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