190 TJIANSACTIONS CHAP, garded as applying only to the command of de- ^ •^"' tachments, it was surmised that (M. St Arnaud's military rank being higlier than that of Lord Eaglan) the control of the whole British force was the object really in view. The experience of the conference at the British Embassy had proved the good sedative effect of a * dry document ; and as the instructions addressed to the English General chanced to contain some words directing him to take no orders except from the Secretary of State,* the clause was happily put forward by Lord Raglan as an impediment This also to the proposed plan. Marshal St Arnaud gave " '^■^' ■ way, and thenceforth desisted from all further prosecution of his scheme. So skilful was the resistance o])posed to these enterprises of M. St Arnaud, and the character of the Marshal was so free from all admixture of spite and bitterness, that their frustration did not create ill-feeling. It was plain, however, that re- Attempts of currence to projects of this sort would be danger- ch'e'cko'irby ous to the alliaucc ; and when the French Emperor Kmpm.'r' knew that these schemes had been tried and de- feated, he forbade all attempts to revive them. 8t Arnaud Hithcrto the cause which had been tlireatening deciincs^to the coliesioH of the Alliance was M. St Arnaud's nrmyto'-^ ambition. The next obstruction which Lord rMtofwnr. Raglan had to deal with was one of a very dif- f(;rent kind. Checked, as is supposed, by the an- • The clauso, I iinagiiic, lind been inliodiuid in order to negative th(!.siiii[)0.sitioii that the Ambassador nt ronstantinople wjw to have the control of the inilitar}' oj>erat ions.
