A fast was ordered in England and Ireland for the 21st of March, which
was extensively and solemnly observed; and a day of thanksgiving was
kept with as unanimous a spirit, when, in September, Sebastopol fell.
DEATH OF THE CZAR.
On the 2nd of March the people of London were astonished by a telegram
that the Emperor of Russia had died that morning. Seldom was so profound
and general a sensation created. It was believed by nearly all persons
that the war would be speedily brought to a close, as he who had created
it had passed away. It was not then generally understood that the
Emperor Nicholas was the representative of the feeling and opinion of
the whole Russian nation. His ambition, love of conquest, aggrandizement
of territory, did not pass beyond the degree in which these qualities
were cherished by his people. The desire to propagate the Greek church
by the sword alike possessed emperor and subjects. The war, therefore,
continued, although the successor of Nicholas--Alexander II.--was, as
alleged, a mild prince, more desirous to draw out the resources of his
empire by peace than to extend it by war. At all events the conflict
continued to rage, to the disappointment of all who hated bloodshed, and
felt for the miseries of their fellow creatures.
It was alleged that the death of the Emperor Nicholas was caused by the
defeat of his arms at the battle of Eupatoria. On the 17th of February,
forty thousand Russians attacked the Turkish army under Omar Pasha, then
quartered there.
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