At the banquet which followed, Lord Beaconsfield referred to the
"well-founded fears" that " the balance of power in the Medi-
terranean might be subverted," that "Russia might establish ports on the -Egean," and that " the restrictions on the navigation of the Straits might be removed," and again, to "the apprehensions, and well-founded apprehensions," that Asia Minor might be con- quered, and that "the establishments and influence of Great Britain in the Persian Gulf might be seriously endangered," and took credit to the Government for having put an end to all those fears and apprehensions, by securing at Berlin, a peace which he hoped would be "enduring." The ground of this hope was that every one was benefitted. Turkey was bencfitted, by having so much which she had lost in war (nominally) restored to her, especially as, according to the highly romancing statement of Lord Beacons- field, the Sultan of Turkey bad "scarcely a square mile left in Europe" under the Treaty of San Stefano. Austria was bene- fitted, by obtaining Bosnia and the Herzegovina, and so checking, —Lord Beaconsfield hoped for ever,—the " Panslavist Conspiracy." Russia is benefitted, by "the great check administered to the restlessness of the military authority of Russia," and by being allowed to retain what could not be denied to a conqueror whose troops were at the gates of the metropolis of her opponent. France and Italy are benefitted, by knowing that "the balance of power in the Mediterranean is not to be disturbed." Germany is benefitted, by securing peace,—her great object. And England has been benefitted, by the acquisition of Cyprus, and the right of interference she has gained in Asia Minor. Lord Salisbury spoke in like terms of our Asiatic Protectorate, as a great and most important measure, full of great results for the future ; and eulo- gised the Sultan,—" an enlightened and powerful Prince," he had termed him, when receiving the freedom of the City,—as a Sovereign whom it would be easy to direct aright. The note of both speeches was the pledge that "the Power which had occupied Cyprus" was about to inaugurate a new era in the East. The griffins rampant on a field tawdry were as characteristic of the Ministerial statement as they were of the procession.
