The writer seems to be a man of sense and well informed.
It appears that during the last five years, Russia, profiting by the
Chinese disturbances, has seized, not only the mouth of the Amoor, but a
large territory in Mongolia, and has also gained a considerable portion
of the tribes which inhabit it. You know that these tribes once overran
all Asia, and have twice conquered China. The means have always been the
same--some accident which, for an instant, has united these tribes in
submission to the will of one man. Now, says the writer, very plausibly,
the Czar may bring this about, and do what has been done by Genghis Khan,
and, indeed, by others.
If these designs are carried out, all Upper Asia will be at the mercy of
a man, who, though the seat of his power be in Europe, can unite and
close on one point the Mongols.
I know more about Sir G. Lewis's book[1] than you do. I have read it
through, and I do not say, as you do, that it must be a good book, but
that it _is_ a good book. Pray say as much to Sir George when you see
him, as a letter of mine to Lady Theresa on the subject may have
miscarried.
It is as necessary now for friends to write in duplicate from town to
town, as it is if they are separated by the ocean and fear that the ship
which carries their letters may be lost.
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