124 SECRET TERMS OF NIEL'S MISSION. chap, needs be believed — because true. Our people ! are not suspicious, and the Emperor's scheme of concealment was crowned with real, lasting suc- cess^ 3 ) impres- It is true that with what seemed like frank- sions caused by the pros- ness the Emperor from time to time spoke to pect of the * _ x Emperor's Lord Cowley and others of his intention to go going to the J ° Crimea. ou t to the Crimea, but those surface disclosures apparently gave actual aid to concealment of the inner purpose by causing the surmises of men to fly off in other directions. Some thought with alarm of what might happen in Paris during the Emperor's absence ; and others — with yet more anxiety — of what might take place in the Crimea, if the Emperor should go out and entrust himself with the command of the French army.* Gen- eral Canrobert was apparently left to hear from private sources or from rumours in camp of the Emperor's intention to visit the Crimea ; t and he thought that the step would be a ' very false ' move.' J Lord Eaglan considered that, if ever adventured at all, the visit from Louis Napoleon would be a measure fraught with dangers and mischiefs to be looked for in France as well as at the seat of war ; § and his conditional forecast included the embarrassing burthen — the 'great
- Lord John Russell to Lord Raglan, Private Letter, March
12, 1855. t Lord Raglan to Lord Panmure, Private Letter, April 3, 1855. t ibid. § Ibid., and letters to same of 17th, 20th, 27th, and 31st March.
