On the other hand, if Alexander remained neutral, his faith would be trodden under foot, and that by a power which he detested both politically and religiously,—­a power, too, with which Russia had often been at war.  If Turkey triumphed in the contest, rebels against a long-constituted authority might indeed be put down; but a hostile power would be strengthened, dangerous to all schemes of Russian aggrandizement.  Consequently Alexander was undecided in his policy; yet his indecision tore his mind with anguish, and probably shortened his days.  He was, on the whole, a good man; but he was a despot, and did not really know what to do.  England and France, again, were weakened by the long wars of Napoleon, and wanted repose.  Their sympathies were with the Greeks; but they shielded themselves behind the principles of non-intervention, which were the public law of Europe.

So the poor Greeks were left for six years to struggle alone and unaided against the whole force of the Turkish empire before relief came, when they were on the verge of annihilation.  It was the struggle of a little country about half the size of Scotland against an empire four times as large as Great Britain and France combined; of a population less than a million against twenty-five millions.  It was more than this:  it was, in many important respects, a war between Asia and Europe, kindred in spirit with the old Crusades.  It was a war of races and religions, rather than of political principles; and hence it was marked by inhuman atrocities on both sides, reminding us of the old wars between Jews and Syrians.  It was a tragedy at which the whole civilized world gazed with blended interest and horror.  It was infinitely more fierce than any contest which has taken place in Europe for three hundred years.  To the Greeks themselves it was, after the first successes, the most discouraging contest that I know of in human history; and yet it had all those elements of heroism which marked the insurrection of the Hollanders under William the Silent against the combined forces of Austria and Spain.  It was grand in its ideas, like our own Revolutionary War; and the liberty which was finally gained was purchased by greater sacrifices than any recorded in any war, either ancient or modern.  The war of Italian independence was a mere holiday demonstration in comparison with it.  Even the Polish wars against Russia were nothing to it, in the sufferings which were endured and the gallant feats which were performed.

But as Greece was a small and distant country, its memorable contest was not invested with the interest felt for battles on a larger scale, and which more directly affected the interests of other nations.  It was not till its complications involved Turkey and Russia in war, and affected the whole “Eastern Question,” that its historical importance was seen.  It was perhaps only the beginning of a series of wars which may drive the Ottoman Turks out of Europe, and make Constantinople a great prize for future conquerors.