[780] Lecky, v, 64–6; J. L. le B. Hammond, “Fox,” 60.
[781] “Diary of Sir John Moore,” i, 234.
[782] It has been said that the journey was undertaken partly with the view of seeing whether Potemkin had honestly used the money given him for the warlike preparations in the South; and that he hastily did his utmost to impress the Czarina favourably. This last is of course highly probable; but, as we shall see presently, the journey had been projected in 1785. Moreover, Potemkin, while improvising crowds of peasants, could not improvise the warships launched at Kherson.
[783] “F. O.,” Russia, 15. Fitzherbert to Carmarthen, 3rd May 1787. Fitzherbert accompanied the Empress throughout this tour. His letters are of high interest.
[784] See Sorel, “La Question d’Orient,” 300 et seq.
[785] “F. O.,” Austria, 11. Keith to Carmarthen, 3rd and 7th December 1785.
[786] “Malmesbury Diaries,” i, 204, 534.
[787] Wazilewski, “Le Roman d’une Impératrice,” 418.
[788] Keith reported on 30th August 1787 (“F. O.,” Austria, 14) that the Emperor “saw this storm coming with deep regret,” and that the ferment in his Belgian lands would prevent his taking action against Turkey.
[789] “F. O.,” Turkey, 8.