His Crimean volumes continued to appear; in 1875, 1880, finally in
1887; while the Cabinet Edition was published in 1887-8. This last
contained three new Prefaces; in Vol. I. as we have seen, the
memorial of Nicholas Kireeff; in Vol. II. the latter half of the
original Preface to Vol. I., cancelled thence at Madame Novikoff's
request, though now carefully modified so as to avoid anything
which might irritate Russia at a moment when troubles seemed to be
clearing away. In his Preface to Vol. VII. he had three objects,
to set right the position of Sir E. Hamley, who had been neglected
in the despatches; to demolish his friend Lord Bury, who had
"questioned my omniscience" in the "Edinburgh Review"; and to
exonerate England at large from absurd self-congratulations about
the "little Egypt affair," the blame of such exaggeration resting
with those whom he called State Showmen.
Silent to acquaintances about the progress of his work, he was
communicative to his few intimates, though never reading aloud
extracts or allowing them to be seen. In 1872 he would speak
pathetically of his "Crimean muddle," perplexed, as he well might
be, by the intricacies of Inkerman.
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