CHAPTER XI.

RUSSIA AND TURKEY.

Aggression of Peter the Great--Diminution and Renewal of French Influence--The Contest over the Holy Places--Victory of Russian Influence in Favor of the Greek Church--Russia’s Religious Propaganda Among the Greeks--Rise of Phil-Hellenism--Dismemberment Talked of--Effect of the French Revolution--The Russian Fleet in the Dardanelles--The English Fleet at Constantinople--Peace of Tilsit--Plan for Partition--Accession of Mahmud II 195