5) that the first advances were made by England to Russia.

I ought to have used the phrase "the first _written_ proposals that I have found were made," etc.
Czartoryski's "Memoirs" (vol.ii., chs.

ii.-iii.), to which I referred my readers for details, show clearly that Alexander and his advisers looked on a rupture with France as inevitable, but wished to temporize for some three months or so, until certain matters were cleared up; they therefore cautiously sounded the position at Vienna and London.

This passage from Czartoryski (vol.
ii., ch.

iii.) proves that Russia wanted the English alliance: "After the diplomatic rupture consequent upon the execution of the Duc d'Enghien, it became indispensable to come to an understanding with the only Power, except Russia, which thought herself strong enough to contend with France--to ascertain as thoroughly as possible what were her inclinations and designs, the principles of her policy, and those which she could be led to adopt in certain contingencies.