The Press. — London, England, 1854-10-14 00:00:00

THE PRESS. THE WEEK. Tux great topic of speculation still is, Has Sebastopol fallen ? We imagine not up to this date. Telegraphic messages assert that the bombardment commenced on the 4th ; but it is now plain that no credit whatever is to be attached to the intelligence thus received. A despatch from Prince MENSCHIKOFF, dated the 6th, and published in St. Petersburg on the 11th, states that no operations had then been commenced against Sebastopol. If the dates are correctly given, couriers must traverse the distance between the Prince's head-quar ters and Moscow with extraordinary speed. The despatches from Lord RAGLAN and Admiral DUNDAS, pub lished in an Extraordinary Gazette of last Sunday, supplied authentic details of the battle of the Alma ; and on Tuesday night further des patches appeared in the Gazette bringing the narrative of events to the 28th of September. Lord RAGLAN, under the latter date, wrote, "We " are most desirous of undertaking the attack of Sebastopol without " the loss of a day." But with all the zeal in the world it would take some time to transport the immense material required for the siege from the coast to the heights above Sebastopol. If the firing commenced about the sth or 6th, an attack might be expected to be made a week or so later. The next issue of our journal probably, the one beyond that almost certainly, will contain intelligence decisive of the fate of this famous stronghold. The allied armies are eager for the assault, and Prince MENSCHISOIT must fight another battle in its defence or abandon it to its fate. All the details of the battle of Alma bear testimony to the heroism of our army. The greater part of those engaged could never have been under fire before, yet they displayed the courage and coolness of veteran troops. This shows that the inherent bravery of a people is in no degree diminished by a long period of peace, while the conduct of our officers proves, too, that the refinements of a wealthy and luxurious period may exist without enervating the mind or muscle of those who live amid them. This blending of the highest military prowess with the highest civilisation is a new fact in the world's history, establishing that there is a vitality in modern society which that of no other age has ever possessed. In our other columns will be found many touching and many elevating incidents of the battle-field. An officer of the enemy characterises our men as " red devils," yet we see how tender-hearted in their remembrances of home are these fiends of Rus sian imagination. It is grateful to hear that the wounded enemy were cared for equally with our men; but the want of medical aid is a terri ble blot in the ministerial arrangements. If itbe true that in MENSCIIP. ioris portfolio were found papers expressing his confidence in being able to hold Alma for weeks, and that he relied on it mainly for the defence of Sebastopol, there need be no doubt as to its speedy fall. The presumption of the Russian commander appears to have been almost incredible. The stage erected for Russian ladies to view his victory turned out a hazardous experiment. Had not the ladies taken wing hastily they would have been captured. The seizure of the Prince's carriage by the French showed how narrowly he escaped himself. The loss of the Russians is not given in any account we have seen. Probably 5,000 would be near the mark. They must have retreated with great steadiness, as only two guns and a few prisoners were captured as our trophies of victory. The march from Alma to Balaklava on the 25th and 26th is described in Lord RAGLAN'S despatch with great precision. The new position has no doubt many advantages. It appears liable to the ob jection of leaving open MENSCHIKOFF'S communications with Sebastopol to the north, and also with Perekop and Kertch, whence he may expect reinforcements. This consideration, perhaps, is deemed of little con sequence, as the assault is to be so rapidly urged on. The reinforcements from Varna will probably augment the allies to an effective force of about 50,000 men. The Debate supposes that Prince MENSCAIKOFF may have a total force of 85,000 men under his command. The estimate is, we imagine, too high. He probably brought his whole disposable army into the field at Alma, and the number is now generally stated at 40,000. 1/111 It seems just possible that he m a y be lar g el y reinforced before Sebastopol falls. A corps of 16,000 men is spoken of as on its way from Anapa ; and a strong force, under OSTEN-SACKEN, by way of Pere kop. Should these troops really effect a junction with MENSCRIKOFF the allies would have work enough on their hands. The Russians are putting their ships to a most ignoble use. On the 23rd several line-of-battle ships and frigates were observed moored - across the entrance of the harbour , and, as the allied fleets came up, the ix ships were at a signal sunk, leaving their masts more or less above water. The waves now wash over a 120-gun ship, two 84 s, two 80's, and some frigates. This desperate proceeding indicates how little trust the be have in their ships. These sunken vessels could , probably be raised should Sebastopol become ours. SATURDAY, The apathy of Admiral DUNDAS during these operations, and during the battle of the Alma, has excited much remark, and we are assured that despatches were sent out to him yesterday demanding an explanation of his quiescence on these two occasions. The con duct of our officers in command, both by land and sea, must not be lightly judged, more especially as we cannot tell what their instruc tions may be ; but it is impossible to omit noticing rumours to the disparagement of Admiral DUNDAS which have now become the town talk. There has been a report this week that the Russians have again been successful in Asia, and have defeated SCHAMYL. Partial successes in this quarter are, however, of little consequence, in comparison with the great events in progress on neighbouring shores. Operations in the Baltic are, it is now certain, over for the season, and Russia will in that direction have six months' breathing time. What the allies will do should they be successful at Sebastopol is now a question beginning to be generally asked. Will they winter in the Crimea or return home, or find quarters about Constantinople? Great exertions will, probably, be made by the enemy to concentrate a large force in Southern Russia against the return of spring. The death of Marshal ST. ARNAUD was sublime. There is some thing more grand in this earnest soldier worn down by sickness, yet still fulfilling his duty; sitting his horse on the battle-field upheld by a trooper at either side ; conscious that his death could not be delayed many days, yet still reluctant to resign to another the glory of leading the French army into Sebastopol ; supported up to the moment when he resigned his command, and then dying because he felt himself useless;—in this death there is, we think, something more grand than in that of the hero who perishes in the arms of victory. For in the Marshal's death we recognise the fortitude to suffer as well as the courage to achieve. His last letters are truly noble. Never did a dying hero gather his robes round Om more gracefully as he fell. More diplomatic notes are passing between Austria and Prussia, turning, as usual, on " German interests." Austria wishes Prussia to join in presenting the "four points" for the acceptance of the Bund, and in agreeing that if Austria is attacked by Russia, in consequence of her occupation of the principalities, the German Confederation will unite in her defence. The real motive of Austria in all these negotia tions still lurks in darkness. Does sho really meditate hostilities against Russia, or is she attempting to satisfy while blinding the allies, or is she aiming to fix her supremacy in Germany by pretending regard only for German interests ? The peace homily of Lord ABERDEEN in his own dear town this week is contrasted with some sensible observations made by Lord GRANVILLE in Staffordshire. The latter Peer, in place of insisting on the criminality of war when not waged from actual necessity, spoke of the justice of insisting on terms of peace bearing some proportion to the sacrifices we have made and the successes achieved. There has been a hearty display of Conservative feeling in Essex, and Major BERESFORD has shown, by a plain statement of facts, how baseless were the charges attempted to be fastened on him respecting the Derby election. The Whigs exhibited some dexterity in getting up this slander, but it is uow exposed, and no one reading Major BERESFORD'S speech can doubt the real motive of the cry attempted to be raised to his prejudice. The offer of Mr. BASS to pay 2001. on the detection of any bribery in favour of Mr. HORBFALL is decisive of the character of the whole transaction. The speeches of Mr. Du CANE, of the Rev. J. Cox, and particularly of Mr. PEACOCKE, were excellent. A strong conviction was expressed by these gentlemen, and heartily responded to by the meeting, that the time had come for vindicating the Protestant character of our Constitution. Two deplorable accidents have, in the midst of the awful mor tality of war, excited painful interest this week. The fire at New castle was the most terrific and most destructive of human life we can call to mind in this country. The other casualty is yet more shocking. The Arctic steamer, with, it is supposed, 400 persons on board, proceeding from Liverpool to New York, was lost off the coast of Newfoundland on the 27th ult. The fog was so thick that no object could be discerned even a few yards off, and, as the vessel was proceeding on her usual course, she was run into by an iron steamer, the Vesta, the stern and cutwater of which went clean through the vessel's side. As the only chance of safety, the Arctic was steered for the coast of Newfoundland, sixty miles off, but when about fifteen miles on her way she filled fast, and, as it was evident she must sink, the boats were had recourse to. The captain declined to leave the ship, saying, her fate should be his, nor would he part from his little boy. Amcng those saved in the boats was the second officer, and when he left the vessel she was sinking fast, and the sea, as far as he could see around, was strewed with despairing beings. The other steamer was more fortunate. After the collision it was feared that she would go down, and the boats were had out and filled ; to add to the horrors of the tragedy, one of these boats was run over by the Arctic, and all on board , save one person, perished. The two vessels never saw each other from the moment they separated. The butcaptan of the Vesta, DUCHEBNM , like Ca p tain Lucis, stood by his ship, with better fortune. When lightened she rose, and, with skilful sea manship, she was brought, though in a wofully-shattered condition, safe to St. John's, Newfoundland. There were on board the Arctic leg first-class passengers, 75 second-class, and 130 crew, believed that more than 40 or 50 of the whole a re saved.and it is not 972 '4 16 / - 2,4 01P1MM.P . , s