The Press. — London, England, 1855-01-13 00:00:00

THE WEEK. AT the commencement of the week, when telegraphic messages from Vienna announced that the Emperor NICHOLAS had accepted the definition placed on the four points by the Ministers of the allied Powers, sanguine persons believed that all cause of war was removed, and that peace must be near at hand. The conclusion was not un reasonable. It was imagined that M. BORQUENEY, Lord WESTMORE LAND, and Count Boot., must, after the consideration given to the four points since August last, have been well acquainted with the views of their Governments as to the construction to be placed on them. But such does not appear to have been the case. The French Govern ment has very distinctly intimated its opinion, that a courteous diplo matic construction of the four points will not satisfy it—so that, what ever course England and Austria may wish to take, the acceptance of the Emperor NICHOLAS is not likely to be attended with any political results. Our funds, which jumped up two per cent. at prospect of peace, have since declined, and will probably go down lower still, as this new difficulty may retard or prevent the much-talked-of Austrian alliance. Other cards begin to make their appearance on the board. Prussia has signified her adherence to the Treaty of December 2, and thus again becomes a member of the great European family, and is entitled to take part in any conference or congress to assemble at Vienna. Our Cabinet, fertile in diplomatic expedients, and always hoping to repair its misfortunes in war by successful negotiation, now proposes that a new Congress shall assemble at Vienna early next month. Again we hear of " preliminary steps" with " a view to the negotiation of peace," &c., and meanwhile Austria, we suppose, retains her neutral attitude. The Morning Post, in its official announcement of yesterday, assumes that the fall of Sebastopol is alone wanting to give effect to the delibe rations of the Congress about to assemble. Then the acceptance by the Czar of the four conditions may be taken into consideration ; but is it so certain that he will then stand by them? Meanwhile, the acceptance, whether sincerely meant or not, has done its work. Austria is still free, and waiting for the new Congress. In that Congress, England, if represented by her present Cabinet, will side with Austria and Prussia one way ; and France, determined on the reduction of the Russian power, will stand alone on the other. Plainly this Congress is not a thoughtless scheme — there is design in it. But to rational and honest minds there is something most painful and revolting in this continued talk of peace, when peace is not meant, and in this abuse of negotiation to humour the whim or forward the baseless schemes of "austere intriguers." On one point Lord ABERDEEN is always successful. He clings closely to the skirts of Austria for protection against the bold policy of France, and by Austrian aid contrives to confine the objects of the war within the narrowest possible limits. But the four points, all invented for Aus trian interests, may soon have their day. The war cannot for ever be re stricted to such contemptible ends, and then the worthlessness of that cunning policy which has set all these conferences in motion, and has vainly attempted to conceal its jealousy of French influence by calling in German States to balance it, will be exposed to the contempt it merits. Two new incidents attract attention iu the history of the war — the concentration of a large Turkish force at Eupatoria, and the renewed invasion of the Dobrudscha by the Russians. From letters dated the 30th of December from Varna, we learn that the depot there is fast breaking up. The health of such troops as re main is described as being very good. OMER PACHA arrived the morn ing our advices were written, and despatches were awaiting him from Lord RAGLAN. A steamer had just come in from the Crimea, bringing intelligence that the Russians were assembling in force at Alma, fear ing an advance of the Turkish troops on the north. Our correspon dent adds, that about 48,000 Turkish troops are expected to be sent to Eupatoria, of which more than 8,000 had already arrived there. Taking advantage of the comparatively defenceless state of the Turkish frontier, a Russian corps has crossed the Danube, pushed into the Dobrudscha, and captured both Babadagh and Tultscha, notwithstanding a spirited resistance made by SADYK PACHA in the latter place. This movement shows that the enemy is watchful and enterprising. It does not appear likely, however, that they can be in any force, as we hear that great exertions are made in Odessa to forward reinforcements to the Crimea by forced marches, and by waggon conveyance. The condition of our army before Sebastopol still continues deplora ble. With all the reinforcements, the force fit for active service scarcely increases ; and what a lamentable reflection is it that all this suffering and loss might have been avoided by timely forethought. Directly the men are supplied with warm clothing and full rations their condition improves. Were the camp furnished, as it might be from its proximity to the sea, with common necessaries, as shelter, firing, clothing, and food, the men might have been preserved in excellent health. " Too late" in the work of preparation at home is the cause of all their wretchedness and mortality. Continued reinforcements pour in to the enemy, and, if only from the numerous forces congregating on either side, it is highly probable that an engagement will soon take place. From the disorganised state of our army it is supposed that the brunt of battle must, in the next engagement, fall on our French allies, and that at the utmost we shall be only able to support them. It was affirmei that the bombardment would be resumed early in this month : there has been long preparation on both sides, and the fighting once begun we may anticipate will be of the most terrific character. The expected return of Admiral DUNDAB to England has given rise to many rumours upon various points connected with his late com mand in the Black Sea. The most serious, and the one which will INftimm..-__ THE PRESS. SATURDAY, probably call for parliamentary investigation, relates to his alleged refusal to allow the Turkish steam-squadron to co-operate in effecting an efficient blockade of the Russian coasts, and of the Sea of Azoff. It is reported that official representations, from officers high in coin mand in the Turkish navy, were repeatedly made to the gallant admiral upon this vital point, pointing out the utter uselessness of the Turkish ships confined to the Bosphorous, praying for permission to show the Turkish flag off the Asiatic coast, and, finally, remarking in energetic terms on the hopeless folly of blockading the mouths of the Danube, and leaving Odessa, Kertch, and the Sea of Azoff unmo lested. The gallant admiral's friends Say, of course, that he acted under orders from home. We shall be curious to see, upon the re assembling of Parliament, some of these home instructions to our naval commanders. Our revenue returns do not thus far reflect much credit on Mr. GLADSTONE'S financial sagacity. He imposed last year new taxes to produce, as he estimated, ten millions annually. The receipts for the three quarters of his financial year have come in, and the actual in• crease is only 1,928,3161. It is said that some of the increased taxes have not yet come in. Perhaps not ; but this circumstance will hardly account for so great a deficiency. In some items we can trace the discrepancy between his estimate and the actual results. He expected that the increased malt duty would give him an addition of 2,450,0001., or upwards of 600,0001. each quarter ; but we learn that the increase on malt this quarter is only 150,0001., so that the consumer is taxed nearly 50 per cent. that the revenue may be benefited little more than 10 per cent. When will Mr. GLADSTONE learn that first lesson of financial experience, that, in matters of taxation, two and two do not make four. As the period for the next financial statement and for new esti• mates approaches speculation is busy with probable details. It is re ported that the army will be raised to three hundred thousand men - thirty thousand foreign mercenaries being included in the number ; but where the latter are to be obtained still remains a mystery. Many German States have rigorously prohibited recruiting in their dominions, and as yet we hear of no bands of gallant German recruits having landed on our shores. Yet it was hinted these recruits would be wanted for immediate service—to be despatched to the Crimea at once, indeed. It is thought probable that Sardinia may furnish some troops, as that State has just acceded to the treaty of December 2 ; but it is unlikely that that kingdom can have many men to spare. From all that we can learn at present the bill remains a dead letter. Mr. SIDNEY HERBERT'S appeal to the Opposition was too candid for false hood :—" You ask where we are to procure these men. We shall be " very much obliged to you if you will tell us where we can get " them." COALITION NURSES. While the good which the nurses have done is incalculable, and admitted by every one, the success of the experiment as a feature of the medical department of the army on war service cannot be considered as decisively established until certain religious dissensions which have arisen are set at rest. Among those whose services Miss Nightingale has dispensed with are five white-veiled nuns, whose previous convent lives had not sufficiently qualified them for the duties of nursing. Their removal has given umbrage to the Roman Catholic Thaplains. At the same time some of the Sellon party have not been found as efficient as was deemed desirable, and in the effort to organise a good band of nurses out of the material supplied by an outburst of zeal and devotion at home, there is some danger of the whole undertaking coming to au abrupt conclusion. —Times, Jan. 10. 1555. Oh, who that is blest with a natural zest For a painter's conception or artist's ideal, Could fail of delight at the beautiful sight Which the printsellers' windows at present reveal ? A hospital there is displayed to our view In its comeliest state and its rosiest hue; Two damsels so neat, So bewitchingly sweet, But not indiscreet or indecorous friskers, Attend a dragoon Just awoke from a swoon With the softest of eyes and the blackest of whiskers. Perhaps some think, as we did, To be invalided In the hands of such beauties intent on their duties Is not an infliction so very unpleasant ; And were they in the place of the handsome dragoon Would be even afraid that the doctor too soon Might call in and discover them too convalescent. In this frame of mind we fancy they stop To look at the picture in Ackerman's shop. Alas for the picture ! alas for the play ! Alas for the poetry passing away In the cold dull light of the common day ! Alas for those fair young women ! It speedily haps ere a few weeks elapse That they're pulling away at each others' caps Without respect for the trimming. Whence it occurs that these Sisters of Charity Show such slight accord or sisterly parity Some will he slow to guess ; But the tales which excite such profane jocularity Come to us nevertheless. Our Sidney Herbert at length is aware That his black nuns find his white in their way, That his brown are looking blue at his grey; And, if they don't drink or swear, That they hate each other, as devotees man With a hate beyond 'compare. V 36