The Press. — London, England, 1855-07-07 00:00:00

THE WEEK. The death of Lord RAGLAN—the speech of the Emperor of the FRENCH on opening the Legislative Assembly—the details of the unfortunate affair of the 18th of June—the "row" in Hyde•park on Sunday—and, lastly, the revelation made by Lord JOHN RUSSELL last night, that he reconnnended the acceptance of the last pro position made by Austria at the Vienna Conference, have been the chief topies of the week. Lord JOHN stated that when his recom mendation was rejected he did not think it necessary to quit the Government, preferring rather to act in direct opposition to his own opinions, and to assist in carrying on a war which, through the rejection of terms of peace which he considered satisfactory, he must have regarded as wholly unnecessary. Such a declaration was never, that we can recollect, made by a British Minister before. It is unnecessary for us to point out how perfectly Lord JOHN'S declaration justifies the charge made by Mr. DISRAELI against the Government of " ambiguous conduct and uncertain language," as at the very moment there was a division in the Cabinet on the vital question of peace or war. Lord RAGLAN'S death was known between one and two on Saturday, and everywhere excited profound regret. Less happy than Marshal St. Arnaud, he died without that expectation of victory which cheered the French General's last moments. There can be little doubt that the 18th of June went far to break the chivalrous heart of our Noble Commander. Justice has been done to his virtues and many admirable qualities, but justice has yet to be rendered to his memory, which will consist in a statement of the difficulties he had to contend with. We gather from the statement of Sir DE LACY EVANS that even as early as the battle of the Alma great tact was required on his part to preserve perfect accord with the French chief, and it is no secret that his difficulties in this respect increased since the retire ment of General CANROBERT. Such difficulties are perhaps insepara ble from a divided command, but they must be taken into account in estimating Lord RAGLAN'S services. He had the sweet temper and winning manners of MARLBOROUGH, and under happier auspices might, from what we know of his military talents, have rivalled that great commander's fame. That he resolutely held his ground through the appalling difficulties of the last winter's campaign would alone surround his name with the halo of heroism. Much dis appointment has been expressed that his body was not brought to England. His fitting grave was undoubtedly by the side of that of WELLINGTON. One feature in the despatch of PELIssIER is not agreeable. lie alludes twice to the repulse of the British on the Redan as contributing to the defeat of the French. On the other hand, he avoids all reference to the point noticed by Lord RAGLAN—the absence of a cannonade on the morning of the assault. How it was that an attack along the whole line was not made does not appear, as we hear it said that Lord RAGLAN'S private despatches show that ho was favorable to such proceeding. The speech of the French Emperor is chiefly remarkable for its allusions to the conduct of Austria and its declaration—that to accept her last proposition—which met with the warm concurrence of our Plenipotentiary, was " impossible." Among minor events of the week we notice with strong regret the death of Mr. STOWE, Commissioner for the distribution of the Times Special Fund. Our regret for the loss of this accomplished and amiable gentleman is heightened by learning that he was refused admission into the hospital at Balaklava, though no one could have a better right to every attention it was in the power of the authorities to bestow. Rare unanimity has been shown in the approval of the appoint ment of the successor to Judge MAULK. The new Justice of the Common Pleas, Mr. WILLES, was signalised at the Bar by the extreme rapidity of his professional success. The fact was more remarkable as he made no claims to the honours of an advocate, but relied solely on the vast extent of his erudition. He has always enjoyed the reputation of profound knowledge of the law in all its branches, and his name has appeared with frequency in the Equity-lists of the Hall, though his exertions were chiefly concentrated in the Common Law blanch of the profession. Mr. Justice WILLES has obtained the seat on the Bench solely by his own talents. He never was a party politician, and he had no seat in the House of Commons. Only forty-two years of age, he has attained the ermine at an early periol of life. Beyond his profession, also. the new Judge has considerable attainments in mathematics and physics, and his general scholarship is wide and various, including mastery of modern languages. Mr. Justice WILLES graduated at Dublin University, with the highest distinction in mathematics ; and within a few weeks after his call to the Bar, a shrewd observer of man —the late Lord Aarsomt—foretold that his success would be rapid and decisive. Mr. Justice WILLES is one of the many successful forensic practitioners who owe much to deep mathematical attainments. This scientific knowledge aided in attracting special attention to his Ucknowledged professional abilities. SATURDAY, The details received this week of the action of the 18th of June are not calculated to lesson the pain with which the first announce ment of the failure was received, The attack seems to have been well planned in the first instance, and it is deeply to be regretted that Lord R►GLAN'S first dispositions for a bombardment on the morning of the attack were overruled. The causes of the failure are frankly ad mitted,by both the late Lord RAGLAN and General PELissiaa,to have been a badly executed attack on the part of theiallies, met by perfect preparation upon the part of the Russians ; the first originated in an error of judgment on the part of General MAYEAN, who mistook the bursting of a shell for the signal to advance, some time previous to the moment fixed upon for the assault, and, unsupported, made a brave but futile dash out of the trenches. The preparation of the Russians can only be accounted for by the perfection to which they have brought their system of espionage. The future operations of the allied generals are not known. Whether regular approaches by sap and countermine are to be opened against the Malakoff, or whether a grand assault upon the town will be attempted, is a matter of conjecture Mean time we are assured by the latest telegraphs that the works of the Allies are progressing favorably, that the health of the army is improving, and that everything is as satisfactory as circum stances will permit. The fourth bombardment has, however, virtually concluded, for our reserve stores of powder have been used, and until fresh supplies arrive nothing can be attempted. Thus far, we have won an advanced position for a fresh battery close to the Dockyard Creek, while the French have also traced out another advanced work, which rakes Careening Bay down to Fort Constantine, and the fire from which will destroy the shipping, or drive them to the north shore. On the other hand, the Russians have thrown up counter works which threaten to enfilade our batteries, and which will impose upon us the necessity of assault and capture before we can secure our advanced works in operation. Thus, step by step, and inch by inch, it seems Sebastopol is only to be won. Yet, such are the acci dents of war, that a single lucky incident, well followed up at the right moment—such as the advance of General EYRE, upon the 18th— may throw all these hard-fought conflicts in the shade, and put Sebastopol at our mercy in a. moment. The letter of General DE BERG to Admiral DENIMS, which has been published in the Journal of St. Petersbourg, contains, we fear, among a great mass of exaggerated statements, a fair amount of truth. The gist of the excuse for the Hango massacre is, that though the British flag was seen flying, yet no white flag was hoisted either on board the Cossack or in her boat; and that, moreover, if even a flag of truce were hoisted, the boat bearing such flag cannot and ought not to land upon any point which the bearer may choose, but, on the con trary, when a parley is desired the vessel hoisting the flag of truce should anchor out of range and await a boat to receive her message in writing. We fear that an undue sense of security indulged iu by Captain FANSHAWE, and participated by his Lieutenant, led them, un happily, to pay too little attention to strict and cautious behaviour, imperative in all intercourse with a bitter and determined enemy. The whole matter will no doubt receive a searching investigation as soon as the evidence of Mr. GENESTE can be obtained. THE PRESS. DE BELLO INSANO APUD HYDII PARADISUM MALE GESTO. Er jam dies aderat ; exorto Sole, multi custodes coerulei, fustibus armati, per secura latitabant ; multi vero de plebe, rerum novandarum studio parum intenti, placide cum uxoribus liberisque suis per para disum spatiabantur. Erant quidam divites, sed rari, qui per Viam Putidam vehiculis propriis magnum et pulveris et clamoris vim suscita bant. Nam nobilis quidam; neque ille tamer malus homo, licet deceptus, libellum quendam satis ineptum excogitans, pauperes et proletarios ab omnibus iisque satis paucis luxuriis, deterrere con sti tuerat. 111 i vero, rem serum reputantes, dubitabant multum an isti' qui, ut apud Scripturas legimus, " purpura byssoque vestiti Bunt," in pauperes tanta legum plaustra ingerere deberent. lusuper, ipse legis auctor, seu ignavia seu terrors commotus, lecesserat, neque erat qui vel rem satis explicaret, vel animos populorum jam satis excitatos com pesceret. Et jam, turba in diem crescente, clamore ingravescente, custodes fustibus innocentes opprimere, sub pedibus calcare, virgines mulieresque juxta opprobriis invadere. Erant vero ex iis, qui hrec Sabbaticorum bacchanalia invisebant, quidam, qui custodes eos parvi faciebant, quique de inMani quodam custode ludos jocosque libere inter se jactabant. Nam in/I/anis ille, equo vectus, nihil de suo efficere potuit, etsi ad omnia immania atque crudelia suos libere exhortatus. Pugnatum est satis bene a militibus his Candour (ita a colore vestium cognominatis), verum parva cum gloria ; milites vero generosi, in hostes magis quam in suos armati, potius ut innocentes protegerent, quam ut inulieres pusillosque aggrederentur, intendebant. Multi capti aunt, quorum capita fustibus obnoxia fuerant, pauci fares, quippe cum quibus major fuisset contentio, atque adeo custodibus magis perniciosa. Et jam, curriculis admotis, capti isti per Viam Putidam satis ra pide vehuntur, quisque custodibus comitatus, dum "it ccelo clamor," et via ista velut in Ursorum Paradisum vertitur. Custodes etiamnum pugnas serere, innocontes tam fustibus quam verbis offendere, donee, decedents jam Sole, eeeteiri ad sua, custodes vero ad alios dos deeessertuat. 640