The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-11-08 00:00:00

CRIMEAN CEMETERIES.

The Times publishes the following letter from the Bishop
of Gibraltar :

Sir,—lt is possible that there may be persons in
England who would be glad to read a few lines respect-
ing the last earthly-resting place of our brave country-
men who fell in the Crimea a quarter of a century ago
from one who is now visiting this historical ground.
During the last day or two I have seen most of the
British cemeteries near Sebastopol and Balaclava. A
few which are in isolated positions and are difficult of
access I have been prevented from reaching by lack
of time. Such as I have visited I found to be now
in good order. The inscriptions on the monuments,
which in many cases had been effaced by the weather,
have this year been re-cut; and the walls enclosing
the cemeteries, which here and there had fallen to ruin,
have been repaired. The walls will still require con
-
stunt attention, as the Tartar herdsmen are in the
habit of pulling away the stones to admit their cattle to
graze on the herbage. The cemetery on Cathcart's-hill,
which from its size, its commanding position, and the
number of illustrious dead who are buried there is the
most important of our cemeteries, is kept with all thst
watchful care now commonly bestowed upon our
churchyards at home. Major Watson, Her Majesty's
Vice-Consul at Sebastopol, who has charge of these
cemeteries, has this year planted some trees, which
by constant watering he has coaxed into growing, and
a few English flowers now still in bloom, though the
autumn is far advanced. As there are 12 other ceme-
teries at various distances from one another, it is im-
possible to treat them all as gardens. The crosses,
memorial slabs, and obelisks should be protected, and
the surrounding walls preserved ; but the graves may be
left to the care of natme, which during many months
of the year supplies flowers of bright colours and great
variety with no thrifty hand. The sites are in all
cases well chosen, especi' lly at Balaclava, where the
graves are bidden in undisturbed peace and solitude
high among the hills which encircle this pretty village
of Russian fishermen, with its little land-locked
harbJur and picturesque old Genoese castle, The
municipal authorities of Sebastopol have given a piece
of ground to the extent of 70ft. outwards from
the walls which surround the cemetery on Cathcart's-
hill. This ought to be secured by means of iron.
railings; but the improvement would involve an out-
lay of £2OO or £3OO. As our cemeteries in the Crimea
have since 1861 cost the country £7,733 for repairs, and
are maintained at a yearly expense of £55, £25 of
which are for guardian's wages, this work should be
done by such individuals as may regard the spot
with affection from having relations or friends buried
there, or by those regiments which served in the cam.
paign. A very small sum from each regiment would
defray the expense, The railings are needed; for,
unless the ground be enclosed, the ownership hereafter
may possibly be disputed. This ground, moreover,
might be planted with trees, which, if they thrive,
would add mush to the beauty of the spot. The trees
with which the French cemetery is stocked have avery
picturesque effect. Cathcart's-hill is a prominent object
In the landscape; it occupies the very centre of the
English position, and is visible on the horizon from
all sides and far away at sea, As Major Watson and
I rode thence over the ground on which the battle of
Inkerman was fought, the trees and brushwood were
bright with their autumnal tints; the solitude was un-
broken, except by a few cattle grazing here and
there; hardly a sound fell upon the ear till we reached
the Inkerman valley, when we heard the bells of the
quaint old monastery (hewn out in the rock) calling
the .tetithful to vespers. The setting sun. the