The Press.
London, England, 1855-08-11 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

SATURDAY,

any credit for active resource against our possible successes. No doubt
the possession of the Malakoff is of vital importance to both parties.
From its heigth and position, it would certainly insure to us the
partial clearance, if not destruction, of the Russian ships in the
harbour, and, by enabling us to reach the sea-front forts of the south
side in reverse, perhaps open up a passage for our fleet ; but every-
thing is yet purely speculative : de facto, we know absolutely nothing
of the interior lines of defence which the Russians have thrown up;
but to judge from those outside, which have taken us ten months to
reach only, we may not incorrectly infer that they are of vast strength.
Meanwhile, we wait anxiously for the coming assault. The struggle,
whenever it occurs, will be short but terribly severe, and our ultimate
success must depend entirely upon the weakness of those inner lines of
defence which are supposed to sweep both Malakoff and Redan in re-
verse. The attack, it is believed, will be general along the whole line,
and a powerful diversion will be effected by our fleet.
The health of the army on the whole has been satisfactory,
though the latest despatches of General PSLISSIER announce the re-
appearance of cholera. General CANROBEET is stated to have embarked
for France on the 2nd. It is not known whether he has left the army
definitively, but letters assert that he returns to Paris in order to
arrange with the Emperor the plan of a campaign in Bessarabia in
the ensuing year. The late extensive purchase of light river boats by
the French Government gives colour to the fact of some such expedi-
tion being seriously entertained.
No further operations have been attempted in the Putrid Sea by
the allied squadrons, and the Russians are taking the opportunity of
fortifying the approaches to the military road.

Our Baltic correspondent still flatters us with the hope of some
great blow being levelled against either Revel or Sweaborg, and the
Paris papers assert that private telegraphs already announce the
bombardment of Revel with great success by the allied fleets. It is
certain that every preparation was being made for some great enter-
prise ; and if the ships can only get in close enough, we have little
doubt that, once in position, the stone batteries of Revel would be
destroyed. For the earthworks which have lately been thrown up we
have a strong respect, enhanced by the proof of their powers of re-
sistance and pers►stence at the late affair off Fredericksham, where a
small six-gun battery for three hours defied more than ten times the
number of ships' suns to silence it. Our blockade in the Baltic
appears to be forcing Russia to seek some outlet for her southein-
coast produce similar to Memel and the Prussian dominions for that
of her northern coasts. Austria is to have a share in the spoil, and
a like overland traffic which has proved so lucrative to the Prussians
is about to be organised for the southern produce on the Danube,
the goods to be transported to Vienna, and from thence to Trieste,
where, shipped in neutral bottoms, our blockade of the Black Sea
becomes a pleasant delusion. "If we only shut our eyes," as Mark
Tapley says, " the delusion's complete." Will Lord WESTMORLAND
be kind enough to open his ? Meantime Austria signifies her willing-
ness to reopen negotiations.

Her Majesty, we believe, with that kindness of heart for which
she is so pre-eminently distinguished, lately addressed a letter of
condolence to Sir EDMUND LYONS, upon the death of his gallant son.
The expressions of sincere sorrow and kindly sympathy with which
her Majesty testified her admiration of Captain LYONS'S gallant
conduct, and her grief at his untimely death, excited the warmest
gratitude on the part of the gallant Admiral for so unexpected and
distinguished an honour from his Queen. The generous interest
which the Queen takes in everything which concerns the welfare of
her officers and men, and the numerous instances in which with true
womanly feeling she has sought to alleviate the calamity of death in
the families of those who have fallen in her service, must endear her
still more to the hearts of her people.

The condition of Italy seems to excite great interest at this
moment. There is no doubt that Absolutism and Red-Republicanism
are for once allied, though for different objects, and that MAZZINI is
now the tool of Russia His hatred of constitutional monarchy, and
his jealousy of the effect of the good government of Piedmont, and
the establishment of a powerful kingdom in the north of Italy, cannot
be too severely reprobated. It is these Red revolutionists who are the
curse of their unhappy country ; their vile intrigues and abortive
attempts prove a continual obstacle to real progress, and offer better
excuse for the increased cruelties of Austria, Rome, and Naples.
Italy will never gain her freedom by faction. The Bette seek only the
elevation of themselves, not the real happiness of their country.
"Per rifare l'ltalia, bisogna disfare 'le Bette," were the words of
Uoo FoscoLo forty years ago ; and let Italy listen to them now.

SWIFT'S "CANTATA."
(SLIGHTLY ALTERED.)
And such a speech !—Mr. Bright on the Premier's manner.
In keeping place would you excel
See that you con "Joe Miller" well !
" Joe Miller" well!
See that you con " Joe Miller " well!

The dullest of jokes sometimes may tell,
And the ablest opponents " a laugh" may " sell ;"
For, whether grave or gay your race,
Dear " Quarter-day " will come apace.
When questions are asked then slily smile—
A first rate plan your foes to " rile,"
Etpebially if they're warm the while,
Warm the while§