The Press.
London, England, 1855-10-06 00:00:00

THE WEEK.

THE telegraphic despatches from the camp this week have been few in
number and meagre in detail. Marshal PELIssIER has declared that he
will not gratify Parisian curiosity upon every occasion, and Lord PAN-
MURE has had a fit of the gout, which probably absorbed the little
communicativeness his disposition possesses. The French Marshal,
however, imposing silence on himself only when he had nothing
brilliant to relate, sent home a message on Frilay, informing us that
a gallant cavalry action had taken place outside Eupatoria, in which
the Russians had been defeated with the loss of 150 men killed and
prisoners, 250 horses, and six guns—almost the first guns captured in
the field, for the Russians have hitherto proved too tenacious of their
artillery for us to win many. Such an action, five leagues from the
town, corroborates Prince GORTSCHAKOFF'S despatch of the 26th, that
" a considerable force of the enemy, estimated at 35,000 men, had de-
" bouched from Eupatoria ;" and bears out his previous despatch of
the 23rd, that the allied fleets had sailed from Kamiesch with a strong
force on board.
General SIMPSON kas been promoted to the rank of full
general, but the Government do not appear to consider that pro-
motion an equivalent for the command. Lord PANMIIRE has not the
resolution to recal him, and seems to trust in the repeated attacks of
the Times to induce the Gallant General voluntarily to resign his
command. Generals MARKHAM and BENTINCK are about to return
home.

In the absence of any better information, a letter from Kamiesch,
dated the 22nd, published in the Moniteur of Thursday, states that the
utmost energy and activity reigned at that port, that cavalry, infantry,
and artillery, were embarking on board the fleet, and the highest spirit
existed in the army at the prospect of field operations. The letters
from the camp which have been received during the week, both p üblic
and private, contain many details connected with the attack upon the
Redan ; it appears very questionable whether any force could have
sustained itself against the terrible cross fire with which the Russians
swept the salient angle of the place. Our men did as much as could
have been expected from them, but their columns of attack were weak,
they were left unsupported for a long and trying period. and when
they gave way there were not very many of them left to retreat. About
3,000 men only went into action, and out of them 2,447 were killed,
wounded, and missing. General NIEL, in his admirable report, when
stating his reasons for assaulting the Malakoff, adds, " that the pos
"session of that fort would lead to decisive results, while success oh-
" tamed elsewhere could not lead to great result?," and that to " insure
success," as soon as a footing in the Malakoff was obtained, "the
" English were to attack the Redan, so as to prevent the enemy con-
centrating all his efforts against the troops that should have already
" taken possession of the Malakoff." From these words an inference
may be easily drawn, that perhaps, after all, the attack upon the
Redan was felt to be only capable of being considered a diversion ; and
if such were the case, the weakness of the assaulting columns, the
absence of supports, and the coolness of those in high command, as
if resigned to a certain loss of life, may be readily accounted for.
Of the probable operations of the allied forces, every possible con
jecture has been in print this week. One thing seems to be certain,
that whatever operations are undertaken the British army is to remain
at Sebastopol and take care of the camp The French take the field,
but in what direction it is impossible to say. To storm the Inkermann
heights is supposed to be an impossibility, and to turn the positions
of the Russians impracticable from that side, though a road is spoken
of as having been discovered from the valley of Baidar to Batchki-
Semi practicable for cavalry and light field•guns, and hence an attack
from Eupatoria, and an advance from the valley of Baidar may be
imminent. The Morning Post—which is generally well informed on
these points—assures us that we are on the verge of most important
events, and that a few days may probably bring intelligence of great
moment. It is undeniable, that whatever the allied Generals attempt
must be done speedily—in a week or ten days from this date—as
already the weather—capriciously fine or bitter cold, with drenching
rains—gives warning that winter will soon be at hand.
On their side the Russians appear to be concentrating all their
disposable forces upon the Inkermann heights. General WRANGEL has
been called up, a strong reserve is collected at Perekop, and it is said
that the command of the army will he given to MOURAVIEFF, GORTSCHA
ECM accepting the portfolio of Minister of War, in room of Prince
DowortoOKY
For the Allies, reinforcements of all arms are daily leaving France ;
three thousand more men for the Sardinian Contingent are now leaving
Genoa. and six thousand troops, including 2,400 of the Foreign Legion,
have been ordered from our home depots. Everything speaks of a conti•
nuance of the war. The Black Sea fleet is at last awakening from its
torpidity, a strong force is blockading Odessa. and an expedition up
to Cherson is talked of, from which we may infer that it will be put in
prao ir, • 1u the course of next year.
the Emperor ALEXANDER is at Nicolaieff, and it is stated, with
some show of authority, that he will cross Perekop, and visit his army
at Simferopol. The advance of the French cavalry on the direct
line of road will probably prevent his Majesty from putting this project
in .0 execution.

SATURDAY,

The conduct of Lord STRATFORD DE REDCLIFFE has created a lively
sensation all over Europe, and particularly in Paris. The French
papers teem with remarks upon the subject. The Univers declares
that the British Cabinet has completely disapproved of the behaviour
of its Ambassador. The Dibats does not assert so much, but denomi-
nates it a " delicate subject," and supposes that Lord REDCLIFFE feeling
his influence over the Sultan on the wane, determined by a vigorous
effort to regain that personal ascendancy which the Sultan had thrown
off, and then with an air of mystery concludes that it is generally
believed Lord STRATFORD would speedily be replaced by Lord ELGIN.
The Patrie agrees with the Univers, and congratulates itself that the
marked disapproval of the British Government of its Ambassador's
proceedings was " a further proof of the souud judgment evinced by
" the English Cabinet in the affairs of the East." The Paris corre-
spondent of the Morning Post declares that—

Lord Stratford has thought proper to depart from his legitimate office of a
friendly adviser to the Porte, and assumed the tone of dictator. He tells the Sultan
that Mehemet Ali must not hold office ! The Sultan is indignant, and Lord Stratford is
obstinate. Lord Clarendon cannot approve of the conduct of his agent, and at present
it appears more than probable that the country will lose the services of an able repre-
sentative at a most important embassy ;

while the Paris correspondent of the Times quotes a letter from Constanti-
nople, in which Lord STRATFORD'S conduct is reprobated in the severest
terms, and the correspondent of that journal at Vienna, under date of
the Ist, asserts positively that Lord REDOLIFFE is recalled. The secret
of all this seems to be that Lord STRATFORD DE REDCLIFFE, after a
residence in Constantinople beyond " the memory of the oldest
inhabitant," is to be sacrificed to considerations of expediency. M.
THOUVENEL—RS some experienced persons predicted as soon as his
appointment was known—has proved a more polite and subtle diplo
matist. If, however, our veteran Ambassador is to be recalled, the
act will be regarded in the East as of some political importance.
Lord STRATFORD DE REDCLIFFE, from his intimate knowledge of all
Turkish subjects and personages, from the energy of his character,
and his lengthened mission, is viewed in the East as the represen-
tative of British influence, and his fall at this moment will assuredly
give the impression that the power of England in the Councils of the
Divan has declined. It is remarkable that while the French papers
have freely speculated on this important matter, our leading journals
have been silent on it.

The late promotion of two veteran Generals, Viscount Com-
BERMERE and Lord STRAFFORD to the distinguished rank of Field-
Marshal, has excited much remark. In the presence of such a
gigantic war as is now raging in the Crimea, it seems slightly out
of place to promote officers for distinguished services in a war
which has been concluded exactly forty years. As a parallel case, let
us suppose Generals MARKHAM or EYRE, now highly distinguishing
themselves in the Crimea, receiving their reward fifty years
hence, in the days of our grandchildren ! In the case of Lord
HARDINGE, his services include a later date, but for his companions of
the baton, it does look like the height of absurdity to push the German
proverb, " Better late than never," to such a laughable extent.

The Baltic fleet is gradually retiring, ships one by one daily
arrive at the home ports, and the entire French squadron is
expected shortly at Cherbourg. Despatches via Hamburg, of the 3rd
of October, state that a small squadron ran up the Gulf of Riga, and
enjoyed a few hours' parting bombardment of the forts, though, it is
assertel, without doing them much injury. Where is the use of such
partial petty enterprises, except to point out to the enemy the weak
part of their fortifications? If Riga is to be bombarded, why does not
Admiral DUNDAS go in with the fleet, and do the work in a thorough
manner ?

We see that the Baltic correspondent of the Times at length
admits that the Sweaborg batteries were left intact after the bombard-
ment, and regrets that nothing more was done upon that occasion, in
a tone which indicates that much more was practicable.

Mr. AUGUSTUS STAFFORD, M.P., whose humane and courageous con-
duct on board her Majesty's steamer Etna, when conveying French
troops from Marseilles to the Crimea, and amongst whom the cholera
broke out, has met with a warm-hearted, grateful response from the
officers and men of the regiment. On his leaving the ship at Con-
stantinople, two addresses were presented to him from the officers and
men, expressing on the part of the first sentiments of the highest
esteem and profound gratitude for his noble conduct, and on the part
of the men the most touching expressions of gratitude. " The pen,"
says the address, "is powerless to express the sentiments your noble
" devotedness has inspired us with. Never, never shall the thought
"of you be effaced from our hearts." Mr. STAFFORD may well be proud
of such tributes to his noble humanity.

The war in Asia by turns languishes or burns up with a bright
flame. MOURAVIEFF, after a brilliant dash upon Kars, and as bril-
liant a repulses, has contented himself for the last two months with a
simple but strict blockade of the town, The garrison was numerous
the lines of Calandretti strong, and an English General was there to
infuse spirit into the soldiers; but starvation would reduce any town,
and Kars runs a good chance of meeting that fate. The Turkish
Government for weeks have neglected to send troops to the spot, and
the town is evidently on the verge of capture. It was attacked fierct ly
on the 27th tilt by the Russians, who were bravely repulsed ; but that
is probably the last effort of the heroic garrison. Om ER PACRA had
arrived at Batoum, and was making preparations for an advance,
but his troops were sickly, the weather was threatening, and it is
mote than probable that, like the man in the lible, he will be just in
time to be too late,

I

OCTOBER 6, 1855.

BEN HALL.
Ain—"Jenny Jones."—Welah Melody.
My name is Ben Hall, and I come from Llanover,

The sweetest of spots in the whole of South Wales ;
But of late years, I fear, I've become quite a rover,
Deserting for London my own pretty vales.
Yet the name of that valley is dear to my fancy,
And never can fade from my day dreams away.
For 'tie, Oh ! in my heart that I'll be Lord Llanover
And Viscount of Abercarne some lucky day.

A CARD.

Many Premiers I've seen, from the Duke to our present one,
Including Sir Robert and Lord Aberdeen,
And by all of them I was pronounced "an unpleasant one,"
Swaggering but servile, and noisy though moan.
But at last, forced to buy me, they find me so useful,
They'd really be puzzled my truckling to pay—
Unless they create me Lord Baron Llanover
And Viscount of Abercarne ere they decay.

The Board of Health first saw my maiden endeavour
To purge the abuses I'd often decried ;
But though no one can doubt I was honest and clever,
The cholera raged and the populace died.
So when Moleswortb, my strange metropolitan neighbour,
Was sent to preside over Botany Bay,
I applied for a pleasanter sphere for my labour,
And more fitting the rank I shall wear some fine day.

The Woods and the Foiests fell under my sway then,
And my old foes, the parsons, I swore I'd serve out ;
So I ordered the bands on each Sunday to play then,
While with liberal Deans* I marched blandly about.
But lest this even fail to attain me the Peerage,
I've played a card yet which I'm sure must be trumps—
Of the shades of St. James's I'm making a clearage,
And cutting a road you may trace by the stumps.

Having thus ground the poor man and toadied the mighty,
And laughed at the Vestry of Mary-le-bone,
Pooh-poohed my friend Cobden as empty and flighty,
And forsaken all interests to follow my own ;
Having shocked all good people, disgusted the nation,
And jeered simple folks who observe the Lord's Day,
The Whigs must create me Lord Baron Llanover
And Viscount of Abercarne—for 'tis their way.

• Sir Benjamin Hall was observed walking about on Sunday in company with the
Dean of—we are happy to forget what place—listening to the band. So, at least, we
were informed by a morning newspaper last month.

THE Editor of the Times presents his compliments to young ladies
contemplating marriage, and begs to say that the injudicious advice
given in the penny weekly journals has so sincerely grieved him that
he has determined on replying conscientiously to all correspondents
who may or may not require his opinion on the propriety of taking the
irretrievable step ; and, in accordance with his custom from 1830 to the
present time, he begins with gratuitous counsel to the most illustrious
personages :
V--cr—A AD—L—DE M—Y L—ls—A, though she has not asked
our opinion, is nevertheless informed that we think she ought to avoid
the young man, because "it has not been the policy of England to ally
its Royal Family with powerful States." And, apropos of this, the per-
son who writes to us to say that the assertion quoted displays an
ignorance of the fact that the Royal children of England cannot marry
a Roman Catholic, and that there is no powerful Protestant State
but Prussia, is informed that he is treated with the contempt he
deserves.
THE K—G OF P—ET—GAL had better forward us the names of the
young ladies in question, and we will, if he wishes it, make a choice
for him ; but our pressing business, " in governing the country in the
absence of Parliament," will not enable us to reply to him privately.
" THE KING OF THE CANNIBAL ISLANDS " is illegible, except in so
far as he asks our advice, but for what purpose we cannot decipher.
He ought to know that our advice is always given before any one asks
for it.