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.