The Press.
London, England, 1855-02-24 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

If our test of a man was that he should be one above
seventy, who was a member of Brookes's, and who always
voted for Government, perhaps we might not find such a
one who would carry out this great business. But let him
not be told there were not men in this country, where, on

all sides, he saw suocesaful works of unequalled"' magnitude,
and vast wealth accumulated, and men who had nosed
themselves by their own energy—let him not be told there
were no men to be found who oould put in order Balak-
lava harbour, and bring our army into a better condition.

If wo wanted a vigorous man in authority we should
not send him insulting despatches which implied
censure to make him come home, and then when
asked if he had been recalled to say he had not been
recalled. Then there was General Simpson sent out
as chief of the staff. How were we to send a new
officer to look after a stuff appointed by Lord Raglan
himself? If the staff were incompetent, let it. be sent
home. If we must have a commission it must be one

to mix, not with the staff, but the army, to mix
with the soldiers, and it would in a very short time
find out where the real evil was. He then attacked

the War-oftce, as a sink of iniquity, yet no reform was
proposed. Money enough had been voted to support
almost the army of France, but every thing was ruined
by the system of favoritism. The mischief lay in
the general plea of responsibility. In illustration, he
mentioned that—
In going up to the lines one day, he meta large number
of carts in which were men suffering from every variety of
wound and of disease. With that convoy—would the
house believe it!—there were not more than two or three
guards, privates of the line. He and a gallant officer with
him, finding there was no medical man, and no officer in
charge of several hundred men on their passage down,
went to Lord Raglan, and brought him to see that convoy.
Lord Raglan expressed the indignation which every manly
and honourable nature must feel; he instituted an inquiry ;
found that the medical men and officers had neglected
their duty ; and what did he do ? He published an order
condemning their conduct as disgraceful ; but he said "
will spare their feelings, and will mention their names."
Such feelings were to be revered in Lord Raglan as a man,
but not as a general. What was the result ? Two days
afterwards, the marines having been put under the com•
mand of the colonel who had charge at Balaklava, and be-
ing under his charge to do duty, as the soldiers of the line
had been taken to the Katsoha river, a long way off, at
night a few marines were left to guard the houses at Bala-
klava. One was taken with the cholera, and brought to
the hospital, but the medical man said, " I have nothing to
do with him ; he is a marine." He was taken to another
hospital and refused admittance. The rest of the guard
could not leave their post, and tffat man was left on the
shore to die. (Sensation.) This was told Lord Raglan,
and he said, " 1 yesterday issued a general order, reflecting
on the medical officers, and if I now issued another, it
would weaken the confidence of the army in them, and tend
to bad results." He respected such feelings in Lord Rag-
lan, who was an amiable, good man. lint it was not amia-
ble, good men, who were a anted to command an army, but
men with an iron will—men who would sacrifice their own
feelings and their own friends or relatives, and all that
was dear to them, to perform an imperative duty.
We had been told that the evil arose from the want
of experience of our army. It was not so. The
campaigns in Algeria were not to be compared to
those in India. We had omitted those who had the
experience of those campaigns to make room for
men who had family interest or parliamentary con-
nections. He then commented on the absurdity of
charging the Times as the author of the outcry. If
the Ministers, he said, wanted to have the same
position as the Times, let them say what the people
thought, not what they wished them to think. He
concluded by urging the present state of public feel-
ing—which might appear plain, but was not to be
trifled with. The nation was not satisfied—it de-
manded a complete reform. And he urged the Pre-
mier to adopt a course which would enhance his own
reputation and save the nation.
Lord PALMERSTON would not find fault with any
man who criticised our military system, but he pro-
tested against the assertion that we were the laugh-
ing stock of Europe, and against declamation
against our aristocracy. Our army had suffered, but
so bad that of our allies, and the Russians had
35,000 men in hospital. Much had arisen from
physical causes which no man could control.
He then quoted the conduct of our aristocracy in the
war as an answer to all objections against them.
Mr. Layard had declaimed against commissions, and
yet was prepared to vote for a committee of inquiry.
Did he suppose that such a committee, with its
blue books, would answer the purpose better than a
commission ? Mr. Layard had said that between
Friday night and Monday morning he (Lord Palmers-
ton) had forfeited the confidence of the country. He
criticised the formation of the Cabinet, but did not
say how he would have it formed. Perhaps he
would have included the members of the proposed
committee. Lord Palmerston replied t 3 the asser-
tion that the Government were not doing their duty
by arguing that it was constituted after two failures,
and undertaken by those who felt that the country
must have a Government- He concluded by the
following expression of confidence in the country :
I feel confident that the country will give its support to
a Government which stands forward to do its duty in an
emergency—a Government which has not foxed itself on

177

the country by any efforts in this house—a Government
which has arisen in consequence of the failure of others
who might, if they had chosen, have undertaken the teak,
but who shrank from doing it when the offer was made to
them. 1 throw myself with confidence on the generosity
of the public and of Parliament. 1 feel confident that as
long as we do our duty, and we will do our duty as long
as we have the support of the country to enable us to do
it--I feel satisfied, as long as we are able by the support of
the country to do that which we think is our duty to the
country, I am satisfied that, in spite of temporary reverses,
in spite of a gloomy aspect of affairs, we shall succeed in
bringing matters to a successful issue.

Mr.J. G. PIIILLIRORE thought that the country had
a right to know the causes of the failures in supply-
ing our army. He could not place implicit confi-
dence in the Government when the late Secretary-at..
War was a member of it.
Mr. WARNER did not think the committee would
work, and thought it better that the noble lord
should himself inquire into the grievance. Whether
he should vote for the committee depended on the
noble lord's promise.
Colonel REID declaimed against the system at the
Horse Guards, which he said was rotten from top to
bottom. _ _ _ _ .

Mr. Muitßonou complained that the business of
the country, as well as of the army, was carried on
by old men. The other day three men were applied
to for the purpose of forming a Uovernmeut, all of
them lords. A better Government might have been
found below the gangway.
ARMY ESTIMATES.

These were moved on Monday by Mr. Pear..
Many of the details have already appeared in the
columns of this paper. The resolution moved by
Mr. Peel was
That the number of odicers, non•aommissloned officers, and
rank and tile to be maintained for the tiervice of the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (exclusive of the troops
In the East Indies), for the year from the let of April, 1865, to
the 31st of March, 1t466, be—Dritirli, 173,931; fwetyn, 14.1169;
total, 193,696.

He explained that the increase in the number of men
over that of last year would be made by an addition to
the Foot Guards of 1,950 men ; to the ten cavalry regi-
ments sent to the Crimea 3,171; the remainder to the
infantry of the line. Two thousand men were added
to the 00th Rifles, and a third battalion to the rifle
corps. Ten cavalry regiments, and forty infantry,
were destined to the Crimea, the remainder were
'distributed over the colonies. Mr. l'eel then detailed
'titareduction that had been made in the colonial
army, amounting in the whole to 3,OtX) men, repre-
senting a saving of 90,000/. He then entered into seve-
ral items of increase consequent on the present state of
things, the additional recruiting service, the increased
pay to the colonels, owing to the clothing alterations;
the purchase of horses, which must now be bought
ready for immediate service, instead of beiug trained
for two years as heretofore; and the hospitals, of
which the expenses were necessarily greatly aug-
mented by the establishments at Scutari, lialaklava,
and the camp. A fleet of transports for the sick was
likewise to be established. There was likewise items
of increase in the expenses of the chaplains, school-
masters, allowance for losses in the field, and field
allowance. He then detailed an important arrange•
ment, by which the transport service, hitherto depen-
dent on the Commissariat, was now formed into a
separate department. It would be placed under the
orders of an experienced man, Colonel M'Murdo,
with a corps of 8,000 men, including native drivers.
There was the foreign corps, for which the estimated
charge was -100,0001. more. The total charge of the
land forces amounted to 7,353,001. After a few de-
tails relative to the colonial staff, Mr. l'eel detailed
further additions iu other departments. At the head
of these stood the new organisation of the Secretary
for War, involving new offices and a large staff of
clerks, a few additions to the cost of the military
schools and asylum, and the militia. The charge for
embodying the 150 regiments in the United Kingdom
was 3,813,383/. This year the militia had been
placed on a permanent footing; the services of these
regiments had already been accepted for the Medi-
terranean, and further regiments would be sent to
other colonies. After a slight increase in rewards
came an important one in the army pay of general
officers ; and the full pay for retired officers, a mode-
rate increase for pensioners, and a slight one for the
military hospitals at home, consequent, simply, on
the increased price of provisions, concluded the list..
Colonel Boer:into complained of the neglect shown
to wounded officers, who from small pay had often
large sums to pay for the cure of wounds received in
the service of the country. He attacked the whole
medical department, and commented on the confu-
sion which had reigned in all our proceedings before
Sebastopol.
Mr. WILLIAMS objected to several details--the
expense of the different officers ; the pay and brevet
rank of officers in the Guards; and the military
profits of Prince Albert.
Mr BENTINCK remarked on the enormous sttms
which it had cost us to starve our army.
Colonel KNOX defended the Guards. It was the
paltry economy of financial reformers which was the

ft

178

cause of the present confusion. He blamed the Go-
vernment for entering on a gigantic enterprise with
means totally inadequate.
Lord SEYMOUR defended the financial reformers
and Mr. Hume, who, he said, never grudged money
fairly spent, but would insist upon having value forh.
He complained of the miserable deficiency of our
cavalry force.
A discussion then arose on various points of de-
tail, the mode of enabling promoted sergeants to
support their new ranks, clothing and tents for the
army, with a recommendation that experienced
Indian officers should be invited to take part in the
campaign, and inquiries respecting the Foreign
Legion. To all this a reply was made by
Lord PALMERSTON, who commenced by adverting
to an opinion which had been given in the course of
debate, that we should have confined our proceed.
ings against Russia to naval action. Such a course
of proceeding would have exercised no effectual
coercion on Russia. The Baltic fleet had been
charged with doing nothing—was it nothing to
destroy a fortress intended for one of the most im-
portant in the world, and to shut up twenty-seven
sail of the line and thirty frigates ? The expedition
to Sebastopol had been criticised, but were the troops
to have been sent wandering up and down the steppes
of central Russia ? The blow must have been
struck somewhere. The great power of Russia
against Turkey lay in Sebastopol; if anything was
to be done, it was to be done there. The difficulties
had been great, and some indulgence should be
shown to those who had had no experience of the
duties they were suddenly called upon to perform.
The Premier then adverted to the advantages of the
continental armies, always on their own territory, to
those of England, scattered up and down all over the
world. The favour shown to the Guards had been
found fault with ; but if there was one system more
fixed than another in foreign armies, it was the exist-
ence of privileged regiments. He defended the effi-
ciency of our Guards, saying that wherever a gallant
action was performed there some part or other of
the Guards was sure to be found. He defended the
present arrangements of the War•ofce from the
charges of reckless expenditure. Consolidation
would not lessen the number of clerks, and there
must still be separate offices. He then explained
the system which before existed for the transport
services, and that which was now established in its
place. Having disposed of these objections, he came
to the Foreign Legion, and thus explained the reasons
of its failure :

In the early part of the session we urged the necessity
of passing a bill to empower us to raise foreign troops ;
and I especially intreated the house to consent to it, in
order that we might, without loss of time, enlist these
troops to go to the assistance of our own in the Crimea.
It is perfectly true that we have not as yet succeeded in
getting a single man—and why? I must. tell the house
the truth, however unpleasant it may be. The reason why
has been the language used. I am forced to say
the language used in the debates in this and the other
house of Parliament has created such feelings of re-
sentment and indignation on the continent of Europe—
that those persons who before had accepted letters of ser-
vice to raise men in Germany threw them up. The neces-
sity imposed on Government of not giving half pay to the
officers also tended greatly to impede us. I undertake to
say that if a clause had not been inserted prohibiting the
grant of half-pay to the officers—if language of the most
insulting kind, talking of the mercenary troops of Belgium
and Germany, and arousing the national feeling of the
Continent against us, had not been used, no doubt at this
time we would have had a very different story to tell. It
has not, however, altered the feelings of the people of the
Continent towards our cause ; they say, ' England is
right ; we wish her to succeed ; but after the language held
towards other nationalities, we cannot take service." I
would not have made this statement, which may be con-
sidered to convey a reproach on members of this and the
other house of Parliament, but it is the true reason, and I
am forced to tell it.
After explaining several matters of detail, and the
allowance to non-commissioned officers who bad been
given their commissions, tents, clothing, and other
similar matters, Lord Palmerston observed, in refer-
ence to the strictures passed on the aristocratic cha-
racter of the army :
•

There where the system has broken down, there where
evils have arisen from want of capacity, want of energy,
want of intellect and vigour for the performance of duties,
it was in those departments where the gentry were not,
the noblemen were not, but which were filled by persons
belonging to the other classes of the community, the com-
missariat, the medical, and transport services.
He concluded by expressing his belief that before
the opening of the next campaign a sufficient army
of reserve would have been organised to cope with
any difficulties it might have to contend with. Pro-
fiting by the experience of the past, and by reorganis-
ing the different arms of the service, he trusted to
bring an army into the field of which England would
be proud, and whose actions would deserve the
thanks and acknowledgments of the house.
The remainder of the debate brought out no state-
ment of interest, except an apology from Mr. WILSON,
respecting the unroasted coffee, which was sent, he
said, in that state to the troops in the Kaffir war, and

THE PRESS.

preferred both by officers and men, as more easily
carried, and in better condition. The French were
constantly in the habit of serving out their coffee in

an uturoasted state.

TRADE WITH RUSSIA.
Mr. COLLIER, on Tuesday, in moving for papers,
made a lengthened appeal to the house to adopt
more stringent measures to stop the trade of Russia
with this country. Examining the two blockades of
the north and the south, he saw that the blockade
of the Baltic, which was quite efficient in itself, was
made almost useless by the land carriage of Russian
produce through Prussia; while that cf the Black
Sea, which admitted of no such evasion, bad never
been properly enforced. In support of these state-
ments he said that ten millions of English money

had this year found its way to Russia, the ordinary
average being eleven millions; while from the
Black Sea the export of linseed had risen enor-
mously since the war. The merchants of India,
believing that Russian produce would be effectually
prohibited, had sent over large quantities of produce,
which, meeting still with Russian competition, had
been sold at a great loss. He described the organisa-
tion by which Russian produce was sent through
Prussia, and argued that the main loss fell upon this
country. We ought to persuade the Prussian
Government to close their frontier against Russian
goods. More than that, we should prohibit Russian
produce altogether from entering this country.
Some things might be dearer in consequence, and
some interests be injured ; but what was that to the
great interest of the country? Either carry out the
war by all the means in our power, or make peace,
and stick to our business. He then detailed the
many sources from which we could procure articles
now obtained from Russia, and the ruin which would
come upon the Czar if he lost his supply of English
gold.
Mr. MITCHELL corroborated many of the state-
ments just made, and dilated on the ruinous conse-
quence to the enemy of the entire stoppage of his
trade with England. He believed that such was the
opinion of almost the entire body of Russian mer-
chants, who were anxious for nothing so much as
the conclusion of the war. After a view of the effect
on the Russian nobility if the produce of their
estates were unsold, he enumerated the amount of
Russian goods which had found their way here at an
advanced price, so that we paid nearly the same as
formerly for two-thirds the produce. He contended
that the only effectual remedy was the prohibition
of all Russian goods in our ports. We need not
fear that the stoppage of raw materials would injure
our manufacturers—our rival must build factories,
and before they could bring them into operation the
war would be over.
Mr. CARDWELL, after explaining the cause of the
delays in carrying out an efficient blockade of the
Black Sea, contended that injury done to Russia by
the actual blockades had been far greater than was
stated. He proved a decline in the Russian exports
of hemp, flax, and tallow, showing the decrease to
have been respectively 53, 52, and 62 per cent. The
Russian manufacturer has seriously suffered from
the stoppage of the supply of raw cotton. He pointed
out the charge of tampering with our manufacturing
connections, and called attention to the new factories
which sprung up directly corn and raw material be-
came cheap. He detailed the inconveniences and
losses to which Russian goods were exposed in the
tedious and uncertain process of land carriage. The
danger to our own factories of the stoppage of the
supply of flax would be extreme, our linen trade
being greater than the whole expert trade of Russia.
He quoted several historical instances of the injury
done to every country that had attempted to interfere
with the natural channels of trade. He pointed out
the small suffering which the present war had in-
flicted on the various interests of the country, and
compared the present state of things with that of
1812, when so much distress existed in consequence
of our adoption of different principles.
Mr. J. L. RICARDO opposed the motion of prohibit.
ing Russian produce. How was it to be ,lefined?
The Prussians would mix Prussian tallow with
Russian tallow, Prussian corn with Russian corn,
and he defied any one to make out certificates of
origin which would exclude Russian produce. The
Prussians might keep Russian produce, and send
out the entire stock of their own. It had been
argued that if we impeded our home trade our rival
would not venture to build factories with the pro
spect of a termination of the war. He asked, in
reply, if, with the same prospect, Indian or Irish
growers would undertake the cultivation of hemp or
flax. Let us be careful how we lost a market—we
might never find it again.
Lord Dinie.or argued on the injury that the country
would sustain from dear flax.
Mr. WATSON ccmplained that the Ministers pro-
fessed a system of blockade and did not carry
it out.
Sir J. RAHAM explained the course of naval
operation in the Black Sea which had interfered with
the original intention of establishing a strict blockade

SATURDAY,

by employing the vessels elsewhere. At the present
moment a de facto blockade existed everywhere in
the Black Sea, except at the mouths of the Danube.
With regard to the White Sea the blockade had not
been established till the English and French mer-
chants bad had the opportunity of fetching away the
goods for which they had already paid.
Mr. COLLIER, in reply, repeated his assertion that
the Russian exports had barely diminished, founding
it on a paper signed by the principal merchants of
St. Petersburg. He had suggested the most effec-
tual means of stopping the trade. U this were im-
possible, let them cease to stultify themselves, and
abandon the blockade altogether.

ARMY SERVICE.
The second reading of this bill (an amendment
bill) brought on a long speech from the Earl of
ELLENBOROUGH on Tuesday. He considered that
the recruits necessary for our operations, which he
estimated at 90,000 men, to be obtained by this time
next year, could not be got together without great
difficulty, and urged the Government to take every
advantage of our local authorities to urge on their
arrangements. He complained that our recent
movements had produced a shuffling together of the
army and destroyed its discipline, and deprived it of
all requisites for an army, except personal courage.
The noble earl then adverted to the general policy,
and, after praising the conduct of Sardinia and its
army, highly approved of the convention by which
Turkish soldiers were to be taken into our pay. He
only complained that the measure did not go far
enough—a much larger number should be engaged
both by ourselves and our allies. Considering how
largely India was interested in the present conflict,
he thought that the Indian army should take part
in it, with its splendid cavalry and almost unrivalled
artillery.
After the Earl of HARROWBY had urged the resus•
citation of Poland, and other nationalities oppressed
by Russia,
Lord PANMURE expressed, in very strong language,
his intention of urging the recruiting service by
every means in his power, he was understood to
say, even by compulsion, if it was found to be neces-
sary. The militia, he was sorry to say, had not
shown the expected readiness to join the regular
army. He then explained some details of the new
regimental arrangements, under which each regiment
was to be 2,000 strong, 1,000 to be sent to the
Crimes, 400 to form a depot at Malta, and 000 to re-
main in England, under a lieutenant-colonel, of
whom there were henceforth to be two.
The Earl of MALMESHURY complained that those
who had entered in the militia under the first act
were deceived : they had been told they would only
be wanted to repel an invasion ; they were now em-
bodied, and men refuse, in consequence, to enter
the mihtia.
These complaints were echoed by Earl GREY, who
said that it was quite a mistake to suppose that the
militia would form a good nursery for the regular
soldiers. Now the militia were neither one thing
nor the other. He protested against the notion that
Indian interests were involved in this contest, or that
Russia could send a sufficient force, or indeed any
force at all, over the mountains and deserts which
separated her from that country.
After some further debate, Lord PANMURE ex-
plained that he did not mean to force the militia,
but that if offers of service were not sent up, an
officer would be sent to communicate with the com-
manding officer of the regiment. All would be done
fairly and openly.
The bill, of which the main object is to allow en-
listments for a more limited time, and by older per-
sons than heretofore, was read a second, and, by a
suspension of the standing orders, a third time, and
sent instantly to the Commons.
When the bill was committed on Thursday in the
Commons, Lord PALMERSTON said, in reference to
the report of Lord Panmure, which had represented
him as saying that" compulsion" would be used for
the recruiting service, that her Majesty's Govern-
ment were disposed to use stringent compulsion, but
that compulsion would consist of bounties adequate
to find recruits. With respect to the militia, by law
there was a power to resort to the ballot ; but he, for
one, should be very unwilling to resort to that law.
The ranks of the militia had been filled up by volun-
tary enlistment in a most satisfactory manner, and
the men who had entered the militia had conducted
themselves in so admirable and exemplary a manner,
that he should be rorry to alter the nature and com-
position of that force, or to weaken the volunteering
spirit so generally and so nobly displayed by the
people of this country. He was sure that the words
quoted had never been uttered by his noble friend
in
relation to the army, and he could only have said
that if the militia was not filled up by voluntary en-
listment, it might be necessary, in certain eventuali-
ties, to have recourse to the ballot.

PUBLIC PROSECUTORS.
Mr. J. G. PIIIII/YORE moved, on Tuesday, for
leave to bring in a bill for the appointment of a

FEBRUARY 24, 1855.

public prosecutor. At present everything was left
to chance: even after the depositions had been taken
before the magistrate, there was no one to look after
the case, which was left to the police, amongst whom
were some of the most profligate of mankind. He
proposed to give the accused power to call wit-
nesses at the public expense, with a judge's cer-
tificate.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL, Mr. EWART, and some
other members, admitted the great necessity of a
measure on the subject, and offered no opposition to
the introduction of the bill. The arguments so
often urged were repeated—that it was beset with
difficulties—it would be necessary to compensate
those who now had the management of these affairs—
that our system was repugnant to the notion of a
public prosecutor—that the system would be very
expensive, and place an undue amount of patronage
in the hands of the Crown—and that the time was
not ripe for definite legislation. The system, as it
existed already in Ireland, was condemned by Mr.
lif‘Matos, and defended by Mr. J. D. FITZGERALD.
After some strong recommendation that the subject
should be referred to a select committee, leave was
given to bring in the bill.
EAST AND WEST INDIA DOCKS.
A bill was introduced under this title into the Com-
mons of Monday by Mr. Gazosox. Its object was to
permit the dock companies to charge toll on the
lighters now using the docks. The lighters, under
previous acts, were especially exempted, but their
business with the ships bad greatly increased. They
formerly only carried provisions and water, they now
discharged entire cargoes even of vessels in dock,
and it was not fair to the dock companies that they
should keep their wharves in repair for the lighters
for nothing.
The bill was strenuously opposed by Sir J. Duke,
Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Cardwell, Mr. Muntz, and others,
on the ground that the dock companies, who had
been created and protected by the Legislature on
this condition, had no right to seek to remove it.
Their business was increasing, they were building
new warehouses, and would by this act be placed in
unfair competition with their rivals.
Mr. BouvEure and Mr. BARING recommended that
the bill should be referred to a committee.
It was lost by 249 to 28.

NEWSPAPER &c., POSTAGE AND STAMP-

• • -- "DUTIES.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved in
committee the following resolutions :
That it is expedient to repeal the exemption of news-
papers from postage duty; and to charge on newspapers
and printed books and papers transmitted by post rates of
postage not exceeding one penny for every four ounces in
weight, and for any fractional part of four ounces ; that it
is expedient to alter and amend the laws relating to stamp
duties on newspapers,the printing and publishing of news-
papers, and registration and giving securities in connec-
tion therewith, and the regulation of the duties of postage
on printed papers.
The resolutions were agreed to without remark.

THE FAST-DAY.
Earl GRANVILLE stated on Thursday, in reply to
an urgent appeal from the Earl of Roden, that the
Government a fortnight since had advised the Queeu
to issue a proclamation for the appointment of a day
of fasting and humiliation.

SALARY OF LORD J. RUSSELL.
On Monday Colonel SIBTRORP inquired of the Prime Minister
what salary Lord J. Russell was to receive for the performance
of his duties as Plenipotentiary at the Vienna Congress?
Lord PALIMRSTON : I can relieve the mind of the hon. and
gallant gentleman. My noble friend will receive no salary. From
the nature of a special mission, its bare expenses only are paid,
and there is no salary.
Colonel Burnam.: I hope the expenses will be very smell.

THE NEW SWISS PROTESTANT CHURCH, recently
erected in Endell-Street, Long-acre, by voluntary
contributions from the Swiss Protestants resident in
England, has been opened for divine service. This
is the second church erected by the Swiss in Eng-
land. The collection on the opening-day amounted to
761. in aid of the building fund, but there still
remains a deficit of 6501. The style of the new
church resembles that of the Italian Renaissance.
Mr. George Vulliamy is the architect.
RESPECTING the high prices commanded by Rus-
sian Stock on the English market the Globe gives
the following statement by way of solution to what
it calls a " mystery."—" A certain firm in London is
commissioned by the Russian Government to buy a
few thousands of Russian Five per Cents. from time
to time in our market. A fancy price for the commo-
dity no objection ! And these imperial purchases
furnish forth the quotations which figure so respect-
ably from day to day amongst the prices of foreign
stocks."
THE LORD CHANCELLOR has appointed Mr. J. J.
Lonsdale, secretary to the Criminal Law Commis-
sioners to the vacant county-court judgship.
THE FIRST LORD OF THE Aniciumax has conferred
upon his deserving and hard• working colleague,
Captain Milne, the good-service pension relinquished
on the promotion of Rear-Admiral Baynes, C.B.

THE PRESS.

THE WAR.

The latest intelligence from the Crimea received
in Paris is of the 12th inst. It states that the
Russians continued their sorties, which were con-
stantly repulsed. The allied fleet was prepared to
co-operate in an attack with the army. The English
had placed eighteen guns of heavy calibre in position.
The general health of the troops had improved.
On the night of the 9th the French cannonaded the
town.
Omer Pacha had returned to Balaklava on the 9th,
when a council of war was held. That general leaves
for Eupatoria without delay.
Liprandi, at the head of 30,000 men, had returned
to his former position on the heights of Balaklava.
The weather was fine, and both armies were pre-
pared for a general action. Up to the 10th the com-
munications continued to be much easier, but a thaw
set in at that date which considerably interrupted the
means of transport.
Fresh reinforcements had arrived from France.
The position of the English army had improved.
Hutting, warm clothing, and provisions were in
abundance. The railway from Balaklava to the
English camp was far advanced.
Despatches from Berlin state that, under date of
the 19th inst., Prince Menschikoff had sent the fol-
lowing despatch to his Government :
On the 21.)th we succeeded in discovering subterraneous
works of the French leading towards the fortifications.
With the aid of artillery we destroyed on the 2nd a portion
of the enemy's gallery.
On the 6th the French, trying the same means, attempted
oar countermines. The attempt turned to their own dis-
advantage. On the Bth the play of a new mine enabled us
still more to destroy the enemy's works. Meantime our
artillery successfully replied to the fire of the besiegers.
At night detachments of volunteers continually harass the
enemy in that trenches, and, by obliging them to beat to
arms, compefthem to suspend their works.
The Vienna Prase, a Russian organ, publishes
the following, dated Constantinople, February 15 :
It is reported that Lord Raglan has tendered his resig-
nation.
On the 12th General Pelissier sent a message to Paris
stating that no successful attempt could be made on Se-
bastopol for a month to come.
The British War Minister has published the fol-
lowing despatch from Lord Raglan :
Before Sebastopol, Feb. o.—l mentioned on Saturday
that the weather had broken. The frost was very severe
on that night, the thermometer down at 13, and the wind
very high and piercingly cold.
Sunday was rather milder, and yesterday was fine. To-
day the glass has fallen, and there is every appearance of
rain.
I am happy to say that the medical officers consider
that the general condition of the men has improved, al-
though apparently there is no diminution in the number
of the sick.
The enemy has made no movement of importance, but
great convoys of waggons have been observed to go into
Sebastopol laden either with ammunition or provisions.
A despatch from Varna, dated the 18th instant,
states that the Turkish troops at Eupatoria amounted
to more than 30,000 men, with only 900 sick. Four-
teen fresh battalions were about to embark at Baits.
chick. The Russians have tried in vain to disturb
the allied forces at Eupatoria. The position of the
Turks was made stronger every day.
The Danube reports from Kars, on the 20th De.
comber, that Schamyl had intercepted a convoy of
1,500 Turkish prisoners, whom the Russians were
carrying off into the interior.

SIEGE OPERATIONS.
Further letters from the camp bring news to the
Bth inst. The following extracts contain the principal
details of any interest. The Morning Herald corre-
spondent writes :
FEB. s.—To the astonishment, and not a little to the
disappointment, of the allies, the enemy have made no
demonstration towards renewing the offensive. Each
night the pickets have been strengthened and advanced,
sod each night orders have been given for the exercise of
the strictest vigilance, and for all to hold themselves in
readiness to turn out at a moment's notice, but beyond
the excitement and speculation caused by such injunc-
tions nothing has occurred to disturb our quiet monotony.
We still jog on in the same dull routine from day to day,
and, as far as our own efforts are concerned, without
much prospect of immediate action. That the enemy
have received reinforcements is now beyond a doubt, but
whether they intend to abide our attack inside Sebastopol,
or make an attempt upon our lines, none can tell. The
majority are still of opinion that many days will not pass
over without their making some desperate effort to compel
us to raise the siege Any severe, well•planned assault,
such as at Inkennann, and one which would give the
enemy possession of our advanced works for merely half
an hour, would throw back the progress of the allies a
whole month or more ; and for such a result the enemy
would think no amount of loss too great.
Our preparations for the final attack are progressing but
very slowly. Each day we make some advance, but so
small that each day only serves to show the truth of the
assertion T made some time since, that it would be months
before Sebastopol was captured. Now we have about fifty
new guns placed, which leaves fiftpthree still to be got

179

into position. This work, in the way it goes forward,
might be completed in a fortnight or ten days , but it has
lately been determined to erect an additional mortar
battery on the Inkermann heights, which it is expected
will command the careening bay, and every part of the
harbour. Until this battery is completed, the allies will
certainly not attempt to open fire, and at least three weeks
must elapse before all its ordnance is placed. It is by no
means the placing of the guns which occupies most time,
but supplying those guns with sufficient quantities of
powder and shot form the chief difficulty. The English
linee alone will fire away 420 tons of shot in twelve hours,
and the French lines nearly 800 tons. The English have
already about 1,400 tons of shot and shell at camp, and
when about 600 tons more are added to that we shall com-
mence firing.
The new battery at Inkermann is evidently much dis-
approved of by the Russians. A small steamer of theirs,
called the Spiiiire, and mounting five or six heavy guns,
comes from under the shelter of the land every two or
three minutes, and gives the working party the whole
benefit of the well directed broadside, and then returns
close in shore the instant she has fired. In the careening
creek, which is immediately under the intended
battery, the enemy have also constructed two large rafts of
solid timber, and mounted each with two titteen-inch
mortars. These are in turn rapidly hauled round into the
centre of the creek by means of warps, and throw their
shells with terrible accuracy upon the lnkernisnn heights.
As yet they have done little mischief beyond rendering the
progress of the work slower, by compelling the men to
throw themselves on their face the instant the shell falls
near. Both the shot and shell practice of the enemy in
this direction is described as beautiful, and as quite equal-
ling the best of the kind at Woolwich.
All this time the Russians continue daily to strengthen
their defences by all the arts known to modern warfare.
Moat of the batteries now bristle with stockades and
abbattis, and are all protected in front with wide and deep
ditches. What their resources are inside their lines we
can only guess; but if they at all resemble the exteriors in
any manner, the storming of the place will, beyond all
doubt, prove one of the bloodiest on record.
On the afternoon of the 3rd a considerable force of Rus-
sians appeared again in the old position at the Turkish
redoubts on the Balaklava road. They remained on the
hills some time, evidently reconnoitering the strength of
our defences at that place. Towards noon on Saturday the
wind went round to the north, and an intense frost set in.
At no time since we have been here has the cold ever been
more severe than during the night of the 3rd. Two of
our sentries at camp, though warmly clad, were frozen to
death while sitting down or sleeping on their posts. All
that night the Russian reconnoitering force, probably about
8,000 strong, bivouacked on the Woronxoti road which
overlooks the plain of Balaklava. Their sufferings must
have been severe; for on the morning of the 4th, as the
frost still continued, the enemy fell back and recrossed the
Tschernaya at Tcherzoum, leaving only a few Cossack§ to
watch our movements.
On Sunday (yesterday) Lord Raglan, accompanied by his
staff, again visited Balaklava for the greater part of the day.
It has been remarked as a curious coincidence, that in each
of the three last days in which Lord Raglan visited our
harbour one of the ships were on fire ; and on Sunday last,
while his lordship was still in the town, one of the houses
took fire. The fire fortunately was soon put out, and of no
consequence.
FEB. 6.—The actual condition of lialaklava has much im-
proved lately in every respect. The most muddy of the tho-
roughfares are now well covered with broken stones iu such
a manlier as to make walking along them perfectly practi-
cable in all weathers, though not very easy at any time. The
navvies also are hard at work filling up some of the most
unsightly holes about the town, and levelling and laying
down the sleepers for the trionroad. This latter work is
progressing with the most praiseworthy rapidity, and be-
fore another week is over the part most wanted along the
wharves will probably be laid down, and in actual use. A
considerable number of the huts have also been erected at
the head of the harbour for the use of the sick, who still are
sent in daily in large numbers. These wooden huts are fitted
up with comfortable beds, and form altogether most conve-
nient and airy places for the treatment of the sick. Had
we only had fifty such at camp a month ago the country would
not now have to deplore the lamentable loss which our forces
have sustained. Before the Sanspareil started for England
she landed six of her long fifty-six cwt. thirty-two pounders.
Three of these have been sent up to camp for service in the
trenches. and the other three are mounted on an elevated
plateau to the north of the harbour of lialaklava. The
range of these guns is very great, and the admirable way
in which the three last mentioned are placed, so as to cross
fire with the marine batteries, and sweep the plain out to
Kamera, makes a formidable addition to the defensive
strength of our shipping depOt.
The condition of our soldiers in camp is much better in
every respect than it was a short time ago. Still the sick-
ness continues almat unabated. A slight change for the
better has taken place during the last two days, though
even now we are invaliding to Scutari at the rate
of 120 per day. This number is, of course, ex-
clusive of those in hospital at Balaklava and at camp. The
general opinion of all our army surgeons seems to be, that
the comforts and warm clothing for the men have come
too late to be of any real service to the great majority of our
troops now out here. To men who must succeed our pre-
sent army they will undoubtedly be of great benefit, but
the constitutions of those who were exposed to the awful
taiprinvedatiotonos osefvNereoveamsbheore,kUtoecbeemrsbelhreadndbyJ
aannyutatu% ,
ghiaeLe
tshanus-
quiet comfort and nursing, which of course are all out of
the question. Now our men are dying fri:om tl.ie effects of
s are a
what they underwent two mouths ago. . Tne itu
mere name. Lord Rokeby, in assuming the comman.d,
two or three days ago, read a letter from the Queen, in
which she commanded his lordship to express her heartfelt

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