The Press.
London, England, 1855-12-01 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

high-couraged men as we know that army to be composed of. Sir WILLIAM
CODRINGTON has only lately assumed the chief command; his energy and love
of discipline and good order are well known ; let us hope that he will endeavour
to check this evil, or it will be the ruin of the army before the spring. He has
the materials of a fine army now ; let him neglect this point, and before spring
he will not have a man fit to march five miles. The Chaplain-General we
understand has proposed some regulations to limit the sale of liquor, but his
plan, though good so far as it goes, is only partial. If the sale of liquor is only
limited to certain persons, it will give an impetus to sly grog-selling, which will
be far more injurious to the army. Put a check upon the importation of liquor
in the first instance both upon quantity and quality, certainly upon the latter
point, and license as many publicans as choose to set up, but keep them under
control. Deprive them of their licence if any drunkenness or rioting occurs on
their premises, and for any private grog-selling in camp inflict the severest
penalties and punishments. But the great point of all is to establish what the
Duke had in the Peninsula, and what in THE PRESS we have repeatedly pro-
posed for many months past, a Head-quarters' Bank. Six men out of ten now
spend their money because they have really no means of saving it. It is
expecting too much to look for strong self-denial and extreme prudence in men
so situated as our soldiers are, without some fair help in shape of opportunity to
assist them. Put the bank there guaranteed by Government, let them know
that they can get some one else than themselves to take care of their money,
and they would soon lay by that which they now waste in wanton drunkennes s.

The Deputy Keeper of the Rolls, in consequence, we believe, of the
remarks make by THE PRESS and other contemporaries, has proposed to remove
all the rubbish now stored in the new Rolls-house, and make room for the
more valuable Records of the Kingdom. But where, in the name of all the
gods at once, will it be believed this lumber is proposed to be removed ? In
the great quadrangle of Somerset-house, where, under spare Balaklava hutting,
it will be sheltered from the winds and rains, and watched over by the faithful
keeper. Such a proposal strikes one at first as too ridiculous to be credible, but
we believe it to be a fact that such a proposal has been made, and, moreover, it
is whispered, by the Deputy Keeper himself. Let us hut in the only quadrangle
we've got in London by all means, and fill it full of these valuable rolls. Somerset-
house is within convenient distance from the Rolls-house, and Sir FRANCIS
PALORAVE will have the satisfaction of feeling that his favorite records are
close at hand. MACAULAY'S New Zealander will be eclipsed by the affecting
picture then prominent. Sir FRANCIS, forlorn, weeping over his musty Rolls in
the great quadrangle, Somerset-house ! MAIUUS at Carthage will be forgotten
under so touching an episode in the life of this antiquarian.

Her Majesty's periodical visits to her sick and wounded soldiers in hospital
are calculated to secure the most grateful enthusiasm of her troops. The proof
of kindly interest, the desire frequently expressed to learn their sad history, tho
careful inquiries after their comfort, and the searching inquisitiveness with
which her Majesty follows up every corner of the building and every department
of the institution, will do much to correct the many abuses which exist even
now in military hospitals and barracks. At Chatham there is plenty of room for
improvement in both.

The Americans do not seem inclined to take much notice of the bullying
tone of the Times. One or two papers think that a "smart war fever" may not
improbably break out as the result, and at first the Government at Washington
contemplated reinforcing their squadron in the Gulf of Florida, but three days'
later dates tell us that, in consequence of the full explanation given by Lord
PALMERSTON'S Government, that the act of reinforcing the British squadron in
the West Indies bad no object in view hostile to the interest of the United
States, Commodore PAULD/lIG would proceed alone in his flag-ship to the Gulf.
However, Lord PALtaxas.ros's act of sending half a dozen liners and heavy
steam frigates off in great baste, has had the effect of opening the eyes of the
Americans to the comparatively helpless state of their coasts, and inefficiency of
their navy. It will be curious to observe whether so practical a people will long
permit so obvious an oversight to remain unremedied.

The details received this week of the passage of the Ingour by OMER
PACHA, though showing not so great an amount of fighting or so desperate a
resistance on the part of the Russians as the first brief report led every one to
believe, yet reflects, as we observed at the time, considerable credit on OMER
PACHA for the capital generalship he displayed in beating the Russians out of a
very strong position, with so little loss. Crossing the river at two points
at fords considerably below the position of the main body of the enemy, he was
enabled to take them in the flank and reverse while he engaged them in front,
and at the critical moment by a bold attack forced their position at the point of the
bayonet. His road of course is clear to Kutais, but it is probable the Russians will
defend that position with considerable energy. Naturally strong, it is capable of
being rendered almost impregnable with very little art. In the course of next week
we shall probably hear of the arrival of the Turkish army off the position. If
OMER PACRA fail, his position will be critical : winter is rapidly coming on, and
means of transport are not in that thorough state of organisation which would
permit the army to remain so far from its base and communications. Of
MOURAVIEFF, rumour and report is so contradictory that it is not clearly known
yet what his movements or position were. Up to the 29th of October he was
watching Kars. On the 31st it is reported he was breaking up his camp and
retreating on Gumri to Alexandropol. Prince BEBUTOFF was collecting every
disposable man to defend Kutais and Tiflis, and one division had certainly been
detached from MOURAVIEFF'S army in support. At Kars it was said the garrison
were on quarter rations, but still no fear was felt for the result, provided OMER
PAca& succeeded in forcing Kutais and compelling MOURAVIEFF to retreat.
The Turkish authorities wets despatching troops in some force from Varna to
Batoum and Soukhein Kaleh.

..,

IA

DECEMBER 1, 1855.

DOING A " LEADER."

a'

145
people
articles
but it
ng true
inter at
of Mr.
iven to