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

THE WEEK.

Ix political circles attention has been anxiously directed to the communications
which are now well understood to be proceeding between this Government and
that of France, on the important question of peace. The Emperor of the
FRENCH is believed to have formed his opinion, and to have mapped his
course, but the part which our Ministry will play is less certain. From certain
indications, however, it is believed that Lord PALMERSTON, though he may
endeavour to evade and procrastinate,—perhaps of all courses the most mis-
chievous,—will not refuse to negotiate on terms considered satisfactory by
the Emperor.
The most extraordinary circumstance connected with this new phase of
affairs is the silence observed by our principal journals. The topic is discussed
in all societies, it gives an upward movement to the Funds, it is talked of in
every continental capital, yet day after day, when people look in our journals for
information on it, they find only a reserve which looks like either affectation
or a positive desertion of the public interests. How long will the silence last?
Our chief papers seem unwilling to admit, yet afraid to deny, the statements
which have appeared in this Journal. Their prudishness is something like
that of American ladies, who imagine that certain objectionable things can be
kept out of mind by being kept out of sight. There is nothing like muslin for
hiding the legs of a pianoforte, and nothing like silence to prevent a great
political movement—now a fact of the day—from being talked about.
Of papers friendly to the Government the Morning Advertiser alone seems
disposed to speak plainly out. That journal—of course in its own peculiar
style—admits the fact of the negotiation in progress, and sounds a note of
alarm. Will it meet with response ? Is there really any party in the country to
put faith in the "Nationalities " cry, or to believe in the " Restoration of Poland ?"
We shall probably soon find that those who were loudest and wildest in their
advocacy of war for all sorts of impossible objects—and thus to the extent of
their influence were most mischievous in misdirecting the public mind—will be
the first to support a " just and honourable peace," should the cue be given to
them by Lord PALMERSTON.

The reception of the King of SARDINIA, yesterday, by the people of the
metropolis was of the most hearty kind. As he was seated in an open carriage,
Prince ALBERT by his side, he was well seen, and could not miss the tribute of
cheers and waving of handkerchiefs freely rendered to him. His progress up
Parliament-street was a veritable triumph. He received as cordial a reception
as the Emperor of the FRENCH himself, but there was no Empress to grace
the show with her beauty, or to win the hearts of the spectators with bright
smiles and captivating salutations. Rumour will have it that the King is not
unlikely to win a bride in the immediate circle of our Court. We can venture
to say, with confidence, that as yet no arrangement has been made. But
should his Majesty lose his heart while among us, and inspire a passion in
return, why then, perhaps, not even that hard uncle, the leading journal, or
that higher authority, the British Parliament, would feel disposed to forbid the
banns. Yet all title to the British Throne,—however remote might be the
chance of succession—would in that case have to be resigned. We imagine
that the country, justly gratified with the conluct of his Majesty, would view
with favour an alliance which established a connection between him and our

Court,.
Another subject, whenever the war ceases, will he open to discussion.
Sardinia has made great sacrifices by joining the Western alliance. Inde•
pendent of the loan from this country, she will have to raise further loans on
her own account to support the expenses of the war. The kingdom is scarcely
rich enough yet to support these burdens, and it would seem not generous, but
just, in two Powers so great as France and England, to save their gallant Ally
from being burdened with expenses incurred in their cause. If the blood of
his army is freely spilt when required in our quarrel, does not Sardinia make
sacrifices enough?

The intelligence now received from the camp contains little matter for
comment. The two armies of the Russians and the Allies have both apparently
piled their arms for the present, and watch one another for the mere purpose of
watching. The expedition to Kaffa has been given up, the men have disem-
barked, and a good portion of the French and. English fleets have left the Black
Sea to seek more hospitable winter quarters. It is to he regretted that the
Kaffa expedition was not carried out. In the south of the Crimea the Russians
are still in considerable force, and with Arabat and Kaffa in their bands they
may give us at Kertch some little trouble during winter. Already they have
pressed General Vivi/ix at Yenikale, and a strong force of cavalry
from Eupatoria, in addition to some cavalry of the Turkish
Contingent, has been despatched to Kertcb. The sole event lately
in the camp is the disastrous explosion of the French park at
lnkermann. All writers agree that never during the siege was so tremendous
an explosion witnessed. The origin, of course, will never be discovered—in all
probability some act of casual carelessness in handling live shell, or examining
powder, was the real cause. It is scarcely possible to assign any other to
so dreadful an accident,. The explosion was so close to our own large powder
magazine that the building was seriously damaged, and for some time, from the
terrible fire raging in the French buildings, the liveliest fear was entertained of
the result. But in the face of this, amid showers of sparks and burning wood, a
brave and gallant band of men entered the building, got out on the roof, covered
it in with wet blankets and tarpaulins, and thus, as far as human skill could
avail, secured it from danger. Happily, the wind shifted and drove the fire
away from the building. The private letter published in our columns, give a
vivid account of this terrible accident.
The army remains healthy, but continues drunken. Nothing, Miss NIGHT-
INGALE is reported to have remarked, can equal the state of drunkenness and
♦ice in the English army. This is a sad slur upon the character of such heroic,