The Press.
London, England, 1856-02-09 00:00:00

128

the Tschernaya valley precluded the idea of the advance of
the enemy in that direction. The explanation now given
is that the Russians, either by planting firmly in the
ground some dismounted guns, as formerly done in the
siege operations of Sebastopol, or by the use of mortars
mole powerful than those hitherto employed, were seeking
to reach the French encampments across the valley. If
this were the object the attempt was a failure, for, as
before mentioned, most of the shells exploded before they
reached the ground, and neither they nor the shot were
projected far enough to fall on the Fediukine ridge, or to
touch the outposts at Tractir. At the same time that the
firing was going on from the Mackenzie ridge, the Russian
batteries on the heights above the lnkermann valley fired
with more than their usual activity. Some of the works
on the north side also sent au occasional shot or shell into
the ruins of Sebastopol and its suburbs. The shelling
Prom the Mackenzie heights continued rather heavy for
about an hour, and then subsided into a dropping fire at
distant intervals.—D. News cor., Jan. 22.

Later intelligence, up to the 26th, states that an
attempt was made in force by the Russians to sur-
prise the French advanced posts. The attempt mis-
carried, and many Russians were made prisoners
alter a slight skirmish.

Original ytttirs from ttt grinua.

CAMP, CRIMEA, January 21, 1856.
THERE is so little news out here that I scarcely
know what to write about, though I am aware that
even the trifling incidents of our every-day life have
an interest at home. Well, then, to begin with the
roads, which I am sorry to find from the last papers
have lost their character in England. They are not
to be cried down at all, I assure you. It is very true
that the commencement of the wet season did rather
try their constitutions, and their beautifully-carved
backs sunk into little pits and hollows, especially
where there was much embankment of newly-turned
earth. It was only natural they should do so ; but
the remedy was simple. Fresh "metal " was thrown
into the cavities, and now they are as good as roads
can be in so dirty a place. For the last week the
weather has been much milder, and would seem to
argue that the winter is breaking up : certainly the
worst must be passed. " Shaves" are bandied about
from mouth to mouth that this or that division is to
start immediately for Asia or Bessarabia, and officers
have been warned in general orders to "complete
themselves with pack-saddles," Sze., forthwith. The
expression is a curious one, but the idea conveyed is
that a move (for part of the army, at any rate) is in
contemplation. The condition of the troops is excel-
lent, and the young recruits must he getting expert
in their duties, if it is in the power of constant drills
and rifle practice to make them so. An expedient
has been hit upon for curing the intemperance
which prevailed to so fearful an extent when the
extra sixpence for field allowance was first instituted.
The allowance of bread has been limited to three
days in the week, biscuit being issued on the remain
ing four. Now, no British soldier will eat the latter,
if he can possibly avoid it, and, consequently, the
sixpences that once went in spirits are now in a
great measure expended upon " tommy," which in
soldiers' language stands for the staff of life. The
only objection to the scheme is that it throws the
money into the hands of the rascally tribe of canteen..
keepers and camp-followers.
A melancholy accident occurred the other day
which, now that casualties are rare, has cast a gloom
over the whole camp. Captain J. H. Messenger, of
the 46th Regiment, was killed by the premature ex-
plosion of a train for blasting rock on a new line of
road. He is much and deservedly regretted by his
brother officers, and by all who knew him.

THE INTELLIGENCE OF PEACE has been received
at Malta by the sailors of the fleet with a little in-
dignation, and a vast amount- of fraternisation with
heir French friends. Jack is said never to be seen
bbrithout two or three French soldiers, showing and
explaining to them everything worth seeing in the
island, and concluding the day at a vino with a
diplomatic discussion on the impossibility of peace
at present.
Two MORE LARGE NUGGETS have been lately found
at the Port Philip diggings, one of 715 oz., the
other 864 oz.; there was a large mass of quartzlin
each. The present population of the gold-fields is
said to reach 150,000, of which 70,000 are diggers.
The yield of gold still remains high, but double the
number of people are required to produce it.
A FINE PROMENADE, from the Croizette Point to
the mouth of the Slagne, at Cannes, has been ordered
to be constructed by the French Minister of the
Interior. In commemoration of the landing of
Napoleon 1., on March I, 1815, it will be called the
Allee Napoleon.

THE PRESS.

tortign durrzspoubtuct.

BRUSSELS, Feb. 6.
Mucu animadversion has been bestowed upon the
continental press for animosity to England ; but it
has never equalled the low rancour with which the
country has been assailed by Belgian journals.
The iil•temper of Germany has been shown
openly without fear of consequence, whereas that of
Belgium vents itself in a style that should belong ex-
clusively to the nature of the uneducated and illbred.
And there is this peculiarity, that, unlike honourable
nations, the acerbity of public feeling is permitted to
colour the usages of society, and to taint the springs
of social intercourse. Studied insult, when out of
harm's way, is indulged as a congenial pastime, and
the selection of the objects whereon to vent morosity
of temper is characteristic of the national attributes.
An advocacy of Russia is so far creditable as proving
that the duties of gratitude are not utterly extinct;
but the disparagement and hatred of beauty is a
novel feature in the social ethics of a nation, and
certainly not participated in by their Russian allies,
who are ever willing to join in the refrain, "Amour a
la plus belle, honneur au plus vaillant." Is the
supply short in Belgium? In furtherance of a
specific object, society seeks to disseminate the libel
dictated by the journalist—the lesson is easy, and
the scholar apt. To give au example. At a
" concert noble" the attention of a Belgian noble
was directed by the encomium of a neighbour on
some daughters of Albion. " Oui," replied the titular
noble, " elles sont assez bien ; mais," and he ground
his teeth in angry anathema, "je les detente toutes—
toutes !" A social war against the comparatively de-
fenceless in a strange land, and under the " quasi "
protection of hospitality, in this case inefficient, is
peculiar to the climate of Gallia-Belgica. It is the
measure of an unhappy nature; it is the voucher of
a just appellation. Not thus are the hostile policies
of nations treated by worthy belligerents or honour-
able neutrals. English prisoners in Russia receive
more courtesy at the hand of their captors than the
Belgians accord to the people of a nation upon whom
they literally depend for national existence.
E. R.
SIENA, Feb. 4.
Mum dissatisfaction has been caused throughout
Upper Italy by the rude manner with which the
Minister of Sardinia has been treated at Constanti-
nople, and General de la Marmora is said to have
little reason to be pleaßed with the tone of affairs at
Paris. The policy of France would appear to
be the conciliation of Austria, and it follows, as a
necessity, that the most grateful act towards Austria
would be the degradation cf Sardinia, or, should that
expression be too strong, it may be said the hin-
drance of free action by diplomatic bonds. That the
French are popular—the most popular people of
Europe—in Italy, is well known to all who have
sojourned in that Southern region, and the govern-
mental regeneration of the peninsula, in alliance
with the patriots and constitutionalists, is held to be
their destined work. The English do not command
the same sympathy. These Whig-Radical Govern-
ments have continually encouraged the Italian re-
formers by word, and broken their faith when the
moment came to make good the word by deed.
Potent reasons of self may be adduced for this lapse,
and it has not escaped the attention of the most un-
thinking Italian that in England Liberalism and Radi-
calism are handles for party warfare. Hence the various
Whig-Radical Governments, gambling with foreign
factions and interests for private ends, have been
essentially weak at home and powerless abroad.
Nothing instructed the Continent more fully on this
point than the Coalition against the Government of
Lord Derby, irrespective of wrong or right; and the
miserable failure of the Aberdeen Ministry that fol-
lowed, and of which the present is the wreck, has
not encouraged confidence in the power or inte-
grity of a British Government.
It has been said truly that the Aberdeen Cabinet
was forced unwillingly to go to war, and that the
Palmerston Ministry has been equally compelled
with reluctance to entertain propositions of peace.
On each occasion the Conservatives who forced the
unwilling action in either case represented, and acted
in concert with, the popular feeling. It will be for
them to guard the interests of Sardinia. That
country made sacrifices to join the allies ; it incurred
a certain risk, and was hardly consolidated in its
home government against the attacks of Austria and
the Pope. Nevertheless, the Sardinian contingent
did its workibravely, and received on all bands a just
measure off praise. In return for this loyal and

SATURDAY,

gallant conduct it has been decided that the country
is merely to be accorded a nominal place in the
European conferences, and is to have a voice only on
those political questions that refer to Italian in-
terests. Then immediately arises the question, what
Italian interests did Sardinia defend in joining the
allies against Russia? If called upon by England
and France to concur in a European war for Eu-
ropean objects, an obedience to that call con-
veyed a positive right to be a party to all proceedings
connected with the European conflict. This is a
question that Italy looks for the Conservatives to put
frankly and concisely to the Minister of England,
and the answer is awaited with anxiety. The "oui
ou non " will entail consequences that are not directly
understood.

M. T. A.

3ortign nn 6olonial Inttliigtnte.

FRANCE.

The aproaching Conference absorbs every other
feeling in Paris at this moment. Speculation, even,
is dull, and the Bu uf Gras has traversed Paris this
season without exciting a tithe part of the interest or
amusement usually attached to this periodical pro-
cession.

The Moniteur of Tuesday published the follow•
ing official list of the Plenipotentiaries who will
attend the Conferences

Count Colonna Walcwski.
France 1 Baron de Bourqueney.
England
1 Lord Cowley.
Austria
1 Baron de Hubner.
Turkey .f Ash Pacha.
1 Mehemed Djemil Bey (Ambas•
sador at Paris.)
Sardinia
Russia
1 Baron Brunow.
Later intelligence throws a doubt upon the an-
nouncement that the Chevalier d'Azeglio will repre-
sent Sarainia.

A telegraphic despatch on the 6th announced that
the French Government had forwarded passports to
tl e two Russian Plenipotentiaries, and further
stated:—

Count Orloff must have already left St. Petersburg.
Barron 11runow leaves Frankfort on the ith, and M. de
liourqueney leaves Vienna on the same day.
The Plenipotentiaries will be lodged at their
respective embassies, Lord Clarendon residing at the
Hotel Cooper in the Champs Elysees.
The sittings, it is believed, will be held at the
Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and the period of the
labours of the Congress is estimated at from twelve
or fourteen days to three weeks.
The Conference is expected to open about the 20th
or 23rd inst.

Although Prussia is not mentioned in the list of
representatives by the Moniteur, the Pays states that
in case of any change in the present situation,
M. d'Alvensleben and M. de Savigny, with M. Belau,
would represent Prussia.
Warlike preparations were still pushed forward
with great vigour at Cherbourg, and the sudden
departure of General Espinasse, in command of the
third division of the French army in the East, had
created some remark.

The forthcoming bank returns are anticipated as
likely to be unfavorable.
The Conititutionnel, in a semi-official article, has
stated that the allied powers have resolved not to
demand pecuniary compensation from Russia, point-
ing out that the increased commercial developments
of France and England are sufficient compensation.

FEBRUARY 9, 1856.

naries," the undersigned, after having paraphed it, con-
formably to authorisation received to that effect, have
agreed that their Governments shall each nominate Pleni-
potentiaries, who, furnished with the full powers necessary
for proceeding to the signature of formal preliminaries of
peace, shall conclude an armistice and a definitive treaty
of peace. The said Plenipotentiaries will have to assemble
at Paris within the term of three weeks dating from this
day, or sooner if it can be done.
Lone at Vienna, this Ist day of February, 1866.
(The Five Signatures.)
A telegraphic despatch from Vienna, on Saturday
night, stated that Prince Gortschakoff, when signing,
requested that Prussia should be invited to take part
in the Conferences. Count Buol supported the
request. The French and English Ministers took
notice of it ad referendum. The object of .Austria
in laying the propositions before the Frankfort Diet
is believed at Vienna to have been with a view of
giving Prussia an opportunity of declaring her in-
tentions.