The Press.
London, England, 1854-10-14 00:00:00

THE WEEK.

Tux great topic of speculation still is, Has Sebastopol fallen ? We
imagine not up to this date. Telegraphic messages assert that the
bombardment commenced on the 4th ; but it is now plain that no credit
whatever is to be attached to the intelligence thus received. A
despatch from Prince MENSCHIKOFF, dated the 6th, and published in
St. Petersburg on the 11th, states that no operations had then been
commenced against Sebastopol. If the dates are correctly given,
couriers must traverse the distance between the Prince's head-quar-
ters and Moscow with extraordinary speed.
The despatches from Lord RAGLAN and Admiral DUNDAS, pub-
lished in an Extraordinary Gazette of last Sunday, supplied authentic
details of the battle of the Alma ; and on Tuesday night further des-
patches appeared in the Gazette bringing the narrative of events to the
28th of September. Lord RAGLAN, under the latter date, wrote, "We
" are most desirous of undertaking the attack of Sebastopol without
" the loss of a day." But with all the zeal in the world it would take
some time to transport the immense material required for the siege
from the coast to the heights above Sebastopol. If the firing commenced
about the sth or 6th, an attack might be expected to be made a week
or so later. The next issue of our journal probably, the one beyond
that almost certainly, will contain intelligence decisive of the fate of
this famous stronghold. The allied armies are eager for the assault,
and Prince MENSCHISOIT must fight another battle in its defence or
abandon it to its fate.
All the details of the battle of Alma bear testimony to the heroism
of our army. The greater part of those engaged could never have
been under fire before, yet they displayed the courage and coolness
of veteran troops. This shows that the inherent bravery of a people is
in no degree diminished by a long period of peace, while the conduct
of our officers proves, too, that the refinements of a wealthy and
luxurious period may exist without enervating the mind or muscle of
those who live amid them. This blending of the highest military
prowess with the highest civilisation is a new fact in the world's history,
establishing that there is a vitality in modern society which that of no
other age has ever possessed. In our other columns will be found many
touching and many elevating incidents of the battle-field. An officer
of the enemy characterises our men as " red devils," yet we see how
tender-hearted in their remembrances of home are these fiends of Rus-
sian imagination. It is grateful to hear that the wounded enemy were
cared for equally with our men; but the want of medical aid is a terri-
ble blot in the ministerial arrangements. If itbe true that in MENSCIIP.
ioris portfolio were found papers expressing his confidence in being
able to hold Alma for weeks, and that he relied on it mainly for the
defence of Sebastopol, there need be no doubt as to its speedy fall.
The presumption of the Russian commander appears to have been
almost incredible. The stage erected for Russian ladies to view his
victory turned out a hazardous experiment. Had not the ladies taken
wing hastily they would have been captured. The seizure of the
Prince's carriage by the French showed how narrowly he escaped
himself. The loss of the Russians is not given in any account we
have seen. Probably 5,000 would be near the mark. They must have
retreated with great steadiness, as only two guns and a few prisoners
were captured as our trophies of victory.
The march from Alma to Balaklava on the 25th and 26th is
described in Lord RAGLAN'S despatch with great precision. The new
position has no doubt many advantages. It appears liable to the ob-
jection of leaving open MENSCHIKOFF'S communications with Sebastopol
to the north, and also with Perekop and Kertch, whence he may expect
reinforcements. This consideration, perhaps, is deemed of little con-
sequence, as the assault is to be so rapidly urged on.
The reinforcements from Varna will probably augment the allies
to an effective force of about 50,000 men. The Debate supposes that
Prince MENSCAIKOFF may have a total force of 85,000 men under his
command. The estimate is, we imagine, too high. He probably
brought his whole disposable army into the field at Alma, and the
number is now generally stated at 40,000.
1/111 It seems just possible that he may be largely reinforced before
Sebastopol falls. A corps of 16,000 men is spoken of as on its way
from Anapa ; and a strong force, under OSTEN-SACKEN, by way of Pere-
kop. Should these troops really effect a junction with MENSCRIKOFF
the allies would have work enough on their hands.
The Russians are putting their ships to a most ignoble use. On
the 23rd several line-of-battle ships and frigates were observed moored
- across the entrance of the harbour, and, as the allied fleets came up, the
ix ships were at a signal sunk, leaving their masts more or less above
water. The waves now wash over a 120-gun ship, two 84 s, two 80's,
and some frigates. This desperate proceeding indicates how little
trust the
be have in their ships. These sunken vessels could
, probably be raised should Sebastopol become ours.

SATURDAY,

The apathy of Admiral DUNDAS during these operations, and
during the battle of the Alma, has excited much remark, and we are
assured that despatches were sent out to him yesterday demanding
an explanation of his quiescence on these two occasions. The con-
duct of our officers in command, both by land and sea, must not be
lightly judged, more especially as we cannot tell what their instruc-
tions may be ; but it is impossible to omit noticing rumours to the
disparagement of Admiral DUNDAS which have now become the town
talk.
There has been a report this week that the Russians have again
been successful in Asia, and have defeated SCHAMYL. Partial successes
in this quarter are, however, of little consequence, in comparison with
the great events in progress on neighbouring shores. Operations in
the Baltic are, it is now certain, over for the season, and Russia will
in that direction have six months' breathing time.
What the allies will do should they be successful at Sebastopol
is now a question beginning to be generally asked. Will they winter
in the Crimea or return home, or find quarters about Constantinople?
Great exertions will, probably, be made by the enemy to concentrate
a large force in Southern Russia against the return of spring.
The death of Marshal ST. ARNAUD was sublime. There is some-
thing more grand in this earnest soldier worn down by sickness, yet
still fulfilling his duty; sitting his horse on the battle-field upheld
by a trooper at either side ; conscious that his death could not
be delayed many days, yet still reluctant to resign to another the glory
of leading the French army into Sebastopol ; supported up to the
moment when he resigned his command, and then dying because he
felt himself useless;—in this death there is, we think, something more
grand than in that of the hero who perishes in the arms of victory.
For in the Marshal's death we recognise the fortitude to suffer as well
as the courage to achieve. His last letters are truly noble. Never did
a dying hero gather his robes round Om more gracefully as he fell.

More diplomatic notes are passing between Austria and Prussia,
turning, as usual, on " German interests." Austria wishes Prussia to
join in presenting the "four points" for the acceptance of the Bund,
and in agreeing that if Austria is attacked by Russia, in consequence
of her occupation of the principalities, the German Confederation will
unite in her defence. The real motive of Austria in all these negotia-
tions still lurks in darkness. Does sho really meditate hostilities
against Russia, or is she attempting to satisfy while blinding the allies,
or is she aiming to fix her supremacy in Germany by pretending
regard only for German interests ?

The peace homily of Lord ABERDEEN in his own dear town this
week is contrasted with some sensible observations made by Lord
GRANVILLE in Staffordshire. The latter Peer, in place of insisting on
the criminality of war when not waged from actual necessity, spoke of
the justice of insisting on terms of peace bearing some proportion to
the sacrifices we have made and the successes achieved.
There has been a hearty display of Conservative feeling in Essex,
and Major BERESFORD has shown, by a plain statement of facts, how
baseless were the charges attempted to be fastened on him respecting
the Derby election. The Whigs exhibited some dexterity in getting
up this slander, but it is uow exposed, and no one reading Major
BERESFORD'S speech can doubt the real motive of the cry attempted to
be raised to his prejudice. The offer of Mr. BASS to pay 2001. on the
detection of any bribery in favour of Mr. HORBFALL is decisive of the
character of the whole transaction. The speeches of Mr. Du CANE, of
the Rev. J. Cox, and particularly of Mr. PEACOCKE, were excellent. A
strong conviction was expressed by these gentlemen, and heartily
responded to by the meeting, that the time had come for vindicating
the Protestant character of our Constitution.

Two deplorable accidents have, in the midst of the awful mor-
tality of war, excited painful interest this week. The fire at New-
castle was the most terrific and most destructive of human life we
can call to mind in this country. The other casualty is yet more
shocking. The Arctic steamer, with, it is supposed, 400 persons on
board, proceeding from Liverpool to New York, was lost off the coast
of Newfoundland on the 27th ult. The fog was so thick that no
object could be discerned even a few yards off, and, as the vessel was
proceeding on her usual course, she was run into by an iron steamer,
the Vesta, the stern and cutwater of which went clean through the
vessel's side. As the only chance of safety, the Arctic was steered for
the coast of Newfoundland, sixty miles off, but when about fifteen
miles on her way she filled fast, and, as it was evident she must sink,
the boats were had recourse to. The captain declined to leave the
ship, saying, her fate should be his, nor would he part from his little
boy. Amcng those saved in the boats was the second officer, and
when he left the vessel she was sinking fast, and the sea, as far as he
could see around, was strewed with despairing beings. The other
steamer was more fortunate. After the collision it was feared that
she would go down, and the boats were had out and filled ; to add to
the horrors of the tragedy, one of these boats was run over by the
Arctic, and all on board, save one person, perished. The two vessels
never saw each other from the moment they separated. The
butcaptan
of the Vesta, DUCHEBNM, like Captain Lucis, stood by his ship,
with better fortune. When lightened she rose, and, with skilful sea-
manship, she was brought, though in a wofully-shattered condition, safe
to St. John's, Newfoundland. There were on board the Arctic leg
first-class passengers, 75 second-class, and 130 crew,
believed that more than 40 or 50 of the whole are saved.and it is not

OCTOBER 14, 1854.

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