The Press.
London, England, 1854-05-13 00:00:00

435

Governors of Cronstadt and Sebastopol might
not be unprofitable if a safe return to England
could be ensured.

Not only do we think these missions occa-
sionally useful and often amusing, but the
only instance we can conceive in which an
amateur ambassador could injure the coun-
try is, if he revealed to a foreign State the
existence of disaffection here, yet that revela-
tion would equally serve to place the home
authorities on their guard. if treachery lurk
within, let every facility be granted to the
traitors to stand out and aloof from the good
men and true. But it is idle to talk of serious
disaffection ; none has existed since the re-
bellion of '9B ; and, when we carried to a suc-
cessful close that mortal struggle with France
which commenced with a rebellion in Ireland
and a mutiny at the Nore, without the aid
of such a law, surely we may dispense with one
now, when our enemy is Russia, France our
ally, and Great Britain and Ireland really
the United Kingdom. The only deputation
of late years savouring of disaffecuon was
that headed by poor SMITH O'BRIEN, with his
green flag, to Paris in 1848 ; but this ought to
be classed in the same category as the freaks
of an ex-Lord Mayor in search of fame, or the
extravagances of three most respectable Qua-
kers in midwinter. So plain were the objec-
tions to the bill that even Lord ABERDEEN at
length comprehended them ; and so merci-
lessly were they laid bare by Lord LYNDHURST
that even Lord BROUGHAM pitied its author
and came to his aid ; and this, too, with so
much effect that the bill was read a second
time on the understanding—which a short
conversation in the House on Thursday has
confirmed—that it was never to become law.

COMMISSARIAT COMPLAINTS.
WHEN our army embarked for the East we all re-
member how the Times blazoned forth the merits of
the Ministry in providing for the comfort of the
troops. Barclay and Perkins's stout, Bass's pale
ale, tea, coffee, and chocolate, were to be served out
.to them as regularly as if their camp was pitched
within hearing of St. Martin's clock, instead of on
the shores of the Thracian Bosphorus. Yet in the let-
ters of a certain special correspondent we read no-
thing but complaints of misery endured by the
expeditionary army. Do these complaints emanate
from the officers? Are they true?
The Duke of NEWCASTLE on Thursday, in answer
to Lord ELLENBOROUOYL asserted that the commie-
sariat arrangements were excellent, and, to prove it, •
mentioned that on the 30th of April, out of 5,0(X)
men at Gallipoli, only twenty were sick. If this be
so, we trust we shall hear no more unmanly moans
about the hardships of breakfasting on "brown bread,
" goats' milk, and strong eggs ;" and of dining on
"ethereal beef, and ration biscuit washed down with
" raki." If a man is not made for war, war cannot
be made for him. If he cannot eat beef and biscuit,
he deserves to starve—if he dislikes raki, perhaps
water would be as palatable and as good for his
health. "An Old Soldier" has a technical meaning,
and we heartily hope the young officers of our army
in the East are not veterans in that sense.

It may, however, amongst young men be thought
very fine to play with death, and solemnly to
study the mysteries of a trance ; but, if they ch
to affect such folly, for the sake of the En
name they bear, and the English fame they
herit, they should abstain from publishing it in
the newspapers. War, with its attendants, death,
desolation, the pestilenr and the fr and its.

I

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tve water Would oe as patatante ana as goou 'or ms
ro health. "An Old Soldier" has a technical meaning, .0r
po- and we heartily hope the young officers of our army
nee in the East are not veterans in that sense. ~
OCC It may, however, amongst young men be thought
,ad very fine to play with death, and solemnly to i
i
me study the mysteries of a trance ; but, if they choose
be
to affect such folly, for the sake of the English
name they bear, and the English fame they in-
herit, they should abstain from publishing it in
the newspapers. War, with its attendants, death,
ed, desolation, the pestilence, and the famine, and its .
aps results, the rise and fall of nations, may appear
the trivial to a lisping philosopher fresh from a French
of novel, but the air of ancient Thrace on which he is
MS encamped might inspire him with other thoughts.
yell But perhaps we do injustice to our army: perhaps •
111.- these whining moans come not from our officers, but
jai only from " our special correspondent." If so,some of
sue our remarks are inapplicable. A civilian may sigh,
or cry if he pleases, for " the sweet shady side of ,';.•
41L-
Pall-mall," but a soldier should restrain the aspire.-
de- tion, at least until he is on half pay. -.-.
to
to
ure MR. BARON ALDERSON ON BILL. f .
:ful DISCOUNTING.
in- .
Is the course of the trial of a bill-stealing case last
led . .
week Mr. Baron ALDERSON said:— . •
sect
If " I think I could cure this bill system in bill•disconnting
matters by making it a felony. It is perfectly disgraceful.
ll' It would be a most beneficial act if any gentleman would
the take the subject in hand, and bring .. ,
•
in a bill making such a
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