The Press.
London, England, 1854-12-09 00:00:00

►SATURDAY.

the way of clothing, a contract ie already completed for
forty-four thousand fur cloaks ; forty-four thousand fur
caps, helmet-shaped; forty-tour thousand fur gauntlets;
forty-four thousand water-proof capes ; forty-four thousand
pairs of long boots, of cowhide ; forty-four thousand suits of
inner clothing; forty-four thousand pairs of leggings; and
ten thousand suite of fur clothing for officers. Every sol-
dier is to have a wcterproof sheet, in addition to his
blanket. In the way of arms and ammunition, the siege
train is to be augmented by a large number of thirteen-
inch mortars from Gibraltar and Malta ; by a large addi-
tion of Lancaster guns, carrying shells six hundred yards
farther than has hitherto been possible ; and by howitaars
of a new description, carrying ten•inch shot five thousand
five hundred yards, or above three miles. The number of
men has been augmented since the battle of Inkermann
by fifteen thousand fresh troops, who sailed last month.
Probably ten thousand more will sail this month, besides
those who are to be drafted from Mediterranean stations.
In the way of provisions, everything that can nourish
health and avert disease is to be copiously provided. Con-
tracts are being daily taken for unheard-of quantities of
preserved meat and provisions of various kinds Trans-
ports will scour the markets of the Mediterranean for
sheep and vegetables ; while excieeable articles are to be
retailed under Government surveillance, and no longer
left to the extortionate mercy of heartless adventurers.
Then, over and above this, must be reckoned the muni-
ficent voluntary and private undertakings now set going.
From the highest to the lowest, every class of society is
furnishing its quota with an exhilarating generosity.
Prince Albert clothes all the Grenadiers in fur. • Several
noblemen send their yachts laden with all conceivable
good things. The Duke of Marlborough subscribes one
hundred head of deer. Ladies sell their jewels and give
the produce. Publicans send hogsheads of beer. One
firm gives 2501. worth of choicest cigars. Young ladies
knit cuffs, mittens, and stockings. Whole parishes unite
to send out sheets, pillow-cases, bandages, and handker-
chiefs to the hospitals, while nothing that ingenuity can
devise, or love provide, is wanting to complete the list.
But, perhaps, the most remarkable of all is the establish-
ment of a line of rails from the port to the camp. By this
iron road much labour and fatigue will be saved both to
horses and men. Messrs. Pew and Brassey, with a large
staff of their best men, undertake this unprecedented work
on terms which prove their patriotism beyond a doubt.
We must not forget the electric telegraph which is to be
laid down all through the camp, and right away to the
harbour. The aggregate of this is astounding, and speaks
volumes for the prosperity of our country, and for the use
we have made of our forty years' peace.

PATRIOTIC FUND.
The subscriptions to the fund now exceed 150,0001.,
as acknowledged by the central commissioners, irre-
spective of large contributions already collected by
local committees, and which have not been as yet re-
mitted to head-quarters.
A meeting of the inhabitants of St. Paul's, Knights-
bridge, to adopt measures for obtaining subscriptions,
was held on Wednesday, and addressed by the Seat.
tart' at War. Mr. S. Herbert said :
Being a parishioner, he felt it his duty to attend the
meeting. Allusion had been made to the discipline of the
army, and the high moral qualities that had been dis-
played by all since its arrival in the East. It had been his
fortune during many years, from the position he held, to
have become acquainted with its internal administration,
and he was well aware how improved had been the condi-
tion of the men. The change, however, that had taken
place was not entirely visible to the public. But since the
arrival of our army in Turkey the veil had been drawn
aside, and the character of the 13ritish soldier had been
brought conspicuously to view. It was supposed by some
that the education which the soldier had received. and the
comfort he had enjoyed at home, would have unfitted him
for the duties of a campaign and the arduous duties of war,
but a practical answer had been given to those who had
such anticipations. Circumstances have shown that, while
acts of the greatest bravery anti heroism have been dis-
played, the men who have exhibited them possessed
the tenderest feelings, as bas been proved by the letters
from privates and non-commissioned officers connected
with the army. He, a few days ago, had an interview with
a gentleman recently returned from the Crimea., who stated
to him that he was surprised at the extraordinary discipline
manifest among all the regiments of the British army, and
who also observed that, while enduring the greatest fatigue,
not a murmur was heard. Not a single court-martial had
been held, and there had been no complaint of neglect of
duty. He was a few days ago reading the despatches of
the Duke of Wellington of the campaign in Spain, and
.
there he found that the duke was constantly remarking
that severe punishment was necessary to keep up the dis-
cipline of the army. How proud, therefore, ought they not
to be to have such an army, the condition of which, he
believed, was unexampled in the history of this or of any
other nation. (Hear, hear.) He bad also seen letters
from a theding a high position among those who are
attending hospitals at Scutari. There, he is told, not a
word is uttered to offend a lady's feelings, though there
are about 4,000 beds in the various hospitals. (Hear.)
All the attentions paid to the men are received with the
greatest thanks, and though many are suffering the most
excruciating pains not a murmur of complaint was heard.
(Hear, hear.) Much, however, as they must admire these
moral qualities of the men, they must not forget their high
military qualities; for he believed there has scarcely been
an instance on record where these were so conspicuous as
at the battle of Inkermann, where a small band of men were
arrayed against a numerous and disciplined army. (Ilari
hear.) While column after column was brought up spins
our men, they stood their ground. The battle was not
one where there were any particular stratagetical move