The Express.
London, England, 1855-09-06 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY, SEPTEARNINC

A PIM daye—a few hears—ihaibibig us inm Stant
news trom Sebastopol; but whether of victory oriel,
a temporary check it is not easy to conjectue from
the last laconic thopee•li of Generel SIIIPSON, Os
the 45th alt., the bridge which the Russians have
been constructing across the great harbour was timely
completed; large bodies (Assn were employed throw-
ing up earthworks on the north aide of the buboes ;
and entrenchments, feting the north, were being
formed on the Sievernayalill from the sea to the first
lighthouse. These preparations have every appear-
ance of bring made with a view to the evacuation
of the fortresses on the south side et the
harbour, and an obstinate defence of the earth
side. But they do not necessarily indicate that
the south side is to be abandoned immediately. The
bridge across the harbour will serve to convey troops
from the north whenever an assault is impending, es
well as to facilitate the retreat of the troops on the
meth side as soon as further defence is found to be
impossible ; and it is evident that new works are la
the progress of erection behind the Redan and the
Xaiskhoff. Sebastopol, it ought always to be kept
in mind, is not to be viewed so much in the light de
besieged town as of strong defenees covering an ors"
as amorous as that of the assailants, which has hoe
access, at any moment, to every part of them. Tb.
Russians are evidently determined to contest to the
last every inch of this strong ground; and General
Sisiesotee last account of the "siege operations" is,
that they " progress steadily, with, I regret to
say, heavy casualties." There can be little doubt that
if the Allies persevere in the mode of attack they
have sdopted, Sebastopol, if not relieved, must fell at
last; but when ?—and at what cost of life on the part
of the besiegers? remains the question ; and whether
the Russians will be able to interrupt their proct ed-
General Simesoe confirms the unanimous
report of the newspaper correspondents, that a
renewed attack on the allied lines is emit cted.
" From various sources we learn, that the Rus-
sians on the right bank of the Tchernaya
are held in perfect readiness for an offensive
movement." He says, moreover, that "the
enemy have been concentrating troops at the
Mackenzie, Tasovs, and Rarities, their left extend-
ing as far as the village of Melton', and are supposed
to have received considerable reinforcements, which
probably consist of two divisiors of grenadier, which
have been conveyed in cuts from Baktchiserai and
Simpheropol." It appears, then, that while the
siege is nicking slow progress, and with "heavy
easualtier," the allied army remains on the defensive,
and is constantly threatened by the Russians. The
period of the year at which our naval ascendency in
the Euxine can be turned to account is rapidly
drawing to a close. The Russians and the allied
farces in the Crimes appear to be so equally matched
that neither can gain ground on the other. A second
winter campaign in front of Sebastopol would seem
to be inevitable ; and in that case there is but slender
prospect of anything decisive being effected before
4.4 op. lug. It is true coat num le wear-
ing herself out by the enormous exertions which she
is compelled to make in order to maintain her ground
in the Crimea ; bat what opportunities are afforded
by this delay to Russian diplomatic intrigue? Our
rulers are secure of the national support in carrying
on the war; perhaps it would be more accurate to
say that they are compelled by the national pees.
sure to carry on the war. But by allowing it
to be spun out they expose themselves to the risk of
having their efforts impeded by the pro-Russian party
here at home. The present House of Commons is
assuredly no trustworthy representative of the na-
tional sentiment. With our very corrupt and defective
electoral system the results of a dissolution must
always be regarded as in moms degree problematical.
Towards the close of last session the surprise I
attempted by the pro-Russian faction on the question
of the Turkish loan was very nearly proving suc-
cessful. And there are symptoms abroad which
seem to indicate that the parties to that
manoeuvre are not idle at this moment.
Sir JAMES GRAHAM could not abstain from lending
them a helping hand and encouraging voice at the
festival in honour of the cutting of the first sod of
the Silloth Railway. The printed petitions, and me-
morials, and pamphlets, of the peace-at-any-price
party are being circulated with renewed assiduity.
Even in the Cabinet there are men whose good faith
as regards the vigorous prosecution of the war is
more than doubtful. Every moment of unnecessary
delay plays into the hands of that unscrupulous feu
tion, which huehown that it will shrink fret se
manoeuvre, however disreputable, to promote
the conclusion of • dangerous and inglorious
peace. We do not indeed believe that they can en-
tirely succeed; but they may so mystify Parliament
and embarrass Ministers as materially to retard their
military efforts, and thus increase the expenditure of
blood and treasurb by which final victory mast be
height. All these consideratioas ought to urge ape*
Miele' ere the necessity of adopting ansstes
accelerate the defeat of Russia, whit* plonks a
prompt results than the very questionable stales el'
strategy to which they cling with such Algid
chaise/fey.

LTTCIIIS77-MATIWILIVS, in the county of Dorset,
bee a population of 878 persons, all with souls to be
saved. The Church of England, which hu the
" cure," or care, of all the souls in England, hu
taken particular care of Lytchett-Matravers, inas-
much u it provides 8074 per amours for the
spiritual teaching of this village. There are dis-
tricts in Bethnal•green where the Church can only
afford to give 2004 a year to the spiritual
guide of 10,000 people. Thus the clergy-
man who desireth the office of pastor of
the souls is Lytchett-hlatravers, "desireth a
good thing." Not a "good thing," certainly,
in the sense in which Sr. PAUL used the wards,
bet a good thleg in the sense in which the words are
seed in Capel-court and in Lombard-street, and in all
places where the tables of the mosey-changers ate
placed, and where things are bought and sold. And
looking at it from a carnal point of view, which
the Church strictly forbids, we know, but which is
the only point of view from which the mousy-
changers and those who buy and sell will
consent to look at it, Lytchett-Matravers dis-
plays other charms. It is sunlit* near a large
and populous port, and near two large towns.
The holy zaka who takes charge of the souls of

Lytebett-Matraven will, won, be able easily to
step from the boorishness of the village to the Galli-
vain of civilised life. This would have best cow