The Sun.
London, England, 1855-08-22 00:00:00

[PRICE 4D. STAMPED SD•

and fired away in most glorious style. Nothing
can exceed the credit these little vessels are entitled
to. Each officer commanding seemed to emulate
with the other in, showing a gallant bearing and
zealous performance of their duties in the presence.
of the enemy. This day the fire has extended to
the opposite side of the island, the arsenal, includ-
ing extensive sail lofts, rope walks, &c., making a
most glorious blaze. The Russian fire in the
morning was warm and well directed ' • one or two
of the m,irtar vessels had to be moved further out,
but, although several vessels were three or four
times hulled by shot and shell, nobody was killed,
.and but few wounded. The enemy appeared much
disheartened by the constant fires and destruction
of their stores. The fire was well kept up on our
side all day, and the destruction on shore imr,ltsed
hourly to a frightful extent • occasionally an explo-
sion would take place, caused by some present-use
magazine blowing up.

SECOND "YINING.
On the second evening the rocket boats again
attacked the place, going still nearer in than on
the previous night. The Russians again fired at
them in vain. The fire was more frightful, if pos-
sible, this night than the last. At four in the
morning the order was given to discontinue the
bombardment ; the mortars being all very shaky
(three having burst), and Sweaborg being so
completely in flames that Ilc4hing more could be
done.

RETURN OF THE FLEET TO NAROHN.
August 12.—At 4-30 a.m. the fleet got under
weigh for Nargen. The only accident that took
place was to the Vulture, which, in taking the
i-Eolus in tow, carried away her foretop-gallant-
mast, and at 12-30 we all anchored in Nargen
Roads, where we remain as if nothing had oc-
curred.

AMOUNT OF DAMAGE.
When you consider that twenty-five 13-inch
mortars for upwards of 48 hours kept up a continued
firing, some projecting as many as 350 rounds into a
comparatively small place like Sweaborg, crowded
as it was with wooden buildings, dockyards, and
barracks, you may form a pretty correct idea of the
effect these dreaded missiles had ; indeed, two
hours after the commencement of the bombard-
ment, the fortress was on fire in seven different
places, which spread rapidly, and continued for
three days, destroying everything of an '
ble nature, leaving nothing but ruins of brick-walls
standing.
One hundred and sixty gun-boat sheds, many
with row boats in them, were totally burnt, as were
also the government ropewalk, storehouses, dock-
yard, barracks, main guard, and signal station:
The tiring was so hot and the practice so admirable,
that the three-decker moored across the entrance,
after having several shot into her, was forced to
haul out of her position, and take shelter behin,".
the stone walls.
The value of public property destroyed is esti-
mated at 2,000,0001.
A RUSSIAN MADHOUSE.
On Wednesday morning we discovered a large
building on shore, on which was hoisted a white
flag, inscribed with the word " Madhouse," in
English. Tiis proved, however, to be only a dodge
of the Russians, and was subsequently found to be
a powder magazine, which was blown up during
the bombardment.
COWARDICE OF CONSTANTINE.
The flag of the Royal family o f Russia, so flaunt-
ingly displayed at daylight on the first morning,
was hauled down at ten o'clock. (I suppose the
fighting Constantine thought his country would
I suffer if anything happened to him.)

- -
SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.

(From. the Times of this day.)
Itra fewA days Sir R. England will set foot on
the soil a. his native country, and the last of the
old Generals of Division who enjoyed the festivities
oKonstantinople, suffered from the fevers of Varna,
and shared the glories and hardships of last autumn's
campaign, will have quitted his command. Too
great exertion, the weakness or timidy of advancing
age, the weariness engendered by long and tedious
warfare, may all have had their share, with wounds
and sickness, in inducing se many to abandon the
high position and brilliant prospects which belong
to the successful warrior ; but the fact is a singular
one and worthy of attention, that after eleven
months of active war, the Commander-in-Chief, all
the Generals of Division, and no small number of
the Brigadiers, have quitted the scene, and left,
their places to other, if not to younger and more
skilful men. But not alone in our own army have
those who a year ago were in the mouths of all
passed away, so that their names are little more
than a reminiscence ; each of the contending hosts
has lost its chief, in every case a man of mark and
celebrity. It is frrsh in the memory of all how,
with the news of the Alma still ringing in our eats,
there came the not unexpected tidings that the
French Commander had sunk under disease,
anxiety, and fatigue, and lay dead at the little
haven of Balaklava, dee' a strange name—now
how familiar, and how mixed up with recollections
of glory, guilty negligence, and a long term of
disaster ! The remains of the dead General enter-
ing the Bosphorus amid the crowd of vessels which
bore those wounded on that brilliaet victory, of
which he had just shared the renown ; the stately
honours paid by the Sultan and Ambassadors, the,
still more impressive funeral rites celebrated in
Paris to a Marshal of France—these things are like
the events of yesterday, and yet Si. Arnaud was
the first to fall—the first great victim in Vie holo-
caust which three nations are offering up to the
Spirit of War.
Next conies a darker and sterner figure ; a figure
invested by popular belief with almost fabulous ate
tributes of pride and imperiousness,--MenselAkeff
—the fanatical noble, the arrogant ambassador, the
stubborn if not clpahle commander—succumbing
to wounds, age, and anxiety but a few days before
his Imperial master was struck down. In retire-
ment he now watches the desperate struggle in
which his country is engaged, and has leisure to
regret the infatuation of the Prince who sent him
on his fatal mission, and the gratuitous and unbid-
den arrogance which he superadded to his master's
instructions. Yet his career has not ended in un-
mixed calamity. At Sebastopol he prepared what
must have seemed a desperate defence after a
crushing defeat. He sunk the fleet which had long
been his peculiar care, and, if he did not plan the
new and unexampled works which have defied at-
tack so long, lie at least chose the men who were
capable of such designs. He remained to see his
resolution rewarded, and the defence of Sebastop )1
successful and famous. The Crimea will have
saved his reputation from the failure of Constanti-
nople. A pompous and arrogant diplomatist, he
was seen through and gauged at once by the wary
representatives of the Western Powers, and failed
even to impress the Turks themselves. Before
he left he was thoroughly cowed ' • his shrewd wit
died on his lips, and his threats, kept fur the
Pashas and the populace, were changed for con-
ciliatory overtures towards those who really wield
the destinies of the Sultan's empire. At Sebas-
topol be was once more in a position where such
genius as ho possessed could do him service, and
he has ended a long career in a manner which
even enemies must allow to be not inglorious.
The last few weeks have taken away the third
of the Commanders-in-Ohief who. have fought
around this modein Troy. The' oss is too recent
and the fallen General too well known among us
for criticism to be either appropriate or necessary.
Praise and blame he received in abundance during
his lifetime ; both are now useless, except as they
may excite emulation or hold out a warning. But
the British army has lost much in Lord Raglan.
He had high military rank, long experience of
mankind, and manners which gave him au influ-
ence with our Allies beyond what any other gene- '
ral is likely to possess. He was above petty
jealousies and petty intrigues, and kept his way
uninfluenced by what would have affected the
course of many a man.
With Lord Raglan almost all the general
110 officers
en_
of our army have quitted the scene—seine
h mho
joyed the esteem and trust of those wo°o only i„
tinder them ; more who inspired
-e'fiolleurhung the
the enemy. The same fatality li"
of the war been
indeed, has from the earliest day
s
armies of our enemy and our Allies. Omer Pasha,
last hopes of_success
before the world; and now the
in Asia rest on him. But his opponent, Paskie.
witch, has passed away, an for a nominal summand
d exchanged the labours
and disasters of the Danube
in Poland. Canrobert and Bizot, our veteran Bur_
goyne, Dannenherib
the defeated of Wormau,
and now the
young anti gifted Ttl o eben, have all
been sacrificed to wounds, sickness, or the dig.
pleasure of
superiors. It may be that the losses
conflict,
of the French in general officers have not been
above the average of former Wars ; but ourselves
and the
suffered severely--the
yin the actual h
e We from the age, the
weakness, and the liability to
isease of those who
were first appointed to high
commands in the
army. It is with our own affairs that we are chiefly
concerned, and the mo Ito be
extracted from the
t40.14e 414.1,at tle. 1.402 i troliveao,A

47,74057,
4t.
() rgeinthe(..-bated so as to direct our own cot. gre
enserprise before us.
It seems a fact not to be othbted that a
a t ;*-
,`I
cl
elms of men who in former wars were an
incubus for years is now rapidly passi,ag away.
What disasters have not seniority and a reputation
for exploits fifty ears old hitherto brought on
unhappy England ! Every man who has watched
the course of this war is apt to mutter, " Who shall
deliver us from these men of Peninsular expe-
rience ?" But every age has had its Peninsula.
The men who were sent to oppose Gates and
Washington were our gallant veterans of Dettin-
gen and Culloden. The advisers of the Duke of
York in Holland were described by the Ministerial.
ists of the day as heroes who had scaled the Heights
of Abraham and swept the plain at Minden. The
American war, perhaps happily, did not last long
enough to exhaust the superincumbent layers of
military incapacity ; but in the great struggle which
followed after 16 long years of reverses and humi-
liations we at last found a general. Unhappily, the
nation has been mere content to exult in the vic-
tories of Wellington than to endeavour to find $
successor by disregarding the claims of seniority ;
and a commander-in-chief of 38 would probably be
looked upon with more astonishment at the present
'lay than at any past time. The remarks we have
been compelled to make from time to time on the
conduct of military men in high position have been
often met by the argument, if it may be so called,
that the Great Duke, during the earlier period of
his career,avakattaoked by an ill-judging Opposi-
tion and a misinformed public, and that therefore
censures on generals in the Crimea and Admirals
in the Baltic would be proved by the avenger Time
to be equally worthless. These critics did not
recollect that the Great Duke formed almost the
only instance in which censure was misplaced.
After all, there was mach excuse for a mistaken
estimate of a really great man, when the country
had within the memory of that generation
been humiliated and nearly ruined by its
Burgoyne and Cornwallis, its Duke of York, its
Whitelocke, its Earl of Chatham, its Sir Harry
Burrard, and Sir Hew Dalrymple. This brings us'
to our present position. We are passing through
the Burrard and Dalrymple phase, and hope soon
to emerge on the classic period of another Welles-
ley. Should such a warrior arise, we shall not be
ashamed to recant any adverse judgments which
time may prove to be incorrect.
But the practical results of our recent losses are
brought home to every household in the speedy
promotion of those who have chosen arms as a pro-
fession, and in the demand for men to fill appoint-
ments which till lately were rarely vacant, and
were thought to demand acquirements much above
the average. The loss of engineer officers in the
Crimea has been very heavy, and now 20 young
men are to receive commissions at once, and 40
more within the next three months. That the
acquirements of these young men will be below the
average of their predecessors cannot be doubted,
but that is an evil inseparable from a state of war,
and perhaps attaches only to this corps, in which
some scientific attainments are requisite for a pro-
per discharge of duty. Throughout the army the
same rapid riso of the fortunate survivors of battle
and disease is conspicuous. Men now command
regiments who were by no means the seniors
among the captains when they first encamped at
Scutari. As far as regimental advancement is
concerned, there is an unexampled prospect for the
young, strong, and enterprising. Up to a certain
point promotion is and will be as rapid as in the
early armies of the French Republic ; but the de-
cision as to who are to have the chief commands over
this young and vigorous band of warriors will, no
doubt, for years be influenced by old_ recollections
of former companionship, a mistaken sense of long-
standing claims, and an idea that age necessarily
confers experience, and experience ability. But
beyond the example of all former times the nation
is now watching, and as it were superintending
a war which is peculiarly its own. That nation
will make use of the lessons learnt in former strug-

gles, and ponder the still more important t.2acii-
ings of the last few months. From the past it will
gather that the old military system, which during
a long peace has settled down and indurated afresh
in the country, has never insured, or even per-
mitted, success in war ; from observation of what
is passing at present in the Crimea it will be con-
vinced that such experience as the soldier of a few
years or months in Spain or Belgium can boast of
is of little value, and that the best school for
Sebastopol is Sebastopol itself. To public opinion,
which has already done so much, we commit the
completion of those great changes which have
already commenced.

CONTRABAND OF WAR AT _HAMBURG.

HAIM:MG, August 19.--It cannot be denied that the
merchants of Hamburg are practical men of business,
and know bow to indemnify themselves for the loss of
their former direct trade with Russia, by carrying it on
indirectly, but to a much greater extent. In conse-
quence of the war a new market bas been opened for
many artiolea, especially lead, sulphur, and saltpetre,
and very considerable purchases have been made ever
,ineo the winter for Russian account. One single house
that I coal] mime confesses to have sent no less than
19,000 bags of saltpetre to Russia since March.
me to call the attention of your readers to
the fact that the greatest supplies of these articles ,
oernpri,ed in the generic name of " contraband o f
w ,r," for the use of the Russian army, are now sea
!rom this city, which is carrying en a most thriving
trade, the articles being sent by the railway through
Frtherto the Briti-h and French Governments

+ve taken no 'tees to prevent it Is it because they
are ty acquainted with the fact? Whilst the British
Censul-General itt enjoying the pleasure of sea-bathing
et Travernunge, and the French ambassador's house in
town is shut up whilst his excellency is breathing the
fresh air at his country villa at Blankenese, these things
are carried on publicly. The British merchants residing
'here are prohibited by the Queen'e proclamation front
leoldine any commercial intercourse with Russia, it being
pronrunee.i high treason to do so ;" but their next-door
neiehb )tire profit doubly by the prohibition, and I may
Llieref‘re be permitted to ask the question, is there no
way of stooping it ? Could not a ship of war he placed
he mouth of the Elbe, to overhaulships arriving with
calitrabancl of ear ? Germany talks so much of her
nr-etrality—is this a proof of it ?
Ti,e cornmeecial paper; • the-Borienitele, gives in its
eaterdav's nember the usual weekly report of the mar-
kets of this city, from which I would lay before your
readers the following short extracts relating to the above
mentioned three articles, which undoubtedly come under
the denoininAien of contraband of war :
So'phur—During the past week about 2,000 casks have
been seld to be sent to the interior, at successively rising
euotetions of about 25 per cent. Some parcels have also
chenge,l hands for shipment, by*hich our stock, have been
2,reatlyreduced, and holders insist on a still further advance.
Saltpetre—The imports this week consist of 1,694
bags of East India, the greater part of which was already
,o 1 lon delivery. There are but few parcels at present
in the hands of importers, which are held at very higk
prices. Of refined there is none in the market, and the
demand is so great for delivery that no contracts can be
made to deliver at an earlier period than the end of Sep-
tember. Chili saltpetre is not to be had, but some par-
cels are expected shortly, which may be purchased on
delivery after arriesl.
Lea I—This article is in great demand at rising prices.
Onr whole stock consists of 80,0001 b. of English an&
40,000ibs. of Belgian, for which 20 marks Banco is de-
manded. inland may be had on delivery, but higher
prices must he paid. During the past week the sales
comprised 50,0001b5. of Belgian, at 18 marks Banco ;
25,0001b5. of English, at 20 marks Banco; and 60,0001b5.
of Spanish, price not known. About 60,0001b5. of lead
in sheets changed hands, at 19 marks Banco, but it is
not to be bought now at that price. On the whole, the
market for lead is very firm, and looking up.

HERBFORD MUSICAL FESTIVAL.

HEREFORD, Tuesday.---This morninngweshr.editcaohwraemti.
auspiciously upon the " opening day" of the Novel.
At 11 o'clock this morning the great bell of the old
cathedral called the people to prayer.
eoTmhpeleotepleynifinlgledbebtyweaentetmhpeonraarvye
• • in itself, and none of
peared to be a complete building
the sound of the music,as lost in the choir. The ..sion4est,h ethceh onirayi: Loins
or-
chestra extended from the screen down to the floor. Th.
service was performed by the Rev. Mr._ Goes, miner sato*
°A.,h)flara:cHyohbeededetreeeeanbafycdocortttndhos
customary
Freer(sonornbt
ah:rdy:ri
_eft Ea:dts
engage
neg organist
rpeas'
much'
ageu oi
,uni r
et:thgoohesermrletleuhepnorseftoes :1
I,w, St.,
:: t Paul's),i
ho
nwhua
a fibs aanas
finer
used almost immerir,rialy jtodopen these festivals, we
Lastand chant to the Venite were, as
had that to :Ps:hor:es,
The Piece'
cubs:,mait,
by
mTar.l I iTs
0;
vibnuitb the
ad-
mired. Handel's " Dettingen wereTewDh
iicuhn
Lc 11,
wa:aswteedumttnocyadeexir:
throughout,ef o. reTdtijhl nei
gs) "Jubilate"
festivalti well.bai lna tab° yo"f Z.: r.
thoroughly Ta olwen sh oe
lii
a ecclesiastical
o composedees Smith.ia..t
After the third collect we had the chore4t'sTcihilsosoghlo.na-oyd
vans are telling," and trio (Mrs. Weiss. Mr. M. Smiths
and Mr. 'Weiss), from Haydn's " Creation ;" and before
the sermon was introduced the 98th Psalm—a work by
Mendelsohn, which, we believe, has not been performed
before in this country. It commences with an unaccom-
panied chorus for eight 'voices, and is particularly adapted
for the cathedral and the occasion. At the words "Praise
toe Lord with harp," that instrument (by Mr. Trust) is
introduced, and also the full band, which, however,
pretty well overpowered David's instrument. The work
is not too long.
The sermon was preached by the Rev. W. P. Hopton,
:who took for his text Isaiah 55, v. i.—" Oh, every one
that thirsteth come ye to the waters, and he that bath
no moliey, come ye, buy, and eat ; yea come, buy wine
and milk without money and without price." Urns
this text the preacher founded an adnkirable and appre-
priate sermon. ...
The "Hallelujah" chorusfrom "Beethoven's '' WWI
of Olives" brought the first morning's performance of
sacred music to a close. The amount of the eollootio*
for the charity has not as yet been made known. To-
morrow we have the " Elijah" at the Ca eV ea
ticalaig4t t4o fAst eve:Lrg comae IA iho ati:3o6-1

_