The Sun.
London, England, 1855-10-11 00:00:00

THE SUS, LONDON, THURSDAY EVESIII. OCTOBER H.

so fearfully increased the bloodshed in collisions
between the military and excited mobs as firing
blank cartridge in the first instance, and thus in-
ducing the opinion that the danger was not so
great as might be anticipated. It is time that we
gave up firing blank cartridge against Russia, and
proved to her that we were determined that the
peace of Europe should be preserved at any ex-
pense, and that its habitual disturbers should no
longer be permitted to carry on their nefarious
practices with impunity.

One of the most pleasing features of modern
progress is to be found in the existence and grow-
ing prosperity of Friendly and Freehold Land
Societies. According to Lord PORTMAN, in his
remarks in the House of Lords on the second
reading of the Friendly Societies Bill, in June
last, the number of friendly societies at present
registered is 20,000, and each society having on
an average 143 members, it follows that nearly
one-third, or three millions, of the whole nine
II
millions of the adult male population of the king-
dom are members of these societies ! This, how-
ever, by no means represents the numerical suc-
cess of the great principle in operation in these
societies. A large number of unregistered socie-
ties contribute largely to swell the above amount,
having no fewer, in fact, than one million and
a-half of members, making a grand total of four
millions and a-half of the male population in con-
nection with friendly societies, in which it is cal-
culated they have embarked a capital of six mil-
lions. With the statistics of freehold land societies
iwe are not sufficiently familiar to speak confi-
dently as to their numbers, state, and prospects,
but there can be no question that the principle
involved in them has taken deep root, has been
largely developed, and is likely to be still more so,
whether stimulated by political considerations or
not—possibly quite as extensively developed if
dissociated from them.
Four millions and a-half of our adult male
population members of friendly societies ! Surely
this is a subject for deep congratulation to
all true patriots and philanthropists, to all who
are interested in the welfare of the industrial
classes, and the stability and prosperity of the
country. What a host of pleasing associations
those six millions of capital present—what pro-
gress in moral and intellectual culture—what de-
sertions from the ranks of ignorance, brutality,
and vice—what a tightening of the bonds of
society, and what hope for. the future ! It were
too much to say that all the four millions and
a-half of members are now for the first time in the
school of prudent thrift and humane foresight,
for it is certain a considerable proportion brought
thrifty and provident habits and cultivated dis-
positions along with them, but it will not more
admit of doubt that such is the case with the great
majority, and that, without any exceptions the entire
number have profited by the training which these
societiesare so well adapted to give. The hard-work-
ing artisan accustomed to hand over the greater
part of his earnings for the support of his wife
and family, for which it barely sufficed, and to
spend the remainder in self-indulgence, and the
thoughtless wife who got all, and spent all, even
before she got it, in wasteful management, have had
their earliest lessons in economy and forethought
in these schools, or from them. By the operation
of friendly societies it was brought home to them
that they were not exempt, any more than their
neighbours, from the evils incident to humanity,
and that with no provision made in case of acci-
dent, disease, or death, the only resource open to
them must be the parish. Against such a notion
their manly and womanly pride revolted ; and by
connection with these societies not only have they
made the required provision, but have been led to
dwell more on the future, and to acquire habits
of thrift and self-respect to which they had pre-
viously been strangers.
That abuses have crept into these societies at
one time or other, and that objections have been
made to them, we are by no means ignorant.
And into what societies have abuses not crept, or
against what societies have not objections been
urged ? Granting there have been abuses, the
power to remedy them lies in themselves, and has
notoriously been exercised when they got head ;
while with one exception, that in relation to in-
fant burials, the objections have been of a trivial
or temporary nature. With respect to infant
11,.rials, we have it on judicial and other relia-
ble testimony that the industrial matronhood of
this country has been foully slandered, and that
no such horrible practice as that of child-poisoning
for burial fees ever existed. As, however, preju-
dice is not readily removed, we would recommend
those who may still view these societies with sus-
picion to look more closely into their history and
operation, to recall the past of those of their
acquaintance who have become connected with
them and contrast it with the present. If they
do so they will find, if we are not most egregiously
deceived, that in the great majority of cases order
has taken the place, to a large extent, of
disorder in their dwellings ; that their
children are better looked after, better
clothed and instructed ; that they them-
selves are more humane and enlightened, and,
with their families, altogether more comfortable
and respectable than before. And if the objector
be a member of a freehold land society, which is
not likely, we would have him inquire how many
of his fellow-members became so through the
habits taught them by friendly societies. It is
very far from improbable that he will find that,
in this higher order of association, on whose ad-
vantages we have not at present time to dilate,
will be found many who have thus risen in the
social scale, and who are likely not only to be
proprietors of unencumbered lands, but also to
witness their children rising to an elevation far
beyond their own. Industry, prudence, and
thrift form the sword with which modern fortunes
are cut out, and without the exercise of these
virtues there is but little hope of'progression for
the poor.

has conferred the order of Knight Grand I
upon Marshal Valliant. The services
in organising and equipping the
in the Easthavebeen
edalbl yelhasersesMaof
of •no ordinary
,C,
Fr Herowlssarosfl‘hitaahljeevsßtayaiti
French army
Bath upon
jesty will be readily appreciated character, and the honoucriatthedusambeosntgoswt
our Allies
Sir Jameshas . Simpson been honoured with a letter
from the Sultan congratulating him upon the result of
Commander of the Bath has
_
I Hugh Rose, C.B ,
the operations Of the army under his command.
The rank of a Knight Comma
been conferred upon Major-Genera
Companionship of the
her Majesty's Principal Commissioner at the head-quar-
ters of the French army. The
i Bath has also been conferred on Lieut.-Colonelt the Hon.
St. George Foley, Second Commissioner at
&wafters of the Preach army ; and upon Lieut.. Colonl.
jClaremont, Military Commissioner at Paris, both 1
whom have served with the French army throughout
1 the greater portion of the'Crimean campaign.
I His Excellency Count Von der Straten-Ponthnz,
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary from
' his Majesty the King of the Belgians, has left the Claren•
don for Brussels, on his return from the coronation of
his Majesty the King of Portugal.
The Duke of Rutland, we regret to learn, continues
much indisposed at Newmarket.
Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston left town yes-
terday for Broadlands, Hants.
The Earl of Derby was presented with the freedom
of the burgh of Irvine while at Eglinton Castle last
week.

CRYSTAL PALACE.—ONE SHILLING DAY, Wednesday,
Oct. 10.—Admissions on payment; 4,946 ; ditto by sea-
son tickets, 567 ; total visitor; 5,513. Corresponding
day last year, 4,629.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SlR,—Permit me, for the sake of accuracy, to correct
a mistake which you have inadvertently made in your
leading article of last evening. Mr. James Aytoun, the
author of the letter on the assault of Sebastopol, is not,
as you have stated him to be, Professor Aytoun (whose
Christian name is William), but a relative of that gen
tleman.

I cannot refrain from taking this opportunity to em
press with what feelings of unmixed satisfaction and de-
light I have perused Mr. Aytoun's convincing and
admirably written letter. It will remove (as it did from
mine) a weight from the spirits of every Englishman to
whom the military renown of his country is dear, to
know that it still remains, and will, I trust, ever con:
tinue, pur et sans reproclie, and that the shafts which
ignorance or malice, or both, have loosed against the
honour of the undaunted escaliders of the Redan have
been "hurtless," at least as regards our generous allies,
who in this matter exhibit more regard for our military
reputation than (with shame be it said) we seem to
possess ourselves.
Your obedient servant,
Bath, October 9, A 855. H. A. K.

We hear that the Postmaster-General contemplates
the immediate establishment of a money order office in
Paris.

The Rev. J. C. M. Bellew, junior chaplain of St.
John's, Calcutta, has just been appointed by the Rev.
Edward Repton, Canon of Westminster, minister of
St. Philip's Church, Waterloo-place.

In the difference which has arisen between Piedmont
and Tuscany, the French Charge d'Affaires at Florence
will, it is said, fill the officer of mediator.

Ma. LINDSAY, M.P.—This gentleman visited Wick and
Thurso, on a tour of pleasure, the other day, where he
made particular inquiries into the nature and extent of
the trade of both place's, and seemed to take particular
interest in the fishing operations, expressing himself as
surprised that such meagre accommodation should exist
where the staple trade of the place was so extensive.
The Emperor of Austria at Berchtolsgaden (Duchy
of Selzburg) on the 4th, to return the King of Bavaria's
visit. His Imperial Majesty proceeded the following
morning at half-past 5 with the King to St. Bartholome,
on a shooting excursion.

A thanksgiving service for the capture of Sebastopol
was celebrated a few days ago in the Chapel of the Eng-
lish Embassy at Berlin, and was attended by Lord
Bloomfield and all the gentlemen of the Legation.
Lord Ernest Vane-Tempest, episodes of, whose social
and military career have been occasionally before the
public, has just left the 2d Life Guards for the 4th Light
Dragoons, now serving in the Crimea.
THE CHELTENHAM STAG HOUNDS.—Capt. West has
so far completed his arrangements for the approaching
hunting season as to be in a position to fix Friday,
October 12, for uncarting the first stag.
We (Shrewsbury Journal) understand that during the
present week her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cam-
bridge and the Princess Mary intend paying a visit to
Rowton Castle, near this town, where they will sojourn
for a few days with Mr. and Lady Charlotte Lyster.
The Brighton Gazette of yesterday says :—" Madame
Grisi and Mario during their visit to Brighton are stay-
ing, with their youthful family, at Mount Edgcumbe-
house, Marine Parade. Madame Grisi, who is near her
confinement, goes to Fulham, whilst Mario proceeds to
fulfil an engagement in Paris."
THE CHURCH-RATE QUESTION IN ST. PANCRAS.—A
numerous meeting of the St. Pancras Association was
held last evening at the Camden Hall, Camden Town,
Major Cobbs in the chair, for the purpose of organising
a plan to secure the return of fit persons to represent
this vast parish in the vestry, at the ensuing election in
November.

JEWS' LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTION.—Mr.
Thackeray delivered his farewell lecture yesterday even-
ing, at the above institution. The subject chosen was
" Humour and Charity."
Yesterday a further return was issued of correspond-
ence since the Ist of January, 1854, by or between the
Governors or Lieutenant Governors of any of the West
India Colonies, the Treasury, the Colonial-office, or the
Commissioners for the West India Islands Relief Fund,
raid ve to estates in the West Indies indebted to Govern-
ment for advances made to them by reason of losses sus-
tained by them in the hurricanes of 1831-2.
THE ACADNIfY OF THE BEAUX ARTS, PARIS. —The
public sitting at which the Academy of the Beaux Arts
distributes the grand prizes in painting, sculpture, en-
graving, architecture, and music, was held on Saturday
at the Institute, under the presidency of M. Ambroise
Thomas. The principal part of the persons present were
composed of the friends and relatives of the old and new
laureats. The works sent this year from Rome have not
been numerous, and were not in general very satisfac-
tory ; and the report of M. F. Halevy, the perpetual
secretary, pointed out with scrupulous solicitude their
different defects, mixing, however, with his criticism
praises and words of encouragement. Those produc-
tions for which the Academy evinced the most satisfac-
tion were those in architecture and musical composition.
In this latter category was an overture by M. Delchelle,
who obtained the grand prize in 1851, and the perform-
ance of which opened the business of the day. It is written
in a style that gives promise of its author highly dis-
tinguishing himself in the music of the Opera Co-
mique. After the distribution of the prizes the sitting
terminated by the execution of the cantata of M. Conte,
which this year gained the first grand prize for musical
composition, fn the subject of which is Acis and Ga-
latea. It is a trio, and the parts were sung by Mdlle.
ey, of the Opera Comique, and MTiS. Boulo and Merly,
of the Opera, In the course of the sitting M. Halevy
read a paper in praise of the works of the late M. Ons-
low, the musical composer. _ _ _

LECTURE TO THE WORKING CLASSES.—The Rev. Pro-
fessor Trench, the author of " English, Past and Pre-
sent ;" " Study of Words," and other valuable works,
delivered a lecture on Tuesday evening, on Political
Geography, to the working classes of the parish of St
Martin-in-the-Fields, at the Northern Schools, Castle-
street, Long-acre.
At an investigation just held at Greenock into the
circumstances connected with the stranding of a Clyde
ship, the James Russell, it was stated by Captain Coffin,
an eminent authority upon the subject, that there is
scarcely a wooden merchant ship in the merchant ser-
vice whose compasses are correct, except by chance.
THE EARL OF RANFURLEY'S ESTATE.—We under-
stand that our townsman, Tnoinas M'Clure, Esq., J.P.,
has purchased the estate of the Earl of Ranfurley,
bounding this borough on the county Down side. Thi.
property, consisting of nearly two thousand acres of the
richest land, :ill lies in the immediate vicinity of Belfast,
and upon it studs the mansions of a considerable num-
ber of the local gentry. We do not know exactly what
is the amount to be paid for it, but we believe it is
s•nnewhere about 80,0001. or 100,000/.—Banner of
Ulster.

SHOCKING OCCURRENCE.—A. fatal and shocking occur-
rence has taken place on the South Devon line. As the
up-train from Plymouth, which is due at the Exetir
station at 20.30 p.m., was proceeding at its usual speed
between the Exminster and Si. Thomas's stations, a
young man, respectably attired and having the appear-
ance of a gentleman, was suddenly observed standing
in front of the approaching train upon the rails, at a
distance of about 20 or 30 yards. It is said that he was
seen to ware his hat, and then throw himself directly
across the rails with an intent, as it was considered, to
destroy his life ; at all events, before the engine-driver
could give any warning signal, the young gentleman
was knocked down, and the train passing over his body
he was cut in two pieces lengthways, and his bead was
crushed to fragments. His mutilated remains were im-
mediately lathered up and taken to the nearest house.
In his pockets were found some keys, money, and some
maps of Devon and Cornwall. His name however, is
not known, but everything found upon him indicates
that he moved in• a respectable sphere of life. An in-
quest will shortly be held on the body.
NICOLAIEFF AND THE WAY TO IT. The following
sailing directions for Nicolaieff are extracted from a
journal of the late Surveyor of the Navy :—" Sailed
from Odessa in a Russian steamer. The distance to
Nicolaieff is about 80 miles. The entrance to the
Liman River is shown by a light vessel, which we left
on our right hand. The channel is buoyed by red
on one side and white buoys on the other. Oczakofi is
on the left, and appears to have no other defence than
a three-gun mud battery. Opposite to it is a battery
of 21 guns. The passage did not appear to be difficult
to find. We passed the Selafiel, a large 84-gun ship.
They were warping her through a soft mud at the
rate of a cable's length in 24 hours, she drawing 22 feet
abaft. Generally there was 21 feet of water, but in many
places not more than 17 feet. About 15 miles above Oc •
zakoff the Dnieper (ancient Borysthenes) and Bug (an-
cient Hyparus) rivers fall into theLiman. We anchored
for the night in the latter. After rounding the peninsula
upon which Nicilaieff stands we left the Bug, and found
the admirals house and dockyard, a short distance from
the mouth of the Ingul river, which is very narrow and
shallow at the entrance. The Ouriel, a new 84, similarto
the Selafiel, was fitting at a building establishment atthe
mouth of the Ingul. Off this place is the road where
ships anchor preparatory to going down the river or to
the dockyard. The dockyard is on allarge space of ground,
the buildings far detached from each other. There is no
dock, and the slips are very imperfect. There are two
84's building and ano. her just laid down. A 50-gun
frigate, a corvette, and the Twelve Apostles three-decker
have just been launched. Several smaller vessels and a
steam-boat have been also commenced. The model-room
has many objects of interest in it, &c."
AGRICULTURAL MEETINGS IN THE WEST.—The agri-
cultural societies in Devonshire, which are established
for the encouragement of good ploughing, improvement
in the growth of roots and the breed of cattle, have com-
menced holding their annual meetings. Considerable
advantages to agriculture have resulted from the opera-
tions of these societies. It was stated at the meeting of the
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roots, which were well managed and prolific. The anni-
versary of the West Buckland Agricultural Society was
celebrated at Castle-hill, the seat of Earl Fortescue, where
a dinner was provided for a large number of the agricul-
turists of the neighbourhood. Lord Ebrington, in the. ab-
sence of his father, EarlFortescue, presided. His lordship
made some observations on the necessity fey further edu-
cational efforts among the agricultural classes. He
felt that the children of the smaller farmers, although
they were making progress, wererelatively losing ground
as compared with the labourers below them, who had
the advantage of free institutions established by private
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exchanged between them. The features of the
country are particularly fit for such encounters,
the heights being covered with brushwood, and the
little ravines on all sides facilitating the approach
of both parties.
Both the roads which lead up from the Valley
of Baidar to the north are only country roads, and,
of course, nearly impassable in winter or after rain.
Having taken up this offensive position, the French,
with their usual foresight, have begun to make
them both practical for the march of an army.
All these positions have been occupied by the
French without anything worth the name of a fight.
They were only occupied by Cossack videttes, who,
as usual, at the approach of a force retired. We
have evidently not come to the line which the Rus-
sians intend to defend.

Any one who goes about in Sebastopol must be
struck with the immense advantages which the de-
fending party must always have over the attacking.
Every step is a position, and the Russians had only
to follow the nature of the ground in all their for-
tifications. The ground about Sebastopol is an
image on a small scale of the whole south of the
Crimea. It is a natural fortress, which we are
moreover attacking from the south, that is, its most
difficult face. If you look at the map you will easily
see that all the abrupt cliffs have more or less a
southerly and the slopes a northerly direction. This
is principally the case as regards the heart of the
Russian position between Bakshi-Serai and the
north plateau. It is a succession of steep plateaux
divided by gorges, through which the Tchernaya,
the Belbek, and the Katcha, with all their feeders,
find their way to the sea. With the exception of
the road leading over Akyar or the Mackenzie
heights, all the others follow the river courses.
Most of the plateaux are too steep to be scaled by
an army, so the defiles must be forced, and this
seems the line the Russians have chosen all along
for their defence. Whenever an advance was
made on our side they abandoned without firing
a shot all the points in advance of this line. We
occupied the Tchernaya line, we marched to Tchou-
liou, and looked at Aitodar, now we have the
heights of Baidar, and all without resistance. The
battle of the Tchernaya being made for a special
object, against Sebastopol rather than against the
Tchernaya line, cannot of course be taken into con-
sideration.

Our position at Baidar is therefore only a conve-
nient point for approaching the Russian position.
In that line of plateau which extends from Bakshi-
Serai down to the north plateau of Sebastopol, from
north-east to south-west, there are five approaches.
First, the double road leading up from Itikermati,
the one straight, near the first Inkerman light,
the other through the Trestrena, valley, joining the
Mackenzie-road. The second is the Mackenzie-road.
The third is the pass of Aitodar and Mangup
Kale. The fourth is the passage of the Belbek,
by Kutshuk-Sioren. The fifth, the defile of
the Katcha, by Katchil Kale and Pitshku. Then
come the rocky heights of Tashifut Kale and the
Upper Alma, over which there are no roads except
mountain passes to the north. Ono or more of
these positions have to be forced if we wish to turn
the Russian position to the north of Sebastopol
from our position, unless we begin from the north.
Whether this be practicable or not I can, of course,
not decide. Whether there are means of tran-
sport to send a large force to the north by sea and
work down, having only some of the intervening
rivers to force, which are too long to be effectu-
ally defended, and which may always be turned
with the help of the fleet near their embouchure,
but it certainly seems to me that we should have a
much easier work from the north than from the
south.
Four days ago a reconnaissance was made from
Eupatoria towards Sak. 16 battalions of Turkish
infantry, besides Turkish and French cavalry, pro-
ceeded along the sea-shore. Having passed the
narrow strip which separates the putrid lake Sasik
from the sea, they turned to the left into the nar-
row isthmus which divid€'s the Lake Sasik from
that of Tuzlu. Here the forces divided. The
Turkish cavalry went into Sak, from which a few
hundred Cossacks retired. The village was all but
deserted, and was set on fire—a very bad idea,
whoever it was, as there are, without that, not too
many villages in that part which could afford shel-
ter in case of an advantage. The only spoils found
were two camels. The French cavalry, accompa-
nied by the Bashi-Bazouks, returned by the north
side of the Lake Sasik towards Mamai without en-
countering any force of the enemy except the usual
Grande Gardes. Reconnaissances are never of any
avail with Russians ; they are too cautious to show
their forces. They can never have the pretension
of disputing the moving out of Eupatoria, and
they will never be carried away by their ardour to
accept a fight for the sake of fighting.

(From the Special Correspondent of the Daily News.)
Camp, Sebastopol, Sept. 29.

The period since the last mail left has been very
unproductive of events. There is scarcely anything
to record beyond the continued bombardment of the
north side, and the increasing fire of the enemy
against the town and Karabelnaia on the south side.
The fire against the latter suburb has so much in-
creased, that, although little mischief has been done
beyond the further destruction of houses already in
ruins, it has been thought prudent to abandon it
for the present. It does not prevent, however,
the fatigue parties going for timber, firewood, roof-
ing, and numberless articles of building materials
and furniture, to be employed in huttingand making
snug against the inclemency of the ensuing winter.
A few accidents have occurred. One day two
Croatians, in charge of baggage animals, were
wounded by fragments of a shell. On another occa-
sion two horses returning from the town with loads
of wood, were both killed by one and the same
round shot. The Russians are employing sunk
guns, and by their means areenabled tc throw shot
into the Malakhoff, and some little distance beyond
it. They have the advantage of position, for on the
north side the line of hills is both more lofty, and
rises more directly from the shore of the roadstead,
than happens on the south side. The compara-
tively flat ground on which the Karabelnaia is
placed, and the low rounded hills occupied by the
town of Sebastopol, becoming still lower as they
approach the sea-coast to the westward, doubtless
caused the preference over the north sido for their
establishment. On the other hand, the superior
projectile power in our possession, from the large
13-inch mortars, enables us to cast the heaviest
metal as far as can be necessary. Already the
French on the right are causing serious annoyance
to the enemy in the Star Fort, and this work is
placed on the highest point in the ridge of the op-
posite line of mountain. Although a sunk fort, it
can be seen to contain very extensive buildings,
apparently ranges of storehouses or barracks. Near
the centre a house stands by itself, and from its
superior height and general character, appears to
be the residence of the Governor. The French have
been throwing shells of heavy charge with great
accuracy into this fort, and on the 27th - inst. suc-
ceeded in setting one of the buildings on fire. The
flames were speedily extinguished. The enemy has
not made use of any large mortars on the opposite
side, except one at Fort Constantine, which is
chiefly directed at present against the quarter of
Sebastopol held by the French.
The same day that the fire alluded to above oc-
curred an explosion took place in one of the Rus-
sian magazines near the south harbour, killing and
wounding several men. The magazine, which was
connected with a small flanking battery on the slope
of the hill near the Strand Battery—the one which
crosses the valley adjoining the head of the south
harbour—was intended to be cleared out, and
orders had been given for this work to be carried
in to effect. Part of the gunpowder had been re-
moved, and it was imagined that very little more
(if any) remained. About 1 p.m., however, a
tremendous explosion occurred, and from the
force and extent which characterised it the quan-
tity of powder ignited must have been very great.
The cause of the occurrence is not known, but
it is strongly suspected that a lighted pipe was
the source of the ignition. One man of the Ist
battalion of the Rifle Brigade was killed and
four were wounded. ; several men also of the Royal
Artillery and of the 4th Regiment were injured.
Stones and the timbers of the magazine were
thrown to a great distance around, and a funnel-
shaped excavation was left in the ground about 24
feet deep in the centre. A horse was killed by a
falling stone at the distance of many yards from
the source of mischief.

Beyond, a slight increase for the purpose of
strengthening the position on the Tchernaya—
now the main front of the army—scarcely any
movement of troops has taken place. A military
road is being advanced towards Aitodor, which
appears as if something were intended in that di-
rection. But the lateness of the season, and the
cold and rainy weather having set in some weeks
earlier than last year, make it very doubtful
if any campaigning operations will now be under-
taken. Dutint; the last two days the weather has
been sunny and fine, but the nights have been ex-
ceedingly cold. By contrast with the present year,
the army seems to have been singularly favoured,
in respect to weather, during its march from Eupa-
toria and subsequent occupation of Balaklava, and
the position above Sebastopol in September, 1854.
It is said that a part of the fleet is to take its de-
parture soon—the larger sailing vessels to go to the
Bosphorus, and some of the smaller steamers to
Malta. The Rodney leaves for England in a few
days.

Since the bombardment against the north sid3
has become more active, the movements of troops
and passage of vehicles have greatly diminished.
Altogether it wears a very deserted aspect. The
canvas town, or Russian Kadikoi has quite disap-
peared, and nothing remains but the usual m elan

choly aspect of a deserted camp. Many of the square
tents, supposed to be ambulan(:es, including all those
in the line of our fire, have been removed. Since
the 22d inst., the large camp 3 beyond Inkerman
have also become considerably lessened in extent.
On the day previous a small hody of French troops
left for Eupatoria. The occasion was taken ad-
vantage of to send also a number of British vessels
in the same direction, and as the sailors on deck
were for the time converted into marines as far as
dress was concerned, the Russian scouts evidently
took for granted that a combined force was being
despatched for the purpose of carrying on some
active hostilities in that direction. The next day a
large force was observed to leave the north camp,
and a body of troops was also seen by some of our
ships to be marching in a northerly direction along
the coast. False alarms of this nature must tend
greatly to harass the enemy. It was generally
imagined in the camps that this ruse was intended
to disguise some projected movement towards the
Mackenzie heights, but no operation of the kind
took place.
The troops are in excellent health. The cessa-
tion of the trench duties, and the opportunity
gained of rest at night, are evidently producing
the beneficial effects which might be expected.
All are actively employed in making preparations
to meet the coming winter. Military roads are
fast progressing in the directions of the principal
routes. The Divisional Commissariat stores are
accumulating, as well as the head-quarter establish-
ments, and will render the necessity for transport
during the winter a comparatively unimportant
matter. Should the huts which are expected from
England arrive in time to be erected before the
rains set in, there is every reason to expect that
the sanitary state of the troops will be as remark-
ably favourable this winter as it was unfavourable
during the last winter.