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

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 1855.

This evening the promised meeting to advocate
the formation of a Polish Legion is actually to be
held. The Earl of HARRINGTON is announced to
- take the chair. There can 'this time be no disap-
pointment ; and we trust the disappointment of
last week will only have the effect of assembling a
much larger number this week. Sir DE LACY
EveNs, though naturally unwilling to make the
holding of the meeting dependent on his now
broken health, and notwithstanding a little mis-
understanding respecting the treatment of his
letter, will we trust, if his physical powers per-
mit, give the country on this very important oc-
casion the full benefit of his practical counsels.
Our readers well know the supreme importance
we have from the commencement of the War
attached to the formation of a Polish Legion, and
further to an invasion of Russia through Poland
itself. The Foreign Enlistment Bill was more
odious to us as a mean and dastardly evasion of
the great advantage of a Polish Legion than
even as an enlistment of mercenary foreigners.
Bad in the latter point of view,
it was cowardly,
selfish, unrighteous, and unpatriotic in the former.
Cowardly, because it was done through fear of
offending Austria—a power which lay at-the mercy
of honest Statesmen; selfish, because it was done to
please the aristocracy of England, who grasp all
administration ; unrighteous, because it was a
sacrifice of the righteous claims of the most fla-
grantly oppressed nation in Europe, to the villany
of the three Royal Robbers, whose hands are still
red with the blood of the murderous partitions ;
unpatriotic, because it was throwing away the aid
which must have invigorated, and therefore
shortened, the War, and thereby saved thousands
of our brave men more than any other measure
whatever. The Ministers of a petty German Court
may smooth it over as they will, but it cannot be
doubted that really English Ministers WOUld never
hive sold their country to the COBIIRGS—that is,
in reality, to Austria—and that again was the
rime thin; as selling her to Russia herself. Our
"inpatriotie Cabinets have thrown away the blood

and the money of their country—an offering to

the fiendish cunning of Austria.
We sigh over the precious lives already wasted,
and the millions of money already sunk, by this
guilty complicity of our Ministers with Austria,
or by their guilty infatuation with her despot
fascinations. What burning words can adequately
express the indignation of our countrymen at the
transparent wiliness of Austria, and the eagerness
of our willingly-beguiled Ministers to swallow the
bait, even though the hook literally glittered in
their eyes. If ever the unpardonable folly, or
av,,rse, of our solemn-faced servants of the Crown
w,-;re apparent to all eyes, it is now. What is the
upshot of all their fawning upon the young '
HAPSBURG despot ? Let the Principalities—let
Italy—let the Crimea answer. Fetters for. the
Principalities, heavier irons for Italy, another
Inkerman for the Crimea—this is the answer.
Fellow-countrymen, at St. Martin's Hall to-
night, above all things, remember this—Austria
has liberated two hundred thousand Russian troops
from Poland to re-enact a worse Inkerman in the
Crimea. Once she sent Russian reinforcements
from the Danube. That is not enough ; she now
bids vastly greater numbers march by spared
Odessa and Kherson and Perekop—bids them
unite in a second grand effort to drive the Allies
into the sea ! They will not do it. English and
French and Sardinian soldiers are not sheep. Still
great again will be the slaughter ; and what is
the ONLY preventive ? We answer an avowed
Polish policy. Announce at once that a Polish
Legion shall be formed ; send a Baltic ex-
pedition to the nearest point to Poland at once ;
form a camp for Polish patriots on the shores of
the Baltic, and Russia will be paralysed at once.
Proclaim everywhere Polish nationality ; let the
White Eagle float on every battery, and be carried
by the side of every Allied banner, aye, and let it
flutter on board each vessel in the two seas, and
Russia .would soon find other employment for her
battalions than leading them against banners
which they would prefer to her own. Recognise
Poland everywhere, and Russia would be shorn
of half her strength.
If Russia be now permitted to move vast num-
bers of troops to the Crimea, or if she be permitted
only to subtract them from Poland and to
place them in readiness, as a reserve, to
continue the present stream of reinforcements
ria Perekop, why, then, we may look for an al-
most interminable campaign in the Crimea. It
will be a trial how long a well-organised
sea transport and land transport can sup-
ply troops and the munitions of war against
each other. Poland is placed in our hands
as the grand overpoise of any weight Russia
can throw into the scale. It is but to proffer jus-
tice to Poland, and we should be at once in the
certain road to victory. The one grand requisite
of the War would be gained at once—that of a
moral and political purpose commensurate with
the undertaking. Restored Poland would be at
once a noble policy, and the only one promising
security for the future. Well, all now lies with
the country. No Ministers, even if disposed,
dare enlist Polish aid to the full, unless the
country compels them. The COBURGS and Aus-
tria will enslave any Cabinet that can be formed,
unless the country forces freedom, by forcing its
own views on her MAJESTY'S Ministers. The Poles
everywhere are beseeching us to let their cause
be united with ours—their blood would save, in
part, that of our soldiers. It is, therefore, little
short of manslaughter of Englishmen to refuse
their request.

Lord Jouu RUSSELL is naturally dissatisfied
with the position which he occupies. He finds
that the tortuous course, which, unfortunately
for his own character as a statesman, ho thought
proper to pursue, has been unanimously con-
demned by every right-minded man throughout
the length and breadth of the land—that he has
forfeited the support and confidence of many
staunch friends, who had previously followed him
with inflexible fidelity through good report and
through evil report, adopting him as their leader
" for better or worse " —that his popularity has
completely departed, and that in return for these
serious losses he has scarcely succeeded in ac-
quiring the doubtful aid of the small party within
the House " whose opinions find no echo beyond
its walls !" The uncertainty and vacillation
of the Noble Lord, who went in direct
opposition to his positive instructions for
the purpose of patching up a dishonour-
able peace, and then, when overruled, made a
strong War speech, for the purpose of retaining
his place in the Government who, subse-
quently, very unnecessarily, made revelations
that would have upset the Government, if the
other Members had not saved themselves by
deliberately flinging him overboard—notwith-
standing, a new War speech was not acceptable
to the more direct and avowed " Muscovitism" of
GJADSTONE and COBDEN, HERBERT and BRIGHT,
GRAHAM and MILNER. GIBSON. He did not go
far enough to conciliate the support of the latter,
and he had made too rapid progress in the down-
ward course to retain that of the English party.
He, therefore, felt acutely the isolated position
in which he had placed himself, and resolved on
one more effort to place himself right with any
party that would accept his services.
The attempt was peculiarly infelicitous.
The conception was bad. The execution
far worse. He elicited no response from the pro-
Muscovite section at which his speech was directed
as a peace-offering, and he contrived to involve
his views and opinions in such profound mystery
that no one could understand exactly what he
meant or wished. He had to explain himself to
Mr. Wriarssox and afterwards to Mr. HENLEY,
and was scarcely clear after all. He has certainly
not been improved by diplomatic practice. He can-
not speak openly or above board, and seems parti-
cularly caution about committing himself to any
opinion from which he does not leave a
loophole for evasion. His speech is a peace
speech, so far as any meaning whatever can
be picked out of it a task of considerable
difficulty ; and its object seems to be to prove
that we have no prospect of ultimate success in
the War, and should therefore be prepared to
clutch at peace on any conditions, even contrary
to the views and feelings of our Imperial and
faithful Ally. This is the only rational interpre-
tation of the first part of his speech, while the
remainder relating to Italy was peculiarly inap-
propriate and inopportune.
We have indicated the only rational interpre-
tation of the first branch of his case. A brief
consideration will prove that it is so. He tells
us that we have no reason to doubt the efficiency
or gallantry of our navy, but that "it is evident
that the enemy does not mean to meet us
on that field, and, therefore, We cannot
expect to end the War by great naval
victories, or great blows to be struck by our navy."
Hepoints to the danger on the Asiatic frontier
of Turkey,
i
andu deplores that, through the failure
of the Foreign
Enlistment Bill, nothing effectual
can be done in that quarter. While, in the
Crimea, the Allied force—however large' and
will be met by a largeefficient it may be—"
being now augmented
' Rosian army ; that army

by troops which are sent from Poland and from 1
other frontiers of Russia bordering on the
Austiian are now set free,
ozciny to the present policy of , Austria !"
The querulous croaking above alluded to,
followed by the information that the Turkish Am-
bassador at Vienna—we suppose AA.RIF EFFENDI
is meant—was satisfied with the terms pro-
posed by Austria, seems intended to lead to the
deduction which, though couched in diplomatic
terms, is yet sufficiently clearly indicated—viz.,
that we should make peace for ourselves, without
the assent of the Emperor of the FRENCH, and
thus really merit the title of " Perfidious Albion."
It is true that he speaks of " the utmost conside-
ration" being due to the opinion of our illustrious
Ally, but it is immediately followed by the hope
that the Govenrment will not continue the War
when safe and honourable terms have been pro-
posed, or, in other words, make peace whether
the EMPEROR approves or not !

The introduction of the Italian topic, under
the circumstances, seems little better than a
flinging of a new "apple of discord" to create
difficulty with our Ally. On the whole, Lord
JOHN RUSSELL has by no means improved his
position. Like a man. sunk in a quagmire,
he only gets more inextricably involved from
each convulsive but ill-directed effort. The
ex-Colonial Secretary has, indeed, sunk deeply in
the " slough of despond," from which there is
bUt little chance of his ever being liberated. He
has performed the unpleasant operation vulgarly
known as falling " from the frying-pan into the
fire," and, however greatly we may deplore such
a termination to his career, he has left no power
of assisting a man so obstinately bent on political
self-destruction.

THE RAGLAN MEMORIAL.

MEETING AT THE DUKE OF RICHMOND'S.

The projected memorial to the name and virtues of the
late Field-Marshal and Commander-in-Chief in the
Crimea has at length assumed a practical and substantial
aspect, which is likely to be speedily realised. Yester•
day afternoon the second preliminary meeting of noble-
men and gentlemen, companions in arms, and other
friends of the deceased General, was held at the man-
sion of his Grace the Duke of Richmond, in Portland-
place, in order to decide upon the vece,sary measures to
give Pffect to the resolutions of the previous meeting of
the 27th of June, which had been held at the same !lace.
The meeting having assembled shortly after 2 o'clock,
his Grace the Duke of Richmond was requested to take
the chair. There were also present his Grace the Duke
of Bedford, the Earl of Ellesmere, General Lord
Downes, K.C.8., General Sir John Burgoyne, Lieut.-
General Sir George Brown, Lieut.-General Sir Hew
Dalrymple Ross, Major-General Sir John Pennefather,
Major• General Cator, Royal Artillery, Major-General
AlchiLon, Major-General Broke, Colonel T. Wood, the
Right Hon. Sidney Herbert, Mr. T. Assheton Smith,
&c.

His Grace, the Chairman, briefly explained to the
meeting the object which had called them together,
and which was to give the admirers and friends of
the late gallant soldier, who sacrificed his life in the
service of his country in the Crimea, an opportunity
of testifying in some suitable substantial manner the
estimation in which the gallant deceased's memory
vial held by those who knew him when living and
mourned him now dead. It would be a mere
waste of time to detail the military services of
Lord Raglan throughout a very arduous and exciting
'career. Such things had become matters of history,
and his name was honourably and inseparably inter-
woven
with the military annals of his country and his
age—and that, too, during a period in which the
armies of Great Britain, while labouring under al-
most insuperable difficulties, had nobly succeeded in
emblazoning her name in undying characters, high
and honourable in position, upon the glorious scroll
of the great military victories arising out of the last
European war. The deceased soldier, like many of those
in that room, had taken an active part in these transac•
tions ; and, having been called to the field to take a,
share in directing the operations against the aggressor
of the peace of Europe and the world, he had nobly and
patriotically laid down his life in the cause of his coun-
try and of liberty. The people of England would eagerly
respond to any call made upon them with such an ob-
ject in view ; and it only required the means of doing so
to be made public when all the rest would follow as a
matter of course. It was to settle the particular details
that that meeting had been called together ; and the re-
sults would be set before the public with the least pos-
sible delay.
The proceedings then assumed a convereational cha-
racter, in which the Duke of Bedford, the Earl of El les-
mere, Lord Downes, General Sir George Brown, and
various noblemen and gentlemen took part. After some
time being passed in deliberation, his Grace the Duke of
BEDFORD moved, and Lieut.-General Sir GEORGE BROWN
seconded, the following resolution, which was carried
unanithously :
"That it is the opinion of this meeting that a freehold
estate purchased and entailed on the title and descendants
of Field-Marshal the late Lord Raglan would be a most
desirable memorial of the great public services and pri-
vate worth of that nobleman, and, the better to carry
that object into execution, it is resolved that subscrip-
tions for that purpose be opened at bankers, army
agents, and any other places that may hereafter be de-
termined on."
The Duke of RICHMOND stated that the Memorial
Committee intended to purchase for the proposed estate
the laud adjoining Raglan-castle, which gave to the de-
ceased lord his title. There was considerable historical
interest attaching to the land in the above-named locality,
arisieig from the fact of General Fairfax having had his
head-q•tarters at a farm in the immediate vicinity, while
carrying on the siege of Raglan-castle during the Civil
War. _ _ _

The subscriptions actually paid into the bankers at
present amount to 5,1111., which is exclusive of a 114
not at present in the hands of the committee. The
money has been invested io Government stock, and the
bankers have received ins+rictions to re•invest the in-
terest accruing from it from time to time. The trustees
of the fund aro his Grace the Duke of Richmond, Earl of
Powis, General Lord Downes, and Colonel T. Wood.
After some formal business and a vote of thanks to
the chairman, the proceedings were adjourned.

At the meeting of the General iron Screw Collier
Company yesterday, a dividend at the rate of G per
cent. was declared for the half-year ending the 30th
June, making, with the 31 per cent, dividend paid at
Christmas last, an aggregate of 10 per cent. per annum,
being the largest division of profits allowed by the
deed of settlement. .

ROYAL COLLEGE OP SURGEONS.---The following gentle-
men, having undergone the necessary examinations for
the diploma, were admitted members of the College at
the meeting of the Court of Examiners on the 6th inst.,
being the last meeting of the Court this session :
Messrs. James Whinyates George Allen, Brompton ;
James Stuart Hawthorne, Liverpool ; Finlow Alexander,
Exeter ' • Arthur William Moore, Toronto ; Thomas
:IPNicoll, Liverpool ; Robert Lynn Heard, Belfast ;
William Tyeth Coster, Witheridge ; and Josiah Dash-
wood Gillies, Madras.
GREAT FIRE NEAR WHITECROSS-STREET PRISON.—
Last night, between the hours of nine and ten o'clock,
a fire, attended with the destruction of several thousand
pounds' worth of property, broke out in an extensive
pile of premises, belonging to Mr. Thompson, fancy box
manufacturer, situate in Whitecross-street, nearly facing
the prison. The premises in question were four storeys
high, and contained a great amount of stock ; in fact,
each floor was well filled. It was nearly midnight before
the conflagration could be arrested in its progress.
SOUTHAMPTON, Aug. 7.—The Earl of Clarendon ar-
rived here to-day, at 11 30 a.m., by special train, and
started immediately for Osborne, in her Majesty's
steamer Fire Queen, which was here waiting for him.
The noble earl was accompanied by the Hon. Francis
Howard, our ambassador at Brazil ; the Haytten
Ambassador, and one of his suite, also a gentleman
of colour ; and ta-o Oriental diplomatists In Turkish
fezzes. Captain Macdougal, R.N., the Admiralty
superintendent at Southampton, with Lieut. O'Reilly,
R.N., his senior lieutenant, and Messrs. Hedger and
Levy, dock officials, received Lord Clarendon at
the docks. The Fire Queen was at the dock gate, and
his lordship and party left the docks at the north steps
in the Fire Queen's gig. The Haytien Ambassador and
his attendant are men of intelligent countenances.
THE VISIT OF THE QUEEN TO THE EMPEROR OF THE
FRENCH.—DOVER, Tuesday Evening.—We do not be-
lieve that there is any foundation for the rumour that
her Majesty will pass through Dover on the occasion of
her visit to the Emperor and Empress of the French.
We understand that the Mayor of Dover, Mr. W. H.
Payn, communicated, a few days back, with the
Home-office on the subject, desiring to know whether
her
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raut theth
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re
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ehh should
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repass through this port
tog determinedivs e r
Majestythat n o
a loyal and hearty welcome. At a meeting of the Town
Council, which was specially convened by the Mayor
on Saturday last, a resolution to this effect was unani-
mously voted. No orders respecting the arrangement
for her Majesty passing through Dover have been re-
ceived by the naval or military authorities at present,
and the opinion in official quarters is that the Queen will
set out from Osborne in the Royal yacht, and will land
at Boulogne as previously arranged. We understand
that inquire` respecting the depth of water in that port
on the 17th and 18th of August have been made by the
Hon. Capt. Denman, the commander of the Victoria and
Albert ; there is therefore earns ground for believing
that Boulogne has been selected for the Royal deb arca.
tion, and that her Majesty lin sail d'rect from Osboi no.