The Sun.
London, England, 1855-07-09 00:00:00

LONDCIN, MONDAY EVENING, JULY 9, 1855.

LETTERS FROM THE CRIMEA.

CAMP ABOVE SEBASTOPOL, JUNE 26.
No move of importance has occurred in the siege
operations the last few days. The French are sap-
ping up towards the Malakhoff, and already the
trenches make a considerable show. An extensive
place d'anncs has been formed in front of the Ma-
melon. The armament in the White Redoubt
(Selenghinsk Reboubt), above Careening Bay, is
being strengthened and works added. The small
5-gun work, deserted by the Russians, at the ex-
tremity of the spur, is still unoccupied, except by a
few French riflemen ; it is not in a position to be
rendered available against the enemy's works on
the west side of the Careening ravine. The Rus-
sians are adding to their number of guns on the
verge of the cliffs on the north side of the roadstead
opposite to Mount Sapone.
On our side we are extending the sap towards
the Redan, and as yet have not met with any in-
terruption from the enemy. A trench has also
been made to connect the extremities of the
right and middle boyau proceeding with the old
advanced work, and this again has been joined
to the parallel extended from the Quarry Bat-
tery. A new battery of considerable strength is
also in course of construction ; it is expected that
it will chiefly be brought to bear against the Rus-
sian shipping. When Colonel Yea fell in the at-
tack on the Redan, he had with him a plan of the
works in the right attack ; this, however, could
give the enemy littlo information beyond what
he already possesses. All the trenches and bat-
teries on Frenchman's-hill, from the sloping nature
of the ground, are fully exposed to his view. It is
alone possible to keep secret the exact position and
nature of the armament of the new batteries ; but
it would appear, from the counterworks erected,
that the enemy has means of obtaining speedy in-
formation even on these subjects.
The following is a brief diary of the circum-
stances which have transpired during the last three
days :

June 23.—Lieutenant-General Sir George Brown
left the camp this morning to go on board the
Royal Albert, for the purpose of recruiting his
health. He has been suffering from a severe attack
of diarrhoea, and, though relieved from all urgent
symptoms, has been much weakened by his illness.
Major-General Codrington, who has also been
ailing, is about to pay the Admiral a visit in the
same vessel.

Captain Hill, of the 22d Regiment, died yester-
day in camp, from cholera. He was taken ill in
the trenches, and left with the intention of return-
ing to the camp of the Highland Brigade. On
arriving at the Light Division tents he became so
ill that he was not permitted to proceed further,
and he died within the lines of the 88th Regiment,
in the tent of one of the officers who had kindly
taken him in on hearing the serious nature of his
attack.

A long line of arabas was observed to move along
the north side to-day, coming from the eastward to
an open space below the Star Fort. It is suspected
they have been brought for the removal of sick and
wounded.

About 9 p.m. the camp was visited by a tremen-
dous storm of lightning. The electric disturbance
was so extensively diffused, the flashes were so vivid
and so continuous, that for minutes together the
camp was exposed to view as clearly as in full
moonlight. Scarcely a drop of rain was perceived
in front, but near Balaklava it fell in torrents, and
caused considerable damage to the railway and
several stores. The railway chiefly suffered near
Kadikoi, and several days must elapse before the
injury can be repaired.
24th.—General Pennefather left by the Colombo
to-day for England'. His constitution is said to
have suffered considerably from the effects of the
campaign.
General Estcourt died early this morning, to the
great regret of a numerous circle of friends, of
cholera. He was attacked with the disease on the
22d inst., but had been ill for some days previously.
The French have been throwing sh ellsat the large
Russian ships in the Great Harbour from some bat-
teries on the left. Several shells fell very near; in
one instance a shell into the water between two of
the ships—a three-decker and two-decker, but
without doing any harm. The ships still remain
broadside on the direction of the Mala,khoir-hill.
On several nights lately, boats from the fleet have
stolen in towards the mouth of the Great Harbour,
and discharged shells and rockets into the town.
They have been within range of the guns of the
forts, but the darkness has prevented the enemy
from determining their position, notwithstanding
the momentary flashes of their fire.
25th.—A melancholy affair, involving unneces-
sary loss of life took place last evening in the ad-
vanced works of the right attack. Lieutenant Hans
Marsh, Adjutant of the 33d Regiment, had to pass
from one of the boyaus in a direction toward the
left zigzag approach, near the trench lately taken
from the enemy and connected with the Quarry
works. There was a covered way along which he
could pass free from risk, but he moved as if to
cross by the open ground. A friend cautioned him
not to do so, as the saving of time and space would
be so unimportant, and pointed out that the Rus-
sian sharpshooters were firing from the front of the
Redan. " Firing is not hitting" was the reply,
and unfortunately he followed the rash promptings
of the momentary impulse and went forward. He
was fully exposed to view, and the enemy fired a
volley. One ball more true than the rest struck
him iu the head, and he fell dead on the instant.
He had not advanced ten yards when the event
took place. Lieutenant Marsh was quite young,
had only lately received tho appointment of ad-
jutant, was active and intelligent, and gave promise
of being a most efficient officer.

Captain Smith, of the 9th Regiment, succumbed
yesterday to the wounds he received on. the 18th
inst.

The fire in the batteries has been slack.

26th.—A bright warm morning. There was
scarcely any firing on either side, and the working
parties pursued their labour without interruption.

CAMP BEFORE SEBASTOPOL, JUNE 25.
The bombardment, and what followed it, appear
to have given both besiegers and besieged their
temporary quietus ; for since the outgoing of the
last mail the guns of both parties have been virtu-
ally silent, an odd shot or shell thrown at wide
intervals from the Mamelon into its vis-a-vis the
Malakhoff, or from one of our own batteries into
the Redan, and replied to quite as energetically by
the enemy, having, in fact, made up the sum of
our fighting operations since I last wrote. In such
a state of inaction there is little to communicate
in the way of news, since a slack fire from the bat-
teries by day, and a dearth of nightly, episodes in
the trenches, generally go together ; and, the
bright moonlight being unfavourable to sorties,-
the garrison seems to b content with lying on its
arms, so far as fighting goes, as long as we do the
same. Still, a chronicler of the daily history of things
here need seldom be at a loss for material to engage
his pen. Minor incidents of camp life, sanitary varia-
tions, doings at head-quarters, and throughout
the many departments on whose efficient adminis-
trationeh depends, not to.mention a host of
with suggestive subject-matter,
other
topicss o
rife
are always available when the more stirring opera-
tions of the siege are, as now, at a stand-still.
The daily heat at present averages ninety-three
degrees in the shade ; and this, acting upon the
countless mounds of dead and other sources of
noisome effluvia which meet the eye and offend the
olfactories wherever you turn, produces an atmo-
sphere every square inch of which is chaßed with
the seeds of most pernicious disease. There is
hardly a quarter from which the wind blows that
a compound of most offensive smells is not borne
on the breeze, the inhalation of which cannot but
predispose to epidemic distempers ; and this sug-
gests the expression of one's surprise that some
better preventive measures are not employed than
have as yet been carried out. Human dead are
generally buried at a sufficient depth to keep down
their injurious gases; but in, it strikes me, the
dead horses and the offal of
tghreeaatnmimajaolrsityofcases,
slaughtered for consumption are very
carelessly and insufficiently put under the sod. I
have no wish to paint things in blacker colours
than they exhibit, but actual observation compels
me to remark that within the short circle of an
hour's canter through the open spaces between the
various regiments of our four divisions, probably a
score of half-buried carcases may be seen protruding
above the ground, scattering abroad their noxious
odours as far as the wind will carry them. Add to
these the open privies all over the camp, and you
have a source of pestilential effluvia sufficient to
engender disease to a very fearful extent ; and yet
nothing of any worth is done to disinfect the air
of this deadly freightage. The simple remedy of
lime appears to be so sparingly employed as to be
virtually useless, although the trouble and cost of
scattering t freely over every miasmatic spot in the
camp would be very trifling. During our late at-
tack on the Redan we suffered sadly from a small
six• gun battery on the immediate right of that
towards tho Malakhoff, 64 A kept up ape un-

interrupted storm of grape -aspen our men, without
being at all effectively commanded by any of our
own guns. We have, therefore, begun the erec-
tion of a six (or eight) gun battery slightly ahead
of our old advance oppositeithe Redan, which will
be able to give back a direct' fire to this small work
at an effective range of seven hundred yards, and
also to bear upon the left flank of the Malakhoff,
at the distance of some 50
,yards more. As this
new work is being vigorously pushed on, its guns
will probably be ready to' open in eight or ten
days, when the sap which the French are busily
carrying towards the Malakhoff will also be corn
pleted. Till these two worke are finished, lam not
likely to have anything further of a decisive nature
to communicate, as after the " burning of the
fingers" experienced by both ourselves and our allies
in the affair of the 18th, our commanders will
hardly risk another trial with the same means of
attack. The night before laSt, lam informed, a
party of Engineers succeeded. in approaching the
mouth of the harbour sufficiently near, in the Ban-
shee, to enable them to discover a star battery in
the course of erection, in the immediate rear of the
Malakhoff--in addition to the strength of that po-
sition, which I need hardly say would greatly en-
hance the difficulty of its capture. There is reason
to believe that similar strengthening additions are
also in progress behind the Redan ; but these are
less important, as it is not likely that that work
will again be made a principal point of attack, its
abandonment following, as a matter of course, on
the seizure of the Malakhoff.: Against the latter
the next combined efforts 0 the 'aiflies will be
directed.

DEMONSTRATION IN LLYDE-PARK.

SERIOUS RIOTS IN BELGRA.VIA.

The uneasy feeling that generally pervaded the metro-
polis on Saturday in connection with the announced re-
petition of a Hyde-park demonstration yesterday has
been proved by the event not to have been altogether
without foundation, although the result has been less
serious than was anticipated by many generally well-
informed people. It was known that extensive prepara-
tions had been made by the police authorities, acting
under directions from the Home-office, to meet any
emergency that might arise, and that even the military
were ready for action, should events- of sufficiently grave
importance demand their intervention.
Notwithstanding this the people began to, pour into
Hyde-park in the afternoon by two o'clock, as if there
had been no such thing as a policeman or soldier in ex-
istence, and by three a concourse had assembled, little
inferior in point of numbers to the monster gathering
of the previous Sunday ; the park being left to their
undisputed, and almost undisturbed occupation, for
the police, by a very prudent provision, were riot paraded
upon the ground in strong detachments, nor hidden
behind trees, or in the gardens near the barracks and
Humane Society's house, as was the case before; not
more than about 20 men of the A division being visible,
stationed in couples in various parts of the park, quite
away from the general gathering point, and with peremp-
tory instructions to be very careful in their general con-
duct, and especially to refrain from any interference with
the people. The bearing of these men was, throughout the
afternoon, of the most exemplary character, and a tithe of
their moderation, if shown by the force on Sunday week,
would have averted much of that ill-will which now exists
between them and the people. Yesterday, in order as far
as possible to insure good conduct upon the part of the
constables employed, all the new men were selected from
the divisions and sent on street duty, only the old and
experienced officers being retained for special service.
Aipther wise provision of the authorities was the station-
ing of policemen at the park-gates, and especially at
the entrance to the grand drive, to warn the occupants
of carriages not to pass that way, owing to which only
two or three gigs and a couple of horsemen passed along
the drive during the afternoon, who were received with
cries of " Go to church," from a lot of noisy boys, but,
to judge by their laughter, more to their amusement than
annoyance. The crowd/finding nothing to expend its
energies upon, gradually broke up into various sections ;
and meetings, if they could be so called, for they had no
chairman, were held in various parts, where speeches,
often displaying great ability, and always moderation of
tone, were delivered by persons having the appearance
of working men. The Sunday Trading Bill, of course,
formed the principal topic of the speakers, who generally
expressed a hearty pleasure that it was " done for—
for they didn't want that, and wouldn't have any more
Sunday legislation." Lord Robert Grosvenor was spoken
of respectfully, as good-meaning, but a visionary noble-
man ; and Mr. Dundas's unfortunate six-pounder
recommendation, mentioned by almost every speaker,
was received with ridicule and laughter, rather
than with marks of indignation. Altogether, with the
exception of the boys, who will always be in mischief, the
conduct of the gathering was beyond cavil, although the
aggregate of the assemblage was less respectable in point
of dress than on the previous occasion. Still numerous
gentlemen were present, and a large number of well
dressed females.

About a quarter to 2 a man mounted a lump of wood
stuck in the ground, when some of the persons present
cried out "He is a Bobby in disguise ; knock him down:
that is the man who knocked us' about last Sunday."
The person, in reply, said, "Don't, gentlemen, put me
down until you hear who I am. (Hear.) My name is
William Scruton. lam no policeman (Ged forbid that
I should be !), but I am a friend of the peop!e, and reside
at 5, Fleur-delis-court, Fleet-street ; and the corns upon
my hands, I think, will convince you that I get my
living by hard work. (A. Voice—Driving your car-
nage.) No, not by driving my carriage, but by the
honest and hard-working trade of a bricklayer. Living
in the City of London, I was told by a policeman that I
had no right to meet here ; but I would ask you to look,
as Shakspere says, on this picture and on that. Last Sun-
day, when we met peaceably to discuss our grievance,
we were met by a ferocious body of men in blue clothing,
whom the Times calls our servants and not our
masters. Were we not knocked about ? were not the
heads of thousands laid open ? (A. Voice—l saw hun-
dreds.) Well, that was not what any Englishman
ought to put up with. I for one won't. Will you assist
me to put down the police (We will.) Now, if you
mean what you say, I will just read this bill, which has
been placed in my hand since I entered this park. You
don't wish me to read the whole of it, as the commence-
ment won't benefit you • but I will read the finishing
paragraph, which is as follows The police will in all
probability come armed with wooden truncheons, but it
would be high dangerous for you to bring life-preservers
with you, concealed in your coat sleeves, as it might tell
against you, if found by the police, carrying such instru-
ments.' Now, gentlemen, did you ever hear such pre-
posterous language as not to bring life-preservers with
you ? Are we not to be allowed to do the best we can
to protect ourselves, our property, and our families ?
(Yes.) Then, if you will take my advice, come with
me, and let the aristocracy know that we are not to
be deprived of our half-pint of beer if we want it.
(Hear.) If that hear, hear,' is in earnest, I call upon
you to a man to accompany me to 'Belgravia,' and let
us show 'Little John' that if he chooses to vote for
such measures as that unsophisticated ass,' Lord R.
Grosvenor, brings into the House of Commons, that
we won't put up with it. (Cheers.) Now, if you have
your life-preservers with you, don't use them, the police
will be too much for you ; they are close at hand, al-
though you can't see them. They are yonder quietly
smoking their pipes in the riding-school, and there are
hundreds also in the powder magazine. Let them re-
main where they are, and let us go to show the nobs'
what we can do. We don't want bullets, but a few
marbles and stones will tell Lord Robert Grosvenor, and
tke man—l forget his name—but he walks in pattens in
wet weather, that we won't put up with any time he
may fix for us to drink our beer. (Cries of Well done
we will corns with you.') Now, mind me, you can see
no police present, but I assure there are plenty. Look
at that man with the stick in his hand—cast a glance
at his boots, and you will at once see that he is
one of that detestable class called Bobbies. Then,
accompany me to see Lord Sefton and the Duke of
Montrose, and we will show them what we can do.
(Hear, hear.) Are you in earnest ? —lf so, come at
once." The crowd began to follow the speaker,
when he again mounted the logwood, and said, "Mind,
we must have the public-houses opened on a Sunday for
excursionists, as they have been decided by Mr. A'Beek-
ett, Mr. Corrie, and Mr. Seeker to be bona fide travel-
lers. Look at Mr. Hall, the chief magistrate at Bow-
street ; what was his conduct when examined at the
committee before the house ? Why he had the hardi-
hood to tell such a lie, that drunkenness was less
now than it was before the Beer Bill passed. I for one
know, and it is borne out by Mr. Berkeley, that there
is more boosing' in coffee-houses and brothels than ever
took place when the respectable houses of the licensed
victuallers were allowed to be kept open. (Hear, hear.)
Insist to a man that the bill should be repealed. I find
by a newspaper published last night, that the South-
Western Railway Company can give you some advice
as to how to act, and so can the churchwardens, and
also a man who keeps a tavern opposite the station, who
was obliged to refuse aimission to a poor woman heavy
in the family way, because the police would not
allow the publican to open his house. Now, this woman
came all the way from Dorchester to the Waterloo-road
terminus, and then had to proceed on to Scotland, but
the landlord of the house not being allowed to open, sent
for the parochial authiorities, and Mr. Churchwarden
Gray came to the house, and recommended that the
woman and her children should be supplied with reason-
able refreshments. What was next done—the man was
summoned— (shaane)--but the churchwarden, like a brick,
came before the magistrate, and stated that it was a
case of emergency, and Mr. Seeker, the magistrate at
Southwark Police-court, dismissed the summons. (Bravo
for Seeker, but remove Hall.) Now, then, let us go to
Belgravia." .

Every one present looked upon what the speaker said
as mere nonsense, bat it is to be regretted that the con-
trary was the case. The man went off, followed, it
seemed, by not more than 30 or 40 person., but the
number increased the moment they reached Piccadilly,
and the shout was raised, " The police are off." Hun-
dreds in consequence followed, and the moment they
got into Grosvenor-place the mob commenced throwing
stones and other missiles at the windows of the nobility.
The whole of the lower windows belonging to the Duke
of Montrose, 45, Belgrave-square, are partially riddled,
and several are demolished at Sefton-house, the town
residence of the Earl of Sefton.
In Upper Belgrave-street the house of the 11ev. J.
Fuller was attacked, and a number of squares of glass
broken. In Belgrave-square the damage done is far
more serious. The houses that suffered most were those
numbered 45, 40, 39, and the Earl of Sefton's, who, it
is stated, is lying at present dangerously ill in bed.
Taking Upper Belgrave-street, it will be found that a
great number of windows have been broken on one side
of the street ; the house of the rector of St. Peter's,
Pimlico, would, no doubt, have been riddled, had it not
been for the timely arrival of the police. The house
numbered 7 in that street is extensively damaged, most
of the parlour windows (plate glass) being broken. The
windows of No. 2 in the same street leading to Mr. G.
Sampson's are shattered. Farrance's hotel, in Upper
Delgrave-street, has the windows at the side demolished.
The windows of the Duke of Marlborough's mansion,
No. 12, in the same street, are, as far as the hand could
throw, broken by stones. The houses numbered respec-
tively 15, 14, 16, 17, 18, 13, 12, 11, 19, 20, 10, 21, 22,
and 23 have the whole of the glr.ss of the lower windows
destroyed.

Sir -Richard Mayne and Superintendents May, A,
Walker, G, Evans, L, and Inspectors Dargan, Ains-
worth, Banks, and several others, kept their men out of
the sight of the populace, until at last it was deemed ad-
visable to take the ground, and prevent any others
from passing from Grosvenor-place into the park leading
from Constitution-hill. The men, it is right to say, be-
haved with the greatest forbearance, and Inspector Par-
gan and some constables were pelted with large 9-inch
bricks, but they still kept to their work, and unfortu-
nately very few persona were approhodod, At MO time