The Sun.
London, England, 1853-12-30 00:00:00

LON DON, FRIDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 30, 1853.

AURENT'S CASINO, ARGYLE Rooms,
1.4 (Lessee, CHAS. C. LAURENT, Onslow-house, Fwaain•road),
—The above Rooms are now OPEN' FOR THE SEASON.
and will continue open every evening, with LAURENT'S
CELEBRATED BAND. Admission, Is. Doors open at half-past 8 ;
Dancing to commence at 9 o'clock, and ter ninate at half-past 11.

THE SEAT OF WAR ON THE DANUBE.

•
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It may be , premised that what is, term-ed the
general valley of the Danube is naturally divided
into four basins by chains of mountains, which suc-
cessively become detatched, extend away to the
right and left, then met and enclose the valley of
the Danube in ,three different' plaCes, force the
river to change its bed; and to pass over four vast
slopes. The third of these great enclosures is
formed by the junction of the Veliki-Balkan and
the eastern Carpathians, in the direction of Orsova,
the point where the Danube issues from the Aus-
trian dominions, and rolls away on its course to
the Ottoman territory. •It is at this point that its
fourth basin commences, which only terminates in
the Black Sea. To the north extend the chain of
the Carpathians and the snccessive heights which
rise between- the Pruth and. the Dneister, and to
the south of the Veliki and the vast chain of the
Balkans. The fourth basin through which the
noble river rolls its huge volume of waters,
swelled by many navigable streams to the Euxine,
comprises the whole of Bulgaria on the south,
Wallachia and Moldavia on the north, and a por-
tion of Bessarabia. While yet the Danube waters
the Hungarian plains its bed. is • generally regular,
deep, without torrents, and is intersected by many
islets ; its banks are mostly low, and its width
in some places from two and a half ,to three Eng-
lish. miles. But when it approaches Orsova,
where the Carpathians and the Balkans approach,
it becomes completely changed; it struggle-g
through that formidable barrier ; with
the fury of a vast torrent through the gigantic walls
of granite which close in upon- it ; it returns on
itself, coils and winds, as if in convulsive rage
against the rocks and shallows which bar its passage ;
and where it cannot undermine these adamantine
barriers, lifts its waters and dashes in fury over
them. Some of these whirlpools and rapids are
passed by the hardy natives of the mountains in
small boats in certain spots ; but the steamerswhich
navigate the stream thus far from Vienna there ar-
rest their course, and the merchandise with which
they are laden is transported on the backs of men
and animals through a road cut in the rocks, from
Orsova for some miles done to Kladova, while the
tortured river passes away to the east. The spot
where it is thus strangled, as it were, is known by
the name of the Iron Gate, or the Gate of Trajan.
New Orsova, in the Servian territory, is situate
in an isle of the Danube. It forms nearly a rect-
angle, and is defended on the right bank by Fort
St. Elizabeth. It was taken by the Austrians in
1789. Kladova, a little to the south, is -also a
Servian. town ; and, like most of the small towns
near the Danube, is encased by an earthern ram-
part, with a ditch, and pallisades'of oak sufficiently
strong to resist all but cannon shot. Kladova was
taken by the Russians in 1829. To the north, and
not far from Tchernetz, are the remains of Trajan's
bridge, originally of 20 arches, but of which five
only remain, and which was flung across the river
when it measured more than 3,000 feet in width.

To the south of Kladova, the river, escaping
from its more formidable girdle, rolls more freely
between the rocky steeps, and forms the boundary
between Servia and Wallachia ; it has on its right
Berza-Palanka„ a fortified town, and there receives
the waters of the Timotc, which comes up from the
south, and separates Servia from Bulgaria. The
Danube then rolls through a vast plain, but still
bears the impress of its previous struggle, for it
rolls rapidly, but not tumultuously, along. It
grows wider and wider, and its waters are inter-
spersed with isles, which are covered with brush-
wood. It next reaches Widdin, a considerable
town, with a population of about 26,000, and a
garrison of 8,000 or 10,000 men. Widdin is one
of the important fortified places of the military
line of the Danube. It covers the approaches of
Servia, commands Little Wallachia, the defiles of
Transylvania, and, above all, the opening of the
road which leads through Nissa and Sophia on to
Adrianople. Its form is an irregular pentagon ;
it is strongly bastioned, possess a fortified castle,
with two redoubts in the islands, and its defences
are completed by an extensive marsh. It was
before the walls of Widdin that the Turks were
defeated by the Imperialists in 1689 ; and it was
under cover of its guns that the Ottoman army
effected its passage to Kalafat, which is on the
left bank, and established itself in Little Wal-
dachia. Below Widdin the river me.-a bend,
and then flows on to the east, an waters on
it right bank Argul-Grad, Lom, Zibroul-Palanka,
and Orova, all situate at the confluence of the
streams which come up from Veliki-Balkan on the
south, and at the points where the right bank be-
comes lower and ceases to command the left. These
towns present no serious means of defence, but are
sufficient to annoy an enemy crossing the stream.
The Danube flows on to the east with some wind-
ings till it reaches the town of Nicopolis, which
was founded by Trajan. Nicopolis is an import-
ant place, owing to its position at the point where
the Oswa enters the Danube, and to its being al-
most right opposite to the Aluta, which also enters
it on the Wallachian side. Its population is 10,000,
and its garrison between 2,000 and 3,000 men. It
has been strongly fortified by Omar Pasha. Oppo-
site, on-the Wallachian bank of the river, is the
town of Turna, which served fprmeily as its tete-
du-pont, until it was dismantled by the Russians
in 1828. It was by that tete-du-pont that the Turks
used to penetrate into the valley of the Aluta, while
Nicopolis covered the route to the Balkans, and
which leads by the defile of Gabrova. It was
taken by the Russians in 1810, and again in 1829.
The ground near it has been the scene of many
battles.
After Nicopolis the Danube reaches Sistova, where
it is large and deep enough to bear vessels of 500
tons burden. Its population is estimated at about
12,000. Sistova has a wall flanked with towers, and
a castle; but it is of secondary importance. t was
taken and dismantled by the Russians in 1810.
From Widdin to Sistova the Danube flows from
west to east without many or considerable wind-
ings ; but at Sistova it makes a mifthein direction.
In its gradual course upwards it reaches Rustchuk,
one of the three most important places of the line
of the Danube. It is situate at the confluence of
the Kara-hom, at the extreme point of the great
route from Russia to Constantinople by Vassy, and
Bucharest in Lower Wallachia, and of the two prin-
cipal routes of the Balkans, those of Gabrova and
Shumla. Rustchuk has a fortified castle, which
commands the town and the river, and has been re-
cently fortified. Its population is 30,000, and its
present garrison about 7,000. In front of Rust-
chuk, and on the left bank is Giurgevo, a Walla-
chian town, which was formerly its tete-du-pont,
and which played a great part in most of the wars
betweenthe Russians and Turks. It 'was dismantled
by the latter in 1828.
From the Danube, which up to Rustchuk had
flowed regularly in one bed, issue at this point
several streams, which inundate the country for
eight or ten miles distant. The last slopes of the
Bulgarian mountains dip down towards one bank,
while the other is bounded by patches of low
marshy soil, cut up by other vagrant streams, or by
pools of stagnant water, interspersed with islets
covered with brushwood or with thick reed-
grass. The river, however, soon again gathers
itself into one undivided stream, and rolls on to
Turtukai, situate opposite the point where the
Argisch, flowing down from Wallachia, enters the
Danube. Turtukai, which, owing to its important
position, has been regularly fortified, connects the
two important towns of Rustchuk and Silistria ;
and it is, moreover, between these two towns that
both banks of the Danube are equally low, and pre-
sents the points where its passage is without diffi-
culty. Opposite to Turtukai, and about a mile
and a half from the left bank, is the Wallachian
village of Oltenitza. It was there that in 1810,
and again in 1829, the Russians passed the Danube.
At the commencement of the war they were also in
force there, when the Turks boldly crossed the
river and beat them.
Silestria is the next place of importance which
the Danube waters in its gradually northward
course. It is situate at the extremity of the prin-
cipal route of the Balkans, by Shumla ; has a po-
pulation of 20.000, considerable fortifications, a
castle, capacious, barracks, and carries on in ordin-
ary times an extensive trade on the river. Its pre-
sent garrison is in proportion to its importance. It
was unsuccessfully attacked by the Russians in
1773 and 1809, and, after a long siege, was taken
in 1829. Rustchuk, Silistria, and Shumla are at
the angles of a triangle which forms, as it were, the
citadel of that part of the Turkish territory which
lies between the Danube and the Balkans.
Leaving Silistria, the river advances, but still
gradnally, towards the north., while it again throws
out branches, the most considerable of which is
Borchicoa, which flows along the parent stream for
more than 50 miles, but at a distance of from 15 to
20 ; after which it unites with it by various chan-
nels, forming marshy islets,—so much so that the
whole of the left bank of the Danube up to Hirsova
is impracticable. The river then passes to Rassova,
a small fortified town, defended in front by impas-
sable marsheS. At this spot, it is said that the
Danube, in times now remote, continued unvary-

ing its western course 'to Kostendje, in the. Black
Sea, from which it is only separated about 50 or 60
miles, but that it became blocked up by long accu-
mulating sandbanks, and was forced to seek a new
outlet. At RaisOva it now at all events turns
sharply to the north, and traverses a space of 80
leagues before it empties itself into the Enxine.
In' the time of the Romans a wall and ditch, which
extended for 50 miles, from Rassova to the sea, re-
pelled the invasions of the Dacian, and of that bar-
rier, the Valium Trajani, traces may still :be seen.
A canal which would unite the Danube with the
Black Sea at that spot was once projected, and re-
cently plans have been furnished of a railroad,
which would make Rassova the station for vessels
descending the Danube. •
The mighty stream after quitting Rassova nnce
more quits its bed, and scatters it waters, which
flow along a low soil cut up into a maze of
marshes. In this state it reaches Hirsova,,.which
is defended by a fortified castle, and has a garrison
of about 2,000 men. This place was taken by the
Russians in 1809"an1 1828. Though small, it is of
considerable importance. from its position on tie
very spot where the. Berchicha returns to the
Danube, and the river itself resumes its course. It
covers the points where a passage might be effected
in the Dobrouscha. The Dobrouscha is the rec-
tangular peninsula comprised between the Danube,
from Rassova to the mouth of the Kilia, Trajan's
Valium, and the Black Sea. It is in many parts
inundated, but, has ,good pasturage for, the expel-
lent horses which constitute the' sole wealth of the
Tartars who inhabit it. If the Danube be then
passed, the routes by Varna and Shumla to- Con-
stantinople are open to an enemy.
After Hirsova the Danube again loses itself in
many streams, and thus scattered reaches Mathine,
a town protected by two fortified castles and a wall,
and which has now a garrison of about 4,000 men.
Its importance in 1809 and 1828 was considerable,
as its tete-du-pont was the Wallachian Brailow,
though separated from it by four or five acres of
the river, about four or five miles in breadth. In
the latter year it was dismantled by the Russians.
By means of it Wallachia) was turned, and the
entry into Moldavia secured ; and it covered the
Lower Danube and the Dobrouscha. It was many
times besieged, as the Russians could not venture
beyond the Danube with such a place in their rear.
Below Brailow the Danube again recovers its single
bed, and flows on to Galatz, which is on the left
bank and near the confluence of the Sereth ;—it is
the only port Moldavia possesses on the river.
Once more the waters are divided ; but the Danube
reaches its highest northern point at Reni, where
it resumes its original direction from west to east.
It passes through a district almost entirely inun-
dated, and it hurries on its way through vast lakes.
It is again confined nearly to one bed before it
reaches Isaktchi, where hostilities were commenced
in the present war by the attack made on the place
by the Russians. With a fortified castle, and a
garrison of about 1,500 men,'lsaktoni is but a post
of observation on the embouchures of the river. The
same may he said of Toultcha, which is the last
fortified place held by the Turks on the Danube,
and which has a garrison of 1,200 men. Above
Toultcha the river is divided into a great many
arms ; 'the three most important of which form a
vast delta, which belongs in great part to Russia.
The first division of the delta begins at the island
of Tchatal, where the Danube separates into two
large branches—the first of which, called the Kilia,
takes a northern direction, and reaches Ismail and
Kilia, both taken by the Turks from the Russians,
and which now command the whole of the delta
of the Danube. In former times Ismail was for
the Turks a position of the same importance as
Brailow. Its capture by assault, under Suwarrow,
in 1790, when 35,000 of the inhabitants were
involved in a general massacre, has been celebrated
in prose and poetry. The Kilia, divided and
subdivided into several branches, is scarcely
navigable • at its mouth the water is from four to
seven feeedeep. The second branch is the Sulina,
which flows to the south-east, and is divided into
the two streams St. George and Dunavitz—the lat-
ter more to the southward, flows into the maritime
lake of Rassien. The Sulina is easy of navigation,
it is from 400 to 600 feet in width, it ought to be
18 to 22 feet in depth, and flows in an undivided
channel to the sea. The St. George branch is
about 30 feet deep, but itt mouth is almost entirely
blocked up with sand. The Dunavitz is not navi-
gable. The mouths of'the Danube extend over 70
miles of coast. The delta is formed of isles Tchatal
and Leti, between the Kilia and the Sulina, of the
Isle St. George, between the Sulina and the St.
George, and of the Isle Portitza between St. George
and the Dunavitz. This last only is possessed by

the Turks, all the rest belong to the Russians, who
intentionally or through negligence, have since the
recent quarrel with the Porte, allowed the sand to
accumulate at the mouth of Sulina so as to do in-
calculable injury to the navigation of the most im-
portant river of. Europe. The whole of the delta,
with the exception of the Island of Portitza, which
is a mass of sand, is neither thinly populated nor
poorly cultivated.
The Danube being thus traced in its varied
course from Orsova, where it issues from its rocky
belt to roll its waters through the vast territory
whose eastern boundary is the Euxine, it may
be added that in this, its fourth basin, its passage,
though a difficult operation by reason of the
many isles, the marshy soil of the banks, and
the sudden and frequent inundations, is generally
successful, owing to the immense line which an
enemy is forced to guard. The • passage from the
left to the right bank is especially difficult, from
the fact of the former being almost throughout
commanded by the latter, and the want of fortified
positions and bridge-heads to protect such difficult
operations. The spots considered by the Russians
as the least dangerous or uncertain for crossing are
Braova, near the confluence of the Timok, the en-
virons of Widdin, the confluence of the Schyl, isles
near that of the Aluta, Flamounda near Nicopolis,
the ground contiguous to Giurgevo and Hirsova,
and Brailow, Galati, and Isaktchi. The Russians
have pasised in all these places, but they have never
advanced far into Bulgaria, or towards the Bal-
kans, without being first masters of the forts of
the anube ; and before these they have invariably
encountered long and formidable resistance. At
the time the Turks were in possession of the
tetes-du-pont of Turna, Giurgevo, Brailow, and
Ismail, they easily commanded all the left bank of
the Danube, which was constantly open to them ;
and the stream, crowned by 18 fortresses, covered
in front by the Dneister and the Pruth, defended
in the rear by the Balkans and the forts which pro-
tected its defiles, formed a magnificent offensive
line. It is, however, now so weakened by the
. dismantling of the tetes-du-pont by the possession
of the mouths of the river by Russia, not to speak
of the semi-independence of Wallachia and Mol-
davia, that it is merely one of defence.—Times.

MILITARY FUNERAL OF A CLERGYMAN.—A singular
tribute of esteem was paid by the soldiers of the House-
hold Brigade to the memory of a clergyman, whose death
took place at Windsor on the 17th inst.—the Rev. John
Hawtrey, vicar of Kingston Seymour, who had in the
early part of his life been in the Dragoon Guards, and
for some time past, during a temporary residence with
his son, the Rev. Stephen Hawtrey, one of the masters
of Eton, had preached and lectured at the military
church of the Holy Trinity, in the borough of Windsor,
and had so gained the esteem of the military in garrison
that they had frequently exhibited their appreciation of
his spiritual teaching by presenting him with several
gratifying testimonials. As their last tribute of regard
for the deceased gentleman, they intimated their wish to
the family of the deceased to be allowed to participate in
the funeral ceremony. This being promptly acceded
to, the funeral cortege accordingly proceeded from
Windsor to the cemetery at Eton as follows :—Mutes
;
the hearse, drawn by four horses, with ten of the non-
commissioned officers, in full military uniform, of the
Ist Life Guards, walking at each side, by whom the
coffin was afterwards borne to the grave ; four
mourn-
ing
coaches containing the relatives and friends of the
deceased, followed by 16 of the non-commissioned
officers and privates of the 2d Life Guards, from
Regent's Park Barracks, who, at their own requist,
formed a deputation from this regiment. .The service
was performed by the Rev, the Provost of Eton, cousin
of the deceased, whose family has been connected with
this ancient seat of learning upwards of 300 years.
Most of the shops in the line of procession were closed,
as a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased,
whose piety and amiable disposition had gained him uni-
versal esteem. A tablet to his memory will be erected
in the military church by the voluntary subscriptions of
the soldiers of the Household Brigade.
EXTRAORDINARY PROCEEDINGS IN A CHuncii.—On
Sunday, the 11th instant, the congregation assembled in
the parish church of a certain burgh to the northward of
this, was disturbed by the minister of the parish calling
aloud to his assistant. Ile was at the time conducting
the service,
he and had proceeded so far as to give out the
text, when
was ordered to desist, and come down
from the pulpit ; on which a portion of the congregation
rose and went out. The cause of this was the minister's
desire to conduct that particular part of the service
himself, which the assistant would not allow. On Wed-
nesday, which was observed as a fast day, a somewhat
similar scene took place in the church, a part of the
congregation rising and going out when the minister en-
tered the pulpit.--Aberdeen Free Prue.