The Sun.
London, England, 1854-10-28 00:00:00

SEBASTOPOL

feted to co.utivue in order to render the final
defeat the r tore decisive. We can, however, form
some notion of the probable effect of the bom-
bardment from .200 heavy guns, concentrated on
any fortifications for five consecutive days. If
it admitted losses in killed and wounded on the
first day, it 0311 scarcely be supposed that
the damage on the fifth was but trifling.
Nor can we suppose that the fire from
the fleet would, if once opened, be discontinued
while anything remained to be done. Greatly as
we may deplore dm inactivity so long displayed
by Admiral DuNnAs, we shall not do him, or
any English or French officer, the injustice( of
supposing that he would thus disregard his duty
to his country, and to his own character, on such
very unsatisfactory evidence as that of a Russian
despatch.
We also hear that a part of the reserve—the
Russian—had arrived, and that the rest was ex-
pected immediately. A moment's consideration
will show that this statement had not caused the
Slightest uneasiness, for it is not said from whence
they came, or in what numbers. It could not
have been Count ORLOFF'S corps, for, indepen-
dently of the satisfactory reasons we have for be-
lieving that they could not arrive for some time
subsequent to the date of the despatch, we may
feel certain that if it were so the pleasing fact
would be put forward so as to admit of not the
slightest doubt or question.
We cannot, then, derive much direct informa-
tion from the despatch. It, however, contains
valuable negative testimony, as it proves that the
defenders had not during the first five days ac-
complished any great success, either by means
of a sortie or sorties, or silencing any one
or more of the besieging batteries. We may feel
well assured that any tangible fact on which he
could frame a plausible tale would not be neglected
by Prince MENSCHIKOFF ; and his silence on the
subject is conclusive proof that there has been
nothing of the kind, and with that we must per-
force remain contented during the protracted
silence of our own Generals, relying on the valour
of our men, and the irresistible nature of the
armaments which we have brought to bear
against the doomed town.

Some more of the crew and passengers of the
ill-fated Arctic have, it appears, been rescued
from destruction. The last advices from New

York announce the preservation of Captain LUCE,
the commander, and some forty of the passengers

of the lost vessel. They had, it appears, arrived
at Montreal shortly before, and there are some
slight grounds for hope that a few others may have
been picked up. But even under the most favour-

able circumstances there has been a fearful sacrifice

of human life. Nearly 300 persons, in the prime

of life and vigorous health, have been suddenly
cut off with but brief time for preparation for the

awful change. Truly might they have exclaimed,
"In the midst of life we are in death," when

the hearts, but a few moments previously beating
high with gladsome expectation, were depressed
by the total overthrow of all their joyous antici-
pations, and the thoughts of anxious friends, of
faithful partners, and helpless children, whom
they were no more to behold.
The catastrophe was indeed a fearful one ;
and we cannot wonder at the intense excitement
occasioned in New Yoik when the dreadful tidings
were first announced. Those who had near and
dear relatives on board hastened to glean the

slightest information that might tend to mitigate
the heartrending anxieties, or at once convince

them that their most gloomy doubts and fears
had been realised. Anything was better than the
awful suspense. It would even be a relief to
know the worst, and to be able to resign them-

selves to sorrow—possibly despair. The intelli•

gence of safety was, it has been graphically
stated, regarded as "a resurrection from the dead "
—all minor concerns forgotten in the intense in-

terest created for those who were supposed to be
buried in the depths of the ocean, and for their
mourning families. Business was suspended, the
law courts adjourned, and the population looked

like the inhabitants of a plague-stricken city, who
had lost their nearest and dearest, and were look-
ing forward hopelessly to the rapidly-approaching
hour of their own dissolution. Dire consterma-

ion was exhibited on every side.
What added to the intensity of the feeling

was the knowledge that a little judicious

care might, in the first instance, have alto-
gether prevented the accident, or greatly mitigated
its deplorable results. The collision was
occasioned by carrying on with unabated speed,

during a dense fog, in a course constantly resorted
to by vessels of all classes. It is true that the
size, power, and strength of the Arctic rendered

it almost certain that she could escape from any
serious consequences, and that whatever vessel
might come in contaet would be the chief sufferer.
It was as if an immense coal waggon should be
recklessly driven through a crowded thoroughfare,
on the principle that every one was to take care
of himselef. The reckless and selfish calcula-
tion was, however, defeated, and the mighty
Arctic went to the bottom, while the mer-
chant steamer Vesta escaped through the skill
and energy of her gallant captain. Had the fog
signals been resorted to, as a due care for the
lives of others would have demanded, the Arctic
would have arrived safely at her destination—the
three hundred persons lest would have been hap-
pily restored to their afflicted families.
But as it was, the evil appears to have been
fearfully aggravated by the sudden panic that
seized on the crew, and induced a large proportion
to take possession of the boats and abandon the
ship, while they might have stopped the leak, or at
least saved the lives of a large proportion of those
who were sacrificed through the unseaman-like
desertion of their charge. As this part of the
case will, doubtless, receive the most stringent
and searching investigation, we shall not antici•
pate the result of the inquiry. " Audi• alteram
partem," is a golden rule, and GOD forbid that we
should condemn any man or body of men without
affording them the opportunity of being fully
heard in their own defence.
If, however, the fact of a panic and of such
unwarrantable desertion should be ascertained, it
will also be necessary to ascertain whether it was
not created or aggravated by the wilful neg-
ligence of the owners in not providing ade-
quate means of escape by boats in the
event of such an accident. If there is
only boat-room for 150 out of 400 per-
sons, we can easily credit how ,desperate would be
the struggle to obtain a place, and that those
who, under more auspicious circumstances, would
struggle to the last, might leave their companions
in jeopardy to secure their own safety. It is one
of the imperfections of human nature, and those
who, for a paltry saving, would run the chance
of setting such machinery in motion have much to
answer for when so fearful a calamity has occurred.
Without prejudging anything, then, there are
three points that must be strictly investigated
—"three questions, to which distinct answers
must be returned :-
Ist. What was the reason why the precautions
usually taken in a dense fog were disregarded on
the unfortunate occasion ?
2dly. What was the conduct of the crew after
the transaction ?
3dly.—Was there a sufficient supply of boats,
and other appliances for saving life, in case of
Shipwreck ?
The safety of Captain LUCE, and his power of
Thedefending himself, will enablethese interrogatories
to be answered in a more decided and satisfactory
manner.
P°
expect that theerPelew.oin
ileitherbe enosifideino the
ehif
ng oAntltahnetsiec
important issues.

FUNERAL OF THE LATE LORD DUNALLEY.-011 Wed-
nesday the funeral of the above justly-lamented noble-
man took place, and was one of tile largest ever wit-
named in that part of Ireland.