The Sun.
London, England, 1854-10-20 00:00:00

SICK AND WOUNDED SOLDIERS IN THE I THE PRUSSI.
EAST.

The following is a copy of a letter sent in answer
to a lady in the neighbourhood of Oxford, who had
volunteered to the War Department a supply of
linen and money for the use of the sick and wounded
soldiers in the East :
War Department, 10, Downing-street,
Oct. 17.
Madam,—l am desired by the Duke of Newcastle to
acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday's
date, and to thank you for the zeal and anxiety for the
welfare of the public service evinced by your offer of
linen and money for the use of the wounded soldiers in
the East. I am, however, desired to state that the
stores of medicines and medical comfort., as well as beds,
linen, lint, and bandages which are now in Turkey, and
of which fresh supplies are constantly being sent out,
are more than ample to supply the wants of the sick
and wounded.

It appears to the Duke of Newcastle that the duty of
having the hospitals thoroughly well provided with
things so indispensable as those mentioned is one of the
most imperative which can devolve upon the Government
of this country, and it is one also which the Govern-
ment has followed out and continues to perform perse-
veringly. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to un-
dertake the distribution of private subscriptions with
satisfaction to the donors. The Duke of Newcastle
cannot pretend to answer your inquiry in what way the
benevolence of persons who have subscribed sums of
money for the relief of the wounded would be the best
applied, if not now required for that purpose ; but it
appears to his grace that there is at present no way in
which more good can be done than by contributing to the
fund for the relief of the widows and orphans of the
I,al ant men in her Majesty's land and sea forces who
.
have perished during the war. Should such a course be
adopted., the amount may be forwarded to the secre-
taries of the "Patriotic Fund," or to the local com-
mittees of such fund wherever they exist, and also to any
London banker, all of whom have accounts open for the
purp -o.e •
am, madam, your obedient servant,
To Mrs. -- (Signed) HENRY ROBERTS.

CENTRAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE AID OF
THE WIDOWS AND ORPHANS OF THE
SOLDIERS, ENGAGED IN TBE WAR.

Last night a grand entertainment was given, at the
Polytechnic Institution, in aid of the funds of the above-
named Association, presided over by the Earl of Shaftes-

bury.
The company having been amply gratified by the
working of the diving-bell, and of the Duboscq subma-
rine electric light, repaired to the theatre, where they
were delighted by the performance of the band of the
First Life Guards.
On the motion of the Hon. Major Powrs, the chair
was taken by the Earl of Shaftesbury.
The Noble CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, said
that, although he could not use the hackneyed expression
that he was unused to public speaking, he yet felt taken
by surprise, as he was not prepared to meet so great and
so enthusiastic an assembly as was then before him. That
he was not, was an error on his part, into which he should
not have fallen, as he ought to have known that, when
an appeal was made to the English public in such a
cause as the present it was sure to meet with a vigorous
response. As Englishmen and patriots, their sympa-
thies should naturally attend their soldiers in every
war, but more particularly should they in a war like the
present, which had been undertaken to maintain the
great and inalienable rights of mankind. Such was the
cause in which these gallant men went out to fight, and
never did there leave any country a force which could
be put in comparison with them. They were that even-
ing called together to see if they could do something
for these men, which might be an expression of tl.eir
gratitude to them, and nerve their arm for the
fight. His lordship then proceeded to explain the
objects of the Patriotic Fund, and to show how the
Central Committee took into consideration the thousand
cases which fell outside the scope of that Commission,
and called on the meeting to give an ample support to
the association, bearing in mind that as everything
had, during the continuance of peace, been done to
elevate the character of their soldiers, sailors, and
marines, their domestic feelings had consequently be-
come more refined, and stood in greater need of public
-sympathy. Finally, as they had freely received, NO they
should freely give.
The Hon. Major POWYS then read a statement of the
transactions of the association, tantamount to what has
been already published.
Mr. J. H. PEPPER next delivered a lecture on the
munitions of war, after which a variety of entertain-
ments were introduced, for the delight and instruction
of the company.
At the conclusion of the proceedings, Colonel Brown-
low Knox moved a vote of thanks to the noble chairman,
which was most enthusiastically agreed to.

TRH PATRIOTIC FUND AND THE WAKEFIELD TOWN
COUNCIL.—At the meeting of the Wakefield town-coun-
cil on Wednesday, a letter was read from the committee
of the patriotic fund for relieving the wives and children
of the soldiers now fighting in the East, urging the
council to contribute to the fund. On the letter being
read, it was moved by Mr. Councillor Hudson, and
seconded. ley Mr. Councillor Leighton, " That in the
opinion of this meeting the mayor should at once pro-
ceed to call a public meeting of the inhabitants of Wake-
field for the purpose of collecting subscriptions in behalf
of the said fund." Mr. Alderman Harrison, in a speech of
some length, inveighed against the present war as an un-
necesrary one, and also expressed his entire disapproval
of war in general, and concluded by moving the pre-
vious question. This amendment being seconded, the
vote of the council was taken upon it, and it was carried
by a majority of two. Wakefield has the■ publicly,
through its municipal government, refused to contribute
tewarda that generous and large-hearted fund now re-
ceiving much unexampled support throughout the United
Kingdom. The inhabitants generally are disgusted with
the present position of the question ; and a movement
is on foot to originate a public meeting for the purpose
of allowing the town an opportunity of contributing to
the fund.

CHAUB.ER,

We give the analysis of the royal ordinance
fixing the organisation of the peerage, as published
by the Prussian Moniteur in its number of the
17th inst.:—

The first chamber shall be composed of-1. Princes of
the blood royal, upon or after attaining their majority,
whom the King shall summon to sit in it. 2. Members
nominated with hereditary right. 3. Members appointed
for life.
The hereditary membors are—The chiefs of the princely
houses of Hohenzollern and of the mediatised houses ;
seigneurial ward at the Diet of 1847 ; the
persons
n
named by the King, and for whom the title-deed
tfererm2portinahce ne srans, counts, and lords that were summoned to
indicates the order of transmission.
Those capable of being appointed for life are—The
titularies of the four great dignities in the kingdom of
Prussia ; the persons chosen by the King, and from
among whom syndics shall bee
nominated by the crown
for the examination of spevtl quest.
The right of presenttOon belongs—to the founders
indicated in the patent of convocation, under the date of
February 3, 1347
; for each nomination, a candidate, to
the order of the counts in each province ; to the union
o the
,old p atri.
of the families holding great estates, on whom the King
has conferred this right ; to the union of
monial proprietors ;J to each university, to the towns, on
which the King shall have conferred this right.
The counts, the universities, the municipal colleges,
will choose their candidate from their own body. An
ordinance, about to be issued, will regulate the formation
of the other unions and the mode of presentation by
them.
In order to have a seat in the Upper Chamber, it is
necessary to be a Prussian subject, to live in Prussia,
to be in the service of no foreign power, to be in the
enjoyment of civil and political rights, and, excepting
the royal princes, to be 30 years of age. The commis-
sion becomes void if the quality expires by virtue of
which the presentation took place. The chamber, if its
decision be confirmed by the King, can exclude or sus-
pend a member if guilty of any unworthy act. If the
sentence of exclusion should befall a member who Melds
rseatuei s
fi
at emmi
ye übruets,
ifor t
heeeleexoteilnugsioann of
the his commission by hereditary right, the King will take
tthhee
member belonging to one of the other categories, a now
presentation will have to take place.

A CONFID.ENTIAL DESPATCR'TO COUNT
ESTE.RHAZY.

The Indepenclance of Brussels of yesterday pub.
lishes the following confidential despatch, addressed
by Count Buol to Count Esterhazy, the Austrian
Ambassador at Berlin. It is dated Vienna, 30th

ult.
There aro especially two points, on which we have
been questioned more or less explicitly from Berlin. It
is believed that we ought to close the Principe Mien
against the eventual and offensive operations of the
Turks and their allies against Russia, and there is a
desire to obtain from jus a promise, that if Russia does
not attack us, we on our part shall not go anci attack

her.
But both these demands are evidently incompatible
with our position. We do not consider ourselves autho-
rised to prevent, in the Principalities, the operations of
the belligerent powers, andin no case can we renounce
our perfect right of passing over from our present posi-
tion of an expectant army into one of participation in the

war.
We shall not dwell longer here on this latter point.
It is evident that we arc not able to wait the obtaining
of a peace,of
that
others,f o
us
and, moreover,
is aneces sity
that w
, fromte are li eeo
notff rt and
combats able
to pledge ourselves to support for an indefinite period
the difficult sacrifices entailed by such a passive attitude.
It is only with respect to the first point that we conceive
it our duty to communicate to you our motives more in
detail.
We cannot consider ourselves authorised in main-
taining the joint occupation of the Principalities save on
the twofold supposition that we are to defend them
against every species of attack from the armed forces of
Russia, and that we are not to oppose the military
operations of the allied powers.
This results from our convention with the Porte, and
agrees, moreover, entirely with what we have always ex-
pressed and maintained, not only to Russia, but to other
powers. When we demanded the evacuation of the Prin-
cipalities, we expressly stipulated that no condition
should be attached to it not in our power to grant. Then
Russia declared herself ready for the evacuation, though
still demanding guarantees from us that she should not be
exposed to the pursuit of the enemy and his ulterior
attacks. These we refused to give. Then, and not till
then, Russia declared her intention to retire through
motives purely strategetieal, and she thus prevented a
conflict, which, but for that, would have been the con-
sequence of our unshaken resolution. It follows that
Russia has given back the Principalities not for us. She
abandoned them to their fate. We entered subsequently,
because we had Turkey's consent so to do. The Turks
enter them as a consequence of their militaiy operations;
in the same way the French and the English can enter
after them, by virtue of their treaty of alliance with the
Porte.
We have, therefore, a perfect right to be in the Prin-
cipalities, but no right to exclude from them any
parties, save and except the Porte's enemies, and still
less have we the right of dictating to the belligerent
powers the military object they are to have in view in
order to enter these districts. We could not put for-
ward such a claim, without instantly provoking most
just protests against our conduct.
It cannot be denied that this state of things involves
many difficulties. But they cannot be removed, if we
do not admit, without the slightest reserve, the limits
of our right, save by way of negotiations and friendly
representations. It is only in this manner, and in the
interest of the Principalities, that we can endeavour to
spare these countries, in so far as it is possible, the ope-
rations of war.
It follows also, that in so far as the validity of the
treaty of April 20 is concerned, this difference cannot be
established. Will an attack be made or not from the
Principalities against the territory of Russia (an attack
in which we should take no part) ? Since we have not
the right to prevent this attack, we do not pass over
to the offensive by permitting it. On the contrary,
Russia, in repelling the attack, will have to halt on
her side of the Pruth, if she wishes to avoid a conflict
with Austria. Prussia and Germany, if they in truth
recognise our entry into the Principalities, as necessi-
tated by German interests, will assuredly not make the
promise of their aid dependent on an eventuality that
our position does not enable us to prevent.
We leave to you the care of employing this despatch
as circumstances may point out and your own judgment
may decide. We would leave no doubt on this point,
that in so far as the two objects above mentioned are
concerned, we are resolved not to abandon our attitude
clearly defined.
Accept, &c., &c.,

(Signed)

BuoL.

TH.II SEIGE OF SIBASTOZOL.

-
We translate the following from the Pays of

yesterday :
hwaie.nrt.ostthwraTnOhtl strong
" The taking of an important town defended by its
position as much as by the soldiers within its walls, is
always a great enterprise surrounded with enormous
difficulties. Men of light and superficial minds can alone
feel surprise at the prudent slowness with which the
operations of a besieging army, when it wishes to secure
success,pbwerioel lut situationefic
be protected
ededdme of
befuo defended Stdepetbbohdaewe swteoir directed.trhuoCrimea,
all. fortifications
theet v Sinceie
scr yo be r° aodPgwy;ue known that
it
ol knowst
1 of despair. attention
adkt n this
opt
Russians will not consent to lose this magnifibent jewel..
of the Czar's crown without a fierce struggle. We must
neither dissimulate the difficulties, nor the obstinate
resistance which our brave soldiers will have to en-
counter. We do not belong to those who systenaaticallY
depreciate their enemies. The Russians have certainly
not the fiery dash of the French, nor the slew, but con-
tinued and impassable march of the English ; they have
not and cannot have that faith in the issue of the con-
flict which increases forces tenfold ;
and they are
necessarily demoralised by their successive checks. But
still they remain soldiers who fight with energy, and if
they cannot conquer know at least how to die.
Nothing is to be gained by diminishing the grandeur
of the enterprise which our armies are executing before
Sebastopol, and the obstacles which they wil
il have to
encounter. Victory is only glorious when it s difficult
to obtain, and it is by the difficulties vanquished that
the honour of the triumph is to be measured. Never-
theless it must be admitted that the old strategetio re ti-
of our expedition
tation of tke Russian generals has of late sustained many
humiliations. Without speaking of thee,rceancemn_it.t
of the war on the banks of the Danube, it •
1 i difficult not
to see that Prince Menschikoff has
badlyha organised,
rfaults , Wince
which
ei
in the Crimea. A simple
ment of disembarkation might have reconnaissance
at the mo-
prevented the pa-
rilous operation of disembarkation.ve
nume-
rouscaused trouble in
Allied armies, and perhaps
valry and artillery might have The Russian ea-
harm. Instead of that theycaused us irreparable
formed, organised, and allowed our army to be
without opposition andadvance towards its destination
without obstacle. It was only
on the Alma that Princeend Diensebikoff united all Lis
of a few hours he abandoned in
confusion that strong
loner defended, and in his
which hemight have much
his fright be neglected to oppose a
fresh barrier to the enemy on the lines of the Katcha and
the Belbek,
where the ground was very advantageous for
him and presented excellent means of defence. Ho then went
into the open country; but he so little studied the move-
ments of the allied army that a part of his forces fell in
with allied columns by chance in the midst of the forests,
near the Tchernaya, in places where they might have
overwhelmed our troops, but where the Russians fled is
disorder, leaving almost without firing a shot a consider.
able booty and a number of prisoners. All the false-
hoods in the bulletins of Prince Menschikeff will not suc-
ceed in effacing this series of blunders, which shows tie
that the Russian strategists aro less skilful than they
formerly appeared to be in the time of the heroic struggles
of the Empire. These facts are evidently of a Ot
inspire us with a legitimate confidence ia
thew fr.
nags
01 _
of the attack against Sebastopol, and in
lle 3 f
the measures taken for the defence of that p ace. ut,
as we have said ::,t, the commencement, the natural
strength of Sebastopol defends it, and unless some Ma*
0 i t is neither in a feW kn.*
hoped-for miracle takes plac ,
nomad ay Rich aPP°am be t4en."