The Sun.
London, England, 1854-12-26 00:00:00

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invented a:; to the taking of Sebastopol. But
anything so contrary to rule a .3 a rapid storm
could not be tolerated—it would endanger the

lives of too many men t—just as if a far greater
mortality wars not occasioned by awaiting the ar-
rival of Russian reinforcements while we were
lying before the town for three weeks, receiving
hut not returning the fire of its defenders. As
the writer of the letter alluded to states—" We
are reduced to our present straits simply and
solely because Sir JOHN, at the head of a large
party of -veterans, has, during the 40 years of
peace, resisted every improvement in military
science as a personal insult to their superior
knowledge and experience, and they have, in con-
sequence of their position, been able to keep
things pretty much as they were at the end of the
last war."

This is military red-tapism—this is having " a
safe man " at the head of affairs. Had we allowed
the capture of Sebastopol to depend on the pluck
and enthusiasm of our troops, when they were
flushed with victory, and their opponents paralysed
with unexpected. defeat the matter would have
been long since concluded. Not blood-
lessly, for the storm could not have been
effected without the loss of many lives. But
still the object of the campaign would have
been accomplished. Russia would have been tho-
roughly awakened to a true sense of her situation,
and compelled to sue for peace on our own terms.
All these things we have forfeited, and yet there
has been greater mortality, more terrible
sacrifices, than if we had adopted the
more daring and the less sanguinary
course. England, which excels the world in civil
engineering, appears to be far behind in military
engineering—not through the defects of the
young officers, but through the prejudices of
the old, and the red-tapism that excludes
the lights of science, and flings cold water on
every invention, unless proceeding from legitimate
quarters. These are matters that should be
looked to in time, for the mischief arising
from such grave mistakes becomes irreparable, and
the nation is compelled to mourn in sackcloth
and ashes the grievous error into which it has
suffered itself to be betrayed.

COURT CIRCULAR.

WINDSOR, DEC. 25.

The Queen and Prince, the Prince of Wales, the
Princess Royal, Prince Alfred, and the Princesses
Alice and Helena, the ladies and gentlemen of the Court
and the domestic household, attended divine service
this morning in the private Chapel of the Castle. The
Hon. and Very Rev, the Dean of Windsor performed
the service and administered the holy communion. The
Duchess of Kent was also at the service. The Duke of
Newcastle arrived yesterday and remains on a visit.
The Viscount Canning has been invited, and is expected
this afternoon.

Despatches were sent yesterday from the Foreign-effice
to Lord Raglan, before Sebastopol.
Sir Do Lacs Evans, Bart., M.P., is hourly expected
bo arrive at Folkestone, where he will remain some time
for the benefit of his health. It is probable that he will

not return to his town house, in tryanstone-square for
several weeks.

The Duke of Cleveland has expresses hi■ readiness to
accompany the South Durham Militia to any quarter,
and on any service, which her Majesty may require.

DEATH OF THI MARCHIONESS CAMDEN.—We regret
to announce the death of the Marchioness Camden, who
expired on Saturday morning at Wilderness Park, near
Sevenoaks, Kent, after a short illness. By the lamented
decease of this charitable lady the families of the Earl
and Countess of Kinnoull, the Bishop of Rochester, the
Duke and Duchess of Athol!, Lady Mordaunt, &c., are
placed in mourning.