The Sun.
London, England, 1854-11-30 00:00:00

PERKINS' STEAiII GUN.

Reference having been made to Perkins' steam gun,
the son of the inventor states that he is prepared to
undertake to supply the Government with a steam gun
capable of throwing a ball of a ton weight a distance of
five miles. If such a gun, he says, were fixed in Brunel's
laTe ship of 10,000 tons, SAa4opel would be destroyed
without losing a man.

HOW TO STRENGTHEN OUR ENTRENCH.
RENTS BEFORE SEBASTOPOL.

The following suggestion 'deserves to be noticed :—lt
would be well if vessels proceeding to the Crimea should
take out, as ballasting, some old iron railing, as a sub•
stitute for pallisades about our entrenchments, for wood
for such purposes is not obtainable on the spot. It
must be remembered that good pallisading adds much
to the security of earthworks, and renders surprise more
difficult. The above article must be cheap and abun-
dant here, as iron railing is so extensively used.

The Earl of Ellesmere is about to send out his capa-
cious and swift-sailing yacht to the Crimea, filled with
provisions and clothing for the army.

ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.—An office is to be established
within the walls of the Castle at Windsor, in order that
all messages at this important crisis may be instantly
received by her Majesty and Prince Albert.
TRic EAST INDIA COLLEGE.—It is said that the Go-
vernment has decided upon the abolition of the East
India College at Haileybury.
The Middlesex Militia mounted guard for the first
time in her Majesty's dockyard at Portsmouth yester-
day ; they looked soldier-like and exceedingly well
under their helmets.

MALTA, Nov. 2.--The transport (No. 124) ship Bar-
raguay d'Hilliers, Captain It. .J. Downes, arrived from
England after a very quick passage, and proceeded same
day to Constantinople. She experienced calm and
strong head winds in the Mediterranean.
We learn by electric telegraph _from Plymouth that
the hired screw steam-transport Manilla, Captain
11I'Kenzie, with shot, shell, and" stores from Woolwich
and Portsmouth, for the Black Sea, was forced by strong
contrary winds to put into Plymouth Sound yesterday
afternoon.

Sin H. Sxvnoun.—Sir Hamilton, Lady, and Miss
Seymour, are at present on a visit to the Earl and
Countess of Shannon, at Castlernartyr, near Cork.
A prebendal stall in St. Paul's Cathedral has become
vacant by the resignation of Archdeacon Robinson. It
is in the gift of the Bishop of London.
The Chancellorship of the Diocese of Chester is vacant
by the death of the Rev. and Worshipful Henry Raikes,
M. A.
GENERAL CATHCART AT INKERMAN.—When at the
battle of Inkerman General Bosquet sent to Sir George
Cathcart to inquire whether he wanted reinforcements,
the latter being at the moment hemmed in by an im-
mense Russian force, is said to have replied, " Yes ; but
don't hurry yourself."—French Paper.
MAJOR•GENERAL OUCHTERLONY OF THE RUSSIAN
SERVICE.—We observe from Prince Menschikoff's re-
port to the Emperor that among the Russian officers
who fell on the bloody field of Inkerman was General
Alexander Ouchterlony, of the Imperial Guard, grand-
son of the late Mr. John Ouchterleny, of Montrose.
The General, who had distinguished himself in the Em-
peror's service, visited Montrose some years ago, and
was much esteemed for his affability and intelligence.
He leaves, we understand, two sons and a daughter.
The Ouchterlony family are lineally descended . from
Prince Rupert ; and the General's grandfather was a
ion of Mr. Ouchterlony, of Kintrockat, and his wife
Miss Young, of Aldbar.—Brechin Advertiser.
A BAD CROSS.—The Russian major who, at the
battle of Inkerman, told his men to grant no quarter,
and who was afterwards made prisoner, and recognised
by an English officer, is stated, by the Impartial, of
Smyrna, to be named Alexander A.ngu6lopoula, of
Greek origin, but born in Finland.
A MONSTER DISCOVERY.—(From a correspondent.)—
It is reported that the Rev. Evan Lewis, 8.A.,
Barton on-Humber, one of the first mathematicians and
philosophers of the age, is about completing the plan
of an instrument by which any city or town in the
world may be destroyed without a nearer approach
than TEN MILES. [What next ?—ED. SUN.]
LONDON ANTISLAVERY CONFERENCE.—A conference
of the advocates of the total abolition of slavery yesterday
met at the London Tavern. Present—S. Gurney, Esq.
(who presided), Col. P. Thompson, Messrs. Etihu Burritt,
S. Sturge, S. Gurney, jun., George Thompson, a con-
siderable number of the society of Friends, and sEveral
gentlemen from the West India colonies and the British
ports commercially connected with them.
REPRESENTATION OF MA.RYLEBONE.—Yesterday, an
aggregate meeting of Liberal electors, appointed from
the three parishes composing the borough of Maryle-
hone, was held at the Westmoreland Arms Tavern,
George-street, Manchester-square, for the purpose of
uniting the Liberal party in the selection of a candidate,
to be put forward as the successor of the late Lrd Dud-
ley Stuart, in the representation of the borough. Dr.
Joseph, of Maryleboae, was called to the chair. After
a good deal of irrelevant discussion, the chairman pat
the names of the proposed candidates to the vote, and
the five who had the moat votes were Colonel Romilly,
Mr. Crawford, Sir C. Napier, Mr. Ricardo, and Mr.
Prescott.
THE REPRESENTATION OF ABINGDON.—Major Reed,
having concluded his canvass, addressed a meeting of
the electors, held in the County-hall, on Tuesday, and
was very warmly received. He said that if returned to
Parliament he should consider the principal duty to be
discharged by him at present was that of giving a vi-
gorous and hearty support to the war. He wished the
franchise to be extended as education progressed. lie
would also grant the ballot as an experiment to any
constituency that wished for it, but he would not force
secret voting on such constituencies as were opposed
to it.

REPRESENTATION •p LlMERlCK.—Accounts received
this morning announce that the average number of can-
didates for the good graces of an ultra-Liberal Consti-
tuency are already pushing forward their claims for the
seat vacant by the lamented death of Mr. Wyndham
Goold. Two gentlemen have actually entered the lists
—Colonel Dickson, of Croom Castle, and Mr. Stephen
De Vere, of Curragh Chase, a recent adherent to the
Roman Catholic Church. Besides these the local paper
states that an anonymous "Liberal" will turn up in a
few days, and the electors get the usual caution to hold
themselves "disengaged" until the claimant shall exhi-
bit himself in his proper person.
REPRESENTATION OF COVENTRY.—The nomination of
a candidate to represent this city in Parliament, in the
room of the late Mr. Geach, has been Axed by the re-
turning officer for Saturday next, and the polling, if
any should be required, for Monday. Sir Joseph Pax-
tonis at present the only declared candidate ; but it is
understood that what is termed the " Moderate party"
in the city have already presented, or are about to
present, a requisition to Sir F. Buxton to allow him-
self to be put in nomination. Mr. Hubbard, of the
Bank
i of England, is also spoken of in the Conserva-
tive interest, but there does not appear to be much
probability of his coming forward. The prevailing be-
lief is that Sir Joseph Paxton, who has thoroughly
Canvassed the constituency, will be returned without
opposition.

i_MONIIMENT TO WORDSWORTL—A statue of wkite
marble, from the chisel of Mr. Thrupp, has just been
erected in 'Westminster Abbey, to perpetuate the memory
of Wordsworth. It represents the poet sitting in the
open air, in a contemplative mood. He is resting on a
moss-covered knoll, with the green sward at his feet
variegated with flowers ; the legs are crossed ; his right
hand and arm are routid one knee ; the left hand, w►th
the fire finger slightly uplifted, is laid upon an open
book, which the poet has just been reading, and the
eyes are bent. The statue has been placed in a niche
of the Baptistry, immediately on the right on entering
by the great werstern door,

LATEST NEWS.

THE SIEGE OF SEBASTOPOL.

The St. Petersburg Journal of the 21st, con-
thins a report from Prince Menschikoff to the
Emperor, dated the 12th.
The Evince states that the approaches of the
enemy had not advanced at all for several days,
and that though the batteries continued their fire
the defences sustained it with success. Each
night the pieces dismounted during the day tpre
replaced by fresh guns and the damage repaired.
At the same time additional internal defences were
being erected.
The same number of the St Petersburg Journal
contains a report from General Da,nnenbew on

the battle of Inkerman, in which the blame of the
failure of the attack is thrown on General Soimo-
noff, whip advanced with the right column too
precipitately, instead of halting until the left
column made its attack.
It also contains a report from Prince Menschi-
koff to the Emperor, certifying that the Grand
Dukes Michael and Nicholas behaved with the
greatest bravery at and after the battle of Inker-
man, and praying the Emperor to grant them the
Order of St. George of the Fourth Class, for
military merit.
This prayer the Emperor has been graciously
pleased to grant.

We have received the following communication
from our correspondent at Vienna, under the date
of yesterday evening :
" Another corps of 10,000 Turks go from
Constantinople to Balaklava.
" Omer Pacha sends two regiments from Varna.
" All the troops which were at Churuk-su have
also gone to Balaklava.

" ATHENS, Nov. 24.

"In consequence of a demonstration being
made in the island of Naxos, in the Archipelago,
in favour of the Russians, many employees have
been dismissed."

BEFORE SEBASTOPOL, Nov. 12.
Napoleon's famous exclamation, " The English
do not know when they are beaten," was never
illustrated in a more happy manner than in the
sanguinary battle of Inkerman. Acording to every
rule of war, the little British force was out-
manoeuvred, and should either have surrendered
at discretion or have taken to its heels. Our officers
and men, in their woful ignorance of the strategic
defeat they had sustained, declined either of these
alternatives, and struggled with that contempt of
superior odds, and that blind confidence in victory,
which have ever animated the British army. The
ten hours' struggle which terminated in the victory
of Inkerman was perhaps the most fearful conflict
in which our troops were ever engaged. The num-
ber of British soldiers who took part in the action
never exceeded 8,000 men. The remainder of the
army, who were not on the sick list, were in the
trenches. Sir Richard England with his division
(the 3d) took no part in the contest, acting as a re-
Eerve. Two of his regiments, the 55th and Royals,
were slightly engaged. Confronting the little
British army were 40,00) Russians, who, advancing
on every tide in serried columns, protected by bat-
teries of artillery (32 and 24-pounders), thus forced
the British to divide their weak force, and meet
them under the most unfavourable conditions.

The bodies of Sir George Cathcart and Colonel
C. Seymour, who had both been killed instanta-
neously, were found savagely mutilated by bayonet
stabs. At the time he fell, Sir George was accom-
panied only by fifty men, composed of the 20th,
46th, and 68th regiments, with a few Guardsmen.
This will vividly prove how mixed up were the
different regiments, and explain the desperate and
unequal hand-to-hand fights which characterised
this bloody day.
Two companies of the 46th Regiment, Captains
Shervington and Dallas, who have formed through-
out the campaign a part of the British expedition,
took a noble part in the contest. Out of 150 men
this detachment had 45 casualties. The remainder
of the regiment, under Colonel Garrett, arrived a
few days later, in the Prince, and landed at Balak-
lava on the 11th. • The regiment was in magnificent
condition, and in the best spirits. The band played
" Cheer, boys, cheer," as the men marched up to
join the fourth division. On passing the cavalry,
the infantry, the French —in fact, at every
favourable opportunity—the men gave a hearty
cheer, which was returned with equal spirit.
Nothing could be more striking than the diffe-
rence of appearance presented by these now
arrivals and the old regiments. On the one
side were tattered coatees of a deep dirt colour,
and all the unmistakeable signs of hard campaign-
ing ; on the other, we had the splendid red uni-
form unsoiled by a particle of dust, with crossbelts
scattering pipeclay, and boots actually shining.
This refreshing cleanliness almost appeared ridicu-
lous by the contrast. The same evening the regi-
ment did trench duty, and it may be safely pre-
dicted before a fortnight has elapsed the men will
rival in seediness of aspect their brave companions
in arms. Very fortunately our men do not find a
soiled uniform interfere with their fighting quali-
ties, and the dirtier the uniform the greener the
laurels. _ _ _

In advance of the right of our position, in which
the attack of the enemy was principally directed
on the sth, a strong entrenchment has been thrown
up, and five eight-inch mortars have been placed
there in position. This precaution, had it been
adopted when proposed by Sir De Lacy Evans,
might have saved many lives, and have rendered
the defeat of the enemy still more disastrous.

The cannonade between the forts and the Allied
siege batteries continues daily, but with very little
disagreeable,
:d r
brokeesh
extremely,
horses.ou t o
real execution. A very necessary reinforcement
trs
with fresh
by the Trent steamer, in the shape of a
French cavalry regiment. By the same vessel our
Tbehe
artillerye nshowery
d fl,e:e wasn t
e n eauandipstrengthenedseang
The weather, which for the last four days had
n most the
evening of the 10th into a frightful gale of wind.
particularly that of the marines stationed on the
hills beyond Balaklava, and where many of the
tents were scattered to the wind. At sea the scene
was fearful. Outside of Balaklava the vessels were
dragging their anchors, and in the greatest alarm
of being wrecked on the gigantic cliffs against
which the sea was lashing with fury. Guns of dis-
tress were repeatedly fire, until the Agamemnon
hoisted the signals "No assistance can be granted."
The hurricane arose at seven, and died away almost
suddenly at midnight. Had the storm continued
through the night, the loss of life and shipping
would have been awful. As it is, no calamity has
fortunately to be recorded. Inside the harbour of
Balaklava the wind was raging equally severe, and
several small accidents occurred to the ships' rig-
ging. Since that day we have had a suceassion of
showers, which have rendered the roads almost im-
passable, and increased beyond measure the diffi-
culties experienced by the commissariat in bring-
ing up supplies. To the poor Russian soldiers
who are on the heights of Inkerman, and also to
the rear of Balaklava, this weather must be ex-
tremely dismal, for they are but very scantily pro-
vided with tents, and the huts which they had
commenced building have been demolished by the
wind and rain. Colonel Daveney, the commandant
of Balaklava, has recently ordered all the soldiers'
wives and widows, who had established themselves
in that place, to embark on board ship without
delay. Their general misconduct had obliged the
commandant to adopt this measure.
It is sincerely to be desired that in future no
soldiers' wives be allowed to proceed to the scene
of war. With very few exceptions the characters
of the women that have accompanied the expedi-
tion to the Crimea have been everything but me-
ritorious. On shore they have misconduoted
themselves ; whilst on board ship they are a per-
fect nuisance to the unfortunate captain of the
transport vessel to whose charge they are com-
mitted.
This evening two French regiments have en-
camped near Balaklava, which is constantly
menaced with a night attack. These regiments
will prove a welcome addition to the Highlanders
and Marines, to whom the safety of the place has
been confided. In addition to the battery of five
8-inch mortars, which we have established to the
right of our position, the French are in the course of
constructing a magnificent square redoubt, which,
when completed, will mount 15 guns. The French
pickets now scour the valley of the Chernaya, and
venture even into the ruins of Inkerman. The
Russians have withdrawn their camp to a con-
siderable distance from the ground they occupied
before the late battle, probably to conceal their
future movements.
Colonel Horn, of the 20th and Colonel Garrett
of the 46th, will have the brigades of the 4th divi-
sion, vacated by the death of Brigadier-General
Goldie, killed at Inkerman, and by the departure
for England G 1 Brigadier-Genurat rforrens, danger-
ously wounded in the same action. The command
of the division will devolve upon General Adams,
late brigadier-general to the 2d British division.
Our working parties were engaged up tO this

evening in burying the Russian dead, and the dis-
mal task is not yet concluded.
Nov. 13.—The rain and wind which I mentioned
in my letter of yesterday continue without inter-
ruption. The roads are in a fearful state, almost
impassable for the commissariat arabas. In some
places the mud is above the knees. In the camp
everybody is, of course, extremely uncomfortable.
There is, however, some consolation in knowing
that the Russians are in a still more pitiable condi-
tion. Being upon higher ground than ourselves,
tl ey are more exposed to the merciless wind now
raging, and are, besides, almost to a man without
tents or a covering of any kind. If our commis-
sariat experience difficulty in transporting supplies
over the short distance which separates the divi-
sional encampments from Balaklava, in what a po-
sition must the Russians be, who are dependent on
the regular arrival of large convoys of provisions
collected over the whole of the Crimea ? _

When the expedition landed at Lake Kamishli
there was not an officer or man who had net flat
tered himself that the campaign would be a shor
and a glorious one. The sanguine flattered them
selves upon wintering even in England, whilst the
more cautious certainly did hope to pass the stormy
months either in Scutari or Constantinople. The
mere idea of wintering under canvas in the Crimea
would have been regarded as a fearful impossibility,
only too horrible to contemplate.
The campaign has been a glorious one. Two
brilliant victories have proved the great superiority
of the Allies. Owing, however, to the lateness of
the season, which has rendered any general assault
upon the town unadvisabie, it has been decided to
winter in the Crimea, and open the campaign next
spring with large reinforcements on a grand scale.
The whole Crimea will be swept of every armed
Russian. A sufficient force will maintain the lines
of Perekop, and Sebastopol will be completely in-
vested. The garrison, who will be driven from
necessity in the winter to consume any stores of
provisions which the place may contain, will be
found io surrender in the spring, from starva-
tion, or the town will be carried by assault. Now
that the army knows its fate, it certainly bears the
idea of wintering here with great philosophical
resignation. ,"It's a confounded bore,lbut can't be
helped." Sustained by this reflection, the offieers
have invested largely in pea-jackets, and are deter-
mined to bear their fate with no more grumbling
than is absolutely necessary to the well-being of a
Briton. At home it is hoped everything will be
done by the authorities to render the position of
the army as comfortable as possible. Canvas
tents are but poor protectors against wet and cold.
Could not iron barracks of some kind be con-
structed ? The facility and incredibly short space
of time with which the largest iron warehouses
have been erected, and the ease with which these
buildings are taken to pieces, might recommend the
construction of numerous small barracks. These
would be found far less expensive and more com-

fortable than mere timber huts. In one week the
great houses of London Would furnish the army
with a sufficient number. The Russian reinforce-
ments, which may arrive in the winter, will prove
more a source of weakness than of strength. They
will only consume provisions, without being able
to render any essential assistance.
The Allied Army is strong enough to resist any
attack that may be brought to bear against it. But
the spring must bring large reinforcements, and the
Allied Army should open the campaign with not
less than 150,000 men. Let our troops be well
taken care of in the winter mouths, and the next
campaign will witness victories no less brilliant than
those of the Alma and Inkerman.
Nov. 12.—The Russians have been quiet enough

since the trouncing they got this day week. Their
loss is estimated at 15,000. The English have
buried upwards of 2,000 of them—the French
1,000 ; and a deserter reports 500 having been
buried by the Russians. Seventy dead horses
were counted upon the ground where their artil-
lery was placed.
Lord Raglan has issued the following
" GENERAL ORDER.

" Head-quarters before Sebastopol, Nov. 9.
" The Commander of the Forces returns his thanks to

the officers and troops for their conduct in the battle
of Inkerman on the sth inst., in which, aided by their
gallant Allies, they succeeded in completely repulsing
and defeating the enemy, by whom they were attacked,
in very superior numbers, with masses of artillery, both
of field and position, as well as of ship guns.
"The army have thus taken advantage of another op-
portunity of distinguishing themselves, and of showing
that, under all circumstances, and in presence of every
difficulty, their determination to devote their best ener-
gies to the service of their country is still the same.
"On this occasion the troops had the good fortune to
be associated with and supported by a division of the
French army, and they will join in the expression of
gratitude and admiration for their splendid advance at a
most critical moment.
"The loss sustained both by the French and English
armies on this trying day cannot be too strongly de-
plored • and while he deeply regrets having been
deprived of the services of so many valuable officers and
men, it is particularly painful to Lord Raglan to announce
that among those who fell, nobly discharging their duty,
were Lieutenant-General the Hon. Sir George Cathcart,
Brigadier-General Goldie, Brigadier-General Strang-
ways (all officers of distinction), and Sir George Cath-
cart especially, being one whose conduct elsewhere had
particularly attracted the gracious notice of her Majesty,
and the attention of the country.
"By order,
(Signed) "J. B. B. ESTCOURT, Adjutant-General."