The Sun.
London, England, 1853-12-14 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 14, 1853.

Channel, a region, up to this instant UNEXPLORED ?
Yet, knowing this, knowing that the missing ex-
pedition was ordered to take that course,
knowing that that course has never yet
been adequately examined, knowing tftat
Lady FRANKLIN has no further funds for fit-
ting out an expedition in search of her heroic
husband, knowing all this, the Admiralty is said
to have resolved upon abandoning any additional
effort to discover the situation or destiny of the
lost arctic navigators ! We cannot credit the
accuracy of the statement put forward by our con-
temporary. We cannot credit that the honour of
this country, that its fair fame for humanity and
for chivalrous sympathy for the brave unfortunate,
can be thus wilfully, and shamelessly, and flagi-
tiously tarnished. It were but a sorry sequel to
the generous act of enthusiasm which has recently
prompted England to do honour to the memory
of Lieutenant BELLOT. It were a base and cruel
neglect of all the duties and impulses of magnani-
mity. Wherefore, we shall still confidently await
from the Board of Admiralty a formal, and offi-
cial, and explicit contradiction of a statement
discreditable to themselves, each of them indivi-
dually, and injurious at the same time to the
collective reputation of the British Government.

The charge of Baron ALDERSON to the Grand
Jury at the opening of the Liverpool Winter
Assizes has naturally attracted considerable at-
tention. The learned Judge, in the performance
of his important duties, deemed it necessary to
advert to the causes that crowded the dock and
enlarged the calendar. In executing this task it
was impossible that the unfortunate differences
prevailing between the masters and the workmen
in the manufacturing districts could be overlooked,
and equally impossible that the eminent Jurist
could avoid speaking in terms of grave censure of
the ill-judged and calamitous course pursued by
the unfortunate dupes in obedience to the dictates
of their mischievous advisers. What conscien-
tious and intelligent person called on to give ex-
pression to his views could act differently ?
Who could refrain from denouncing the " strikes"
and the conduct cf those who have involved the
misguided operatives in such deplorable results ?
The learned Judge justly ascribed the existence
of these serious evils to the " want of experience,"
and the " want of education" on the part of the
working people. Had they known the miseries
and privations that must necDssarily be endured
during the continuance of the internecine conflict
—had they the slightest idea of the sufferings
that would result, not merely to themselves, but
to their helpless wives and innocent children, they
would never allow themselves to be entrapped.
The COWELLS, and SMITHS, and SWINGLEHURSTS, and
GRrMsHAWS might rave and rant by the hour,
without inducing a single person who had once
been involved in the heartrending consequences
of a protracted strike again to get into the scrape.
A nation engaged in a serious war generally
contrives when peace has been restored to avoid
any renewal of hostilities until the springing up
of a new generation. So it is with the working
classes. Those who have taken part in any one
of the periodical onslaughts against capital will
not a second time commit so grievous an error, or
imperil the interests of labour in so unequal and
so fruitless a contest. But with fresh hands, un-
taught by bitter experience, it is different. They
are easily seduced from their allegiance to their
employers, and, panting for a change of any kind;
are readily persuaded to put forward demands
which cannot possibly be conceded, and the neces-
sary rejection whereof precipitates a crisis. By
these juveniles the possession of a brief holiday is
regarded as a sufficient recompence for a fearful
amount of misery ; they are willing to discount their
future happiness on the most usurious terms. There
is no price which they are not prepared to pay for
present enjoyment, and even when their attenu-
ated cheeks and cadaverous aspects afford lament-
able evidence of the extremities to which they
have been reduced, they are still willing to declare
that " they are not tired of playing yet," although,
GOD help them, their sport is largely mingled with
suffering, not to themselves only, but to others,
who possess stronger claims on public sympathy.
In alluding to this matter, Baron ALDERSON
said—" It is lamentable that it should be so; and
one cannot help thinking that it is from the want
of experience that this matter arises ; for, from
the shortness of life in the manufacturing districts,
the people employed there are generally very
young. The proportion of the experienced to the
inexperienced, then, is very small, and it has been
my unfortunate fate, in the course of my official
life, to come here and try in succession persons of
this description for the same sort of offence.
Every eight, nine, or ten years a new generation
arises ; they have not the experience or the suf-
ferings of their predecessors, and by their num-
bers they overbear the more experienced, and thus
the thing arises from time to time." Here, then,
is a fact put forward on high authority, which we
fear cannot be controverted. We believe that
new generations spring up more rapidly in the
manufacturing than in the rural districts, and
that consequently former sufferings and the lessons
of bitter experience are more speedily forgotten.
But whence does this arise—to what causes may
the unfortunate circumstance be traced, and who
aro the parties responsible for such a result ?
In the first place, then, it arises from the early
and improvident marriages, or less excusable con-
nexions springing up between the youth of dif-
ferent sexes, who are necessarily brought into
dangerous proximity, if not during hours of
labour, at least when relieved from their daily
tasks. The lessons of prudence, and too often of
morality, are disregarded by those, who, in the
heyday of youth and passion, sacrifice everything
for the momentary gratification, and too late
learn the full extent of the folly of which they
have
utablbeeetno Thiletyinflußenucteisofththise evilmas fairly attri-
butable
it. They are far from encouraging these
early nuptial 4 ; but it would be an unwarrantable
interference with the liberty of the people, which
would justly be resented, if they
attempted to
exercise a surveillance over those who are in their
employment out of hours, or during the times
allotted to rest and recreation. These early mar-
riages do not proceed from the lowness of wages
so loudly complained of.
On the contrary, it is
because the wages are so much higher, perhaps,
on an average double those which agricultural
labourers can look forward to, that the
'parties are
so ready to enter into new engagements, and
un-
dertake fresh and unlimited liabilities. Thus
from the earlier formation of these connexions
new generations arise more rapidly, and that
without in any degree being ascribable to the
" shorter duration of life; in the manufacturing
districts."
But we also fear that mortality is more
rapid, that the parties die off sooner than
those engaged in open-air pursuits, under
a purer atmosphere. But, again, we ask
is that ascribable to the masters ? Do we not
find it in a greater or less degree in every thickly-
inhabited locality, where the parties are engaged
in sedentary pursuits, and where their longer
evenings permit them to indulge in pernicious
luxuries ? It is not the time occupied in labour
that creates the additional mortality. It is not,
generally speaking, the nature of the occupation
that sends men to early graves. It is not to the
" Factory System" that the numerous deaths are
attributable so much as to the mode of spending
their leisure hours, to defective accommodation
and over-crowded dwellings—but, above all, to
frequenting public-houses and chemists' shops, to
girt drinking or opium eating, to which too many of
the work I
Peep e are addicted. If we inquire into the
consumption of laudanum and other deleterious
drugs in the manufacturing districts, we may ob-
tain some insight into one of the most fearful
causes of the rapid
springing
up of new genera-
tions, and the brief duration of existence in those
localities. But this is surely not the fault of the
masters, but of the workpeople themselves. This
could not be remedied by the success of the turn-
outs; or the =demand of every and
..which I

they have put forward. By all means let the
most stringent investigation take place into the
causes thereof ; but let us not be betrayed by
prejudice into ascribing the evil to the conduct of
the masters, or thinking that any adequate remedy
can be provided save by the improved education,
and, as a consequence thereof, the improved con-
duct, of the operatives themselves.

THE MALACCA STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.

(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)
In another part of our impression will be found
a very interesting account of the Straits Settle-
ments. The writer tells his plain, unvarnished
tale of the past and present of these valuable pos-
sessions, with some most important hints as to the
future management. At a time when so many
other topics are occupying the home Government
as well as the East India Company, it is not to be
expected that any notice will be taken by either
body unless their attention is most urgently called
to rescue these settlements from their present un-
satisfactory state, and place them in that position
their importance demands. In the rapid progress
of events, however, it will soon be found that un-
less we secure to these settlements a higher recog-
nition as available, not only commercially, but as
possessing in themselves an intrinsic value from
their locality alone, the day will come when such
1 carelessness of interests will bring its own punish-
ment.

The prospect of throwing open the vast Chinese
continent to European enterprise ; the emancipa-
tion of the whole Indian Archipelago from the
commercial bigotry of a by-gone age ; and the open-
ing up new sources of commerce ; in making the
Malacca Straits of higher value as colonies than at
any future period. The first founders contemplated
large commercial results alone, which have been
amply realised ; but in the changes about to take
place they assume a far more important range of
interest, as commanding the highway to all the
commerce of the East.

It has been shown, in the letter we allude to,
that when the Company's exclusive right of trading
with China was annulled, every settlement to the
eastward ceased to be of importance to the Com-
pany. They are now simply a burthen upon their
resources, without any corresponding return, and
hence have been reduced to the condition of mere
excresences upon one or other of the Indian Presi-
dencies. But in the future commercial relations
with the farther East they ought to take their
stand as places of great national importance, com-
manding as they do not only the commerce but the
very passage to those seas. What Gibraltar and
Malta are to us in the Mediterranean, these settle-
ments ought to be in the Indian Archipelago. The
question, therefore, is no longer one for the Com-
pany to deal with, whose interest in them has
ceased with the curtailment of its own exclusive
privileges, but one to which it is necessary that the
attention of the home Government should be
attracted, in order to rescue them from their pre-
sent inanimate condition, and fix them at once as
independent and valuable stations, and of that na-
tional importance as to be maintained and governed
from the mother country.
The general impression as to these settlements
seems to be that they are somewhere in the east,
under the Indian Government, and are composed
of Hindoos and Malays, mixed up in some hetero-
geneous mass. But the real fact is, that they are
essentially English colonies, and have not only
separate and distinct, but really irreconciliable,
interests with those of India. And yet they are
attached to the presidencies, like itself, parasites.
The consequence has been, that their government
has been left to the tender mercies of some mere
interlopers from the Indian services, who come
there without a knowledge of the duties required
of them, remain only as long as they are obliged
to serve, and return to their own presidencies, in
order to secure situations of higher pecuniary value
than are to be found in any of the Straits Settle-
ments ; the salaries of which, even now, are on a
reduced scale, and in future appointments these
are to be still farther reduced ; so that none but
Griffins in the regular services would accept such
citations, for the duties of which, from their utter
inexperience, they are altogether unfitted.
Taking all these circumstances into considera-
tion, it is obviously not only the duty, but the in-
terest, of the Home Government to take the mat-
ter into serious consideration. To leave the
command of the highway to the East in the hands
of those to whom it is not only valueless, but alto-
gether a burthen, would be impolitic in the highest
degree. National interests require them to bo
placed under the Colonial Government over this
country. A continued line of settlements from
Penang to Hong Kong (it is to be regretted that
Labuan should have been sacrificed, and its go-
vernor made a victim to ceaseless persecution),
would render the power of England felt through-
out the East, just as Gibraltar and Malta are in
the Mediterranean. Penang, moreover, has every
requisite as a valuable Maritime station. Singa-
pore commands the commerce of the islands, and
are all of sufficient importance to be elevated into
the rank of imperial colonies.
So far from allowing the Tyros from Bengal
and Madras to try their " prentice hands" in go-
verning such places, it would be far better to or-
ganise a service far the Straits themselves. There
are already many valuable servants, whose expe-
rience would warrant their being employed in the
higher departments, but these lie under ban—they
are uncovenanted ; the line of demarcation is
drawn, and they are condemned to linger on in
subordinate positions, while importations of juniors
from the Indian services fill the higher offices, the
real duties of which, after all, even now remain to be
performed by the uncovenanted. Let the Colonial
Government at home look to these matters. In
any new arrangements with the East India Com-
pany, let these most valuable posts be rescued from
the abyss they seem likely to fall into, and che-
rished until they obtain all the importance their
position alone will soon enable them to secure.

LATEST FOREIGN NEWS.

RUSSIA AND TURKEY.

ANTICIPATED ENTRANCE OF THE COM-
BINED FLEETS INTO THE BLACK SEA.

Advices fiom Constantinople, of the 3d, vice
Vienna, confirm the news of the disaster at Sinope.
Intelligence of the naval defeat of the Turks at
that place had just reached the Porte, and had
created great excitement and indignation in Con-
stantinoplo.
Upon receipt of the information, the British and
French Ambassadors immediately despatched two
steam-frigates from the combined squadrons to
Sinope, and two other steam-frigates to Varna,
for the purpose of procuring precise intelligence.
The English and French Ambassadors were de-
liberating upon sending the combined fleets into
the Blaok Sea.

Vice-Admiral Nakhimoff, who destroyed the
Turkish frigates at Sinope, commands the sth di-
vision of the whole Russian fleet, which is one of
the two divisions in the Black sea.

Advices from Bucharest, of the 10th, give what
is called an authentic account of the affair at Si-
nope. They state that the Russian squadron con-
sisted of four ships of 120 guns, and four of 86
guns, commanded by Admiral Nachimow. Admi-
ral Corniloff arrived afterwards in the steamer
Adrian. Three Turkish ships were dunk ; the re-
mainder were burnt, as it was impossible to secure
the prizes. The Russian ships were greatly da-
maged, and required many repairs to enable them
to reach Sebastopol. 400 Turkish guns were sunk.
Another despatch says a Grand Divan was held,
on receipt of the news from Sinope, at which all
the foreign Ministers were present. The English
and French Ambassadors were urged to despatch
the combined fleets into the Black Sea, but they
had an audience of the Sultan, at which it was re-
solved not to send the whole fleets at once, but
four frigates, to obtain more precise information.
There was, however, no doubt that the whole fleets
would shortly enter the Black Sea.
The carnage at Sinope is described as immense.

WAR DECLARED BY PERSIA AGAINST
TURKEY.

Persia, it was said, had declared war against
Turkey, and the Persians were reported to be
marching on Arabstan.
The British Charge d'Affaires at Teheran had in
consequence suspended his diplomatic relations
with the Persian Government.

This movement on the part of the Schah of
Persia had for some time been apprehended, as his
relations with Turkey were such as to induce him
to take advantage of the increasing difficulties
which encompass the Ottoman Empire.

It was believed that Persia had declared war
against Turkey at the instigation of Russia, and
that a combined Russian and Persian force would
march on Erzeroum.

The intelligence, however, still requires positive
confirmation.

SUCCESS OF THE TURKS BY LAND.?

The Vienna Lloyd of yesterday publishes the
following :
" Advices from Constantinople, of the Ist De-
cember, state that the Russian fortress of Safa,
near Chekvetil, has been taken by the Turks ; 400
Russians were killed, 200 escaped.
"On the 17th of November 1,200 Russians
landed on the same coast, but Selim Pacha forced
them to return to their ships. In this engagement
the Russians lost 400 killed and one cannon.

" The Turks have advanced to Alexandrianople,
in Georgia. Their attack upon that fortress was
repulsed, but they have blockaded the citadel of
Akhaltchick (or Akista). Its fall was daily ex-
pected."
The Ost-Deutsche Post says :
" Schamyl and Solim Pacha have taken various
fortresses; and they surround Prince Woronzoff on
all sides in the vicinity of Tiflis.

" Near Fort St. Nicholas (Chekvetil) the Rus-
sians were repulsed in an attempt to land 18,000
men. Their retreat was attended with a heavy
loss. The Russian army was cut off from a retreat
to Russia. The Mussulman population of Georgia
had risen in arms for Turkey.
" Goumri, Redu-Kaleh, and Kislar were in the
hands of the Turks."

The Journal de Constantinople says
" Schamyl attacked the fortress of Zahkatala.
It capitulated after thirty-six hours' hard fighting.
The loss on both sides was heavy. Kahetty also
surrendered after several days' fighting. Schamyl
has taken Djeln and three other Russian fortresses,
and report says that he has also defeated 15,000
Russians under General Orlianoff."

On the Bth 4,000 men of Osten-Sacken's corps
arrived at Jassy. A division of the same corps had
been sent to Redout Kaleh, in Asia.

A cordon, was to be formed along the line of the
Dniester.
Ever since the collective note was despatched to
Constantinople the conferences of the Ambassadors
hare been long and frequent. This very day M.
de Bourqueney had an interview with Baron
Meyendorff.
According to the last news from Trebisond,
three or four Turkish frigates have succeeded in
landing arms, ammunition, and stores on the coast
of Circassia, not far from Gelendjick. The arms
and other articles so landed were immediately taken
off by the Circassians.
The Tschau tribe, on the frontier of Persia,
which was always in a state of rebellion, has offered
troops to the Porte against Russia.
From Damascus, it is stated, that Mohammed-
Effendi, head of a convent, has collected at Destan
and Irak, a corps of 12,000 volunteers, to be at the
disposal of the Porte, without any expense being
incurred by the Turkish treasury.
A letter from Jassy of the 3d says Lieutenant-
General de Budberg arrived there on the 30th ult.
as Commissioner Extraordinary and Plenipoten-
tiary of the Czar. The authorities went as far as
Khulemi to meet him. He was accompanied by
50 officers of the Imperial Guard, who wish to take
part in the war against the Turks. After a short
stay at Jassy, the General was to proceed to Bucha-
rest. _

_
According to accounts from Bosnia, received at
Vienna on the 9th, some agitation was for a few
days perceptible amongst the inhabitants. The
Bosnians now demand with energy that the
Turks should pay the taxes, seeing that the Rajahs
have borne the burden of them for a length of time
unassisted. The appeal made to volunteers has
not produced great enthusiasm, The Government
has decreed a levy en, masse, and it is said that the
troops so raised, to the number of 15,000, are to
take up a position on the frontier of Ser via. The
Austrian Ministers of Finance, War, Foreign
Affairs, and Commerce have interdicted the expor-
tation of arms and ammunition to Bosnia.

Constantin Rutkowitza, formerly aide-camp to
Prince Stirbey, was taken prisoner to Russia on
the 25th of Nov., for having kept up a correspond-
ence with Omer Pacha.
The Press of Vienna states that a conflict has
taken place at Braila between the Russian troops
and the Wallachians—a Wallachian battalion hav-
ing refused to obey a Russian General. The affair,
however, it adds, was subsequently arranged, but
four companies were sent to another place.
The Wanderer of Vienna of the 9th says :—" By
order of the Emperor of Russia, General-in-Chief
Prince Gortzchakoff has declared the ports of Galatz
and Braila neutral for exportation and importation.
The Turks are still at Kalafat, and. the Russians at
Krajowa. The Russians have never had a camp
near Krajowa."
Private letters from Erzeroum, of the 26th No-
vember, announce the breaking out of au insurrec-
tion in the district of Nakchivan, a dependence of
the province of Erivan in Russian Armenia. This
country is almost entirely inhabited by Armenians
and Mussulmans, who ever endured the Russian
yoke with difficulty, and who are exposed to various
vexatious regulations. It is said that the Governor
of Erivan had endeavoured to force several young
men belonging to the most influential families in
the country to serve in his army. He moreover
required an extraordinary tribute to be paid in
provisions for his troops. Those measures caused
the insurrection, which is likely to lead to impor-
tant consequences.
The Journal de St. Petersbourg of the 4th gives
the following account of the taking of the Egyptian
steamer Pervas Bakhri by the steamer the Vladi- ,
mir

" After having examined the coasts of Turkey in
Europe, and not having found any vessels of the enemy,
the Aide-de-Camp-General Vice-Admiral Korniloff pre-
pared with the steamer Vladimir to join the, squadron
of Vice-Admiral Nakhituoff, which Wa3 cruising on the
coasts of Anatolia. On her way, at day-dreak on the
12th November, the Vladimir, when within eight of the

coast of Anatolia between the pert of Amastro and Cape
Kdrempe, perceived the smoke of a steamer in the direc-
tion of Sebastopol, but at some distance. The Aide-de-
Camp-General Vice-Admiral Korniloff gave orders to
proceed towards the steamer, which was observed to
change frequently her direction in order to avoid
a meeting. At a quarter past nine o'clock, the
Vladimir hoisted a signal, but it was not answered ;
thereupon the Vladimir displayed the Russian flag
and prepared for action. At half-past nine o'clock
the Egyptian steamer changed her course, and
I. came straight on the Vladimir, displaying the
Turkish flag, but in a short time she again changed
her k direction. Shortly after the steamers approached
each other. The Aide-de-Camp-General Vice-Admiral
Korniloff ordered a ball to be fired across her bows. She
replied by a broadside ; orders were thereupon given to
commence a cannonade when fairly within reach. Shortly
after the steamers were so near that the balls and shells
of the enemy all fell beyond the Vladimir. Having
recognised that the enemy had no stern chasers, so that
in keeping behind his stern, it was easy to take him by
enfilade, and so fore(' him to surrender the steamer, the
Vladimir went in his track. The enemy luffed, and
after having fitted a new broadside, changed his direc-
tion, and proceeded towards the coast. The combat
lasted in this way three hours, and though it was easy for
the steamer the Vladimir to destroy the crew and the
hull of the enemy's steamer without exposing herself to
any loss, for the balls and shells of the lltter continued
to pass over her, the Aide-de-Camp-Gene al Vice-Admiral
Korniloff resolved to put an end to the combat, and to
approach within reach of grape shot. Several well di-
rected broadsides of the steamer Vladimir produced such
ravages that the enemy's steamer was forced to yield.
It was an Egyptian steamer of 220-horse power, armed
with 10 guns. 134 of her crew were taken prisoners ;
the captain, 2 officers, and 19 sailors were killed, and 18
were wounded. The loss on our side was in killed Lieu-
tenant Jeleznoff, aide-de-camp of the Vice-Admiral Aide-
de-Camp-General Korniloff, and a trumpeter ; in
wounded one warrant officer and two sailors. It re-
quired nearly,four hours to put the captured steamer in
a position to follow the Vladimir. The day after she
was safely towed into Sebastopol. The Aide-de-Camp-
General Vice-Admiral Korniloff, in his report on this
affair, adds : The captain, the officers, and the crew of
the steamer the Vladimir behaved themselves bravely ;
Capt. Lieut. Boutakoff commanded as at a, manoeuvre; the
action of the artillery was rapid and just, as is proved by the
ravages in the enemy's vessel. The flag officers attached to
my person, Bariatinsky, Jeleznoff, Dobrovolsky, and
Nasky eneouraged the crew by their example. Jelez-
noff was an officer who gave great hopes.' After having
received the report of the capture of the said Egyptian
steamer, his Majesty the Emperor has deigned to give
to the steamer the name of Korniloff, to advance a step
all the officers of the steamer the Vladimir, and besides
to confer the Order of St. George of the 4th class on
Capt.-Lieutenant Boutakoff, commander of the steamer ;
the Order of St. Vladimir of the 4th class with the ro-
sette on Lieutenant Popandopoule ; a sword of honour
in gold, with the inscription—' For bravery,'. on Captain-
Lieutenant Prince Bariatinsky ; eight marks of honour
of the Military Order on the crew ; also a present of 10
silver roubles to each warrant officer, and five roubles to
each sailor.
The above account appeared first in the Invalids
Busse of St. Petersburg, but the -Journal de Saint
Petersbourg has left out a passage of the report, in
which the Turkish steamer is stated to have been
inferior in force to the Vladimir.
In the following details respecting Sinope the
Debats points out the great importance of the Rus-
sians taking possession of that fort, and makint, it
" a kind of Gibraltar on the Turkish coast of
Black Sea," by which they could cut off the com-
munications between Constantinople and Erzeroum.
If the Russians can do so it is certain they will avail
themselves of the suggestions of the Debats. It
says : -

"The town of Sinope (Sinoub of the Turks) is situate
in Anatolia, on the southern shore of the Black Sea,
half way betwedia C )nstantialple and Trebizond, and
about 100 leagues from each of these places. It is de-
pendent on the Grand Pashalik of Angora, and has a
population of from 8,000 to 10,000 inhabitants. The
town is built on the isthmus of a peninsula which runs
out into the sea in the form of a promontory. It is the
most northerly point of this immense coast. The port
extends, to the east of the town, but as it is not enclosed
by any moles it can only be considered as an open road-
stead. This roadstead is defended by batteries and by
the castle of the town, a large -massive construction,
raised in the time of the Greek Emperors. To the west-
ward of the peninsula is another anchorage called Ak-
Liman or the White Port. The importance of Sinope
consists in its naval arsenal and building-yard, the only one
in Tuikey besides that at Constantinople. Ships of the
line and frigates are built there. The oak cut on the sur-
rounding mountains is very bard, and the vessels built
at Sinope are considered as the best in the Turkish fleet.
The engineers are for the most part foreigners in the
service of Turkey, and the workmen are Greeks of the
country, who are paid from 10 to 12 sous a day. The
fOrtifications of the port are incomplete and in a bad
state. In 1808, at the time of the attempt of Admiral
Duckworth on Constantinople, then defended by Ge-
neral Sebastiani, the French Ambassador, that officer,
comprehending the importance of'. Sinope, sent two
French officers and two sub-officers of engineers to im-
prove the fortifications. Their first care was to erect a
battery at the point of the promontory in such a posi-
tion as to be able to command both sides of the peninsula
and the entrance of the roadstead. They afterwards
traced out several other works of defence, some
of which were never executed, and the others were
not kept in repair any more than the rest of the
fortifications. Thus the place remained without re-
ceiving any repairs for 40 years, and those which have
been lately commenced had not received the necessary
development. The Russians in 1807 made an attack on
Trebizond by sea, but were repulsed ; .but, as they had
never attempted anything against Sinope, the Turks
persuaded themselves that they had nothing to fear, and
they have just been roughly punished for their careless-
ness. • It may be readily conceived that six ships of the
line with their heavy broadsides, suddenly appearing in
the roadstead, could soon knock to pieces such old and
dilapidated ramparts. It cannot be called a sea-fight
since the Turkish vessels were all at anchor in the
port. • It appears, according to the despatches, that
it is there that they were sunk by an irresistible
superior fire, to which the Turkish batteries were
not in a state to reply for any length of
time. The cannonade, we are told, only lasted one hour,
and that space of time was sufficient to destroy 13 ves-
sels, ten of which were vessels of war, and three tran-
sports. If the war is to continue actively next year in
Europe and in As:a, it will become a matter of great im-
portance for the Turks to rebuild the fortifications of
Sinope on the principles of modern art, and to put that
place in security, not only against a coup-de-main, like
the' present, but also in a state to maintain a. regular
siege. • If the Russians were to take possession of Sinope,
which they could readily 'in its present wretched
and unprotected condition, they might- make it a
place impregnable against the Turks, and convert it
into a kind of Gibraltar on the Turkish
.coast of the Black
Sea. Established in a position of this kind, which would
enable them to land a considerable body-of troops,
they would keep in check all the 'centre of. Asia Minor,
and cut off the communications between. Constantinople
and Erzeronm. The Turkish army of Armenia would
then have not only to oppose the enemy 'on the side of
Georgia, . but it would have another army in its rear,
and the Ottoman Government would be. obliged to
org
anize a second ar fly in Asia Minor. These con-
siderations cannot escape the notice of the European
military officers who give strategic advice to the Ot-
toman generals. The town of Sinope is built with the
materials of the old Greek city, a colony of the Mile-
sians. Sinope was the birth-place of Diogenes, and the
capital of Mithridates. Lucullus took possession of it in
the year 71 before Christ. The houses and the fortifications
present a multitude of ancient ruins confusedly heaped
together... There may be there seen Greek
,and Paphla-
gonian inscriptions, busts, and military statues. Tra-
vellers mention having seen an entire statue, plaoed head
downwards in the walls of the castle. -All the towns of
Asia Minor, formerly so flourishing in arts and com-
merce, present the same spectacle so 'afflicting to the
eyes of
.Europeans. The Turks have vegetated for
three centuries on these ruins without deriving a lesson
from it. They appear at length to be awakened to an
idea of civilization, and the shock which they have just
received will, perhaps, benefit them for the future."