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

SICK AND WOUNDED SOLDI.XPSIN Till I 27113 pitungat
EAST.

---- ---
The following is a copy of a letter sent in answer
to a lady in the neighbourhood of Oxford, who bad ,
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 comforts, 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 Govern meet
of this country, and it is on e also which the Govern-
ment has followed out and continues to perform perse-
veringly. It would be difficult, it not impossible, to un-
dei take 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
gallant 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
purpose.—l am, madam, your obedient servant,
To Mr§. (Signed) HENRY ROBERTS.

CENTRAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE AID OF
THE WIDOWS AND ORPHANS OF THE
SOLDIERS, &c., ENGAQED IN TEE 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 sub:na-
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 POWYS, 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 CO 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 bad been undertaken to ma'ntain the
great and inalienable rights of mankind. Such was the
cause in which these gallant men went out to figl.t, 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 their
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, so they
should freely give.
The Hon. Major POWYS then read a litatement 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 entbusiastically agreed to.

Tn PATRIOTIC FUND AND THE WAKEFIELD TOWN
COUNCIL.—At the meeting of the Wakefield town-coun-
cil on Wednesday, a letter vas 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 by 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-
necessary 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 bas thus publicly,
through its municipal government, refused to contribute
towards that generous and large-hearted fund now re
ceiving such 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.

THE WAR WITH RUSSIA.— SOUTHAMPTON, Thursday.—
A few persons assembled to-day at the Guildhall, in obe-
dience to a handbill issued by the mayor, for the parpose
of commencing a general subscription "for the relief of
the widows and orphans of the brave soldiers who fell in
defence of their country's honour in the battle of the
Alma." At the time stated only about half a dozen
persons had assembled, and after waiting nearly an hour,
during which time the mayor's attention was drawn to
the definite use expressed by the handbill, of the appro-
priation of the money to only those who fell in the battle
of the Alma, the meeting was adjourned until Tuesday
evening next.
EDINBURGH AND THE PATRIOTIC FUND.---We under-

stand that the Lord Provost has received a letter from
the Lord Justice Clerk, who is at present in Ayrshire,
enclosing a cheque for 50/. in aid of the Patriotic Fund.
The Lord Provost intends to call a public meeting on the
subject towards the close of the month.—Scotsman.

We give the analysis of the royal ordinance
fixing the organisation of the peerage, as published
by the Prussian lifoniteur in its numberwof 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 lite.
The hereditary members are—The chiefs of the princely
houses of Hohenzollern and of the mediatised houses ;
the princes, counts, and lords that were summoned to
form the seigneurial ward at the Diet of 1847 ; the
persons named by the King, and for whom the title-deed
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 persdoinoss
sehlaiellsebn buyomthineateßdiebgy the crown, and from
among whom syndics
for the examination of special questions.
The right of presentation belongs—to the founders
indicated in the patent of convocation, under the datoof
February 3, 1847 ; for each nomination, a candidate, to
the order of the counts in each province ; to the union
of the families bolding great cAtates, on whom the King
has conferred this right ; to the union of the old patri-
monial proprietors ; 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. .4.n
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
hick'b e
thecobtuepresentationcso
enjoyment of civil and political rights, and, excepting
the royal princes, to be 30 years of age. The commis-
sion
nvfiori
md i
d f the,tyoat qualitytook place.
i ng Ta of
expires
chamber,x virtueesebclyudeo ri
wif its
ui
decision
ps
eeontdo
nacemoefm
ebxecr
uisfi
ognu
uolfd abneyfalul nawroo retro!' yct
b earw.
helht

commission by hereditary right, the King will take
the requisite measures for selecting another znember of
the same family ; but, if the exclusion should apply to a
member belonging to one of the other categories, a now
presentation will have to take place.

A CONFIDENTIAL D
ERHAZA ESPTCH TO COUI‘77
EST Y.

The Independance 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 are especially two points, on which we have
been questioned more or less explicitly from Berlin. It
is believed that we ought to close the Principalities
against the eventual and offensive operations of the
Turks and their allies against Russia, and there is a
desire to obtain from us a promise, that if Russia does
not attack us, we on our part shall not go and attack
her.
_ _

But loth 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, and in 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 are not able to wait the obtaining
of a peace, that for us is a necessity, from the efforts and
combats of others, and, moreover, that we are not 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 paint 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 wo are to defend them
against every species of attack from the armed forces of
Russia, and that we are nut to oppose the military
operations of the allied powers. '
This results from our convention with the Porte, and
agrees, moreover, entirely w►th. 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 strategetical, and she thus prevented a
conflict, which, but for that, would have been the col-
sequence of our unshaken resolution. It follows that
Russia has given Lack the Principalities not for us. She
abandoned them to their fate. We entered subsequently,
because we bad Turkey's consent so to do. The Turks
enter them as a consequence of their military 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 receive, 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 w..
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) 1 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 oa
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 arc resolved not to abandon our attitude
clearly defined.
Accept, &e., &c.,

(Signed)

Buop.

THE SIEGE OP SEBASTOPOL.

Wo translate tho following from the Pays of

yesterday :
" The taking of an
ts
ea
nimportantsdusrtrl
p o
eutrnofidwcei town
da 1 defendedwithminn
d senormous
e;m abyooni
uties:
position as much as by the soldiers within its walls, •
(fi alwayseiblusuulrtpiaersi surprise at great
te
ntehn ofe enterprise
lerigplrii
prudent
operations of a besieging army, when it wishes to secure
success, must be directed. Since public attention has
been fixed ou the Crimea, everybody knows the strong
situation of Sebastopol. It is known that
this town is
protected by powerful fortifications ; it is known that it
will be defended with all the courage of despair. The
Russians will not consent to lose this nmemifibent jewel
of the Czar's crown without a fierce struggle. We must
neither dissimulate the difficulties, northe
obstinate
resistance which our brave soldiers will
haveton•
taunter."We do not belong to those who systematically
depreciate
their enemies. The Russians have certainly
not the fiery dash of the French, nor the slow, but con-
tinued and impassable march of the English ; they have
not and cannot have that faith in the issue of the con-
filet which increases forces tenfold ; and they are
necessarily demoralised by their successive checks. But
:iewhihnegnthiteigs grandeur
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
of the enterprise which our armies are executing before
Sebastopol, and the obsta c 1 e s whitfht
htels ertsye.;sewtnaitl;sl
eohauaysieelnatrys
encounter. Victory ygl:li.rilmouil
to obtain, and it is by the ditheulties vanquished that
is difficult not
the honour of the triumph is to be measured. N
has 'ciommitted uume-
ever-
theless it must he admitted that the old strate.,etic repu-
tation of the Russian generals has of late
simple reconnaissance at the MO-
humiliations. Without speaking
Of our expedition
of the war on the banks of the Danub,e
asonfCkrdsi,ins'ee.wmal.ibi disembarkation
awtseiomrne then
rtooussefeautlitsiat.ilPicreinteiele "11.cruelnusuellieilkieolent
badly have caused troubl© in
pe-
rilous operation of disembarkation. Pi-ave
ca-
valry and artillery might
harm. Instead of that they The Russian istulini:erlitiiethr.id armies, and perhaps
prevented the
of tbe
have caused us irreparable
without opposition and w'
that Prince ~ttv.anee towards its destination
efforts ; but at the end of a few
cloolingfuesridonefteiniadtesdtr;o,inf
inii,.,
with obstacle. It was only
formed, organised, and ,e, e 3 allowed our army to be
fresh barrier to
on the Alma i lenschikoff united all his
lieurs be abandoned in
position which he might have much
fright he neglected to oppose a
'the enenri3o
ground
ndthe lines of the Katcha and
the Relbek, where the
him. and presented exceliai it
meansii was o very
defence.e
H advantageoushen NV fur
t
into the open country; but he so little studied the move-
ments of the allied army that a part of his forces fell in
Kith allied columns by chalice in the midst of the forests,
near the Tchernaya, in places where they might have
overwhelmed our troops, but where the Russians fled in'
disorder, leaving almost without firing a shot aconsider-
able booty and a number of prisoners. All the false-
hoods in the bulletins of Prince Menschikoff will not suc-
ceed in effacing this series of blunders, which shows Os
that the Russian strategists are less skilful than they
formerly appeared here in the time of the heroic struggles
of the Empire. T facts are eviden.tly of a nature to
in
us with a legitimate confiderice in the final result
of the attack against Sebastopol, and in the weakness of
the measures taken for the defence of that pthe natural
lace. But,
as we have said at the cominencement,
strength of Sebastopol defends. it., and. unless some un-
hoped-for miracle takes place, it is neither in a few hours
nor in a day such a place can be taken,"