The Sun.
London, England, 1856-12-22 00:00:00

LONTY)Nt MONDAY EVFNING, DECEMBER 22, [856.

MONT BLAN C.-ARRANGEMENTS
for CHRISTMAS - Monday, Dec. 22, Evening at Eight;
Tuesday, Dec. 23, Afternoon at Three ; Tuesday, Dec. 22, Evening
at Eight; Wednesday, Dec. 24, Evening at Eight; Friday, Dec. 26,
Afternoon at Three ; Friday, Dec. 26, Evening at Eight ; Saturday,
Dec. 27, Afternoon at Three ; Monday, Dec. 29, Afternoon at Three ;
Monday, Dec. 23, Evening at Eight ; Tuesday, Dec. 32, Afternoon
at Three; Tues ay, Dec. 3,, Evening at Eight.

MISS P. HORTON'S POPULAR ILLUS
TR ATIONS.—Mr. and Mrs. T. GERM AN REED will give
the above E-tertainment, intredueing several new Illustration., at
the Gallery of Illustration, Every Evening (Except -aturday),
at
Eight o'clock. A MORNING PERFORMANCE every Saturday at
Three o'clock. Stalls, 35., 2s , Is., may be secured at the Gallery,
from 11 till 4, daily, and at Cramer, Beal, and Co.'s, 201, Regent-
street.

1.11-3YLIA ROOMS.—LAURENT'S CASINo,
Great Windmill-street, St. James's.—The above elegan
rooms are now open every evening for the winter season, with
:.aurent's celebrated Orchestra. Principal Cornet-a-piston, M.
P.oulcourt. The Proprietor begs to inform the public tbat ti's
fashionable place of resort ha,, been entirely redecorated during the
cress. Doors open at half-past eight, commence at rine. Admit-
on Ono Shilling.

R. KAHN'S ANATOMICAL MUSEUM,
r 4, Coventry-street, Leicester-square.—Open (for Gentlemen
lily) from 10 till 10, containing upwirds of one thousand models
rd preparations, illustrating every part of the human frame in
ealth and disease, the race of men, &c. Lectures delivered at 12,
, 4, and half-past 7, by Dr. G. SEXTON, ; and a new and
iztily-interesting series of Lectures is now in course of delivery
y Or. KAHN, at a quarter Trist 8 p.m. precisely. Admission. One
Qhilling. Catalogues containing Lectures as delivered by Dr. Khan
(gratis).

3/R. W. S. WOODIN'S OLIO of ODDITIES,
with New Costumes and v .rions Novelties, Vocal and Chl-
racteristle, will he given during the Christmas liolidays,' in the
Polvzraphic-hall. King William-street. Charing-cross. Opening
Night, FRIDAY, Dec. 26th. First MORNING PERFORNIANCE
on SATURDAY, Dec. 27, at Three. Private Boxes and Stalls may
he secured without extra charge, at the Box-office. The Polygraphic
le hping redecorated,

GENERAL TOM THUMB t. the American
Man in Miniature, will hold THREE LEVEES each day, for
a short time only, at the REGENT GALLERY, Quadrant, Regent.
street, commencing on BOXING-DAY, 26th Dec. He will appear in
a great-variety of NEW CHARACTERS and COSTUMES, SONGS,
DANCES. GRECIAN STATUES, &c., &c. His MINIATURE
CHARIOT and PONIES, with ELFIN COACHMAN and FOOT-
MAN, will promenade the streets daily.
Thirteen years ago the General had the distinguished honour of
appearing (by command) three times before her Majesty and the
Royal Family, at Ruckingham Palace.
Hours of Exhibition—from 11 till I ; 3 till 5 ; and 7•till 10 o'clock.
Admlision Is., witkout regard to age. ReserYed Stalls, 2s. ; Children,
Is.

AWIDOW LADY, thoroughly acquainted
with the routine of Housekeeping, is desirous of an engage-
ment as Domestic Companion to an el ierly or invalid Lady or Gen-
tleman or Widower with young children, where one or in re servants
are kept. A comfortable home the chief con,ideratien. Unexcep-
tionable references given.—Address C. G., Mrs. Powell's, 4, Trinity-
street, Blackheath-hill.

DINNER AT GREENOCK To ADMIRAL
SIR HotißriN STE; VA RT, K.C.B.

On Friday evening a banquet was given by the corpora-
tion and community of Greenock to Admiral Sir Houston
Stewart, K.C.8., in testimony of their personal respect for
his character and public approbation of his gallant and
patriotic services during the late war. The entertainment
took place in the Town-hall, an elegant, commodious, and
stately edifice, just completed at a cost of 20,000/., and of
which the proceedings on Friday may be considered as the
auspicious inauguration. The hall floor was tastefully de-
corated with shrubs, and its walls with wreaths of laurel
interspersed with fruit, stacks of armour, and colours ar-
tistically displayed ; while the gallery was filled with
ladies, among whom were observed the Duchess of Argyll,
and Lady Octavia Shaw Stewart. The entertainment was
first class in character, and in all its appointments wasrnost
creditable to the taste and liberality of the corporation.
The chair was taken at 3 o'clock by Provost Hunter, who
was supported on the right by the gallant guests of the
evening. Admiral Sir IL Stewart, the Duke of Argyll, Sir
R. M. Napier, Admiral Montgonierie, Lieut. J. A. Stewart
N icolson (Grenadier Guards), Mr. J. 31. Shaw Stewart,
Captain R. F. Shaw Stewart (Scots Fusilier Guards); and
on the left by the Earl of Glasgow, Sir M. S. Stewart,
M.P., Sir Archibald Alison, Mr. Hall Maxwell, Major
Darroch, Sheriff Tennent, Mr. Scott, of Finnart, and Mr
Tasker. Mr. R. Steele officiated as vice-president. The
company, numbering about 200, besides the members of
the council, embraced the clergy, Capt. Frei% and several
other naval officers. Capt. Latham and several militia offi-
cers, the Dean of Faculty, Mr. David Crawford, and other
professional gentlemen, Mr. M. Brown and the leading
merchants of the town, Messrs. Steele, Caird, Scott, and
the other representatives of the great ship-building yards
and engineering establishments for which Greenock is cele-
brated, with Bailie Macgregor, and some highly respect-
able gentlemen from Glasgow.
After the cloth had been removed,
The CHAIRMAN gave " The Health of her Majesty,"
particularly adverting to the deep anxiety which the Queen
was known to manifest during the war for the welfare of
thebrave soldiers and sailors who were fighting our battles,
and especially the maternal solicitude she displayed for the
care of their sick and wounded, as forming additional
claims on our patriotic attachment and enthusiastic admi-
ration.

The toast was drunk with all the honours.

The next toast was dedicated, along with the Prince
Consort, to the Prince of Wales, as Baron of Renfrew, and
was followed by " The Health of the Lord-Lieutenant of
the County," to which the Earl of Glasgow appropriately
responded.

The PROVOST, in giving the next toast, said—l feel
assured that the toast of " Her Majesty's Ministers" will
be cordially responded to by men of all parties present.
(Cheers.) The responsible advisers of the Crown have at
all times most onerous and difficult duties to perform, and
whatever may be the political opinions of the Ministers,
we are entitled to believe, from the high standing of
British statesmen, that they are guided by honesty of pur-
pose and a sincere desire to advance the interests of the
empire. The present Government deserves the thanks of

the country for the energy they displayed in bringing the
late war to a successful termination ; and, whatever
may be ;;the nature of the present diplomatic difficul-
ties, I have so much confidence in their skill and firmness

that I do not fear but they will surmount them all,
and carry out the treaty of Paris in all its integrity. (Loud
cheers.) I have the pleasure of coupling with this toast the
name of a distinguished member of the Cabinet who has

this evening honoured us with his presence—(cheers)—one
whose name is associated with the liberties and religion of
Scotland, and who is himself a moat able and efficient
Minister—his Grace the Duke of Argyll. (The toast was
drunk with all the honours, and one cheer more.)
The Duke of ARGYLL, who was received with loud cheers,
said—l am glad, Mr. Provost and gentlemen of Greenock, on
account of the early opportunity which this toast affords
me of assuring you how heartily I sympathise in all those
feelings which I believe this great banquet was intended
to express. (Applause.) Whether the feeling be regard for
the family to which my gallant friend belongs—a family
which was never more worthily represented than at the
present moment—(applause)—whether it be respect and
admiration for the professional services of the gallant
admiral himself, or whether it be love for that noble pro-
fession of which he is a distinguished ornament, I heartily
sympathise in them all. (Cheers.) Gentlemen, in regard
to the family to which my gallant friend belongs, I believe
there are few families which have given sach a handsome
contribution to the public service of this country during
the late war as the family of Ardgowau in my gallant
friend, and in that distinguished lady who was a worthy
companion of Florence Nightingale. (Much applause.) As
regards the professional capacity and character of my dis-

tiuguished friend, I am enabled to inform this company of
what, no doubt, they are well aware, that in the &putt -
ment •f the Government which presides over the navy of
England the highest confidence was placed in my gallant
friend in one of the most difficult and responsible positions
in which a naval officer could be placed—(cheers)—l mean
in that position in which he had the charge, during many
months, of the great, most arduous, and most difficult nava l
preparations in the island of Malta. I have been assured by
the First Lord of the Admiralty that of the exertions of my
gallant friend in reference to that service it is impossible
to speak in too high toms ; and the admirable efficiency of
all the arrangements which were made in respect to the
Black Sea fleet was due, in a peat measure, to the personal
head and hands of my gallant friend, now your guest.
(Loud cheers.) In regard to that noble profession to which
he belongs, I need not say one word, I am sure, in any
company of Scotchmen, to recommend it to your hearty
applause. During the late war the services of that navy
were called for under circumstances of peculiar difficulty

They were not, indeed, called on to meet the enemy on the
seas, because the enemy was too wise to meet them ; but
they were called upon for moat arduous exertions, and I
need not tell you that in the naval brigade the navy of
Great Britain contributed one of the most efficient corps
towards the reduction of the stronghold of Sebastopol.
Now, gentlemen, allow me to thank you in my official
capacity for the manner in which you have received the
toast of " Her Majesty's Ministers." It would, indeed, be
most ungrateful of any one who has been connected, as I
have had the honour to be during the last four years, with
both the Governments which during that period have been
responsible for the administration of public affairs, if I did
not cordially thank you for that support which the public
and Parliament of Great Britain have, under all circum-
stances given to the Ministers of the Queen during that
anxious and eventful time. Gentlemen, in 1853 we had to
thank the people and the Parliament for the support which
was given to a Government formed under very peculiar cir-
cumstances, and with a peculiar task before it; and it was
owing to that support that, before the commencement of the
war, we were enabled to pass through what was, I trust, au
active and useful session, and to leave permaueat marks on
the financial policy of this country. At a later period of the
same year we had to thank them for the patience and for-
bearance with which they waited for those efforts of diplo-
macy which we thought it our duty to exert, in order if
possible to avert the calamities of war ; aud, although I
know that it was the opinion of rimy of those efforts
were obviously useless, or were misdirected, yet, neverthe-
less, they were efforts which it was clearly our duty to
make. (Applause.) And again, gentlemen, at a still later
period, we had to thank the people and the Parliament of
this country for the noble public spirit with which they
bore the heavy burdens necessary to a state of war, under
a conviction which they entertained that that war was
both necessary and just. (Cheers.) And again, at a still
later period we had to thank them—l had almost said,
more than all—at a moment when their strength was but
well gathered up ; at a moment when the armies and navies
of Great Britain were brought up by great exertions and
through great sacrifices to a state of unparalleled power and
efficiency ; at a moment when, under the excitement of
war, great hopes were entertained of the result of it—we
had to thank them for the calm and conscientious good
sense with which they received our determination, come to
in conjunction with the Government of Fiance, that it was
our duty to accept a peace which, although it might not
fulfil all the expectations which had been held under the
excitement of war, though it might not fulfil all the condi-
tions which some politicians think still ought to have been
made, nevertheless did fulfil those objects for which the
war was originally undertaken, and which, therefore, the
Governments of France and England thought it their duty
to accept. For all these things we have to thank the peo•
ple and Parliament of this country ; and let me tell you
that Governments in this country aro very much what the
good sense and public spirit of its people enable them to be.
And now, gentlemen, I believe we shall have to thank you
yet again for the support you will give when the time of
reekoning, which is not far distant, comes—l mean when
Parliament meets. I believe we shall have to thank you
fornthe
as
du
epphmyr t you
my noble
oxhv lel livefrentdo
atth
theo s e n ehxeeardt i oef st
hweh l have
been Govern-
ment,ae
and by my noble friend Lord Clarendon, to carry i
out the conditions of the treaty of peace in their entirety
and integrity. I can only say, gentlemen, that it is my be-
lief that, struggling as we have beenthroughout this war for
objects which are not selfish, for objects in which England had
ht etdi at lemnors td moret
ethe
einterests
.
oE°ct treaty, eesopawtrti hyninmee, sr aauSrnpytdpacot:er ntscoe'fvr
cannotneth' hwe
a hdlv
doubt
uhet atof fl
ue
termsge
that
thesean d o
ebxl
ei gr
ta t
ei
no ns
willo t
ha
et
d with success. (Loud cheers.) I believe they have
been conducted in that spirit at once of conciliation and of
firmness in which the foreign affairs of this country have
been uniformly conducted by my noble friend Lord Claren-
don, (Cheers.) And no , gentlemen, I do trust that,

whether the Government of this country is to be in the
present or any other hands, Government will still have the
support of its people in times of profound peace. I hope
those times are coming, for great as may be the triumphs
of war, they are costly triumphs, and we look, as lam
sure the people of this country look, forward with anxiety
and hope to the time when we may be the ri►als of other
nations in nothing else than the arts of peace. (Ap-
plause.) And I would say, in conclusion, that I hope we
shall be able in future, when the transactions connected
with this war are wound up and closed—l hope we shall
b 5 able to resume terms of amity and friendship with that
bravo and gallant people with which we have lately bee❑
at war. (Applause.) There are circumstances which I
think are hopeful. A young emperor has just succeeded
to the throne, not insensible, I have reason to believe, of
the weight of his responsibilities and the difficulties of his
' task. There can be no reason why, with his vast empire,
he should desire its extension ; and if ho is a wise man he
will rather direct his exertions to the development of that
people iu the arts of industry and peace. I trust sack ail'
be the case, and I have no doubt that in these circumstances
the Government of this country will be able to turn its
attention to those many measures of social reform which
aro so much needed by a great and an advancing people.
The noble duke resumed his seat amid much applause.
The CHAIRMAN—I have now the great honour and plea-
sure of proposing to you the toast of the evening, "Our
distinguished guest, Admiral Sir Houston Stewart." It

is now 50 years since he joined the navy, but I will nut
attoupt to give an epitome, far less a history, of his event-
ful life. The name of Charles Houston Stewart, of the
Benbow, is to most of us familiar as a household word.
(Cheers.) We all remember that at the siege of Acre,
although last in getting up, he placed his ship first in re-
spect of nearness to that almost impregnable fort, which ho
assisted effectually to demolish. (Cheers.) Admiral Stew-
art's energy and decision of character made his services in
valuable to any Government, and hence his nomination to
one of the most important appointments ou shore. His
able, admirable management of the service at Malta during
the war entitles him to the lasting gratitude of his coun-
try. (Cheers.) Fleets of transports were arriving every
day with thousands of troops and their baggage, and they
were despatched with the utmost regularity. Had his
energy, forethought, and provision for contingencies
been displayed in other quarters' the country would
not have been bowed down with shame at the neglect, sill
fering, and death of many of her bravest sons. (Applause )
The Government saw and appreciated Admiral Stewart's
services, and appointed him to the fleet in the Black Sea.
Unfortunately that fleet had a conspicuous want—the
want of a foe. Sunk in the harbour of Sebastopol lay the
great Russian fleet. With all the gallant admiral's ac-
quirements in the science of war, ho has never yet learnt
the art of scuttling his ships and building them behind
stone walls. (Cheers.) When his ship sinks it will be
with her colours nailed to the mast, and her gallant crow
will go down with her. (Cheers.) Admiral Stewart has
again been appointed to a most important command,
which may require not only the quality of a great naval
commander, but the ability and astuteness of a statesman
and diplomatist. I have no fear of the result. (Cheers.)
I trust that Providence will spare him to return with fresh
laurels to the bosom of his family, and to receive the gra
titude of his country, that he has not only done his duty,
but, by his example, taught others to do theirs.
The toast was drunk with much enthusiasm.

Admiral Sir H. STEW ART, who was lou Ily cheered, said
he was quite sure he should have the sympathy of all his
good friends present when he acknowledged that at that
moment he felt himself an embarrassed man. (Cheers.)
He was embarrassed, because he felt it impossible to
render adeptate expression to the gratitude he felt for the
cheering reception they had given him; and he was em
barrassed by another but sadder feeling common to every
man who, having left his country for foreign service, re-
turned after the lapse of years. He saw many a smiling
face around him, but he could not shut his eyes to the fact
that he missed many a dear and once familiar countenance.
Ten years had gone by since he last saw Greenock, and ten
years made gaps in friendship which could never be filled
up again. And how was he to tune his feeble pipe after
the magnificent address of the M`Callum More ? (A. laugh.)
The Duke of Argyll had told them, and the Provost had
told them, that he had done his country good service at
Malta. He did his best, as every man must do who had

his work before him ; but he bad been supported in such a
manner as insured success. He had a governor, a gallant
Scotehman (Sir Wm. Reid), the hero of a hundred Penin-

sular fights, whose heart was in the service of his country.
(Cheers.) He had another gallant Scotchman, Sir Jame-

Ferguson, with eight clasps on the medal he wore, and who
was as anxious as he himself to send for ward every musket

gun and cartridge to support Lord Raglan. He ventured
to say no better public servants could bm fouud than ho

found in the superintendent-engineer and master-ship-
wright of the dockyard, and they exerted themsel►es in a
manner and displayed resources which entitled them to
public credit and reward, and he was glad to pay this testi.

mony to their merits. (Cheers.) With such means of sup-
port, with such instruments to work with, he claimed no
farther merit than an anxiety to exert every nerve and pat
forth every faculty ho had in the cause. (Cheers.) No
doubt the Government had been blamed—it was the privi•

lege of Englishmen always to growl and find fault. Th•
Government had been sadly blamed because they were saiu
to have been taken by surprise and were not prepared fog

war, not having got the gunboats and flat-bottomed boats
and mortar-boats which were found necessary. But, with
a free press and an Argus eye in every seaport and colony,
how was it possible that any preparations of that kind,
made, could be kept secret from the world ? Had we begun
to make our gunboats, fiat-bottomed boats, and mortar
boats, would it not have embraced diplomacy ? Would it
not have been said we were going to war ? Various opi-
nions were given about the war, but, as the noble duke said
justly, we tried to stave it off till we could no longer pre
serve peace with honour to the country. (Cheers.) Well,
then, knowing the intentions of the Government, was it
not the duty of those on foreign stations to do what the,
could, to use every energy, to press forward preparations?
Malta was half way to the seat war, and they had nothing
to do but to send on all the men and materials they could.
He must do the Admiralty the justice to say that nes e
was man more cordially and liberally supported than he
had been in all be had done. Sir James Graham, then
the First Lord of the Admiralty, was an admirable man
•f business, and a liberal applauder of a man who did his
duty. Sir Charles Wood, who succeeded him, was the
same; and, as to the navy, the review of last year at Spit

head showed the world what England could do after a
little time. (Cheers.) Speaking generally, we were a
peaceful and commercial nation, and could not come out
like the nations whose occupation and delight were war—
England stood on a different footing from them. We were
sailed a nation of shopkeepers, but when the row began we
shut our shops. (Cheers, and a laugh.) Well, then, from
Malta he had the good fortune to be allowed to go up to
the Mediterranean fleet, and, whatever they had heard to
the contrary about badly manned and equipped vessels, he
would say, and he had been 50 years at sea, a finer fleet
never left the English shores than the Mediterranean fleet,
nor was it ever under a more gallant, patriotic, and accom.
plished officer than Lord Lyons. (Cheers.) The Provost Imo
said that in his new appointment he might have to act the
part of a diplomatist as well as an admiral. He hoped note
but if he did succeed it would be from the cordial friend'.
ship and confidence he had with Admiral Lyons, who
united the skill of an expert diplomatist with the gallantry
of an accomplished naval officer, who would make war if
it could be made, but would not run risks which no pru--
dence could justify. It had been said we could not get our
enemy out to meet us in the Black Sea. That was quite
true, and he thought they were very wise. But it should be
recollected that they had no screw ships—no ships with
two decks and steam. Steam had made a vast, an enormous
difference in the art of war, especially of naval war. They
might talk as long as they pleased about ships and stone
walls, the one versus the other, but he had lived long
enough to know that, considering the combustibles and the
immense increase of weight of metal with which ships would
be met if they came in contact, they would have little
chance. Unless they could place a ship of war within 30
yards of a stone battery the wooden walls would not have
the best of it. They might probably allude to Acre and
Algiers, but they must recollect the sage remark of the Duke
of Wellington after the bombardment of Acre, in which he
bore a humble part. At Algiers they allowed the ships to
take up their position. The Queen Charlotte, with Lord Ex-
mouth, was actually within yard's length of the quay. Lord
Exmouth, before he would drop anchor,ac,tually waved to
the people to get out of the way. No doubt they would in
such a case make precious work with the battery. At Acre
we put buoys upon the shoals in the night time to show
whole they were. The Egyptians thought these were the
spots on which we were to anchor our ships; they lowered
all their guns for these buoys, and blocked up the embrasures
with sand bags to prevent our shot touching them. What
was the consequence? They let us pass tho shoals and
then opened fire, but not until we were past them, and
three times their batteries were manned and destroyed.
That was taking up a position before they began. With
respect to ships and stone walls, then, it was very easy to
talk of the Baltic fleet and say it ought to have sent Cron-
stadt to the devil, but they should, after all, consider that
it was much more easily said than done. (Cheers and a
laugh.) Now, with regard to the bombardment of Sebas
topol—he was not present on the 17th of October—the
same argument was illustrated there. A gallant attack
was made, and it was intended to support the assault.
The siege batteries were opened at daylight, and they sue
C ,z)decl so well that Lord Raglan had left the parapet whore
be had been observing our fire, and was going to communi.
sate with the French General in order to arrange the as-
s cult when the French magazine blew up, and, to sae the

[PRICE 41). STAMPED 5.8.

expressive phrase at the time, "their fire was snuffed out."
The assault, of course, could not be made. The bombard-
ment was ordered for 1 o'clock, and then had been counter-
manded. But that was a very difficult thing to do with an
allied fleet—with every man burning for distinction it was
almost impossible— so they went at it, and they behaved
admirably. But what was the consequence? We showed
every weak point the enemy had, only to enable them to
repair the errors and add to the strength of their fortress.
That noble fellow Todtleben—he must be a Scotchman, he
only wished he had, " todtled," but—Todtleben made good
use of it ; and when he (Sir H. Stowart)—looked over
the batteries on the north side after all was over and peace
proclaimed the commandant of the Wasp Fort—so called
by the sailors, because it was stung so badly—(a laugh)—
showed him different works, and said " Yes, and our
prayers were offered daily that the fleet might attack
again." (Cheers.) Had they attacked again there must
have been a great deal more damage done to the fleet than
on the 17th. Without troops to take possession they
might have fired away their ammunition, and come away
damaged ; the enemy would fire a shot after we had re-
tire I, and would then say they had beaten us. (Cheers,)
He would like to say a word iu reference to a man who was
now DO more. He' believed that there never was a com-
mander of more noble or generous spirit or cooler iu the
hour of danger than was Lord Raglan. (Cheers.) He knew
that sooner or later justice would be done to that great
man, but at the same time he was persuaded that the posi-
tion of Lord Raglan was not generally understood in this
country. He made a remark to Admiral Lyons, after
coming from a conference, that he.tlid not believe, if even
the Duke of Wellington had been in Lord Raglan's place,
he would have been able to do more, It was a difficult
position for a man to occupy the command of merely a
portion of an army. The great Napoleon himself had said,
better one indifferent commander than two good ones. No
action, however brilliant, could be conclusive in its results
unless it was vigorously followed up. The armies of Eng-
land and France on first landing in the Crimea were nearly
equal, perhaps that of England was superior. Marshal St.
Arnaud and Lord Raglan were of the same mind as to
tactics, but it was to be remembered that the French
generals were changed three times, and as the war pro-
ceeded the French army was iivea.tly increased. The pecu-
liar circumstances which thereupon arose would be under-
stood without his dwelling upon them. (Cheers.) He gave
every possible credit to the honesty and perfectly bona
.fide alliance the Etuperorof the French wished to maintath
with us; but it was not to be expected that with an army
of 200,0d0 men every officer and man would be of the same
opinion ; indeed it had been a marvel to him that the alli-
ance had been so well preserved, and it was a credit to both
armies that it had been. Then it was to be recollected
that, according to etiquette, the French general commands
the French admiral, and the French admiral was senior to
our admiral ; and this together with other arrangements
served very much to complicate matters. He had the
greatest respect for the French, and he believed they had
the same for us ; and one result of this struggle in the
Crimea would be that it would be a long time before they
had their slumbers disturbed with the idea of a French
invasion. If they went to war again, however, each must
have his own part to play—a single commander with a.
single corps. He would like to say a word about the
Malakhoff and the Redan. That was a soldier's question,
and it might be admitted that as a sailor he would speak ,
in.partially on the subject. He had been a witness to the
taking of the Malakhoff, and if they would allow him he
would read an extract from a letter which he had written
from the Crimea to a very particular friend— his own wife.
"Those who have seen the Malakhoff and the Roden
know well that no comparison as to the difficulty of as-
sault exists between them. In the one case deep trenches
w ere cut in yielding soil to within 25 paces of the ditch,
having the Mamelon in the rear, keeping up an incessant
hail of shot and shells up to the very instant appointed for
the assault,; and capable of containing any amount of
troops in reserve, as well as a capacious place d'armel at
the termination of the sap. In the other case, that of the
Redan, was a hard rocky soil impossible to penetrate
much beyond three feet in depth, and the termination of
the trench at a distance of 280 paces from the parapet.
No possibility of forming any place d'armes, and the
whole advance open to a murderous fire from bat-
teries on both flanks of the Redan. The Redan itself, too,
perfectly open to its own rear, where 1,000 men could
march abreast to its defence, whereas the Malakhoff, being
[closely fortified in its rear, was peculiarly capable of being
held when once entered. And it was nobly entered and
nobly held by our French allies, who, confident in them-
selves, resolutely declined to allow any portion of the Bri-

tish or Sardinian troops to join in its attack, although it
was repeatedly urged upon them, knowing, as every one
did, that the Malakhoff was the key of Sebastopol, and
hat, if the attack on it failed, the remaining points of at-
rack, even if successful, could ovt ba held for one hour.
Oh, let us not blame our soldiers for not holding the Re-
_

dan ; they gave ' material guarantees' at Alma, at Inker-
man, and at Balaklava that no troops in the world can
surpass them in courage and conduct, and in that brave
tnd truly British quality which our friends call solidite,'
.4nd we know by the familiar name of ' pluck.' " (Cheers.)
Many an intelligent Frenchman had avowed that he con
,idered it fortunate for the allied cause that the English held
the right at Inkerman—(cheers)—and at Inkerinsn there
fell one with a heart, one of the boldest, truest, and most

,allant that ever filled a soldier's breast,a man belonging to
the county of Renfrew, whose family had been long con-
nected with Greenock, whose name was inscribed upon one
of its streets, and who had given his name to a hill in the
Crimea where many a gallant soldier lay—the memorable
Cathcart-hill. (Great applause.) He did not think there
was an officer in the British army more promising, or of
whom more was expected than Sir George Cathcart. Ho
knew him well, he had heard hundreds speak of him, and
many speak of him with moistened eyes after he fell. He
bad the spirit of a soldier and the patriotism of a Scotch-
man. (Applause.) He was afraid he had already been very
long-winded. But considering himself as in some mea-
sure an unimpeachable witness, especially where military
,natters were concerned, he wished to read an extract from
he first report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Sup-
plies for the British Army in the Crimea. He could bear
his unqualified testimony to the truth of it. Sir Houston
then read the following extract :

"It is a great satisfaction to us to find, on most of the
important points, a remarkable concurrence in the testi-
mony as to matters of fact. The sufferings of the army in
,ho course of the winter, and especially during the months
,f December and January, must have been intense. We
Jaye not noted all the particulars related to us, many of
which were unconnected with our inquiry ; but we may
state that it has been only by slow degrees, and after the
frequent repetitions of similar details, as ono witness after
mother revealed the facts that had come Ender his own
observation, that we have been able to form any adequate
conception of the distress and misery undergone by the
troops; or fully to appreciate the unparalleled courage and
constancy with which they had endured their sufferings.
Great Britain has often had reason to be proud of her
trmy, but it is doubtful whether the whole range of mili-
tary history furnishes an example of an army exhibiting
throughout along campaign qualities as high as have dis-
tinguished the forces under Lord Raglan's command.
The strength of the soon gave way under excessive
labour, watching, exposure, and privation; but they
never murmured, their spirit never failed—(cheers)—ant
the cnemy, though far outnumbering them, never detected
in those whom he encountered any signs of weakness.
Their numbers were reduced by disease and by casualties
to a handful of men, compared with the great extent of
the lines which they constructed and defended ; yet the
army never abated its confidence in itself, and never
descended from its acknowledged military preeminence.
Both men and officers, when so reduced that they were
hardly fit for the lighter duties of the camp, scorned to be
excusel the severe and perilous work of the trenches, lest
they should throw an undue amount of duty upon their
comrades; yet they maintained every foot of ground
sagaainst
all the efforts of the enemy, and with numbers small
that, perhaps, no other troops would have made the at-
tempt. Suffering and privation have frequently led to
crime in armies as in other communities, but offences of a
serious character have been unknown in the British army
in the Crimea. Not one capital offence has been committed,
or even alleged to have been committed by a soldier, and
intemperance has been rare. Every ono who knows any.
thing of the constitution of the army must feel that, when
troops so conduct themselves throughout a long campaign,—
the officers must have done their duty and set the example.
had to
The conduct of the men, therefore, implies the highest
They have
en-
comium that can be passed upon their officer,
Una and most of
not only shared all the danger and exposure, .
the privations which the men
everywhere found indications of their solicitude undergo, but we
welfare of those who were under their command,
offordthe
their constant readiness to employ their • an
n
been, as there must always be, better promoting the comfort of the men
regiments than in others, but among Doubtless there .
.er
manpargivematetenmhiesaensah.nas.
ear some
ful in the evidence that we have
tifying to observe the community hoard f ,
feelingsit alwayswaand interests
much. theawapgira.
that appeared every where to subsisto betwen the men and
tish army seems always to regimental system of the Br. •
pleasure to the kind rece tin which the army and navy
try's extremity He referred with
had received at the handspof tnheir countrymen on their le-
turn from active service, and predicted that when the coun-
try's
itself. With regard to his appointment to another
did come' the fruits of that kindness would
command,he would assume it with a determination to do his
duty, to preserve his own temper, and to maintain his coun-
try's honour. Mr. Cobden himself was not a greater fi iend
of peace or more sensible of its advantages than he was ;
and in the position he should hold, whatever his influence