The Sun.
London, England, 1859-06-15 00:00:00

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out curtains round the conical hill called Mandelll,
which commands the left bank of the liver. These
have since baen strengthened by a covered way
running along a natural ditch, by which they are
protected. On the left bank of the Mincio there
is, moreover, an extensive work, called the Salvi,
covering the immediate approaches to the river.
Since 1848 the Alistrians have extended the
fortifications far beyond the island, and have
crowned the eminence with eight lunettes, on
the plan of those of the Mandella. All these works
together constitute an entrenched camp capable of
receiving a considerable number of troops, and their
chief importance lies in their threatening the flank
of an army attempting to cross the Mincio near Goito
or Valeggio. There is besides the flotilla of the Lake
of Garda, which finds protection and coal magazines
under the walls of Peschiera, and can throw troops
across the lake in a very short time. Moreover,
there is a system of sluices by which the level of
the lake may be considerably raised, so as to pro-
duce, at a given moment, a vast impetus along the
Mincio, sufficient to sweep away any pontoon or
trestle bridges thrown over it by the enemy.
Mantua lies, like Peschiera, on an island formed
by the Mincio, much larger, however, than the
former, since it covers about 124 acres. Close to it
there is another, called the Te, which is used as a
Champ de Mars. Beth lie in the midst of a lake
formed by the widening of the river, and are
about 850 yards from either bank. Hence Mantua
is unapproachable, except by five narrow cause-
ways, viz., two on the left bank, and three on the
right. The fortifications of Mantua would be in-
significant, were it not for the protection afforded
by the lake. This may indeed be tapped, as was
done in the last century, but the only result was
the formation of a morass, emitting a most offen-
sive stench, and more impassable by an army than
the lake itself. The causeways are defended by
three forts—the citadel St. George to the east, and
Pradella and Pietoli to the left. The latter was
built by Napoleon the First. Austria has added
little to these fortifications, except a few mines.
Mantua, though always considered the key of
Italy, is too unhealthy and too far from the de-
files of the Alps, whence reinforcements and pro-
visions must arrive, to stand alone ; hence Verona
has been selected as the great central depot of the
_army. This city is situated at the issue of the
Adige" from the Alpine passes, and has received
most extensive fortifications, the cost of which
amounted in 1848 to 18 millions of florins, now
swelled to at least 25 millions of florins. Such
large sums spent within that small compass, has
contributed considerably to attach the Veronese to
the Austrian ink ; so that here the Allies are not
likely to meet with the sympathy of the popula-
tion. Verona possesses 55,000 inhabitants, and can
boast many valuable Roman antiquities, showing
that it has at times been considered an impor-
tant strategical point. The old Italian fortifications
form the groundwork of the modern works. On
the right bank of the Adige, the old wall has been
strengthened with eight bastions on the system of
Carnot. The approach to the town on the river
side is covered by Fort St. Proculo ; a little further
from the town is Fort Hess ; but these works being
insufficient to harbour a large army, an entrenched
camp has been added on an alluvial plain aban-
doned by the waters of the Adige. This plain is
surrounded with a series of strong redoubts, at
distances of about six hundred yards from
each other. Nearly all these redoubts are trape-
zoid, the larger base being turned towards
the camp, and each redoubt is provided with
bomb-proof barracks. The length of this for-
tified camp in three kilometres ; it is two in breadth.
On the left bank the old walls, originally erected
by the Emperor Gallienus, and at a much later
period repaired by the celebrated Engineer San
Michele, have been strengthened with bastians.
Fort San Felice, consisting of a continued
redan line crowning an inaccessible rock, an
off shoot of the Tyrolese Alps, completely com-
mands the town. The approaches to this fort are
defended by various trenches. Leguago is a
small fortress, serving as a link between Mantua
and Verona ; its great advantage is that it pos-
sesses a double bridge head, whence sallies may
be made on both banks of the Adige. Its present
fortifications were erected by Napoleon I.—The
quadrangle we have described, and especially
Verona, inspire the Austrians with great confidence.
If out-numbered, they can, by a retreat to Verona,
despise all attempts of the enemy ; the place being
ss vast that a siege is almost impossible on aacount
of the immense quantity of siege guns requisite ;
the neighbourhood of Peschiera and Mantua
enables them to draw troops from those places, or
conversely. If, on the other hand, they have the
advantage of numbers, they may leave their
wounded and their provisions in perfect security
at Verona, and monceuvre at pleasure on both sides
of the Mincio and Adige."