The Sun.
London, England, 1857-10-01 00:00:00

CALCUTTA.

The following is from the summary of the Bengal
Hurkart6 (Calcutta), of Aug. 23 :
We have had no great massacres or gross blunders
to record during the past fortnight, which has been
principally distinguished by minor mutinies and
minor mistakes.

The mutinies are still developing, and the insur-
rection is taking a consistent form. To judge by
present appearances, there will soon be scarcely a
regiment or a district that has not caught the in-
fection, in Bengal or the North-West. There was
a lull of several days soon after the departure of the
last mail, during which things seemed at their
worst, for all communication with the North-West
and Bombay was completely cut off, and the re-
bellion showed the most unmistakeable signs of
narrowing its circle round Calcutta. Since then a
change for the better has taken place. The com-
munication has been restored, and the news ob-
tained by thiss means turns out to be far more
favourable than most persons had expected. Re-
inforcements had arrived at Delhi, and the besiegers
were making more impression upon the place than
they had ever done before, were in bettor spirits,
and had the fullest confidence in their speloady and
triumphant success. The besieged were in a
wretched condition, and it is said had offered terms
of capitulation, which had. been refused, not be-
cause they were unsatisfactory, but because no
terms at all could be accepted. After he many
false reports which had been circulated upon the
subject, we can scarcely expect our readers to share
our confidence when we once more express our be-
lief that Delhi may have fallen long before this
sheet is in their hands. But such is now the gene-
ral impression, and it is justified by the strongest
facts. The besieged, it is known, are nearly with-
out ammunition, having for some time past been
firing pieces of telegraph wire and kunkur from
their muskets, and they are besides being fast de-
cimated by famine and disease.
The news from Agra is equally satisfactory.
After the battle, which we recorded in our last
" Overland Summary," the Fort, where the garri-
son and inhabitants had taken refuge, has not been
threatened, though all the houses in cantonments
and the civil lines have been destroyed by the bud-
mashes (i.e., blackguards) of the city, and the 3000
prisoners, whom, in spite of warnings which they
have received fpr years past, the government
insisted upon keeping in the heart of the station.
The value of the property thus destroyed is immense,
for the merchants were prosperous, and their large
shops abounded with the most costly articles of ne-
cessity or luxury, obtained from home at great ex-
pense, and for the loss of which they, as well as
the other sufferers, need .not and of course do not
expect to obtain one sixpence of compensation.
The books of the Agra Bank are suppcsed to be
destroyed, a circumstance which was deeply
lamented by those who were indebted to that in-
stitution, as the loss would have prevented them
from liquidating the claims against them. The
spirits of these persons (a numerous class) have,
however, risen again upon hearing that a dupli-
cate of all the accounts is kept in Calcutta (which
we believe to be the case) so that they will be after
all spared the pain of occasioning any loss ta
the Bank. It is scarcely fair to throw blame
upon any precautionary measures which have
had the effect of sparing human life, but it is
the opinion of many persons in Agra, well quali-
fied to judge, that it was a mistake to aban-
don cantonments (except as far as the non-com-
batants were concerned) and that the station might
have been successfully held and saved from de-
struction, which was brought upon it, not by the
mutineers, but by the unarmed prisoners and the
rabble of the place. _

Our troops still hold Cawnpore and Allahabad,
but General Havelock has been unsuccessful in the
relief of Lucknow. After displaying great activity,
and fighting more battles than were ever fought
before in so short a time, he has fallan back upon
Cawnpore, with a force, it is feared, considerably
veakened, but which has for all that done wonders.
It is believed, however, that though unable to re-
lieve Lucknow, his presence in its neighbourhood
enabled the beaieged to establish a communication
with the outside, and to obtain supplies, which
will enable them to hold out for some time longer
than they could othewise have done. What is to be
the next plan for the relief w 3 are not aware, but
it is said that Sir James Outram is to perform the
work by operations from another direction. The
greatest anxiety is naturally felt for the safety of
Lucknow, and there are not wanting suspicions
that it has already fallen. But these cannot be
trace .1 to any justifiable source, and we should
be sorry to eneourage them without good causes
especially as a catastrophe at Lucknow similar to
that of Cawnpore would be far more horrible, be-
cause the garrison is larger, and the number of
lalies and children far more extensive. Up to the
present time, we repeat, there is no ground for rip-
prehension upon this score.
We have said that there has been no great blun-
der committed during the fortnight, but our rea-
ders must not suppose therefore that no great harm
is being done. The policy which was inaugurated
by the appointment of Mr. J. P. Grant as Ohs
structor-General of the military operations, his
been developed by the employment of one Ameer
Ali as his subordinate with the powers of a cove-
nanted magistrate and a salary of 1,500 rupees per
month. This is being followed up by other native
appointments, upon a similar principle, which have
excited the deepest disgust among all classes of
Europeans, the only supporters of the policy being
a few members of the civil service who have unfor-
tunately got possession of the ear of the Governor-
General, and seem to have besides taken a hard
hold of his lordship's understanding.
The most cheering event of the fortnight is the
arrival of Sir Colin Campbell and his appointment
from home as Commander-in-Chief. The quali-
fications of Sir Patrick Grant for the post are un-
doubted ; but while rejoicing that the progress of
liberal views had permitted the chief command to
' be held by a Company's officer, the community
here forgot that this very circumstance would de-
prive Sir Patrick of all power to act with effect. Sir
Patrick Grant, had he been a Queen's officer, might
have done good by acting independently and fear-
lessly doing his duty. Sir Patrick, being a Com-
pany's officer, had his hands tied. Ha could do
nothing unless his advice happened to be acceptable
to others, or unless he chose the advice of others
acceptable to himself. Under these circumstances
it was mere nonsense bringing him from Madras,
as he soon began to think himself. So, as soon as
possible after the arrival of Sir Colin Campbell, ho
prepared to return to the command of his habitual
Sopoys, and if report says truly, the 17 guns which
announced his departure yesterday morning were
the sweetest sounds he has heard for some time.

Sir C. Campbell has the opportunity which was
denied to Sir P. Grant ; and those who best know
the character of the former gaPant (fficer, are the
least likely to suppose that he will let the oppor-
tunity escape. The best means of giving Sir Colin
Campbell tho authority which we all feel that he
ought to hold, would b 3 to proclaim militaryl,lw
throughout the Bengal I?r,sidency, and _a petition
to this has already been extensively signed
and presented to the Governor-General. Now that
the Mohurrum is just commencing this question. is
one of particular importance, and all we hope is
that the measure will not be found necessary after
the mischief has been. clone. It is due, however, to