The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1832-12-11 00:00:00

THE MINISTRY AND THE BILL.

When the Whigs came into office it was assumed that
they had measures in contemplation of immense public
utility which they could not carry because the House of
Commons was elected by, what was called in the cant
of the day, a " corrupt, boroughmongering oligarchy;"
but, if we could only grant refonn, then we should see
what we should- see. Sober-minded men asked what
the measures were which would be so beneficial, and.
.which the then Parliament could not be expected to
adopt; but to this no very distinct answer was given.
Reform was at length carried, by fair means or by foul,
we stop not now to inquire which, but certainly in de-
fiance of protests, loud and deep, from those classes of
the community who were best qualified to form just and
impartial opinions ; and the public now naturally asks,
what the wonderful measures are for the sake of which
so much excitement was created, and so many dangers
were undergone ? But still we get no definite answer.
We look for the benefits of the bill, ,Or 'for signs of its
benefits, or for intelligible indications at least of what
they are likely to be, but, up to this moment, we look
in vain. In the mean time our actual calamities are
pressing and fearful, and they appear to be exactly of
that class against which the bill was to ensure us is all
'future time, without any chance of failure. Borough-
Mongering begat war,. and reform was certainly to
.guarantee- peace ; instead of which war stares us in the
'face, war in its wprst -form ; a war of palpable injustice,
undeniable impolicy„ and undisguised oppression. More
-than this, the war; 'all execrable as it is in character and
ruinous 'in tendency, is, in our judgment, the legitimate
offspring of the Reform Bill. But for the bill the Whigs
lrad- not been in office; but for the fact of the Whigs
being in office, hampered by the consequences of their
'own revolutionary proceedings, France would not have
dared to pursue an aggressive policy; and, but for the
aggressive policy of France, the squabble between Hol-.
:land-and Belgium would have been settled one way or
the other, months ago. So the war, infamous as it is,
and 'indelibly as it cannot but stain the annals of our
country, is only one of the consequences of the miserable,
bill which was to secure to us endless peace. Then the
bill was to bring retrenchment and financial prosperity;
'but how can these consist with the marching of armies,
the fitting out of hostile fleets, the embarrassment and
destruction of trade, and the universal alarm of con-
Siderate capitalists ? But, above all, the bill was to
produce internal tranquillity; it was to put down radi-
calism and corruption 'alike, to get rid of all the causes
of sedition, and to' secure the return to Parliament a,
-whin but the most honourable men in 'the land by the
lunbought suffrages of a virtuous and high-minded con-
stituency. Alas ! for the wits of projectors, and the un-
.forgotten bathos of the Times, and the mortifying dis-
closures of-the recent radical meetings in Westminster
and blsbwhere! The 'heaven-born bill haS passed, but
:the:people are more distressed, discontented, and 'divided
than ever; good men shriniko private stations, and the
basest of men • aspire to popUlar honours; the noble-
minded ten-pounders, all "men of property," think df
nothing but attacking property and fixing the .burden
dr the taxes on anyshoulders but their own; and the
Times itself acknowledges that the rampant democracy
:must •be effectually-curbed either by the strong arm of
the' law; or 'the combined efforts of the despised conser-
Tatives, or the throne itself 'will be stibverted, and the
country. plunged in ruin! The ultra-radicals of West-
minster, according to that journal, instead of, resting
satisfied with the bill, are endeavouring to effect "a
total and
,jacobinical revolution;" they wish to esta-
blish "the fiercest and'wildest of all tyrannies, the abso-
luteism of a desperate mob under the SpeeiotisUame of a
democracy;" They are bent upon bringing about (we
still quote the Times of only Saturday last) "by fair
means or by foul, at all events, at all risks, throughcon-
fiscation, pillage, fire, and blood, if not otherwise, a
terrible revolution." So much for the peaceable 'fruits
of the healing measure,. "the bill, the whole and
nothing-but- the-hill."—Morrring Post.

FOREIGN I:NTELLIGMNCE.
HOLLAND AND BELGIUM.

SIEGE OF ANTWERP.
The following details of the operations of Marshal Gerard
against the citadel of :Antwerp, since our last, we extracted,
from the correspondence of the Times :
"ANTWERP, Sunday,-Dee. 2nd; 2 o'clock.—The firing during:
the night and morning has been more frequent than yesterday
morning, yet it is slow enough. The French ridicule it as'
mere. play. I have been to Berchem, where are the French
head-quarters. There are several regiments hutted close to the
village. The Dutch made a slight sortie this morning, at 11
Velock,-which was 'repelled with the loss of four or five killed
and wounded on the French side. I have not heard how many
were injured on the Dutch side. The French have taken a non-
commissioned officer . belonging to, the besieged. The work-
men
continue to work in' the formationof the batteries, which,
notwithstanding there-are 18 inches of waterin some, are ex
pected to be completed to-morrow. In the river there is but
little-thatige. The-French troops are stationed in smallparties
along the'dike leading from Calloo to Fort Austreweel, or, as
it is sometimes called, St. Isabel. The Dutch in that fort fired
some musketry and a cannon at the French when approaching.
The reason of the slow firing of the garrison during the night
and morning is' said to be the hazy weather, which, with the
trees that are growing between the trenches and the citadel,
renders it 'difficult to descry the workmen. Chasse did not cut
down the trees, and is now much embarrassed by them. The
Belgians would have prevented him. The number of persons
said on the French side to be killed, on the whole, 'does not
amount to more than 10 or 12. This, however, may be doubted,
as occasional grape-shots are heard. The citadel has been
found to be more difficult than the French at first imagined.
They, therefore, are resolved to take their time, and to make
every preparation in the best order before they begin their -can-
nonade. Some persons imagine that there may be a second
summons to General Chasse before the French will open their
fire. The weather is wet, and the roads, except the paved ones,
almost impassable from the mud. It is far from being cold,
which is a great advantage to the besiegers.
SUNDAY NIGHT, HALF-PAST 11.—The firing during the even-
ing,
which was rather fine, was brisker far than on any former
occasion. The Dutch garrison appear to 'have found their
range," and they now fire in order to delay the works, frighten-
ing the wcamen rather 'than by doing them injury. This fine
old city is, perhaps, doomed 'to perish. I fear it from the pe-
rusal of General Chasse's last comnlunication, which threatens
to destroy the city if Marshal Gerard shall'make use of the same
means to attack the citadel-as. did the besigers in 1746 and
1792; 'and it demands that the Scheldt be declared free for his
having ail communications from Holland during the siege.
From very good sources I learn, that the Belgian authorities
are, to-morrow, to givenotice to all vessels in- the harbour to
quit it immediately under the white flag, and that, henceforth,,
none will be allowed to come up the river. General Sebastia-
ni's corps, which has already re-established and armed Fort St..
Marie, near Calico, will prevent them effectually. The last of

the merchant ships detained yesterday are.to sail to-morrow nir4
der the nehtral flag. To-morrow, or, rather, this day, for itl-
now past midnight, and the cannons of the citadel are growl
with more vehemence than on any previous night, the Frenes
are expected to have their batteries fully ready; they will thee
attack, and the corps of General Sebastiani will, at the gad,
time, move on the 'fete de Flanders. It is, therefore, diflicta
to ensure the safety of this city during twenty-four hours. 4,0„
MONDAY MORNING, DEC 3.—The efforts of the French •-•--
vernment to give. Holland a chance of endin this fruitless cc°
test have been proved by the mission of M. G.I son to the Frill
of Orange. M. Giessen went to the Dutch rontiers, and ha e
as it is confidently stated, several communications with tho
Prince of Orange, which ended with a declaration, that,
'French agent, he could' not be admitted in Holland ; he the','
fore, last week, returned. I have been assured that the best•ti
derstanding continues to exist between Marshal Gerard 9',
Colonel Caradoc, the British agent at the French heasl-na3,
tors.-
MONDAY, 10 O'CLOCK.—The weather continues showery, a;b(le
of course, not favourable to the operations of the besieged. ` is
earth is wet, and the trenches watery and muddy, so that it I
very difficult to move the guns along them. It is therefore sa;lej
that the French cannot commence their firing upon the eitau
until to-morrow. The firing of the citadel is a little brisker than
that of yeSterday. There was some sharp firing of musket!r.
heard during the night and before six o'clock this morning:
some conjecture it to have been caused by sorties from the Pi,
rison. Since writing the above, I have made inquiries respec
ing the fusilade, and. find that it originated in a mistake w
sentinel, who fired, it is supposed, on some persons coming frog'
the citadel.
TweLvE o'cLocK.—l have been to examine tha state of tiler
river, and find that the permission for the sate departure.°
the vessels that were delayed on Saturday has arrived, and "7„°.4
persons are ,to go with them down the river to show the flaet'i.
to the French troops at Calloo, who mistook them '''er
Dutch convoying persons from the citadel. The number.
vessels in the basin now amounts to about 20, most of wbic
have nearly discharged their cargoes; those that draw less than
-
seven feet of water are expected to pass by the canal to Ghlt,
e
Bruges, and -Ostend •; the larger must endeavour speedily
take their departure by the Scheldt.
Oarn o'cLocx.—l have been assured that there are sixtee hit
natrehofuosrebsoomfbs.
batteries now armed by the besiegers out of the nineteen wh,.`cht,
wilt be ready at day-break to-morrow morning to begin '
fire. Nine of those bat:left:ems
public resort, t° I o
" MONDAY NIGHT,
gloloraO'CriciLWOCoKv.—eriThheelmwienaglhthere :i0t;I.11111110Cie:
who choose to quit the town that the fie
policeroar
min y,alhalonthsd
geaodrodeois.
sttooonttshhee
gates shall be open for their departure, but, once outside ,
city, none whatever shall enter. The people now twain to feel
the horror of quitting their houses, or of running the risk ~!'e
losing their lives ; some have made up ,their minds to take la
chance of the city.
inhabitants
'`TUESDAY MORNING, DEC. 4, 9 o'CLocK.—The inhaol,-,„
of the city have been in movement all the morning,—some
ing from the dangers which they see likely to destroy Vat
houses and their property. The officers have been in 'novena&
in order to witness the first French fire, which was to take Pl'; •e
at eight o'clock. Alarm, agitation, and affright are visible
the groups collected to look at each other and to hear the n. It:
During the last hour Chasse's cannon have been very sila-st
a rumour, unhappily unfounded, is circulated among sonie,,at
the groups, that, a courier has arrived from Holland, and tIL,
the Governor is about to parley,; but the best-informed; sha
their heads, to indicate there is no truth in it. • h_ st'
" TEN O'CLOCK.—This is St. Barbe's-day (in Englis.m,es
Barbara,) the fete-day of the French cannoneers, and h.,e,',;e3
night they expect to celebrate it with her music. The no
during the last two hours of the cannon of General Chasse e,
given much more anxiety than satisfaction ; it is, as it' Iger
the last hope of a man doomed to die. f tr
"ELEVEN O'CLOCK.—M. de Tallanay,. secretary 19 ha' i
French Embassy at Brussels, and Colonel Caradoc, have
a conference, and it is presumed to relate to the last suni—hs,
which is to be sent to General Chasse. The white flag 60
been waved from the *spire of the cathedral for four °roe
minutes, and the officers around have exclaimed, ' there
the 5 then
communication with the citadel.' It is thought to be Lue„ther
summons. The wind has turned to the north, and the wiee-ests
has grown clearer, the cannons have begun to roar, the
in ad
are removed, the citadel will not.yield to the will of maligot'
Europe,—the King ef Holland is resolved to do his worst- act-
" QUARTER PAST ELEVEN O'CLOCK.—SeVentI of the resPdaet
able and wealthy inhabitants have applied to the coming
of the city, Colonel Buzon, for leave to return, after nn' ate(
the town, but his -will is fixed. None willbe allowed to reit. I,e
until it be known whether Chasse shall fire on the town; a to
do not, other measures will be-taken, and ingress allowebee
those who obtain permission. The troops in the city have d be'
under arms all the-morning; a regiment of Chasseurs stan also
side their horses in the Place Verse. Several cannons are ,be
stationed near them, in readiness in case necessity arise. , if
French have not yet fired; the difficulty lies in the faalbo
they will fire from Montebello, which may compromise are
city. The number of batteries which they have outside, ail
stated' to amount now to 13, with 60 pieces of artillery O'
descriptions; 9 are for shells. tocitirc,
"HALF-PAST 11 O'CLOCK.-The French have begun
principally from a battery between Fort Montebello el tired,
Fort lying close on the glacis of the former. The citade tire,
Fort St. Laurent, as well as Fort Kiel, have returned the lool;-
The city is deserted, and the few inhabitants who remain
in most painful consternation.
building iii
"HALF-PAST I O'CLOCK.-1 have been to a high toro
order to observe the firing. The citadel and the Dutch ears
appear like molehills, with casemates. The French fircaPSeasi-
in general well-directed against Fort St. Laurent and the , ,ey
lune behind it, but few Dutchmen make their appearance...l.:fel;
are all concealed. Several shells have burst in the cl.araat,
two bullets from the Dutch, directed on the battery in .:.ia to
have fallen on Fort,Montebello itself. The French are R:ki„g
be at work in the commencement of the 3rd parrallel. Nnrced,
new in the Scheldt. The wind and rain, now recomin*va
prevent the cannons' roar being much heard in the town. li aot
work is expected to-night; yet. it is hoped that the city w'
become the sacrifice of Dutch vengeance. ,h itC°
"-BRUSSELS, TUESDAY, Dec. 4th, 4 O'CLOCK P.M. i,ce iall'
counts which have just arrived from Antwerp give ,a,ce „a
choly picture of the state of the roads between that P wen,
Mechlin. They are almost blocked up with crowdes_eun, kind
women, and children, on foot, on horseback, and in v...„ almost
of conveyance that could be procured. The roads 31'
b the ear-
impassible, except;in the centre, .which is taken uP 41, necless I.
riages; the sides, Which are knee-deep, are crowded w '_'4",,..,y of I
trians who have been unable to get any conveyance,
_rtoder
them aged men and women, and 'not a few children of under
3rears, who were literally wading-through the mud, nue be had
heavy rain. When Chassehombarded Antwerp befor lenee..
no shot'fired against him, so that he had not a gun to
c'ees of
He will now have to return the fire of nearly 30° lelrefore!
cannon, besides 120 mortars. Every shot or shell, t,, iestrec-
which he throws into the city, merely for the sake otfhieji he,
tion, will be sUmuch deducted from that power with. :sake (.1
has to attack his assailants, and it is supposed, for tno
,urn an
himself and his garrison, he will feel it necessary to. ;tiling
his force against them. The conduct of Chasse in not a: of the.
himself of the power he had to interrupt the operation_ooe of
workmen is still unexplained. It was calculated by
about
about
the French military authorities that they. would lose en to
500 men per day in the construction of their Works, but
this moment moment the total number killed did not exceed 40. bas
nading be
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 5, 12 O'CLOCK.—The canno att, the
continued since yesterday briskly enough, yet notariason
force which some persons expected. Some of the b tWeceraelt
the French side have distinguished themselves by thecrt so that
of their fire ; others are said to have pointed too high,, the,
some shells and balls passed over the citadel, and fell ,_ecteo
Scheldt. It was hence imagined that those shots were de bison
to sink the gun-boats in the river, but none of them Kaye of- the,.
effect. Fort Montebello, which is an advanced work, ,o!
town, and which is in the hands of the French what, tort
St. Laurent and Kiel were in the hands of the Dutoli, lcalle6
yesterday and this day against the bastion of the citadelll ,r/
Pacedo. The number of
.guns employed by. the French oil
now officially stated to be 60 cannons, of various caliorrLti sa,
22 mortars and howitzers. ' Some of the latter are desc
~`: bill
being let off last night, not in the curve usnally fon:nada,.
triangularly, which mode of firing is said to haveLlpruef th',
much execution in Fort St. Laurent. The chief. fire _ hti!
citadel, as far as I could see from an elevated situatinpfert
been latterly directed towards the batteries in frontu°,!e yes',
Kiel. Forts St. Laurent and Kiel have been silent siinu_io o;
terday. evening. The citadel already shows external ?-,la;
~g,
ofin wonheicohf
ctohne
thiriustrso,g lit
shells that fell in it one burst and breaklt. tile
sawat ht
e iamongnjurhalf-pasties many
tt
hsur three fee ros .'
c I oAc kfi, r ethe brokesm smokeet
large buildings. Its fire is rather slack, and the
t.
a,. ie to
imagined to be weak; hence some, persons suppose h
~,_ too
considerable portion of the corner of the gable of odnefeeli°e,
,its.,
11 be • a
unless he be permitted to retire, when the French will is
pelled to allow him to withdraw with the honours. , 400 r.
or three days General Chasse will"threaten to burn. the coo'
•of 'yesterday has in great
-
resent his fire. The consternation
~ ,e alio _,
The
t ranegi et
ynotion d
010 honour
nothingto threaten eaattteano
attack' him,'
ffeb
ontdii; gali's,n.„ eiretaOl
measure subsided; there have been some country peoPA ,i, re'
to enter with provisions. Last evening some respects
o

istel;:
`%,;bril°

ki
as, wishing to re-enter, dressed themselves with blouzes, and
I'4'llo whee,barrows with vegetables, &c. and got in with ease. ,1
t bay ,
e not heard that any shot has been directed at or fallen in
city. The French works in the third parallel are stated td
41vancing. The weather is fine for the season—sharp, yet
tZ3',. which prevents persons from distinguishing the effect of
aifferent shells on the batteries or citadel.- 'there was a
t.'lght frost last night, which the French hope is a prelude of a
`1141';?; ice so as to enable them to attack the Tete de Flanders.
tte(‘lNE O'CLOCK.—The firing has been brisk during the last hour.
c. 14" no means of learning the loss of the French since yes-
but Up to Monday I'llave been persons tat e killed
,'a Wounded did not exceed 25 men. Some pwho ap-
r4,7ed to apprehend that siege would become a long busi-
t,ss now think differently, as Forts St. Laurent and Kid con-
-4-1;1,1e totaliy silent. The forts in the city are preparing more
4" more to repel any attack on it. The citadel suffers consi-
w„Pal'lY• he weather is clouded anew, and the guns, which
(tr,,e not heard distinctly during the night or morning, are now
B"ngliished as strongly as ever. In the river there is nothing
p; Use French soldiers occupy the dike from Calloo towards
'il Austreweel.
e,Two o'cLocK.—The frigates Comet and Eurydice and the
ipifYette Proserpine are now stated to attack Fort St. Marie
'eh defends. itself with vigour.

tinties
The
rhe°
to ,-e
°
tbe

[l, t.
jenc2:
eba:
went

'cits;
alr
tire;
RAP

len,
,i,cl
,est
car-

Sr
Of
,der
der
had

THE FRENCH ARMY.
IlEaciirm, DEC. 4.—The night passed off quietly, the citadel
~.ehtinuing to send occasionally some shot and shells, which
,leilerislly have done but little mischief. The roads being torn
ti!",, have become altogether impassable, notwithstanding the
tosihes that were laid unon them,. and it was found impossible
bring the cannon by that way. In au instant the resolution
I.„'S taken to cut the trench, and to carry the 16 pieces which
0-tinsiained to be placed by a road which laordered on the glacis
I,llelLlqe citadel. It was hoped that the Dutch, not expecting
Ivo' a daring attempt, might not perceive them, and at the
te„rst if they were seen it was only some men lost. This bold
101_1 was executed with equal courage and success. The senti-
le,' on the city perceived it, and in an instant a number of bul-
-4,1', and balls were let fly. Some men and horses were killed
i„.,4 wounded, but nevertheless the guns were carried forward,
47 in less than three hours the ba.tteeies No. 7 and 8, being
!.I.a.st, were fully armed. The most experienced officers of
t e 'ollery said too much praise could not be given to their corn 7
ts by whom this bold measure was achieved. It may also be
served that the incredible difficulties which the weather and
het hture of the ground presented to the artillery and engi-
O sawill render the citadel of Antwerp memorable, and will
to the laurels of the two corps engaged in it. As I told
I,°u, 87 pieces of cannon will soon make themselves heard.
eil4norrow 44 mortars will be placed. Thus the first fire of the
ten
will be terrible. The artillery officers calculate that in
4h ours of the day each cannon will have fired 50 times,
,"ing in the whole about 4,500 bullets, which will strike the
be'eaces of the citadel every day, and this independently. of
acts
each mortar wbitzers and bomll only firs. In ordeerone. that
shell e the diveryrection
tenor he
fifteen
ex-
salutes; this, however, will make upwarde of 2,000 bombs,
filch must, when the distance is exactly calculated, fall every
Within the citadel.
itEvEN 'Lotx.—At this moment the Marshal, standin,g
e,.,the batteroyc of the centre, No. 5. having beside him the Cone-
hdant of Artillery and engineers, his aides ale-camp; and a
%eat number of officers, who were anxious to he present, gave
tee signal. The battery, No. 5, fired the first shot, which was
lLecived with a thousand cries, repeated throngh the whole
aic, of " Vive le Roy." At the same moment, as if in echo,
te fire of the other batteries answered to that of No. 5.
tree spectacle was grand. The Marshal and his staff proceeded
itt'th,. battery to battery, encouraging the troops by his, presence.
the twinkling of an eye the parapets of the citadel, which
pad been crowed with Dutch officers, were deserted, and not
of of them to be seen. One could so well follow di:: course
I,ethe bails from Fort Montebello that the earth of the para-
sc's Might have been seen flying about every tithe they were
itlck. The citadel returned the fire but slowly. The dis-
tbji arges'had not been much more frequent than they were for
pe last few days. At neon the batter, NO. 1, erected in
ton /vlontehello, had dismounted two pyieces in the citadel.
b')htl vices followed these hits, each of which was acknowledged
el a Belgian band Of music, who struck up a lively air at
ery shot.
ONE o'cLom—Three pieces in .parapets.l have been dis-
elinted, not a persoa is seen on the Several of our
tg9t have struck a large barrack in the citadel; we do not per-
tt've that it is yet on lire. In our, batteries the soldiers rival
l4cno.leoid of their officers. The order is to fire slowly, and
48'e good aim. This is most strictly obeyed. Every one is
tetonished at the slight resistance made by Chasse. There are
'ow' Persons in the trenches, but a great number in the open-
It rrom them, directed in a straight line towards the citadel.
tis said that the order will be given to-night to make the se-
L ~13d parallel, which will be about 60 yards' from the glacis of
inb citadel. I am not able to ve you any news of what'is pass-
°ll the left bank of the Scheldt, but there also there must
solhe fighting, because we see smoke... 'ln the midst of. this
readful conflict, Marshal Gerard preserves. wonderful sany froi4
ethinkings expressed his satisfaction in that Antwerp is
I°w free from danger. General Chasse, attacked by the lest-
No. 1, of Fort Montebello, and not having fired on, the
mty 'tis to be. hoped there is nothing to fear for the people of
htwerp.
t;Visris.r: o'cLocx, voople here do not know what to
wike of Chasse. The military men, French, English, and Bel-
Va-11, are totally at a loss to account. Or his conduct on any of
.Ir,ir, recognised principles aatta.ck and defence of a fortress.
eught, they say, to have fired from the first, arid if he had,
h the number of cannon at his command,,used only ordi-.
`l'Y exertions, he might have delayed the completion of the
1 mor
s front or him i,many days; and even Oen they-could
,
hlt4 have completed but wills loss oX•2,000 men. A•courier,
:`8 Just arrived here from Antwerp, and up to his departure the:
number put hors de combat frona_the cemmenceraeut did;
I understand, amount to, as many hundred.
lite. 4, IN THE AFTEENOON.—The ;Mechlin gate is agaiu;
eh to persons returning to the city. All the embrasures or
•,3!e batteries on the left face of the bastion de Toledo, and some!
.1)1 the right, are so choked up with earth thrown up by the fire of'
.14 cannon, that the guns are silent on that side. 'The Dutch,
a,begun to play from a new battery erected'on the flank of
• oastion, opposed to that of Toledo, and facing the city.:
is destined to attack the battery No. 2, which has done
Freat damage by its fire. The Fort Montebello, of which the
qttery was thrown up in great haste while we were expecting
k
attack from the Dutch, has suffered some damage by the
effect of its own firing
,HALF-PAST 4.—We can see the artillerymen of Fort Monte-
at work repairing
.their demi-bastions. The Dutch on
t sir side are endeavouring to repair their embrasures, but the
•crt obliges them to retire by its discharge of grape amongst the
• workmen.
o'cLocK.—We do not hear any more cannon from the
fiqe of the Lunette St. Laurent.• The Dutch are sending shells
Plll a new battery erected on the curtain of the bastion of
4 o'cLocK,—The besiegers and the besieged have ceased to
fire their cannon. Each is engaged in the repairs of theworks.
,e fire of the French guns was S shuts an how each.
t.l-0 o'cLocK --Shells are discharged frequently fremboth sides
he firing en. the French side; is Improved. The guns of the
'sleged are no longer heafd.
4110Nrclur.—The Datch have Placed mortars on the bastion
11 the right facing the,eity,toalipw sheLs against the batteries
2, and 3.
„ YHERSDAy, DEC. 5, HALF-PAST 3, A. M.—A, fire has broken
"tlt in the citadel.
o'cLocK.—The fire is still, seen to.rage with some fury, The
besiegers have recommenced their fire.
eld'• 9 0 cLocK.—A brisk fireSrem. all
alit on the French
e does not excito the Dutadi to retUi lleir fire is very
weak on every point.
tOO 13'cLocx.—The firing has totally, ceased on the left face of
Toledo bastion. The battery at Menzeoello is directing its
Lis on another quarter,
• 1, .IALF-PAST 10.—TO the ri,ght of, Montebello, chase to , the
,t:wder.-magazine, the French are, ereAing a battery for mor-
,s, which will play this evening.
o'CLOCK.—The fire whichbeoke out in the citadelis nearly
tkti4o. .
kiALF-PAST haaagain bred en out, and is now burn-
briskly.
• O'CLOCK, p. m,—A piece oh...the right of, the Toledo bastion
4 dismounted t,wq, pieces of.the battery No. 3.
wWEDNEsoay, DEc. s.—The fire was continuod both.sides
tilth great vigour :during.the night. Some of tlifl• Intl:44and4lgs
tr'e Citadel were set on fine several times by cur seeds, we
,liet'lnently saw volumes of flame shoot forth, but the soldiers
ceeded in arresting their progress. At dity-bredE. the
.04 our batteries was renewed with redeabled.cuergy, and h)-
,1 o'clock we could easily perceive the ravages made by Our
i4B on the batteries of the enemy. The Lunette of St. Litlireut
Montebello
broken up, and has ceased to fire. From the Lunette
•
bastion
we can plainly see the embrasures of one side of
of the citadel, which was under . the fire of the forts
1 and 2. They are literally crumbled to pieces by our but-.
f,,- During the night the besieged withdrew their cahnon
441,11 that part, and have not replaced them, so that that side
:es not now reply to our shot. But they still fire from the Us-.
ette St. Kiel and from the masked batteries facing ours, from

No. 5 to 10. They also discharge mortars and howitzers, but
the shells do no harm—most of them burst in the air. Their
bullets in general are better directed. The Dutch artillery-men
are skilful, but they appear to be badly commanded; for instead
of endeavouring to dismount the guns, they take aim at even
an isolated soldier. We have here used, for the first time,
howitzers of greater length than those already in use, and the
artillery are satisfied wan the result.
10 o'cLocK.—Many of our shells have fallen upon the large
barrack, which seems to be a great point of attack with some of
our batteries. We now and then see clouds of smoke ascend
from this building. The engineers, during the fire of our bat-
teries, press on- their operations with activity. The second
parallel is completed, and the communications from it touch
the Lunette St. Laurent.
11 o'cLocx.—The Duke de Nemours, Marshal Geird, Ge-
neral Desprez, and their staff, have visited all the batteries. In
the battery No. 3, a ball struck the lining of the bastion, and
completely covered the Duke de Nemours and the Marshal
with clay. Neither one nor the other seemed at all moved by
the circumstance. This bullet seemed to be the last fired from
the citadel. The cannon were soon after withdrawn from all
the embrasures ; but to see the silence and solitude of the place
and the shot and shells that fell upon it without being returned
took away all interest from the scene. To-night, according to
every appearance, we shall occupy the Lunette St. Laurent.
and perhaps a station more advanced in the midst of the first
fosse in the citadel.
QUARTER-PAST 2.—Two immense colums of smoke appear
rising slowly from the citadel. 'We do not knoW exactly the
spot, but there is no doubt that an extensive conflagration is
going on in the buildings. We learn, at the same time, that a
serious cannonade is going on between the Dutch frigate Eury-
dice and Fort St. Marie. The great progress made in the ope-
rations of the siege will be manifest to-morrow. The report is
circulated that the Baron Chasse looks with indifference on our
rapid progress, because he calculates that the high tide on the
7th of this month will prove a powerful auxiliary to him, by en-
abling him to inundate a great part of our works. You should
be on your guard against such stories, which are circulated
with great levity.

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.