INTERCEPTED DESPATCH FROM AN AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY. bread bad egg 59 That his stomach was turn'd—that he'd ate a That his linen had, perhaps, not come home from In England also we have agricultural improve- I answered whatever came into my head, ments restrained by oldfashioned practices, That it may be he could n't digest your French and those practices in their turn kept on foot by old leases and an honorary proprietorship. A free trade in land, with transfer by a simple registration, would have proportionate though not so gigantic effects with us as with Ireland. Similar facilities have been afforded by the relief of emigration, though in a less degree: We possess capital for the purpose; and the success already attending free trade, with the incentive afforded by the increased demands of war-time, would give every impulse to enterprise; a British Encumbered Estates Act could remove the fetters that prevent the application of enterprise to land. From The Press 25 Nov. the wash That his boots hurt his corns, and he studied his ease That he 'd lost the key of his travelling-valise Through wearing it, perhaps (wherein you his folly see), On the very same bunch with the "key" of his policy. But say what I would there was something behind Which I could not remove from the Emperor's mind. INTERCEPTED DESPATCH FROM AN AM- Some person had told him (this much I arrive That the Premier resorts to bad language in pri BASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY. DEAR JOHNNY, — at) vate; I answered: "my aged superior is one (It's far from my wish to say anything spiteful) But to me such a change is both new and de-Till he asks both Kossuth and Mazzini to dinner. lightful. By the way, at this moment I even forget To any neat projet of Tartar Reform? For a proximate triumph of Liberal opinions?" What a spicy programme we've skotch'd for next year; It's clear that the Emperor thinks you far-'T will startle, I think, that preciously slow sighted. He was harder on me; for, by the Lord Harry, He press'd me with questions I could n't well parry: Thus he wanted to know (though delighted to see me here) How it was I was sent instead of the Premier. Set of pumps and purveyors, Herbert & Co. Their Chronicle-insults I could forget. From the Examiner. men bayoneted him as he lay helpless, their officers exciting them to the deed. In the affair of the two-gun battery, where eleven officers of the Coldstreams fell, it was only possible to rescue three with life from the same cowardly and murderous bayonets. Among the prisoners after the battle was a Russian major, who had been seen active in such foul work, and he is said to he only spared the rope till it is seen that Prince Menschikoff replies to a remonstrance from the Allied Generals. THE historian who describes hereafter the battle of Inkermann will have no need to call military science to his aid. Terrible as were the incidents of the day, and prodigious as its acts of valor, it furnishes no illustration of the art of war. It was not a battle, but a succession of battles. Each regiment of English had its host of Russians to repel. For an almost incredible length of time five hundred of the Coldstream To so barbarous an enemy must yet be conGuards kept at bay more than seven thousand ceded such merit as barbarians may claim. The antagonists. Before the 55th retreated from that science of the savage, which enables him to two-gun battery, which, taken and retaken no steal with success upon his foe, is possessed by less than five times, was to Inkermann what the Russians in an eminent degree. There can Hougoumont was to Waterloo, they had been be no question that the British force was taken outnumbered by fifty to one. In an assault at by surprise in this battle. However favored by another of the batteries, one artillery sergeant the darkness of the night and the density of the was seen defending himself with his sword alone fog, it was yet no common achievement that in amid a hundred enemies for full five minutes. the night between the 4th and 5th of November, Each hollow and ravine had its mortal conflict, fifty thousand Russians should have been able to and every hill side or precipitous pass was the clamber up the heights of Inkermann, bringing scene of a sanguinary struggle, hand to hand. with them not only their muskets, but their field So close for the most part were the combatants, artillery, and never once awakening suspicion that, after once firing, there was no time to re- till they opened their terrible fire. Regiment af load, and the fixed bayonet or clubbed musket ter regiment of the English was brought in haste did the rest; and such was the impenetrable mist to the scene, and fought in the gray coats in and darkness of the morning, that no officer, which the hasty summons found them. Even even if manoeuvring with any effect had been when the presence of artillery declared itself by possible, could see whence the enemy's hordes the shot and shell that swept through the tents, were issuing, or to what point he might next di- it is clear that so experienced an officer as Cathrect his countless battalions. On this bloody cart still could not believe that any considerable day the man who commanded counted for no force had got possession of the heights. It was more than the man who served. In one spot, not till the Coldstreams retreated from the rewithin five minutes of each other, five English doubt at which they had left eight officers and generals fell, of whom three never rose again. two hundred men, heaped upon some thousand Lord Raglan estimates the Russians in the field or twelve hundred dead Russians, that any numat 60,000, and against this force, from five o'clock ber of British regiments had been got into line to eleven on that terrible Sunday morning, the to drive back the dense masses that still crowded ground was held by 8,000 English and 2,000 over the hills. Nothing but the most cool preFrench. Even to such invincible heroism, how-cision, joined to unequalled daring and valor, ever, the issue of another rally of the enemy's could have counteracted the effect of a surprise still unexhausted numbers might have proved of this kind, supported by overpowering numbers. doubtful, when the arrival on the scene of four We purchased our triumph heavily, at the cost thousand additional French turned and de- of a third of our forces engaged, and more than cided the fortunes of the day. The battle was a hundred officers. But the value of what we prolonged till half-past two, but was never after- gained may be in some sort estimated by the fact wards for a moment doubtful. The French that up to the 13th no fresh attack had been cheered with our men, says Lord Raglan, French made, and that meanwhile the English position and English together charged down the hill, and had been so fortified by a new redoubt on the soon the dark columns of the Russians were seen right, and by such a series of entrenchments all in full retreat across the valley and bridge of the way down to Balaklava, that any renewal of Inkermann. Sixty thousand men had been re-such an enterprise as that of the 5th was held to pulsed by fourteen thousand, and had left upon be a sheer impossibility. the field, in killed, wounded and prisoners, a thousand more than the entire force that had sufficed to drive them back. What remains is summed up in one word, of which the full significance is now understood through the length and breadth of EnglandWe prefer to respect an enemy, and could wish reinforcements. They are needed to a greater exthis triumph had been gained over less barbar-tent than was at first supposed, and they must ous adversaries. But, on the concurrent testi-to that full extent be supplied without the loss of mony of witnesses too numerous and positive to a day that any human exertion can prevent. be doubted, we have to add that whatever may Treble the bayonets now in the Crimea are nehave been the courage displayed by the Russians so long as their fire protected them, they showed in other respects far more of the assassin's than of the soldier's qualities. When poor Col. Seymour sank wounded in the effort to raise his fallen general, five or six cessary for efficient completion of the work, and to furnish them every resource must be drained. Besides the instant help that must be thus provided, the question will soon also force itself on the Allies to what extent it may be possible to call in help from those populations who burn to en gage against Russia, but to whom arms have vice as if she had herself placed an army at his hitherto been refused. They may not present disposal. At least half the slaughter of our such disciplined and indomitable soldiers as those of Western Europe, but they are well able to meet Russians and to fight Russians after their own fashion. troops which has taken place in the Crimea is the work of Austrian diplomacy. And having done us this service, her Court now falls back into line with Prussia, and ambiguously gives out at Frankfort that if Russia makes no attack on the Principalities, there is no fear of Austria's drawing the sword. In other words, the guarantees which she was ready, as she led us to believe, to demand of Russia, in concert with the Allies, she now flings overboard completely; and it is no longer as parties to a common conference against Russia that we have to regard the Ger man Powers, but as States combined to maintain a menacing neutrality far more hostile to us than to Russia. The principalities, and their Rouman population are perfectly capable of raising an army of 40 or 50,000 men, and of feeding and supporting them in the field. But we have allowed Austria to occupy these countries under the pretence of quieting them, whereas the only policy pursued has been to despoil and disarm them. Is this to be permitted to go on? Austria, by re-establishing in office all the old agents and servants of Russia, has thus far only identified her cause with that of the Czar. The Wallachian patriots, exiled by Russia, remain more strictly exiled by Again we ask if this is to be allowed to go on, Austria. The very peasantry are watched as and if it is for the interest of the Allies that, jealously by the Austrians as by the Russians, with their consent and co-operation, a Russian and thus the power of a country is paralyzed, regime should be maintained in the Principaliwhich, organized in independence might already ties, their patriots still exiled, their armaments have afforded us an amount of material aid not prevented. Austrian troops in Moldavia and elsewhere obtainable. Wallachia have served merely to enable Russia On the first news of the battle of the Alma, to transport her southern battalions to Sebastoand the supposed capture of Sebastopol, Austria pol. Is it right that this state of things should sent to congratulate the Allies. What has she continue? Or would it not be better that the done since? She has gradually so withdrawn revenues of the Principalities should no longer from that quasi-hostile attitude to the Czar, as to be employed merely to fatten Croats, but to invite and encourage him to withdraw his armies maintain a force really hostile to Russia, and then approaching and threatening Gallicia. By sincerely interested in the alliance against her? this policy, and by throwing difficulties in the If it be true, as we see announced since this way of the bulk of the Turkish army entering was written, that the French Government have the Principalities, Austria has enabled Russia to resolved to send at once two divisions into the concentrate 100,000 men in or around Sebasto- Principalities, these questions are likely to repol. She has thus done the Czar as good ser-ceive speedy solution. THE REPLY OF THE FAIRIES.* WHERE do we hide when the year is old, When the flowers have laid them down to die, Where? Some of us borrow the white-mouse skin, We don't go home till morning. The queer old elves of the Northern land 1852. Sometimes we fly to the noonday isles, Sometimes we visit the children of earth, Are not we fairies good little things? As the dormouse curled in its darkened grave, As the naked woods when the birds are dumb, From Poems, By B. R. Parker. London, As the torrent penned up in its glittering sheath, We welcome the sight of the first green leaf. From the Economist, 25 Nov. moments sold even for considerably more. The high price was thus to a considerable extent nominal; it was a price expressed in a depreciated currency. There were, therefore, two causes to which the high prices of the last war may be attributable, neitheir of which is applicable now. First, there were series of years in which the crops universally failed, which led to the very high prices in particular years; and next, there was a depreciated currency which led to a general range of nominally high prices over the whole period. ciated in consequence. It is true that for the first four or five years of the suspension the depreciation was not so great; but towards 1809 it became A GREAT effort has been made by some of our very considerable, and continued so during the most influential contemporaries to connect the whole of the remainder of the war. For a long unexpected high price of corn with the war. Be-time a guinea was worth 27s, and at particular cause during the long war, from 1791 to 1815, there were several years of very high prices, and generally a range of good prices, it has been the fashion, without any very minute inquiry into the actual causes which during the period in question were calculated to produce such an effect, to attribute it simply and in general terms to the war. If, however, this be a popular fallacy or error, it is extremely desirable that it should be dissipated. For it is plain that there are two consequences which are certain to arise from such a conviction, both of which may, if carried to excess, be productive of public evil. No such causes affect the market price now. First, there have not been wanting already evi- Our currency is of full value, and in a most perdences of a somewhat painful kind, that the ex-fect condition. And while there may be a doubt pectation of high prices has been regarded by cer- expressed in some quarters whether the last hartain growers of grain as an ample satisfaction for vest has proved really as good as was expected, all the evils and cost of the war, and that, on that and whether the opinion formed of it was not an rather than the higher ground of great, national, exaggeration of the fact, yet it is impossible to and European considerations-the war is looked suspect that the harvest has been a bad one. upon by them with a favor which might outlive Last week we inserted a letter from a very emithe necessity for its continuation. On the other nent authority in such matters, which, so far as his hand, there have also been symptoms in large district of the country was concerned, went to populous neighborhoods of some discontent aris-show that the crop had really not proved to be so ing from the high price of bread, and connecting good, and that the farmers had experienced some it with the war. disappointment. To-day we insert a letter from As to the real cause of the present high price" Another Farmer" in the same spirit. But even of grain, and how far it will be sustained, there are no doubt very various opinions. But at least we think it will not be difficult to show that there are no satisfactory reasons for attributing it to the war; and, moreover, that there were causes in existence during the early years of the century sufficient to account for the high prices during But why should war lead to high prices, unless the war which do not apply to the present time. it be accompanied, as it was in the last war, with But, in the first place, we may remark that dur- financial difficulties, a suspension of cash paying the long war there were considerable fluctua-ments, and a depreciation of currency; and even tions in price. In 1792 the price of wheat was in that case, the high price arising from such too 41s 9d, and it advanced regularly until 1796, frequent accompaniments of war, would be rather when it was 76s 3d; but it again fell in 1798 to nominal than real. But apart from considerations 50s 4d; in 1800 and 1801 the price was respec- of currency, what reasons can be suggested for tively 110s 3d and 113s 11d; but in 1803 it fell high prices during war? Price is determined by to 57s 1d; from that time till 1809 it fluctuated supply and demand. Any circumstance, therefrom 60s to 94s; and in 1810 it rose to an aver-fore, which creates a general deficiency of supply, age of 110s 3d, and continued generally above or a general increase of demand, will undoubted100s till the close of 1813; in 1814 it fell to ly tend to raise prices. Does war do the one or 728 ld, and in 1815, before the close of the war, the other? So far as the home supply is conto 63s 8d. But examining these great fluctua-cerned, there can be no reason for saying that it tions, are there no causes irrespective of the war, is affected by war. Cultivation goes on as usual, to which the high range of prices may be attrib-and the result, as in times of peace, is determined uted? In the first place, there was the great by the character of the season. No doubt, so far failure of the harvests in 1799 and in 1800, which as foreign supplies are concerned, they may be was quite sufficient to account for the remarkable very much affected by war, or they may not, acprices in 1800 and 1801; again, the failing har- cording to its character. We will hereafter exvest in succession from 1809 to 1813 were suffi-amine how far they are likely to be so by the cient to account for the extraordinary prices at present war. Then so far as demand is conthat period. But was there no other general cerned, can it be said that there is anything in a cause which, during the greater part of that pe-war which is likely to increase it? There is a riod, very materially affected prices altogether? vague notion that the supplies of the army tend It will be observed that up to 1799 the prices of wheat continued moderate. In that year the Bank suspended cash payments. The circulation of the country became less or more depre all that this exceptional evidence would imply is, that the great expectations formed of the harvest have not been realized. No one attempts to say that at least it was not a good harvest. Neither of the great influencing causes during the last war, therefore, exist now. to a considerable increase of consumption, but there seems no foundation for such an impression. In the first place, the consumption of our largest armies is so small, compared with our entire means and demand upon it, that it could make Nor has a corresponding effort been made to 63 no perceptible influence upon the whole; in the supply home-grown wheat to make up the denext place, even though all the supplies were ficiency. It is true that the weekly sales in the sent from home, it would only be providing English markets have been large in the last two abroad for the same persons who had before been months, when compared with the very small deprovided for at home; and in the last place, it is liveries of 1853, but they do not so much exceed a fact that the great bulk of the actual consump- those of 1852. In the months of October and tion of food in a campaign is purchased on the November the quantities of English wheat respot; and therefore, so far as this goes, the con- turned in the Gazette were:sumption at home is rather relieved than increased. Then, again, as to the great bulk of the population at home, it is not likely that a period of war, when they are more highly taxed, and when therefore they can have a smaller portion of their entire income applicable to their general expenditure than usual, can lead to an increased consumption; on the contrary, the tendency will be to a diminished demand. While, therefore, there are some grounds for saying that the circumstances of war would lead to a reduced demand, and thus tend to lower prices, there is only one circumstance which would tend in an opposite direction-viz., the extent to which it might interrupt foreign supplies. How far, then, does the present war affect our foreign supplies? Of the entire importation of wheat and flour, the portion direct from Russia constitutes about 14 per cent.; but as the whole importations do not form more than about 20 per cent. of our entire consumption, the quantity derived from Russia is very little more than 23 per cent. of the whole. Again, during the first nine months of this year, the importations of wheat from Russian ports direct has been 525,000 qrs, against 773,000 qrs last year; so that the deficiency has been but 248,000 qrs. It is true, however, that recently the exportation has been prohibited, and the supply from that quarter has entirely ceased. It is also true that the occupation of the mouths of the Danube by the Russian forces has up to this time rendered it necessary to continue the blockade, and the large stores of wheat in the Principalities and in the Danubian ports have of late been pent up in granary and lost to the markets of Europe. But all this amounts to nothing as between a good and a bad harvest, and of itself could exert no perceptible influence upon prices. 1852. 1853. 1854.. qrs. .972,206 ..758,061 So that 136,938 qrs have been returned more in the present year than in the ordinary year of 1852; but of course these returns represent but country. In the great reduction of stocks both a small portion of the entire sales of the whole here and throughout the West of Europe, and in absence of imports, suspended in consequence of the low prices some time ago, we may discover reasonable causes for the present high prices, without attributing them to the vague and unintelligible consequences of a war; and the first symptom of a fall in price will be when foreign supplies begin to arrive more quickly, and the British farmers to sell their large crop more freely. From The Spectator 20 Nov. LADY FRANKLIN. plates the renewal of a task which it would be a LADY FRANKLIN, we understand, contemdisgrace to the country to leave to her. Already the country and its official representatives have tarnished their honor by their treatment of this lady. When she urged the necessity of searching for her husband, the answer was thrown out in some quarters, that it was too late. We now know that it was not too late; that Sir John Franklin and several of his companions were alive down to a late period in the spring of 1850. We therefore have arrived at the point of confirming the conclusion to which Lady Franklin with great probability had come before that year. fied by the event. She instructed two of the capIn another respect her sagacity has been justitains of vessels which she sent out (Forsyth and Kennedy) to explore southwards from Boothia to the mouth of the Great Fish River; and if they had done so, three or four years ago, we should have then had the information now brought to us. of the party would have been greater; and a fact The possibility of saving some which may perhaps be more important to some persons,-the cost of the great exploring expeditions since sent out to Wellington Channel and Melville Island, would have been entirely superseded. The truth is, that the war has little or no connection with the high price of grain. If it had, how does it happen that for many months after the declaration of war prices were rapidly reduced, week by week and month by month? We are rather disposed to believe that it is to the fact that prices fell too much, in anticipation of the harvest, that we are now suffering higher prices than the quality of the harvest would seem to justify. Our prices were speculatively reduced below the level of other countries, and stocks in the West of Europe being so much exhausted, the exports from countries where any surplus existed, and even from this country, were directed to France, Belgium, Holland, and Ger- portion at least of Franklin's party; we know We now have a clue to the ultimate fate of a many, in all of which countries prices were how to trace back towards the site where they higher than here. In consequence of this, our abandoned their ships, and to recover such recimports in the months of July, August, Septem-ords as they may have left. In order to make ber, and October in the present year have barely full use of this information, however, it is desira reached 750,000 qrs, against 2,132,000 qrs in the ble to employ in the search competent Arctic same months of 1853, and 1,362,000 qrs in 1852. naval explorers. And we understand by a letter |
