xliv BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCH. 



turns altogether upon home subjects, such as the game-laws, liberty of the press, considered as a 

 social question, and its dangers and abuses." Although peace was considered as settled, and 

 Russian officers circulated throughout the British camp, the English had not yet obtained 

 permission to cross the Tchernaya. 



Two ladies, whose names need not be mentioned, accompanied by their husbands, came 

 to see whatever was of interest, made themselves thoroughly agreeable, gave no trouble, and 

 fully appreciated the skill of Lord Arthur's chef, and the quality of his Perrier-Jouet and 

 Chambcrtin. One of the ladies expressed a desire to visit the Flag-Staff Battery. When the 

 party was riding towards it a rat crossed the roadway. AVhen inside the works, Lord Arthur 

 called out, " Here we are in the midst of the famous ^Bastion die If at !'" And then he did the 

 cicerone: — " Look at this! See that! How wonderful this is !" (pointing to different objects). 



" Ah, Lord "NValden," observes one of the ladies ; " I saw such a huge rat crossing the 

 road just before we entered. Is it not funny T' This was the only remark elicited from the 

 ladies by the interior of the Flag-Staff Battery. 



The soldier's work was done, and there was full time for criticisms on the whole campaign. 

 It was urged in the ' Times ' that the North Forts should have been attacked. " The guns on 

 the north side actually in position have been counted, and they number 1000. These are 

 all heavy ships' guns. The position is impracticable by nature, and never could have been 

 carried except by being turned. To turn it must have caused a change of the base of our 

 operations. I have ridden over the whole of the enemy's position, and examined the ground 

 carefully. My conclusions are that we were wise in not attacking it. The Russians have 

 told me that our generals showed great sense in not attacking for several reasons. If we 

 had attacked and been repulsed what would have been the effect upon the terms of peace ? 

 It must never be forgotten that the Russians are first-rate soldiers, and that the capture of 

 the Malakoff was a perfect fluke. If the gorge had not been closed the French never could 

 have held it. It was closed after Todleben had retired on account of his wounds, and all the 

 RussiaT\s speak of it as the great mistake of their defence. In order to realize the difficulties 

 that existed, it would be necessary to visit carefully the ground near Sebastopol ; that would 

 show what gigantic works were left by the enemy, and witli what consummate skill the 

 ground was defended. As a matter of fact the position was to be taken, but not by 

 storming the heights. A change of base with a campaign was requisite." He amused himself 

 by endeavouring to trace how the continued blundering of the Allies and their want of energy 

 had in reality conduced to great results. 



" The enemy gave us the greatest credit for our tactics and our policy, which would have 

 been deserved had our conduct of the war been the result of a forethought ; but Fabius himself 



