1218 
THE FIELD. 
INCIDENTS, ANECDOTES. AND MEMORANDA. 
The Empress of Russia. — I have seen a imvatoletter 
fro m st Petersburg dated Dec. 8, which states that from 
the moment when the news of the battle of Inkerman arrived, 
the Empress’s health became worse. . ... 
Menschikoff’s despatch was brought to the Czar in lu» " 
bed-room. On reading it an angry exclamation escaped him 
which frightened the Czarine. She fancied that some mis- 
fortune had happened to her sons, and hunted away. It 
was very long before she recovered her senses, and ever 
See that time she has suffered from constantly increasing 
fever Even in court circles her death was spoken of as an 
event to be expected from one moment to another. 1 he 
f.'Us usually given to celebrate the anniversary of the 
Emperor's accession were reduced this year to a religious 
service." — Correspondent of Daily News- 
Prince Napoleon. — By news from Constantinople, ot 
the 7th, wo learn that Prince Napoleon has had a relapse, 
and could not rejoin his division. 
The. Late Storm. — Letters from St. Petersburg state 
that the news of the hurricane on the 14th and the loss 
experienced by the allies, was received with an outburst of 
jov This feeling was soon tempered by other reports from 
the Crimea, which told the pitiful state of the Russian troops 
themselves. They had been almost without provisions or 
forage during several days. .. 
An Incident at the Battle of Inkerman.— The follow- 
ing is an extract from the letter of a servant., whoso master, 
a British officer, was killed at. the battle of Inkerman ^ I 
was with my poor master in all his engagements. W e lay 
down together at night iu his tout, and the same blanket 
covered us. It took me eight hours to pick him out from the 
dead ; and when I found him liis rough coat hail been 
stripped off him. He had five bayonet wounds, and his 
undercoat was riddled with shot. I wrapped him up in liis 
cloak and two blankets and carried him over the dead to his 
tent, laid him out, lit a fire outside of his tent, and watched 
over him all night. The next morning I got, a stubborn 
jibbing mule and a gun carriage, to take him down to 
Balaklava to his brother, who had arrived out to see him 
about three days before. With difficulty I got along the 
road, about eight miles, when I met some blue-jackets — four. 
I told them what I was doiuc, aud asked their help. ‘ Ay, 
ay, my lad. we’ll help you.' They went into a field and got 
two bullocks and a cart, put the body on it, and most 
carefully conducted it to Balaklava; and when I offered (-> 
reward them not a farthing or a drop would any of them 
accept. Brave fellows, those blue-jackets ! I then went on 
board one of the ships, had a coffin made, put the body into 
it, aud buried it in the churchyard at Balaklava. Then I 
raised a headboard and plauted his grave with cypress ; and 
whenever after I went there, there I found the younger 
brother of my late master. Sir N . I sailed with him 
from Balaklava in the Medway, and came overland to 
England.” 
English Prisoners of War. — The subjoined letter has 
just been received by Mr. George Parker, tailor, Windsor, 
from bis sou, a private iu the 11th Hussars : — “Simferopol, 
Nov. 5. — Dear Parents, — I and a great many more were 
taken prisoners by the Russians on the 26tli of last month, 
in the skirmish at Balaklava. I must thank the Almighty 
I was taken prisoner as I was, without being wounded in the 
slightest. I was only hurt a little iu the fall from my home. 
I must say that since we have been in the hands of the 
Russians they have behaved like gentlemen to us in eveiy 
respect ; and* we have been treated equally as well as if we 
had been with our own countrymen. They have even 
allowed us this very great indulgence of writing homo. 
There is no telling how long we shall remain prisoners.” 
General Pennefatheu is a cousin of the venerable judge 
of that name. His father — a Protestant clergyman— was 
rector many years of Newport, Tipperary. Major-General 
Pennefather for some time held the office of Deputy- Adjutant- 
General in Dublin. He volunteered for the East, and now 
takes the place of Sir De Lacy Evans, whose brilliant 
heroism he will no doubt emulate. Major-General 
Pennefather was the intimate friend of the late Sir Charles 
Napier, who said, almost on his deathbed, that either he or 
General Airey would some day do something grand. 
It is said that Prince 
u..k, Lord Drumlanrig brought up her Majesty’s 
answer to the address of the Commons, which was read and 
resuming, 
ordered to be entered on the journals of the House. — The 
Foreigners Enlistment Bill was brought down from the 
House of Lords, and read a first time upon the motion of 
Lord J. Russell. 
TUESDAY, Dec. 19. 
In the Lords, in reply to the Duke of Grafton, the Earl of 
Aberdeen said it was not the intention of the Government 
to advise her Majesty to order a special day of thanksgiving 
or prayer for divine protection during the war.— The 
Militia and the Bills of Exchange Bills were read a first time. 
In the Commons, in reply to Mr. Muntz, Lord J- Russell 
said no proposal had been made to the Emperor of the French 
by our Government to make payment to him for troops he 
may send to the East— Mr. Beresford moved to bring in a 
bill to exempt from legacy duty the property of officers 
dying in the Crimea; but, on the Chancellor of the Ex- 
chequer objecting to it, it was withdrawn.— The Militia Bill 
was read a third time aud passed.— Lord J. Russell, in moving 
the second reading of the Foreigners Enlistment Bill, entered 
into the policy that dictated the measure. He referred to 
the foreign assistance given to the Duke of Marlborough and 
the Duke of Wellington, aud contended that similar aid 
should now be enlisted. The measure merely contemplated 
training foreigners in this country, and then sending them 
to the seat of war— never to employ them on home duty. 
He aud liis colleagues had advised her Majesty to call Parlia- 
meut thus early, for the purpose of passiug this measure; 
“and, "f course,” continued the noble lord, “the present 
ministry having adopted this plan, they could not attempt, 
with the loss of the confidence of this House, to carry on any 
longer the business of the country.” — Sir E. B. Lytton ad- 
mitted the bill bad been framed in accordance with consti- 
tutional precedents, but it was unconstitutional iu spirit. 
When we had a Hanoverian Legion, Hanover was united to 
this country. Our German Legions were allies, not mer- 
cenaries. If it was intended to form a Polish Legion, let the 
Government beware of encouraging expectations of a restora- 
tion of Poland, unless they had determined that such an 
event should bo included in their plan of the war. — Mr. M. 
Millies, Mr. Watson, Sir J. Fitzgerald, and Mr. S. Herbert, de- 
fended the bill, tiie latter gentleman saying that the Ger- 
man peasantry were subject to military service, and were 
generally twenty-six or twenty -seven years of age when their 
term of service hail expired. In this country the case was 
different. Our recruits were mostly young men of sixteen 
or seventeen years of age, aud not till the expiration of some 
years were they fit to bear the hardships of a campaign. — 
Mr. Adderley, Mr. E. Ball, and Mr. M. Gibson, opposed the 
bill. The latter speaker was not to be influenced by a threat 
of resignation : a more important matter was at stake, and 
he would use every parliamentary means to defeat the mea- 
sure. — Lord Stanley contended that proper notice had not 
PARLIAMENT. 
SATURDAY, Dec. 16. 
The Lords sat to receive the report on the Foreigners 
Enlistment Bill. — The Duke of Newcastle proposed the 
substitution of 10,000 for 15,000 as the number of troops to 
be raised. — This proposition having been adopted, the 
report was agreed to, and their Lordships adjourned. 
MONDAY, Dec. 18. 
In the Lords, Lord Brougham, after presenting some 
petitions respecting bills of exchange, entered into a review 
of the conduct of the war. — The Earl of Glengall inquired 
the intentions of the Government with relation to the em- 
bodiment of the Irish militia, and recommeuded them to 
rely upon a native force. — The Duke of Newcastle intimated 
that the whole number of the militia regiments in Ireland 
would ultimately be embodied as their ranks became filled 
up. — The third reading of the Foreigners Enlistment Bill 
was opposed by the Earl of Ellenborough, who denounced 
the measure as involving a traffic in blood not less detestable 
than the old African slave trade. — The Marquis of Lansdowne 
characterised the objections that had been raised against the 
bill as exaggerated and absurd, and declared that all the dan- 
gers which had been attributed to it would vanish like spec- 
tres upon investigation. — The Earl of Derby remarked upon 
the constitutional peril and national degradation which 
would follow the passing of the bill ; but, after the vote of 
the previous night, declined to ask for another division. — 
After some remarks from Viscount Hardinge, Earl Grey 
supported the bill, though admitting the existence of some 
possible anomalies which it might occasion. —Earl Granville 
also defended the measure, which was theu read a third 
time and passed. 
In the Commons, in reply to a question from Mr. J 
O’Connell, the Chancellor of the Exchequer stated that the 
Government had no intention of proposing any exemption 
from the income-tax iu favour of officers belonging to either 
branch of the service on account of their being engaged in 
the war. Such a distinction would be invidious, and any 
reward which those officers had earned would be more 
appropriately given in another shape. On the motion of 
Lord J. Russell, the vote of thanks passed to the army on 
Friday was amended by the insertion of the names of Major- 
Generals Airy and Estcourt and Admiral Stopford. — The 
House then went into committee on the Militia Bill, and 
passed the several clauses with some slight amendments. — On 
questioned the policy of sending militia regiments to garrison 
Gibraltar, Malta, and the Ionian Islands. It would be better 
to encourage them to enlist into the regular army. Lord 
Derby adverted to the Baltic and Black Sea fleets, and passed 
severe strictures on the inaction that had been evidenced by 
the admirals. — Earl Granville, in reference to Lord Derby's 
remarks as to the inefficiency of the fleets in the Black Sea, 
stated that orders had been sent out two months ago to en- 
force the blockade, aud to harass the enemy iu every possible 
manner. — Earl Grey regretted the few privileges and advan- 
tages held out to militiamen. He contended that it was 
unjust to enlist the militia on terms so disadvantageous as 
those contemplated by the bill. The effect of the measure 
would be to, make the militia force exactly like the ordinary 
army, except that it would be officered in a very inferior 
manner. — Other noble lords having spoken, the bill was 
read a second time, and was considered in committee. 
In the Commons, the debate on going into committee on 
the Enlistment of Foreigners Bill was resumed by Mr. 
Connolly, who expressed his concurrence in the sentiments 
expressed by Mr. Milner Gibson and Mr. Cobden. The 
speeches of these gentlemen were candid, straightforward, 
and statesmen-like. Government had not a shred to hang 
by iu supporting the measure ; their conduct had shown 
that they had no confidence in it. — Mr. Collier had supported 
the bill with reluctance ; but in doing this he was not open 
to the taunt of thinking one way and of voting auother 
way. There was a great difference between supporting a 
measure with reluctance, and of not deeming it ne- 
cessary. The Government assert that it is necessary 
— the Opposition say it is not. Who have the best 
means of obtaining information? To a certainty it 
is the Government. He had heard no facts to show that the 
osked-for assistance was unnecessary. — Mr. Newdegate was 
convinced that the passing of the bill would discourage 
enlistment in thus country. Already murmurs were heard ; 
and let care be taken that these murmurs do not find 
practical vent in depriving you of the stout arm of English- 
men, and in leaving you to foreign aid alone. There was no 
guarantee for the fidelity of mercenary troops ; Russia was 
notorious for her powers of corruption, and mercenaries 
were peculiarly liable to corruption. Ho was surprised a 
portiou of the Indian army was not sent for. In four 
mouths a large force might arrive iu the Crimea from that 
country. — Mr. Freshfield put it to the House whether any 
good could arise from protracting the debate. Everything 
had been said that could be said for and against the 
measure. He did not think the course pursued by the Op- 
position a patriotic one. — Mr. Mur rough opposed the bill. 
He believed its fate had already been decided by the public 
out of doors.— Mr. Disraeli disclaimed any intention on the 
part of the Opposition to protract unnecessarily the debate. 
He was prepared now to go into committee, and to take the 
third reading on Friday. — Lord John Russell expressed his 
concurrence in this course. — After remarks from Mr. Packe, 
been given : the measure was not mentioned in the Queen’s , ... , „ ., .. . ,, , .. • 
Speech, and it seemed like an attempt to smuggle the bill to the »ec*ssity of fixing a definite limit to the duration of 
through Parliament. He denied its necessity, and said that measure, the Speaker left the chan. — On clause 1. 
no doubt sufficient numbers could be had for recruiting the -^ r - Locke King urged the propriety of mtroducmg 
• - - - - ' - proviso — That no contract with foreign sol (hers 
army. — Lord Palmerston was surprised to find an opposition 
to the first measure the Government had proposed for the 
vigorous conduct of the war, after the reproaches against them 
for want of vigour. The present bill was not without prece- 
dent, for din ing the last war we had a large number of foreign 
troops. — Mr. Disraeli said Lord John Russell and Lord 
Palmerston had totally misrepresented the grounds of oppo- 
sition to the bill ; there was no objection to employing troops 
animated by a friendly feeling for the object for which we 
were fighting ; but mercenaries bad always deserted, and 
often betrayed the country that paid them. — Mr. Deedes and 
Mr. Muntz opposed the measure, as being contrary to national 
feeling. — Lord J. Russell, in reply, accused Mr. Disraeli of 
“ gloating" over the prospects of disasters to our army in the 
Crimea, but hoped that, notwithstanding, the united flags of 
England and France would yet triumph. — After a few words 
from Colonel Sibthorp and the Marquis of Blandford, the 
House divided, when there appeared — for the motion, 241 ; 
against it, 202; majority in favour of the bill, 39. 
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20. 
In the Commons, the Episcopal and Capitular Estates 
Management Bill, and the Public Libraries and Museums 
Bill, were read a first time. — The House having resolved 
itself into committee on the Consolidated Fund, the 
Chancellor of the Exchequer moved a resolution to form 
the foundation of a bill to amend the law relating to savings’ 
banks. This measure, he stated, would provide for the 
custody and accountability for'the moneys of depositoi*s, and 
would hereafter be followed by a supplemental measure re- 
garding the internal mauagemeut of the banks. — The resolu- 
tion wa3 agreed to, and leave given to bring in a bill founded 
upon it. — The motion for going into committee on the 
Foreigners Enlistment Bill led to a discussion on the merits 
of the proposition, in which several members took part, and 
prolonged the debate until the hour for adjourning the 
house was close at hand. The further progress of the 
measure was resisted by Mr. Liddell, Mr. Drummond, Colonel 
Veraer, Mr. Otway, and Mr. Whiteside. — The Secretary-at- 
War reiterated some of the arguments he had advanced in 
the previous debate, defending the bill and the Government. 
— Mr. Napier cliaracterised the measure as odious, and be- 
lieved it to be repugnant to the feelings of the people. — Mr. 
Cobden admitted the necessity of supporting the army we 
had sent, though rashly as he considered, to the Crimea. 
He suspected, however, that our soldiers would esteem it a 
poor compliment to be reinforced by mercenary Germans. — 
Lord J. Russell regretted that the attempts to misrepresent 
the intentions of the Government aud degrade the character 
of the proposed foreign levies should be so systematically 
persevered iu. He vindicated the measure, and repeated 
the assurance that it formed but one of a series which minis- 
ters intended to introduce for tho more vigorous prosecu- 
tion of the war. — The debate was prolonged by Lord C. 
Hamilton, Mr. Digby Seymour, Mr. Phillips, Mr. Alcock, 
and other members and ultimately adjourned till Thursday. 
THURSDAY, Dec. 21. 
In the LonDS, the Marquis of Salisbury adverted to the 
recent blockade of the Baltic, and the movements of the 
Black Sea fleet. The discussion, however, was not perse- 
vered in, and the Earl of Derby gave notice of his intention 
on an early day to bring the whole subject under considera- 
tion. — The Duke of Newcastle moved the second reading of 
the Militia Bill, and the suspension of the standing orders. — 
The Earl of Derby did not approve of the bill in all its parts, 
but be would not offer any obstacle to its passing. He criti- 
cised some of the details, and insisted on the necessity of re- 
taining one-fourth of the militia at home, to form a kind of 
nucleus whence reinforcements ought to be drawn. He 
shall be lawful, under the provisions of which 
this country shall be liable for any payments, except to 
officers disabled by wounds, to continue beyond the period 
of one year after the ratification of a definitive treaty of 
peace."— Mr. Sidney Herbert concurred in the spirit of the 
proviso, and would take it into consideration. There was 
no intention to give foreign officers half-pay. — Mr. Drum- 
mond did not approve of withholding half-pay from the 
officers. — Mr. Henley urged the necessity of arrangements 
being made for supporting the wives and children of the 
foreign soldiers, without the burden being placed upon the 
existing poor rates. — The clause was then agreed to ; as were 
the other clauses. 
FRIDAY, Dec. 22. 
In the Lords, the Duke of Newcastle moved the third 
reading of the Militia Bill, which was passed without oppo- 
sition. Lord Monteagle — after disavowing an opinion which 
had been attributed to him by some of the morning papers, 
that the interests of depositors in savings banks had been 
prejudiced by the measures of the Government — moved for 
a return of statements connected with Exchequer Bills 
and other Government securities, which were ordered, and 
the House adjourned. 
In the Commons, the Chancellor of the Exchequer brought 
up his Savings Banks Bill, which was read a first time. He 
also intimated that it was the intention of Government, at the 
next financial statement, to propose that the duty on tea, in- 
stead of falling to Is., continue at Is. 6d. during the war. 
Sir W. Clay gave notice of a motion for the abolition of 
church-rates, and Sir J. Pakington of one for the promotion 
of education in England and Wales. In reply to Mr. White- 
side, Mr. S. Herbert stated that the number in the hospital 
at Balaklava was 2,325, and in the hospital at Scutari, 3,550. 
By this time lie feared the numbers were larger. In reply 
to Major Reed, the Secretary at War also stated that it was 
intended to atm tho whole of the army with Miuid rifles, and 
that they were being issued with all possible dispatch. Sir 
James Graham, iu answer to Mr. Disraeli, said that he be- 
lieved Memel had not been blockaded by Russian gun- 
boats. The third reading of the Foreigners Enlistment 
Bill Was moved by Lord J. Russell. Sir E. Dering moved, as 
an amendment, that it be read that day six mouths. Mr. 
Cobden considered the war unholy and unnecessary. The 
Russians having been driven out of the Turkish territory, 
we might now propose terms of peace. Mr. Cony 8U P' 
ported, and Mr. Phillimore opposed, the bill. Mr. Dauby 
Seymour strongly supported the bill, and Lord Lovaine << e ' 
nounced it. Sir Erskine Perry, in reply to Mr. Cobden, de- 
fended the bill, and eulogised the conduct of the For- igu 
Legion iu our former wars. Mr. Evelyn and Mr. Bentinc 
opposed, and Lord Ebriugton supported, the bill. ■ r j 
Patrick O’Brien aud Mr. Cowan supported, aud Mr. Abe 
Smith opposed it. Mr. Laing feared that a peace v. ' ‘ 
Russia could not be at present attained, and therefore " 
should, by his vote, strengthen the army by every mean? 
his power. Mr. Duncombe (East Retford) stigmatised a 
measure as very unsatisfactoxy to the country. Mr. N mCl " 
Scully, believing the Emperor of Russia to be bent upon 
subjugation of Europe, thought we should require every n 11 
we could get, and therefore supported the bill. Mr. e!A ' 
Butt denounced the measure ns unconstitutional, and 
loss for the end proposed. After some further disc>i'?> 0 > 
in which Dr. Mitchell aud Sir John Fitzgerald took ! 
Lord J. Russell stated tho basis upon which a future p cn , 
could alone be framed — viz., the revision of the treaty^ 
Adrianople, and the free navigation of the Danube. • 
John Pakington defended the course pursued by . 
Opposition. — [The debate continued when we went to pr f 
