1242 
THE FIELD. 
^r.u.,1 low fever alao ; but Solera, .-Well reappeared 
some days ago, has fortunately n ot extende d. 
REINFORCEMENTS AND STORES— THE camp 
AND THE HOSPITAL. 
Eiu.iaaaT.os or Ti.oo.-e.-L In.pemtrice .crew 
ship arrived at Portsmouth on Saturday, from Lncipool, to 
embark 1 troops for the Crimea. She has incurred some 
damage to her machinery, which will bike some days tOM- 
1KU1- She takes out 952 privates of various regiments, 4 
captain ^ 7 lieutenants, 9 ensigns, and 25 sergeants; m all, 
-The steam transport Adelaide arrived at Spithead on 
Saturday, to embark troops for the East. She takes out 
detachments of the 19th, 33th. and 80th Regiments and 
o ud battalion of the Hide Brigade ; calling at 1 lymouth for 
detachment of the 34th Regiment -Two companies of 
Roval Artillery have arrived at Woolwich from Jersoy, and 
are’ to embark for the Crimea on the 3rd of January next. 
Captain Engleduo has arrived at Southampton from Toulon 
and Marseilles, where he has been engaged superintending 
the embarkation, on board the Peninsular and Oriental Com- 
pany's vessels, of French troops for the Black Sea. 
Mimi. Hifi.es.— The Government has eutered into con- 
tracts for 50,000 Miuid rifles and rifle carbines ; the contracts 
have been taken by manufacturers at Luge, Birmingham, and 
Loudon. The most extensive contracts have been taken by 
Belgian houses, and it is stated that the supply from all 
. ^ mi — » i (inn nor week ; the Government 
places will extend over 3,000 per week ; the Government 
being extremely urgent, the workmen and women were en- 
gaged the whole of Christmns-day. 
Rifi.es, Carbines, &c. for the Crimea -During the 
week upwards of 200 labourers, including fatigue parties 
from the Tower garrison, have been employed in shipping 
Mini <5 rifles, carbines, sabres, medical stores, &c., from the 
Tower -warf, for the seat of war. Although the supply is 
•nonnous, it is not equal to the demand from Malta and 
Constantinople, a reserve of fire-arms being kept at both 
places for the purpose of supplying the troops of both nations 
in the Crimea. The supply of fur clothing also is very 
insufficient, the contractors being unable, even with the 
assistance of the Hudson’s Bay Company, to obtain a suffi- 
- cient quantity of prepared skins. There ore now upwards 
of 20,000 cloaks made, with the exception of the fur linings. 
Siege-guns. — The Black Prince screw steam-vessel, with a 
large supply of siege-guns &c., sails immediately for the 
Crimea, and the Lady Eglinton screw is to follow her. A 
considerable number of newly-invented iron bedsteads, with 
sacking centres, for the sick and wounded, have beeu deli- 
vered at the Tower-wharf for conveyance to the Crimea ; a 
number of newly-invented water-beds, which will save a vast 
amount of suffering, are also ordered out to the Last. 
Gun-cotton.— At Vienna 160 guns have been just cast to 
employ gun-cotton iustead of gunpowder. By the employ- 
ment of the former it is stated that 6 pounders can be con- 
verted with "superior effect into twelves of the description 
which the Russians are now employing. “Cottonensis,” 
writing to the Times, says— “ Gun-cotton is from four to six 
times as powerful as gunpowder ; it is quicker in discharge, but 
is quick or slow accordingto the degree of compression; it makes 
little smoke, it does not foul the gun, it saves the delay of 
priming, it seldom misses fire in the worst weather, it may 
even be kept in water seven years uninjured; it heats a gun 
less than powder, and it will be found safer in use, and 
eventually less dangerous to manufacture. An impression 
has gone abroad that gun-cotton explodes spontaneously, or 
by an ordinary blow, like chloride of nitrogen, or detonating 
powder. This is not correct ; it is a chymical substance 
which will only explode by some means capable of producing 
a temperature of 350°. I have never had an accident with it 
mvself, although I have submitted it to the severest tests. 
The bombardment by the allied fleets on the 17th of October 
would have been much more effective if the discharge of 
each broadside had beeu smokeless, and capable of being 
directed at embrasures instead of being chance shots at a 
grauit« wall. How many a gallant Englishman would live to 
tell of the bloody dawn of Iukerman if the powder of the 
Minims had not been rendered useless by nightwork in the 
tranches ! Sufficient ammunition for immediate use could 
have been recovered from the wrecks of the 14th of Novem- 
ber. and innumerable other advantages secured, if our 
Ordnance authorities had been but a step in advance of the 
Viennese. Seven years ago gun-cotton underwent a few 
experiments at Woolwich, but, by the help of the vested 
interests of the gunpowder manufacturers, it was suppressed 
in the act of birth. Seven years’ experience of it, and on a 
large scale, have satisfied me, as it has many others, that it 
possesses an enormous advantage over gunpowder, and very 
few of its defects. A 12-pounder gun loaded with cotton 
weighing one-half the usual charge of powder, produces the 
effect usually attributed to an 18-pounder; and the increase 
of range obtained by its use will soon, if this war goes on, 
create a revolution iu all ordnance affairs. With cotton 
there is no difficulty in arriving at the loug-talked-of desi- 
deratum of dispensing with a touchhole, and firing the charge 
in the very centre by galvanic agency.” 
Huts for the French Army. — The shipping of huts for 
the French army, from Southampton, proceeds very satis- 
factorily. Several vessels are being rapidly loaded with 
them, amongst which are the Sumroo, 1,000 tons; the 
Saladdin, 900 tons ; the Swiftsure, 1,500 tons, and the 
Falcon clipper. A company of French engineers are to sail 
with each ship. 
The Opinions of Turin states from Berne that orders have 
been received there for the manufacture of 20,000 wooden 
shoes for the English troops in the Crimea. 
Toe Patriotic Fund. — A poor woman, named Haseltine, 
70 years of age, at East Hardwick, near Pontefract, who for 
a number of years has sold spice, whilst her husband has 
been breaking stones upon the road, had saved 130 farthings, 
which no persuasion could induce her to part with hitherto. 
She has now presented them to the Patriotic Fund. 
Messrs. Bennett, of the Spon-lane Foundry, West Brom- 
wich, have accepted a contract for 1,000 tons of 8, 10, and 
13-inch shells, to be executed without delay, for the Crimea. 
Material for the Railway in toe Crimea.— Messrs. 
Butler, of Stanningley, near Bradford, have despatched, per 
railway, to Birkenhead, 3,220 railway chairs for consignment 
to the Crimea ; and they also, on the 19th, despatched 2,800. 
These consignments weighed twenty-one tons ten hundred- 
weight. By the North-Eastern Railway, a large quantity of 
chairs have likewise been sent by Mesprs. Butler to Sunder- 
land and Hull, for immediate shipment. These, we are 
informed, were addressed to “ Messrs. Peto, Brassey, and 
Betts, Crimea,'’ and will be conveyed to their destination at 
Balaklava by the Earl of Durham transport. 
Comforts for the Crimea. — The provincial journals 
now abound with announcements of subscriptions and con- 
tributions for our army- The interest taken in the matter 
is indeed surprising and gratifying. All sects and parties— 
rich and poor— “ old men and children, young men and 
maidens, " join in the good work. Warm olothing, bnen, 
hats and every imaginable article of dres3 — Bibles, Pi. i) el- 
books, and works of general literature— tobacco, cigars, and 
suu ff meats, delicacies, and luxuries — cooking utensiL, anil 
stoves — in fact, everything that is necessary— are being for- 
warded. Especial praise is due to the ladies, who me 
foremost iu .subscribing and working for the common object. 
A Scotch gentleman, now in Rome, hearing of the losses 
of soldiers’ winter clothing by the shipwrecks in the Black 
Sea, sent off an immediate order to Leghorn for £450 worth 
of flauucls, &c., to be purchased and shipped for the Crimea. 
Roger and the Allied Trooi*s in the Crimea.— 1 he 
celebrated French tenor Roger, late of the Grand Opera at 
Pari* who is making a musical tour in Germany, seeiug m 
the Paris paper l' Illustration the appeal of the well-known 
Comtesse de G to the public, to send a sup^y of cigars 
and tobacco, as a Christmas present to the British and 
Freuoh troops in the Crimea, wrote to offer his contribution 
of one evening’s profit at the theatre, and fixed on the opera 
of La Dame Blanche, in which he would have to sing the aria 
« Oh quel plaisir d'etre soldat.” As the circumstances 
were well known at Hamburg, the house was crowded, and 
Roger sent to Paris a bill for 1,500 francs. 
shipping. I should like you just to see my mug. I have not 
had a Bhave these ten weeks, and I get a w'osh once in three 
or four days, and change my shirt once iu 14 days, but I feel 
quite comfortable, and am as happy ns the day is long. I get 
three piuts of the best rum in a week. What do you think 
of that ? You can tell Boh I have got a slap-up greatcoat for 
him that I got one night when I was out on picquet : the 
man that had it that night will never want it again, for he 
was not able to carry away a small bit of lead I made him a 
present of.” 
PARLIAMENT. 
INCIDENTS, ANECDOTES, AND MEMORANDA. 
Lord Raglan’s Luncheon at Iukerman.— At the battle 
of Iukerman. when the fire was the hottest, a pony, with a 
pair of panniers, led by Lord Raglan’s German servant, was 
seen advancing towards the position of the Commauder-m- 
Chief Every officer whom the man passed in his way 
desired him to go back, as the balls were falling thickly 
around, and the chances were that he would be killed. I he 
cool German replied, “ My master is always ill if he does not 
have luncheon, and his luncheon he shall have. Ihe man 
reached his lordship’s post through the fiery storm, and 
returned in safety. 
The heroic ruiVABtJ who slew so many Russians on the 
bloody field of Inkerman ere he fell, was Fergusson Bowie, 
formerly a flax-dresser, and native of Arbroath. 
The Light Cavalry Charge at Balaklava— A private 
of the 11th Hussars, W. H. Pennington, in writing to his 
mother says “ It was a mail though gallant charge made 
hv our light cavalry at Balaklava. The word was given to ‘charge 
guns to the front’ We advanced at a gallop to these grins, 
amid a fearful fire of grape, shell, and canister; with ditto 
on the right and left flanks, and infantry also pouring in a 
tremendous fire; horses and men fell thick and fast, but 
even this did not check our onward rush. All the Russian 
artillerymen were sabred, and for an instant we were masters 
of the guns, but having no support could not keep them. Iu 
this condition we were charged iu flank and rear by numerous 
regiments of Russians and cavalry : and, but for the despera- 
tion with which our fellows cut their way, there would not 
have been a single man return from that fatal charge. I never 
reached the guns iu front, ns a grapeshot went through my 
cy , , - 
mounted men. The demons give no quarter when you are 
down. At this moment the 8th Hussars came by, with a 
horse without its rider. This I mounted, and formed in the 
rear of the 8th, and dashed on. But worse again— we were 
obliged to wheel ‘right about,’ and to pass through a strong 
body of the enemy’s cavalry, which had gathered in our rear, 
cuttin*' off our retreat. Of course, with our handful, it was 
life or° death, so we rushed at them to break through them, 
but as soon as we got through one body there was another 
to engage. At any rate, with five or six of our fellows at 
my rear! I galloped on, parrying with the determination not 
to lose my life, breaking the lances of the cowards who 
attacked us iu the proportion of three or four to one, 
occasionally catching one a slap with the sword across his 
teeth, and giving another the point in his arm or breast. At 
any rate they kept close on me till I got sight of our heavies, 
when, thauks be to God, they stopped pursuing me, and I 
got clear without a scratch from their lances.” Well may 
the gallant fellow add, “ I will not disgrace you as a soldier, 
take ray word.” 
The Abbe Ferrari, chaplain to the French army of the 
Crimea, died of cholera, at Constantinople, on the 7th inst. 
His funeral was attended by an immense crowd of Europeans. 
Dr. Levy pronounced an eloquent oration over the grave. 
French Miners at Sebastofol. — The inhabitants of this 
city, it seems, anticipating its destruction, have buried many 
articles of value, which they hoped to be able to dig up 
again when the army should have departed. They, however, 
did not reckon on the works of the miners, and every day 
these men find something of value in the shape of silver ami 
plated articles, jewels, and costly ornaments, and among 
other things is an elegant bonnet carefully packed in a box. 
The bonnet is of pink satin, of the first style of fashion, and 
still bears the address of the maker in the Rue de la Paix, in 
Palis. This bonnet, after having been tried on by all the 
men, has since been hung up aa an ornament in one of their 
tents. 
A Merry Marine. — 1 The following letter from a marine 
serving before Sebastopol is an instance proving how much 
our happiness is of our owu making, even under the most 
disadvantageous circumstances, (always supposing the letter 
was not written under the influence of the rum which he 
mentions) ” Heights of Balaklava, November 24. I have 
not had my clothes off to sleep since I have been here, and 
I shan't if we Btop for six months. We sleep with our belts 
on and sixty rounds of ammunition, and our muskets loaded 
by our side. There are sixteen of us crammed in a small tent 
that was made to hold eight, and when it rains we may as 
well go outside as stop iu, for the water comes through 
iu larger drops than it would if there was no tent at all. 
They may do very well for Chobham, to please the Cock- 
neys, but they do 'not please us. I do not think the people 
in England know how we are served, but I shall not say 
any more about it. It is no part of a soldier's duty to 
grumble; and, thank God, I am able to go through it, 
even if the hardships were ten times as severe. We had a 
dreadful storm the other day. All our tents were blown 
down ; there was not one left standing. Two or three of the 
Rifle corps were killed, some of our men were severely 
bruised, our colonel got his leg dislocated, and a great many 
lost all their clothes except what they had on. I lost nothing ; 
I felt quite at home ; I have seen plenty of storms at sea, and 
I was glad of the chanoe of seeing one on land ; but I am 
sorry to say there has been very great destruction among the 
SATURDAY, Dec. 23. 
In the Lords, the Enlistment of Foreigners’ Bill, as 
amended by the House of Commons, was considered and 
agreed to, aud the Royal Assent was given to it, as also to the 
Militia Bill. Their Lordships then adjourned, on the 
motion of the Duke of Argyll, till Tuesday, January 23. 
Iu the Commons, the following notices of motion were 
given —By Sir J. V. Shelley, to iuquire iuto the removal of 
the Hon T. F. Kennedy from the office of Commissioner of 
Woods aud Forests ; by Sir W. Jolliffe, to bring in a bil l for 
promotion of education ; by Sir B. Hall, to bnug in bills to 
amend the Public Health Act, the Nuisances Removal Act, 
and the better local management of the metropolis ; and by 
Mr. Heywood, to exteud and alter the act prohibiting mar- 
riages within certain degrees of affinity. The House then 
adjourned till Tuesday, January 23. 
FOREIGN AND COLONIAL NEWS. 
♦— 
FRANCE. 
The Emperor’s Speech.— T he Emperor opened the 
Legislative Session on Tuesday. The following is i the 
substance of his speech : — “ Senators and Deputies, Since 
our last meeting great events have happened. The appeal 
which I made to the country to provide for the expenses ot 
the war was so well responded to that the result even ex- 
ceeds my hopes.’ Our arniB have beeu victorious in the 
Baltic as well as in the Black Sea. Two great battles have 
shed lustre on our flag. Striking testimony has been aflorrled 
of the intimacy of our connexion with England. The Parlia- 
ment has voted thanks to our generals and our soldiers. A 
great empire made young again by the chivalrous sentiments 
of its Sovereign has detached itself from the Power which 
for. forty years threatened the independence of Europe. 1 he 
Emperor of Austria has concluded a treaty, defensive now, 
to be offensive, perhaps, soon, which unites his cause to that 
of France and England. . . . The alliance with England is not 
the effect of a fleeting interest or a policy of circumstances .: 
it is the union of two powerful nations, associated to obtain 
the triumph of a cause in which for more than a century 
were involved their greatness, the interests of civilisation, 
aud at the same time the liberty of Europe. Join with me, 
then, upon this solemn occasion, in thanking, in the name 
of France, the Parliament for its cordial and hearty demon- 
stration, aud the English army and its worthy chief for their 
valiant co-operation. Next year, should not peace be then 
re-established, I hope to have the same thanks to address to 
Austria and to that Germany whose union and prosperity 
we desire. I am happy to pay a just tribute of eulogium to 
the army and the fleet, which, by their devotion and their 
discipline have, in France as well as in Algeria, in the north 
as well as in the south, worthily fulfilled my expectations. 
The army iu the East has up to this time suffered every- 
thing aud overcome everything. . . . Let us, then, declare it 
together, the army and the fleet have merited well ot their 
° ' ■ _ - i roi non cnirlmva 
country-' . . . The army is now composed of 581,000 soldiers 
aud 113,000 horses ; the navy of 62,000 sailors afloat. To 
keep up this force is indispensable. Therefore, to fill up the 
vacancies occasioned by annual retirements and by the war, 
I ask you, the same as last year, for a levy of 140,000 men. 
A law will be presented to you, having for its object to ame- 
liorate, without augmenting, the burden of the Treasury ; 
this law, I hope, will soon receive your approval. 1 shall 
ask your authority to raise a fresh national loan. No 
doubt, this measure will increase the public debt. Never- 
theless, let us not forget that by the conversion of the 
stock the interest of that debt has been reduced twenty-five 
millions and a half. . . . The struggle which is proceeding, cir- 
cumscribed by moderation and justice, although it may 
frighten some, gives so little alarm to great interests, that 
soon the different parts of the globe may expect to enjoy the 
fruits of peace. Foreigners cannot fail to be struck with the 
touching spectacle of a country which, relying upon Divine 
protection, sustains with energy a war at 600 leagues distance 
from its frontiers, and which developes with the same ardour 
its internal riches — a country where war does not prevent 
agriculture and industry from prospering, or the arts from 
flourishing, and where the genius of the nation is displayed 
in everything that can tend to the glory of France.” 
Tiie Moniteur publishes an Imperial decree opening a 
credit of 5,000,000f. in the Ministry of the Interior, to 
afford labour during winter to the working-classes, and to 
he distributed among charitable institutions. 
It is said that the budget which has beeu laid before the 
Council of State shows a deficit from 80,000, OOOf. to 
87.000. 000f. This is not extraordinary when we consider 
the expenditure of the war. But it must be made up. The 
way in which this is proposed to be done is by re-iiuposing on 
real property the 17 centimes which had been taken off at 
the time of the proclamation of the Empire, and which, it is 
expected, will produce about 20,000, OOOf. The remainder 
will be provided by means of a loan. The grant ot 5,000,0001- 
for the relief of the working-classes, decreed in the 
Moniteur, is the gilding of the pill. , . 
The New Loan. — O n Wednesday, a projet de loi was 
presented to the Legislative Body, authorising a loan ot 
500.000. 000f. The report of the Ministerial programme wa- 
received with acclamation by the Assembly, which immedi- 
ately withdrew to its bureaux to name the commission 
charged with the examination of the project. , 
On Thursday the Legislative Body unanimously adopted 
the bill authorising the Minister of Finance to borrow a sum 
of 500,000, OOOf. 241 members were present. 
Firing at General Rostolan.— A t Marseilles, on batui- 
day, a recruit (a substitute), who is supposed to be insane, 
fired at General Rostolan in the street. The ball missed tli 
General, but struck Colonel Former Saint Lary, the head o 
his staff, in the leg. The wound is but slight. The MsaBSin 
was arrested on the spot : indeed he did not attempt 
escape. Another pistol, fully charged, was found on lim - 
it caused great excitement through the town, aa it was 
first feared that it was the result of a political conspire} • 
