well as by treaties, in case that that power refuses to submit to the conditions proposed to it. The Scandinavian kingdoms are content to sit still and see England and France fight their battles. While Circassians and Tartars in the south, and Poles and Fins in the north are already taking advantage, or apparently preparing so to do, of the extremity of their proud oppressor, to throw off his hated yoke and become again free people. And if ever the sympathies of England, or indeed of Europe, were with an oppressed people, they are with Poland; though perhaps they might be in justice as fully claimed by the other nations whom we have named.

Still it must be acknowledged that the Emperor is almost impregnable in his position of defence. He may fail in every offensive effort; his fleets may be blown up in their harbours, his strongholds both north and south be bombarded, his armies annihilated by arms and disease; but woe betide the people or nation who should dare to take the lion by his beard, and attempt to fight against the natural defences of the broad and uninhabited steppes, the level plains, the tremendous distances, the uninhabitable climate to foreigners during the summer months, and the terrible cold of the winter, wherewith Moscow, the seat of his Empire, is surrounded.

CHAP. XIV.

THE RUSSO-TURKISH CAMPAIGN OF 1853-54, CARRIED ON IN THE PRINCIPALITIES OF THE DANUBE.

BEFORE we enter on the actual history of this war, it is necessary to say a few words as to the state of the offensive power of Russia and the defensive power of Turkey, as compared with what was the case, as regarded both nations, in 1828-29. As to Russia there is but little that has actually changed in the last twenty years. The same customs, the same autocracy, the same serfdom, the same indomitable will of the Sovereign, and the same unlimited submission of the serfs, the same lengthy distances, the same professions of strength, and the same hollowness of real position are, if travellers are to be believed, as essential a part of the Russian system now as heretofore. True! there is a railroad opened between St. Petersburg and Moscow, but that appears the only tangible advance in civilisation throughout the country. True! as far as regards the military, their arms and their discipline are apparently in accordance with the advancing knowledge and dis

cipline of the age. True! the fortifications of their several ports and towns are said to have been constructed by accomplished engineers'; but how far the construction thereof is to be depended on has been shown at the taking of Bomarsund. True! the ships of war are described as being built on the most approved principles; nevertheless they have not ventured to try their strength against the allies. True! their guns are pronounced faultless, and their number and weight is said to exceed anything that the Turks could bring into the field; but a specimen of their gunnery will be given in another Chapter. We are, however, bound to admit, that the artillery practice at Sebastopol has been very different from what we were otherwise led to expect.

While, therefore, Russia has been actually standing still, if not worse, Turkey has, on the contrary, been advancing. In 1828, the military of Turkey were, as we have seen, partially demoralised by the destruction of the Janissaries, the overthrow of the system connected with them, and the sudden introduction of a new method of drill, discipline, arms, and clothing. Great discontent prevailed throughout the country, so that more than half the levies which might have been expected were withheld in the vain hope that the Sultan, overborne by his troubles, would give way, and return to the old

system. Now, in 1853, on the contrary, the utmost enthusiasm was manifested by the whole nation on the subject of the war. The Turks as with the heart of one man were evidently animated by a desire to avenge themselves on the Russians for past and present insults. The nation was as a high-mettled horse whose rider dared scarcely to check it. Indeed, had not war been at last declared, the Sultan Abdul Medjid might have been compelled to look to his own life or the tenure of his throne. And when war was at last declared, levies of men from Egypt, from Asia Minor, from the Isles of the Archipelago, money in gifts and loans from wealthy subjects, and all the material of war, poured in as if the cause were private and personal.

It is stated that the forces of Russia and Turkey arrayed against each other were very nearly equal at the time when war was finally declared.

The total number of the Turkish army is said to have been as follows;-120,000 between the Balkan and the Danube, 21,000 in Servia, 50,000 in training in the neighbourhood of Constantinople, all these under the chief command of Omer Pasha; and 100,000 on the frontiers of Georgia in Asia under Selim Pasha. Prince Gortschakoff, on the Russian side, is said to have had 70,000 men fit for action in the

Principalities, and to have been supported by an army in reserve of nearly double that number, while a stream of regiments were spoken of as advancing from all parts of the Empire towards the Principalities.

The Russians, when the declaration of war was first made, were stationed, as in 1828-29, in three divisions, the head-quarters of the army being at Bucharest, where was Prince Gortschakoff, the commander-in-chief. The right wing, under General Aurep, was thrown forward towards Slatina and Krajova; the centre, under General Dannenberg, rested on the Danube and the towns of Giurgevo and Oltenitza; while the left wing, under General Luders, was at Galatz and Ismail, threatening the Dobrudscha.

The first shot fired between the contending parties was in this district at Isatchi on October 23rd. Two Russian steamers attempted to force the passage of the river at this point, and were fired upon by the Turkish garrison. The crews of the steamers, supported by a body of soldiers, attacked the fort, but were repulsed with considerable loss, considering the numbers engaged. The Russians lost a lieutenant-colonel and twelve men killed and 59 wounded. Emboldened by this success, a party of Egyptian troops stationed near, in number about