when his demands were found to be altogether incompatible with the dignity of the sultan as an independent sovereign. 11. These demands were of course rejected; and, in spite of the anxiety of the sultan and his ministers to make every reasonable concession, the Russian troops crossed the Pruth early in July, and proceeded to occupy the principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia. After this act of aggression, various attempts were made to settle the matter by negotiation, but they all failed; and, on the 5th of October, the Porte formally declared war. On the 14th, the combined fleets of France and England passed the Dardanelles, at the request of the sultan. 12. The Turks rushed to the rescue of the principalities, and, under the judicious guidance of Omar Pasha, gained many brilliant victories. The Russians, defeated on land, de termined to strike a blow at the Turkish navy, and committed the unparalleled outrage at Sinope, which at once excited the indignation of Europe. The Turkish fleet, riding in fancied security, almost within sight of the armaments of the western powers, was ruthless'y attacked by an overwhelming force, and destroyed. This wanton assault by the stronger on the weaker state, showed that nothing but the most vigorous measures could bring Russia to submission. 13. The English government displayed an unfortunate repugnance to resist force by force, but events hurried them on, and, in March, 1854, a royal message was communicated to both houses of parliament, proclaiming war against Russia. Even after this, English ministers clung to diplomacy, and talked loudly of pacific measures, while they pretended to be preparing for an energetic prosecution of the contest. 14. The emperor Napoleon III., having been duly recognized by foreign powers, looked out for a partner to share his throne. Instead of seeking an alliance with a royal house, he selected Eugenie de Montejo, countess of Téba, for his bride. The marriage was solemnized in January, 1853; and the romantic manner in which the whole affair had been arranged, rendered it particularly interesting to the French people. During this eventful year, a fusion between two branches of the Bourbon family was effected, and the duke of Bordeaux acknowledged by all, excepting the duchess of Orleans, as the rightful heir to the French throne. 15. The queen of Portugal died on the 15th of November, 1853, and was succeeded by her eldest son, under the title of Don Pedro V. Several ministerial changes occurred in Spain, in which country the despotic interference of the queen-mother, Christina, produced discontent, and led to rebellion. In February, an attempt was made upon the life of the emperor of Austria, but the assassin was disarmed and captured before he could effect his purpose, and soon afterwards suffered the extreme penalty of the law. 16. A fire broke out in Windsor Castle, March 19th, 1853, but it was happily extinguished before much damage had been done to that noble residence, endeared to the country by so many associations. 17. The year 1854 was, in many respects, a memorable one. While the much-despised Turks were gaining renown in expelling the Russians from the principalities, France and England were engaged in making preparations to take part in the contest. Lord Raglan was appointed to command the English army, which reached Gallipoli in the spring. The Turks pursued their victorious career on the banks of the Danube; the Russians, having been defeated in many desperate attempts, abandoned the siege of Salishia, and virtually withdrew from the contest in that direction. In the meantime, the allied fleets had not been altogether idle. The Russians violated the laws of honourable warfare by firing upon a flag of truce; and, soon after the commission of this outrage, the allied squadrons bombarded Odessa. The attack lasted the whole day, April 22d. All the batteries erected for the defence of this coinmercial city were silenced some of them having been materially damaged, and others entirely destroyed. 18. The crowning event of the year was the expedition, composed of French, Turkish, and English soldiers, which sailed from the Turkish shores in the autumn. Its departure had been delayed by the terrible ravages of the cholera amongst the troops, and from the destruction of stores, caused by a disastrous fire, which broke out in a mysterious manner at Varna. The Russians did not attempt to dispute the landing of the expeditionary force; but retreated to a strong position on the Alma, from which they were driven, with great slaughter, by the French, English, and Turkish armies, on the 20th of September. Although the Russians fought obstinately at first, they were so awed by the determined manner in which the English troops carried the heights for their men advanced up to the terrible batteries that they fled, in utter confusion, from a position which their commander had just before boasted he could hold against any assailant for several days. There can be little doubt that, if the allied army had possessed a proper cavalry force, or its leaders had known the real condition of the enemy, the Russians might have been completely subdued, and Sebastopol gained without further trouble. But the expedition was, in too many respects, a "leap in the dark;" hence, its numerous failures, and the disappointment and suffering that ensued. 19. The first bombardment commenced October 17th, but the results were unsatisfactory. In the meantime, the Russian government sent large re-inforcements to their army in the Crimea, determined, if possible, to expel the allies. The battle of Balaklava was fought October 25th, when the English cavalry made that celebrated charge, so disastrous, and yet so glorious. The Russians quailed before their band of heroes, who rode gallantly forward to almost certain destruction. 20. The occupation, by the Austrians, of the Danubian principalities, released a large portion of the Russian army, which was at once despatched to the relief of Sebastopol. Having been harangued by the grand duke, excited by military and religious ceremonies, and well primed with intoxi. cating beverages, these troops advanced in overwhelming numbers upon the English lines. In the dense fog of a November morning, they swarmed through the valley of Inkermann, surprised, and carried the English outposts, and commenced the battle with every advantage. But, for seven hours on that terrible 5th of November, the small band of English soldiers maintained their ground against their numerous assailants. It was truly a soldier's battle. The general determination was victory or death. At length, General Bosquet arrived at the scene of the struggle, with the gallant French allies, and, from that moment, the issue was no longer doubtful. The Russians were driven into Sebastopol with fearful loss, and that victory terminated the first campaign. The Muscovite hordes, naturally enough, felt unwilling to face men who would not yield an inch of ground, but fought even against hope. 21. A violent storm committed sad havoc amongst the shipping, riding at anchor outside the little harbor at Balaklava, in which the Prince, Resolute, and several other noble vessels, foundered. The catastrophe of the 14th of November will long occupy a prominent place in the annals of disasters at sea. 22. Lord Aberdeen's government did not realize the high expectations that had been formed respecting it. In home legislation it was particularly unfortunate; and its feeble direction of the war created alarm and disquietude. Lord John Russell's loudly-heralded reform bill proved a failure; and this minister's attempt to repeal the parliamentary oaths was defeated by a majority of five. 23. On the 20th of June, 1854, the queen opened the Crystal Palace, at Sydenham, with great solemnity. She was attended by her ministers and foreign ambassadors, and about forty thousand persons were present at the ceremony. 24. Towards the close of 1853, the cholera again manifested itself in the north of England. It reached the metropolis early in the following year, and committed fearful ravages. But the visitation of 1853 and 1854 was not so fatai in its effects as that of 1849 had been. 25. In the midsummer of 1854, Madrid became the theatre of an insurrection. The flight of the queen mother, Christina, the dismissal of her favourites, and the formation of a constitu tional government under Espartero, had the effect of quelling the storm, and saved the young queen's throne. 26. The year 1855 opened gloomily enough. The sad con dition of the army in the Crimea excited general indignation; so terrible were the evils of mismanagement, that hundreds of brave soldiers perished from the effects of exposure. Mr. Roebuck brought forward a motion for inquiry, which, on the 29th of January, was carried by a majority of 157. Thus fell the Aberdeen administration, just two years after it had ob tained power. After some delay, lord Palmerston succeeded in forming a second coalition; but a slight difficulty having occurred respecting the Sebastopol committee, the Peelites soon after seceded, and left lord Palmerston sole master. 27. On the 3d of March, the public were surprised by the announcement of the sudden death of the real author of the war, the emperor Nicholas. The adhesion of Sardinia to the western alliance, and the visit of the emperor Napoleon and his empress to England, and their enthusiastic reception, in some degree restored public confidence. During the summer, Victoria returned the visit, and was received at Paris with general rejoicing. 28. It was supposed by many that the death of the czar would ensure the restoration of peace; and the conferences, re-opened at Vienna during the year 1855, were watched with considerable interest. Although the English plenipotentiary, lord John Russell, made the most disgraceful sacrifices, and actually abandoned every point which he had been sent out to maintain, the arrogance of Russia was such that she would make no concessions. Lord John Russell's vacillation raised a storm in the country, and he was afterwards compelled to resign his post as minister of the crown. 29. Meanwhile the war was waged with renewed vigour. The second bombardment of Sebastopol commenced on the 9th of April; and several expeditions were organized in the Crimea, most of which were completely successful. After the third bombardment, which opened on the 6th of June, the French gained possession of the Mamelon, whilst the English won the Quarries. On the 18th (the anniversary of Waterloo), the French assailed the Malakoff-and the English, the Redan; but the gallantry and devotion of the troops were not rewarded with success. The failure preyed on lord Raglan's mind; and he was soon after attacked by disease, which carried him off on the 28th of June. His mild and gracious behaviour at the council-board and in the private circle, as well as his coolness in the field of battle, won the admiration of all. He will ever be remembered as the good lord Raglan His gentle nature shone like a star amid the elements of strife |