The Lyttelton Times.

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 324, 8 December 1855, Page 6

The Lyttelton Times.

Saturday, Dec. 8. Wars in which England is engaged all . follow nearly the same course,—-"they are begun with means totally insufficient to carry out the ends proposed, —disastrous delays ensue; occasionally, indeed, news arrives at home of victories won by the indomilable valour of our soldiers in spite of mal-administration and mis-placed parsimony; but the country feels that it is to the sense of duty and courage of these soldiers alone that we owe the safety of our military honor. Then -the anger of the whole nation breaks out. Reasonably and unreasonably fault is found with those in power A weli-meaning administration stru^l^s i m potently fo throw off the shack) js o- *a time honoured and rotten system. A furious opposition deceives itself into the idea that its attacks on Government all emanate from a spirit of patriotism. Every effort is made that a stubborn people possessed of lai-e resources can make, and the country awaits he result, witl, , an impatience scarcely credMe Meanwhile our army toils on with the dogged resolution of Englishmen, until at last th-y are place,! in a position to strike a derive blow. A succession o f victories the pa, of the enemy, and our Government generally tnkes advantage of tI.U opporUThe circumstances of the present war are ] «it»> I'.ance. The French troops Inav not P»**?h* (to use their own expression) th, Bohdnyofan English nrmv ; but^ they are energy, warlike, and emiua.tly fitted o P ' l' d1 '11- ,Ule ener-y of the French G-^unent has urged on our own tom"t decline injures, and at last the turning P w»l'»l»'eWßl«.y of rl,« present war ."•

in the history of the war. On the part of the allies energy and hope appear to have everywhere taken the place of comparative inaction and despondency. On the other hand, the Russian?appear to be proportionately disheartened. The Russian armyin Sevastopol has been suffering for some time for want of provisions, and their srenerals urged on the Government of St. Petersburg the necessity of relief. Hence the attack on the French position on the Tchernaya. which was so signally repulsed by our gallant allies. The Russians have retired, and appear to have given up all idea of relieving Sebastopol. An ominous order has reached -that town* from St. Petersburg- to the effect that if the Malakhoff falls, the remnant of the Russian fleet in the harbour is to be sunk. The bombardment by the allies was hourly expected : the latter are in high spirits, well provided with ammunition and stores, and confident of success. In the Sea of Azoff the work of destruc^ tion has gone on. Supplies for the Russian? army are totally cut off in that quarter ; and to crown the successes of the last month the fortress of Sweaborg. in the Gulf of Finland, supposed by the Russians to be impregnable, has been laid in ashes by the allied fleet, without the loss of one*man killed, and with only about 30 wounded. Th#r moral effect of this last victory is of far more importance than the actual advantage gained Both the allies and the Russians have learned what our floating armaments can do; and in prooortion to the anxiety of the former to attack still stronger places will be the disinclination on the part of the Russians to attempt their defence. Under such favourable auspices Her Majesty has set out. on her visit to France. The enthusiasm of the French nation seems unbounded, and the preparations made for her reception are magnificent almost beyond precedent Let France and England be united by still stronger bonds of unity,—let Cronstadt and Sebastopol fall,—let Russia be humbled into suing for peace,—lee the. shuffling German Powers find out their error when they deserted the Western Alliance to humble to a master who can no longer be of use to them,—and, whatever the war may have cost I he country, England will not regret the failure of the Conferences of Yipnna to establish an insecure and undignified peace.