The occupation of that place by the allies was a great
hindrance to the operations of the Russian armies, and was dangerous
to the Crimea and its communications with the southern provinces of the
Russian empire. The emperor had, therefore, ordered it to be carried at
any cost. He, no doubt, felt humiliated that the Turks, whom he had so
recently attacked in their own territory, should now, in their turn, be
invaders, and he burned with indignation at this affront to his power.
By this battle his soldiers were defeated, his ambition and his hopes
blasted. He began at last to see the magnitude of the war he had
provoked, and the perils with which his empire were environed. He
drooped from that hour. A severe cold, taken in the persevering
discharge of his high functions, hastened his dissolution.
DEPARTURE OF THE BALTIC FLEET.
On the 4th of April the first squadron of the Baltic fleet for the naval
campaign in that sea set sail from Spithead. This fleet was probably the
most powerful that had ever appeared upon the seas.
FINANCIAL OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR.
In the middle of April the government effected, with great ease, a loan
of sixteen millions sterling to carry on the war. This was followed by
similar transactions.
SEVERITY OF THE WEATHER.
The first days of the new year were unusually warm, the temperature
ranging 11 deg. above the average. On the 9th the thermometer marked 50 deg.;
but on the following day fell to 26 deg.
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