Mr. Calvert, a gentleman well acquainted with the Russian language, and employed as interpreter and confidential agent to the Commander-in-Chief, is the other victim.* People are beginning to fear that the pretty little farmhouse where Lord Raglan established himself on his arrival before Sebastopol, is situate in a spot more than usually subject to malific influences. Certainly, fatal cases of disease have followed one * His real nuBic was Cuttley. another with a rapidity unknown in other parts of the camp, and the impression which might be made on the minds of people at home hy the deaths of several distinguished officers in succession, would convey too unfavourable an idea of the state of the army in general. Though delivered by the progi'ess of the siege from Russian sorties, we are exposed to the attacks of other enemies, quite as troublesome, if not dangerous.
Every nook and cranny is infested with millions of flies, which give one no rest by daj', and little by night. Within the last week the evil has almost become a plague. Situated as I am in the delightful vicinity of several hundred commissariat mules, and a varied assortment of empty sugar barrels and receptacles for beef and pork, it is possible I may have more than my share of the attentions of these pertinacious insects, which hover on every side in clouds, and settle on the most irritable parts of the face without giving a moment's relaxation. Like the Harpies, they literally "dispute the viands," such as they are, on which we regale ourselves, a morsel in its passage to the mouth being generally settled upon by two or more of the insects, which require a vigorous shaking before they will let go their hold.
To remove them from a glass of any liquid before tasting it, it is necessary to introduce three fingers, and draw them from the vessel on the principle of " dragging," as practised by the Humane Society. Tlie only way to be at rest is to sit in a thoi-ough draught, which, when surrounded by papers, is a somewhat troublesome position. As you enter your hut after a few moments' absence they rise in dense clouds with deafening buzz from every object. Irritable suiferers pursue them desperately with towels, laying about on every side: others try to carry on a more scientific warfare, by burning old newspapers after closing every aperture; but it is useless — in five minutes the place is full with a fresh and more hungry swarm.
The only respite is at night, when the invaders retire to rest on the ceiling in enormous black patches; but even then the introduction of a candle rouses them to all the playfulness of noon. Seriously they are an unexpected and most troublesome visitation, especially irritating to the poor sick fellows in the hospital marquees, whom they prevent from getting any repose the live-long day, and keep in a constant state of nervous restlessness. For the next three months we must be content to suffer all they can inflict, unless the rains of September should prove fatal to them. Jidij 12. Nothing new to-day. The French and Tnrks have finally returned from their reconnaissance, and the country about Baidar is again in the hands of the Cossacks.
The quantity of cattle driven in by them is vei-y great. The beasts, though not of the large size we are accustomed to in England, are finer and better fed than those obtained in Asia Minor; at least as they reach us after a voyage across the Black Sea. According to the observations of the scientific officers who accompanied this reconnaissance, there is no weak point towards the Belbek, and now an attack ou the Eussian position, from Inkermann to Simpheropol, is considered all but hopeless. Nature seems as if she had constructed the plateau they occupy as a vast defensible position, which 50,000 men may hold against four times their number. Of the reduction of Sebastopol Proper before the winter I have no kind of doubt.
That the Russians will hold out with their accustomed obstinacy, even after the destruction of their ships and the capture of the JMalakhofi', is more than probable; but the possession of a new position, commanding the hai'bour and the bridge of boats which crosses it, must eventually compel the enemy to retreat. The Russian generals, though brave and determined on an obstinate defence, deserve credit for the possessing of prudence and forethought. As long as a place can be held with a chance of success, or even of damaging the enem3% they will hold it; but all their proceedings induce the belief that they will not allow their troops to be cut to pieces merely for the credit of having made a desperate resistance, and of having maintained, without advantage, for a short time longer, a position which, in a military sense, is untenable.