This needs no comment from me; but it may be thought to require explanation from those who ordain and sanction a system of preference, which, to persons uninitiated in the mysteries of naval promotion, must seem unjust. In one point of view, it is an invidious task to draw public attention to such cases as this; but it should always be iinderstood that no slur is intended to be cast on the person preferred. Lieutenant Pasley may be a most mxcritorious officer, but one naturally feels curious to become acquainted with the services that entitle him to walk over his seniors, who for two-thirds of a j'ear have been, engaged in actual and severe warfare, have been decimated by Eussian shot, and have taken their full share of hardships probably unparalleled in the history ox war since the campaign of 1812.
Major Henry, of the Artillery, who lost his arm the other day, is, I am happy to say, going on very favourably. Major Napier, of the Laud Transport Corps, is gone home on sick leave. A cargo of ice has arrived for the hospitals, and ten tons are to be brought up for each division of the army. The " Simoom" has arrived with 420, and the " Barraclcpore" with 300, of the Army Working Corps. These 720 men form the bulk of the corps, and will immediately proceed to work under the direction of the chief superintendent, Mr. Doyne. They are to repair the railway (" re-make" would be a suitable word as regards a great part of it), and construct a road from head-quarters to Ealaklava.
Sir Harry Jones has also ordered that they should take the direction of the supply of water for the camp. It is to be hoped they will find means of increasing it, and also of causing a portion of it to flow to an easier distance than that at which some of us are compelled to seek it. Sir Harry Jones has been suffering severely from sciatica, but is now much better. Auf/ust 21. Yesterday afternoon, between five and six o'clock, the whole of the French batteries on the left suddenly opened a furious fire, to which the Russians warmly replied. General Pelissier, in his open carriage, with his aides-de-camp and usual hussar escort, passed through the English camp and went up to Cathcart's-hill. The fire lasted until nightfall, and then diminished.
During the night there was not much firing. At midnight it had almost ceased, and one saw but an occasional shell in the air. At two A.M. orders came for our army to turn out. This was rapidly done; the troops moved to the front, to their usual positions in such cases, and remained there imtil daylight. It is now very early in the morning, and I have not yet been able to ascertain the motives of the alerte. It appears, however, that the French turned out before we had orders to do so, and that then a line of telegraphic lights was observed in the Eussian positions, commencing at Sebastopol, and running along the Inkermann heights. It is said that the French got under arms in consequence of observing a Russian force in motion on the heights in question.
Various rumours are abroad as to itj object, but none that appear to me worth repeating. From tha present aspect of affairs, and notabl^^ from the change of place of the Imperial Guard, it seems probable that the French Avill operate particularly on the Tchoruaya line, where they tlie other day achieved so brilliant a success, and that the English will form the main force to be opposed to an attack proceeding ironr the town. The result of the action of the Tchernaya ought to ■convince the Eussian commanders that it is in vain for them to iissume the aggressive; but the arrival of fresh troops doubtless inspires them with new hopes. Some believe that, disheartened by the protracted siege and hopeless of the allies desisting from it, they are likelj'- to stake everything on a desperate coup.
To this is to be opposed the opinions of the less sanguine, who doubt that the besieged suffer so much, in various ways, as has been reported, who think that their determination is unshaken, and the jMalakhoif not to be taken. Between the two opinions it is safest to steer a middle course. The object of the Frencrh in opening fire on the left is still a mystery in our camp, even in very high quarters. With respect to the turn-out this morning, it appears that the French gave us warning. The Russians were seen assembling towards the right, apparently with a view of attacking the same positions from which they were repulsed on the 16th. They threw up some rockets as signals, and retired.