As to future operations it is not becoming in me to speak, but the Russian General must be a man of extraordinary confidence if he thinks that on the return of spring he can extricate his army fi-om the grasp of an enemy which already clutches the whole of his coast, is established at two points in his rear, and has four distinct bases of operations, with sufficient troops to use them all, and to concentrate a prodigious force on any point he pleases. The Russian infantry, in spite of its stubborn endurance and passive courage, is not equal to either French, Sardinian, English, or Turkish troops. Every day shows us that it has no chance even against the latter when they are led and officered by Englishmen or brave and skilful European soldiers.
Their cavalry in equal nximbers will be ridden down like grass whenever they stand against English or French squadi'ons; and notwithstanding the excellence of their artiUerj^ compared with other arms of their service, it cannot compete with ours for an instant as regards rapidity of motion or precision of fire. Prince Gortschakoff wiU be a grand strategist opposed to very weak generals if he succeeds in saving his array and marching them scatheless frona the Crimea. The health of our troops is excellent; the draiights wliich arrive are rather younger than is desirable, but they will obtain experience and instruction during the winter. They are admirably clotlied, and fed as no army was ever fed before — fresh meat, bread, and vegetables are issued to all.
Henceforth the men are to receive fresh meat only three times a week, and bread only three times a week, instead of every day. On the other days they will have pork or salt beef, and excellent biscuit. In respect of winter clothing, hutting, and feeding, ommen are immeasurably better off than our allies, and it is not unusual to see the latter eatingin the English camp of the excess of our soldiers' cooking kettles. Little friendships have sprung up in this way. " Franceese" oomes over with his spoon, a smile, an onion, and a bit of salt, or a savoury condiment, to some sapper or grenadier, day after day, about dinner time, indulges in pantomimic conversation, interlarded with many " bonos," and regales on good soup and broth, to the great delight of his entertainer.
Thus both are satisfied — a true entente cordiale is established through the medium of the stomach, and no one is a loser. The reinforcements to our ally contain, like our own, many very young men, and I was particularly struck with the youthful appearance of the men of a regiment which arrived at Kamiesch on Monday. The hospital kitchens are certainly worth seeing, and M. Soyer has, by the introduction of his stoves, and of an improved system oimenage, contributed to render them efficient. His stove would be still more valuable if it roasted or baked as well as boiled, but at present the last is the only operation to which it is suited, ar.d the old camp kettle always did that as well, however, with a much greater consumption and waste of fuel.
In economizing the latter scarce and most expensive article by the introduction of his stove, M. Soyer has rendered a considerable service. No article presses more heavily on the resources of the commissariat department, is more bulky and difficult of transit and more expensive, than wood for fuel. The use of the camp stoves is very limited, and, indeed, such improvements have been suggested by experience, and forced by necessity upon officers and men, that in many instances the most accomplished cordon bleto could suggest nothing to be added or removed from the regimental kitchens, made or in course of construction. The spoils of Sebastopol have materially contributed to our comforts and efficiency in this respect. Kitchen ranges, boilers, ii'on bars, Stourbridge bricks — I have some in a cliimney built into the side of my liut, and marked " Harpers, Stourbridge" — ovens, brass, iron, and copper stoves, pots and pans, Hues, kettles, and hundreds of similar articles, have been seized and utilized with wonderful tact.