The Muscov runs quite tame through our camps, and is to be found ever^'where. One of their Generals made a great sensation by driving through the camp in a neat brougham, drawn by a pair of good steppers, and " worked" by a servant in very handsome livery, with an extra plush, in similar uniform of laced coat and cockaded hat, behind him. Four of them went to head-quarters in a droschky, drawn by a team of handsome ponies, with an escort of Lancers, and spent some time in looking at the English roads and at the railway works, and in examining the new town of Balaklava. As one gets accustomed to the Russian face it becomes less displeasing, and there are undeniably many of them who are exceedingly like Englishmen — more so than any foreigners I have ever 43G PEACE ONCE MOKE IN THE CUIMEA. seen.
When drunk tlicy are brutish and stupid-looking, but many of them possess intelligent features, and eyes with an expression of great acuteness and cunning, and they are said to drive very hard bargains with the canteenmen. As there is nothing doing in camp 1 intend to proceed on a Aveek's excursion to the banks of the Alma, retracing the course of our march, thence to Simpheropol, Tchatir Dagh, I'aksbiserai, and thence to the south coast, visiting Orianda and Yalta, and returning by Aloujjka through the valley of Jiaidar. The llussians have sent passes to head-quarters, with one of which I have betin kindly furnished. It is as follows: — " Carte de passe pour les avant postes" (in print), and "General de Service Tchervinsky;" then in Russian, " Allowed to pass — General, Major," in MS.
A gi-eat impediment to these little excursions is the condition of the mountain roads, which have been scarped, and have not yet been repaired, so that it is difficult to get carts across them, and it is necessary to carry tents and provisions for man and beast, unless one is bound for either of the large towns of the Crimea. There is nothing which calls ibr attention or remark in the camps. Our artillery and Land Transport are employed in carrying down guns and shot to the harbour. When the skids are put on going down tlie declines, the road is severely tested by the weight of the heavy guns, weighing three tons and upwards, but it stands remarkably well, and that it does so under such heavy and frequent pressure is the best proof of its excellence.
A stone tablet has been let into the solid rock by the roadside at Kadikoi, bearing this inscription: — " This)oad was made by the British Army, assisted by the Army Works Corps, under the direction of ]\Ir. Doyne, C.E., 1855." I am glad to say that the Generals of Division, acting probably on directions from head-quarters, have given orders for the proper enclosure of the graveyards on the plateau. A high stone wall is being erected around the cemetery at Cathcart's-hill, and admission can only be procured through the gateway, to which there will be a proper door and lock. The interior has been cleaned and cleared of stones and rubbish. It is to be hoped that the Russians will not turn our tombstones into hearthstones and iireplaces I am sorry to say tliat every Russian who goes into Balaklava will see two of his churches somewhat desecrated; the church of Kadikoi is used as a storehouse for barley, <fcc., and is crowded with Turkish and Croat labourers; that at Balaklava is used as tlie medical storehouse.
Mr. Parker, the chaplain for HOMEWARD ROUXD. -i.Ji the Balakliiva district, applied for the building, in order that h^ might celebrate divine service in it, but it was not considereil expedient to accede to his request, and so he has set to work, and, aided by many friends, has succeeded in constructing on tin; site of the building first used for the purpose a clean, well-ventitilated, and well-arranged place of worship, with accommodation for nearly twice the number of people; but he is satisfied that if there were room his congregation would be increased at least fourfold. Divine service is ]^erformed every Sunday in this church, in the church up at the hospital above the town, and on board the steam-ship "Abundance." The Rev.