Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Critical Notices Of The Literature Of The Last Three Months,
public . Colonel Chcsney ' s opinions aro valuable , because he was employed , subsequent to the war of 1828-29 , in collecting information relative to the campaign , and in estimating tho resources of both Turkey and Russia . The first portion of the work contains a description of Turkey and the Danubian principalities , with an account of tho campaigns in 1828-29 ; the second , if we may be permitted so to divide it , shows the present state of the resources of Turkey proper ; and the third is in the
shape of an appendix of public documents , Avith maps of the seat of war . With respect to the chances of taking Sebastopoi , it may be as well to hear what Colonel Chesney himself says on the subject : — " It is the author's belief that Sebastopoi would be safe against the action of the combined fleets . No doubt , the hitherto unequalled efficiency of a steam-fleet , with its present armament , would eflect all that can be accomplished by skill aud bravery ; but the result of attacking a well-defended fortress with a fleet
remains as yet a problem for the future . " It is not , however , to be expected that the defenders of Sebastopoi would be equally tardy in opening a fire of shell and hot shot on their assailants ( as at Algiers and at Acre ) , and testing with these terrific missiles the relative strength of stone against ' wooden walls . ' But we are here treading on difficult ground . Therefore , while expressing a hope that the attack of Sebastopoi , if it should take place , will be with an adequate force by land , rather than by a coup de main attack by sea , let us give due weight to the remarkable words of the late Duke
of Wellington , when speaking of our success against Acre . His Grace , after expressing his approbation of the services 2 ) erforrned by the navy in the Mediterranean , and of those who were engaged in this glorious expedition , goes on to say , ' He had had a little experience in services of this nature , and he thought it his duty to warn their lordships on this occasion , that they must not always expect that ships , however well commanded , or gallant their seamen might be , were capable of commonly engaging smcessfidly with stone walls . He had no recollection , in all his experience , except the recent instance on the coast of Syria , of any fort being taken by ships , except two or three years ago , Avhen the fort of St . Juan d'TJlloa was captured by the French fleet . ' "
Mi * . O Bnen s book is also fair reading in its way ; but it is mostly narrative , being a brief summary of a tour to Wallachia during the operations of the two armies on the banks of the Danube last autumn . Mr . Smyth , too , journeyed in an equally unsophisticated way , adopting the manners ancl dress of a native , and showing , to the best of his ability , the character and condition of the people , ancl the mode in which the government of the countries he passed through was administered ; we recommendtherefore , these two volumesas containing much useful and
enter-, , taining information upon a matter now exciting so much public attention . From these semi books of travel we pass naturally to ' the adventures of those of our restless countrymen who , for ever seeking excitement , must , no matter the difficulties in the Avay , some time or other in the course of their lives , breakfast on the summit of Mont Blanc , or dine on the top of the Pyramids . We are glad , however , to observe a change for the better in this style
of literature . The real enjoyment of travelling consists in understanding and appreciating the novelties and objects of interest en route . To know what and hoAV to observe , is an art , which , like every other , must be learnt . Now half , nay , we may safely say nine-tenths , of tho people who travel , as the phrase is , return to England very little the better for the excitement , the fatigue , or the sights they may have seen ; and certainly , in so far as their capacity for improving or informing their fellow-creatures is concerned , not one whit more capable of describing the peoples or the lands they have visited , than Avhen thoy first left the lire-side comforts of
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Critical Notices Of The Literature Of The Last Three Months,
public . Colonel Chcsney ' s opinions aro valuable , because he was employed , subsequent to the war of 1828-29 , in collecting information relative to the campaign , and in estimating tho resources of both Turkey and Russia . The first portion of the work contains a description of Turkey and the Danubian principalities , with an account of tho campaigns in 1828-29 ; the second , if we may be permitted so to divide it , shows the present state of the resources of Turkey proper ; and the third is in the
shape of an appendix of public documents , Avith maps of the seat of war . With respect to the chances of taking Sebastopoi , it may be as well to hear what Colonel Chesney himself says on the subject : — " It is the author's belief that Sebastopoi would be safe against the action of the combined fleets . No doubt , the hitherto unequalled efficiency of a steam-fleet , with its present armament , would eflect all that can be accomplished by skill aud bravery ; but the result of attacking a well-defended fortress with a fleet
remains as yet a problem for the future . " It is not , however , to be expected that the defenders of Sebastopoi would be equally tardy in opening a fire of shell and hot shot on their assailants ( as at Algiers and at Acre ) , and testing with these terrific missiles the relative strength of stone against ' wooden walls . ' But we are here treading on difficult ground . Therefore , while expressing a hope that the attack of Sebastopoi , if it should take place , will be with an adequate force by land , rather than by a coup de main attack by sea , let us give due weight to the remarkable words of the late Duke
of Wellington , when speaking of our success against Acre . His Grace , after expressing his approbation of the services 2 ) erforrned by the navy in the Mediterranean , and of those who were engaged in this glorious expedition , goes on to say , ' He had had a little experience in services of this nature , and he thought it his duty to warn their lordships on this occasion , that they must not always expect that ships , however well commanded , or gallant their seamen might be , were capable of commonly engaging smcessfidly with stone walls . He had no recollection , in all his experience , except the recent instance on the coast of Syria , of any fort being taken by ships , except two or three years ago , Avhen the fort of St . Juan d'TJlloa was captured by the French fleet . ' "
Mi * . O Bnen s book is also fair reading in its way ; but it is mostly narrative , being a brief summary of a tour to Wallachia during the operations of the two armies on the banks of the Danube last autumn . Mr . Smyth , too , journeyed in an equally unsophisticated way , adopting the manners ancl dress of a native , and showing , to the best of his ability , the character and condition of the people , ancl the mode in which the government of the countries he passed through was administered ; we recommendtherefore , these two volumesas containing much useful and
enter-, , taining information upon a matter now exciting so much public attention . From these semi books of travel we pass naturally to ' the adventures of those of our restless countrymen who , for ever seeking excitement , must , no matter the difficulties in the Avay , some time or other in the course of their lives , breakfast on the summit of Mont Blanc , or dine on the top of the Pyramids . We are glad , however , to observe a change for the better in this style
of literature . The real enjoyment of travelling consists in understanding and appreciating the novelties and objects of interest en route . To know what and hoAV to observe , is an art , which , like every other , must be learnt . Now half , nay , we may safely say nine-tenths , of tho people who travel , as the phrase is , return to England very little the better for the excitement , the fatigue , or the sights they may have seen ; and certainly , in so far as their capacity for improving or informing their fellow-creatures is concerned , not one whit more capable of describing the peoples or the lands they have visited , than Avhen thoy first left the lire-side comforts of