On the 19th of May, a council of war was held at Varna, at which were present Lord Raglan, Omar Pacha, and Marshal St. Arnaud, (the French commander-in-chief, who died shortly after the battle of Alma, overcome by anxiety, disease, and fatigue.) On the 21st ult., the Generals reviewed the Turkish army, at Schumla, and Lord Raglan and Marshal St. Arnaud returned to Constantinople, on the 23rd. On the 29th May, the blockade of the Russian coast in the Baltic sea was effected by Vice-admiral Sir Charles Napier. On the 30th of May, another victory was gained over the enemy, at the battle of Karakal. This success was followed by a still more important one, on the 23rd of June, when the siege of Silistria was raised, with tremendous loss to the Russians.

On the 12th of June, the French Baltic fleet, with eighteen ships of war, under command of Admiral Deschênes, joined the English fleet in Baro Sound; and on the 14th, a convention was signed, between Austria and Turkey, for the eventual occupation of the Danubian Provinces. The Turks still continued victorious, driving the Russians before them across the Danube. On the 18th of July, the Baltic fleet, having spent a fortnight in reconnoitering Cronstadt, returned to Baro Sound. Another grand defeat at Rustchuk, deprived the Russians of 6,000 men; again they were repulsed with great loss at Giargevo, on the 23rd ult.; and on the 27th, compelled to abandon Frateschi, Oltenitza, &c., &c., and retire towards the Serith. On the 21st of August, the army of the Czar quitted Bucharest; and on the 7th ult., the Austrian government received intimation that the Danubian Provinces were about to be evacuated.

On the 14th ult., commenced the attack of Bomarsund, which unconditionally surrendered on the 16th, when 2,235 prisoners were taken. The loss of the Allies was wonderfully small,-French 60, English 9. But notwithstanding the glorious career of the Allied powers, England and France have still to mourn for many a brave and gallant son. The splendid victory of the Alma, on the 20th of September, was purchased for us by the loss of not a few who shone brightly among the flower of both nations. On that purple field of battle lay 2,000 English, 1,400 French, and 6,000 Russians. Nor was the hand of death less busy even where the sword of the enemy had spared; privation, fatigue, and the ill effects of an unhealthy climate, were sadly felt by a great portion of our noble army; yet did the brave fellows never desert their colours, or flag before their foe; but with God's blessing and their own true valour, daily raised themselves higher and higher in the annals of

fame. Who will ever forget the triumphant days of Alma, (20th September,) Balaklava, (October 25th,) and Inkermann, (November 5th;) and when will the names of their honoured martyrs cease to be remembered? Surely each voice shall answer "Never." England and France have cause to boast the self-denying devotion of their children, while national jealousies melt away in the general rejoicings. Mutual and long cherished hatred yields to friendship and good faith; mistrust and doubt give way to kindlier feelings; and together they bow before the God of Heaven, and seek a blessing on their united efforts.

On the 2nd of March, 1855, died Nicholas I. Emperor and Autocrat of all the Russias, after a comparatively short illness, owing, it is said, to the effects of a severe cold. It is, however, probable that his death was chiefly occasioned by the anxiety and excitement he had lately undergone, and which had been greatly increased by the attack on Eupatoria, February 17th, when the Russians suffered another signal defeat. Nicholas was succeeded by his son, Alexander II. Victory for the most part still continued to favor the Allied Powers, and on the glorious 8th of September, 1855, the most brilliant success crowned their efforts, in the long wished-for reduction of Sebastopol.

The Russians were compelled to evacuate the southern side of the town, and by order of their general, Prince Gortschakoff, it was totally destroyed by fire. But this triumph, brilliant as it was, was dearly purchased with the blood of many of our best and bravest soldiers.

On the 5th of September, the terrible bombardment began; both armies fought with the utmost courage and desperation, and on the 8th, at noon, the assault on the Malakoff was made, by order of General Pelissier. The French also attacked the Careening Bay Redan, and the Central Bastion, while the English were engaged on the Grand Redan. Both were repulsed with great loss, but still undaunted, continued to fight with unabated courage. The splendid and successful attempt on the Malakoff was beyond all praise, and hence the triumphant achievement of the fall of Sebastopol. Meanwhile, let us not forget England at home. In the month of May, 1855, our happy alliance was still further augmented by a visit from their Imperial Majesties to our metropolis. Great and universal was the welcome accorded by our Queen and all her loyal subjects to the distinguished visitors; and the hospitality and festivities exhibited on this occasion, were only to be equalled by the en

thusiastic rejoicings which took place in France, when in the following August, Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales, and the Princess Royal, returned the visit, and became the guests of the Emperor and Empress of France.

Notwithstanding the wars and rebellions which from time to time have disturbed the quietness and peace of many of our British colonies, for the most part they may be considered to be in a prosperous state. There is little to tell of our domestic operations during the past year; sympathy with her gallant defenders, whom she has lately seen depart for the theatre of war, occupies most of her thoughts and her attention; ever the hard times, scarcity of labour, dearness of food, usually sources of so much complaint, are almost hushed in the anxiety for the absent. Large funds were raised throughout the land, for the relief of the sufferers, wounded or invalided by the war, and a handsome sum of money is thus secured for the aid of their widows and orphans.

Foremost amongst those who thus gratefully acknowledge the faithful service of our brave soldiers and sailors, stands Her Majesty, our noble Queen. Ever solicitous for the welfare of her people, she does not lightly esteem their loyalty and patriotic devotion. Proud of their glorious achievements, yet weeping for their sacrifice, our sovereign becomes the encourager as well as the consoler of her people. Many beautiful and interesting little anecdotes might be told of the kind and condescending conduct of our beloved Queen, to her bereaved subjects; but as the limits of this volume will not permit us to enlarge, we must only add-may God prosper her cause,

Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us,

God save the Queen!"

EXERCISES.

BY what connexion in regard to her relatives did her present Majesty succeed to the throne? How old was her Majesty when declared of age? To what kingdom did the Duke of Cumberland succeed, and by what regulation? What intelligence reached England in 1837? On the insurrection being quelled in the Lower province of the Canadas, what ensued in the Upper? When the insurrection had been subdued, how did Government proceed? What remarkable fire occurred in 1838? What was the date of her Majesty's coronation? Repeat what has been said in regard to that ceremony? By whom was the office of Lord High Chancellor filled? What temporary change took place in the ministry in 1839? Give an account of the Chartist riots? When and to whom was her Majesty married, and what ensued upon the ceremony? Relate the account of the desperate act committed by a youth named Edward Oxford? When were the letter stamps first distributed? Name the dates of the births of the Princess Royal and the Prince of Wales? For what has her Majesty's reign been remarkable in one particular? What has been the character and the career of Mehemet Ali? Where and by whom were the Turks defeated? What act of treachery ensued on the death of the Sultan? How were the consequences of this event regarded? What nations are called the five great powers, and what do they unitedly undertake? What opinions were formed upon the Turkish question? In the meanwhile, what were the proceedings of Mehemet Ali? What determination was made by four of the great powers? How did France regard their proceedings? What plan of fortification was adopted by France? What towns on the coast of Syria did we attack, and who commanded the attacking squadron? On what mountains do the Druses and the Moronites chiefly dwell? Relate the particulars of a defeat sustained by Ibrahim Pacha in 1840? What Syrian town then fell into our power? Relate the account of the siege and capture of St. Jean D'Acre? What effect had the news of our successes upon France? Who was then the French minister, and by whom was he succeeded? How was the Eastern question finally settled? What was the first cause of our differences with China? On hearing the Emperor's determination, what instructions were sent out by Lord Palmerston? What were the orders of Commissioner Lin, and what was his subsequent proceeding with regard to Captain Elliott? What was the value of the opium purchased by Captain Elliott? Give an account of the battle of the war junks? What forts were then attacked by the British squadron? Relate the particulars of our attack upon Canton? What compensation did we exact from the Chinese? How did we act in consequence of the perfidy of the Chinese? To what part of the Chinese coast did our squadron repair? What places successively succumbed to our arms? Relate what ensued upon our attack of Ching Keang Foo? What noble river did we then ascend, and what occasioned the abandonment of an attack on Nankin? What were the terms of the new treaty ? Describe the present condition of Hong Kong? By whom was Shah Soojah dethroned? What was the occasion of a British expedition being sent across the Indus? How and by whom was Ghuznee taken? Give an

account of the passage of General Sale through the Khoord Cabul pass? What was the cause of the insurrection at Cabul? What happened to Sir Alex. Burnes and others? What was the condition, and what the prospect of our troops at this time? Relate the events in connexion with the melancholy fate of Sir William Mc'Naughten? Give an account of the fatal retreat of our troops from Cabul? Relate the particulars of the forcing of the Khyber pass under General Pollock? What places were then taken, and how were affairs arranged? Relate the particulars of our warfare in Scinde? Also in Gwalior? Who is the present Governor General of India? What were the fortunes of Don Carlos in Spain? What were the proceedings of Queen Christina? Who was then elected Regent? To what course of action was he at length driven? What events occurred in Spain after his abdication? When was parliament dissolved, and what were the prospects of the Conservatives and Liberals? Who was re-elected as Speaker, and when did the ministry resign? Who were the heads of the new administration? What measure did Sir Robert Peel introduce, and what was its success? What was his next measure in consequence of a deficiency in the revenue? What the success of the bill? Relate the particulars of the fire at the Tower? To what nobleman's seat did her Majesty repair on her visit to Scotland? What new object did Mr. O'Connell pursue on the accession of the Conservatives into power? Where did the Repeal association meet, and how was the weekly rent in part appropriated? On what plan does Mr. O'Connell appropriate to his own use a large portion of the rent? Explain what is meant by the "monster meetings." How did government act in consequence of the proceedings of Mr. O'Connell ? What was his sentence upon being tried? What was his next step? What was the cause of his liberation and that of the other prisoners? In what particulars was the indictment considered to be defective by the three law lords? What important acts were passed during the session of 1844? On her Majesty's second visit to Scotland, to whose seat did she repair? For what is Blair Atholl noted? Give some account of the Rebecca riots? Where is Tahiti or Otaheite? Who discovered this and other groups of islands in the Pacific? What occasioned a difference between England and France? How has that difference been adjusted? Relate the proceedings of the Prince de Joinville? To what terms was the Emperor of Morocco at length brought? When was the Princess Helena Augusta born? What important act was passed under the Peel ministry? Who suc ceeded Sir Robert as prime minister? Why were the reins of government particularly difficult to manage at this time? Where is Moodkee? Who fell there? Under what circumstances? For what is this period chiefly remarkable? What occasioned great misery in Ireland, in the year 1847? On what account did Her Majesty appoint a general fast to be observed? When was the new House of Lords opened? What bill was passed on the 2nd of May? What commission re-modelled? What loan advanced? When and where did Daniel O'Connell die? What insurrection took place in June? What new bishoprics were created in 1847? How is the year 1848 chiefly rendered important? When was gold discovered in California? In what direction did the tide of popular enthusiasm next turn?

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