NEWS 01' THE WEEK.
The last Russian bulletins claim some advantages for the army besieging Shumla—defensive advantages—the repulse of sorties ; but with such admissions of failure in the main enterprise, that the next accounts are likely to record the retreat of the army, shattered in its strength, burdened with an immense number of sick and wounded, and the Turkish garrisons and population hanging upon its rear.
At Varna matters are not much better. The besiegers have indeed, by some successful operations, got possession of an entrance to a breach ; and they may even take the fortress or its ruins. But winter draws near ; and in the difficulty of main- taining- a communication by sea, it is questioned whether they could keep the place. In the known state of their array before Shumla, the report that they arc also retreating before Varna does not seem incredible.
The Russians would appear, however, to have obtained some further successes in Armenia. The city of Achalzye has been cap- tured—in a ruined state, from the obstinacy of the defence.
After much controversy among the newspapers, it seems to lie settled that the blockade of the Dardanelles was established even before the intention was communicated, and that the British Go- vernment has been deceived throughout by the finesse of the Russ. This is not very agreeable news ; but it is hinted that the cannon of Sir Palley Malcolm's squadron will be employed to obliterate the insult. The cotton manufacturers of Lancashire may be pleased to learn the Russian Consul's opinion, that cotton goods will not be seized, though the vessels in which they are carried run every chance of being detained and searched.
