NEWS OF THE WEEK.
IN reference to news from the Crimea, this week is anomalous. The strongest interest is derived from the account of affairs which in these fast days we must consider as gone by, and the present has small interest. With regard to the passing day, indeed, we have little more than rumours bred in Paris, Berlin, and Vienna.
" Gortschakoff has offered to retire if he may go unmolested, taking arms and baggage." "The Emperor has said that Russia can never make peace upon such a defeat." "The Russian troops stationed in Simpheropol and Bakshiserai have begun to retreat upon Perekop,"—a rumour alleged to have a Russian origin. "The Emperor, giving up his intended journey to Warsaw, has
left St. Petersburg for Moscow and the Crimea." Whatever truth there may be in these rumours, or any of them, it is evident that the Russians consider the front of the Allies as impregnable, and the only. question is as to their mode of retreat.
That Gortschakoff acts upon design, and with great ability, is undeniable; but his design was disturbed, and he was compelled to evacuate the South side of Sebastopol without destroying or carrying off half so much as he pretended. He leaves whole forts 1 in an effective state; ,4000 guns, 50,000 cannon-balls, with grape- het, gunpowder, copper, and timber in abundance ; and under the ; "fen d'enfer," Gertsehakoff confesses that he lost 2500 men in twenty-four hours! The reports of reinforcements sent from Mar- seilles, coupled with the knowledge that the most active measures have been dictated from head-quarters in Paris and London, lead to the belief that after a brief interval the Allies will press the retreating Russians, who will only be allowed to depart with such "honours of war" as they can take for themselves.
