NEWS OF THE WEEK.
IT turns out that there was reason in our last week's admonition to those who revelled in delight at the supposed annihilation of the Russian armies. In whole or in part, every one of the state- ments then relied on has been contradicted. The blockade of Shumla is not raised. The siege of Varna goes on. The fighting before Silistria terminated in the repulse of the Turks. Such are the results of Russian accounts of later dates than any on the other side. The details are so trivial that we pass them by. The Russians, we doubt not, have suffered pro- digiously more than they acknowledge ; but neither is it to be be ieved that Turks are the only veritable historians.
The Sultan left Constantinople on the 17th September, pre- ceded by the sacred standard of the Prophet. He has fixed his court, for the present, at an intrenched camp about four miles from the city. The march was a. grand pageant in the Oriental fashion. A part of the procession having passed, it was thus that the banner under which all Mussulmans are bound to rally, was brought forth.
" A burst of music, louder by far than that which had resounded for the whole day was now heard, and a hundred camels richly caparisoned were seen advancing, led by Asiaticks, singing with apparent enthusiasm the war songs of the Arabs. These camels bore the treasure and the wardrobe of the Sultan. Behind a body of Niemis of the first rank, many Emirs, the Muftis, Kadis (judges), &e. was a superb carriage, bearing the case of the sacred standard. The " Standard of the Prophet " was itself borne in the hand of the chief of the emirs, whose office it is to guard this palladium, and who rode on horseback. The standard seems to be of small size ; it was covered with green silk ; it was surrounded by twelve singers, hymningglory to the Prophet, and as many pages, flinging over it the most costly perfumes. Immediately after followed the Sultan in person, dresseiDaitli great simplicity."
In the matter of Greece, the Porte is said to be willing to accede to the mediation of England and France ; but he rejects all interference on the part of Russia
