n in the Turkish foreignoffice demonstrated
that if the fleets were sent to defend Turkey, the Black Sea was their
appropriate sphere of action: the admirals had no orders, and the
ambassadors would give them none, and pleaded the absence of any
discretionary power.

While the fleets spread the tricolor and the union-jack upon the gentle
breezes of the Bosphorus, Omar Pasha, with frame of iron and intellect
of light, seemed to do everything, as well as direct everything, upon
the northern frontier of Bulgaria; and only just allowed the fifteen
days' "notice to quit" to expire, before he showed Russia and the world
that the Turks had a general, and that with a general they were still
soldiers, as when the blazing scimitar of Orchan first flashed upon
Europe, or Byzantium shook before the thunder of the artillery of
Mohammed II. They were still worthy of their father, Osman, the
"Bone-breaker;" and, in hand-to-hand combat, an overmatch for the boors
of Russia, both in courage and strength. It must be said, to their
disadvantage, that they were not very precise concerning the declaration
of war; for on the very day it was declared, and without the knowledge
of their chief, a semi-brigade hurried over the river, fell upon a
Russian detachment, routed it, seized a considerable booty, and, like
true Bashi-bazouks, were away again upon their own side before the foray
could be chastised.

With the end of October, the time granted to Prince Gortschakoff by Omar
Pasha expired; by whom strong detachments were immediately expedited
to the Russian side of the disputed river. Crossing at once in several
places, they were soon established in some force upon the frontier of
Wallachia, and pushing forward a strong advance-guard upon the Russians,
the latter skirmished, refused battle, and slowly and sullenly retreated
upon Slatina. The Turks fought and gained several sanguinary battles on
the Danube during the month of November, which was followed by various
contests, less important, but scarcely less sanguinary.

The month of November, however glorious to the Turkish armies, was
disastrous to its navy. The fleet lay in the harbour of Sinope, upon the
Black Sea. The Russians, contrary to the official declaration made to
the allies, to confine the war to defensive operations, resolved to
attack the Turkish fleet by a surprise. The enterprise of the Russian
admiral was successful. The unsuspecting Turks were surprised; no
opportunity o