friends of Russia in the
London clubs. In consequence of these boastings, the public were very
anxious for the dispatch of the Baltic fleet as early as possible in the
spring, and the 11th of March was fixed upon.

The powerful fleet under Sir Charles Napier's command was reviewed by
her majesty on the 7th of March. It consisted of sixteen war steamers;
of which two, the _Duke of Wellington_ and the _Royal George_ were,
three-deckers, while three carried admirals' flags--Sir Charles
Napier's in the _Duke_, Admiral Chads' in the _Edinburgh_, and Admiral
Plumridge's in the _Leopard_. The _Euryalus_, screw-steamer, was
subsequently added.

The second division, under Vice-admiral Corry, which afterwards joined
Sir Charles Napier, consisted of--seven ships of the line, four screw
ships, and twelve steam frigates, sloops, &c.

Sir Charles Napier stated publicly, and personally assured the author of
this History, that his fleet was badly manned as to the quality of the
men, and inadequately as to the numbers on board. The proportion of
skilled seamen was altogether beneath what the necessities of the fleet
required, and exposed it to great danger. The admiral went so far as to
aver, that had the Russian fleet the courage to come out, so unskilfully
manned were his ships, that the enemy might have secured an easy
conquest. This statement excited strong protests and contradictions, and
has been always regarded with indignation by the gallant men who walked
the decks of these proud ships of war.

It may be here a suitable place to state the force and the arrangement
of the troops ultimately constituting the British expeditionary army in
Turkey. It was of course subjected to various modifications afterwards,
but the following is an accurate representation of the divisional
arrangement of the army, and its constituent regiments:--

_First Division.--Lieut.-gen. the Duke of Cambridge._ _First Brigade_
(under the command of Major-general Bentinck).--Grenadier Guards, 3rd
battalion; Coldstream Guards, 1st |battalion; Scots Fusilier Guards,
1st battalion. _Second Brigade_ (under the command of Major-general Sir
Colin Campbell).--42nd Royal regiment, or "Royal Highland Watch;" 78th
regiment (Rosshire Buffs); 93rd, or Sutherland regiment.

_Second Division.--Lieut.-gen. Sir De Lacy Evans._ _First Brigade_
(under the command of Major-gen. Pennefatuer).--30th regiment; 55th
regiment; 95th regiment (a new regiment). The old 95th se