ion of this chapter,
issued in the signal defeat of the Russian army by Omar' Pasha, and was
probably the cause of the czar's death. The accession of Alexander II.
to the throne of the Russian empire, while it encouraged diplomatic
efforts for peace, led to renewed efforts for war, the young emperor
being anxious to show his people zeal for "the orthodox church," and
reverence for the policy of his predecessor, whom Russia regarded as
a saint and a martyr. The Emperor Alexander resolved upon a desperate
effort to bring the war to an issue favourable to his empire by force
of arms, unless, through the instrumentality of Austria at the Vienna
conference, he could more cheaply conquer peace.

During the month of March, the allies became more active in the siege of
Sebastopol. Efforts were put forth of a sanitary nature, which improved
the health of the troops, and means of storage and transport were
greatly facilitated and enlarged. The soldiers rallied with better food
and more favourable weather.

The English generals displayed more activity, but did not inspire more
confidence in the troops. Sorties and combats continued. The Russian
forces in the Crimea were also refreshed and recruited, although the
efforts to accomplish these things drained the resources of the empire.

On the 20th of the month it was known that Prince Gortschakoff succeeded
Prince Menschikoff in command of the Russian Crimean forces. The latter
prince--the cause of so many troubles, a blind zealot, whose influence
over the Emperor Nicholas was most unhappy--was wounded and disabled.
The Russian admiral, Istomine, a very brave man, was killed in the
Mamelon Fort. Burial truces, combats, and sorties closed the month. In
one of these the pious and heroic Captain Vicars fell.

During April the allies made powerful efforts again to bombard the
place, The troops continued to suffer through March and the first week
of April, although their situation was meliorated from day to day;
the spirits of the men were recruited, and an ambition to signalize
themselves by some decisive feat of arms was evident among them.

During this period, the Black Sea fleet operated in watching the enemy's
coasts in that sea, and in harassing him in his harbours in the Sea of
Azoff.

On the 8th of April Sebastopol was once more bombarded. The English
shells were, in a vast proportion, harmless from their bad manufacture.
The bombardment eventually failed; the industry, ene