Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 4.djvu/144

 lU HEROIC RESISTANCE OF SEBASTOPOL CHAP. rai'C energy, liis mind was at the same time so ' nimble that the force M'ith which lie had been acting in one direction did not hinder him iron) acting in another, the moment a change of action was called for by a change of conditions. The way in which Colonel de Todleben a})plied himself to his very first undertaking, is perhaps a too simple illustration of the accuracy and com- pleteness with which he read problems in war; but althougii, for that reason, it will necessarily fail to indicate the scope of his ])Ower, it may still convey some idea of the nature of the quality in which he excelled. Before the time of Todleben's arrival, the Star Fort had been examined by engineers, and it was soon ascertained to be so faulty in construction as to be likely to be of comparatively little use. Seeing what the faults of the work were, and seeing what ought to bo done in order to make it a good fort, the engin- eers at once went on to commence the works which were needed for the purpose. But one of the conditions in which they were called upon to act, they failed to bring into their reckoning. They left out the condition of time. To bring to an effective state the works which they thi.s undertook, would necessarily cost a labour of several months ; but on the other hand, the at- tack of this Star Fort, if it should take place at all, might be expected in a few days. Therefore the labour going on was labour in vain. When Colonel de Todleben attained to his sway, he at once stopped the works in hand, and brought the