Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 4.djvu/459

 THE 17TII OF OCTOBEE. 429 Ijattuiies on Mount Eodolph carried with it a chap. corresponding postponement of any attempt by "^^"^ the French to assault the Tlagstaff Bastion. Indeed it was evident that, independently of the physical obstacle still interposed by the un- silenced batteries of the Flagstaff Bastion, the moral discouragement which had been inflicted npon the French by the disastrous explosion of their magazine could not but be an ill preparative for the task of storming Sebastopol. In this way, once more, the exigencies of the tender bond which united two mighty States for- bade them the full use of their strength. A tacit compact required that their armies should act together in any great operation; and, it chancing at this time, from the mere fortune of war, that the English were in a condition to assault and that the French were not, it resulted, as a natural consequence, that the temporary impo- tence of the one Power carried with it the ab- stention of both. What benumbed the Allies was the Alliance. It must not be supposed that the disappoint- ment of Lord Piaglan's hopes came upon him at this late hour. The silence of the French bat- teries on Mount Eodolph prepared him of course for ill tidings ; and the first message which had been delivered to him from General Canrobert disclosed no small part of the unwelcome truth.* As soon as General Rose had spoken, the horizon ante, sec. i. of this chapter.
 * For the purport of General Pvose's communications, see