Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 9.djvu/292

 262 A RETROSPECTIVE GLANCE. chap. The vigour of the enemy beginning his counter- ' approaches in the teeth of the French ; General Canrobert, after one baffled effort, sub- mitting to these bold aggressions with unexhaust- ed patience ; The French army held back- by a clog not plainly discerned at the time; but, as now we know, fastened upon it by Louis Napoleon ; During several months, the Emperor and the Emperor's plan sitting heavy as heaviest night- mare on the Allies, and staying the advance of the siege ; The April bombardment, a mighty and well- executed preparative for ulterior action, not, after all, destined to follow ; Caused in part by the Emperor's pressure, and in part by a too anxious temperament, the faltering of Canrobert carried to strange ex- tremes ; The 1st Kertch Expedition; and, in sight of astonished Europe, General Canrobert (under torture applied by Louis Napoleon) recalling his troops and his ships from off the Kertchine Pen- insula ; Lord Raglan's indignation, his sternness, his venturesome grant of authority empowering Sir George, if so minded, to remain unaltered in pur- pose by the secession of the French, and go on with his English alone; The now rising authority of Pelissier, and his fiercely warlike resistance (rather suffered than authorised by Canrobert) to the latest of the