Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol 7.djvu/388

 344 THE WINTER TROUBLES. CHAP, liave baffled our public servants at home; but ' he answered this appeal to his energies by ripen- ing, as it were, all at once into a strong man of action. It was in a spirit of resolute self- sacrifice that both he and 'Fower addressed them- selves to the thoroughly English task on which they had ventured — that of doing what in its nature was arduous Government work without Government direction or aid. They brought stowed in the yacht, and on board two screw steamers that had been char- tered for the purpose,(^^) vast quantities of goods supplied by our people at home for the comfort- ing of their troops in the distant Crimea — goods including all manner of things, from the 37,000 flannel shirts and jerseys, down even to brushes and combs, from mighty stores of wine, ale, and meat, down to pepper, and mustard, and salt ; (2^) but they happily brought with them also a fair comprehension of the nature of the troubles and hindrances with which our army was struggling. Deriving safe guidance from the counsels of Mr Eomaine,* and besides, from the fruits of an administrative reconnaissance sent out overland, which had been generously undertaken and con- ducted with great care and sagacity by Mr St Leger Glyn and Mr Jervoise Smith, the London Committee well knew that, if their Honorary had had a largo share in causing the adoption of that wise plan of action which lay at the foundation of tlic success ultimately achieved.
 * The Judge- Advocate at the seat of war. His counsels