Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 4.djvu/118

88 TIIK POLICY OF SINKING THE SHU'S. CHAP, that strength of 18,000 fit men, and those ahnost ^^- l.ioundless resources in the way of things material which the navy was able to furnish. And it seems to be plain that, such as it is, the Avhole merit of designing the expedient, and forc- ing it into effect, belongs of right to Prince Ment- schikoff. Except by adducing this instance of firm and opportune action, it woukl be hard to show a fit ground for ascribing to the Prince any share of that kind of capacity which is needed for the business of war; and mankind will be loath to agree that the martial renown of a com- mander, when devoid of all other foundation, can be rested upon the single act, however timely and fortunate, of closing an arm of the sea. But still this Prince Mentschikoff's idea of at once shutting out the invading fleets and turning liis own navy into a town garrison by the short expedient of sinking some ships, was a conception so boldly, so ruthlessly formed — it was so simple — it was so well adapted to its twofold end — it was car- ried through with so strong a will, and, withal, was so signally justified by receiving the crown of success, that, if it had been imagined and exe- cuted by a great commander, the measure might have been honestly cited as one bearing marks of his genius.