96 THE WINTER TROUBLES. CHAP, they at once could lay hold of Sebastopol ; (^^) ' but Science stepped in representing that such a loss, even though small, was one that ought to be spared ; because, she said, in less than three weeks she could carry the place in an easier, smoother way, breaking down its resistance at once by means of a strong cannonade delivered with heavy siege-guns. In support of the other grave reasons against lapsing into any such plan, stress might well have been laid upon the prospect of those broken communications with which, in the winter-time, our troops might have to be struggling, if Science by any mishap should fail to bring them into Sebastopol before the close of October. Quite rightly (as of course we now know) might objectors have said to Burgoyne : ' When you
- ask us to respite Sebastopol during all the
' time you require for preparing your designed ' cannonade, are you right in making so sure
- that your measure will attain its result in the
' middle of October ? And, supposing that by ' any mischance we should be so far disappointed
- as to find ourselves still on the Ciiersonese
- when wintry weather sets in, think what will
- be the plight of an army unprovided for such a
- trial, and wliat will be our troubles and dangers
' in connection with the business of transport, if
- we should have to bring up our waggons over
- this clay track by the Col which, although in-
' deed now dry and firm, will evidently after ' great rains become almost a morass ! ' If objectors thus pressing their argument had
