[13] I have such confidence in the nutritive qualities and the importance to the army and navy of these bread-biscuits, that I intend to recommend their adoption in both departments. For a campaign they are invaluable; and at sea they would make an excellent change, being as light as bread.
[14] The difficulty of recollecting the names and the rank of military men in the Crimea is great. This is particularly the case with me. The performance of my manifold duties compelled me to cross and re-cross hundreds of times from vessel to vessel, hospital to hospital, and camp to camp. I met and received attentions and aid from numbers, of whom it is impossible to retain more than a slight photographic sketch of their noble Saxon countenances. From the peculiarity of my costume, I was almost as well known to every one in the camp as a chien du régiment.
I offer this explanation as an apology to any one whom I may have inadvertently annoyed—if any such there be—in my account of my Crimean campaign, by not giving the proper rank or name.
[15] A peculiar kind of turbot found in the Black Sea, with scales, each scale something like the head of a large iron nail; and though, when the fish is thickly covered, it in a measure spoils its appearance, yet it does not in the slightest interfere with the quality, but, on the contrary, leaves a gelatinous succulence round it, entirely peculiar to this rough-outfitted denizen of the ocean.
[16] Sir Michael Shaw Stewart’s sister.
[17] This is the ancient who, after partaking of the best dinner ever prepared, unfortunately inquired of his private secretary how his cash account stood, and finding that he had only a few millions of dollars remaining, for fear of being in future obliged to dine badly, or at least compelled to curtail his incalculable expenditure, one day dined magnificently by himself, and ordering the most luxurious banquet that Rome could boast of. On that solemn occasion, though there were enough culinary chefs-d’œuvre to delight an immense number of epicures, he only invited himself! “Sublime idea!” he ejaculated; “after dining like two Vitelliuses, or several Luculluses, to die in the midst of plenty!” Thereupon he swallowed poison, and was found dead at the head of his table.
[18] Ahmet Pacha, who speaks French, has his country residence at the greater Chamlija; and that of Selim Pacha, where we dined, is in the lesser Chamlija.
[19] That kitchen was put up at the South Union Workhouse, where no doubt it still remains. In some institutions steam tubes have since been introduced into the boiler amongst the food. This, I beg to say, forms no part of my plan, as has been publicly reported. I disapprove of the system altogether, for many reasons, which it would be out of place to discuss in this work.
[20] He related the following anecdote of something that had passed between him and Sir John Campbell, on the eve of the attack of the 18th of June. Sir John had for some time inquired after him, and at last meeting him going to his master’s quarters, called out and said, “François, how much am I in your debt?”
“Why, Colonel, it is only the middle of the month; I will give you your small bill at the end.”