FOR THE INVASION. 265 'It is unnecessary to express any opinion, at chap. ' this distance from the scene, as to the mode in __1__1_ ' which these operations should be conducted, or ' the ])lace at which a disembarkation should be ' effected ; and as the latter will, of course, be ' decided with the advice and assistance of the ' French and English Admirals, it is equally un- ' necessary to impress upon your Lordship the ' importance of selecting favourable weather for
- the purpose, and avoiding all risks of being
' obliged by storms to withdraw from the shore ' the vessels of war and transports when only a ' partial landing of the troops has been effected. ' I will not, in this despatch, enter into any ' consideration of the operations which it would ' be desirable to undertake in Circassia or the ' coast of Abasia. The reduction of the, two I'e- ' maining fortresses of Anapa and Sujak Kaleh ' would be, next to the taking of Sebastopol, of ' the greatest importance, as bearing upon the ' fortunes of the war ; but not only is their fall ' of far less moment than that of Sebastopol, but ' the capture of the latter might possibly secure ' the surrender of the Circassian fortresses. ' In the event, ho^^•ever, of delay in undertaking ' these operations being inevitable, and the trans- ' ports being in consequence available for any ' other service, I wish you to consider, with liis ' Highness Omar Pasha and jNFar.shal St Arnaud, ' whether some part of the Turkish army might ' not be conveyed by steam from Varna, and, by ' a combined movement with the forces of Gen-
