This view, which is taken from the Camp of the Marines situated on an eminence above Balaklava, which, from its commanding height, was generally known as the " Crow's Nest " is very interesting, as presenting at a glance the whole of the plateau occupied by the Allies on the South side of Sebastopol, the fields on which three important battles were fought, and the line of defences protecting the position in the rear. The peculiar form of the Heracleotie Chersonese, and the frequent undulations of the ground, made it always difficult from the valley to realize correctly the bearings of many of these points; but from an altitude such as this the case is different, and the reader who will have the patience to accompany us in the following explanation of the elaborate details of Mr. Simpson's drawing, will obtain a more accurate notion of the conformation of the country, than is possessed by many who passed months in the Camp. Starting then from the extreme right of the drawing, the first object which arrests our attention is a conical-shaped hill, under the shoulder of which nestles the picturesque little village of Kamara, occupied by the Sardinians from the date of the Allied advance on the Tchernaya. Below the village, and almost in a line with it to the left, are the peculiar-looking hillocks or mounds on which were erected the redoubts captured from the Turks at the commencement of the battle of Balaklava. Behind the right-hand one of these hillocks winds the road leading to Mackenzie's Farm, and which crosses the valley of the Tchernaya. Between the road and the redoubts is the ground of the Light Cavalry Charge. Just in front of the lefthand redoubt is the point at which the 93rd Highlanders received the Eussian Cavalry in line. In a straight line from this, but considerably more to the left, is the ground of the Heavy Cavalry Charge. Still more to the left, and on the side of the opposite range of hills, is the camp of the 93rd, forming two sides of a triangle, and defended by a breastwork. Immediately below, and slightly to the left, lies the village of Kadikoi, past which winds the road from Balaklava to the front. The Genoese fort on the extreme left marks the position of Balaklava itself, and nearly in the centre of a line drawn from hence to the tents of the 93rd is seen a French camp. Returning now to the valley of the Tchernaya, the ground on this side of the river rises gradually towards the left, till it i-eaches the abrupt shoulder of the cliff at Inkermann, in front of which, and still following the same direction, is the field of that great battle. Further on in the same line the Woronzoff Road leads up to the heights before Sebastopol, the precise situation of which may be determined by carrying a line from a point slightly to the left of Kadikoi to the horizon. Sebastopol itself is nearly in the centre of the belt of smoke on the sky-line. The extreme north-western projection of the plateau to the sea is Cape Fiolente. The foreground is occupied by the Camp of the Marines, protected by powerful batteries, no less than by the natural strength of the heights; and between the Marines and the 93rd are descried the Camps of the 42nd and 79th Highlanders.
PLATE XXXIII.
EXCAVATED CHUECH IN THE CAVERNS OF INKERMANN,
Looking West.