Reactions and Judgements
Back at home, the breaking news that the allies had taken South Sevastopol took time to sink in. In France people were wary - there had been other previous reports of victory taken at face value and wildly celebrated, but later cruelly proved false.
But this time, once the news was confirmed, the overwhelming urge to let off appropriate jets of steam quickly gathered momentum; crowds gathered in all the towns, there was dancing and singing in the streets, decorations were suddenly everywhere in evidence,with red white and blue garlands and chinese lanterns prominent. Travellers on the night train from Lyons to Paris told anyone prepared to listen that every town, village, chateau and house passed by the train had been illuminated. On 13th September a special Te Deum was celebrated at Notre Dame de Paris in the presence of the Emperor and the Empress and royalty and notables from all over Europe and the Middle East. Among the sumptuous decorations in the Cathedral, four huge national shields for France, Britain, Turkey and Sardinia were prominent. Pomp and circumstance surrounded the ceremony with a parade through the streets, a one hundred gun salute and military bands. It was a memorable occasion for all.
The celebrations in Turin were less extravagant, but nonetheless truly genuine. In Constantinople there was unusual exhuberance displayed by the normally undemonstrative Turks and the Sultan made a public appearance in celebration. There were no celebrations of course in the Greek quarter; only sullen resentment.
News of the victory reached London on the evening of Monday 10th September. The offices of the evening newspapers were besieged by people leaving work and eager for detail - there was none. A large crowd gathered outside the Mansion House expecting an announcement from the Lord Mayor, traditional on such occasions - there was none. However, salutes were fired from the Tower and St James Park at 9 pm and at many theatres the short dispatch from the Crimea was read out by leading players during the interval.
The Queen was at Balmoral, where she heard the news a bit later: "All were in constant expectation of more telegraphic depatches. At half past ten o'clock two arrived - one for me, and one for Lord Granville. I began reading mine, which was from Lord Clarendon, with details from Marshal Pelissier of the further destruction of the Russian ships; and Lord Granville said,'I have still better news ;' on which he read 'From General Simpson - Sevastopol is in the hands of the Allies.' Our delight was great....Albert said they should go at once and light the bonfire which had been prepared.......in a few minutes, Albert and all the gentlemen, in every species of attire, sallied forth, followed by all the servants, and gradually by all the population of the village - keepers, gillies, workmen - up to the top of the cairn...the bonfire blazed forth brilliantly, and we could see the numerous figures surrounding it - some dancing, all shouting; - Ross (J.B Note - her piper) playing his pipes, and Grant and Macdonald firing off guns continually...Albert came down and said the scene had been wild and exciting beyond everything. The people had been drinking healths in whisky and were in great ecstacy....we remained till a quarter to twelve; and just as I was undressing, all the people came down under the windows, the pipes playing, the people singing, firing off guns and cheering - first for me, then for Albert, the Emperor of the French and the downfall of Sevastapol."
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