Sebastopol has again been subjected to two days' heavy fire, without effect. The besiegers were erecting immense works against the Malakoff and the Redan, and the besieged were erecting equally formidable earthworks behind those defenses.
Another general assault is not far off. Thirty thousand men are employed on the works of attack. The Russians in addition to other additional defenses, are throwing up a formidable star fort, behind the Redan. A weak fire was kept up on the 10th and 11th.
Cholera was decreasing, and the health of the Allied army was satisfactory.
The Russians made a sortie on the night of the 7th on the works in the front of the Mamelon, but effected nothing.
There are strong indications of a campaign on the Danube, engineers having already been sent forward.
There are rumors of a dangerous insurrection in the Russian Siberian regiment, and also of a change in the Russian Cabinet.
The Asia arrived at Halifax on Wednesday, Aug. 1, with dates from Liverpool to the 21st ult. The intelligence she brings is of no great importance, though not destitute of interest. Mr. Roebuck's motion for a vote of censure on the Government, after being debated at great length, was thrown out in the House of Commons by a majority of 107. The Palmerston Ministry has therefore a new lease of life. The general prospects of the war were not encouraging. The successes and losses of the Allies before Sebastopol seem to be about equally balanced. The Sardinian and Turkish forces have again withdrawn from the valley of Baidar to Balaklava. The report is confirmed that the Russians have received re-enforcements. Accounts from Asia state that the Russian army, under Gen. Muravieff, had invested Kars, while a small army corps had advanced upon Katais and was pressing the Turkish garrison of Batoum. The Black Warrior dispute with the United States is at last definitely settled, the Spanish Government agreeing to pay an indemnity of a million of reals.