The Express. — London, England, 1855-09-01 00:00:00

23: ex43regOl. ereTtiatenemb tatendeell;;;:itier Itipme, 7 'l:4eatis remiss paper, must be at awe Otace, to, Bouverlwiyeee, by Two *Week a tb• Gay 01 plabboaticee. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tuts DAT-linrailus, lb. Itia....- Aftentoou. SA. 31a, tenon, Sk.lls. LONDON, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER t --• IT is of good omen for the popular cause that the very gavernments which an most anxious to trample upon and nib public opinion are in these days continually found soliciting its favourable judg ment. Governments like Russia and Austria rely leas upon their armies than upon the circular despatches and manifestoes which they cause to go the round of the journals, or upon the newspapers which they themselves establish at no slight expense. When Mr. GL ADSTONE or Mr. BRIGHT makes a speech in favour of Russia, the Cabinet of St. Petersburg hugs itself in the belief that its arguments have made a favourable impres sion upon the public opinion of England, and an- nommen the f►ct in its official Gazelle s with more eagerness than it would a victory. Even the darkest of despotisms practically confesses that it has aban doned all hope of suppressing public opinion, and seeks only to mislead it. Kings and Kaiser., u slut resource, flatter themselves that they can persuade the people to put themselves down. Curious enough it is, white listening to the denunciations of jour nalism by absolute courts, to reflect that our de nouncer. are all the while dabbling in our trade. The Russian Government, which allows no independent journal to enter its dominions unmutilated, pub lishes a journal of its own in Belgium. There is more in this recognition of public opinion, as the ultimate court of appeal, by the old despotisms, than at first appears. It is a proof that we live in au age when it is not enough for any one to have might on hi► aide, if he cannot, persuade men that he has right at the same time. The sovereignty of the people is confessed by all who appeal to the people's judgment. Real power has been transferred from princes to peoples; and it only requires that the latter should become conscious of this, and know how to exert their power wisely, in order to establish their freedom. _ . The last piece of journalistic special pleading which has emanated from the Court of St. Petersburgs is a curiosity of its kind. It is the long-winded account of the bombardment of Sweaborg, based upon a report of General Vow Bvato, which has appeared in the lutaUde Busse, and which we transferred to our columns yesterday. Like all the Russian narratives of incidents in the great struggle in program, it shows a consciousness that in seeking to extenuate their losses the writers must be on their guard not to deviate too widely from the truth. In the Napoleonic wars the bulletins, on both sides, were almost always " romances founded on facts;" but in our days the wings of the imagina tion of official scribes have been sadly clipped. Hence it comes that the Russian account of the affair at Sweaborg resolves itself into a prolonged expression of wonder on the part of the narrators that they should have come off with so little injury, considering how long and how mercilessly they were peppered. It is admitted that for forty-five hours it literally rained balls, bombe, and rockets upon Sate berg. It is admitted that deposits of military stores were horned and blown up; that a ship of war anc►ored so as to command the entry of the harbour was riddled ; and that many lives were lost. It is admitted that the assailants re ceived no material injury. The most is made of every casualty that occurred in the allied fleet, and the Russian loss is set down at an incredibly low figure ; but the essential facts of the bombardment are not, because they cannot bet denied. The only consolation that the Invalids Russo can afford its countrymen is a philosophical explanation of the causes of their enemies' supe riority. The large ships of the assailants escaped onsosthed because, as their service, were not re quired, they kept out of range of the Russian batte ries. The mortar-boats and gun-boats, to be sure, were more exposed; but, being moved by steam, they were able to keep shifting their positions, and thus baffled the Russian gunners. All this only proves that the Allies possess infinitely more power to damage an enemy and shield themselves than the Russians. The article in the Invalids Busse resolves itself into a laboured demonstration of Russian inferiority. And there is one additional proof of the conscious weakness of our adversaries not touched upon in that document. The withdrawal of a number of the allied ships of war from before Cronstadt, while the bombardment was in progress, left the blockading fleet for the time weaker in re spect to the number both of ships and of guns than the Russian ; yet the latter did not dare to avail themselves of the opportunity to attack an inferior force. After such hu miliating confessions by the organ of the St. Petersburg Government as we have been adverting to, one is curious to know what pretexts for selfeon gratulation are left to it. On this score considerable ingenuity is displayed. The facilities afforded by the fortifications of Sweaborg for evading the enemy's shot are enlarged upon ; the coolness of tho men in abstaining from firing when it would have been of no avail, is lauded to the skies ; aid the dexterity of the soldiery in playing the part of a fire brigade to arrest or extinguish conflagrations, is represented as some thing supernatural. With such a confession from our enemies before ns, we cannot say that nothing has this year been accomplished in the Baltic. An uneasy feeling has been disseminated through Russia that their means of defence are inadequate to resist the means of offence at the command of the Allies. The winter will be spent in anxious forebodings of the death grapple that is to on the return of spring. The business of the Allied Powers during the winter will be to prepare to realise these anticipations. It is now obvious that their power to assail the Ruasians with effect in the Baltio may be augmented, and the necessary expenditure diminished, by the manse ar rangement. One-half of the large ships may be dia petused with at the same time that the force of mortar-boats and gun-boats is increased. This year has shown that it is possible to destroy the stores and troops of the Russians within their granite fortifica tions, leaving these imposing structures so many empty shells: next year may show that the shells too can be broken. THE case of the Essex labourers appeared to its so 1 monstrous and incredible, that we have hesitated to comment upon it until inquiries in the district have convinced us that material facts have been with held or misrepresented. There was a review of the Essex Yeomanry, Artillery and Cavalry, at ?lasing Mead, on the 6th inst.; and it appear, that Thomas and Gecko's Counts, poor and hottest la bourers, were minded to see the show. Having no !titled their intention—in the belief that for their half-day's play they would, u is usual, lose no more than their half-day's wage—they sought considerately to help their employ in the scarcity of labour then as new pre vailing, by going to work on the fife day an howl acd a half earlier than customary ; Rid having tt shown their good faith, struck /York at sue p.m., went to add by their enthusiasm to the politioal value of the Review. This was on a Monday. On the two following days these poorest', iineetiodoes of is - ipending woe, wrought for the very patriotic pig. jobber, who could not as yet conveniently dispense with their labour, but was no doubt in private and , sweet communion with his lawyer and the Good Shepherd of Pandas. On Thursday, a cunning little ' trap was laid for them, and they were handed over to a constable; he whisked them off to the ataxy man, and the clergyman loot no time- in their transfer—without notice to their friends—to the County Gaol, there to devote for fourteen days, to the unproductive crank, those energies which they had denied for five short hoer, to the lands of their gentle employer. But a Mend was raised up for these poor men in the person of Mr. GEORGE Patina, of ?fazing Park, commandant of the Yeo manry, and a county magistrate, before whom the complaint ought in the first instance to have been laid. This gentleman, whose untiring seal and ge nerous outlay have raised as fine a corps as any in her MAJ urea regular force', and whom in other times Sovereigns would have delighted to honour, nor certainly refused the little grace he craved, sub mitted to the Homooffice a deposition from the father of the man Counts, and his own urgent ap peal on their behalf, sanctioned by his reverend brother magistrate. The answer be received was, that " after communicating with the com mitting magistrate," Sir Osoaos Garr Could see no sufficient ground to justify him in advising her Maassrr to interfere with the prisoners' sentence. Since the publication of this reply, we have, as we said, taken pains to inform ourselves accurately as to the facts. It was always possible that some thing remained untold. Agrarian combination might have been proved. There might have been outrage on the employer, or even con tempt of the potent Bench; and these proba bilities were favoured by the fact that one BENJA- Nur Bunter and a boy, his brother, were at the same time fined respectively five shillings and one shilling for the same offence. But nothing has transpired. Nay, the tardy attempt of the clerical magistrate to vindicate himself admits all the worst features of his case. If, indeed, we would have given him the benefit of the doubts above suggested, we are precluded by the admission of the HOME SECRETARY, in his reply to Major Fauna, that the men were sentenced to fourteen days' imprisonment, "for leaving their work;" and this simple statement compels as to adopt some strange hypothesis by way of accounting for the want of an proportion between the sentence and the crime. For is it possible that any man of education, with one spark of gentility, or mercy, or love of country, in his composition—having before him the Act of the 4 of Geo. IV., cap. 34, entitled " An Act to enlarge the powers of justices in determining com plaints between ;tutors and servants, &c."—and having also before him these two poor men, charged with the offence of deserting their labour for five hours in favour of " God save the Queen " and " the British Grenadier"—could, while the nation is on all sides tempting her children to change the sickle for the sword, get his convictions to back him in this licentious stretch of the power, too trustingly dele gated to a churchman, by the Ministers of one who has sworn that she will "cause Law and Justice, in mercy, to be executed in all her judgments." The third chines of the Act in question empowers justices, if breach of written or parol contract shall appear, or if the accused shall have been guilty of any other misconduct or misdemesnour, to commit, with hard labour, for a "reasonable time," not exceeding three mouths, and to abate the wages accruing during the term of the sentence, or in lieu thereof to punish the offender by abating the whole, or any part of his wages—or to discharge him from his contract, service, lor employment. The IN-Justice of the Peace, there fore, i n before the case us, who must well have known that his disposal of the case at all was a breach of etiquette, seems to have discarded the two milder forms of punishment, which were open to him, and hie election of the most stringent—and the consequent initiation into crime of two gaping rustics—as if criminals were not bred fast enough already—meets of course with the support and sym pathy of the Home-office, already distinguished for a more than sneaking kindness for tyranny in any shape. We read of similar transactions in our letters from Rome, from Naples and Russia, and are apt to thank our stars that our lines are oast in pleasanter places. The self-deluding Englishman huge himself that he cannot be summarily incarcerated for offences he harboured thought of ; but here is one of the rude reminders our chosen men administer sometimes —that English liberty is to some extent a delusion, and that the law may be an yogis or a torture rack at the caprice of its administrator. We verily do believe that the Home-office, who have not got over the blow of the " Beer Row," had pleasure in refusing the prayer of Mr. PALMER'S petition : but it behoves the press to warn the country that an Act exists suscep tible of such dangerous abuse, and that Mr. Secretary GREY is not the man to check it. Children should not be trusted with edge-tools, nor fools with fire, and if such an Act as the 4 of Geo. IV., cap 34, is to remain on the statute boot, we must somehow purge the Roll of Justices from such as Mr. ilemmito, the more patent tendency of whose misdirected energies would at present seem to be the discouragement of all military spirit, and the wholesale manufacture of criminals. A French lady (hidllo. Isabella,) who is laid to His effected a templets revolatim la the erten& of Mang and horsebeeakiag to the Goverment School@ of Frame, has arrived at the Maidstone barracks ander the sanction of the GI I Comasading la Chief (Lord Hardiage), who, in general orders, directed that every attention should be paid her, sad obedience shown to her orders. Bee has rem. winced the deseoestraties of ►er system, which appears to be that of emsesciag where the usual training bas *early terminated. Two recruits, two trained horses, and two young horses ►ase been placed at her command. . A soldier, tha only eurrivez out of four belonging to Siddingtee, writing to his mother, says, "I have bees engaged in every battle, sad In every sortie of importance, from the sommeasement of the war, and I hope I shall continue to the sad; bat if flail, be sure and lead to the War Moe and pt my medal. That, at least, will be something to remind you that I served and bled for m) country, sad the lead I love." On Thursday last throe of the scholars belonging to the Harerebsa Grammar Scheel, were drowned while bathing with a amber of their eorepaaione, in Morecambe Bay. near Low Lome. A young naturalist, Mr. N. H. Mama, wh ose roquiremente su certified by rose of our highest authorities, le about to visit the Azores, Madeira, sad the Canary Wands for purposes of Wadi& ressarch. From all the hop growing districts, the mooned' ere of the Rest sheering description. The hops are eh Ow eithar growers es seeininew sea desire, Wing most ahead sot, sad almost free from the scourges —mould aid lice. The dety has beat mimed S 4 high as 300,0001. The picking, however, this yeas, will be late, aid that fact will most pro bably wake a datum ia the loop. THE EXPRESS. SATURDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 1, 1855. LATEST FROM ABROAD. TH BALTIC. . 41 1 iripare 40113111,0. Winn:mat. a arrived at Biel with as quality of projiotiles and new mortars for (ram on* owx oomixsrommii.) HIEL, Auo. 29. This anchorage is again becoming a scene of activity, as there is a *mutant mend= of arrival and de partures of ships of war. The Marne, with the Russian prisoners on board for exchange from France, did not make a long stay, as she left this oe Saturday, and on Monday she was followed by the Prussian frigate Thetis, whore destination is said to be Swine monde. The more I saw of this floe vessel, the more I regretted that she no longer belongs to the English navy. The officers all speak of her as a most com fortable ship, and she has given evidence of her being a fast one, as on several occasions she exhibits on her log a speed of twelve knots under canvas. No sooner had these left than the S'Barbe and L'Arquebuse, French steam gun-boats, of the same class as La Poodre and Redoute, came into harbour, and are now busy loading coals. They, in their turn, have been followed by the English screw line-of-battle ship Sanspareil, with heavy mortars from Sheerness, but it is believed that she is to go no farther, and that she will return immediately direct to that dockyard, taking back the mortars with her. This would indicate that no new bombardment is t 3 take place this season, which appears to be confirmed by the intelligence received of the arrival, two days ago, at Elsinore, of five mortar-vessels, accompanied by the Princess Alice and the Magicienne. From thence it is reported that orders had in the first instance been given to detain these vessels there for the present, but that a despatch from the Admiralty had cancelled those instructions, and that they were now to proceed as they had been directed by Admiral Dundee, as it is alleged they are not suitable vessels to be employed in the Baltic at the latter part of the season. If this be true, and if the immediate homeward voyage of the Sanspareil should also have been determined upon, it would assuredly betray a degree of incapacity and vacillation on the part of the Admiralty, which is most discreditable to a Board to which is confided the regulation and direction of the British navy, and u parliament is not now sitting it is to the press alone that the country must look fee l calling the government to account for it, although it is to be feared that it is now too late to prevent the evil which must of necessity be the consequence; for it may be inferred that Sweaborg this year, as Bomar sand was lest, is to be the only achievement or trophy, and if all be true which is said here, it is likely to prove even still more barren and fruitless. Such exhibitions will more than anything induce Danes and Swedes to continue to hold aloof, for by leaving Russia in possession of her fleets and for tresses, it is virtually admitted that she is to be al lowed hereafter to continue to maintain that threat ening porters towards her weaker neighbours in the Baltic which it is the policy and duty of the Western Powers to overturn in the North, as much as they have declared they are bound to do in the Black Sea for the safety and independence of their ally in the East. This afternoon we have a further addition to our arrival, by the appearance of the Austerlitz, French screw line-of-battle ship, from the Gulf of Finland. Her machinery is said to require some repairs, as she has met with some damage; and in the meantime they wait orders from Paris as to her future destina tion. It is currently reported that the French ships are likely to return speedily to France, as the English fleet is considered more than sufficient to keep all the Russian ships in check, and those of Franos can be more profitably or advantageously employed in oon veying troops to the Crimes, which idea the letter of the Emperor to General Peliesier as to reinforce aunts tends greatly to confirm. Nothing, however, is yet officially known on the subject. P.B.—The Sanspareil is now taking in her coals, and there is no doubt that at present, at least, her destination is to be Sheerness; but, judging from the put, this may be changed again to-morrow. The Warsaw correspondent of the Indepetsdanee Beige states that the death of General Read pro duced a deep impression in Warsaw circles, amongst whom he spent the last 14 years of his life. General Suckozaneff, head of the artillery of the active army, is for the present appointed to succeed him in the command of the third corps d'armee. A great many medical men, amongst whom were several from the United States, recently passed through Warsaw on their way to the Crimea and the Baltic. Several American civil engineers have also arrived and offered their services to Russia. VIENNA, Aro. 28. I Letters from (Mats of the 20th inst. state that on the I previous day a Turkish courier arrived from Constanti nople with important despatches from Omer Pacha to the Austrian commandant of the garrison. In well-informed mercantile circles it is generally thought that Galats is to receive a Turkish garrison, and that the above despatches were to prepare him for their arrival. Within the last few days a greater degree of animation wu perceptible on the Lower Danube, both amongst the Turks and Russians. Omer Pacha strongly recommends resuming active operations on the Pruth and at the month of the Danube, in which he is warmly supported by Ismael Pachs, who his great influence in the Divan. THE CRIMEA. The Russian journals publish Prince Gortchakors official report of the battle of the Tehernaya. The Prince admits great losses. Amongst the dead are Generals Read, Weimann, and Cverwiky. The Prince attributes the defeat to the too great impetuosity of the right columns of attack. The Journal de St. Petersbourg publishes Prince Oortchakoff's journal of the operations in the Crimea to August 14, preceded by the following summary : "On the 11th the besieger commenced a brisk cannonade with his batteries, concentrating his fire mainly against the Harabelnala. "The mining operations of the enemy in front of bastion No. 4 (the Flag-staff) are limited on the part of the enemy to explosions of mine chambers, which have not done us any harm. "'Die enemy continues laborious in the construction of entrenchments near the Chersonesus church. His approaches in front of his first line have made no progress. The opening of embrasures, in the facings strengthened by his nearest trenches, against the bas tions from Malakhoff to the bay, shows that the be sieger intends forthwith to cannonade and bombard the Barabelnais with redoubled vigour. "During the three days (from Arigustlltol4), our line of defence of Sebastopol has been strengthened by three new batteries; all damages in the works have been repaired. Our rampart-artillery replies actively and snceessfully to the fire of the enemy. "The subterranean war, temporary suspended in front of the bastion No. 4 (Flagstaff) annum more activity in front of the Bastion No. 6 (Central), and the Schwartz redoubt, when the enemy has begun to work, but we have stopped his miner by cannanflata." geotEss FROM PARIS. ttaot ova • OWN CORIZSPONDINV.) PARIS, FRIDAY EVENING. Mehemet Bey, the sew Turkish Ambassador, was %waived in state at the Tuileries to-day, to present hie credentials to the Emperor. On leaving the Tuileries the Ambassador and his suite went to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to pay a visit to Count Walewaki. A Turin letter in the Cowatitutionnel says that the recruiting for the Aoglc•ltalian Legion is not going on well, and that in all probability the complement of officers required will not be obtained, owing to strong objections being entertained by Italians to the nature of the oath required from them. They are called upon to swear to serve her Majesty the Queen of England " against all her enemies," and that for an indefinite period of time— " until the conclusion of the present war." Every officer would of course make the reserve that he should not be required to bear arms against his country, but there are many who would desire to be freed from their engagements if ever Italy should be in a position to make war on her own account, and should claim their services. These difficulties have, it appears, deterred many brave officers from joining the Legion. One case in particular is mentioned as within the writer's own knowledge, of an officer of koown merit whoprefers continuing to eat the bread of exile to the acceptance of the important post of head of the staff,under the conditions imposed upon the Legion. The same letter states that diplomatic influence has been at work, and has obtained from the English government that no "refractory Lombards," a class from whom numerous enthusiastic recruits were ex pected, shall be received in the Legion. I am informed that M. Kisseleff, the late Russian Ambassador, is now in Paris incog., having come by permission on private business. Two of his daughters are at school here. Gen. Hondaye, commander of the artillery of the army of Lyons, expired in that oity on Wednesday, after a short illness. The American vessel Lady Suffolk left Hai.* yesterday for the Crimea with stores on board, con sisting of compressed hay, biscuit, sugar, and coffce, in all 1,997 tons. The entire interest of the Bourse to-day was Con centrated upon two securities—the Credit Mobilier and the new Hackney Carriage Company's shares. In these an enormous business was done. The first rose 67fr. 60c., and the latter 20fr. The Rente fell 30c., closing at &Ur. 60e. Railways were quite neglected, and there was very little change in quc teflon& Eleven members of a branch society of the Ma rianne were tried and convicted on Wednesday by the Tribunal of Correctional Police of Paris. These men were originally indicted before the Court of Came, but the only specific offence alleged against them being the newly-created one of " belonging to • secret society," it was thought safer, to ensure a conviction, to remove the cue to the motet polls. Henri Chabanne, alias Combattant, a working cooper, the leader of this band, wee arrested in Paris several months ago, and was lately sentenced to four years' imprisonment, as a member of the central society. At the time of his arrest, papers were found upon him, proving that he had affiliated several farmers, wine growers, and coopers of Posilly, Loges, Chareaton, and other communes in the de partment of the Nidvre, where in January and Feb ruary last there were rather some serious disorders. An "instruction," which has been going on for a long time, resulted in bringing to the bar ten of Chabanne's country accomplices. They are most of them small proprietors. It appeared in evi dence, that he promised his disciples (and this is the only definite promise he appears to have made to them) a popular government composed of 300 work men. He was sentenced, as the founder of the branch society, to four years' imprisonment, but not in addi tion to the sentence which he is now undergoing. Seven of the others were sentenced to thrce years' imprisonment one to one year's, and the two remaining (who were recommended to mercy by the public prosecutor, because they had confessed), to three months' imprisonment only. Apprehensions are entertained of outbreaks similar to those at Angers in other parts of the country. It is certain that the secret societies are very active, and that insurrections on several points have been planned, but the leaders probably overrate their influence and means of action ; and the parties entrusted with the execution of the plans formed will doubtless shrink from their task in many instances. There was a scheme afoot for the renewal in Paris of Bubee exploit of May 12, 1849, but the thing got wind and came to nothing. There wes some commotion in Meneilles a few days since on the occasion of the interment of M. Astonio, the pone fair, who was not only a ticket porter, but a poet, and a member of the Constituent Assembly of 1848. His body was followed to the cemetery by a vast concourse of persons. M. Barthelemy, the ex-representative, attempted to make a speech over the grave, but was prevented by the police. A great row ensued, and several arrests were made. THE EMEUTE AT ANGERS. M. Vallon, the Prefect of the department of the Maine-et-Loire, has published a proclamation to the inhabitants of Angers, in which, after detailing the facts already known, he states that 138 individuals have been arrested and plead in the hands of jus tice. The Independence Beige says that the &mule wu socialistic in its tendency, bat promoted to some extent by the dearness of provisions. TUSCANY. A letter from Florence, in the Constitutionnel, says: Oa the 20th August, then commenced hem before the I Itlyal Court the trial of a went 'misty, which had been I detected in correspondesce with the Republican Committee in London. Up to this day, the trial has not presented any features worthy of particular remark ; it is throughout the same history of dupers and duped. The most curious point that has come to my knowledge connected with this secret society is the oath administered to its memben, which is as follows :—.. In the name of God and of the people, I swear, faith to Italy, which is to form itself into one Re- public ; continual war against all its enemies, whether' foreigners or Italians, and above all, against the Pope-King, who is its worst enemy. I swear to conform to the Marne liens which shall be transmitted to me by the delegates of the Triumvirate, who direct this association ; I swear to keep secret the laws and operations of the association when ever I cannot myself take part in those operations for the triumph of the good cause. 83 be it, and for ever." PIEDMONT. The f Piedmontem Garotte quotes a telegraphic despatch from. General Alfonso La Marmon, se nonnoing that General Monte-Vecchio was not killed, es stated, but is recovering from his wean& BERLIN, Avon? 31. The Bing has sanefioned an extension till Septem ber, 1856, of the free importation of corn and flour, the right of which would otherwise expire on the 30th of September, 1855. THE WAR IN ASIA. The invalids guts' publishes an extract from a l despatch of Genera Monravieff, dated on the sth of August from the camp, near the village of Kerpi- Keno. It states that the Russian army had succeeded on the 9rd of August in causing a Turkish detachment of more than 14,000 men, with 32 guns, which, under Veley Paths , occupied a fortified posi lion near Kerpi-Keno, to retreat towards Erseroum. The Turks abandoned their camp, and left behind a considerable amount of provisions. 2,000 irregular Turkish horse disbanded. DENMARK. COPENHAGEN, FILIDAT. The Royal Reseript to the Diet is punished. It expressly .guarantees civil and religions liberty, and the freedom of the press; also the right of 'iodation. GREAT FIRE AT HAVRE. A terrible conflagration broke out between Ma and and seven o'clock on Tuesday evening, in a large spirit warehouse belonging to RM. Bernachan and Levionnais, Rue Scudery, at the sterner of the Place du Commerce, at Ram. One of the ce►lareesn was drawing brandy from a large mask, when unfortunately the mock fell out. Be placed one hand on the orifice to prevent the escape of the liquid, and tried with the other to pick up the oak; but the brandy spurted through his fingers on to the flame of the lamp, which be had placed on the ground. Flames im mediately shot up, and in a moment reached the large wooden vessel which was nearly fall of brandy. The liquor instantaneously caught fire, and the man was so much burned that he was obliged to withdraw his hand from the hole. The brandy then burst forth in large quantities, and it was immediately caught by the flames. In an incredibly short time the conflagration reached the other casks in the cellar, which were filled with spirits, and caused them to ezrlode successively with a loud noise. Their contents materially increased the violence of the fire, and the flames not only filled the cellar, but escaped by the different issues; and then, being fanned by the air, soon burst through the roof, shooting up to a prodigious height, and extending even to the opposite side of the street rad to the trees in the Place du Commons. Shortly after the fire had begun, a men named Thames, who was formerly a fireman, but who bed been for Nome time in the service of M. Trines:, hastened to the cellar, thinking th►t hie practical *aperient:* might enable him to suggest means for extinguishing the flames; but he was in an in. stant completely sarrounded by them, and was burned to death. Several other persons were burned or otherwise injured in the muse of the cocflagration, but none of them seriously. Prince Jerome, attended by his aides•de-camp, arrived shortly after the fire bad commenced, and remained on the spot until it had begun to decline. Several of the Russian prisoners actively assisted in bringing up water, or doing whatever was required. The total amount of damage is estimated at 500,0004. The unfortunate man Thomr • leaves a wife and six children, and a subscription has been opened for their relief. The poor man's body was found yesterday morning in the ruins ; it was dreadfully burned, but the head was not touched. At one moment the unfor tunate man had been wen to rash through the flames to the grating of the cellar, and yo shriek for help, but it was not possible to assist him. THE WRITE SEA SQUADRON. A private letter from an officer of the Maunder, dated the 21st of Isly, gives some information t to the state of the White Sea Squadron : " We are now," it says, " in hourly expectation of the Aria's arrival from the Gulf of the Onegs, on her way to the nearest Norwegian port, from whence she wi" return with our letters aced papers from Ragland. The object cf the blockade has been most effectually carried out; the , rude with Archangel, Onegs, and other places of minor importance in the White Sea hes been entirely destroyed; for though in 1864 no leu then 700 ls cleared out of the Dwina, 8 only have taken in cargoes tHe year, nor would th?se have escaped had we been earlier on our station. " The fore* E end about Archangel consists of 1 brig of 12 small guns, 2 small steamers, 10 schoenen, and 20 gun boats, each cup Vied to be manned with a crew of 60 men, and armed with two 24. pounders. I have not been able to obtain any correct information respecting the strength of the force, but they are said to number at least 6,000 men. On Mondigo island (opposite the ship), at the entrance of the Dwina, a masked battery of 8 guns is said to command the channel over the bar. When first we arrived 100 soldiers were stationed there; since then the force has been seg. merited by 200 men. " Our provisions now on board will last only until the lat ter end of August, or the beginning of September. Should the Ariel, on her return from Vardhuuo, bring no tiding, of any more being sent out, we must, perforce, leave the station by the miidle of August. We 01, however, hope , for the best, and that we may not be obliged to retreat before the weather renders it necessary." Vbe Court. OSBORNE, Avocet 31. The Queen, accompinied by the Princess Royel sad Princess Alice, drove out yesterday. Prince Albert rode on horseback with the Prince of Wales and Prince Alfred. Lord Panmure arrived from London on a visit to her Ma jesty, end retntaed tc•day. Despatches were received at the Colonial Office yesterday from the Governor of the Cape of Good Hope. Despatches were sent to the Governors of the North American Province,. THE QUEEN'S LATE VISIT. -...-- We read in the Independasce Beige : The Empress Buginie made a present to Queen Victoria, r a parting gift, of sports bouquet, ornamented with bril liants, which costa very lugs sum. I hear on all sides , that the Queen is very grateful for the reception she nut with in France, and indeed almost overpowered by it. A bouquet wu given to her on her departure by General Lssrmstine, in the name of the Natioaal Guard. Her Majesty promised to carry it with her to England. Au artist, M. Eugene Lami, is at this moment at wcrk at an album which will contain sketches of all the Ntes and cera monials during her Majesty's visit. This album, when completed, will be offered to the Queen. While on this subject I may add, that t►e deenations of the Nte at Ver. sallies were imitated from an old engraving. The Empress particularly wished to see the lustre. surrounded with garlands. Hie Royal Highness Prince Albert, axompanierl by Captain Duplat, Equerry in Waiting, arrived at the Southampton Docks at half-past ten o'clock this morning, in the Royal yacht Fairy, Hen. Captain Denman, and pro ceed en route to Aldershott. His Royal Highness retinas this evening at halrpast 6 o'clock. _ _ _ _ The Marquis of Ssliebury is now in commend of the liens Regiment of Militia, at Hertford. . . • Earl Fortesene is still in the Highlands enjoying good sport, and in the best of health. Tha noble Earl haring shared his shooting quarters with Lord John Russell, bee the lion's share of the bargain, as the noble Lord has been detained at Ittehmond through the +loess of Lady John. Eul and Countess Portsmouth are entertaining Earl Gammon and the Dowager Countess Carnarvon, with Lady Gwendolyn Herbert and Mime Stapleton, at Eggesford. Perhaps the lake district generally was never fuller of visitors than at the present time. At Keswick, liminess, and Ambleside, numbers have been nosh'. to obtain ludg ing•, end in other localities the derneads upon the inns and private lodgings base been no less pressing. Amongst the visitors: at Windermere occur the names of the Right Hon the Speaker of the Huss of Commons, Sir S. Lorene ; Sir Henry Willman and Lady Willman; the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Chichester and party; Sir Alsaander Cock burn, M.P., Attornereenenl. The Speaker, accompanied by Sir Henry Willman, took his &putties on Friday morning for Brougham Hall, on a visit to Lord Brougham, at present residing at the Hall. THE SILLOTH RAILWAT.—The cutting of the first sod of this line was to take place this afternoon, Sir Jams Graham, Bart., M.P., officiating; and the event to be celebrated by a public dinner at Drambrugh. Covers would be laid for 160. DR. HALL AND THE LATE MR. STOWE. TO THU IDITOR OF TIM DAILY KIM. Bta,—May I request the favour of y our p erus e o f the enclosed correspondence with the Editor of the Times newspaper? I had hoped, after the severe attack made on Dr. Hall's character, that that journal would have had the generosity to allow him au opportunity of clearing himself from an unjust and untrue accusation. As you will see, I have failed in obtaining this justice for my husband, as this week has closed without the letter appearing. May I hope that you will give publicity in your journal to Dr. Hall's and Mr. Fitzgerald's letters? My sole object is to clear one who is absent, and thus unable to defend himself.—l am, &a. LUCY C. HALL Craig Crook, Black Hall, Edinburgh, August 23. I.—(COPY.) TO VII EDITOR. or THE TI U. Bir,—On Friday, the 3rd of this month, I forwarded a letter from Dr. Hall addressed to you, relative to a acct. cation of inhumanity to the late Mr. Stow., Commissiowee to the Tines Fond." I also forwarded a letter from*. Fitagerald, t►e purveyor at Balaklays, in hopes that it might aid in disabusing your mind of any impression that Dr. Hall had been instrumental in excluding the late Mr. Stowe from the military hospitals in the Crimea. It is now more than ten days since I forwarded these inclosures ; and I had hoped, air, from your well known impartiality, that after the attack made on Dr. Hall's character, you weall have allowed him a fair opportunity of clearing it from such a stain as inhumanity to a dying man. In ease the letters forwarded have not came safely to yes: head, I inclose you copies with this, and would feel muck obliged by your letting me know whether you object is '- publish my husband's letter. I remain, sir, yours truly, -4. Wednesday, August 15. Lucy C. Hats. 4 •.) u -(cor:.) Aug. 17. The Editor of the MINS presents his compliments to Mn. Hall, and has only abstained from publishing the letters from Dr. Hall and Mr. Fitzgerald because he thoight that the letter of Mr. Heyward, which reached him by the same mall, entirely disposed of all possibility of imputation upon Dr. Hall as regards the treatment of Mr. Stowe, and did so more effectually than Dr. Hall's letter could do, as Kr. Hayward wrote as an impartial person—an eye witness, rad a friend of Mr. Stowe ; whereas Dr. Hall wrote in reply to an erroneaus charge, was not himself present at the time of Mr. Stowe's last illness, and might be supposed, bewarer unjustly, to have a prejudice against Mr. Etows, mad the mission he had gone out to execute. The Editor thought, therefore, and still thinks, that Dr. Hall's character would not gain by the publication of hie letter; bat if Mr.. Hall is of a contrary opinion, the Editor will publish it immediately upon the receipt of a note from her to that effect. Mrs. Hall. • 111.-(COPY.) TO THI ZDITOII OP THE THEIS. Sir,—l regret that my having left Warwickshire has delayed my reply to your note. I should very much wish to have the letters I sent you published, and would feel obliged by your giving them room in your journal. The impression of Dr. Hall having, from vindictive feeling, committed an act of inhumanity, has been so widely circu lated that I am anxious it should be quite removed, and I cannot think that Mr. Hayward's letter does this. He might easily, when writing, have stated the fact t h at Dr. Hall was ' formed of Mr. Stowe's illness, or applied to to rescind his order regarding the Castle Hospital in Mr. Stowe's favour; and which, considering the nature of that gentleman's mission, more so his personal amiability and talent, would, I am sure, have been a mark of respect and favour that my husband would have readily granted to one so universally esteemed and beloved as the late Mr. Stowe seems to have been.—l remain, Sir, yours truly, Craig Crook, Black Hall, August 20. Loci C. HALL. Iv.—(cor y.) TO TEM ZDITOIL 07 TUZ TIMM Head-quarters, Camp before Sebutopol, July 19. Sir,—ln the Boating Mail of the 4th inst. I see I am accused by some one of having prevented Mr. Stowe's ad- mission into any military hospital under my control, and that I had even been instrumental in getting him excluded —poor man—during his last illness from that of the Royal Marines. Now, sir, I trust you will allow me to contradict through your columns this vile calumny, this gross libel on my humanity. I user, you I never even heard of Mr. Stowe's ilium until after his death. I could not, therefore, have been instrumental in excluding him from the army hos pitals, the doors of which, particularly the general hospital at Balaklava, are never closed against any one requiring medical aid, u is evinced by the very large number of extra patients at ell times under treatment in it. Nor ars we or our establishments held vile and cheap, except by the writers in your columns. Men a high in rank as general officers in the Sardinian contingent have solicited as a favour to be admitted into the wards when ill. But, as I said before, of Mr. Stowe's exclusion from the mintary hospital I knew nothing, and over the admissions into the hospital of the Royal Marines I had about as much control as you have. The church to which Mr. Stowe is reported to have bus serried, and where many others were lying in a similar oon dition. wu the private residence of the Rev. Mr. Heyward, the garrison chaplain ; but to have said so would not have sounded so cheerless as taking him to a church. His re ception by Mr. Hayward was an act of personal and pri vate friendehir, not pert of a system of admitting patients. Mr. Hayward. good and charitable as he is, has other duties to perform ; and beyond Mr. Stowe, I do not bi lieu there Was another sick person in his house—or church, if TOl will, for part of it is appropriated for the purposes of public worship. The inference the writer has drawn of my motives is worthy of the premises on which it is founded, and does not require, or rather does not deserve, comment. It is quite true I have been frequently censured in year paper, but as most of the aCCU3atiOnS have been as ground less as the present, they have not disturbed my peace of mind—the mens ecnscus recti p . ed me from that; bat as the present attack imputes paltry and unworthy motives for doing en uncharitable act towards a fellow-creature 111 distress, lam called on to sat myself right with the public, and I feel assured you will assist me. I can understand the envenomed malice of certain parties; but that you, who are a perfect stranger to me, and could not benefit by my dona ted/ should lend your powerful aid to crush a men situ bay years' honest and conscientious toil in all climates ani fa every quarter of the globe, is to me en enigma. You are mach too shrewd not to know and see that I have been censured for things over which I had no control, and, con trary to every principle of English equity, condemned un heard.—l have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient seiner, J. HALL. eneral of Hospital'. v.—(corr.) Generel Hospital, Balaklava, July 20. Sir,—ln reference to your inquiries respecting the illnern and demise of the late Mr. Stowe, I have the honour to state that shortly after he became unwell the Rev. Mr. Hayward called ; and in the course of conversation he asked if Mr. Stowe would be admitted here. I replied that I could goo no objection, as civilians of all grades were re ceived into the hospital. Mr. Hayward was at that time aware that Sardinian I officers of all ranks had even sought admission. A sovereign prince attachedto the Sardinian Contingent admired the arraogements ; and a count, the second of two in the ' hospital at that time of that rank, observed that " the Eng -1"112 fed their sick on luxuries." Mr. Hayward seemed undecided and unwillinsr to pert with his friend, whom he thought too ill for removal, end, I conceive, preferred having him under his own immediate care and attendance. Soon after, Mr. Stowe's illness in creasing, the Rev. Mr. Hayward called on me for tome articles, a bedstead, mattress, pillow, and close stoolpan and frame, which I immediately supplied. The disease be coming more serious, and a constant attendant being neces sary, the reverend gentleman called on me, and proposed the attendance of an orderly. I observed that the orderlies were very limited, and even insufficient for attendance on the wards, and, under such circumstances, I could nct feel myself justified in ordering a soldier to attend, but that the same objection did not apply to nurses, and that one must be detached to the attendance required. I sided, if, how ever, a nurse cannot be had, I shall risk all the consequences, and send an orderly. The nuns was furnished by Miss Wean, the superin tendent, and attended on Mr. Stow., not in the church, but in a room of the Rev. Mr. Hayward, where the same excellent gentleman bestowed his kindness on the late Dr. finish, and who bestowed more than fraternal solicitude and attention on the deceased gentleman. Medical comforts, of every description required, were prepared and issued foe his use from the kitchen of this hospital. Independent of the calls of duty I felt a personal friend. ship for the deceased gentleman, from his urbane maims' when be called, and esteemed him for his acquirements, and was prepared to render him every possible assistance. His illness and demise were announced to you at the same moment by me, when you asked me who he was, and I re plied, "the Times Commissioner."—l have, de., DAVID FITZGERALD. Purveyor to the Forces. Dr. Hall, Inspector-General of Hospitals, do.