The Press. — London, England, 1854-04-22 00:00:00

Per Annum ... Half• Yearly ... Quarterly • • APRIL 22, 1854. TES= OP tb't Presso: FOR .. 41 6 0 .. 0 13 0 .. 0 6 6 Payable in advance. Subscribers are requested to send their Orders through their News Agent; if direct to the Office, accompanied by a Remit- tance. Money Orders to be made payable to Mr. ALFRED IYZ, 110, Strand. London. TO CORRESPONDENTS. Iris impossible to acknowledge the mass of letters we receive. Their insertion is often delayed, owing to a press of matter ; and when omitted, it is frequently from reasons quite hide pendent of the merits of the communication. We cannot undertake to return communications of which we do not avail ourselves. Communications should always be legibly written, and on one side of the paper only. If long it increases the difficulty of finding space for them. Whatever is intended for insertion must be authenticated by the name anti address of the writer, not necessarily for publica tion, but as a guarantee of his good faith. Advertisements sent from the country must be accompanied by a remittance or a reference for payment iu town. Vbx rvgg+ LONDON, SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 1854. POSTSCRIPT. THE WAR. The Duke of Cambridge is expected in Vienna. this day (Saturday), en route for Constantinallty congratulate the Emperor on his marriage. The Tribune frigate, Captain Carnegie, arrived at Copenhagen on the 16th with from 63 to 70 pri soners taken from the Russian and Finnish merchant vessels captured. The British Minister in that capital has just announced officially to the Danish Government that Sir Charles Napier, having entered the Baltic, has orders to employ all necessary means for enforcing a strict and effective blockade of the Russian ports in that sea, and in the Gulf of Finland. There is still some ice in the Gulf of Finland, but not enough to interfere with the cruising of the frigates watching the Russian movements. A report fom Omer Pacha is said to confirm the statement that there had been three glorious actions at the passage of the Danube, but that, in pursuance of orders, the troops had retreated in the line of Karasou. We learn from Paris that the convention between the French and English Governments which was signed a few days ago in London has already been ratified, and that the text of this important document will probably appear this (Friday) morning in the Moniteur. The object of the alliance of the two Courts is stated to be the re-establishment of peace between the Emperor of Russia and the Sultan on a permanent basis, and the preservation of Europe from the dangers which have disturbed the general peace. For this purpose, and in order to rescue the dominions of the Sultan from foreign invasion, the English and French Governments agree to com bine their military and naval forces in a manner sufficient to accomplish the result they have in view. They bind themselves not to accept any proposition for the cessation of hostilities against Russia without having communicated to each other the nature of such overtures. They distinctly disclaim all exclusive advantage to themselves from the events which may arise, and they invite the rest of Europe to co-operate with them in an alliance destined solely to protect the public interests of Europe. The lateness of the hour at which this information reaches us compels us to defer all further comment on this important convention, which seems to supply the necessary basis to the operations in which the English and French forces are now engaged, and will, we trust, cement the permanent alliance of the Western powers.—Times. The French Baltic fleet has sailed from Brest for the Gulf of Finland. It conveys the expeditionary force, consisting of infantry, artillery, and 1,700 horses. The fleet includes 23 ships, and 1,250 gam• The Emperor Napoleon received on Wednesday, at a private audience, the Count de Hatzfeldt, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the King of Prussia, who presented to his Majesty a letter from his Sovereign. Of the contents of this letter to him there is as yet little known out of doors. It is stated in official quarters that the THE PRESS. document in question has given " satisfaction," though it is admitted that it contains no pledge that Piusgia will take part against Russia when hostilities commence. The reception given to the official hearer of the royal missive is described as being of the most distinguished kind. A telegraphic despatch, dated Berlin, Friday, says that—" Yesterday an offensive and defensive alliance between Austria and Prussia was signed by Baron Manteuffel on the one side and Baron Hess and Count Thun on the other." Vely Pacha, the Turkish Ambassador, has returned to Paris from Toulon. The annual ball in favour of the English Charita ble Fund took place on Wednesday night, at the Jardin d'Hiver, and passed off brilliantly. The attendance was good ; and, though the ball was for the benefit of the English, a good many French were present. The Madrid Bank of St. Ferdinand has reopened its offices. The Junta of Commerce having published a declaration, proving that the Bank has assets sufficient to meet all its obligations, confidence is reviving. The price of the new Sardinian loan of 35 millions of francs, to be raised by subscription, is fixed at 78 for the Five per Cents., and 52 for the Threes. A CABINET COUNCU, will be held to-day at the Foreign-office, at two o'clock. LORD CAmisix arrived at Constantinople on the sth by the French steamer, and left two days after for Varna. FRESH GOLD DISCOVERIES are daily made in the district of Dolgelly, Merionethshire, where it is found, says the Chester Chronicle, in as pure a state, and in deposits apparently as rich, as in either of the two modern El Dorados. A RULE Nisi for a new trial in the celebrated Wagner case was yesterday granted by the Court of Queen's Bench, on the application of Mr. Lumley. A NOTICE was sent down to the Bank of England yesterdy afternoon, inviting tenders for 0,000,000/. of Exchequer Bonds, to bear interest at the rate of 31 per cent., and redeemable in May, 1858, 1859, and 1860, by equal amounts of 2,000,0001. No tender to be for less than 1,0001., and the tenders may be made in Exchequer Bills at par, or, if money be offered, 1001. Is. will have to be paid for every lOW. bond. The instalments are to be payable May 8, June 9, July 11, Sept. 8 next, by 10, 30, 20, and 20 per cent. respectively, and the remainder on October 17. The instalments may be paid earlier if desired, and will bear interest accordingly from the date of pay ment. Tenders to be sent to the Bank before May 2. The highest tenders will be taken. The bonds will be issued in sums of 1001., 2001., 5001., and 1,0001. It is not intended to apply to Parliament this session for any further issue of Exchequer bonds beyond the six millions. From the above it appears Govern ment is resolved to be prepared to meet any demand for paying off its Exchequer Bills in June, when they fall due, and may be below par ; but the project must not be regarded as a new loan, one security being substituted for another.— Sun, Third Edition. A CROWDED AND DISORDERLY MEETING ON THE WAR QUESTION was held in Manchester on Wednes day night. The gathering was convened by Mr. Urquhart, who made a long speech on the occasion, his declared object being, not to propose a resolu tion, but to elicit discussion. Several other speeches were delivered, and the proceedings lasted from seven o'clock until nearly midnight, in the midst of noise and confusion, which the reporters seem to have found it difficult to describe. Resolutions were carried declaring that the English people ought to apply themselves to the comprehension of their ex ternal relations, and for establishing a society in Manchester to spread information, political and diplomatic. Mr. Bright, who had been invited, did not attend, but sent a letter stating as the reason for his absence his conviction that the sole point of agreement between himself and Mr. Urquhart con sisted of their mutual condemnation of the war. This disapproval, though merely relative in Mr. Urqu hart's opinion, is absolute and total on the part of Mr. Bright. He says:— " I believe the war to be altogether unnecessary, and that nothing can be said either for its justice or its expe diency. I believe, further, that after having permitted the country, by a series of blunders, to drift into war, the Ministers who have chiefly spoken on the subject, with the exception of Lord Aberdeen, have misrepresented the facts of the case, and have thereby misled public opinion. With regard to the professed objects of the war, I believe them to be impossible of attainment ; and that Russia, in her wildest dreams of ambition, never imagined so many calamities to Turkey as have been brought upon that de voted country, in a single year, by the friendship which our Government has professed towards her." THE WAR. TIIE ARMIES. 373 The Commander-in-Chief of the British expedition ary cavalry, Major-General Lord Lucan, left London on Thursday for the East. He travelled by the South-Eastern Railway to Dover, whence he proceeds through France to Marseilles, where he will embark for Gallipoli. His lordship had prolonged interviews on Tuesday and Wednesday with the Secretary for War, the Duke of Newcastle. He also visited the general in command of the home troops, Lord Har dinge. Major Colborne, on the staff of his Excellency General Rowan, left Quebec on March 24, en route for Constantinople, having received an appointment as Assistant Adjutant-General at the seat of war. Brigadiers-General Airey and Buller and staff, consisting of Lord William Paulet, Colonel Maule, Colonel Allen, Hon. Mr. Clifford ; Captains Sankey, Morris, Kelvington, and Hackett; Lieutenants Gard ner, Dennie, and (Rough ; Major Mackenzie, Dr. Forteath ; Assistant Surgeons Langhtun, Cassell, and Miller ; and Paymaster Pope, left Southampton on Wednesday afternoon, in the mail-steamer .Ripon, for Malta, en route to Gallipoli. Thirty-four fine horses went out in the Ripon, belonging to the field and staff officers. Amongst the cargo were five tons of ammunition for the British army in the East, com prising 100,000 rifle-musket cartridges and 125,000 percussion -caps. There were also 29 packages of camp fittings, seven cases of medical stores, some packages of military clothing, and 50,0001. in specie. Brigadier Scarlett, in command of the cavalry, has not yet left Ireland, where he has been actively em ployed in obtaining volunteers for active service. The gallant colonel and Brigadier the Earl of Cardi gan are the only officers of the staff now awaiting orders for departure. The head quarter division of the 19th Regiment left the Tower on Thursday morning for embarkation for the seat of war. The division, numbering 480 rank and file, were paraded in light-service marching order at eight o'clock in the morning, in the great square of the fortress, and thence proceeded to Wool wich, where they embarked for Gallipoli. The transport - ship Courier, Captain Rodolph, sailed from Queenstown on Wednesday for Malta with the 30th Regiment on board. The second detachment of the Nth Hussars, for embarkation for the East, arrived in Plymouth on Tuesday afternoon, under the command of Major De Sails. They embarked on board the Mary Anne troop-ship, and sailed for Turkey on Wednesday. The following detachments form the force which is now on its way to the seat of war : 99th Foot Bto 41st Foot 42nd Foot 44th Foot B6O 47th Foot B6O 40th Foot BOO bOth Foot B6O nth Foot BlO 77th Foot B5O 79th Foot SAO 88th Foot B6O 98rd Foot B6O 06th Foot B6O lUfle Brigade INFANTRY. Grenadier Guards B5O Coldstreams Scotch Fusilier Guards - 2,350 let or Royale, lit Battalion 850 4th Foot th Foot. 850 19th Foot B5O 23rd Foot 8450 28th Foot B5O 50th Foot B5O 33rd Foot B5O 138th Foot B5O CAVJ Rth Ittowww, two squaclrna. 250 11th Hussar*, two squadrns. 260 12th Light Dragoon■ 250 15th Light Dragoons 250 17th Lancers ROYAL HI Two troops Six companies Artillery 1,440 Royal Frigineers, Sappers and Miners Total IltY. 4th Dragoon Guerclp 2lO lit Dragoon■ 6th Dragoons Total Remerve torero' of Artillery SOO Total A troop of horse artillery is 11,8 strong. 204 horses, four howit zers, six pounders, and two twelve•pounders. A field battery is 190 strong,l7o horses, four howitzers, nine• pounders, and two 24-pounders. Three companies of battering trains. The above enumeration comprises the rank and file onjy—amounting to a total of 20,581 fighting men in tife finest order of equipment, and in the highest condition. In this the staff is not included, neither are the commissioned or non-commissioned officers of any part of the force—so that the round number of :10,0(X) men and officers of all ranks may be set down as the effective force ready to take the field toge • ther. The marines under the command of Admiral Dundas exceed 7,000 men. The French force by land will muster 46,000 men. After many changes of plans it is at length decided that the British cavalry shall perform the journey to the seat of war not only by the sea route, but on board sailing-vessels. The result will be that two months must elapse before they can reach their des tination, and this at a time when the rivers of Eng land are swarming with steamers—some of them of 2,500 tons burden—which would take men and horses out in the fourth pan of the time. Nor is delay on the voyage the only, or even the most im• I 44., 1 I 1 t