The Press. — London, England, 1854-08-05 00:00:00

AUGUST 5 1 1854. marriage with the daughter of the Sultan will now ever take place. His father, the late Abbas Pacha, was born in Arabia in 1813, and was the son of Toossoon ruche, Mehemet Ali's second son, who died of plague in 1816, and, in November, 1848, on the death of Ibrahim Pacha, he succeeded to the pachalie of Egypt, as the eldest living male member of the family. THE WAR. THE tidings, military and naval, from Turkey or the Black Sea, convey nothing but a continuous record of inactivity. According to the latest authentic in telligence, the combined armies were still at or near Varna, and the combined fleets anchored at Baltschik. There were continued rumours of an early move ment by land and sea towards Sebastopol ; but this report has been repeated too often to be believed, while a despatch received from Vienna, bearing date Constantinople, July 24, and announcing that "a portion of the Anglo-French army is marching upon Bucharest," must be taken for what it is worth—pro bably not much. In the Baltic the vessels bearing the French army contingent are approaching the point of junc tion with Napier's fleet. General Baraguay d'Hil liers, with 7,000 men, in British vessels, arrived off the coast of Sweden on Monday. The remainder were then daily expected at Gothland. The general sought and obtained an interview with the King of Sweden, being allowed to proceed to the capital in his own steamer, the Reine Hortense. At this con ference his Majesty is reported to have declared his willingness to unite with the Western powers upon "certain conditions," but what these are is not told. General d'Hilliers has since left Stockholm and gone on to the Aland Isles, where Napier waits him. The second division of the squadron bearing the French forces has been since sailing in the same direction. Among the rumours of the week is one circulated on Tuesday to the effect that Bomarsund had been bombarded and captured, " with heavy loss on both sides." Three days have passed since this report first got afloat, and, though its echoes reach us from more than one quarter, it is still destitute of anything like reliable authority. It is gratifying to be able to state that the fleet is now considered free from cholera. By this terrible enemy the French have been the greatest sufferers, having lost more than sixty men. Though cholera has disappeared, the sick lists are very heavy, and a want of medical officers is already felt. THE WAR ON THE DANUBE. In the principalities it seems now unquestionable that the Russians are again retreating. Whether they will change their attitude once more by " orders from St. Petersburg," and recover their advanced position, remains to be seen, but appearances seem to show that this time the retrograde movement is no sham. The Russians burn the bridged behind them, and treat the country and its population after the fashion of men who do not expect to revisit it again. On the 28th ult. Prince Gortschakoff and his army were at Shelava and Vereschti, one and a half posts distant from Bucharest. The Ottomans were fol lowing. They had passed the Argisch, and encamped at Kalum. It was stated that preparations were making at Bucharest to receive Omer Pacha in a few days. The retreat of the Russians is, however, charac tensed as a strategetic movement. They say it is not the movement of the Turks, but the concen tration of Austrian troops, which forces them to un dertake it. It is also believed that, even if Wallachia is evacu ated, the Russian army will hold its ground in Mol davia, and occupy a position on the line of the Sereth. This river bisects that province in a direction parallel to the Russian frontier of Bessarabia, so that General Gortschakoff will be closely approaching his own resources, while the Anglo-French forces, if they venture to assail him, will be drawn, exactly in the same ratio, away from theirs. The latest engagement in this region of which we have accounts came off at Giurgevo on the 22nd inst. The Russians had retired to Frateschti, a village within a very short distance of Giurgevo, and on the line of communication with their head-quarters at Bucharest At this conjuncture General Gorts ch. akoff summoned t o F ra t esc hti all the force under his command, with the design either of attacking the Turks and driving them back across the Danube, or of opposing their advance. These intentions were carried out by a grand attack upon Giurgevo, but the , arailants were repulsed with signal loss. On the th, accordingly, the Russians continued their retreat, and quitted Frateschti for Vereschti, with the view of gaining Bucharest. The Lloyd of Vienna contains a letter from C, Talatz of the 18th ult., which states that three English vessels bad entered the mouth of the Danube at Sulina without obstacle. There were seen feet of water there, and a dredging-machine was kept constantly at work. The first Russian posts were at Sinakow, within half a league of the THE PRESS. mouth. The Russians were throwing up intrench ments and placing batteries on both banks near Ismail and Tultscha, to prevent the enemy's vessels from going up further. The Russian flotilla of the Danube forms three divisions, which were at Ibraila, Reni, and Galatz. The Russians were fortifying this latter town, and throwing up intrenchments on the islands in the Danube. THE ARMY IN ASIA. The Vienna Presse has advices from Constanti nople of the 27th, to the effect that a Turkish army in Asia had been defeated near Kars. It is said that the Russians are besieging Kars. THE RUSSIANS IN THE PACIFIC. There are good hopes that ere now the Russian frigates Aurora and Diana have been met, engaged, and captured. The latest authentic accounts state that the commander-in-chief, Rear-Admiral Price, is in hot pursuit of the enemy, and that the French squadron is assisting zealously in the object both countries have in view. The flag-ship President, 50 (the heaviest ship on the station), is cruising after the Russians ; the Trincomalee, 24, Captain Houston, is sticking to the Russian 50-gun frigate at the neutral ports ; Pique, 40, Captain Sir F. Nicholson, Bart., must have heard of the formal declaration of war at Callao on the 18th June, for she sailed immediately to jcin the admiral ; whilst the Am phitrite, 26, Captain Frederick, had gone to the Marquesas. THE REINFORCEMENTS. The 21st Royal British Fusiliers received an order on Monday for embarkation for the seat of war. The first division left Dublin on Thursday for Cork, where they are to embark, and the second division was to follow yesterday (Friday). The regiment musters about 600 of all ranks, The Scots Greys and 4th Light Dragoons are to be incorporated into the divisions of the expedi tionary army of the East, commanded by Lord Cardigan and General Scarlett. The infantry regi ments will form a strong division under the corn wand of General Sir George Cathcart, K.C.8., and Brigadiers Torrens and Goldie, of the 57th Regi ment. Sir Baldwin Walker visited Woolwich dockyard on Wednesday to inspect the progress made in the despatch gun-boats for service in the Baltic. The six new gun-boats will be fitted with 10-icch guns, two to each boat, on Lancaster's plan, which makes the bore of an elliptical form. The guns will carry an egg-shaped shell a distance of from four to four and a half miles with great precesion. It is in tended that the officers appointed to the despatch gun-boats shall proceed to Shoeburyness before leav ing for the Baltic, to witness the practice with these powerful guns. Four out of the half dozen boats are already launched, and will shortly be ready to sail for the Baltic. THE ANNUAL MEETING of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland commenced at Berwick on Tuesday last. This society is now in its 70th year, having been instituted in 1784, and re ceived a royal charter in 1787, its objects being [com paratively few and of a purely local character. But the exertions of the society, instead of being restricted to the Highlands, were early extended to the lowlands of Scotland, and directed to the promotion of the science and practice of agriculture in all its various branches. In 1834 it received another royal charter in accordance with its enlarged sphere of operation, and was so successful in its management and results as to become the parent of the Royal Agricultural Societies of England and of Ireland. Premiums amounting to upwards of 2,0001. are awarded for re ports on every subject connected with the improve ment and cultivation of the soil and the rearing and feeding of stock. Encouragement is offered for the management of the dairy, the growth of timber, and useful inventions in agricultural machinery, while the comforts and convenience of the labouring classes arelpromoted by stimulating proprietors to improve the construction and increase the accommodation of their cottage dwellings. Besides the great annual and biennial exhibitions of stock and implements held in different parts of Scotland, and open to com petitors from all parts of the kingdom, the society has established a system of district shows, opened a col lege in Edinburgh for the instruction of students in agriculture, appointed a chemical department for analysing soils, manures, 6x., and erected a museum for the reception of model implements, vegetable and mineral specimens, and paintings of prize animals. In the literary department of the society there are periodical publications of its transactions, monthly lectures and meetings, reports of which are given in the Quarterly Journal of Agriculture. To this de partment of the society's operations Government com mitted a local inquiry into the agricultural statistics of Roxburgh, Haddington, and Sutherland last year, which has been attended with results of so important a character as to encourage its extention, on a perma nent basis, to ei ery other county in Scotland. The gathering this year commenced under very favour able circumstanced and promised to be fully successful 729 ford anb lastrion. HER MAJESTY remains at Osborne-house, improving the opportunity of every fine day by walks, drives, or cruises upon and around the Isle of Wight. THE DUCHESS OF KENT left Frogmore for London on Wednesday. On the following day her Royal Highness was to have proceeded to Osborne on a visit to the Queen, but her departure has been de layed in consequence of her lady in waiting, Lady Augusta Bruce, having experienced a slight attack of scarlatina. THE DUCHESS OF CA/ABRIDGE and the Princess Allay are about to leave Cambridge Cottage for Cowes, Isle of Wi;ht, where their Royal Highnesses intend to sojourn about three weeks. THE COUNTESS DE NEUILLY, with several members of the ex-Royal Family of France, have taken up their residence at Apsley-bouse, Torquay. HIS EXCELLENCY THE PORTUGUESE MINISTER, and the Countess de Lavradio, have left town for Tun_ bridge Wells. His excellency, who was suffering in his health, has already derived some benefit from the change of air. HIS EXCELLENCY VELY PACHA, Ottoman Ambassa dor in Paris, arrived in London on Saturday last, on a short visit. THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER and Mrs. Gladstone returned to town on Monday from a visit to the Duchess of Sutherland, at Clevedon, near Maidenhead. WE regret to hear that the Hon. C. P. Villiers has been advised to leave England for some months for the benefit of his health, which has become seriously impaired by unremitting attendance in the House of Commons. THE appointment of Proby Thomas Cantley, Esq., late Lieutenant-Colonel in the Bengal Artillery, and Director of the Ganges Canal, to be Civil Knight Commander of the Bath is notified in Tuesday's Gazette. THE marriage cf Mr. Holford with Miss Elizabeth Lindsay is to be solemnised this day (Saturday) at St. George's Church, Hanover-square. I'HE following are the Turkish titles given by the Sultan to General Beatson, commander of bashi bazouks, and staff :—His Excellency Shemsi Pacha, Lieutenant• General Beatson ; Daond Bey, Colonel Green, Chief of the Staff; Naymi Bey, Colonel Stein bach; Kojalo Bey, Colonel Creagh; Yussef Bey, Major Charles Lane Fox; Munir Bey, Major Lock. Dr. Sandwith, staff surgeon and principal interpreter, and the Hon. F. Walpole, have not yet received titles. A CABINET Commit was held on Saturday et the Foreign uffice Dowing creet. THE Spea ker's official dinner took place on . Wednesday, when the light hon. gentleman enter tained the functionaries of the House of Commons' The following were present :—Sir Denis Le Merchant, Lord Charles Russell, Mr. Wm. Ley, Mr. Henry Ley Mr. Goeset, Colonel Forester, Mr. Jones, Mr. Rickards, Mr. May, Mr. Smith, Mr. Vardon, Mr. Waldegrave. Mr. Dyson, Mr. Gudge, Mr. Gibbons, Mr. Rowlands, Mr. Gunnell, Mr. Postlewaite, Mr. Lefroy, Rev. Mr. Gurnier. ralitual an 6tneral. REAR-ADMIRAL THE HON. MONTAGIT STOPFORD, it is now stated, will proceed to the Black Sea, and not to the Baltic. He has, however, rehoisted his flag at Devonport, and resumed, provisionally, his dock yard duties. THE BEVERLEY ELECTION commenced on Satur day last, when the return of the Hon. A. Gordon was somewhat unexpectedly opposed by the appear ance of a new candidate, Mr. G. W. Hastings, who appealed to the electors as a thorough-going Liberal, a friend of a vigorous war policy, and a determined opponent of Lord Aberdeen. At the nomination, on the show of hands, there appeared a slight majority in favour of Mr. Hastings. The poll took place on Monday, when the son of the Prime Minister was elected by a majority of 493 votes to 192 recorded for his competitor. THE HOME SECRETARY has commuted the sen tence of death which was passed upon the Spaniard at the last Hertford Assizes, for the murder of a young man, to transportation for life. No ground has been assigned, except that the prisoner, since his apprehension, has refused to speak. THE SMOKE ACT came into operation on Tuesday last, the Ist inst. By this statute it is provided that any person who shall "use any furnace not made to consume its own smoke, or shall so negligently use such Ibrnace as that its smoke shall not be con sumed, or shall carry on any trade or business which shall occasion any noxious or offensive effluvia, or otherwise annoy the neighbourhood or inhabitants, without using the best practicable means for prevent ing or counteracting such smoke or other annoyance, the offender being owner, occupier, foreman, or other person employed, shall forfeit for the first offence from 40s. to 51. ; second,lot. ; third, ; fourth 401. ; and so on, doubling every time." I I