The Sun. — London, England, 1855-04-14 00:00:00

THEATRE ROYAL HAYMARKET. Under the management of Mr. Buckatone; THIS EVENING, Wlll be presented THE SECRET AGENT. Principal characters by Mr. Buckstone and Miss E. Chaplin. To be folloved by a new Ballet, in which the Spanish Dancers win appear, entitled THE EVENING FESTIVAL. After which, a new Extravaganza, called THE NEW HAY MARKET 3PIII.FG 3IEETING, 1855. To ccrehide with THE GALICIAN FETE. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREE T. Under the Management of Mr. Camas FAN• THIS EVENDTG, _ . Will be performed the original adaptation of Casimir Delavigne's Historical Play, entitled LOUIS TILE ELEvEN'ra• PendPa' •haracter by Mr. C. Kean. To conclude with (sth time) a Romance, in two acts, enticed MULETEER OF TOLEDO ; cr, King. Queen, and Knave. THEATRE ROYAL ADELPHI. ProPrieter, Mr. B. Webster.—Dircense, Madame Celeste. EVENING, Will be performed the Drama entitled THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER. _ - - To mettle with A NE Vir EDITION OF THE FAIRY TALES OF MOTHER GOOSE, with numerous highly-coloured Illustrations. RoyAL OLYMPIe THEATRE. 1.333ee an 4 Manager, Mr. A. Wigan. THI3 EVENLY°, vr.ll be performed a Comedietta, called LAW FOR L &DIES Characters by Messrs. A. Wigan, G. Vining, IL Cooper, Danvers, sad gisS Cast'etCll. .Ifter which, KILL OR CURE. Characters by Messrs. Robson, Emery, and F. Yining ; Mrs. A. Wigan and Miss Bromley. To be followed by the Fairy Extravaganza, called TBR YELLOW DWARF AND TILE KING OF I HE GOL', MINES. ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. Wm. Cooke., THIS EVENING. Glorious success ! To commence with an entirely new and original Spectaciedrama of harrowing interest, by Mr. Ilelson Lee, called. rim FIELD AGAINST IHE FAVOURITE No Drama for man% Years has created so great a sensation. The interest is most intense the burning of the stables is most terrific, while the Derby race b Most exciting. Aftei which, a Series of Novel SCENES in the CIRCLE, invented by Mr. William Cooke. To conclude with RETURNED FROM THE BALTIC ; or, loci, Ashore. A new Military Act Drop, painted by Fenton, has been added to the Embellishments. Boa-office open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W Went. Acting Manager, Mr. W. 11. Cooke. h:questrian Director, w. Cooke, Inn. ROYAL ..",T2-kiql) THI,,ATRE. Under tt►e direction of Miss Rebecca Isaacs. TIII3 EVENING, Will be performed Tfll CRICKET ON THE HEARTH. Cha racter 4 by M essrs J. Halford, Role, son, and Kinloch ; and Miss Re becca Isaac•, Miss Beaumont, and Miss Somers. Alter which, ZANG QUEER AND HIS DAUGHTERS THREE To which will be added a Ballet Divertissement. I(.411 WATF 11 AT LON OON 41 )t+ T 'ass SAT --Wornir4 56 atn.after 11 1 Ev ning26min. al. rz - To-M,ll.l,lW—ldoraia;, 50 min.aft.tn 12 1 Eveni.,g 13 min. et. 1 TIM WEATHEB.—Sus Orison, April. 14. TaZILNOMEINB, IN TUB `,'-o g IiADN. 59 — l ..ighest since noon yesterday. 47 —lowest this morning and during the night. 60 —thin day, at noon. BAROMNTEB, 30'03—risen considerab!y. Wrxn, W.—Light breeze, with very fine, mild, sun shiny weather. r,„ -A: 4 ) kt : •, • _ • LONDON, SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 1855. It is at last officially announced that then is to be a loan for the service of the pre sent year. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has given notice that the Premier and him self will be ready to " see any gentlemen who May be desirous of contracting for the same on Monday next, at ten o'clock, in order to inform them of the amount which will be wanted, and to fix the time and manner of bidding." The imperative necessity of making some consi derable provision for the additional expenditure occasioned by the War has been so long and so universally recognised that this step has not occa sioned the slightest surprise. The time and man ner and extent of the operation alone remained doubtful. The first point has now been decided, and, within 48 hours, full information will be given on the other matters. We must, then, be contented to wait that time for authentic intelli gence, for it is manifest that nothing but guesses can be put forward during the interval. A morning contemporary declares that " We have no longer to deal with the arguments of those short-sighted financiers who flattered themselves that a contest of this magnitude could be supported by a temporary addition to the taxation of the country." This is happily the truth. Mr. GLADSTONE no longer presides over the financial department The nation is no longer afflicted by the mischie vous crotchets of that clever but "short sighte d' politician. We may therefore hope that the in terests of the present generation will no longer b. disregarded, that the industrious population ot the country—the creators and producers of na tional wealth—will no longer be ground to the earth by being compelled at the same time to pay off debts contracted by their forefathers, and to meet all the enormous outlay occasioned by a precautionary war. We use the term " precau tionary" in it s b roa d est and most extensive signi fication. We may flatter ourselves with the notion that we have commenced solely on account of Turkey, and in a high minded and chivalrous determination to pro tect "right against might." But it is not so. Let us glaze over our motives as we will, there is no educated or intelligent person throughout Europe who is not well aware that we unsheathed the sword because the success of Russia was in consistent with the safety of England. Her pos session of the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles would speedily be followed by universal ascendancy. To use the words of NAPOLEON, Europe would be come 66 Cossack." England might be " the last to he devoured," but she would eventually share the general fate. We, therefore, acted in ac cordance with a strictly selfish policy when enter ing on the Eastern Contest. We chose rather to fight the battle at a distance from our own shores —where any calamity might be remedied—than to have it at our own threshold, with our re ligion, our liberties, and our domestic relations trembling in the balance, when every man was literally fighting, pro aris et focis, to prevent the e° ls aPulsory conversion of himself, his wife, and children t o the " orthodox Church," and the sacrifice of his freedom to Muscovite despotism. The evil would The exuatin Th not, however, have fallen in our away before these g generation would have passed plished. p oster. fea r f ul results would be =om it), receive the present outlay ; and, the full benefit of were circumstances to therefore, if ever there Justify the creation of a national debt it Would be We urged th ese argum ents above referred to. w e energetically and i in d e fatigably iii March, Iss nergeti STONE adopted the mi sc hi ev I ° ll Mr. GLAD indefatigably poliey Which the same time oppressed th e ovee , tat at burdened tax payers and " starved the Wake , We have never ceased to urge the important topic on every able opportunity since, altliou4ll many o f our journalists were affected by the " GLansToNta mania," and accepted any proposition he thought proper to bring forward without opposition or remonstrance. Few at that period joined us in the opinion that he was " a short-sighted finan aim," Even the Leviathan itself was his most obsequious servant and earnest audulator. It TeMpora mutantur " The Times " has, in deed, changed, the public sight is purified, and the popular mind convinced of its folly. While approving, therefore, of the course which Sir G. C. LEWIS has adopted, we cannot give him any extraordinary praise, inasmuch as he was driven by imperious necessity, and there was no remaining alternative to which lie could resort. Bus character as a Financial Minister will depend more on his treatment of the subject, or the mode in which he obtains the necessary supplies, and the extent to which he avails himself of the na tional enthusiasm. At present the indications are not favourable. There is too much "red-tapism" in the invitation to gentlemen "who may be de ' strous of contracting for a loan." It looks as if he intended to go back to the old system, and that he completely ignored the successful experiments made by the Government of LOUIS NAPOLEON in 1854 and 1855—that there would be no appeal to the People generally —no opportunity allowed to the small capitalist of bringing forward his mite, and obtaining a share in that which might well be termed a patriotic fund. If the Right Hon. Gentleman should thus act he may indeed be denominated a short-sighted financier, and he I will have afforded a very sinister augury respect ing his fitness for the important situation which he now occupies. Another important inquiry is as to the form which the new securities may assume. Is there to be a new creation of Consols ? of Exchequer bonds or bills ? or will it be by means of termin able annuities ? and will it be issued at or about par, or in a form that will greatly increase the burden to posterity by rendering the nominal liability far greater than the amount actually paid into the Exchequer ? These are all questions of no ordinary interest, and we earnestly hope that Sir G. C. LEWIS may show himself equal to the emergency, and justify the choice by Ministers of me respecting whose qualifications for the office 4* Financial Minister so little was previously known. We shall not now enter on the consider ttion of the most suitable form, as neither time eor space permit so close an examination of the mxatee questiones as their vast importance so irgently demands. We must reserve that for a "uture opportunity. There is one point connected with the present Lnnouncement, cn which, however, we cane )t Lbstain from congratulating the community. Just Lt this moment, it seems to indicate that Minis ers have given up the fond delusion under which they so long laboured, that the Conferences at Vienna would be attended by any favourable re mit. A dishonourable, hollow, and transitory peace will therefore be avoided. The deep dis ;race attendant on such a course will happily be J.verted, and we shall see that achieved by the prowess of the Allies which could not be attained by the concessions of the adversary, viz., the complete demolition of Sebastopol, and the de str,ction of the naval power of Russia in the Euxine. On this most important topic we shall Lt present only say.—" If 'twere done well, 'twere yell it were done quickly." The vast importance of a system of railway corn mlnicltion in India cannot easily be overrated. In this country, as we all know, railways have ofonderfully developed our national resources, and contributed greatly to our wealth, cprisolida',,ion, and security, and yet in no other country in the world were the means of internal communication 30 perfect as in our own prior to their introduction. Our highways, with their waggons, vans, coaches, uid other vehicles, were the admiration of foreigners, and our numerous canals were hourly threaded by boats laden with every description of valuable freight. In India the case is widely dif ferent. There the country is broad and wild, and ~he main communications are of the rudest and 'host imperfect kind, the result of which is, fertile Dlains that might be the source of wealth and happiness to millions lie profitless and incultivated, and a huge army is necessarily so lispersed that British rule may be seriously Jerilled, as at Moodkee and Ferozeshah, before an adequate concentration of troops to meet the foe an be expected. From these facts some notion f the importance of railway communication in India may be gathered. But to these we have to aid other considerations of deep and growing in erest to this country. We are now engaged in a mighty and possibly >rolonged War with Russia, and no long period tt is to be feared may elapse before we are forced into a conflict with the United States. Under ;itch circumstances what is to become of our extile manufactures, unless a new and sufficient iource of supply is rendered available? At this :foment 79 per cent. of the cot',on imported , nto this country is supplied by America, while of the remainder above 13 per cent. .iomes from India. And yet with proper facilities )f internal communication, and the flow of capital which will follow in so splendid a field for enter all the flax, hemp, and cotton (the last be yond all dispute) we require may, with care and perseverance, be obtained from her broad plains, o as to render our manufacturers wholly indepen len tof foreign supplies. Nor is this all. The vital impulse a system of railways must give to India would be followed by an increased con- Amption of English goods. To these considera- ions must be added others of a - more exalted na- . - I.lre. By the intersection of the country with railways the possibility of the recurrence of those frightful famines - with which its dia tricts were perio lically visited would be obviated, and ample facili ties would be given for the spread of the blessings .of civilisation and religion - amourg its dusky and hanighted tribes. It is not often that duty tnd self-interest so closely and obviously concur. The reader i 3 not to auppose t:hat nothing has ;seen done in,this direction. So fsx front the ad v.intages of railway communication being over looked, the subject has engaged the attention of the East India Company far mrarty years ; and, .. - ;-n-tain experimental lines having proved success ful, the Court of Directors referzGA the question of the propriety of establishing a system of trunk :ines for the whole of India to the present Go- yen:or-General, who expressed a decided opinion that the time had arrived for confeering on India the benefits of railway commiudcation, and straightway laid down a vast plan :for estabiishing railways throughout the country. His lordship's scheme meeting with the cordial approval of the Court of Directors they at once adopted measures f o r carrying it out, and entered into arrangements with the following companies. First, the E tst Indian Railway Company, which has already opened the experimental line extenaing from Cal ,:mtta to Raneegunge, a distance of 120 miles, and has engaged to construct the trunk line to Delhi, a distance pf 1,000 miles. The capita; ) of the cont -Pally is 10,000,0001., and in about four years it la expected the whole will be compiteted. The ' o .econd is the Great Indian Peninsttla Railway °rzl illi;i.-. ' ti,k . PanY, which has been working a. line of 40 ,1 "' il l length for 1 many months, aura has uncter ‘ " 1 the Übe from also projected the lice tended Bombay- 1 t o towards Madra n f Pooytab, and on ja the Bombay Presidency. into Candeisb, to be ex- This company has haps, ultimately to bedistriet3 or Be r4tr part of the Bengal Lin e . capital of the Coin , a nd, per wit;ll the lower pany is at present one millio n • half. The third is the Madras Railway c a ore ar4 4 11 ' 111 !agaged to construct th e li ne from 3's wh o haveMa 4 ras to th e . t,-;outlt- , galore, f or .which a capital of four milli o n s will ba r The fourth is the Bombay, • Baroda, a nd e r ( 1. : l e t l a :l 1 India Railway Company, formed for tb to purpos of constructing the line, included in the above mentioned system, extending from Bombay north, via Surat and Baroda to Delhi and Agra. This Company has not yet completed its arrange ments with the authorities. The fifth is the Sciude Railway Company, who have en gaged to construct the line from Kurrachee to the Indus, a distance of about 120 miles. The prevent capital of the company is half a million— a splendid programme, which it will certainly task the attention and resources of the company to fulfil. Nevertheless, it partakes in no degree of the character of a wild and desperate scheme. The position of the shareholders, owing to the ex traordinary but most judicious system adopted by the company, is unusually safe and good. The average cost of constructing the lines throughout the whole of India it is believed will not exceed 8,0001. a mile, or 22,0001. at least a mile below the average in this country. The Government provides the land ; the preliminary expenses are small ; the company is guaranteed a handsome rate of interest, and has a fair prospect of an increase to that rate from the profits of the undertaking ; security is given against loss in the event of any unfore seen failure; immunity is secured against compe -1 tition with similar projects, and a watchful guar dianship over the interests of the shareholders is insured. On the other hand, the State, in addi tion to the benefits we have narrated as likely to ensue from a system of railway communication, will possess a certain control over the proceedings of the company, will save pecuniary outlsy, and come into possession of the respective lines in ninety-nine years. It should not be forgotten that during the last twenty years the territorial extent of India has been vastly increased. The value cf imports and exports has been more than doubled, and the revenue has increased seven mil lions. Thus, there is every reason to anticipate a vast increase of activity and productiveness when the above arterial communications are com pleted. The branch lines will, of course, be a work of time, but there cannot be a doubt, taking further into consideration the readiness displayed by the natives to avail themseh es of railway facilities for travellers, that, before long, all the populous and fertile districts, and ultimately the entire country, will be intersected with railways. A great future is in store for India, and this country may profit immensely from the cultiva tion of so splendid a field for enterprise. THE EARL OF DUNDONALD. THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, APRIL 14, 1855. T T iv * S' a TINE VIENNA CON FERENCE, VIENNA, FRIDAY EVENING, APRIL 13. Considerable difference of opinion exists be tween the Western Powers and Austria respect ing the diminution of the Russian preponderance in the Black Sea. Lord John Russell and M. Drouyn de 1' guys left this morning for the Semmering mountain, and return to morrow. This temporary absence probably means— " Accept our conditions or reject them." THE BALTIC FLEET. KIEL, FRIDAY, 11 A.M. The Imperieuse, 51, Commodore Watson, and Euryalus, 51, have just entered this harbour and anchored close to the bathing establishment. The weather is fine. PARIS, SATURDAY, 8 A.M. Large crowds assembled on the 10th and 11th near the palace of the Cortes. The National Guard maintains order. Madrid is tranquil. A despatch from Rome of the 13th inst. says that the flooring of a room in the Convent of St. Agnes, where the Pope had assembled a number of guests, gave way under the feet of the holy father, who, however, escaped unhurt. Cardinals Antonelli and Patrizi, and General Montreal re- ceived contusions which are not serious. MADRID, 12th. The law on the National Guard, with M. Armizo's amendment, was passed in yesterday's sitting of the Cortes by 16Z votes to 28. Another attempt at riot was made yesterday, but was put down immediately. THE SIEGE OF SEBASTOPOL. ( Prom second edition of the Morning _Herald of this clay. ) ENGLISH CAMP,, HEIGHTS OF SEBASTOPOL, MARCH 28. Very little of importance has occurred to-day. One or two of the batteries on both sides have been firing shell, but without producing particular re sults. Both with the enemy and the allies there seems to be an evident disinclination to show forth all their strength, until the moment for the grand contest arrives. Thus, the Rus siaus appear to possess only three, or, at most, four mortar , ., as they certainly never fire from more, though I doubt but that as the active operations of the siege are recommenced we shall find that in f ct tiler batteries are full of them. So . with many of their smaller works -o n the flanks of ivlalakhoff Tower, which, it is genterally presumed, the enemy will not have men en ough to defend against our bombardment, simply because we seldom see men in them now. But the garrison seem resolved on showing nothing of the state or actual condition of their preparations and means of defence until the necessity for their use arrives. It is this profound secrecy with which they enve lope all their movements which lea.ds every one to form different conjectures as to the warlike re sources of the place, and the probable time which must elapse before its capture. Since last night the enemy have been actively engaged in repairing the damages which the north end. of the Mamelon battery sustained by the partial explosion of its magazine. So well have these efforts been con ducted, that by daylight this morning the whole work presented its usual appearance, and several shots have been since fired from the spot where the accident occurred. There are rumours current throughout the camp that ,the enemy are preparing two new batteries, one on the left flank of the Mamelon, near the French works at Inkerman, and the other near the mud fort, facing the French lines on the extreme left. There are, I am informed, no grounds at present for such reports. All that the enemy have lately done has been to sink several fresh rifle pits in and about the Mamelon ; but, apparently, even these are not occupied during the day. The re port of such new defences being in contemplation may have arisen from the fa.ct, that each night a very strong column of the enemy issues from the MalakhoeTower, and remains for the night be tween it and the Mamelon, and under cover of the guns of both. This force is put forth by the enemy to be ready to support the Mamelon at a moment's notice, in case of a sudden at tack. According to present reports our final bombardment will commence on the morning of the 2d of April, but I have every reason to believe that it will be some days later ere such a step is taken. Immense quantities of shot are now at camp; indeed so large is the quantity that we should re quire double our presenCstock of powder to fire it all away. All that we are waiting for now is a propor tionate amount of shell for our mortars, and these are coming up each day. In fact, so forward are all our preparations that the allied generals might easily re-open the fire to-morrow if they pleased, and leave to the tramway the work of supplying the daily stock of bombs, which it could do with per fect ease. A telegraphic message, which Lord Rag lan received to-day from Lord J. Russell at Vienna, is said to have something to do with the delay of our im mediate attack, but as I need hardly say no one, excepting Lord Raglan, is even supposed to he acquainted with the contents of ttie message, the etenjectures is just as likely to be erroneous as not. The despatch was brought from Varna, in the Simla, in an almost incredibly short space of time, and an answer from Lord Raglan was despatched back by the same vessel, within three hours after her arrival Kamiesh. A deserter, who came into our ad mced trench yesterday evening, brought the re port that Prince Menschikoff was either dango rously ill or deal, but which he could not say. Etc also stated that all the great magazines in the town, whether for powder or provisions, were being filled. This would quite explain the long trains of - waggons which are seen to enter Sebastopol so frequently, and it would also appear as it the enemy contemplated an entire investment of the place by the allies as probable, and were doing their utinast to provide against its consequences by provisioning the place for a long siege. The Russians still continue in force about four miles from Tchourgoum, and whether an attack upon our lines is seriously expected or not I can arot say, beyond that Sir Colin Campbell and the French officers round Balaklava are the most earnest in their precautions against it. All the troops round the heights aro under arms at four a.m. Officers are enjoined not to absent themselves from their cantonments, sentries are doubled, and the picquets advanced. Last night, or rather early this morning, some French troops, with a small force from us, made a distant reconnaissance of the enemy's position. The force altogether amounted to about 1,500 men, and was under arms at 1 a.m. The morning was fine, clear, and mild • altogether the very rev erse of that in which the fast unfortunate reconnissance started from the same place. The troops advanced cautiously acros ss t h e p l a i n , towards the old Turkish redoubts the small Cossack picquets re tiring quietly before them, wa tching their move ments as our m en a d vance d . A little beyond the last redoubt th e t roops h a lt e d u nder a small emi nence about two miles from the line round Bala klava, and so remained till dawn. - From this spat a tolerable view of the enemy could be ob tained. They appeared to be in considerable force —probably, from 10,000 to 15,000 —but the hilly nature of the ground prevented our ascertaining with certainty whether there were other bodies stationed in the valleys, and what was their strength. One Rus s i an i n fantry seldier was taken prisoner in a little Cossack picquet-house near the • Turkish redoubts. Re stated that there was a force of at least 35,000 troops upon the Tchernaya and around Tchourgonm. They bad only arrived there within the last few days from Bakshi-Serai, where they had wintered outside the town in huts con structed in the earth. Ho said also that both at Tehourgoum and Bakshi-Serai the troops were well supplied with previsions. The reconnoitring party returned to our lines soon after daybreak.' No attempt of the enemy on the heights on the right of our lines at Balaklava is now thought possible. Every ditch and breastwork has been deepened and strengthened in such a man ner as to render the hills perfectly impregnable to any force, no matter what its numerical strength. Three long 32-pounders, as well as several heavy howitzers and field guns, have recently been added to the heights and redoubts occupied by the marines and rifles ; and this point, which was formerly the weakest of the line, is now reckoned the very strongest. There was only o ne p art of the li ne where the defences were not considered p erfect, and this is now being fortified by tremendous earthworks, which the French hold. It is on this latter point anticipated that the attack will be made, if ever made at at all. The weather continues magnificent; the nights clear and calm ; the days su nn y, b u t as hot as July in London. The heat of the wooden huts during the day is found already to be almost insupportable. This is caused by the planking of the roof being covered by tarred felt, which absorbs and retains the heat of the sun. It might easily be obviated by having the black felt covered with a coat of whitewash. The men are all in high spirits, and, generally speaking, in good health. Fever, how ever, is becoming each day more and more preva lent, especially among the Guards, Highlanders, and others who are stationed round Balaklava. MARCH 29. Still nothirA to communicate in the way of - hos tilities Hardly a dozen shots were fired from either lines last night, and now that we have full moon, the prospect of a sortie is quite out of the question. The business of getting up the filled and empty shells goes on rapidly. Each day for the last three days 82 railway trucks filled with 10 and 13- inch shell has been forwarded to the front. Each truck holds 32 shells, so that nearly 8,000 have been sent up since the 26th. In addition to this immense amount 500 filled 8-inch and 32-pounder shells have also been forwarded on the backs of mules, and 500 10-inch empty %hells by the Artillery waggons each day. Every effort is being made to get up a tremendous store of these missiles, though we have already more th an enoug h a t th e front to turn Sebastopol into an iron mine. Of solid shot there are 600 rounds per gun now in camp, and it is intended to have the same supply for all the mor tars. Of the latter store about 200 rounds per mortar remain to be forwarded. It is expected that at the rate at which the shells are now con veyed, daily, four days more will give us the re quired amount. The railway now takes its traffic close to the rear of our lines and beyond Karani, about a third of a mile from head-quarters. It is expected that it will be entirely completed to head-quarters in the course of two or three days more. Mr. Beattie certainly deserves the very highest credit for the very admi rable manner in which he conducted all the minute details connected with this tramway. However, in spite of all the facilities which the tram promises, it is now rumoured that the final assault will be still further postponed for the 2d of April. As to the truth of the grounds for this rumour I know nothing ; but I think it very pro bable, as I have already said, that the 21 will pass over without our re-opening fire. On the result of our fire opinions here are quite divided, some maintaining that we must capture the place in three or four days, while others insist that its cap ture is impossible while the north side remains in the hands of the enemy. I must plead guilty to being of the latter opinion. We, no doubt, will destroy the town and dockyard, if we fire upon it; we may even destroy all the enemy's batteries, but we can only destroy. Occupy them while the Rus sians hold Sivernia and Star Fort is quite out of the question. If we destroy the south side and its ridges of batteries, we must then move round, and commence our siege of the north, which is infinitely stronger than the forts of the town to which we are now opposed. Capt. Heath, R.N., who is to supersede Capt. Christie, in charge of the transports, arrived at Balaklava this morning. Capt. Christie resigns his functions on the 30th ult., and leaves for England the day after. In spite of Government insinuations to the contrary, Capt. Christie has the consolation of 1-nowing that as far as the means at his dis posal would permit he has always discharged his duty faithfully and well, and that he leaves here accompanied by tile sincere regrets of all the masters of transports who have been under his charge. The subscriptions to the, testi monial, about to be presented to bins by the Inas tors of transports out here, already amount to nearly 2001., and Mr. Pritchard, his secretary, is also, I believe, to be presented by the same body with some token of the high appreciation and es teem which they feel for his conduct in connection with them. Captain Heath will take charge of the Transport Service. Captain Christie has issued the follow ing : " ORIENT, BALAKLAVA, MARCH 29. " GENERAL MEMORANDUM. "The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having been pleased to appoint Captain Leopold G. Heath, RN., to supersede me as principal agent of transports, I hereby inform you thereof, and you will follow and obey the orders of that officer from and after the 31st instant. "In taking leave of you I beg to return you my warmest thanks for the ready attention with which you have invariably met my orders and wishes. I have the greatest gratification in bearing testimony to the noble spirit and zeal which have been displayed by one and all of you in the execution of the public service under trials and circumstances of no ordinary nature, and which has been accomplished with cheerfulness on the part of the officers and crews of your respective ships and a thorough knowledge of your profession. I part with you with regret, and trust that the same good feelings which have actuated you hitherto will continue under my successor, and that your exertions in concert with those of her Majesty's navy and army will soon be crowned by success in securing to our country a lasting and honourable peace. "P. CHRISTIE, Captain, Principal Agent. "To the respective Commanders of the Transports employed with the Army of the East." The Trent started to-day for Alexandria to bring cavalry, and the Himalaya is also under orders for the same place. The latter ship arrived a few days since at Kamiesh with 380 artillery horses and about 200 men. Only three horses were lost during the trip, which was one of the fastest on record, the distance from Malta to Kamiesh having been run in 90 hours, giving an average speed against the winds and currents of the Dardanelles of 14 knot's an hour. MARCH 30. There has been little firing to-day on both sides, and without producing any particular result. Shot and shell are still coming in fast, with railway truck loads of powder. The whole preparations for the bombardment are now nearly finished, and we might Open fire - to-morrow, if it were needed. No one can account for the delay, except on the supposition- that Lord Raglan is waiting for fur ther communications as to the prospect of affairs at Vienna. ,This may seem unlikely, but it is the cause generally assigned for it among the well informed circles." The enemy make no move ment at Balaklava, though they still remain within about three miles of our lines, and consequently keep the whole of the allied force there continually on the alert day and night. However, we are &ways ready to receive them, and so "strong has our po sition been rendered that, unless the enemy come with overwhelming superiority of numbers, they would never risk an attack ; but no precaution is neglected on this account. Balaklava itself has been considerably improved of late ; in fact, both literally and figuratively, it is no longer the same town. Nearly all the old houses have been pulled down, and neat wooden. huts erected in place of them. The gaps in the streets have been filled in, fresh roads made, and old ones repaired as good as new. Many of the most con spicuous masses of blth have been removed, but many more unfortunatelystill remain, and now that the warm weather has fairly set in must remain for the rest of the summer. The houses that have been let stand are neatly whitewashed, and altogether, what with its steam saw-mills, stationary engines, blacksmiths' shops, pales of coal, railway siding's, and railway trucks, little piers, wharves, and shipping, Balaklava is a very different place from what we found it six months ago. Then it might have been pointed out as a model of -a quiet, rich, and picturesque sea side nook ; now its quietness has gone for ever, its picturesqueness is consider ably diminished, and, though the wealth in the place is of course incomparably greater, there are fewer signs of it, except in the magnificent steamers which crowd and dirty the little, harbour. Bala klava now only answers to the description of one of those wooden sea-side towns which spring up in Australia, on the main routes to diggings, and, except an occasional Tartar and a few gaunt camels which have survived the winter, there are as little traces of the East about it as in Limehouse or Stepney. The weather here also is as much changed as Balaklava. During the day now it is quite op pressively hot, and gives its a pretty fair idea of what we may expect in July, if we have the mis fortune to be here then. All the hills around are covered with flowering shrubs, and even within the precincts of the camp violets and crocuses are common. Since the warm weather also the flocks of vultures have returned, and now with kites and ravens sail about over the tents in hundreds and hundreds all day . Of course with such a change in the weather the condition of the men is much improved. They now get fresh meat and vege t a bl es t h ree or four times a week ; and all who are at all unwell live entirely on fresh provisions. Dy sen t ery and scurvy are fast diminishing, but fever, unfortunately, shows an alarminc, increase during the last week ; it is particularly preval en t an d mal i gnant among the troops round Balaklava, and the Highlanders have a long sick list from this cause. Letters from Eupatoria mention that a large force of Cossack and regular cavalry are con tinually hovering around the town, but make no attempt towards coming in ranee of the works. A deserter, who recently came in there, said that an infantry force of 18 battalions (about 32,000) was encamped about four miles from the town, and not - in the least short of provisions.- letters from the fleet speak of the recent attack of one of the gun boats, with the Gladiator and Highflyer steam frigates, upon Soujak, near Kertcb. All the ves sels are said to have behaved splendidly. The Highflyer, in particular, was much cut up, having no less than 15 shots in her hull, and between 50 and 60 in her rigging. Only two of her crew were wounded. There seems to be no likelihood of the combined fleets again assisting us in our attack upon Sebas topol, even by engaging the sea forts. All hopes of forcing an entrance into the harbour, while the sunken vessels remain in their present position, are quite given up. Your readers may now soon look for important news. We are certain to open fire in, a few more days ; after that nothing is certain. FRANCE. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) PARIS, FRIDAY EVENING. _ __ __ _ _ The great topic of the day - is the departure of the Emperor for the Crimea or some part of the East soon after his return froni London. It is indeed quite as much talked of, and believed by per sons who before doubted it, as it was a month or two ago ; and, though it is hardly safe to fix a date, which, perhaps, no one except the Em peror himself knows, the 10th or. 15th of next month is spoken of. It is said that the Em peror hopes to offer such good reasons to the English Government for the realization of that idea, that all objections, if any exist, will be removed. The private letters received from Vienna yes terday do not indeed hold out much hope of a pacific termination of the Conferences ; on the contrary,, they announce an approach ing rupture, but they add, at the same time, that Austria will not hesitate to come forward, once for all, and declare her readiness to take the part in the struggle that a great Empire and a young, daring, and patriotic Sovereign ought to do. The letters also refer to the expected visit of the Emperor of the French to Vienna, after having passed some days at Paris ; and, in the event of the Russian ambassador receiving his passports, or a complete rupture with Russia, state that both Emperors will depart for the theatre of the new military operations, probably the southern pro vinces of Russia. The Senate sat yesterday ; M. Troplong in the chair. The municipal-organisation bill and several others, adopted by the Legislative Body, were brought up and referred to the bureaux for exami nation. M. Lefebvre-Durnfle presented a report on the bill relative to-a credit for telegraphic lines; and the Senate, having taken the measure into consideration, decided that there was no reason to prevent its being promulgated. The same decision was come to with respect to eleven local bills and twelve others, authorising loans or additional taxes. Several reports on petitions were then heard, and the proceedings terminated. The Moniteur de la Flotte gives the following as the vessels which are to form the squadron that will accompany the Emperor and Empress to Eng land ; and which will be ithder the command a Rear-Admiral Count de Chabannes.Curton The Austerlitz screw line of battle ship, 90 guns; Assas screw steam-corvette, 16 guns ; Petrel, Cocyte, Pelican, and Corse, small steairers. The Assas, on board of which it is thought their ma jesties will embark, was built at Lorient in 1852. Her engines are of the nominal force of 400-horse power. It has four oscillating cylinders, which are all placed under the water streak, and are therefore well out of the reach of an enemy's, shot. Her boilers are on the tubular system. She has a crew of 240 men ; is barque rigged ; and when under• sail can show a good spread of canvas. She has stowage for 400 tons of coals, beincr:abont 10 days' supply, 3 months' provisions and fmonth's water. She has on board an apparatus for distilling fresh water. We read it the Moniteur:— " The operations of the councils of revision which commenced on the let of March throughout the whole of France, terminated on the 20th ' • and the delay fixed by the Imperial decree of the 16th February last for the formation' of the contingent of 1854 has thus been punc tually executed. Notwithstanding the severity of the season, and the obstacles caused by the snow and bad weather, the young men and the mayors of their com munes attended the sittings with remarkable exactitude Order and regularity- presided over these operations throughout the whole of the Empire ; they attest once more the excellent dispositions with which the people are animated, and the warmth of their sympathies towards the Government of the• Emperor. The contin gent of 140,000 Man of the class of 1854 is moreoyer perfectly well composed, and the young men.who were this year called on to take part in the drawing process, as compared with those of last year a decided physical superiority. Thus, numerous as the contingent is, and although the councils of revisions have, in conformity with the recommendations of the Minister of War, only admitted vigorous young men, the contingent has not only been completed with facility in almost all the departments, but there remain a certain number of young men who were liberated in consequence of the numbers drawn by them. In some department;, the number of . the latter amounts on an average to 25 per cent. A fact not less interesting and significant is the number of voluntary enrolments, and of young men who have come forwaid before their regular time, in depart ments where in a general way there used to be very few. The departure of the young soldiers of the class of 1854 took place at the period prescribed, from the 25th to the 31st March. Although summoned only a very few days before, they attended promptly to their order to mar c h, and though no levy has ever been made in so brief a de lay, the number if absentees has never been so small. In a few day more, the whole of the contingent will have reached the depots of their •different corps, to which they will impart a new element of force and solidity." The Moniteur publishes a decree, founded on a report from the Minister of War authorising the creation of a village of thirty houses in the plain of Staoueli between Sidi Ferruch and the Convent of the Trappists, in the arrondissement of Algiers. A letter from the Piraeus of de 31st, in the Mo niteur de la Flotte says :—" Thinks to the ener getic perseverance of Admiral De Titian and of our ambassador, the affair of Kohoma hag at length been brought to an end. Out of the seven per sons accused of having attacked and wounded the Sailors of the Olivier, and the officer in command of a detachment, six, one of whom is .the priest and the principal instigator of the outrage, have been condemned to nine years' confinement in irons. The telegraph has informed us of the arrival at Vienna of the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, and even his reception by the Emperor. The fol lowing passage from a letter from Constantinople l i of the 29th ult., in the rourrier de Marseille, makes known the instructions of which he is the bearer:-- " A grand council was held here the day before yes terday •at the residence. of Rifaat Paella, in order to decide on the instructions to be aiven to Ali Pacha. The French, English, and Austrian arabassathirs were present. The following are the principal points which were decided on, particularly as concerns Turkey. 1. The Sultan does not admit, under any pretence or under any form, the protectorate powers, neither will the Porte consent, unless compelled so to. do, to the common pr.)tectorate of the Danubian provinces. 2. Turkey is ready to abandon her eilaiat to an indemnity for the expenses of the war if that point should be an ob,tac:e to the conclusion of peace. In any other case she maintains her right to clain'i an indemnity. 3. Turkey is resolved not to give her consent to the esta blishment of a European arsenal on any part whatever of her territory. Such are the instructions given. On every question agitated Ali Pacha is to refer to his Government, and the resolutions of Turkey will not be come definitive until they have been approved of by the Sultan: The embassy of Ali will be on a most princely scale. He has in his suite six secretaries, a numerous staff of officers and intendants, and eighteen servants.' Omer Pacha has addressed a letter to Admiral Beuat, dated Eupatoria, 25th ult., informing him that he has obtained from the Ottoman Govern ment medals of honour for 27 seamen, belonging to the French frigate Africane, who during a very heavy gale of wind in January last went in their boats to the relief of a small Turkish transport off Varna, and at the risk of their own lives saved the soldiers on board of her from certain destruction. BOURSE, APRIL 13.—CLOSING PRIORS. • Cash. t fr. C. • End of Month. 42 per Cents 94 —f. —O. 3 per Cents 69 20 69f. 40c. Credit Mobilier 792 50 Roman Credit F anc i er 532 50 Austrian Belgian Five 5......., 94i Spaqish Threes — Piedniontese B5 73 Home Debt — TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. Slll,—lt must not be believed that I am passively re signed to be deemed demented because I have not lately been wile to justify my opinions by the result of an ac kn.),vleilged official consider ition of my " secret plans," or because there does not exist in Britain an authority who can decide and act without consulting many others. We know in the naval service that to refer a question to a council of war is to reject the enterprise. Three weeks ago I laid these plans before Lord Palmers ton by appointment, and, having fully explained them (to which explanation his lordship paid great atten tion), I requested that if any point seemed doubtful his lordship would be pleased to put such questions as to deemed necessary ; but, not one of importance having been asked, I felt, and do feel assured, that their prac ticability and efficiency were perfectly understood and appreciated. Should the contrary be the case, a few words from his Lordship in the House of Commons would be a just act, by permitting me to explain the grounds on which I Inzve trespassed on attention, or otherwise warrant my adopting such a course as may seem to me suited, under my long-entertained conviction of their irresistible power.—l am, Sir, your obliged and obedient servant, April 12. DUNDON.A.LD. COURT CIRCULAR. WINDSOR, AMC:I3. The dinner party yesterday included his Serene Highness the Prince of Leiningen, the Earl of Claren don, Viscount Palmerston, and Lady Caroline and Miss Barrington. The bard of the 2d Life Guards played during dinner, and her Majesty's private band afterwards. His Riyal Highness Prince Albert returned from London at twenty-five minutes past six o'clock yester day afternoon. The Earl of Clarendon and Viscount Palrnerst3n ar rived at the Castle yesterday afternoon, and left to-day for London. The Countess de Neuiliy visited her Majesty this af ternoon. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge honoured Mr. Burford's panorama of the battle of the Alma with his [r,:Fence yesterday. Mr. B. B. Williams bad an interview with the Chan cellor of the Exchequer yesterday at his official residence in Downing-street. _ _ _ The Oxf;rd University Commission met on Thursday an i ye , -t-:rday at No. 18, Great Queen-street, Westmin ster. Tile commissioners present were the Earls of El lesmere, the Earl of Harrowby, Mr. Justice Coleridge, the Dean of Wells, and Slr John Awdry, with the secre taries. The Soiieitor-General ha , l an interview yesterday with the Chancellor of the Exchequer. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge honoured Mr. Burford's Panorama of the Battle of the Alma with his presence yesterday, The Duke and Duchess of Northumberland returned to town late laAt evening. The family came to town from Stanwick Park, Yorkshire. The Due d'Ossuna has left the Clarendon for Brussels. ' r The Earl and Countess of March are visiting the c,,untess's father, Mr. Greville, at Hillingdon. The earl and her ladyship come to town on Tuesday next, fir the London season, when they will occupy the man =ion of the Princess Edward of Saxe Weimar, in Port land. place. Tne Ear! of Wilton returned to town yesterday morn in.r.t from Egerton Lodge, Leicestershire. The Countess ;:f Wi!t ,, n and family leave Egerton Lodge for London no Tuesday next. _ Lord and L.?,:ly Foley come to town on Mon lay from Arran lel Castle, where they have pawed the Easter week With the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk. Lord John Russ:ll is expected to arrive in town, from Vienna on the 27th inst. The E:riof B'essborough left town, yesterday, for the Duke of Richmond's, at Brighton, where the Countess of Be. , shorough has been since Tuesday last visiting her nolAe parents. The earl awl her ladyship come to town at the beginning of the week. The Midi and Countess of Chesterfield are expected to come to town for the London season in the course of next week. The Earl and Countess of Durham have arrived at the Clarendon from B.ockett Hall, Herts. The Earl of Malrnesbury returned to London yester day mornin_g from Paris. NORTH BRITISH AUSTRALAS AN COMPANY.—A divi dend is proposed at the. rate of 5 per cent., payable in two ins'alnients. JENNY LIND.--7.fadame Goldgchmidt assists at the performance of Handers " Messiah" at Rotterdam, on the 27th iurt. A. number of Prussit,n deserters have lat3ly arrived at Metz, and requested permission to join the expeditionary army of the East. S. Petersburg letters to the 3d inst. quote the ex change on Llndon at 360., and rnebtion that about 300 caki, of tallow had been dealt in at 117.10; for August delivery. ERRATA--In our second Llader of yesterday, for the worht niala fides and confirm, read mala fides and conform, SIR HENRY BISHOP'S CONCERTS.—The second evening concLrt will take place on Mond a y next at E xeter Hall . and the afternoon 7ocal concerts will b e resume d at t h e Hanover-square Rooms on Saturday next, the 21st inst. DINNER AT THE MANSION - HOUSE.—Last evening, the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor and Lady M a y oress enter ta'ned a large party in the Egyptian-hall, at the Man sion•himse, covers being laid fair a hundred. Amongst the guests were Sir Joseph Paxton, M. P., Sic Archibald an d Lady Maclaine, Admiral and MN. Dillon, Admiral Kelly, M a j o r Simpson, Captain Ogilvy, the Mayor of Newbury, Mr. Alderman Farebrothtr, Mr. Deputy Peacock. Mr. Deputy Perkins, Mr. Deputy Stevens. A lett .r from Pads contains a piece of news which will probably startle the theatrical world. Mdlle. Fanny Ceritn, the clebrated danseuse, is said to be pi•eparing herself for an engagement at the Royal Italian Opera, Covent-garden, as a singer. Mdlle. Cerito, will not be the first who has united sow. , to the dance. Madame Fitz- James, and even Madame Carlotta Grisi, have already testified to their enjoyment of the double gift. . RESTORATION or POLAND. —A. public meeting was held at the Town-hall, Taiuworth, on Tuesday last, to take int; consideration the importance of the re-estab lisliment of Poland as an iindepeudent kingdom, and also as the only material guarantee against the aggressive advance of Russia in Europe. John Shaw, Esq., the mayor, occupied the chair, and introduced the subject to the meeting. He then called upon M. Zaba, a Polish gentletuan, who addressed the meeting for nearly two hours in a speEch of greal ability and interest. Petitions to . both Houses of Parliament, praying that the re-establish ment of Poland might be fairly considered in future con tinental negotiations, and an address of sympathy to ' Count Cartory,ki, were th e n sub m itted to the nuAing and carried unanimo us ly. Th e h a ll was we ll fill e d, and considerabl e enthuitiasm was manifested throughout the proceedings. RAILWAYS-ZOB CASII. fr. 080 c.. fr. Orleans ll6O c Lyons „ • 1 Western.... ....... ~... 652 50 Rouen (Mk, 621 25 Strasburg Mediterranean 962 b 0 Havre 558 75 Northern TURKEY. CONSTANTINOPLE, March 29.—The following is a statement of the expenditure of the Turkish Loan up to the Ist of March : Piastres. For the Crimean expedition 38,833,659 For the army in Europe and Asia For Ordnance department and purchase of sundry military stores For Irregulars in Roumelia 2,560,000 For the navy For the Finance Departme n t Repayment of loan from projected bank 14,062,422 Commission on loan . , 1,761,268 . - Total 240,831,347 Equal to about 1,820 000/. sterling. The loan of 3,000,000/. negotiated at 80 per cent. yielded 2,400,0001. Received at Constantinople of that sum 1,961,029/. The difference has been expended in meeting bills at Paris, &e., in freight and instirauce, gold brou g ht ou r, i n re p a y men t of advances, an agmey. PRUSSIA. tter The National gazette of Berlin contains a from St. Petersburg, which says :—" The o at Duke Constantine proceeded to Cronstadt on the 24th March, to review the two divisions ef the Baltic fleet. The divisions at Cronstadt, ant rg , third division, stationed at R ev el and Svie l ,7, - e ri are beint provisioned. A d e ta c hment of sn'''', or g from Opotshenie passed through Saint Petersuhig on the 2d. Their dress consists of a grey CO o r boots, and a cap with a cross on it ; they beards and long hair, except in front and 81 ;00 ; nape Of the neck, where it . is cut in a righ t their arms are the hatchet and musket." AUSTRIA. 0 6 'A letter from Vienna of the 9th, in the C ol big Gazette, says :—" Ali Pacha this morning Psiubisii diplomatic visits, accompanied by the Ter,Dni, ambassador, Arib Effendi. The two Turkish Pew potintiaries first visited Count Buol, and th e° At members of the diplomatic corps in succesaie n 'w a sort of preparatory conference held this moral slid, M. Drouyn de l'Huys, who has brought, it a new wording of the third and fourth points, pressed, in the name of the Emperor Nalvie°,l3 idly desire to have the conferences conducted as 1-4 .41 0 1 as possible, so that the advantages of the Pit o ns fine season might not be lost for warlike °Per i/ should peace not seem probable." pSij' A letter from Vienna, of the 9th, in the 'Je tt/Gonne/2 says : i t the " Notwithstanding the solemnity of Easter tce, ° ",; t sa Emperor Francis Joseph yesterday received M. . 11 , 1. i rt, de ?Heys, after divine service in the chapel of the v ng °- . 3 1 at which, according to ancient custom, the i in i r b l l family are present every year in state' Surroult ho ld. the great officers of the Crown and of the 11 0° 7 vi The French Minister of Foreign Affairs Wet: I n:1 01 about one o'clock in the afternoon, to the Imp in to Palace, and was introduced an aide-de-019,r i tig the Cabinet of the Emperor, and presented '°eror Majesty an autograph letter from the fl 3, P,, at Napoleon. No one can yet know what took Pi a l 0 this private conference, which will doubtless st a great influence on the destinies of EuroPe• l e fts however, known that when M. Drouyn de 11-103100 be appeared much pleased, and afterwards onlic i ' L ,sion° several diplomatists, 'however great my e%P e l c l i g — eetr were, they have been exoaeded c by the exalted int e ' — ' 111 " which I have been able to admire to-day in t ag ro t valrous Emperor of Austria. He is the type °f !: g ag: monarch, who, understanding the spirit of tb W i t h wishes sincerely and in good faith for an alliaoce side, France.' The Emperor Francis Joseph, on 11 , i6 c 0 00 expressed to M. Drouyn de l'Huys, througn • t h Buol, bow happy lie was to be acquainted nor statesman, who, by his talents, since the nol ii r p if 0 ° meet of the Eastern question, has raised hirll'"jo ° high in the esteem of all the Cabinets of EuroPe• tioo word it is impossible that a more. flattering °lk could have been given to any one than that 0u.,,, ; 0n0' Drouyn de l'Huys bas met with at the Court of ;bich At the soiree given yesterday by Count Buol, , st n i* the the other members of the Cabinet, the hea a4 "to•° , foreign legations, the high functionaries of the dra t, and the elite of the Austrian nobility, were P i r If. Drouyn de l'Huys was the object of gene ra ',l g' ton. Feeling how necessary the presenon,,.oo' Drouyn de l'Huys in Paris was, Count P ti- c laft vited the members of the Congress to assemble Wive in order to introduce to them officially Al• P -Z r eig ° de l'Huys and Ali Pacha, the Turk WI Minister of n ow Affnrs, who arrived here yesterday. In tb!., l3 p,ora r, t` , e great questions on which peace or w ar ,' may be entered on at the next sitting. There 14 _ of er reas(l k that the present week will not Plt-" of to Nit' out our kt.owin shat we have to hope ff„ a be; fear. l g ha esseetisl point is that the understabu'Zbe tween the Western Po-,%er, and Austria has e " 00 to such a degree of cons stency that unt hing oi°' ,hake r weaken it. I n tis sta'e of thing° , 1 1 1 03 so if she rightly en sr tauds her ewe interet-t Oleg other choice than to iraiik'y unite in th-; per l 4 P ° , o o° Western Power. ' in o -der to take part in the a'ttle i eery pence. I desire this more than I dare. hop; a' ° „„ortl tainly not atta, h great :m rortance t, p the 'Aar e or al which are in circulation of an understan fling betw e tria and . Prussia. I think I cam assure ytmt.,titt ° sr the question of the Straits, the Allie r ; the same point of view as the Porte, and If; r : nec itlJ, in letters from Constantinople, Ali raCt a the C°llg charged by the Divan to support in the maintainance of the closing of the .Straits, ti_ty Congress will occupy itseif less- in revising the °' er of the 13th July than in adding to it °I planatory regulation, stating the sovereign nighoeoncli' the Sultan to open the Dardanelles under certain Fro io tions to the vessels of war of a foreign nation- f tba the moment that the question of the revisinn,°. treaty of the lath July, 1841, is thus se t as ide, ' -^ k ° o can -no longer ground any claim on that treaty d i ce admitted to the Conferences. She m us t then p r° cl o " other claims, which, accoMing to the P eremptQ clarations of the Western Powers, can only be enr„pg ments identical to those entered into by the contro c ` o ".iii parties to the alliance of Dec. 2. Without this it A er be useless for the Court of Berlin to knock at the 7 - 0 of the Congress, and it must resign itself to accep t faits accomplis the decisions of the Congress." SWITZERLAND. oe d The Helvetic Government was offi c i a lly info, f o r on the Bth inst. that the blockade establish e ' r dy the last two years along the frontiers of 1-10 02 n/ the had been raised on that day, in consequenc e ' c oft' o f tbe ratification by the Cabinet of Vienna D e , vention concluded at Milan on the 18th ul t i tween Austria and the canton of Ticino. • GREECE.' 0 0 0 " A private letter from Ath ens o f the 3f : 8 : g i ll 0 tions the arriv a l i n th a t c it y o f P r i nce Gia' fi gili ° Envoy fo n the Emperor of Russia. The 00 ._ i t e l v tb e mission of the Prince is to announce officifi oir death of the Emperor Nicholas, but the ', A te i° ject, according to the letter, is to commune- t : he Court the decision of the Russians P i c bo lo consent to peace in the ev en t o f Sebastopol taken, and that Russia would trust her triu to the chances of war : co " At the same time ( con ti nues th e l e tter) the Peof th e peror promises, it is said, to extend at the elP se fro oti t !: war the limits of the kingdom of Greece to the, ' - r) f Macedonia. Promises of money were Wit ue ,b s t same OCCIBIOII, and it is currently rumoured " 11 0 - Court will not desist from promoting the I .o t rlg- Russia." THE PENINSULAR MAIL. (BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPIL) SOUTHAMPTON, SATURDAY, 1 . 1 ' l : t . o o# The Peninsular and Oriental Compalob.er aP ship Madrid, Captain Cook, has just nittcl° 1)i'; pearanee with the mails from Vigo, 0 1'9 /. 1 ; 0 4 ' 9.: . 1 1013,, Cadiz, and Gibraltar.. She left Ds - o tie l ' the 9th inst. Her political news has beer' pated by the arrival of the Solent. BANK OF FRANCE. -e -am 3 l' °II The following was the situation o f the .1'" t, Thursday, April 12 : as ..n . • si , 68 ' 9 6 / Cash and ingots CR. 225,1 K5 01 0 Cash at the branch b an k s . Bills due yesterday t o b e pa id to-day 4 ` ' Bills becominc , due in Paris, of which ~ 6 5 60,792,61;9e:17c. are from the branch r 4 4 ' / banks ls3 ,9 l Q j q' 56 4 / Bills in the branch banks Advances pDno.. i on n ingotstpchoneibutrao.ansndoehb 109,°1'00° / 4, 36 09 10 unties k of 8006 . opt 00 / 60 / Frarice .---, 9 0 5,, / Do. in the branch banks Do. on railway shares and bonds b7 , 9',','0 00 Do. in the branch banks Do. to the State by treaty of 65,0 00,1 0 1 5 4 June 30, 1848 12, 00 , 1 7 4 / 1- Rentes of the reserve fund Rentes of disposable funds 62, 4 6 n " 000 / Hotel and furniture of the Bank 4,725' 6 Real prOperty of br anc h b an k s 98 6,4 66 ' 0 64 Expenses of administ ra ti on Sundries ..., 83," al 4 . 1,0 15,4 'DR. nO 4 50 0- 1 Capital 91,2 , / 60 / Reserve fund 12 ,99 °„'0 00 / . 4,00‘ , 9 00 Reserve immobiliere Notes to bearer, in circulation Do. of branch banks l2 , 4 94 , 5 a 66 6 j / 5, 9 T69 0 16 Do. to order. (Post bills) - Bills payable at sight 9, , 145 ,0 4 69 ./'count-current of Treasury Creditor 75 ' v- 9, 9/ ' / Various accounts-current 33,9117,- 7 9 0 Do. branch banks , 29, 6 ,180 1 Ti 63",61 g Discount, Dividends interest,to bepa Charge for safe keepingi le, „ 6 1 .. 6 . 1 3, 0 v g Re-discounts of the last half securities - ' °96 ' 949 5 year is 9 Overdue bills .... Sundries .... ' GO co dan`l expenses oi , il i c ~, t . It appears from these returns thht the Ito ° ea in tli' has declined at Paris 161 millions, and increest of, t oe • ri 1 provinces 8 millions. nu The acuount curP a bo te 0 , t Treasury has declined 24 millions. The Iv - 00 4/4 inetallic reserve 1 015, 48 . 5 'feS er tio t to 432 i amounts at preeen 6 531 millions of notes in circulation. 0 4 rig i ir ste rl u g on THE CABE OF KING, THE tMETECTIVE. --- E• --Y the v-dioc Published the evidence led i.n this case at tu ajo g P, Criminal Court, which resulted in the Pill fin Oe guilty of the charges preferred against h 41 9" / sentenced to fourteen years' transportation. oi I A SALE OF PROPERTY.—A n Inverness Paper je A to 0 , "We understand that the property in Striell e tt 'o 0 0 00 deenshire, has been sold by Lord Lovat, fc l , r to 3 0 1 4 0 f 140,0001. It is said that this is from 20,0006• ors ai* beyond what could have been obtained a f e ffs Ole when it was offered in th re e sev e ral lots', P" attract purchasers,"