The Sun. — London, England, 1854-05-20 00:00:00

.At LONDON, SATURDAY, MAY 20, 1854. Cannot OA united army of . French and English soldiers be despatched even now with considerable effect into the Baltic, to be there landed on the coast of the Gulf of Finland, so as effectually to co-operate with the combined fleets in their pro posed attack upon St. Petersburg It is earnestly to be hoped that the advisability of this move ment may be deliberated upon betimes by the allied Governments. There has been D. general feeling for a long while past that measures of this kind should have been adopted, and that Russia should have been assailed from the north simul taneously by a maritime and military armament. It is by no means too late even now to repair the apparent error of omission, if any such blunder still actually continues at this moment to admit of reparation. According to the latest accounts received from the distant waters approached by way of the Skagerrick and the Ca tegat, dated on the 16th instant from Stockholm, it appears that even then the united fleets of France and England had not penetrated the Gulf of Finland further than Hango, near Helsingfors, The ice has not yet broken up sufficiently to admit of free navigation. Nay, we know perfectly well, from those well acquainted with those waters, that the long-desired melting away of the ice so as to open up a clear passage beyond Cronstadt cannot, under ordinary circumstances, be expected much before the close of May—the severity of the wintry season extending some times even to the first two or three days of June. However this may be just now., it is by no means too late for a considerable body of French soldiers to be conveyed northward—time enough to admit of their aiding Admirals NAPIER and DESCIIENES in their onslaught upon the Russian capital—time enough even for the Gallic army to be strengthened by the timely arrival of a British contingent. A calculation the reason ableness of which must be quite apparent, when it is remembered that, as before observed, the combined fleets had not, up to the close of the first fortnight of the present month, advanced further up the Gulf of Finland than Hango, near Helaingfors. -Examine, moreover, yet more close the last advites received from Stockholm, and it will `be still more clearly manifest that there is 'force in our argument, to the effect that Russia should be assailed from the north, not merely by a maritime, but also, and simultaneously, by a military armament. It will be observed from this intelligence that there is a hatred against Russia rife among the Swedes and Norwegians. It will be perceived that this cordial sympathy with the Western Allies of Tur key has already had its sufficiently-significant ruifestation —insomuch that the King of SWE- T . was made aware of the animosity che rished by his subjects in regard to the Mus covite Government, while - reviewing his fleet on the occasion of their recent arrival at Elfsnabben. Advantage ought.surely to be taken i f this extraordinaily opportune di s pl a y o f feel g on the part of the S we d es an d Norwegians. An allied army sent by France debarkation on th e coast ofand England for he Baltic, or rather o f th a t i mportant branch of t a t en Gulf of Finland, would t he Baltic c a ll e d th e very satisfactorily towards the precipitation-of events in the North, so that the open declaration of Sweden and Nor way against Russia might come simultaneously with an attack by sea and by land again s t St, Peters_ burg. The attack by sea, we h ave already ob served often enough, cannot possibly b e made directly by the fleets themselves. it can only be made by the fleets acting through gun-boats, and this simply because of the shallow water extending beyond the insular fortifications of Cronstadt to the extremity of the Gulf of Finland, and so on, up the river Neva, to the very walls of the Russian metropolis. So shallow is it, in deed, that it is altogether inaccessible to vessels drawing more than eight feet of water—a diffi culty, however, by no means insurmountable, as may be recognised on a glance at English-buil steam-gunboats such as the Nix and the Salaman- der. Vessels—these two just mentioned — drawing only five feet of water, even when fully armed and equipped, being 160 feet in length, 24 feet in breadth, and 11 feet in depth, with engines of 160-horse power, giving a speed -of 15 miles, and carrying on board 4 32- pounders and 4 68- pounders—projectiles adequate for any emergency in wnich it might be deemed requioite or advisable for them to be engaged. Supply the fleet under NAPLSn with a proper number of gun-boats of some such capacity and character, and at the same time let a military ar mament of sufficient strength be despatched betimes by France and England to co-operate with their maritime armament, now up the Gulf of Finland as far as Helsingfors—and the success of the attack made by the allies upon the Russian capi tal must be assured, and a crushing blow will have to be stricken at the outset at the heart, or rather at the head, of the Northern Colossus, the first trophies won by the swords of the French and English, under the union-jack and the tricolor, being the ravaged batteries of Cronstadt and the capital of St. Petersburg. The Honourable Gentleman the Member fox Lambeth last night adduced many covent reasons for the extension of the Probate Duties to real estate. The voice of public opinion has long since proclaimed the injustice and impolicy of undue distinctions between different descriptions of pro perty. There was a general feeling that the Legacy Duties should be altogether abolished, or Imade universal in their application—that it was very unfair to charge sums varying from one to ten per cent. on unsettled personalty, while the same description of property, if placed in settlement, and real estate, whethersettled or unsettled, escaped without any charge whatsoever. In his Budget last year, the Chancellor of the Exchequer recog nised the weight and validity of the arguments put forward. The Right Hon. Gentleman, how ever, declared that he could not afford to sur render the revenue obtained from the Legacy Duties, and that, therefore, he was obliged to render the other descriptions of property, previ ously exempted, liable to the charge. The Suc cession Duties Act was the consequence of this admission—a statute which, although it has not as yet brought much money to the Exchequer, will speedily become a very productive source of revenue. It was but a half-and-half measure after all —a mere instalment of justice. It did not place the full amount even of Legacy Duty on the land, and the payment was spread over a series of years (five years), and the first claim on account thereof not falling due until the whole of the Legacy Duty in respect of personalty should be liquidated. So great, in fact, were the advantages bestowed on landed property, that (without even taking the Probate Duty into consideration) the inheritor of real estate was practically liable to but little more than one-third of the devisee of chattel interests of a similar degree of consanguinity. This was a grievance no less striking than the total exemption, and one which required early consideration. But this was by no means the full extent of the advantages still retained by the favoured classes. The Probate Duties, which on the average pressed with equal weight on the families of the industrious, were not overlooked, but designedly omitted from the bill. We do not censure Mr. GLADSTONE for that omission. The Right Honourable Gentleman had a task of no ordinary difficulty in attempting to over come the honest prejudices of some, and the inte rested opposition of others. it is only simple justice to say—and we are even more willing to praise, when it is really merited, than to censure —that the Right Hon. Gentleman succeeded to the full extent of his arduous undertaking. He intro duced the sharp end of the wedge, and rendered further progress in the same direction perfectly facile—the impediments thereto being, if not wholly removed, at least smoothed away, and rendered easily surmountable, whenever the fit ting opportunity should occur. That opportunity has now arisen. When we are compelled to look to all our resources for -meeting the additional expenses of the war—when we are obliged to consent to the doubling of the Income Tax, and the increase of the Sugar, Spirit, and Malt Duties—it is surely time to resort to every fair expedient to replenish the Exchequer. Mr. WILLIAMS has shown that 200,0001. starling —and the Honourable Gentleman is certainly below rather than above the mark—might be realised by extending the Probate Duties to real property. These duties, it will be in the recollection of our readers, are fixed and certain. They do not vary accord ing to the degree of relationship of the suc cessors to the deceased. The only distinctions are-Ist, Whether the property is disposed of by will, or by operation of law. The charge in the latter instance being one-third, or 50 per cent. higher than in the former, or, in other words, whether the stamp be impressed on a Probate or on Letters of Administration. 2dly, It varies according to the amount, the average being about 2-J; on small, and 1 on large successions. Taking the mean, 2 per cent. might fairly be added for these charges under an equalised duty. The tax, too, is payable in the first instance, before any step is taken to realise the estate, or the exercise of any act of ownership in reference thereto. It is therefore scarcely necessary to say that it becomes much more available for meeting immediate expenses than a charge of a similar character which may be liquidated by instalments spread over five years. It is, therefore, just what is required by Mr. GLADSTONE. It exactly suits his book—and may therefore be deemed worthy of adoption when he is able to be in attendance to speak for himself. Mr. Wu.soN, who in his absence (occasioned by a domestic calamity) appeared as his substitute, ac knowledged " the importance of the subject, and in a great degree the justice of the prcposition." We may therefore hope that something will be done even before the termination of the p re sent session to cause the good seed thus sown to bring forth suitable fruits, and that the candid admission may lead to practical results. A consolidation of the Succession and Probate Duties may, therefore, be regarded as inevitable, and that at no very distant day. The motives which induced Mr. GLADSTONE to accept payment by instalments spread over so many years, would be fully satisfied by accepting mortgages at a mo derate rate of interest, which should have priority over all other charges affecting the prospects created by the will or the inheritor, and against which Exchequer Bills might at once be issued. - The charge would thus be at once realised with• out any hardship to the inheritor. He would be at liberty to pay up at once if he thought pro per, and if he could not conveniently do so, be might demand reasonable indulgence at a reason- able rate of interest, and could not be driven into the hands of the " money lender " to meet the demand. Mr. PACKE'S "Bill to relieve Dissenters from the payment of Church Rates in certain cases" will neither please Dissenters nor Churchmen. The former v,ill spurn it as unsatisfactory and in sulting, the latter as a gross injustice to the most generous members of the Establishment. It pro poses to make two distinct rates, one for the re pair of the fabric of the church, the other for its services and furniture. The repairing rate is to be enforced universally, and by a comparatively summary process. From the other rate a Dis senter may obtain exemption by a declaration before two magistrates that he is a member of a dissenting cougregation—a declaration which must be attested on oath by the minister or two members of the congregation ! Mr. PACKE must know but little of the spirit of Dissenters if he thinks they will eithe r cuntinue to repair chinches in which they do not worship, or consent to a cumbrous ignominious and charg g been which process of "swearing off" I, the t y justly feel ought never to have them,o presentedut continue TREE case has opened to Very much will they prefer to the warfare th which the BRAlN em\and in which they are so frequently victoriors Vzeeecertainly respect little ti o : u should respect their anti-chtirch-ra.t could be quash e d b y such a ea palt r y pr o p os iti on as thi s . S o muc h the leas could the b they tolerated suc h a miserable offerafter the Lord frank and manly aid t en d ered them by STANLEY, the Member for L ynn, whose consti tuents, we were happy to see, in a vigorous battle, fought, too, in the best spirit, carried out the views of their Noble Member by refusing a rate for the first time. The day is quite gone by for Legislation in the PACKE style. A much higher oile, of which 4ord STANLEY may fairly be regarded as thd type, is arisen even in the Conservative ranks. We observed that it was unjust to all the more generous and liberal Churchmen also Why, it was but the other night in the Muse of Lords, that the Bishop of OXFORD himself, following the Earl of ABERDEEN and Earl NELSON, opposed the Earl of WINCHELSEA'S resolution about the defi ciency of church accommodation, on the ground of the wonderful liberality of Churchmen since the Government grants have ceased in the erection of new churches ! The Bishop had 'the fullest con fidence in the efficiency of the voluntary principle for the erection of new churches, and most com pletely does the report of Mr. HORACE MANN, which was of course appealed to, justify that con fidence. But what, then, can be more unrighteous than that one old parish church in a district, which certainly never cost the worshippers a penny for building, which was probably taken from the Roman Catholics by their forefathers, should be repaired by rates levied upon Church men who have contributed large sums to erect their own district church, and must still contri bute to its repair. Besides, worshippers in the district churches are not, like Dissenters, to be exempted from paying the second rate for the furniture and worship of the old parish church, having at the same time to pay by voluntary sub s3ription their own current expenses ! We trust so unworthy a proposal will share the fate of the " innocents" of the session, many of which were worthy of a better fate ; but as the debate is at hand on Sir W. CLAY'S motion for the entire abolition of Church Rates, we refrain at present from further remarks. A morning journal, which has often been charged with being in the interest of Russia, pro pounds a plan for treating Turkey like the Pun jaub. The effect of this is manifestly to serve Russia, by strengthening the hands of the party in Turkey who are opposed to European alliance. A hundred thousand men would not be so effec tive. There is no help for a thing like this ;it was one of the dangers which ought to have bee❑ met by augmented activity and energy. The most fortunate circumstance in the way of coun teraction is the presence of both an English and a French army. Before they can occupy Turkey like the Punjaub, they must agree on the division ; and when villains proceed to a division of this kind, they often fall out, and the almost certainty of the fact is a security to honest men. THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANN. Lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith. THIS EVENING, MAX 20, Will be performed DER FREI-CHU fi. Characters by 3f adame Caraoori. and Mdlle. Sedlazek; Herr Reichardt, /Harr Formes, and Kerr Holzel. Followed by (4th time) a new BALLET DIVERTISSEMENT, entitled LINE FETE EN OLYMPE. Prices—Stalls, 7s; Dress Circle, 55 ; Rose., 3s. ; Pit, 29. ; Gallery. Is. ; and Private Boxes, One, Two, Three and Four Guineas. The Box-office open daily from Tea till. Six, where places may be secured. Private Boxes and Stalls to be had of Messrs. Leader and Cock, 63, New Bond-street. THE AIRE ROYAL HAYMARKET. Uvular the management of Mr. Enckstone. THIS EVENING, MAT 20, Will be performed THE MILITARY KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE. Character§ by .Messrs. Chippendale, Howe, G. Vandenhotr, W. Farrell, Compton, and Buckstone ; Miss Reynolds, Miss E. they, and Mrs. Fitz willlsm. After which, the entirely new an I origlnal extravaganza, entitled MR. BUCKSTONE'S VOYAGE ROUND THE GLOBE (IN LEI CESTER-SQUARE), written by J. R. Planchd, Esq. Princ:pal chimaera by Mr. Buckstone, Mr. W. Farren, Mr. Clark, Mr. J. Marshall, Mr. 11. Marshall; Mrs. Fitzwilliarn, Mrs. Caulfield, Miss E. Grey, Miss Lydia Thompson, Miss Laura Morris, and Miss Feath..rstone. ROYAL FRINCES3'3 THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET. Under the Management of Mr. Cnasx.xs Knat4. THI3 EVENING. MAT 20, Will be performed THE MARRIED UNMARRIED. Characters hi Messrs. W. Lacy, Ryder, and Cathcart; and Misses Heath and Murray. Followed by FAUST AND MARGUERLTE. Characters by Yeast's. C. Kean and Davjd Fisher Mrs. Winstanley and Alisa C. Leelercq. After which, AWAY WITH MELA..bICHOLY. Characters by 31Psers. Meadows, D. Fisher, and Saker ; and Misses Murray and Daly. TILEA.TRE ROYAL ADELPIII. Proprietor, Mr. B. Webster.—Directress, Madame Celeste. THIS EVENING, MAY S BenjaminAlD Avv e Lb sl Tr; Keeley, by WM be performed TWO LOVES Messrs. C. Selby. Lei6h Murray.and 0. Sm th ; Mtge Woolgar and Malame Celeste. Followed by TILE %OU3TACFIE MOVEMENT. Principal cha racters by Mesans• Smith, Keeley, and paraeue; Mrs. Seeley, and Miss Mary Healey. A f te r w hich, THE OVERL tND JOURNEY TO CONSTANTI NOPLE. A 3 UNDERTAKEN BY . LORD BATEkAN, WITH IsT zagATING PARTICULARS OF THE FAIR sOPHIA. ROYAL OLYMPIC THE•tTRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. A. Wigan. THIS EVENING. MAY 20. WM be performed FIGIIIIVO BY PROXY. Characters by Robson and Wigan ; and )!las E. Turner. After •which, THE liRPPIEST DAY OF MY LIFE. Cha racters by Messrs. F. Robson, J. H Waite, Leslie, and Vincent; Mrs. Chatterley, Miss P. Horton, and Miss Marston. To be followed by TO OBLPIE BENSON% supported by Messrs. Emery, Robson, and Leslie; Mrs. Stirling and Miss Wyndham. STRAND THEATRE. Sole Lessee Mr. F. W. Alleroft.—Directress, Miss Rebecca Isaacs THIS EVENING, MAT 20. Will be performed THE GARDE NEIL OF VERSAILLES. To be followed by BOX AND COX IN KAFIR LAND. After which, a BALLE r DIVER ass E HEST. To be followed by SUMMER FLOWERS. To conclude with MR. AND MRS. WHITE. Stalls, Si.; Boxes, 31.; Pit, lc 6d; Gallery, 6d.; Private Boxes, Al 1 Is. 6d., to be had of Mr. Allcroft. 15. New Bond•street. ASTLEY'S EUROPE'S NATIONAL AMPHITHEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. William Cooke. THIS EVENING, Max 1"0. Will be presented the new grand Nautical and Equestrian spec tacle, embodying n orel and extraordinary effects (written by Mr. Nelson Lee), entitled A TALK OF THE SPA. '4'3El WAR; or, The ROM of the Wreck. Tits horses expressly trained by Mr. W. Cooke. Followed by au entire change of the Scenes of the CIRCLE. To conclude with a Grand Ballet, entitled THE STIR OF THE BRINE. Box-office open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager. Mr. W. West. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tots DAT —Vorning 11 min.after 8 1 Evening 52 min.aft. 8 To•Mottsoir—Morning 31 znin.after 9 1 Evening 7 min.aft. 10 TB L WEATHER.—Sat Ornwt, MAY 20. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 62 —highest since noon yesterday. 46 —lowest this morning and during the night. 66 —this day at noon. BAROMILTEB, 30'21—falling. WIND, S.W.—Light airs, and beautiful summer weather. • ~sz~, THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, MAY 20, 185 4. MONEY MARKET AND 00AIMERCIAL ELLIGENCE. CITY, TWO o'CLOCIt. There was a fair demand tor cotton at Liver pool yesterday ) but the market continued without animation. Sales 6,000 bales, including 1,000 on speculation. Railway shares were firm. Some interesting particulars of the tallow mar ket are supplied in the tolloWing domrthinleation from Messrs. Smith and Charles : " The Petersburg advices to-day are to the 29th April (11th May). Since the last mail from 4to 500 casks had been taken on the spot, at 130 and 131, and 400 iis the interior at 125 and 126. It is mentioned that the cost of land carrbsge was likely to increase, and that in consequence of the heat it would soon be difficult to carry tallow on wheels. There were buyers of tallow delivered at Koona at 165 Rs., higher prices being de manded. " The chief point of interest in relation to future sup plies of Russian produce is, of coarse, the prospects of carriage overland to the neutral ports. On this subject there is no further information to-day, beyond the opi nion expressed in the letters from Petersburg quoted above. It seems, however, highly probable that the difficulties have been underated in many quarters ; and as one proof of this, it is maintained that they must be great, inasmuch as tallow which left Petersburg six weeks ago has not yet arrived at Memel." The effect of the Australian bullion arrivals in supplying the means of retnittan e to the Continent is observable in the weekly return of the Bank of England, made up to Saturday last, for although the discounts largely increased, and the private balances were drawn upon, the diminution of specie was but trifling. The Bank, however, in order to contract its circulation, and encounter the demand upon it, sold Government securities very largely, and was assisted in some measure by the increase of public deposits. Compared with the previous return, public :ee e eperr a eoeas l as :a t . ions are as follow :-- Active circulation £21,143,990 Decrease Bullion 12,589,366 D 18,713 3,214,897 In creas e 10,035 2,748,437 1409,615 Other Deposits 10,587,010 Decrease Seven -Day and other Bills Decrease Government &cmities 11,625,492 Decrease 941,115 Other Securities 15,144,039 Increase Notes unernpleyed 4,713,280 Increase The steamer Colombo, of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, takes out 1 22,6311. to-darf from Southampton, of which all but 18,4061. is :n silver, and the bulk for China. There was at improvement yesterday afternoon in the rates of exchange upon all the principal continental citiis except Paris, which was taken at 25 25 to 27i fo7 90 days' paper ; Amsterdam was at 11 151 to 1€ Hamburgh at 13 51 to 6 ; and Trieste at 13 5( to 55. Rest The treaty between her Majesty and the Argen tine Confederation for the free navigation of the rivers Parna and Uruguay was ratified at Parana on the 11th of March, and seems clearly to define the purpose intended. The number of gallons of proof spirits on which duty was paid for home consumption in Ireland during the year 3ndina the sth January last was 8,136,632. The number of persons detected in offences against the laws for suppressing illicit dis tillation was 2,740, while in the year 1853 it was 2,904. The number of persons confined in the several jails for the same causes was 293 last year, or not much more than half the number in 1853. The ship liaigaroo has arrived off the coast from Port Philip witi, 10,111 ounces of gold on board. She does not bring later dates. The United states Mail Steamer, Union, has arrived with dams of May 6 from New York, and 1,500,000 dollars in specie, principally for the Continent. He: letters are just delivered. Public Securities were rather unsteady. Flour was steady. Ord. to choice state 8 to 8i dollars. Cotton drooped Freights were dull. Cotton to Liverpool 5-16 d. Continental and British fabrics were languid. The transfer books at the Bank of England close as follows :—Consols, 3 per Cents., 2i per Cents., New 5 per Cents., and the Annuit ie s o f 1860 an d 1880, on the 7th June. India Stock, the Bth. The re-opening will take place July 19, except for India Stock, in which transfers will be resumed July 13. Business in. the Stock Markets is extremely dull this morning, most parties being absent, and having taken advantage of the fineness of the day. Con sols have realised 89i to for transfer, but have gone back to 89 and 881 for account. Exchequer bills are 2s. discount to ls. premium, and East India Bonds 12s. discount. The New 31 per Cents. have been 881 to 89. The intelligence from the seat of a war is not of a nature to produce material fluctuation. Although the market for English Railways is not very brisk, the quotations are well maintained. Great Northern have been a shade better, and also South Eastern, York and North Midland, North- Western, and South-Western. Caledonian are about the same. The French lines are much quieter, and not quite so buoyant. Luxembourg Constituted Shares have improved. The Gold Mine shares are neglected, but Agua Fria have been dealt in at the previous rates. Foreign Stocks have been as dull as our own. A few bargains have been entered into in Spanish, at 384 to 39 for the 3 per Cents., lig to 194 for the Deferred, and 34 for the Committee's Certifi cate. The idea of making a forced loan is stated to be still entertained at Madrid. Dutch 4 per Cents. have realised 871 to 88k, and the 24 per Cents 594. Nothing has been done in Russian. The Shares of the Joint-Stock Banking Com panies are generally higher again, Australasian having risen about 21., and Oriental 11. to V. The Australian Agricultural Land Shares are rt shade lower, but South Australian are at full rates. BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK. ( From the Official List. ) Pupa', ASS done i per Cent. Reduced Annuities 3 per Cent Consols Annuities BB 7i 89 , New 31 per Cent. Annuities BBi 9 [ndia Bonds, £lOOO Ditto, under £lOOO l2 d Consols for Account i_th June Exchequer Bills, 2d. £IOOO £5OO 2 d 1 p finial' PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK. Spanish Bonds, 3 per Cent 3B} 94 Spanish New Deferred, 3 per Cent. lBi 191 Spanish Committee Cert. of Coup. not fun. 3i Dividends on the above payable in London. Dutch Exchange, 2i per Cent, 12 Gull 594 Ditto 4 per Ceut. Certifieates ....„ TWO O'CLOCK. Consols B9 89k 9 Ditto illll4o Account THE QUEEN'S BIRTH-DAY. This day being kept as the anniversary of her Majesty's birth, the morning was ushered in with the usual demon strations of loyalty. The Royal standard was hoisted at the Tower, St. Margaret's, Westminster, St. Martin-in the-Fields, St. Mary Abotts, Kensington, and the churches of the other Royal parishes, the bells of whieh rang merry peals during the day. At 10 o'clock, according to annual custom, the inspection of the Household Brigade took place on the Grand Parade, St. James's-park, opposite the Horse Guards, in the presence of a very numerous assem• blage of the aristocracy and crowds of all classes. The tops of the houses in the neighbourhood, as well as the Horse Guards, were ortered with spectators, anxious to witness the inspection. Shortly after the time named, H.R.H. Prince Albert, Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, Lord Hardinge, Lord Seaton, and a brilliant staff, accom pinied by Lord Rokeby, Colonel Eden, Captain Wil• kinson, Colonel Stanhope; Colonel Angerstein, &c., entered the ground and took up a position in the centre. The troops formed in a line, presented arms, and the united bands played "God save the Queen." At the conclusion of the inspection, the different corps were highly compli mented by his Royal Highness on their general efficiency. At one o'clock a grand feu de joie was fired in St. Jam.-fed park, at Woolwich, the Tower, and Tilbury Fort, as well as at the various wharves up and down the Thames. The vessels in the river were gaily decorated with flags. The club-houses at the West-end, and many public buildings and shops, will be brilliantly illuminated in the evening. COURT CIRCULAR. The Queen and Prince Albert, accompanied by the Prin cesses Helena and Louisa, took a drive in an open landau and four yesterday afternoon. Colonel Bouverie and Captain Da Plat attended on horseback. Prince Albert went yesterday morning to Sutton, accom panied by the Earl of Derby, the Right Hon. Sidney Herbert, and the Hon. W. P. Talbot, and attended by. Colonel the Hon. Charles Grey, and Captain Uu Plat, for the purpose of inspect ing the site offered in that neighbourhood for the Wellington College. The Prince and party travelled in tat royal car riages and four, and returned to Buckingham Palace at two o'clock in the afternoon P. ince Albert afterwards presided at a meeting of the com mission for promot.ng and encouraging the tine arts in the rebuilding the Palace of Westminster. His Royal Highues: , , attended by his equerry in waiting, arrived at the Palace at Westminster, soon after three o'clock. The commissioners present were Viscount Canning, the Righn Hon. the Speaker, Viscount Mahon, and Sir Robert H. Inglis, Bart. The Secretary, Sir Charles L. Eastlake, attended. The meeting broke up at five o'clock. Prince Arthur nod the Princesses Helena and Louisa took a drive in an open carriage and four. The Queen had a dinner party in the evening. The com pany included the Duche , s of Kent, the Duchess of Suther land, the Duke and Duchess of Athol', Lady Anna Maria Dawson, Baroness de Speth, and Lord James Murray. Lord Lansdowne was prevented by indisposition from hav ing the honour of dining with her Majesty. The band of the Grenadier Guards attended in the Palace during the dinner, and played the following selection : Overture, " Die Meerstille " Mendelssohn. Waltz, "Prince Arthur " ......... Fantasia. " Souvenir de St. Sebastien " (Fandango) .. Polka, " Sehnsuchts" The Society of the Cdogne Choral Union attended in the Palace after dinner, and had the honour of Finging before her Majesty and the Royal circle. The performance took place in the Picture Gallery. The Duchess of Cambridge and the Princess Mary arrived at Buckingham Palace at half-past 9 o'clock, attended by Lady Caroline Cust and Baron linesebeek. THE CRYSTAL PALACE. Her Majesty having announced her intention of honouring with her presence the opening of the Crystal-palace at Syden ham, on the 10th June, we understand that preparations are in progress for celebrating the event by an inaugural ceremony worthy of the occasion. The Governments of France, Bel gium, and Prussia, and the other principal foreign powers, have intimated their intention of sending commissioners. The mayors of the different towns of England, the presidents of the principal scientific societies, and other distinguished repre sent dives of art, science, and industry, are also expected to take a part in the ceremonial, which, from all we have heard will be of the most imposing description. As an instance of the magnitude of the seal e on which preparations are making, we may mention that 1,000 performers of the Sacred Harmonic and New Philharmonic Societies have volunteered their gratuitous services. The directors have prudently limited the admission of the public on the opening day to the holders of season tickets, in order to avoid the risk of accidents and in convenience which might re-ult from the rush of an over whelming number of visitors on the first day. ROYAL YACI3T SQUADRON. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) COWES, May 19. The regatta has been fixed for the following days : Arc. 15—Prince Albert's Cup. Fireworks in the evening 16 —Royal Yacht Squadron's annual dinner. 17—Her Majesty's Cup of 100 guineas, by schooners of 140 tons and upwards. 18 —Royal Yacht Squadron's 19—The Squadron Cup, value 100/., open to all yachts of the squadron. The Earl of Wilton arrived at the Squadron•house last evening. THE COURT.—PORTSMOUTH, FRIDAY.—Her Majesty the Queen will be down op Monday, and in all proba bility will view the departure of the 42.1 Highlanders. Her Majesty's birthday will be kept at Osborne Palace, in the enjoyment of the society of the Royal domestic family circle. The Duke of Newcastle's vrand official banquet, in honour of her Majesty's birthday will be given to-day in Portman-square to a party of thirty, including the go vernors and lieutenant-governors of colonies at present on leave in England. The Marquis and Marchioness of Breadalbane have issued cards of invitation for a grand ball on the 7th of June, in honour of her Majesty, who has intimated her intei.tiod of honouring the noble marquis with her pre sence on that occasion. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, and their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Cambridge and the Princess Mary, are also expected to honour his lordship with their presence. His Excellency Lord Cowley has left Lord Robert C-rosvenor's in Park-street, Grosvenor-square, for the Briti-h embassy in Paris. General Viscount and Viscountess Combermere enter tained a distinguished party at dinner last evening in Belgrave-square. DEATH OF THE DOWAGER LADY DACRE.—This noble and venerable lady expired at her residence in Chesterfield-street, on Wednesday, in her 82d year. Her ladyship was daughter of the late Admiral Sir Chal loner Ogle, and relict of Valentine Wilmot, and by her marriage with the late Thomas, 19th Baron Dacre, had no issue. In consequence of the demise of the late Bishop of Bath and Wells, Colonel Edward Fagot. formerly of the Rifles, and now commanding the Royal South Middle sex Militia, becomes the next heir to the magnificent property of Ashstead, in the county of Surrey. This property, long a part of the hereditary domain of the Suffolk family, is of great extent and value, and the late bishop had a life interest in the estate. THE ENSUING BREVET.—It is generally expected in military circles that, on the occasion of the ensuing brevet, a field•marshal's baton will be conferred upon General Viscount Combermere, the oldest survivor of Wellington's compeers. The gallant and noble officer has been Colonel of the let Life Guards since 1829, his predecessor having been Charles Earl of Harrington, who had ben colonel from 1792 down to 1829. TEE CHEVALIER BUNSEN. ( From the Press of this day.) The recal of the Prussian Minister at the Court of St. James's (his Excellency the Chevalier Bunsen) has been involved in considerable mystery, which, as it arises from circumstances which may affect the future relations of the two countries as well as the European settlement, may deserve some elucidation. We hav e reason t o b e . lieve that the startling and very unexpected even t i n question was occasioned in this manner :—His Excel lency Chevalier Bunsen, some little time ago, addressed a secret and confidential desp itch to his Court, in which he sketched out a new territorial disposition o f E urope , and indicated the provinces now belonging to Russia which it was proposed to apportion to his own Sov ere i gn . The King of Prussia was ver y indignant and greatly alarmed when Baron Manteuffel submitted this despatch to his Majesty. The King ordered the instant recal of his plenipotentiary, and commanded General Groeben to proceed immediately to England on a special missinn, and obtain from the British Government distinct expla nations whether the proposals of M. Bunsen had re ceived their sanction. The Ministry of Lord Aberdeen replied that the Bunsen project was in nowised autho rised by them, and that they recognised the integrity of the Russian empire as necessary to the political equili brium which they wished to maintain. The Chevalier Bunsen subsequently addsessed a long explanatory letter to his Sovereign, but without effect on his Excellency's altered position. The King of Prussia expressed the anxiety of the German Powers to restore and securee peace on the footing of the status quo, which was a sin qud non. EXCHEQUER-BILLS. —The notice for the payment or renewal of the Exchequer-bills dated in June, which is usually published about the 17th of this month, has not yet been isued. The delay is attributed to the unavoid able absence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer from town, which has also caused the financial discussio n in tended for Monday evening last to be postponed till Monday next. ST. PETEBSBIIRG.—The dates from St. Petersburg are to the 11th of May, but they contain nothing new. The only remark of interest with regard to business is that 250 casks of tallow had just been bought to he sent to Memel, whither, it is said, a good supply will find its way. The weather was very warm. The rate of ex change remained at 350. to d. From Odessa there has been no later intelligence. Rants or ExcitaNGE.--Exchange at Paris continues firm, and at Ifamburg there has been a further improve ment. At the latter city money is abundant at 2 per cent., and in some transactions has been obtained below that rate. At Amsterdam the quotations of exchange are nominally without alteration, but the tendency there also is towards a rise. !LATEST FOREIGN NEWS. THE WAR. RENEWAL OF THE ATTACK ON SEBASTOPOL. The Fremden Blatt, which is generally well in formed, has news from Galatz to the 11th instant, which states that a Government messenger had brought reliable intelligence that Sebastopol had been bombarded during four days. Another telegraphic despatch from Bucharest, says that the bombardment of Odessa has been re newed. The damage done is already considerable. The main body of the combined fleets, under Admiral Lyons, has been attempting the bombard ment since the 10th. THE LOSS OF THE TIGER. If the telegraphic despatch received via Vienna can be believed, it would seem to confirm the re ported loss of the Tiger : BUCHAREST, May 15.—An English steamer of 32 guns has been stranded close to Odessa, and obliged to surrender to the Russians. Two other steamers went to her assistance and bombarded the Russian works, but without effect. Other advices from Bucharest, of the 16th, say that the steam-frigate Tiger, which was wrecked near Odessa, has been burnt. The crew of 300 are made prisoners. It should be remembered, however, that the above comes direct from the head-quarters of the Russians, who are not over-scrupulous in turning the slightest mishap that befalls an enemy to the greatest possible advantage, while they even con vert defeats into positive victories. ST. PETERSBURGH. On the 18th of April the Poltava, of 84 guns, lying in the roadstead of Sweaborg, hoisted her flag under the command of Captain Karakin. The crew musters 712 men. There are provisions on board for six months. On the 21st another ship of the line, the Russia, hoisted her flag ; her com mander is Rear-Admiral Knasiev. Letters received yesterday from St. Petersburg prove that the writers knew of the presence of the hostile fleet off Cronstadt, but they communicate no new fact, and it would appear that even parties who are usually well informed, and have good channels of correspondence, are quite ignorant of the real position of affairs, and only hear such dis torted statements as it suits the purposes of the Government to furnish. It is a remarkable illus tration of this that several merchants in St. Peters burg whose letters have just reached Loudon, are evidently impressed with a belief that the at tack of the allies on Odessa was unsuccessful, and that the, fleet was beaten off, as the Russian offi cial documents and journals so impudently assert. So all-pervading is the influence of the Government that scarcely any of the commercial letters written from Odessa to western Europe since the bombard ment have dared to allude in the slightest degree to the attack on that town. Cronstadt, it appears, is at present virtually sealed up, no one being al lowed to approach it unless by special permission of the Government. The appearance of mystery thus maintained seems to have led to tie conjec ture that some extraordinary means of defence is in course of preparation. Letters from Hamburg state that the Russian authorities at Revel had been in full expectation of being attacked, and had completed all their prepa rations. In fact, state the writers, Revel, Helsing fors, and Cronstadt, are so fully provided with every means of defence and offence, that doubts are en tertained if any success can be obtained against them unless a diversion can be effected by the simultaneous landing of a large body of troops. The Russian Government has just reduced the import duties on several foreign articles—on re fined sugars, for instance, and on molasses. They can also be now imported by land at Polangen, Taurrogen, 'Warsaw, and other localities. In this way ha hopes to lighten the burden of the blockade. The prohibition of the Czar on the exportation of corn is giving rise to every kind of complaint and dispute among the buyers and sellers. Corn is generally bought by contract, and is required to be delivered in the spring, when the navigation is open, and generally too the buyers make pecuniary advances to the sellers. These advances have been larger this season than heretofore, in consequence of the scarcity of grain felt over nearly all Europe. The Russian sellers now find themselves, in conse quence of recent events, totally unable to deliver the corn due, and hence the buyers are sadly dis tressed ; because they in their turn 'had received payments in advance, on similar conditions, at home.—Hamburg, May 15. THE BALTIC. STOCKHOLM, May 16.—The combined Swedish and Norwegian fleets, comprising two line of battle ships, four frigates, and one corvette, ar rived yesterday at Elfsnabben. The King went aboard, when ho witnessed great manifestation of hostile feelings on the part of the crews against Russia. Fresh orders were given for repairs of gun-boats and large numbers of new ones were or dered to be made ready in the dockyards. The British fleet at Hango, near Helsingtors. HAMBURG, May 16.—The English fleet has en countered in the Baltic some terrible storms, but it has manfully weathered them all. We hear of no casualties having happened to it. But the Swedish steamer, the Swiuska Lejonet, was lost in the port of Ystadt. The English cruisers now search every ship leaving the port of Lubeck. CONSTANTINOPLE. LORD RAGLAN AND HIS ARMY. The following is the General Order issued by Lord Raglan on his arrival at Constantinople : "The Queen having been graciously p,ea,sed to ap point General Lord Raglan to be commander of the forces to be employed in Turkey in support of her ally, his Imperial Maj sty the Sultan, and his Lordship having arrived, all reports, &c., will be made to him through the channels prescribed by her Majesty's regu lations. " The Commander of the Forces avails himself of the earliest opportunity to impress upon the army the neces sity of maintaining the strictest discipline, of respecting persons and property, and the laws and usages of the country they have been sent to aid and defend, and par ticularly of avoiding to enter mosques, churches, and the private dwellings of a people whose habits are pecu liar, and unlike those of the other nations of Europe. "Lord Raglan fully relies upon the general and other officers of his army to afford him their surport in the repression of disorder ; and he confidently hopes that the troops themselves, anxious to maintain the character they have acquired elsewhere, will endeavour to become the example of obedience to order and of attention to discipline, without which success is impossible, and their presence would be an evil instead of an advantage to those whose cause their Sovereign had deemed it proper to espouse,. The ari;iy will be for the first time with an ally to whom it has been the lot of the British -nation to be op posed in the field for many centuries. The gallantry and high military qualities of the French army are matters of history, and the alliance which has now been formed will, the Commander of the forces trusts, be of long duration, as well as productive of the must im portant consequences. " Lord Raglan is aware, from personalconimunication with the distinguished officer who is appointed to coin wand the French army, Marshal St. Arnaud, and many of the superior officers, that every disposition exists throughout their ranks to cultivate the best under standing v, ith the British army, and to co-operate most warmly with it ; and he entertains no doubt that her Mjesty's troops are actuated by the same spirit, and that the first ambition of each army will be to acquire the confidence and good opinion of the other." A letter, dated Scutari Barracks, May 6, says : —" As yet our men have behaved uniformly well, and :,,re daily becoming more and more friendly with the natives. It is necessary, once again, to warn the public at home against believing reports from Constantinople. Russian and Greek emis saries are constantly putting forth the most atro cious falsehoods. Lately it was stated that the French authorities anti Turkish commission at Gallipoli had had serious differences, whereas the fact is, that Cabonli Effendi and Mohun Pasha, who speak the French language fluently, have throughout arranged so wisely, that the greatest unanimity exists among all parties. Again, it has been set forts that the Greek population is ready, at any given moment, to rise in favour of Russia. Nothing can be more untrue. The subjects of the Sultan who are of the Eastern Church know well what that faith has already suffered at the hands of Russia; and theyfeel that, politically speaking, they are better off under the Sultan, especially now that Englandand F iance h a ve bound themselves to pro tect them against oppression, and to secure to them a just administration of the laws of the laud. At the outset some portion of the Greeks were carried away by a momentary excitement. They knew little of the matter in question, and thought that a new Byzantine empire was about to be theirs ; but a little quiet examination has taught them better things, and the vow of Nicholos that, with the consent of Russia Greece shall never be ex tended, has convinced them that a merciful and honest Sultan is a far better friend oven to Chris tians than a cruel and double-dealing Czar. The following extract from a letter dated Adria n o ple, 24th April, will show how little inclination there is on the part of the Greeks to rise against .the Sultan : "The Greek Archbishop Cyril, during a pastoral visit I tabioh be has just completed through a portion of his r diocese, has never ceased exhorting all Christians to ob serve obedience and submission to the ' mighty Sul an Abil-ul Medjid,' who watches over them (he proclaims) as over his own children, and whose every moment is engaged in planning for them greater happiness. During the great ceremonies of Saturday evening and Sunday the most fervent prayers were offered by the worthy prelate for the preservation of the Sultan, the success of his arms, and for God's blessing upon all his works ; and the vast crowd of worshippers which filled the spa cious cathedral responded to the prayer with a pro longed and hearty Amen." It cannot be said that great sickness exists in our army, but the influence of adulterated wines and spirits is beginning to show itself by an increase of patients in the hospitals. A soldier landed in Turkey is to the Government a useful article, and his health ought to be carefully guarded. Why, then, is not something done to keep him from the deadly effects of poisonous wines and spirits, which, in spite of present precautions, find their way into the canteens ? A little energy on the part of the authorities would soon produce a change for the better. Give a good income to some man of cha racter and capacity, whose duty it shall be, under the direction of a military commission, to superin tend supplies for the army of a good quality at the lowest possible price, and a blessing of incalculable value will result to the soldier, and thousands of pounds would be gained by the Government by the diminution of sickness. A small profit upon each article sold would speedily pay all expens e s. Th e experiment has been tried in India with every suc cess, and surely it must be practicable when we are within 15 days of England. THE DANUBE. From Vienna, under date of yesterday, we lea rn that the vanguard of Luders' left wing was at Kalniga on the 13th. The Russians, turning the position at Rassova, suffered immensely'. The Wanderer of the 15th has the following KALAFAT, MAY 6.—The day before yesterday six squadrons of Turkish Cossacks and five of Turkish Hussars had an engagement with the Russian Cos sacks near Radovan. The affair lasted three hours, and ended with the total defeat of the latter. After the second charge the Russians were in complete disorder, and quitting their horses took refuge in a large thicket. Sixty horses fell into the hands of the Turks. As I learn from a major who is lying ill hero, the Russians had 138 killed and 12 wounded. The latter, with two guns, were brought in here. The Turks had ten killed and two wounded. At present the Russians are beyond the Schyl, about two English miles and a half from Kr ijova, and news of fresh rencontrei is daily expected." Advices from Bucharest, dated May 8, state that Prince Paskiewitsch has again left for the Danube. An attack by water and by land is about to be made, under his direction, on Silistria. For some days past transports of sick and wounded from Little Wallachia have passed through that city. Many of these men are conveyed in pea sants' waggons drawn by oxen, as the Russians have not ambulances enough. After resting one day here, these sick and wounded are sent on to Buseo, Plojetchti, Rimnik, and Tekutch. The Hospodar has placed Servia in a kind of state of siege. On the 4th and sth there were very serious affairs at Giurgevo, with great loss on botn sides. No particulars are known. A German officer, who wrote on the 30th of April from Odessa, states that the damage done by the allied fleets was tremendous, and probably far surpasses the reports which have been sent in by the assailants. It is reported that on the 4th of May the strand batteries at the Salina, mouth of the Danube were completely destroyed. GREECE. ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY TURKS BURNED ALIVE. The ill oniteur publishes the following : "SYlll.—Piracy is making fresh progress in the Greek seas. The new impu se which the loudly a owed com plicity of the Greek Government has given to the in-ur rection only encourages acts of brigandage. Bands, recruited amongst the dregs of the population, ann pro ' vided with papers perfectly regular delivered by the Greek Government itself, infest the Archipelago in fish ing vessels, attacking indistinctly vessels of all nations. The commercial people of Smyrna are in great alarm at this state of things, and it is announced that special and energetic in6asures are about to be taken to re-establish the security of navigation in the Arch pelago. " ATHENS.—The three Generals appointed to reor. ganise the Greek insurrection have left, taking with them not 200,000 drachmas (the drachma, is 90 centimes), as we at first mentioned, but 600,000. The piratical policy followed by the Greek Government with regard to Turkey has already cost two millions. The volun tory subscriptions have only amounted to 180,000 drachmas, o.nd the receipts of the Treasury for the month of March was , produced throughout the whole kingdom 600,000 drachmas. Nevertheless all the services are duly paid up. It is useless to seek to establish what the Emperor of Russia so clearly avows in his circular of the 2d March. It may be considered as certain that that Prince furnishes a military subsidy to the Greek Government. This subsidy appears to be one million of drachmas." " FRONTIERS OF MACEDONIA.—This province is said to have been invaded by a band of Greek adventurer; to the nuMber of 2,000, having at their head Sh-nni•Kara tasso, ex-aide-de-camp of the King of Greece. According to the same information, 500 Greeks are said to have lauded at Sigga, wh►le the remainder of tie expedition proceeded to Saint Nicolo. Toe Greeks have marked their presence in Macedonia, as they have done in Epi rus and Thessaly, by unheard-of acts of brigandage. They are said to have burnt alive 150 Turks, men, woe men, and children, who at their approach had taken re fuge in a church." GREEK VERACITY. The following is a translation of an article from the Greek newspaper Union : " SYRA, April 22 (May 4), 1954.—The passengers who arrived to-day from Constantinople and S nyrna, by the Austrian steamer, as also various letters from those places, positively assure us that the English and French fleets which attacked Odessa were not able to enter the port, and that they only destroyed 30 or 40 houses situated above the castle. The Russian guns sunk two of the English and French vessels, and rendered entirely useless four others, which have been brought to Con stantinople for repair. The captairs themselves of these vessels admit that 800 sailors of the fleet were killed, but if we are to believe others, the number of killed and wounded surpasses 2000. We are, moreover, assured that English and French admirals have announced to their Governments, that, according to iuf irination they have received from their spies, it will be impossible to attack Sebastopol with success. .We have no difficulty in be lieving the above, because we are well acquainted with Russian history, and we know the gigantic progress of that great nation ; for this reason we do riot doubt that the trivial and superficial English and French, and especially the latter, will shortly confess, by their defeat, the worth, power, and progress of the re nowned nation of Russia. In the meanwhile, we rejoice in the discomfiture of our co-religionists, the friends of the English and French, who related with confidence, and actually believed, that the allied fleet would doubtlessly destroy Odessa in 10 hours and Sebastopol in 24 ! This article was published alter the official account of the bombardment of Odessa had appeared in the Journal de Constantinople and the Impartial of Smyrna, and is a deliberate falsehood, for the purpose of circulation amongst the lower orders of Greeks and the insurgents on the frontiers, as also to please the Hellenic Government and the Russian party. The mendacity of the Greeks is, however, proverbial, and only recoils upon themselves,-as not the slightest reliance is placed on statements emanating from them." THE BOMBARDMENT OF ODESSA. The following is a letter from Mr. James T. Hart who had charge of the rocket boat off Odessa. It is given from the Hastings News : "Sunday Evening, off Odessa, April 23. --I now with great pleasure communicate to you the news of the action. We left the ship at daylight yesterday (Satur day), and were towed in by the Tiger. The action com menced about 6.45 a.m. We in the rocket boats imme diately cast off, and pulled it towards the beach, to keep clear of the shot from the forts. When about 400 yards from the shore* we instantly opened fire on the Russian ships lying at anchor inside the mole, also on the bar. racks, which the merchant masters told us contained six hundred soldiers. About the third rocket set fire to some government .stores, which were soon in a blaze. We kept up a constant fire on the barracks and ships, which quickly shared the same fate. About 11.50 a.m. the first division steamed out, and the second came in and opened a fire, which was kept up with great spirit until about 12.30 p.m., when the first division came in again and commenced afresh. On the Samp son's nearing us we were ordered on board to get some thing to eat, not having had anything that day, as we left the ship so very early and suduenly. There being a strong breeze and a heavy swell, we were all very wet and uncomfortable. When we arrived on board the Sampson's men behaved very well to us, giving each Man a glass of grog and a biscuit. I fared very well, knowing some of the officers on board. They gave me all they had, namely, some " salt horse," as Jack calls it, and a tumbler full of good port wine which I soon dernoliAied. We did not remain more than ten minutes, and left the ship to fire at the fort and shipping, being in better spirits. We pulled in boldly for the beach to set fire to some ships in course of build ing. When about 400 yards distant some heavy horse artillery opened a very heavy fire on the rocket boats of shell, shot, grape, and canister, The first shot. went over the boats ; the second, a shell, burst close to us, breaking six oars, and wounding a few men. Had we been ten yards nearer, I do not think a man would have been left to tell the tale. One shell burst close along side my boat, and a part of it very nearly hit the cox swaln and myself on the head. We immediate]) pulled sharp round to get under cover of the Sampson, which I am happy to say we accomplished, having sustianed but little damage. On the Sampson seeing the horse artillery open fire on us, she immediately opened shell and shot on them. The first shell burst amongst them, and no doubt mast have caused great loss of life. They quickly retreated, and we stood in towards the mole, and fired away at the . foit and ail) ! , ping. About a quarter before o ne p.m., th e imperial fort and mol e blew up, no doubt kill ing some hundreds of the artillery. We gave three hearty cheers, which were returned from the steamers. The guns were 01 course then silenced '; the ships stood in closer, and com menced firing on another fort and the ships inside, which were totally destroyed. Wh6n the fort blew up, it was a most frightful sight, some of the pieces fell very nearly on board my boat, also a sponge belonging to one of the Russian guns," FRANCE. The Minister of Marine has addressed the fol lowing circular to the different maritime authori ties relative to the interpretation of the me asure which grants t o R uss i an merchant vessels a d e lay of six weeks to l eave th e F renc h ports : " Gentlemen —I nottfied to y ou . on th e 28th of Marco last, the d ec l aration o f the 27th of the sa me mouth, which grant e d a d e l ay o f s i x weeks from the latter date for Ru ss i an vesse l s to qu i t French por ts. By my circular, of th e 25th ult., I made known to you that Russian v esse l s laden on French account in Russian ports of the Baltic and White Sea would have until the 15th of the present month to quit these ports fur the destination of France and Algeria, 3 " a might afterwards return to a neutral port. Similar ie' structions were, as I have informed you, sent to the commanders-in-chief of the British squadrons. But the officers of the English Baltic :squadron have raised the question whether the delays granted to Russian vessels to leave English ports was to be extended to the Rue' sian vessels leaving neutral ports. The answer can only be in the negative, and the English Admiralty has made this known to its cruisers. I know not, gentlemen; whether similar doubts may have arisen in your minds but, in order to prevent any hesitation on the subject. I must here repeat that the free return is only secured to Russian vessels leaving a port in France, England, Or Algeria, within the required delays.—Accept, &c., " DucoS. On Thursday afternoon the Emperor, accom panied by the Minist e r o f th e I n t er i or an d the Mi nister of State, and one of his aides-de-camp, wen' to the Hotel de Ville to examine the execution in relief of the new project for the Central Hanes, which had been previously submitted to his appro bation. His Majesty on alighting from his car riage was received by the Prefect of the Seine, M. De!angle, the president of the municipal council ! arid the secretary-gene ra l o f th e P re f ecture, an d conducted into the Salle ttti Trone, where MM. Baltard and °allot, the architects of the Hallo, were in attendance. His Majesty, after examining the plans in all their details, and particularly in' (Flinn into the opinions given by th e 15,000 Dr 20,000 ° persons who had been admitted to visit them, expressed his entire satisfaction at all their arrangements, and gave orders for their being promptly carried into execution. The Three per Cents. opened yesterday, at 6 8 f. 30c. fell to 67f. 60c., and closed at 63f. 10c. for the end of the month ; the Four-and-a-Halt per Cents. closed at 94f. 10c. ; and the New Loan at 67f. 75c. ; Orleans Railway Shares, 1,107 f. 50c.; Rouen, 916 f. 25c. ; Havre, 470 f. ; Great Northern, 807 f• 50c. ; Strasburg, 750 f. ; New Shares, 585 f. ; Paris and Lyons, 910 f. ; Lyons to the Mediterranean, 75Jf. ; Western of France, 625 f. ; Bordeaux and Cette, 562 f. 50c. ; Great Central of France, 482 c. 50c. ; Lyons to Geneva, 467 f. 50c. ; Bank of Credit Mobilier, 625 f. AUSTRIA. THE NEW LEVY OF 95,000 MEN. The Vienna Gazette publishes the following autograph letter of the Emperor of Austria to the Minister of the Interior : " My dear Baron de Buch—The menacing turn which political circumstances in general have taken, the fare bodies of troops which in consequence of the troubles 10 the East have been put in motion on the frontiers of my Empire, and in particular the fact that concentra tions of troops have taKen place on the frontiers of the East and North, haVe rendered necessary the adoption of measures with a view to protect the monarchy against all eventualities, and offering at the same time all gua' rantees for the preservation of the interests of my Empire, gravely menaced by this regretable con flict, and securing the position which becomes it as a European power. From this consideration I have given orders to have the military forces in the Sout-East and North-East provinces increased, and to that effect I h a ve ordered a levy of 95,000 men. In charging you to. place yourself in relation with the general in command of my army to arrange every thing which concerns this order, I feel it necessary to express my conviction that m 7 faithful subjects will give, in the execution of this mea sure and of every other tending to the safety of my Eta' pire, fresh proofs of their_cleqotedness and their rea di n ess . to make every sacrifice that can be inspir e d by a p a t r iotic feels g , as they hays done at all previous conjunctures." Vienna, May 15. "FRANCES JOSEPH. The Lloyd of Vienna of the 16th says It is now certain that a project of revolutionising the Sclavonians, in the vicinity of Montenegro, wa s or foot, but the firm a ttit u d e o f t h e Austrian Cabinet .has defeated it. This is a proof that Austria is re solved to follow up the protocol of Vienna. With out tiring a single shot she has.deprived Russia of an entire army." The Emperor of Austria has given orders for seven regiments of infantry and two of cavalry to be immediately placed on •tlie war footing in Hungary. The Oologne, Gazette states that a postal treaty' has just been concluded between Austria and Russia. ITALY. A letter from Turin, in the Moniteur, says :-- " Sixty Italian refugees have landed at Sarzana, and marched towards the frontier of Tuscany. They were armed, and call themselves the ad vanced guard of a more numerous assemblage. A war steamer has left Genoa with troops for Sarzana, in order to capture these men, whose mad expedi tion cannot be attended with any serious conse quences. It is stated that the concealed action of Russian agents is not unconnected with this de monstration, and that the same Government that pays the Greek insurrection would not hesitate to assist the Italian demagogues." The Corriere gercantite, of Genoa, of the 15th quotes a letter from La Spezia, whence it would appear that another attempt had simultaneously been made there, for the distance between Le Spezia and Sarzana is too great to admit of the supposition of both accounts relating to the same fact. The letter sayS : "Yesterday (13th), at daybreak, a vessel approached the ea , tern shore of our gulf, between Lerici and Punta del Corvo. From 50 to 70 armed men landed, bringing a number of packages on shore, probebly arms and ammunition. Carabineers and sharp hooters were i n . stantly despatched from here to the spot. The men that landed fled in the direction of the m ,, untain. Some were arrested, and about 150 muskets, ammunition, and a mould for bullets was seized. The vessel had put to sea. A rumour was current that the people who had landed expected to be joined by a party of refugees and others already in the country ; .but no movement of any kind has been observed." Lord Minto arrived at Turin on the sth from Florence. Cardinal Lambrnschini, Bishop of Porto San Rufino and Civita Vecchia, the oldest member but oue of the Sacred College, and Secretary of the Pontifical Briefs, died at Rome on the 12th. He was born at Genoa on the 16th of May, 1776, and was Prime Minister under Pope Gregory XVI. SPAIN. The Madrid journals of the 14th contain LO political information of interest. There are l ong accounts of the reviews, rejoicings, and illumina tions, which had taken place in honour of the an niversaryof the birthdayof the King. The Herald() states that MM. A vec ill a, Riego, illasarte, Ber cera, and other persons, who were arrested some months ago on a charge of conspiracy, have been set at liberty on bail. M. Rivera alone has been kept in prison. M. Sisto. Camard,- who was recently arrested on some political charge, has been re leased. It is stated from a Barcelona journal that a privilege has been granted to M. Debergue for the construction of a railroad from Granollero to the French frontier. The 14th being Sunday, the Stock Exchange was not open. THE CIVIL SERVICE.—Deputy - Commissary -General Weir has been Appointed to take charge of the expedi tion to the Archipelago, and will hand over his pre , ent charge at Gibraltar to Assistant - Commissary-General Davenport, to be held by him until the arrival of Deputy-Commissary-General Dinwiddie from England at that station. Mr. Weir will take with him two of the clerks now serving at Gibraltar. Assistant- Commissary-General Prake will proceed from Eng land on board the Orinoco, accompanied by y tem porar • clerk Servantes, to serve under Mr. Weir ; and Assistant-Commissary-Ger eral Archer will leave Corfu for the same purpose. Mr. Francis Robert Berto lacci, of the Ordnance Department, Pall-mall, who has been engaged on special duties at the Treasury, has been appointed Auditor of the Duchy of Lancaster. A vacancy of third-class clerk in the Payment Account-office at the Admiralty, Somerset-house, is caused by the resignation of Mr. Percy Stanhope. A clerkship in the Inland De partment of the General Post-office is vacant, caused by the resignation of Mr. Morgan ; salary 801. There will shortly be a vacancy of Assistant Examiner in the Audit- )ffice, Somerset-house, caused by the superannua tion of Mr. Nantes Tupper, Senior Examiner, second class. Mr. E. Simpson has been appointed foreman of shipwrights at Malta Dockyard, at a salary of 160/. a year. There is a vacancy of a landing-surveyorship at Liverpool, caused by the death of Mr. Andrew H. Bul teel ; salary 4001. There are landing-waiterships vacant at Liverpool, vice Messrs J. H. Magrath and C. G. Say, superanuated ; salary 150/. The appointment of con trollership of customs at Grimsby is vacant, caused by the dismissal of S. Mayer. A lauding surveyorship at Grimsby is vacant, caused by the dismissal of Mr. Capi ter.—Ovil s.rvioa ;! . ~ I J ll~fJ' w 1 '',r• r--; --- ''' tait aft( pro ste; the por affa bei lA lett to: nei sea yoi bit