The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1855-08-14 00:00:00

THE WAR. THE SIEGE OF SEBASTOPOL. THE intelligence from the seat of war continues, as it has now done for several weeks past, rather a narrative of preparation and a record of expectancy than the de scription of gallant adventures, or the -stirring recital of brave achievements. Still the -spirit of - the men flags not, the troops are as much animated as ever by the desire and expectation of final success against the brave and obstinately defended fortress of - Sebastopol. If a murmur of disappointment or a •whisper of dissa tisfaction is heard in any quarter, it is-not born of fear, but the legitimate offspring of eager heroism.anxions for the final conflict. The accounts .as to - the health and general efficiency of the allied armies continue of the most gratifying nature, and - the works of all kinds considered necessary to ensure 'success "in ;the ultimate issue of the struggle are pressed forward with ceaseless avidity. Additional batteries have been constructed to com mand the Russian ships in the harbour; and-throug;h out both camps the expectation has become general that another assault is imminent. -So prevalent, in deed, is this opinion, that rumour new points confi dently to the regiments selected to support the different movements in the anticipated assault. Criticism among the military authorities on the-spot seems con siderably divided as to the actual propriety and then probable result of the unsuccessful attacks of the 18th of June. Many in both armies, whose opinions are entitled to great weight, declare that if those attacks had been properly followed up they would have been unquestionably crowned by victory. This opinion is founded on the great loss occasioned to the enemy by our fire previous to the attack, which is now known to have been most destructive to the besieged and their defences. Had it been continued for some time lonFer, say these parties, the greater part of the garrison might have been placed hors de combat, even before coming "to push of pike." On the other hand, how ever, doubts are entertained, by parties not less entitled to credibility, how far, even in the event of success against the Redan and the Malakhoff, it would have been possible for the allies to have retained possession of them, while the ships of war in the harbour were left in a position to ply them with shot and shell, apart from the somewhat problematical ability of the north forts to effect the same object. To obviate any threatened danger from the ships, the French have constructed a battery to bear directly on the present position of these ships, and also so placed as to seriously impede them in any attempted movement from it. Other preparations and covering works of different kinds have been pushed 'forward, and are now almost completed. Writing on the 23rd of July, the correspondent of the Daily News says :--- The French works have been steadily advancing against the Malakhoff position, in spite of continued and very severe opposition both by day and night. Frequent discharges of grape have been directed against the head of the sap, and gre nades and cohorn shells were thrown abundantly. At inter vals the Russians fire a volley of musketry not only from the bastion in front, but also from the flanks and various conceal. ed places. It would seem, as if these volleys were discharged at random in the direction of the French trenches, on the mere chance of hitting some of the men engaged among the working parties. Although the French have necessarily suf fered from the fire directed against them, their daily number of casualties is by no means so great as might be anticipated. Our new batteries are completed and armed. The principal battery, occupying a very advanced position on the right, and in front of Frenchman's-hill, is fitted with a most powerful armament, a considerable proportion of which consists of land and sea-service 13-inch mortars. This is more especially to act, it is said, and its position renders the statement probable, against the line-of-battle ships which still retain their threatening attitude, broadside towards the Karabelnaia suburb. It is remarkable that neither the three-deckers nor the two-deckers have yet been observed to discharge a shot or shell against our works ; this duty hitherto has been con fined to the men-of-war steamers. The largest of the ships, which is seen lying out to our left of Fort Paul, appears to be partly careened over, and it would appear as if she might easily uire elevation enough to try her range over the low ground about the south harbour and Dockyard Creek. The distance at which she is now anchored appears to be about three thousand yards from the sloping line of the Malakhoff hill as its side dips towards the barrack buildings, but it is diffi cult to estimate this with accuracy while she is lying out in the roadstead. OFFER TO DESTROY THE RUSSIAN SHIPS. There is a story that a sailor has volunteered to start from Careening Bay, on the first favourable opportunity, and, single handed, to destroy each ship successively. He asserts that he is in possession of a secret method by which he can move along beneath the surface of the water, and breathe as easily as if he were in a diving apparatus supplied with air by a pump, and that he can carry with him an explosive machine of sufficient power to drive a hole through the bottom of the largest ship. The sailor gave a proof, on the night of the 19th instant, that, at any rate, he was clever enough to approach a ship unde tected, notwithstanding a very careful guard being established to mark his coming. As a proof of still further ability, he an nounced to the officers of Her Majesty's ship London that he would come in the course of that night and chalk up the name of the ship on her side, just above the water-mark, do what they might to prevent him. The challenge was accepted, double sentries were posted, and some volunteers among the officers kept a look •out, but no one was observed to come near, and all on board were convinced that no one had come near the vessel. Daylight, however, showed the letters conspicu ously chalked on the ship's side, as the sailor said they would be. It has been suggested that the means by which this feat was accomplished was an atmospheric boat, capable of being guided when sunk beneath the surface of the water, and sup plied with a reserve of air enough to last a given time for the support of its adventuroug owDer, It is stated that he could not have swam alongside without being observed. AMY 24.—A heavy fire was kept up from the batteries nearly the whole night. Another burning hot day. Notwith standing the excessive heat, and the exposure to which the troops are necessarily submitted during their twenty-four hours' turn of duty in the trenches, there has not been any increase in the number of cases of cholera. This subject had been considered prospectively with some anxiety, and it is a matter for thankfulness that this scourge has been averted from us. It was about the beginning of the month of July last year when the disease broke out with so much virulence among the troops in Bulgaria. Dysenteric disease and fever seem to be the only prevailing diseases of a serious character at present among the camps in front. The former malady attacks new-comers especially—persons who have not become inured to live under canvas and to camp dieting. The correspondent of the Morning Advertiser, writing on the 24th of July, says :- It is clear—and every partial or general resuming of the bombardment renders the fact more apparent—that his (the enemy's) defences are still in good order, and that if they are not to be taken one after the other they can only be so at a great loss of life. There are no grounds for supposing that the Malakhoff and the Redan will be gained at a much less sacrifice than that which attended the disastrous attack of the 18th ultimo ; and then come the Quarantine Fort, the Rus sian fleet, and the forts and batteries on the northern side, to say nothing of any engagement which may take place in the open field. There are no signs, however, of anything like real discouragement on the part of the Allies, and Sebastopol is a doomed town. Our forage parties have been of late very , successful in their, what may be called, razzias, and have al ready sent to the camp large quantities of new hay. Omar Pasha and the French—and the latter still hold a position beyond Baidar—have been often out of late reconnoitring. Much prudence is necessary, for the Russians are in strong force on the ridge of hills opposite the plain of Balaklava. We are all greatly shocked here at five terrible murders com mitted by some Turkish soldiers. A little more than half-way between the English head-quarters and the market-place of Kadikoi there is an humble stone building, with two little out houses and the remnant s of a small garden. In that house resided a Russo-Greek family, in all four men and two women, who were allowed to dwell there by the English authorities, and who, as well as the other poor native inhabitants of this portion of the Crimea, received their daily rations from the English or French commissariat. The details of the tragedy are frightful ; suffice it to state, that the four men and one of the women, aged about 25, were brutally murdered on Saturday last, their bodies presenting the most horrible gashes. The other woman who was left for dead, is now in one of the hos pitals in Balaclava, and she states that they were suddenly attacked by three or four Turkish soldiers, while others re mained without ; and that after the murders, the assassins took away all the money they could find—her portion being about four pounds. She says she can recognise, she thinks, one or two of the party. The utmost vigilance is employed to find out the assassins. This sad event has created a profound sensation throughout the allied camps. Three Russian pri soners were brought in yesterday afternoon to the head quar ters of General Simpson. The English police at Kadikoi are still in search of a Russian spy, dressed as a French officer. A slight variation in the uniform first created suspicion, There are sad complaints in the British army regarding the delay in payments, the sums lately sent out being altogether insufficient. It is hard to think that men who are fighting the battles of England, and who, in other ways, are exposing their lives in this pestiferous climate, should be suffering privations through irregular payments of their hard-earned money. Under date of the 25th, the correspondent of the Daily News says :--- There was a heavy fire all night from the batteries, and about midnight the enemy made a sortie against the ambus cades and advanced trenches of the French on the Malakhoff hill. The moon had been shining brightly, and about five minutes after it had set, and there was general obscurity, the Russians sallied out. The French were on the alert, and must have perceived the enemy advancing, for the first notice in the English attack of the sortie was the French' bugles sounding the alarm. They were immediately followed by the usual sharp cry of the Russians as they rushed forward to attack, mixed with the sound of their bugles and shouts of officers. A very heavy fire of musketry followed, and all the batteries opened with terrific effect. The Russian steamers were very a ctive in throwing sh e ll s over i nto the French works. It is said that the e ne a w a r n r s e t nc battery near Careening with the seamers, reserving it Bay did not open her fir into effect against the enemy's for a simultaneous operation g other works on the fli g ht 'of shells from our right left, which is to be carried fleet in a few days. The . works, and the attack, in the direction of ,'the Malakhoff ground in their rear, was unceasing. As many as eight or nine shells from this attack might be counted in the air at one time. Some of the 13-inch mor tars in our new advanced battery were also fired in the direction of the low ground between the Redan and the Malakhoff hills, along which it mightbe presumed troops wo u l d advance towards our own works, but the enemy exhibited no intention of making an attack on our trenches. After a period of fifteen or twenty minutes the musketry ceased. The enemy had not gained any advantage. The French sap, which is now fast approaching the ditch of the Malakhoff, was not injured. Our allies have also some rifle pits close to the edge of the ditch, the fire from which-causes great annoyance to'the enemy, and they are so completely under the parapets of the works above, that the largerguns cannot be sufficiently depressed to reach them. The enemy, it is supposed, sought particularly the destruction of these ambuscades, but the alertness of the French prevented them from achieving this object. While the contest was going on before the Malakhoffi there appeared to be an attack further on the right, near the advanced French works in front of the enemy's lines on the west side of Careening Bay ; but the , distance, and the fire on all sides, rendered observation in this direction very im perfect. Writing on the 26th, lie gtattes:— The cavalry division has been kept under arms all day; the -several regiments being held ready to turn out at a moment's notice. It is said that an attack was looked forin the direction of the Tchernaya. A deserter from the enemy had reported that the Russians were making preparations to move against 'the allied force in the plain of Balaklava, and that they had provided themselves with a large number of pontoon bridges 'for effecting the passage of the Tchernaya river. A body of Sardinian, and French light troops werethrown out to makea reconnaissance, but returned without observing any appear ances indicating such an intention on the part of the enemy. They exchanged a few shots with some Russian outposts.— Some new mortars of large calibre have arrived for us, which possess, it is stated, the superior advantage of being worked with greater facility than the mortars on the old plan. They are moved on a kind of traversing platform. It is said that our artillery are expecting daily the arrival of a large supply .of powerful mortars.—The fire from the batteries on both sides was very incessant during the whole night. The Rus ,sians not only threw a vast amount of shells into various parts of the works, but kept up a constant discharge of grape and " bouquets" against the advanced trenches. These bouquets consist of a number of small shells or grenades ; they are thrown from a mortar, about ten or twelve at one dis charge ; they burst close together, and their fragments are scattered in all directions. A constant fire of this kind is going on against the French works on the Malakhoff Hill, and in addition the sharpshooters maintain an unceasing fusillade. The loss of our allies, from casualties of all kinds, is said now to be equal in numbers to a regiment per month, or nearly one hundred men per diem. The proportion of our own casualties has greatly increased of late, though the ma jority have providentially not been of a very grave character. From the great weight of our shells, and the superior power .and comparative proximity of our guns, the loss in the ranks -of the enemy must also be very great. A constant fire has been kept up all day in the batteries. EXTRAORDINARY FOOLHARDINESS. As a proof of the heedless indifference to danger which some of the men acquire from constantly moving amongst shot and shell, the following example, which occurred last evening, may be mentioned. A large shell had been thrown from the Redan into our right attack, and during its passage the fuze had accidentally dropped out. The shell fell, there fore, like a round shot into part of the approach connected with the old advanced or third parallel. Some men of the 47th Regiment were near, waiting for the reliefs to arrive, and ready to return to camp. One of these soldiers, after exa mining the unexploded shell, actually had the foolhardiness to jerk the ashes of the tobacco in his pipe, which he had just finished smoking, into the fuze-hole. Another of the men standing by, and observing the action, had only just time to utter an exclamation, when the shell burst. The reckless author of the mischief suffered severely—both his legs were shattered, and he was frightfully scorched about the head and face. Five other men were wounded, but fortunately none were dangerously hurt. It is presumed that the man had no idea of any of the pipe -ash being sufficiently hot to cause ignition of the powder in the shell. Instances of men expos ing themselves to imminent hazard by showing their position to the enemy occur daily, even in the most advanced works, and it often requires the greatest watchfulness on the part of the officers to make them sufficiently thoughtful of their own safety, and that of others around them. Another correspondent of the same jonrnal, on the 27th, says, in reference to the RUSSIAN PREPARATIONS OF DEFENCE : Although the bombardment has not yet commenced officially, yet our batteries are far from remaining idle, either by night or day. The report asserts that an order was delivered from head-quarters to the effect that no shot from the enemy was to remain unacknowledged, but in every practicable position he was to receive, if possible, two for one. We are too near his stronghold for Johnny Rusky to leave us unnoticed, and and as soon as the clink of some unlucky pick-axe rings in his ears, a shower of grape or canister, a light ball, and a bouquet of shells, give us notice that we are not sufficiently careful. The French have withstood the brunt of two as saults on their position in front of the Malakhoff. Their ad vanced trench is now within 100 paces of the counterscarp of that work, and the Russians evidently calculate on their gain ing a footing there, as they are at present occupying themselves in throwing up a cavalier work in rear of the former parapet. This may enable them to make a more protracted defence, but it will also cramp their movements, and prevent them replacing their guns and repairing their works, as they could more effec tually do were their space less confined. It is a more direct advantage to us, as, in the event of our taking the outer work, this new parapet will afford us good cover from the fire of the ships, and prevent us from suffering so severely while endea vouring to form inside. Those who have seen the rear works of the Malakhoff from our shipping outside, say that the form is somewhat heart-shaped ; the two semi-circular portions are facing the besiegers, and the sides are formed "en cremaillere," so as to secure a flanking fire along the whole front and flanks. Two entrenchments are drawn within it; but although such seiges as those of Saragossa and Silistria warn us that a town must not necessarily fall with its outworks, or regular defences, yet, if the Allies once succeed in introducing 1,000 men within the fortifications of either the Redan or Round Tower, the fate of this Armageddon is sealed. RUSSIAN LOSSES. Disease must be raging violently within the walls of the city, as the burial-ground on the north side is assuming a wonderful magnitude. We can plainly see the Russian fatigue parties arriving every morning on the ground, and having piled their arms and hung their accoutrements on them, proceeded to dig a series of pits for the reception of their dead. The burying ground is rapidly filling all the plain lying on the north side between the cliffs and the sea where none existed (visibly) before the month of April last. As far as we can see, there are at present very few troops on the plateau of the north side ; they seem to have all been drawn towards Sebastopol, and there is, consequently, a large display of canvas in its vicinity. Many are of opinion that the greater part of the camp is required as an hospital. THE NEW COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. Many reforms have taken place in the interior economy of our routine since the change at our head-quarters ; they give universal satisfaction. The trench duties are now taken by divisions, which prevents a deal of trouble ; in the event of casualties, the senior officers can be discovered without diffi culty, and the command handed over to the proper person without requiring the aid of an army list. The whole of the attack is placed under the command of the general of the attack, who delivers his orders to all employed. Formerly the artillery was only under the control of its own chief, and received the orders from him alone. The inconvenience from this arrangement has only now been rectified. Our new com mander-in-chief seems determined to view all things for him self, and will take nothing on hearsay. He was nearly taken as a spy by some soldier ignorant of his rank not long since, as the latter could not understand what business an officer in a very shabby uniform, and without any attendants, had in promenading through the most advanced and exposed trenches, looking into the magazines, taking the directions of the mortar batteries, and making himself master of the whole plan of our attack. • The correspondent of the Times, writing from the camp of the Fourth Division before Sebastopol, on July 30, says : Since the sortie of the 23rd inst. nothing of importance or even of interest has occurred here. The desultory fire to which we are accustomed continues by day, usually swelling into a roar of artillery for a portion of every night. Last night, for instance, the din began at half-past 10, and lasted with intervals about three hours. The casualties continue much as before, not very heavy, although some days are un lucky, and on the night of the 28th the Guards had 25 to 30 men killed and wounded. But, however unimportant, in a siege of ordinary duration, would be the usual daily loss here experienced, in one so prolonged as that of Sebastopol it be comes a serious consideration, especially when taken in con junction with the loss from disease. This, lam glad to say, diminishes. Cholera cases have become very rare. Fever and diarrhoea are what most prevail, but not by any means to an alarming extent. Upon the whole, the sanitary condi tion of our army must be deemed satisfactory. It seems a pretty general opinion that no very long period will elapse before another attack is made upon the Malakhoff. As regards an expedition into the interior of the Crimea, that is highly improbable. In fact, I believe nothing of the kind is in contemplation—at any rate, for the present. The month of September would be a favourable season at which to commence such a movement. Colonel Norcott's (Rifles) ieivaTand charger were await ing, yesterday mooning, his return from the trenches in what was considered a perfectly sheltered situation, when a round shot, bounding over an eminence, killed both horse and man. Four Russian deserters came in yesterday. The Duke of Newcastle has arrived at Balaklava, and has been up to the front. July 31.—Soon after five o'clock this morning a most violent storm of wind and rain commenced, and continues as I write. It will cause, I fear, much discomfort, if not actual damage, in the camp, over which it rages with a combined fury and duration which I do not remember to have seen sur passed. The considerable portion of the camp of which I command a view from my hut is converted into a lake, the rain descending faster than it can sink into the earth. Even the furious war of the elements does not wholly suspend the strife of man, and from time to time, above the roar of the wind and the plash of the rain, the boom of a gun reaches us. As I write, however, the tempest passes over, the clouds fly seaward, the rain ceases, and already the camp resumes its stir. Another correspondent of the same paper, writes as follows, on July 31: — The firing during the last few days has been on our side far more lively than it had been for some time ; this increased firing has, however, a defensive rather than an offensive character. The Russians, seeing our works daily approach closer to theirs, are trying by their single gun practice to annoy us. The orders have accordingly been given to return the fire from our batteries whenever it becomes too annoying. Once already this was tried before, and it moderated some what the ardour of the Russian gunners. This is the second trial, which I hope will be not less successful in insuring us a little respite, for, somehow or other, the less we fire the better is the Russian gun practice, and vice vend. But no firing of the Russians, be it good or bad, slight or heavy, is able to impede the progress of the works. The sur face of the ground in the neighbourhood of the Malakhoff works and the Redan is presenting every day a more checkered appearance. It is one mass of trenches, traverses, rifle pits, and batteries—a perfect maze, so that it requires a strongly developed organ of locality, or else many days of trench duties, to find one's way. The railway is perhaps the best test of the gigantic activity which is prevailing ; numbers of mortars and large quantities of ammunition come up daily by it, and van ish again silently, to be replaced next day by others. It is as if the trenches were an unfathomable abyss, snch an incredible mass of mortars, guns, shells, and shot do they seem to swal- I low lip. When they will be satiated, and when the word " enough" THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. will be said, seems as uncertain as Crimean weather. I heard a few dayeago from a French officer of artillery, that Pelissier, being asked when offensive siege operations would be again resumed, said, " Well, I don't know ; the Russians are losing every day 300 or 400 men by sickness. If we wait a week they will have lost a brigade, if we wait a month they will have lost a corps d'armde." But, if the Russians lose many men - by sickness, they seem to be careful to replace them again. Numbers of stories are afloat about the formid able forces which have come and are still coming down this 'way, and apprehensions of an attack on - the Tchernaya line are daily gaining more ground. In the meantime not even the most powerful telescopes are able to discover anything of the approach of this formidable force, and the Russians content themselves with firing a shot now. and then from the batteries on the Mackenzie-ridge at the harmless sheep and cattle sent by the French over the Tchernaya to graze, or on the horses going-down for water. The >Turks are still mooning about, and waiting Omar Pasha's. arrival, which is postponed from day to day. One battalion of them has been ordered down into the valley of Baidarto cut grass. In order to prevent 'confusion a line of demarcation has been drawn, which separates the French from the Turkish foragers. Baidar seems to be an inex haustible -source of hay. Notwithstanding • the systematic collection of the French, and the continual drain on its resources by private enterprises from all armies, a great quan tity is still remaining on the hill sides, which, owing to the neighbourhood of the Russians, are rather less frequented than the more open parts of the valley. It is likewise an inexhaustible store of wood. The Turks have cut a good deal for zemliks (huts), but in their continual moving about they seem to be uncertain where to take it, so it remains there for the present. The 'London Gazette contains a despatch from General Simpson dated BEFORE SEBASTOPOL, JULY 28 . My lkird,—Since my despatch of the 24th instant I have nothing of importance to relate to you. We continue to strengthen and improve our advanced works, which are now so close to the enemy's defences that I regret to say our casual ties are necessarily considerable. The .enemy exhibit great activity in adding to and im proving -their defences, and the conveyance of large military stores from the north to the south side is increasing. I begto transmit the list of casualties to the 26th instant, and the-confidential fortnight reports of the generals of divi sion and brigade. The cholera has nearly ceased in the ranks of the army. — I have, Sac., JAMES SIMPSON, Lieutenant-General Commanding. The -total casualties are —2O rank and file -killed ; 1 officer, 4 sergeants, 1 drummer, 133 rank and file wounded. The Moniteur of Thursday publishes a telegraphic despatch from General Pelissier to the Minister of War, dated the 7th of August, 11 p.m. It is as follows :—I have nothing of interest to communicate to you. The enemy has not under taken anything against our trenches. Some cases of cholera have reappeared. THE BALTIC . . THERE are now in the Baltic 85 English vessels of war, mounting 2,098 guns ; 16 French vessels of war, mounting 408 guns. In the combined fleet there are 23 line-of-battle ships, with 1,-853 guns; 31 frigates and corvettes, with 554 ; 29 smaller steamers and gunboats, with 78 guns ; 18 mortar boats and other craft, with 21 guns ; in all, 101 vessels, mounting 2,506 guns. Admiral Dundas's despatch encloses a report from Captain Yel verton, of the Arrogant, of the destruction of barracks, maga zines, and stores at Kotka. Captain YelvFton's letter is dated from " the Arrogant, off the Mouth of the Kymene, July 28," and says that— " Very early on the 26th I was joined, off the Island of Hogland, by the Cossack and Magicienne, bringing with them the mortar-vessels Prompt, Pickle, Rocket, and Blazer. I stood immediately to the northward, leaving the Ruby to bring on the gunboats, which were not then in sight. They joined at noon, and at two p.m. we all anchored off Fort Rotsensholm. _ _ _ As the safety of our expedition rested chiefly on our invest ing and holding the entire possession of the fortified island of Kotka, I determined upon taking it at once. Accordingly I anchored the mortar-vessels out of range, and, leaving two gunboats to look after them, I proceeded with the rest of the vessels to the westward of Kotka for the pnrpose of destroying the bridge, so as to cut off the retreat of the garrison, and prevent their receiving reinforcements from the mainland. Captain Vansittart, of the Magicienne, with his accustomed zeal and activity, threaded his way at once through the shoals, and destroyed the bridge. As soon as all the vessels had anchored, so as to command the great mililary road lead ing from the fort of Hogfors Holm, and also the channel dividing the island from the main, I landed all the marines, under command of Captain S. N. Lowder, R.N., with Lieut. George D. Dowell, R.M.A., and Lieuts. H. C. Mudge and P. R. Holmes, R.M., who took possession without being opposed, as the garrison (no doubt apprised of our coming by the tele graphs along the coast) had very recently evacuated it, leaving behind them a large amount of military stores, which have since been burnt. The Crown property destoyed by Captain. Lowder included barracks, magazines, ordnance stores, store houses, stables, guardhouses, and other Government buildings, with an immense amount of timber intended for building and other military purposes. The following morning I weighed, leaving Captain Fanshawe with the Cossack in charge of this most important point, which required the utmost care and attention, as the enemy on seve ral occasions threw out reconnoitring parties, as if inclined to attempt the recovery of the island. Owing to a change of wind to the eastward, I regret to say that the village caught fire from some government buildings, and I fear much injury was done to it. It is, however, a source of congratulation to be able to add that the fine church on the island sustained no damage whatever, owing to the precautions that were immediately taken to save it. • On Tuesday a further series of official letters relating to the attack on the English boat's crew at Hangoe, on the sth of June, was presented to parliament. Lieut. Geneste's statement, together with the letter of Admiral Dundas to the Russian Minister of War, in which it is compared with the accounts put forward by the Russian authorities, are given in full. Lieut. Geneste's narrative only confirms the former accounts, that the Russians deliberately fired upon them, and took them prisoners while they were displaying a flag of truce. He anticipates being set at liberty speedily, as they were taken under a flag of truce; but what increases the infamy of Russia in this matter is, that there appears no regret, nor any inten tion to do common justice, by instantly releasing the prisoners so disgracefully obtained. - DANTSIC, Friday, August 10, 3 p.m. The Jupiter transport steamer has arrived. On the 6th the English and a portion of the French fleet weighed from Nargen, and anchored the same day off Swea borg. On the 7th the two fleets were drawn up in front of Swea borg. The bombardmant of that place was to commence on the same afternoon. It is understood that in all renewals of steam contracts for the government transport service the terms are now reduced from 50s. per ton to 455. or 4Cs. The thirteen British naval officers and midshipmen of the Tiger, lost near Odessa, have arrived at Stettin, on their way to England, having been exchanged for Russians. During the funeral of Lord Raglan, not a Russian gun was fired. In return, so soon as the church bells began tolling, announcing the interment of Admiral Nachimoff, all the bat teries were silenced. _ _ IT is intended to raise a Canadian Legion, to be commanded by the Duke of Cambridge. The commissions will be con ferred upon Canadian gentlemen, or officers settled in the province, and the corps therefore will be national. THE LATE COLONEL SHADFORTH.—Letters of condolence have been addressed by the Lieut.-Colonel and the Colour- Sergeant and acting Sergeant-Major, of the 57th Regiment, from the camp before Sebastopol, to the widow of the late Colonel, who was killed in the attack on the Redan, on the 18th June. These letters severally express the regrets of the officers and men at the painful event. Her Majesty has signed a warrant granting a pension of £2OO a-year to Mrs. Shadforth. The following is from a soldier's letter printed by the Kil marnock Chronicle:—" The other night I was on the en trenchments, and a good number of us were sitting together amusing ourselves. One was singing a song called ' Mary, weep no more for me,' in which occur these beautiful lines— ' Far, far from thee I sleep in death, So, Mary, weep no more for me,' when a shell came in and burst among us, and killed the man while he was singing the song. He died in an instant." CONTRACTS FOR WINTER CLOTHING, &C.—The govern ment has entered into extensive contracts for the fur clothing for the troops in the Crimea. The number to be supplied is, coats, lined with rabbit fur, 45,000, trousers, ditto, 45,000, and fur waistcoats, 45,000; 10,000 of each of the foregoing articles of better description are also to be supplied. The waterproof clothing contracted for is to consist of 60,000 cloaks with sleeves, 50,000 capes, and 60,000 ox-hide boots, impervious to snow-water. The greater portion of the above-mentioned is to be delivered into store by the Ist of September. • MEMORIAL TO THE LATE LORD RAGLAN. —A second meeting took place at the mansion of the Duke of Richmond, in Portland-place, London, on Tuesday, when it was moved by the Duke of Bedford, seconded by Lieut.-General Sir George Brown, and carried unanimously—" That it is the opinion of this meeting that a freehold estate purchased and entailed on the title and descendants of Field-Marshal the late Lord Raglan would be a most desirable memorial of the great public services and private worth of that nobleman ; and, the better to carry that object into execution, it is resolved that subscriptions for the purpose be opened at bankers, army agents, and any other places that may hereafter be determined on." The memorial committee intend to purchase for the proposed estate the land adjoining Raglan Castle, which gave the deceased lord his title. The subscriptions paid into the bankers at present amount to £5,111. A FRENCH STRATAGEM.-At the attack of the Mamelon, on the 7th, the signal given was six rockets from the Victoria Redoubt. Under the impression that the besieged would pro bably for the future keep a good look-out for demonstrations of this nature, the French, not many days since, made the same signal, and accompanied it with the roll of drums in the trenches towards the front, and words of command, given in a loud tone. The result justified their anticipations, as the Russian bugles sounded the assembly, and their troops were seen crowding into the Malakhoff, ready to repel the supposed premeditated attack. Immediately the guns and mortars bearing on the threatened point poured forth their iron hail. Grape, canister, and shells fell among the besieged " fast and furious," and only ceased when the fire fromthe enemy showed that the panic had passed away. On the whole this ruse de guerre was satisfactory in the extreme to all concerned, except the sufferers. —Daily News. THE WELLINGTON G COLLEE.—For the institution de bigned as a permanent memorial of the late duke, the sum of £109,000 has been already subscribed, but £26,000 more is wanting to carry out the designs of the committee. The Queen and Court are going to patronise a grand to—at which 600 soldiers of the Guards and line regiments are going to take part in the capture of a miniature Sebastopol—in Cremorne Gardens, on Monday next, in aid of the fund. LIFE IN NAPLES.—A correspondent of The Times, describ ing excesses committed by the police in Naples, under the pretext of duty to the state, says—" In fact, the present is a time in which the most savage and brutal excesses are com mitted; the common humanities of life are violated, the i pri vacy of families invaded ; men are treated like beasts, mpri, soned, flogged, and knocked down in the street, whence they are hurried off to a hospital and thence to prison, and my great fear is that the people may be goaded into acts which the more prudent do all in their power t?:prevent. I sometimes ask myself, too, are the police authorities secret enemies of the King, attempting to undermine his power ? If so, they are doing their bidding well." PARLIAMENTARY INT_ELEI:GENCW. HOUSE OF LORDS.. TUESDAY. The New River Company and Trustees of the River Lea (2) Bill was read a third time, and passed.—The Inverness Bridge Bill was read a second time. LIMITED LIABILITY.—Lord STANLEY ' of Alderley moved the suspension of the. order of the house with - respect to measures brought up from the lower house - in the case of the Limited Liability Bill.—Lord REDESDALE opposed the motion on the ground that no case of urgency had been made out.—Lord GRANVILLE denied that Lord Redesdale had given any valid reason for refusing to proceed with the bill, which was one imperatively called for by - the interests of the public.—Lord GREY was astonished at the.course pursued by the government in thus pressing forward, contrary to a deli berate resolution of the house, a measure which especially demanded mature consideration. He did not believe that the interests of the commercial community called for this bill, which was brought in to answer the purposes of speculators in bubble companies. He felt so strongly on this point that he had returned to town expressly to oppose the bill, which, he was convinced, would have pernicious effects.—The Marquis of CIANRICARDE denied that the bill was fraught with the evils depicted by Lord Grey. He thought that the resolution of the house might be suspended with advantage in this case, and he hoped that the house would proceed with the consideration of the bill, even if it sat till September.— Lord ST. LEONARDS protested, in the name of the Lords who sat on that side of the house, against pressing forward a mea sure of such immense commercial importance at this advanced period of the session.—The LORD CHANCELLOR replied, and their lordships divided on the question of suspending the re solution, which was carried by 38 to 14.—Lord STANLEY of Alderley, in moving the second reading of the bill, said, that the present state of the law required amendment, because it tended to drive British capital into other countries where . similar obstacles to its employment did not exist. • An illus tration of this came under his own observation shortly after he went to the Board of Trade. An application was made to that board by a large steam navigation company, which wished to obtain limited liability for the establishment of a commu nication between this country and Canada. This application was resisted with great obstinacy by the directors of Cunard's line and other existing companies, and the result was that a charter was refused to the parties. This case convinced him of the very objectionable state of the law of partnership, which left the granting or withholding of charters entirely `to a department of the government that was liable to be influenced by the representations of persons already in the trade, and who were naturally opposed to competition. Ultimately the company to which he referred went to Canada, where these restrictions did not exist, and obtained a charter there. Another great objection to the present state of the law was, that it prevented small capitalists associating together, and enjoying those advantages which were derived from the employment of a large capital Be thought that their lordships would best consult the inte rests of the country, if, removing the unnecessary restrictions, they allowed every individual to employ his capital in the manner most conducive to his own advantage. He was satis fied that the apprehensions expressed in respect to the operation of the bill were in a great degree merely conjectural, and were entertained principally by that class of persons who had a sort of superstitious dread of altering a state of things under which alone they fancied the country could be prosperous.— After some farther discussion, in which Earl GREY, Lord REDESDALE and Lord WYNFORD opposed the motion, the bill was read a second time. The Sale of Beer Bill went through committee.—The Downing-street Public Offices Extension Bill was read a third time and passed.—The Militia Ballot Suspension Bill passed through committee.—The reports of amendments to the Dis senters' Marriage Bill and the Metropolitan Buildings Bill were brought up and received.—The Customs Tariff Acts Amendment and Consolidation Bill, the Customs Laws Con solidation Bill, and the Turnpike Acts Continuance (No. 2) Bill were read a third time and passed.—The Passengers Acts Amendment Bill and the Island of Tobago Loan Bill passed through committee.—The Turkish Loan Bill was read a third time and passed.—The Ordnance Board Bill, the Lunatic Asy lums (Ireland) Advances Bill, and the Navigation Works (Ireland) Bill were read a second time.—The standing order having been suspended, the Appropriation Bill was brought in and read a first time. Their lordships adjourned shortly after nine o'clock. THURSDAY, The Royal Conical Flour Mill Bill was read a third time and passed.—The Nuisances Removal and Diseases Prevention Acts Consolidation and Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed.—The Public-houses (Ireland) Bill, the Public Health Act (1854) Continuance and Amendment Bill, and the Diseases Prevention Bill were read a second time. LIMITED LIABILITY BILL.—On the order being read for going into committee, a smart debate arose upon a proposition by Lord St. LEONARDS to refer it to a select committee, Lord CAMPBELL, Lord GREY, Lord MONTEAGLE, and Lord REDES DALE all supporting the motion, which was resisted by Lord GRANVILLE and Lord STANLEY of Alderley.—Upon a division the motion of Lord St. Leonards was negatived by a majority of 28 to 11, and their lordships, in spite of further remonstrance, went into committee upon the bill.— On clause 1, Lord MON TEAGLE moved an amendment to the effect that the capital of a company establishedunder the act should be not less than £lO,OOO divided into shares of not less than £25 each.— After some discussion the amendment was negatived by 18 to 9.—Earl GREY proposed an amendment, to the effect that companies should consist of not less than 25 shareholders, and the amend- ' meat was adopted.—Upon clause 2, Earl GREY proposed to add in line 35, after the word "liability," the words "after the affairs of the company shall have been audited by some person appointed by the Board of Trade, and a certificate from the said board that the complete solvency of such company has been established to the said auditor's satisfaction."—The amendment was agreed to.—Upon clause 4, Lord CAMPBELL proposed an amendment to the effect that all negotiable securi ties issued by companies with limited liability should have that fact mentioned on them.—The amendment was agreed to. —Another discussion took place on a motion to adjourn the committee, which was defeated by 19 to 9.—After clause 8 had been agreed to, Earl GREY moved to insert a clause providing that if the directors of any company formed under the bill de clared and paid a dividend when the undertaking was insolvent, they should be jointly and severally liable for the whole of the debts of the company ; exemption, however, to be allowed to any director who was proved to have resisted the declaration of such dividend.—After a short conversation the clause was agreed to.—Earl GREY next proposed a clause to prevent the note-of-hand of any shareholder being received in payment for stock of the company, which was also agreed to.—Lord MONTEAGLE proposed a clause, providing that, whenever it should appear that any company had lost or wasted three fourths of its subscribed capital, the business of the company should forthwith cease, or only be continued for the purpose of winding up the affairs of the company. This was also agreed to, as were the remaining clauses up to 12, with verbal amend ments.—Clauses 13 and 14 were struck out of the bill, and their lordships resumed. The Appropriation Bill and the Exchequer Bill were read a second time, and their lordships adjourned at one o'clock. FRIDAY. PRISONERS OF WAR IN RUSSIA.—The Earl of MALMES BURY called attention to a statement in Blackwood's Maga zine, respecting the treatment of prisoners of war in Russia ; and said it was the duty of Her Majesty's government to as certain the truth of it. The Public Health (No. 2) Bill was read a second time. The Public-houses (Ireland) Bill, the Public Health Act (1854) Continuance Amendment Bill, and the Diseases Pre vention Bill passed through committee. The Lunatic Asylums (Ireland) Advances Bill, and the Navigation Works (Ireland) Bill, were read a third time and passed. _ _ The Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill passed through committee. EXCHEQUER BILLS (7,000,000) BILL, On the motion, by Earl GRANVILLE, for going into com mittee on this bill, Lord MONTEAGLE took occasion to discuss thefi the nanc war ialp wasositi conducted, ed, and the f du t e h t ecountry, the moheedne in whichormous cost which that cost was defrayed. He objected to the expenditure upon militaryßills a rc a e s a means of revenue of by establishments the repeal h wastei stpofaep E r a e cxproductiveh Stamp eq u Act, and the source li a bilities assumed in contracting the Turkish Loan, which, as lie urged, would give France the opportunity of escaping f rom o of atthhe home,eN ev her share of the burden, and leaving us to p a y th e w h o l e i nterest. r its money, —Lords MALMEEBTJRY, GRANVILLE, and CLA.RENDON spoke upon the Turkish Loan, maintaining the good faith of France ; but Lord GREY condemned the nature of the contract for that loan, as likely to lead to misunderstanding with both France and Turkey, and censured in some detail the profligate expenditure in all branches of the public service connected with the war. A time of reaction would come, the interest on all the money thus wantonly spent would have to be paid, and not only would there be the same discontent as had fol lowed the last war, but the emigration which had made so much progress of late years would afford a strong temptation to all who could leave the country to seek one less burdened by taxation.—The bill then passed through committee. The Militia Pay Bill also passed through committee. LIMITED LIABILITY BILL.—On the question that the report of the committee on this bill be received, a discussion took place ; several lords reiterating their previous arguments against the measure.—Lord CAMPBELL proposed a clause to allow costs against shareholders when the company had no assets against which execution could be levied.—The clause was agreed to.—The report was then agreed to.—Earl GRAN VILLE said, the third reading had been fixed for Monday, and, if any peer preferred it, that agreement should be adhered to ; but it would be convenient, if there were no objection, to take the third reading to-morrow.—Lord CAMPBELL understood they must meet, at all events, to-morrow, and saw no objection to taking the third reading of the bill then instead of on Mon day.—Lord REDESDALE did not object, but wished to be understood as protesting to the very last that sufficient time had not been allowed for the consideration of this measure. — The third reading was then fixed for Saturday. The Commons' amendments to the Dwellings for Labouring Classes Bill were agreed to, and Their lordships adjourned at 20 minutes past 9 o'clock. SATURDAY. The house met at noon. The Commons' amendments to the Charititileinistsliii were — agreedltT.—The Commons' amendments to the Union of Contiguous Benefices Bill were agreed to, with the exception of two which were rejected.—The Inverness Bridge Bill was read a third time and passed.—The Commons' amendments to the Criminal Justice bill were agreed to.—The Public-houses (Ireland) Bill, Public Health Act (1854) Continuance and Amendment Bill, and the Diseases Prevention Bill were read a third time and passed. LIMITED LIABILITY.—This bill was read a third time, after some remarks by Lord LYTTLETON, the Marquis of LANSDOWNE, Lord REDESDALE, and Lord CAMPBELL.— Lord STANLEY of Alderley then moved the insertion of a clause for auditing the accounts of companies formed under the bill, in accordance with a pretty general opinion which had been expressed by their lordships, though he still enter tained the doubt he had already expressed, that it was a matter of extreme difficulty. The clause he proposed was to the effect that, in the case of any company formed under this bill obtaining limited liability, and being subject to the pro visions of the Joint-Stock Companies Registration Act, where there was only one artditor, he should be appointed with the approval of the Board of Trade; that where there were two or more auditors, one at lext should be appointed with the ap proval of ,the Board of grade ; and where there ..as no auditor, the. Board of Trade should have power to appoint one temselves, as was now the practice under the Joint-Stock Companies Act.—The clause was agreed to, as was also another clause proposed by the Lord CHANCELLOR, to the effect that those companies should be subjected to the provisions of the Winding-up-Act.—The bill, in its amended form, was then passed amidst cheers. _ The Commons' amendments on the Burials Bill were agreed to; and at a few minutes past two their lordships adjourned until Monday. HOUSE OF COMMONS. TUESDAY. The speaker took the chair at noon. The Exchequer Bills (07,000,000) Bill was read a third time and passed, after some remarks from Sir H. WILLOUGHBY on the large amount of the unfunded debt. TnE VAR.—On the order for the third reading of the Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill, Lord J. RUSSELL called attention to the prospects of the war, without wishing, he said, either to aggravate or diminish the responsibility of ministers. With regard to naval operations, as it was evident that the enemy did not mean to meet us in that field, it could not be expected that the war would be terminated by our fleet. There was danger, in his opinion, upon the Asiatic frontier of Turkey, and the large allied force collected in the Crimea would be met by a large Russian army from Poland and other parts. He could not but think that these were matters for very grave reflection. Serious questions might also arise with reference to propositions for peace. The Turkish Ambassador at Vienna was perfectly satisfied with the terms proposed by Count Buol, and if the Ottoman government should be of opinion that terms of peace had been proposed which afforded sufficient security, and the war should be still carried on, not for the security of Turkey, but for the maintenance of the military reputation of France and England, the position of these two countries would be very much changed, and we must then subsidise Turkey. With regard to France, the Emperor of the French, he observed, had been not only so faithful, but so prudent and just an ally, that he was disposed to pay great consideration to any opinion of his as to negotiations for peace ; but, if an opportunity should arise, and safe and honourable terms were offered, he hoped the war would not be prolonged. He then proceeded to review the condition of Italy, and especially the kingdom of the Two Sicilies, where he said the best men were pining in imprisonment, and Tuscany, where the old plan of religious toleration and mildness had been exchanged for a tormenting system of persecution which was a disgrace to the country. And what aggravated the matter was that these evils were taking place because one of the principal states of Italy—the State of the Church—was in part in the occupation cf Austrian troops, while its capital, Rome, was occupied by those of France. The Pope must be dependent upon one or other of these foreign states, and there was no symptom that the Papal authority was gaining ground, or that, if the foreign troops were withdrawn, it would not give place to some irre gular authority. If this was the case, what prospect was there that either the Emperor of Austria or the Emperor of the French would withdraw his troops ? And if the occupa tion continued indefinitely, the Pope must cease to be an independent prince, and there would be a disturbance of the balance of power in Europe.—After some remarks by Mr. WILKINSON, who said the speediest mode of obtaining peace was by a vigorous and successful prosecution of the war, Lord PALMERSTON said he did not find fault with the course taken by Lord J. Russell, and assured him and the house that the government were deeply sensible of the gravity of their responsibility. His colleagues, however, were not of the same stamp with that man who, after full and mature consideration, concurred in commencing and carrying on the war, and then changed his opinion, and declared the war unnecessary and unjust. They were prepared to take upon themselves the responsibility which belonged to their posi tion, and would not be afraid to face parliament again. Lord J. Russell had intimated doubts as to the opera tions of the war. The government could not enter into any explanations upon that subject, nor as to the terms of peace. The former must depend upon cir cumstances, and the conditions of peace upon the results of the war. With respect to the remark of Lord J. Russell, that the Turkish Ambassador had been of opinion that the Austrian proposal ought to have been accepted, and that he had been overborne by the opinions of England and France, he had no reason to believe or to suppose that the Turkish government differed from England and France as to the propriety of not accepting that proposal. But the objects of the war were wider than could depend upon the decision of the Turkish government. The protection of Turkey was means to an end ; behind the protection of Turkey was the greater question of repressing the grasping ambition of Russia, and preventing the extinction of the principles of political and commercial liberty. He should not therefore be prepared to say that it ought to be left to Turkey to decide the conditions of the future peace of Europe, the governments of England and France having as great or a greater interest in the matter. With reference to the condition of Italy, he thought he could answer for the government df France—he ' was sure he could say for that of England—that their atten tion would not be withheld from this interesting matter. — Mr. HENLEY regretted that the matter should have been brought up at all, as he did not see what good could arise from this discussion, while it tended to introduce another apple of discord. As we were now in the war, he thought that fighting it out was the only mode of securing peace.—The bill was then read a third time and passed. The Militia Pay Bill was read a third time and passed. PUBLIC HEALTH (No. 2) BILL—On the motion of Sir B. HALL, the standing orders were suspended, and this bill passed through all its stages. The house then went into committee on the Charitable Trusts Bill, commencing with clause 22, which, after some discussion, was omitted. Clauses from 22 to 87 were agreed to, when the CHAIRMAN reported pro gress . The Schools Grants Security for Application Bill passed through committee. In answer to a question, Sir W. MOLEsWORTU said that the acts conferring constitutions on New South Wales and Victoria were despatched to those colonies on the 4th of this month. FINANCES or INDIA.—The house, having resolved itself into a committee upon the accounts and papers relating to India, Mr. V. SMIrK proceeded to give in detail the items of the re venue and expenditure in the several presidencies. In the year 1852-1853—the latest periods up to which the accounts were made up—the extra surplus of income over expenditure was £421,227, being £200,000 less than the estimate formed by his predecessor Sir Charles Wood. A deficiency of £3,000,000 might be anticipated for the years 1854 and 1855, and to make good this a proposal had been made to lay an additional tax upon salt ; but this was a proposal which could not be enter tained. The mode by which the income and expenditure might be equalized would be a matter for the serious consi deration of the Indian government. He concluded a speech of considerable length by moving a formal resolution em bodying the results of his statement.—Mr. BRIGHT, after some remarks condemnatory of the government of India, moved a series of resolutions recommending that the annual accounts of the finances of India should be made up to the 20th of October, and the annual statement made at an earlier period of the session.—After a lengthened discussion these were agreed to. The Charitable Trusts Bill passed through committee, and the house adjourned at a quarter-past two o'clock. WEDNESDAY. On the motion for the third reading of the Burials Bill, Lord EBRINGTON, having called the attention of the house to the inconvenience caused by the diversity of the arrange ments required by different Bishops as the condition of con secrating burial-grounds, moved the addition of a clause pro viding that it should not be necessary for the burial board of any parish to do more than prove that a requisite line of demarcation had been made between the parts intended for the interment of members of the Church and others, and that no proceedings should be instituted against any minister of the Church on account of his having officiated at the interment in such ground after it had been approved by the Secretary of State, and before its consecration.—This led to some discussion, and ultimately the clause was rejected by 29 to 26, and the bill with some verbal alterations passed. The adjourned debate upon the additional clauses and the other amendments proposed upon the third reading of the Criminal Justice Bill was then resumed, and the bill ulti mately passed.—The Crime and Outrage (Ireland) Act Con tinuance Bill passed through committee. The Lords' amendments to the Turnpike Trusts Arrange ment Bill, the Lunatic Asylums and Regulations Acts Amendment Bill, the Chinese Passengers' Ships Bill, and the Sale of Spirits (Ireland) Bill, were agreed to. The house went into committee on the Leases and Sales of Settled Estates Bill, when clause 20 led to some discussion, it being opposed by several members.—The SOLICITOR-GENERAL said that, as to divide the committee in its present state (there not being then forty members present) would only lead to an adjournment, by which the other business on the paper would be thrown over, it would be better to report progress.—The motion to report progress was agreed to. On the motion for going into committee on the Dispatch of Business, Court of Chancery Bill, Mr. HADFIELD moved that it be committed that day three months. The house divided, when the numbers were—For the motion, 0 ; against it, 35 — majority, 35. [Considerable 'amusement was created by the result of the division, Mr. Hadfield and a gentleman, who acted with him as teller, being the only supporters of the mo tion, and they of course were not counted.l The house then went into committee on the bill pro forma, and immediately resumed. The order for the second reading of the Accidents on Rail ways Bill was discharged. The house adjourned at a quarter before six o'clock. THURSDAY. The Speaker took the chair at n00n... New writs were ordered for Kidderminster, in the,place of Robert Lowe, Esq., who had accepted the office of Vice-presi dent of the Board of Trade ; for Kilmarnock burghs, in the place of the Hon. E. P. Bouverie, who had accepted the office of President of the Poor Law Board, in the room of Mr. Baines, resigned, and for Hertford, in the place of the Hon. W. F. Cowper, who had accepted the office of President of the General Board of Health. The Charitable Trusts Bill, the Union of Contiguous Benefices Bill, the Crime and Outrage (Ireland) Act Con tinuance Bill, and the School Grants Security for Applica tion Bill were read a third time and passed. LEASES AND SALES OF SETTLED ESTATES BILL.—The house went into committee on this bill Clauses Ito 19 were agreed to. Clause 20, the object of which is to prevent Sir Thomas Wilson availing himself of the bill, led to a long dis cussion, and eventually the bill was withdrawn. The house went into committee on the Despatch of Busi ness, Court of Chancey Bill, and its provisions were dis cussed until four o'clock, when the house adjourned to six o'clock. NEWSPAPERS POR THE COLONIES.-Mr. TRORNELY asked the Secretary of the Treasury whether any steps had been taken to remedy the inconvenience recently sustained with regard to newspapers posted for the colonies and for foreign countries.—Mr. WILSON said that the Postmaster-General had had under his consideration the numerous complaints which had reached him on the subject, and that he had proposed cer tain modifications which it was intended to carry out by a letter from the Treasury, with a view of remedying those complaints. By the act of the present session it was neces sary that every newspaper sent abroad or to the colonies shbuld have an impressed stamp and a postage label besides. The effect of that was to make an apparent charge of two pence upon all newspapers going to the colonies. The Post master,General had proposed—and his suggestion had been acceded to by the Treasury—that newspapers going abroad should not require the impressed stamp at all, but that a single adhesive stamp should suffice, so that only a penny would in future be charged upon newspapers to the colonies. The impressed stamp, therefore, would be only applicable hereafter to newspapers, circulated at home, which it would entitle to transmission and retransmission through the post. It must be understood that all newspapers going abroad or to the colonies would requi,s‘ the Queens head affixed, [AuGusT 14, 1855. whether they had the impressed stamp or not—Mr. MooRE said that at present he had to place two an impressed copy of the Times for postag e to the!,,r7ii Would that be necessary in future ? — Mr. WiLsos the postage to the Brazils would be cover ed by a Pe' besive stamp. , PROMOTION IN THE NAVY.—Some discussion t oo k Po' a motion for " a select committee to inquire into the ment of the navy, relating to the lists of officers, Pt_ ru promotion, and the efficiency of the service in all t!; . e l vocA belonging to it."—The motion was opposed by Sir u and durmg the discussion the house was counted 0 quarter to eleven o'clock. - FRIDAY. Ve a PROPOSED ITALIAN LEGION.—Mr. BOWY EE - adjournment of the house in order to make some rel; the proposed d y ltallan Legion, which were repl ied p to The house then went again into committee lIP°OOII Despatch of Business, Court of Chancery MA the r e d a clauses of which were agreed to, and the bill was Iva time and passed. The house adjourned at half-past 8 o'clock. SATURDAY. The Speaker took the chair at one o'clock. __. e d fo After some motions for returns, the house amendments introduced by the Lords in the PT; t r 0 ;0 0 (No. 2.) Bill, Dwellings for Labouring Classes BP.' , bl Contiguous Benefices Bill, and Burials Bill. t o t 1 :51 LIMITED LIABILITY.—The Lords amendruen , were next considered.—The first read was that fo rt ed or) minimum of 25 shareholders in a company to bll4 ia t n b mg e e nc act, odmm p w e an h ut i i c we h sa s , t after ew s p o hr m i icv e hi l d re e i g s ge c us u i s or s ef i d o l w ile d a , s i n a l greed oarb4let t oce r of solvency must be given by an auditor appointed ,4 0 00 4 0 of Trade, after a full examination of the accounts ° 1 ' be peil,!:.t —Mr. BRAMLEY-MOORE contended that it would f the impracticable to carry out the proposed plan. 1 4. tbeY, holders of a company were disposed to be dishouT, 000 be so in spite of all the diligence exercised by t ne e ot t ° o l. prevent it. He hoped the house would not . as . . 6 n j o ico, 6 l ameudment.—Lord PALMERSTON expressed his vt e or: k i many of the amendments introduced by the other ivFoi very objectionable, and regretted that they oliedot in the bill. At the same time, it was necessarY4 :0 9e * allowances for them. It had been found imposs l : l o j. r.l l ! l ec tion this bill to the other house until a very late per house, without being very unreasonable, had 07(16,' to discuss the bill upon the ground of want of 513 ,""il l , If it should be found in practice that any of thy( tlle " 0 0 did interfere with the op era ti on o f the principle 0 0 0 b 5 tr would be very easy in the next session to bring?, .0( bill, and there would b e no diffi cu lt y in removilh*.g s : l o l o ' de which might stand in th e wa y o f s uch le rg h oe After some further discussion th e amen d me nt , —The third amendment, which was discussed , W o f a ibe . 'o posing as a penalty liability to the whole a mount ec o!e of the company upon any director who should cl .„,olc e V dend, knowing the company to be in a state of W I 0 Mr. BRAMLEY-MOORE said that, if any Pers fi lth A t , enough to become a director of a company it - 0110 liability, subject to this condition, he would we ll Ili that might befal him in the l oss o f hi s moneP•p o tly , did not believe that any one would be found sufdc p l ; 4 0 4 to become a director of such a company.—A' „ be 9 protest from other members against passing 0 0 , the shape in which it then s t oo d, this am en fit also agreed to.—The fou r th amendment whi ch 90 cussed was that which provided that all to , i l. / formed under the act should be compelled up its affairs after it had lost three parts of ',,dol o rt Mr. BRA MLEY-MOORE thought that, as they "i n e A tO the bill, the amendments introduced bee3..4ovV Nothing could be more absurd than this ,`;eet ° , o and he suggested that the house ought not to as; p o Mr. 31ALINS deprecated the exceedingly narro; ot which this bill appeared to have been discussed ht' t l O l house. Their lordships appeared to have 0 0 _70,P persons . engaged in commercial transactions w ere il e ovi (3. 0 4 or idiots—knaves who were anxious only to see i ble tea could impose upon the public, knaves who were n”` ?1; stand the nature of any contract into which they 1 11 , PO Lord PALMERSTON said that if the bill were n0",,b01e, f 4 session they would have next year to go over the `' its PP to again, whereas, by passing the measure non,' 10 01 , 0 0_,, would be definitively adopted ; and all that wou' e o, done hereafter would be merely to pass such st n r oper 3 P e were found to be necessary to give effect to bA I ing out of the principle s w hi c h h a d b een a d o ptetL er d r t ments were then agreed to, as were severa l et2;itosto minor amendments, without di s c uss i on .—The e 'er or was read a third time and pa sse d, w ith a f e w C I) cl 3 e sides of the house. pa st The house adjourned at 4 o'clock until Tuesday. , IRELAND. 'etY THE Royal Agricultural Improvement Se° l ,, t Car dr held their annual show on Wednesday last , pale the dinner which took place in the evening the , „ c ir ster presided, and the lord-lieutenant was presen t ' ll ,ttr i 4, THE agricultural returns just published S h ow , a tat vation of wheat has decreased to a remarkable , I e cen..;eri land, the number of acres in 1853 being 1. 5 P er h . 1 , in 1850. The extent of lands under oats c s en T: p o tatoco i c ,t lo , but barley had decreased about Per they show an increase in acres of sent. since 1850, theP t i i ? increased in produce about 45 Per rrels more thae 4 .0.7 0 ; 4 1 of the 1853 crop being 10,000,v- - 000 1 r more than that of either 1851 or 1852, and 14, 0 °°' lte u ,,t( MORE ASSAULTS ON SCRIPTURE tf V Mes s , f en cell" Grange's-road upon two scripture-readers, and \Vinton, by an organised rabble. These v: 1 , to :" j o ggyi in g quietly to some people who had no object° 0° pecP,, versation with them, when a number of perso o da tia week aver y wanton and violent assault was cu 4 , 0 A their footsteps for the obvious purpose of intro' l on ce „p , from entering into communication with them, at flictivt; yell and fell upon them with stones and MO.,' i derat ° ,oo e them some very severe bruises.—Kilkenny-Tli e vrel; r ieVry THE IRISH SPIRITUAL PEERS.—The Tad per cev Bishops on the rota for the next session are the; t be the Bishops of Cashel, Tuam, and Derry ; h ut ', to b. e o of Tuam sits as an English peer, his see ceas e in tu,". I{ 4 eo t seated on the bench of Bishops, and the Del", v e 11. Bishop of Limerick) takes his place. So iji p ar , Plunket lives the same bishops will always s it „ 005,%0f together. In 1857 the bishops will be Pew"4,,ao' Cork; and in 1858, Killaloe, Kilmore, and 3 1 e,, ; /, .„Ati The Archbishops sit alternately.—Evening Su:4l"i REINFORCEMENTS FOR THE CRIMEA. -- ‘" - r € R5 ll :O , number of officers and men belonging to diffe r f e ze so° o at the seat of war were embarked on board the.,,at, lc steam transport, at Kingstown. The detaciw:,: e o,ll o , about 2 posed of three captains, nine subalterns, eight sefro4ity corporals, eight drummers, and 306 privates , be` o tyl i f t r Ist Royals, 13th, 14th, 57th, and 90th Regloo, t ',o l lll lB ' under the command of Captain Grogan, 14th ,riy# l / i pl , of the 12th Lancers. A draft of the 6th (Inl v ot CA'gt goons, with 77 horses, is likewise taken out on board of which are also several of the Gr o tro s oe , Sir W. Synge Hutchinson, Bart., an d Li e uteo tiolipok r f d? among those who go out in her. Th e embarltp ; ',, tt lf ducted with remarkable celerity in p resenc e of I . l o°V° Colonel Doyle, Town-major Fairclongh , and ifa r parting salute, the vessel left King s town P . d after nine o'clock, p.m. „„ floa s „ c c eti LORD STEWARDSHIP OF IRELAND.—The ejem had a special sitting on Tuesday to hear the loo t 4t9 port of the claim of Bertrand Arthur, Earl of yre,;pl Earl of Waterford, to the right to the office el u ylyf o rO i t , of Ireland, and who prayed that Her Majesty or ° ,.„ pot It/ to direct that his lordship should be a dmitted of f i ce o ) i duties incident and appertaining to the said steo . 4 l f, stated in evidence that "the d u ti es o f Lord „vei- t ot principally performed about the p erson of thu fer reo tv in the household." The claim had been ri_e„ry a 9 ett~ lordships. The title of the Earl of Shrews Waterford, to this office was traced backward, L .,% — r i ot;(1. 1 ,0' the reign of Henry VI., who directed that the irjrni#o l bury and Waterford should be his steward thest.,,,4o his heirs stewards in Ireland. From the time ° catlvi:M ties which had been imposed on the Roma° t •I 1 10t , "' Earls of Shrewsbury had been prevented, 1111 ., e i ver$4 1 ,0 1 exercising this office. The act of Charles, 10 '00° D ie created a forfeiture, and therefore Mr. Fleming b . s po , il tt in support of the claim) now submitted that 1 4 ,0; 4. 0, was fully entitled to claim to exercise the right t he j t, sought at the hands of their lordships. - 4 „, t t i l/ ; 0 0 ' (which was very voluminous) having been .a e rati hJ ordered to be printed, and the further COns' r ye claim was adjourned sine die. r rhe • c S,d RIOT IN THE CAMP AT THE C I THHA,--- ' OO 4 Express of Monday contains the following c ' at oP • , A, very alarming character took plac e in the pahl i ortir o evening, between the soldiers of the CouutY,es, and those of the Longford and Westmeath n i t' S' f ro; ) e v' e commenced at one of the canteens attached T he se the news was soon conveyed to the men of,' tD e o po i e d; simultaneously turned out, and repaired L (3 O fer A pe action, when a general tnelere took place , 3 O ° A of dangerous in the extreme. Several havia g ileov 3 y muskets and bayonets, the l a tt er wea pon 6 6 T ebb e and stones and brick-bats were freely throw n ' g el 5 t ° l3 te men have been severely injured. Only for vole to assistance rendered by the commandant,, i iier,,i,/ Smith, and the Adjutant-General, Major JP" eb b de r t 5 0 ad went to the spot, and ordered the „ got ioo a 0 sounded, and the whole of the troops to P o v i acli oll. e gae A , in all probability there would have beet', 0 0 0 '030 /1 0;f ; The troops were kept under arms until ; he ll tional sentries were posted all round the also patrolled during the night to Pr ev- fal °P (lel d v'rig s , l o' Several of the ringleaders of this disgra ce nia r/ I !_ i de, 6 are in custody, and, no doubt, will be sl o ws: The troops in the camp are brigaded as Ali, cori' r 1 3 `'floJ e l County Dublin Light Infantry, and Not' 3foie lie s, manded by Col. W. Smith, C. 8., W it 6o th Major of Brigade. 2nd Brigade as, / ,jor Longford Rifles, and Westmeath iti z ade, Bedford, 60th Rifles ; acting Major of -"` 60th Rifles. the a we c t ictet: ja i t. e s hnai s et a rportionw.containscinb, Melbourne ‘ o ' eohli l Avl V etifrtruou e ßeimilitia t Th eo:t a ta a 3 hobf i t N ve T s O e N e N 1 . 00 ii e ) :::: whereinve en May, found per the i:George.ecnaE theoo rrb it will have 1 at stated tnefll)la _....- -..-lFrlai broeusrpneec,t a Brat;eetii,,vl:yp: ...uGGEr.—The North -. Gated tp-, I to 0 been in circulatio . o e b n ree a c. the trade of the ' important .11,41! pieoeatofasorluidmoguorlz:s.eigthhieniro'.sfitotirltkt:rs ia'. colony." . C , ..P't ~,,,,ha 31 r e t ; $ alrnrangower diggaiondgsb. enleffiteiliiii etre 4 IrlielgoaTewsnilaicnnEetgiVhplalas curious s r ba r eg ereAnostory' —Tile teoctri se 3i: ye le .B 101 : - 11fhi i.v i ee: o o ) . th : i , ti ii : ( fi ii ..,; e, ia l u l l mT s o a ehx f de e f 0 r d a n d r e lv a e t l i 1 1 : left wing not arrived at Corfu, but glad ' r eper`,-PII , Various° _ at aty 0 dation,portion oafndtheprorebgiambleynt, originatedb uttliey fair.oetoentainretlhlailiiditel;!o.l:ecti?of might have been of a more serious nature the r 00 e te be. It appears that the vessel convaia ejla :fitted pi the officers, accompanied ba few ladies, were ; li i e s,'i ,V e i, s wit ~ a a, their course the boat was upset, and it wit i aotvveo Aft culty that the ladies were saved fro Tangiers , being " i tbe 'del ' o f on e• ultimatel y reached the shore neard an Oloolot coast, and shortly afterwards were capture 08 . 8 ire soners by the pirates who infest that localitY• bu t tP e o ft!' r e to the I !sopa 0,1);ii:o the party were imprisoned for the nigl.lt:terfereii,etbe t' morning they were liberated through the p . ,, 5 ,i w it!' British consul, who had been made accinal! cuinstanee. They reached the vessel in safetY• y wh owedewhat OaffhoGuitbt:lentr; ii-e:,,,,'11::, Irc4 ' l l4 tz z 15 3 tl9 nts the 0"