The Press.
London, England, 1855-08-18 00:00:00

THE RUSSIAN BALTIC FORTRESSES.

The fortress of Sweaborg is the first formidable ob-
stacle iu the Gulf of Finland, and does the outpost duty,
as it were, fin the great military entrepots of St. Petersburg.
On the east this fortress also partially commando the most
navigable channel for vessels of a large draught of water,
on the voyage to Cronstadt, which is distant 103 miles, on
the St. Petersburg side.
Sweaborg is composed of seven rocky islands, and is
situated about three miles and r half from Helsingfors. It
fell into the possession of Russia with the grand duchy of
Finland ; but, unlike Helsingfors, which was first regularly
fortified by the late Emperors Alexander and Nicholas,
Sweaborg had been a place of considerable strength under
the Swedes. General Ehrenfwald, an able Swedish
officer, considering that three islands might be rendered a
formidable stronghold, and might enable Sweden to main-
tain her power iu the Baltic, in spite of the ambitious de-
signs of Russia, projected the plan of their fortification.
Previously, however, ships were built and repaired there
for the Swedish nary. The works were commenced in
1748, but were not completely finished when acquired by
the Russians, who have continued making improvements,
and devising every means of rendering the place impreg-
nable. They say, the Swedes began, but we finished the
Gibraltar of the North." These works are stupendous.
The walls are chiefly hewn granite, covered with earth,
rising in some places to a height of forty-eight feet The
batteries, which commence on a level with the water, and
rise in tiers one above another, are mounted, it is alleged,
with nearly a thousand guns. In Wolf's Island, the prin-
cipal of the group, there is a dry dock, ca; able of contain.
ing eleven or twelve frigates, which has been completely
hollowed out of solid rock, the length being 300 feet,
breadth 200, and depth 14 feet. At one extremity of this
dock is a basin 200 feet square, closed at each end with
sluice gates, which serves for the entrance and exit of
frigates, and for repairing and building ships. The stores
and ammunition for the batteries are deposited in maga-
zines, on the edge of the water. The harbour can contain
seven ships of the line and a few frigates.
The three fortresses—Cronstadt, Sweaborg, and
Helsingfors—could not hare been intended for the defence
alone of St. Petersburg. They tell their own tale. The
magnitude of their works, and the incessant activity in%the
arsenals during the last half-century, should have clearly
warned Europe that these huge fortresses were intended as
a basis of operations against its liberties and the rights of
its rulers.

Cronstadt, which commands the passages at the mouth
of the Neva, was taken from the Swedes by Peter the
Great, and first converted by him from a desert island into
a harbour for his navy in 1710. The most invulnerable
portion of the stronghold, a rampart of granite built in the
sea fur the protection of the shipping, was began and
finished under the superintendence of Admiral Greig, who
is styled the father of the Russian navy. Doubts are en-
tertained whether the guns of Cronstadt completely com-
mand the northern passage; the Marquis de Cuatine, a
keen inquirer, declares that although he put himself to
some trouble to learn as much, he could not find the Rus-
sian who would inform him of the fact..

The population of Cronstadt is about 45,000, of
Helsingfors, which is the capital of the district, 10,000,
and of Sweaborg about 4,000, the greater part of whom are
tradesmen and merchants, who depend on suppling the
garrison and fleet, and who, as if the Russians anticipated
on this occasion a serious attack from the allies, have been
removing to Helsingfors during the last few weeks.

THE INCOME TAX.-From a parliamentary paper
just published it appears that in the year ending
April 5, 1854, the total number of persons paying in-
come tax under Schedule D was 205,796, of whom 39
were assessed at 50,0001. and upwards ; 435 between
10,0001. and 50,000/. ; 736 between 10,0001. and
5,000/. ; 418 between 4,0001. and 5,0001. ; 827 be-
tween 3,0001. and 4,000/. ; 1,568 between 2,0001. and
3,000/. ; 5,350 between 1,0001. And 2,0001.; 805 be-
tween 9001. and 1,000/. ; 1,794 between 8001. and
900/. ; 2,267 between 7001. and 8001. ; 3,175 between
6001. and 700/. ; 5,644 between 5001. and 000/. ; 7,369
between 4001. and 500/. ; 15,534 between 3001. and
400/. ; 33,399 between 2001. and 300/. ; 44,109 be-
tween 1501. and 2001. ; 121,983 between 1001. and
1501.; and 20.544 under lOW. In schedule (E) the
number paying income tax was in all 69,588, of whom
53 were classed as having incomes exceeding 5,000/.
a year ; 26 between 4,0001. and 5,0001.; 42 between
3,0001. and 4,000/. ; 149 between 2,0001. and 3,000/. ;
1,216 between 1,0001. and 2,000/. ; 193 between 9(X)/.
and 1,0001.; 285 between 8001. and 900/. ; 422 be-
tween 7001. and 8001. ; 594 between 6(K)l. and 7001. ;
1,066 between 5001. and VOL; 2,062 between 4001.
and 500/. ; 4,295 between 300/. and 4001.; 9,348
from 2001. to 300/. ; 9,598 from 1501. to 2001. ;
24,994 from 100/. to 150/. ; and 15,245 below 1001. a
year. During the above year, of 6,439,0001., sche-
dule A contributed 2,888,0001.; B, 367,000/. ; C,
757,0001.; D, 2,057,000/. ; and E, 367,9101. In Ire-
land 16,686 persons paid income tax under schedule
I), and 4,127 persouslunder schedule E.

lortign gortesportbliut.

FRANKFORT, August 14.

Former de I'Europe centrale un corps diplomatique
puissant, d'une consistence compute, et I'opposer l'Orient
et it l'Occident, tel est aujourd'hui le beau rove de l'Au-
triche. Elle convie it l'Alleme.gne a donner I son orga-
nisation inferieure telle cohesion et cette unite pie poe-
cede dejit son organisation militaire. Les manifestations
de l'Autriche ont un but facile I deviner, c'est de regagner
en Allemagne lee sympathies que ces tendances occiden-
tales lui ont fait perare.

Thus openly speaks out the Russian chronicle on the
present position of Austria. The stricture is not
complimentary, or in accordance with the declaration
of Lord Palmerston of his juvenile confidence in
Lorraine faith, but it is true and especially deserved.
In reply to the message of Austria to the Diet, Rus-
sia, without the slightest mystification of diplomacy,
simply and energetically dares her to the trial of re-
gaining her lost influence, and insinuates with sly
insult that it has passed away from her to Muscovite
possession. It is a notorious fact that the dukes and
margraves, fearing either another revolution or French
interference, have yielded themselves up to Russia.
But the Germans themselves, the nobles, merchants,
landowners, and people, bear no part in this whole-
sale corruption. The position lately taken up by the
Assemblies of Hanover and Wurtemburg against the
Diet meets with the loudest approbation, and is the
forerunner of a very determined and popular oppo-
sition of the Germans generally to the personal in-
trigues of the King of Prussia, through his Minister
at the Diet, M. Bismarck Scbonhauseu, This person
has usually the appendage of " iufame " affixed to
his name by the Prussians themselves. His
Austrian colleague, M. De Prokesch-Osten, is consi•
dered far more mischievous than any Russian agent
might be ; and it is against the Austrian interest, in
possible combination with the private views of the
King of Prussia, that the growing league of union is
directed. No faith can be placed on Austrian pro.
mises, no reliance inspired by her Punic word ; and,
without nationality, composed of shreds and patches
of people, the only object of her Government has
been to excite one race against the other, and to
reign by an armed and overwhelming force, with fre-
quent appeals to the headsman and the halter—un-
happy pledges of administrative affection.
Le Nord is in error when it affirms the December
treaty with the allies, although unperformed and
violated, to be the cause which has alienated Ger-
many from Austria. The "sympathies " are without
doubt extinguished, and equally and happily true it
is that every kind sentiment has ceased to be enter-
tained for the princes in the pay of Russia. These
have lost control over their diminutive territories
from a personal espousal of the Russian interests for
pelf—vulgar pelf, without other advantage—a sale of
honour and nationality to which the Germans have
been no party, and against which baseness they
loudly protest. Can it be expected—is it within the
probabilities—that any nation or assemblage of con-
federated nationalities should range itself on a side
essentially opposed to freedom of thought and action
—and that, governmentally as well as subjectively—
and which would peril the little of public moral that
remains amidst the old dominions of Charlemagne ?
These are not times when people will be content that
their wellbeing should be bartered as merchandise
by their rulers. Either the schoolmasters or the Rus-
aianised princes will have to depart from out the
land—and when the battle of opinion once begins,
and it will begin shortl3, the issue will be decisive of
the fate of Europe. In favour of Austria, and in dis-
favour of German enlightenment, nationality, and in-
deed of all nationalities, Lord John Russell and the
Whigs have avowed their determination to stand;
and Lord Palmerston, in brazen contradiction to his
former self, consents in the House to submit to the
dictation of his political Judas.
It is in reprobation of such consentaneous agree-
ment with Muscovite ambition—it is in umbrage at a
betrayal of a principle which essentially binds toge-
ther the associated policy of Germany—that the
animosity against Lord Palmerston prevails amongst
those whom he was wont to cherish with secret ad-
vice and parliamentary encouragement. The par-
ticular caution against Austria given by him in a
letter to Carlo Alberto is proverbial with the initiated
in foreign affairs. Possibly it may appear in print
if called for.• No plausibility of excuse, no glozing
apology for the abandonment of genial liberalism,
and for an adherence to the ukases of despotism, can
remove a more than suspicion—ay, not less than
the certainty—of the guilt of treachery. And thus is
Lord Palmerston arraigned at the present moment
in Germany. The foul misdemeanour on the
Danish Succession in spirit may occur again. It is
in this wise that lie is spoken of and judged by the
King of Wurtemburg.

• As this document is so well known to " the initiated" in
Germany, we hope our correspondent will send pea copy of It.--
kld. Puss,

THE PRESS.

This sovereign is known of old to be far superior
in intellect and extent of knowledge to the average
of modern princes, and at an earlier day to have
held opinions and designs which are now more
probable of realisation. Having married the sister
of the Emperor Nicholas, and the Grand Duchess
Olga being the wife of his son the Crown Prince, a
check was placed upon the anti-Russian development
of private theories in respect to German government.
But this did not prevent him in 1850 from arraigning
publicly, by formal protest, the dishonest plots of the
King of Prussia, and the Prussian league was mainly
destroyed by his energetic conduct. Neither, is it
supposed, does he entertain a more favorable
opinion towards Austria, the object of both Minis-
tries being the same, a preponderance of power at
the corrupt Diet. Lord Palmerston has not a more
wary opponent, or one more calculated to thwart his
inveterate sinuosities and laches, than this King.
The mission of Count Kielmansegge to the Diet, on
the part of Hanover, will not in any way affect or
detract from the influence that the party of the
nobles and people is daily acquiring throughout the
Confederation. This German and national policy, in
favour of English alliance, may still further compli-
cate the many questions that bear directly upon the
springs of peace and war; but it must be settled
substantially and generally, in accordance with the
opinions of an overpowering majority of the people,
or otherwise an ill-advised peace, with the principle of
German discord unallayed, will surely be nothing
more than a truce useless and brief.
J. E. L.

Sum, August 12.
THE danger now threatening Italy is imminent. An
attempt of Mazzini to make a descent on the Roman
coast has been prevented by intelligence gained at
Brussels of the plans prepared in London and Paris.
This has contributed for the moment to give the
semblance of power and decision to the Papal and
Neapolitan tyrannies. Little apprehension is caused
to the authorities by the constitutional party, from
the conviction that these would remain passive
rather than lend aid to the republicans by whom
they are detested ; and against them are now directed
the manifestos and anathemas of Blazzini. This
man still persists, with greater force and immodesty
than heretofore, in exhorting the republicans to use
the dagger as the consecrated weapon to effect
Italian freedom. Strange, but true, the priests in
the North rival the Red Republicans in denunciation
of constitutional government. They preach a right-
eous obedience to despotism—" it Re assoluto"—
and a holy and blessed slavery to the priest—" it Dio."
Everywhere, both in the pulpit of the Church and in
the confessional of the Jesuit, the teaching goes to
substitute the man priest for God—to inculcate that
he alone can bind or loose, can save or destroy ; and
in claiming the attributes of deity, the first and most
precious exercise of it by the shaven impostor is to
consign to the everlasting fire that quencheth not
those who presume to dispute priestly office and
power under the name of constitutional liberty. The
extreme licence which the prelates permit them-
selves in urging disobedience to the Sardinian
Government is working its own evil. A moderate
journal, hitherto having a religious leaning to Aus-
trian and Papal influence, thus expresses itself :

Si la demagogic venait precher ces theories et donner
ces exemples nous is trouverions coupable, mais au moins
nous la trouverions logique ; mais aujourd'hui c'est le
clerge, le premier gardien de l'autorite, ce premier serviteur
des itlees de respect et de discipline, qui initie le peuple
la revolte, et couvre de son patronage et de sa parole la
plus flagrante atteinte a tons les principes du droit et de
la securite publique. 11 apprend aux masses a combattre
le gouvernement itabli an nom de la religion qu'il coin-
prornet, et de la foi qui n's rien a dire dans cette insurrec-
tion de pretres disputant a l'etat des droits purement
temporels, et des 'Marks purement mondains.

Here the Catholic religion, as worked by the
Catholic and ultramontane priesthood, is condemned
by its own Roman Catholic organ. The commination
of Roman ultramontanism could not have been more
stringent even from a Protestant source. It is self-
evident that a reform of power—temporal and reli-
gious, free and constitutional—must and is about to
take place throughout Italy and Europe. Rome
and Naples are powerless without Austria; for them
the game is lost without a fresh importation of the
" Tedesca rabble." And will England permit this?
A correspondence has been discovered between
Rome, Naples, and Spain, containing directions for
the Carlist outbreak in the latter country. The in-
surrectionary cause has been stimulated by the pri-
vate benediction of the Pope in the name of the
Holy and Immaculate Conception, whose instrumen-
tality has been invoked to propitiate the cause of
rebellion. Of course the old Pontiff will return the
gorgeous tiara of jewels presented to him by her
Majesty of Spain, whom he is now plotting to de
throne, upon the principle that, " non mance la
buona fede--ne fra i birbi, no fra i coglioni."
U. T, A.

SATURDAY,

Ifortign 110 gainnial 3nttiligerat.