The Express.
London, England, 1855-05-30 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, WErNESDAT ,EVENING, MAY 30, 1855.

•
111.ROBN, Naas Raver. ILer 22.
The body of the British fleet are still at anchor off
Oa-plane. On the 20th the Duke of Wellington
Wonted from Faro Sund, having landed 48 sick of
amall-pox, including their commands—Preedy.
Bina her arrival fresh cases have continua to break
eat. On her passage here she picked up he Orion
and brought her in in company. Arrogart still con-
tines at Faro' superintending her small-pa cases on
airs at the hospital, and doing duty as alike authority
at that port, with the Ajax and Blenheimstill there.
The Dragon, Capt. Stewart, had got the command of
the gunboats, and superintended the sever that have
arrived here at steaming in line, gun-dril, &a., and
they were towed up to this anchorage ly Dragon
and Bulldog, where they are being renderd efficient,
with stores and ammunition for immediateactiveser-
vioe. Six more are hourly expected to tild to their
number.
The disposition of the fleet is as yet somewhat
similar to last year, this being the head-garters, the
screws watching Helaingfois and the moral of the
Gulf. This duty has been performed b: the Esk,
Cossack, and Amphion—diminished by Imprieuse and
Tartar, gone to England for repairs on account of
serious damages in running tout of etch other.
The Archer and Geyser have been guirding the
Gulf of Riga, assisted by Basilisk and Des,erate, and
have made some capital seizures, all sent mime upon
reference to the admiral, consisting of sone 20 ves-
sels, filled principally with flax, hemp, bused oil,
and rye, which will give the captors some 20,0001.
There are a few Russian, and of coarse good prizes.
All the others are principally neutrals, and clearly
took their cargoes in atter the announcement
of the blockade. The Dantzio mail routine
has fairly commenced. The Driver has taken
the two first turns, and the Vulture conveys this
mail. The contract steamers have also commenced
their weekly visit from Elsinore with bullocks and
vegetables, and right good they are; nothing es yet
has gone up the Gulf of Bothnia. The surveying
ships have been busy in surveying the northern
shore ; and the Merlin, accompanied by Ea-
ryalus and Magicienne, was engaged ex-
amining the neighbourhood of " Borgo," an
anchorage between Helsingfors and Cronstadt. The
commander-in-chief's flag, who is now a regular rear-
admiral of the white, was saluted in due form by the
second in command. A court-martial is ordered to as-
semble to-morrow for the trial of two lieutenants of
the Euryalus Bathurst and Balfour, for giving and
receiving a black eye in violent collision with each
other. Exercise is moderately going on. Wood is
being cut for the distillation of water. The admiral
has reconnoitred in the Merlin, Helsingfors,Barosund,
and Revel.
The admirals keep a dignified and discreet reeseve,
and nothing is known of the future movements. At
the same time • steady and systematic ping is
making in rendering the ships ready anefficient,
and even if the strongholds are not attempted the
ships will not be idle, but will have all their menaces
constantly applied against the enemy in some shape
or another, and the gun-boats will be of great assist-
ance in enabling the fleet to reach every thing as
shore. Last year • constant run of vessels ware
taking place between Helringtors and Abo on the one
hand and Cronstadt on the other. Such a state of
things will hardly be permitted this year. The
islanders of Nargen here appear from the English
money they obtained last year, to have thriven well.
Additional huts have been raised, increased accom-
modation provided for washing clothes; the children
look better fed and certainly better clothed, and all
seem much pleased at the re-appearance of their old
friends the English. I hope in my future communi-
cations to give some hints as to the likely points the
ships are having their heads directed to.

THE BALTIC FLEET.

matter of stealthy depressing conversation among
!the Russian common soldiers, with whom atter all
the defence of the Crimes must rest. The march of
the Allies on the Tchernaya transpires as the subject
of expectation in private letters from the Russian
oamp, as early as the 7th inst. The return of the
first expedition from Kertch we learn, in the same
way, did not raise the spirits of the Russians in pro-
portion to the depression which it wrought in our men,
tar the trip was regarded as a demonstration of our
superabundance of fora, as well as of the ease with
which the Russian territory could be menaced. The
preparations made for the interior and ultimate
defence of Sebastopol have produced an unfavour-
able impression upon the garrison. Until these last
few weeks the troops believed their officers, who
assured them that the French and English, hemmed
in on all sides, and weakened by privation and disease,
were really the besieged, and were destined, upon the
arrival of enormous reinforcements from Perekop, to
be driven into the sea. The renewed bombardment,
and the infantry attacks in front of the Central and
Quarantine Bastions, as well as the near approach
of the French to the Flagstaff Bastion, have dissi-
pated this delusion, and the mass of the troops have
lapsed into moody sullenness and distrust. This
temper may not disqualify them for offering a dogged
resistance when bard pressed; the severe Russian
discipline may dominate it as long as the men are
kept in line, even under fire, but rooted distrust
knows no elan, and is fatal to that moral ascendancy
which, in close encounters, asserts itself by victory.

Letters from St. Petersburg of the 18th inst. state
that it has become highly probable that a meeting
will shortly take place between the Czar Alexander
U. and the King of Prussia.
The governor-general of the capital has issued
orders that no one is to visit Cronstadt, except pro-
vided with the permission of the superior authorities
expressed in writing.

OFF REVEL, MAT 2L

The fleet are still here, with the exception of
the flying squadron, which are cruising off Hog-
land, and the Duke of Wellington, which left
last Tuesday, on account of having small-pox on
board, the number of cues being 24, namely lour
officers and 20 men. The Commander-in-Chief has
gone in her, leaving Admiral Seymour in command.
The vessels exercise daily, firing at target', only five
miles from the enemy's guns. We greatly tear, if
Revel is not soon bombarded, we shall have the
large battery coming out to attack us. The officers
from the different ships go on shore every day on the
island of Nargen, to play cricket and walk about; but
strict orders have been given by the Commander-in-
Chief that no depredation is to be committed on the
island, such as setting fire to trees, or molesting the
inhabitants, who are mostly Swedes. Communication
is kept up with Revel by means of small boats, but
they are not allowed to bring anything from there
beyond their own common necessaries, which consist
of some black bread, barley, and rye; therefore, the
only thing that can be procured on the island is milk.
The vessels hired by Messrs. Rued§ and Deacon
expect to make a good harvest this year by bringing
things for the fleet. They have sent invoices to the
different ships, but the charge on everything being
150 per cent. I fear they will be disappointed. It
is authentically reported, that on the return of the
Commander-in-Chief in the Duke of Wellington, the
fleet will go to Hogland, or Nyborg, have a look at
Cronstadt, and then return by the arrival of the troops
to attack Sweaborg. The season is now sufficiently far
advanced to commence operations, and not leave
things to the last moment. Such a magnificent fleet
as this should not return to England this year with-
out materially weakening the coast defences of the
Russians. The weather now is very warm, the thee-
, mometer being up to 62. A man who came from Revel
last night, has told me that the troops are in constant
tear, expecting the Beet to commence operations
against the town. Soldiers in disguise are sent to
Nargen to observe the movements of the fleet, there-
fore they know as well as ourselves all that goes on,
and every new arrival. The Duke of Wellington,
with the Commander-in-Chief, and the noble ship

Arion, Captain Erskine, have joined the fleet, which,
no doubt, will very shortly move further up the gulf.
All the male inhabitants of Hoglund have been taken
away by the Emperor to man the gunboats ; and it
is rumoured t►at the intention of the Admiral is to
take possession of the island, and there build an
hospital. It is a fine healthy island, and well adapted
for that purpose, Faro being too far away, should any
casualties, either from sickness or an engagement,
take place. There is a large trade going on between
Stockholm and the Aland Islands, and it is thought
that on the arrival of Admiral Baines some of the
small steamers under his command will be sent to the
Gull of Bothnia, to impede communication : the
Vulture, most likely, will form one of the 'qualms,
baring been there last year ; but it is to be hoped
she will not make a second Hernia Carleby affair
of it. We have possession of the Bergen Lighthouse,
on the north end of the island, wi'h men stationed
there, and nothing can pass up or down the gulf
unperceived.
Max 22.—The Vulture leaves to-day with the
moil' for Dantzio ; the Magicienne goes to Copen-
hagen, and the Bak cruising ; so we are kept going.

THE RUSSIANS IN THE CRIMEA.