The Press.
London, England, 1854-08-19 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

The political incident engrossing attention just now is a formal
note issued from the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER'S office, addressed to
omnibus proprietors, and signed " Francis Lawley " Important State
papers have received much less attention than this little cote. Every-
one conceived, after the Lawley debate in the Commons, that Mr.
LAWLEY'S official career was closed for a time at least. Here was a
secretary engaged, as his chief related, in most important and con-
fidential communication with the Bank of England, the Customs, and
other great departments, who endeavoured to turn his knowledge to
account by speculating on the Stock Exchange. The transaction was
universally condemned ; but, though not pure enough for a post in Au-
stralia, he is quite pure enough, it seems, to remain Mr. GLADSTONE'S pri-
vate secretary. There were persons who, from the first, insinuated that
Mr. LAWLEY'S extensive transactions were not on his own account alone.
His reappearance as Mr GLADSTONE'S secretary gives colour to this report.
The public is not deemed worthy the deference which was paid to
Parliament. Till the last day of the session Mr. GLADSTONE was his
own private secretary—as soon as it was over Mr. LAWLEY resumes
his confidential duties.

From the Baltic and the Black Sea the accounts still tell more of
preparation than action. Bomarsund, we learn, is closely invested,
and its fate, from the vast superiority of the attacking force, cannot be
doubtful. But the defence is gallantly protracted. The most con-
siderable of the towers was taken by the French on Monday last after
four hours' fighting. The garrison is not supposed to exceed 3,000 or
4,000 men, yet the besieged made a sortie. Though driven back, the
exploit was creditable to Russian gallantry. The grand assault, with
scaling-ladders, was ordered, it is said, for Tuesday last. When
success is achieved the prize will be considerable in prisoners, guns,
and stores. But with this exploit operations will terminate for the
season. If it be resolved to hold the place through the winter the
troops may possibly be exposed to attack by a vastly superior force,
without hope of timely succour. In any case it does not seem how the
possession of the fort, with its islands, can exercise any important
influence on the general charactej. of the war.
From the Black Sea we hear that the great expedition would
probably be ready to sail on the 9th or 10th. Decisive intelligence,
however, is still wanting. The able commanders of the allied forces,
no doubt, have taken due measure of the enterprise they have resolved
on, but every one, while entertaining the highest respect for their skill
and ability, must regard with apprehension the departure of this expe-
dition, considering what overwhelming forces may soon be arrayed
against it. The best ground for hope is that the fleets, by the superior
range of their guns and weight of metal, may be able to attack the
forts to advantage, and compel the Russian ships to come out or
submit to capture. On the land side a battle, or series of battles,
would appear to be inevitable. We have assumed here that there is
really an intention to attack Sebastopol, but, after all, the expedition
may be destined for some other point.
The intentions of Austria remain uncertain. Her diplomacy has
served her admirably, and her attitude of armed neutrality commands
the respect of every State of Europe. Her troops still wait on the
frontiers of the Principalities for the order to advance. The line of
the Danube is clear of belligerents, and the conflict between Turks
and Russians in that quarter is, for the time, over. Negotiations
between Austria and Russia are still iu progress, and the Vienna
Conference is once more to assemble.
In Asia the Russians report another success by General WRATMEL
over the Turks at Bejezid. This account states that 3,000 Turks were
killed, and two camps, with a few guns and colours, captured.

The intelligence from Spain is unfavourable, and even alarming.
ESPARTERO, it is feared, has not strength of character to deal with the
wild spirits which revolt has evoked. The threatened proceedings
against the Queen Mother are really aimed at the Crown, and the
dynasty is undeniably in danger.
At Biarritz the Emperor NAPOLE ow, leading a purely domestic
life with his Empress, observes narrowly, but with his habitual reserve,
the proceedings on the other side of the Pyrenees. French statesmen
declare openly that no movement can be permitted in Spain likely to
disturb the tranquillity of France. The probability of French inter-
vention in some shape becomes therefore continually more probable.
The Empress appears to have quite recovered her health, and bathes
on the beach daily. A castle is in course of erection under the eye of
NAPOLEON. The Empress expressed a wish for a reoidence in so charm-
ing a place, and instantly a crowd of artificers and soldiers were set to
work, who swarmed on the destined site like emmets, presenting a
strange aspect of busy disorder to the spectator at some distance. The
work is progressing with the speed of magic.
The festivities in Paris this week were on a vast and splendid scale,
but the most remarkable circumstance connected with them was the
immense multitude of human beings, who, without let or hindrance,
congregated in the wide open spaces offering most attraction to sight-
seers. In view of that countless multitude, all orderly and peaceable,
the reply of the Emperor to the address of the clergy at Biarritz
could not he doubted " that France, calm and happy, no longer enter-
" tains those fears which oblige the head of the State to be constantly
" armed, and on the qui vice in his capital."
While speaking of France, it is impossible to omit mentioning the
dissatisfaction expressed by the friends of the Emperor, on a subject
too delicate for more than slight allusion. Our Cabinet, they say,
does not take the most effectual means of cementing the Anglo-
French alliance, but rather insults France by an ostentatious and
njurious res

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