The Press.
London, England, 1854-08-05 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

mouth. The Russians were throwing up intrench-
ments and placing batteries on both banks near
Ismail and Tultscha, to prevent the enemy's vessels
from going up further. The Russian flotilla of the
Danube forms three divisions, which were at Ibraila,
Reni, and Galatz. The Russians were fortifying this
latter town, and throwing up intrenchments on the
islands in the Danube.

THE ARMY IN ASIA.
The Vienna Presse has advices from Constanti-
nople of the 27th, to the effect that a Turkish army
in Asia had been defeated near Kars. It is said that
the Russians are besieging Kars.
THE RUSSIANS IN THE PACIFIC.
There are good hopes that ere now the Russian
frigates Aurora and Diana have been met, engaged,
and captured. The latest authentic accounts state
that the commander-in-chief, Rear-Admiral Price, is
in hot pursuit of the enemy, and that the French
squadron is assisting zealously in the object both
countries have in view. The flag-ship President, 50
(the heaviest ship on the station), is cruising after
the Russians ; the Trincomalee, 24, Captain Houston,
is sticking to the Russian 50-gun frigate at the
neutral ports ; Pique, 40, Captain Sir F. Nicholson,
Bart., must have heard of the formal declaration of
war at Callao on the 18th June, for she sailed
immediately to jcin the admiral ; whilst the Am-
phitrite, 26, Captain Frederick, had gone to the
Marquesas.
THE REINFORCEMENTS.
The 21st Royal British Fusiliers received an order
on Monday for embarkation for the seat of war. The
first division left Dublin on Thursday for Cork,
where they are to embark, and the second division
was to follow yesterday (Friday). The regiment
musters about 600 of all ranks,
The Scots Greys and 4th Light Dragoons are to
be incorporated into the divisions of the expedi-
tionary army of the East, commanded by Lord
Cardigan and General Scarlett. The infantry regi-
ments will form a strong division under the corn
wand of General Sir George Cathcart, K.C.8., and
Brigadiers Torrens and Goldie, of the 57th Regi-
ment.
Sir Baldwin Walker visited Woolwich dockyard on
Wednesday to inspect the progress made in the
despatch gun-boats for service in the Baltic. The
six new gun-boats will be fitted with 10-icch guns,
two to each boat, on Lancaster's plan, which makes
the bore of an elliptical form. The guns will carry
an egg-shaped shell a distance of from four to four
and a half miles with great precesion. It is in-
tended that the officers appointed to the despatch
gun-boats shall proceed to Shoeburyness before leav-
ing for the Baltic, to witness the practice with these
powerful guns. Four out of the half dozen boats
are already launched, and will shortly be ready to sail
for the Baltic.

THE ANNUAL MEETING of the Highland and
Agricultural Society of Scotland commenced at
Berwick on Tuesday last. This society is now in its
70th year, having been instituted in 1784, and re-
ceived a royal charter in 1787, its objects being [com-
paratively few and of a purely local character. But
the exertions of the society, instead of being restricted
to the Highlands, were early extended to the lowlands
of Scotland, and directed to the promotion of the
science and practice of agriculture in all its various
branches. In 1834 it received another royal charter
in accordance with its enlarged sphere of operation,
and was so successful in its management and results
as to become the parent of the Royal Agricultural
Societies of England and of Ireland. Premiums
amounting to upwards of 2,0001. are awarded for re-
ports on every subject connected with the improve-
ment and cultivation of the soil and the rearing and
feeding of stock. Encouragement is offered for the
management of the dairy, the growth of timber, and
useful inventions in agricultural machinery, while
the comforts and convenience of the labouring classes
arelpromoted by stimulating proprietors to improve
the construction and increase the accommodation of
their cottage dwellings. Besides the great annual
and biennial exhibitions of stock and implements
held in different parts of Scotland, and open to com-
petitors from all parts of the kingdom, the society has
established a system of district shows, opened a col-
lege in Edinburgh for the instruction of students in
agriculture, appointed a chemical department for
analysing soils, manures, 6x., and erected a museum
for the reception of model implements, vegetable and
mineral specimens, and paintings of prize animals.
In the literary department of the society there are
periodical publications of its transactions, monthly
lectures and meetings, reports of which are given in
the Quarterly Journal of Agriculture. To this de-
partment of the society's operations Government com-
mitted a local inquiry into the agricultural statistics
of Roxburgh, Haddington, and Sutherland last year,
which has been attended with results of so important
a character as to encourage its extention, on a perma-
nent basis, to ei ery other county in Scotland. The
gathering this year commenced under very favour-
able circumstanced and promised to be fully successful