The Express.
London, England, 1864-07-15 00:00:00

THE KEARSARGE AND THE FLORIDA

(nom ova owl.

Orr =crate nurceant.)
fIOUTHAEPTON, FRIDAL
It is almost certain that no sea fight took plaix
off Jersey on Wednesday ; the news brought by
the Wonder was received on board just as she au
leaving Jersey. There is a telegraphic communise.
tion between England and Jersey viA France,
and a mail packet from Jersey arrived at
Weymouth last night, and yet there is no confirms.
tion of the news. It is said that the Florida wcs
•
waiting off the Minquies for the Kearsarge. The
captain of the Wonder saw no sign of a steamer
there. The two Confederate steamers supposed
to be in the Channel at the present tinie
are the Florida and General Lee. The Fla
ride is about the size of the Alabama. The follow-
ing are the armaments and tonnage of the thne
Federal steamers now in the Channel, viz., Hear-
sarge, 8 guns, 1,031 tons ; Sacramento, 10 gni.s,
1,367 tons ; Niagara, 32 guns, 4,582 tons.
As the Alabama stood no chance with the Kent--
serge, it is not likely that the Florida would be
able to beat the Sacramento or Niagara.
A letter has been received here this morning
from a post captain in the English navy, written on
the night of the 13th, at Jersey, in which letter
there is no allusion to the sea fight off that island.

Our Paris correspondent, writing last evening,
says :—" The Federal corvette Sacramento steamed
out of Cherbourg harbour yesterday morning at
daybreak, and it is supposed that she has a rendez-
vous with the Niagara somewhere at sea.
A rumour is current in Cherbourg that
the Federal and Confederate naval officers have
agreed to have a sea fight within the next
ten days between the Sacramento and the Niagara
on one aide, and the General Lee frigate and a Con-
federate corvette, which was lately seen in the
Straits of Gibraltar, on the other. It is further
said to be arranged that the battle is to come off
within sight of the ooist of France, and not further
than 15 kilometres from Cherbourg."

PRINCR CONSORT'S WINDSOR ASSOCIATION.

This aaaociatioe, establiehed by the late Prince
consort in 1850, for improviog the couditlea of the labour*
claieee is sad around Windscr, held ita annual meeting
under the royal tante is the Rome Park, yesterday, when
the prizes were distributed by his Royal Highness the
Prince of Wales, in the presence of • large and distinguished
company of ladies and gentlemen. This association is now
under the immediate patronage of the Qlll3Oll, the Prince of
Wales, and Prince Alfred, and by command of her Majesty
the society formerly called the Royal Association now beats
the name of " Prince Consort's Association." There were
114 prises. vvaarryyirnngg from 3/. to 15a., awarded in six classes to
familiesdistiinguished for honesty, sobriety, cleanliness, long
servitude, and as the best edit vatorsof allotments. Fiftplonr
prizes were distributed for specimens of needlework, 26
pCies for vegetables, 25 prime given for specimens of ban.
diemft. The mum of 2.101. is thus annually distributed.
The Prince, after the distribution, was 000docted through
the various testa by the =mitt's', and left the ground ea
his return to town shortly after five o'clock. In the even-
ing the committee and • large party of their friends dined
together in the Town-hall. The table being graced with a
fine bock sent from the Great Park, and a handsome demist
from the royal gardens by special command of her Majesty.
The dummy yea well got up by Mr. Pyeroft.