The Express.
London, England, 1855-06-06 00:00:00

OUR FLEET IN THE GULF OF FINLAND.

At anchor off Karroo'lda Point (20 ales
from Croustade), May 28.
Since my last of 22nd to you, the fleet were de-
tained looKer than intended from fogs at Nargen,
during which Princess Alice arrived from Faro ap-
parently all right. The weekly transport, with bnl-
loeks bread, from Reynolds and Deacon, and
the Amphion and Firefly. from the neighbour-
hood of Bomarsund, bringing sad tidings of the
cruelties inflicted upon the people there during
the winter months by the Russians for their
civilities to the allies in giving them supplies
last year ; most of their young men had been taken
away from their families, but they know not where.
The Blenheim and Ajax have arrived from Faro.
The former was ordered to keep under weigh out-
side. A court-martial had decided the case of Lieut.
Balfour, of the Ruyan% for striking Lieutenant
Bathurst, of the same ship, by dismissing him
from the service. On the morning of the 26th,
after clearing the Royal Adelaide transport, the
fleet got under weigh, leaving Ajax behind, and pro-
ceeded up the Gulf of Finland. Towards morning of
28th, eleven sail were signalled by the Amphion to
the admiral, when all haste both in steam and sail
was made, casting off the different gun-boats,
seven of which were attached to the dif-
fervent ships of which they were tenders. All the
frigates were ordered in chase to examine strangers
who were scampering towards the land with all
despatch. Amphion and Euryalns picked one each
up, and Dragon, with Firefly, proceeded after those
closing the shore, who defied all the shot sent after
them. One of the largest—a fine vessel of 200 tons
—ran so high as to render it difficult to attempt
getting her off ; so she was fired. The
others were got off, but abandoned by their
crews, with the exception of one. They
were quite a flotilla, and all carrying 'pars, for 100111
specific purpose, towards Cronstadt, and were so
doubt much surprised at the sudden appearance of
such a fleet tumbling down upon them. Troops were
seen assembling on the shore, and were gaits ready
with their Minies, in cue of anything coming within
their range. This little casualty has quickened the
speed of the intelligence of our arrival so near to
their very capital. The Magicienne has done similar
good work in Blocks Sound, by capturing three vessels
of a similar description, laden with flour, which will
tell well in a money point of view. The Orion went
up the length of Cronstadt yesterday, and recon-
noitred, but had nothing material to report—eight
ships of the line all ready and " o'tatit o." The Vul-
ture has arrived with the Dantzic mail, and the
Firefly leaves this for Nargen, to transmit the mail
to the Bulldog, for Dentate.

Off Croustadt, May 28.
The fleet have at last ventured to sight the terror
of our friends. Yesterday the Orion, Magicienne,
and Merlin went in pursuit of some small vessels;
they followed them into a small place called Caporia.
The Dragon cut out three of these vessels, about 300
tons each, and made an attempt to bring out another
vessel of 500 tons, but, the number of Cossacks that
came down to oppose them prevented their success.
The Magicienne then chased thirteen similar vessels,
but was very soon obstructed in her chase by a bat-
tery of twenty guns opening Are on her, which she
very bravely answered, bat u yet we have not heard
the result. The Merlin has been sent to her assist-
ance. The Firefly takes the mails to Faro, and the
Princess Alice takes them on from thence to Dental°.
The weather here is very cold as yet, and all the
gunboats are in readiness for action. The Ajax and
Lightning were in Nargen Roads when the Vulture
passed through. She met several small vessels that
were undeniable prizes, but Captain (Hasse having
despatches on board, and knowing the importance of
his mission, endeavoured to reach the fleet as quickly
as possible, and did not lose his valuable time in
boarding the enemy, and arrived here at 11 a.m.,
after a quick passage of 54 hours.

HORTICULTURAL SOCIRTrS SHOW.

The Crystal Palace and Ascot told upon the dis-
play on this occasion, but without leaving the Exhibition
lees than beautiful. Geraniums in perfection came from
Messrs. Fraser, Gaines, Dobson, and others, and shared six

prises among them. P.ne hardy rhododendrons from Mr.
Mandy, of Reeding, and Meson. Moore, of Birmingham,
showed what a wonderful improvement in form sad colour
modern horticulture has given to these glorious shrubs by
infusing Indian blood into America. and European veins.
With these vied, not unsuccessfully, the imagnificeat tree
remiss of Chins, so long expected, and pined at such
great espnse. Among orchids were some of the choicest
of those shown at Sydeahasa by Messrs. Vetch and Rollie-
son. Nor were novelties sad groat rarities deficient.
Messrs. Rollimos furnished • rich purple very handsome
Meyenia, and • large mass of the carious New Rolland
Pitcher plant (Ceplislotua. Messrs. Veiteb sent • very
youthful specimen of their gigantic Indian lily, which is
already showing that it is a floral Acak, along with •
brilliant golden yellow rhododendron from Borneo, another
sort from California, and the scarlet Imbothrliars of Chili.
Pawlevnis, the purple sad the fragrant, contributed a
brine& from a tree, fifteen . feet high, on the terrace of
Windsor Castle. Rare fruit sontribnted its share to the
exhibition, in the form of noble strawberries, from Arundel
Castle and elsewhere; nectarines and cherries from Trent-
ham ; grapes, of admirable excellence, from the Speaker ;
and pineapples from Mrs. Vivian, of Singleton, and Col.
Baker, of Salisbury. To complete the list we should ma-
to. • Chinese flower pot, of singularly elegant form, dug
out of sows earth from China, by Mr. Glendianing, of the
Nursery, Tunisian Goma ; sad • new kind el from surdas
label, with the name o lie metisally sealed" to the fess,
from Mr. Wm. Leetrall, el Benham, la Basks. Amen
the visitors during the day were observed the Marquis of
Brims.. led Basle, Lard Modes, Bishop of Whishester,
Sir Philip sail Left laartes, Sir Markle Linea, Leda
Charlie Wellesley, Bea. W. Pen Straisawaye, Sir Peter
Varmints Pole, Gams' Pea, Gimaisl Ifr Abillion
DalrY•Pk, Nisei Duke, Its: