The Express.
London, England, 1846-09-30 00:00:00

• Iliac are thrcc French bushrlr in an English quarter.

1 CONSTANTINOPLE, SEPT. 9.
The completion of the exterior of the new ambas-
sadorial residence at Pera invites me to give you an account
of this building. Our mini,terial envoys to this country
have been long obliged to content themselves with habita-
tions of wood, a sort of spacious boxes, which the Turks in-
deed find very commodious, but which are far from squar-
ing with British notions of substantial comfort. ;Such
dwellings are still less secure than comfortable. Not
only does the temperature within a wooden house vary im-
mediately most sensibly with every change of weather with-
out, but you are liable at any moment to be burned out of
it. The last English residence was burnt down in '4l. Sir
It. Gordon lost some valuable pictures and elate; and the
English nation lost the house and the records of the embassy.
It was then wisely determined to build the next embassy-
house of stone. A stately mansion suitable to the dignity
of our national position was desired. The plans and
elevations furnished bMr. Smith, an architect attached
to the department of Woods and Forests, were approved;
and that gentleman was despatched to Constantinople the
same year. Three years elapsed, and two voyages home and
back were made by the architect before the site could be
determined. Finally it was settled that the new residence
should be erected on the spot occupied by the old one. In
October, 1841, Mr. Smith began removing the scorched 1
ruins; and the foundation-stone of the structure that re-
places
them was laid in March, 184.3. The rapidity with
which the work has advanced to its present stage is the more
astonishing to the Turks from the absence of all that com-
plicated apparatus of scaffolding which they are accustomed
to see adopted in their own larger works. These unwieldy
systems of masts and beams have been ingeniously replaced
by two wooden towers, like those we see in old bas-reliefs,
as employed in sieges, which run on wheels, by a little rail,
all round the building, thus answering all the purposes of a
complete scaffolding, and•beine at the same time much
more convenient and economical. The house stands in the
midst of a square space of five aetca, on what I may call a
promontory of the ridge of Pere, overlooking the valley of

Dias Pasha and the arsenal. Its position is most central.
is heats from Stambol, and from all points to the south,
VW, and north, • conspicuous object. But on the
ant it is hidden by the houses of Pens occupying
the crest of the hill ; so that it is not seen by
ships entering the Golden Horn, while to these the Russian
Palace, • huge edifice of plaster, forms a most eye-catching
object, being situated on the eastern slope of the same bill.
The French palace is a little to the north of the Russian, on
the some declivity. It is built of stone, and highly orna-
mented in the Lombard style; but the :owners of its position
prevents it from being seen from any quarter. Without any
desire to detract from the architectural merit of these two
buildings, I can conscientiously assert the superiority of the
English structure over them in all leading respects. The
materiels of the latter are solid and handsome; the
style, or architectural dress, is simple, elegant, and manly:
the proportions are noble, the projections deep and well
marked ; and the ornament bestowed with that economy
which makes the more elaborate flourish of the chisel tell.
It is an oblong of 150 feet by 117, and resembles more nearly
than any other building the Reform Club, but is larger, as
will be seen from these dimensions. The stone with which it
is faced is of a dazzling whiteness, like marble. In its tex-
ture it resembles Portland stone, but is closer grained: and,
like that, it works with great ease, and hardens with expo-
sure to the air. Mr. Smith has the merit of having disco-
vered himself the quarry from which thin beautiful material
is brought, at Aghir Georghi (St. George), 25 miles to the
west of Constantinople, and flee from the sea of Marmora.
The buffaloes drag it over roadless hills. It is curious to
see these strai.ge-looking animals lying under the shade of
the acacia trees, by the works, and enjo)ing the pailsfull of
water which are showered upon them to refresh them after
their severe toil in the sun. Thtequarries from which build-
ing stone is usually brought are at Makrikeni, some four
miles from the seven towers on the Sea of Marmora ; but,
probably out of jealousy, it was pretenthd that there was not
more than enough remaining there for the Sultan's palace at
Beshiktash. Hence the useful discovery at Aghir Georghi.
All the four sides of the English mansion are equally faced
with stone, and ornamented in like manner. Tne building
occupies about half an acre of the ground, leaving the rest
for a pleasant garden, with coach-house *nil stables. The
basement story is channelled, or rusticated, as the architects
call it ; and the windows, in number fifteen upon th' long
side, and nine upon the short, are arched and plain without
any moulding. The windows of the find and second stories
are furnished with bands or architraves, and the former are
in addition ornamented with pediments alternately, inginents
of circles and triangles. One of the diagonals of the
oblong runs north and south. On the north west end,
which contains the grand staircase, three arched windows,
placed close together, like those of the Travellers' Club,
if I mistake not, break the uniformity of the middle range
of windows. There is yet a third story which is, however,
lit from an inner court. The dimensions of this court are
62 by 32 feet. The angles of the building are ornamented
each by a range of channelled stones, alternately long and
short, up to the cornice, which forms a noble crown to the
whole edifice. The thick slabs of slate which nre brought
from the famous Cate quarries of Lavania, near Genoa, Stip
over the cornice, and their joints era covered with ribs de-
pending from the ridge of the roof, like the tiles in Greek
temples. The principal entrance is on the S.W. The inner
court not being broad enough for a carriage to take a sweep
up to the grand staircase, visitors arc set down at the fi of of
a passage running round the inner court. The staircase is
exceedingly handsome. It consists of a central flight turn-
ing up right and left. The roof is supported by Corinthian
pillars from the entablature, over which spring ground
arches. You are landed on a broad corridor paved with
marble, glazed on the side of the court, and running all
round, with which the various apartments communicate.
This will make • capital promenade in wet weather,
and we may fancy it ornamented with orange trees, flowers,
and fountains. At the S.E. end is • superb ball-room,
with a lofty arched ceiling, occupying with one room adjoin-
ing it the whole breadth of the building. A music gallery,
opening into the upper part of the ban-roam, is contrived
over this room. Besides ample accommodation for the am-
bassador and his family, the residence contains apartments
for about six attaches. The ground story, which is fireproof,
is occupied on two sides by the kitchen, offices, and servants'
rooms, and upon the other two by the chancelry, archives,
and rooms for attaches. The first floor contains the ambas-
sador's apartments, cabinets, library, drawing-room, ball-
room, and so on, forming a suite of seven handsome rooms,
beside bed and dressing-rooms, baths, &c All these open
into the grand corridor. The ambassador's cabinet commu-
nicates by a private staircase with the working-rooms of the
attaches in low. The second floor is reserved for the use of
the ambassador's family, with the exception of some rooms
fur attaches. The third story will be occupied by servants'
sleeping-rooms, &c. On this flour the apace corresponding
to the grand corridor is taken up with rooms, and the
passage is removed to the outside, and lit by slabs of
glass in the slate roof. Altogether, there arc about
eighty rooms. The building is to cost 35,0001., and to be
finished in eighteen months from the present time. It is
founded on a rock, and the walls are three feet thick and all
through of stone. Although Dlr, Smith has had to educate
himself the greater part of the workmen employed, the
mason's work is so well done that the building has not
settled in any part more than one-sisteenth of an inch,
which is an extraordinary circumstance. The workmen
arc chiefly Greeks and Armenians, and the greatest number
employed at the same time is 300. In the :r-court there
are two machines, one at either end, for hauling up stones,
mortar, and water to the top of the building. They consist
of a strap working round two wheels one above and one be-
low, and hung on one side with full buckets amending, and
on the other with empty ones descending. Thee are turned
by a common hand-winch. The Turks are quite astounds.:
with this simple piece of mechanism. Altogether Mr. Smith
deserves much cr..dit for the goodness of Ins plans and the
energy with which he has hitherto executed them.

FRANCE.-FRENCH ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS.-
The Academic des Beaux Arts hu declined awarding the
first prize fur tho painting ou the sohjoot of "'lke Illness of
Alexander the Great," but has given the second prize to M.
C. A. Cruk, of liouchain (Nord). The works in painting,
architecture. 'and engraving, which have obtained prizes,
will be open to public view from the 28th till the following
Sunday inclusively. From Monday, the sth, till Sunday,
the 11th, will be exhibited at the l'alais des Beaux Arts the
works in painting, sculpture, and engraving by the students
of the French Academy at Rome,

EXECUTION AT I'ARI3.—On many morning, Jean
Petry, the waiter at a coffee-house at St. Ouen, who it will
he n membered was last month tried and found guilty of the
murder of his mistress, after having attempted to violate her
pet:•on, and of afterwards robbing the house, was executed at
the llarriere St. Jacques. Ile retained to the last moment
the same revolting indifference which he has evinced ever
time the committal of his threefold crime, and, when ascend-
ing the steps of the scaffold, he stopped for a moment, and
coolly called out in German to an acquaintance in the crowd,
and asked him whether his (Petry s) uncle was present.
Almost the entire commune of St. Ouen was present at the
execution. This, says one of the journals, makes the I:i3rd
execution which has taken place in Paris since the beginning
of the present century.
- - - - • •

FLOODS Is FRANCE.—We find the following in
the Cow Tier de la Dn;me :—" For some time past the agri-
cultural part of our community has been complaining of the
long drought, which had much injured the crops in the
neighbourhood of Valence, but this want of water has been
amply compensated far by the abundant rain which fell on
Sunday. Unfortunately, however, it has also caused serious
damage in many places. Near Cohabeuil, the Vevre over-
flowed its banks and caused considerable injury on the ad-
joining lan3s, and carried away a bridge. At Loriol a house
was washed down, and another bridge near St. l'eray was
destroyed by the torrent. At Soyons the road was over-
flowed, and sal communication cut off. At Pouzin three
houses were thrown down, and several persons drowned. At
Valence the water rushed is torrents through the streets,
and the claps of thunder followed each other with fearful
rapidity. During the day the lightning fell on a house
near the Polygon, and did considerable damage. A woman
was thrown down by the electric fluid, but escaped with
only the shock. A part of the ramparts, to the extent of
from forty to fifty metres, between the gate of the citadel
and that of Bourg-les-Valence, were undermined by the
water and destroyed, but fortunately no one was injured."

- •
ITALY.—TesCANY.—By the late earthquake more
than 8,000 persons have been redi.ccd to beggary. The
Grand Duke has rendered a decree, announcing that the
houses destroyed are to be reconstructed without any addi-
tional tax on the country. The inhabitants of the different
villages destroyed are to be exempt from all taxation until
1848. The port of Leghorn is to furnish building materials
free of duty to all who need them.
A correspondent writes from Naples on the 12th
inst. to the Augsburg Gazette :—" Some young men, pro-
bably belonging to the party of Young Italy, have come
across the fr.nitier, and endeavoured to excite the inhabitants
of this kingdom to revolt, by telling them that the institu-
tions of the Roman States arc more liberal than those of
Naples. But the majority of the inhabitants being averse to
all disorder, the authorities were able, by calm and well-con-
ceived measures, to prevent any disastrous consequences.'
HOME, SEPT. 16.—Two or three contractors in the
commissariat and bakers have just been sent to the fortress
of St. Angelo by the Pope, fur giving bad bread to the
troops. Four bajoehis were given to each soldier to buy
bread until further orders.
- - -

SWITZERLAND.—The Grand Council of Genera
has just taken a re °lotion relative to the league of the seven
cantons. ft has decided that there is no ground for adher-
ing to the proposition of Zurich, and to exact the immediate
dissolution of the league ; but it has decided to call on the
Vorort to convoke an extraordinary diet, where Geneva
will make the following propositions:—l. To recommend to
all the cantons the maintenance of the public peace, and
to render th,m :esponsible on this point. 2. To annex
to the Vorort fvtleral representatives. 3. To dissolve the
league of the seven cantons of 1832, as well as that of
1646.

BERNE, SEPT. 22.—As the diligence was on the
point of leaving Berne for Friburg on the 21st inst., the
conducteur refw.ed to wait fora young English lady who was
a few ntin-,ites behind her time ; Mr. !gorier, son of the
English Charge d'Affaires, who was passing, stopped the
horses, and was struck over the head by the conducteur, who
was, however, immediately floored for his pains. Mr.
Morier laid a complaint before the authorities, who have
Promised to punish the conducteur on his return from
Friburg.

GEitMANY.-BAVARIA, BAMBERG, SEPT. 21.-
The King of Bavaria has sent the following reply to an
address from the citizens of Bamberg in favour of the duchies
of Schleswig, Holstein, and Lauenhurg
'' In the ,une manner r I replied to m a&lrms from the inhabitants
of DunkeLMuhl on the question of the duchies, re, do I reply to the ad-
dress of the inagh.trates and of tlic municipal council of Bamberg, that
the German sentiments expressed in that address fill me with joy.

Make this known to all interested, and receive the went" et
the favour or your gracious aorereign,—Given at Bereldesendes, the
lith Sept., 1846.—T0 the Burgmaiter or Bamberg."

GALICIA, SEPT. 14.—The return of M. Schindler,
the ex-president of the senate of Cracow, has caused the
rumours or an incorporation of the republic with Austria to
reuse. M. Schindler ought to know better than any one that
Austri i does not intend violating existing treaties, although
the Emperor Nicholas is reported to hare said during the
late negotiations, " I give you carte blanche as regards Cra-
cow • do what I.ou like and make your own conditions with
England and prance "

BORNEO.—Last night's Ga:ette contains the
official accounts of the opL rations in Borneo, related in the
Express of Friday last. They include a report from Sir
E. Belcher of the events on that part of the Boruesn coast
which he had previously visited.

The following is from Sir T. Coekranc's despatch:
Spiteful, off Brune, Borneo Proper, July 9, 1846.
Sir,—l request you will inform my Lords Commissioners
of the Admiralty that, for the reason assigned in a separate
despatch, I determined, with a competent force, to axend to
the city of Brune, and call upon the Sultan for an explana-
tion of his conduct with regard to the atrocities attributed
to him.

Neither the Dadalus nor Pluto having joined me from
Hong Kong, I made the necessary dispositions of the force
at my command, as more fully detailed in the accompanying
programme.
I had received information that the approach to the island
of Cherimon was defended by two batteries, and that five
others were planted at the narrows formed by the island of
Bungore and the right bank of the river, and that three
heavy batteries protected the city.
While the arrangements for the expedition were in progress,
I, accompanied by Mr. Brooke, reconnoitred the isle of
Cherimon, and found that, although there was one battery of
five guns established on it, and lane guns on Pulo Coin
Arrang, admirably placed for enfilading the approach over
the bar, which lies immediate:y in front of and close to
them, they were, however, not perfected, and both islands
were abandoned ; and as I had no distinct authority for con-
sidering that these batteries were intended to act hostilely
towards us, I in no manner interfered with them, either by
spiking or otherwise injuring the guns.
On my return on board, I received a letter from the Sul-
tan, of which the accompanying is a translation, having at-
tached to it the seals of range= Muda Mahomed, legiti-
mate son of the late sultan, and that of Pangeran Moumcin,
in addition to his own. These seals Mr. Brooke believed to
be forgeries; the letter, however, neither prohibited an
approach by an armed force, nor threatened resistance if it
did so.
On the 7th instant, I hoisted my flag on board this ship,
commanded by Commander William Maitland, and taking
in tow the Hazard and Royalist, and preceded by the Phle-
gethon, met nded the river to Cherimon ; but it was not till
yesterday morning I was enabled to overcome the difficul-
ties of the bar, and was then obliged to leave the Hazard
aground upon it.
Having my whole available force collected, I proceeded
towards the city, which lies about nine miles up a very pic-
turesque river. The Phlegethon led, for the purpose of
sounding its intricate approaches, having in tow the gun
boats ; the Spiteful followed, towing the Royalist ; and
astern of her, the boats intended fur landing the seamen
and marines. _ _ _

On approaching Pulo Bungore, five forts opened to view,
admirably placed for deiling a passage beyond them, two
were erected on our right hind, one on the left shore over
the narrow formed by Polo Bungore and the main, and the
largest of the whole on the side of a hill, elevated out 100
feet (immediately in front of the narrows), and which sand-
banks compel you to stand directly for, and to pass within
from 70 to 80 yards; the fifth battery was further up the
river on the same side. . _ _

Shortly after we were discovered, the fifth battery fired a
gun, and within a few minutes the largest hoisted a flag
which Mr. Brooke informed me was the flag of our friend,
Muda Bassin, who had been murdered; and we were in
doubt whether this was not intended as an intimation /that
we should be received as friends. We were nut, however,
left long in suspense upon this subject, as the moment the
l'hlegcthon had passed the narrows, the buttery commenced
a spirited fire, which was promptly returned. The gun-boats,
commanded by Captain Mundy, of the Iris, and assisted by
Lieutenant G. E. l'atey, First Lieutenant of the Agincourt,
with rapidity cast off from the steamer, formed iu a l!ne, and
opened their fire, and so soon as the enemy's fire had slack-
ened, pushed fur the shore, and gallantly
.mounted the
steep ascent to the fort, but whence the garrison retreated
precipitately, leaving the Sultan's flag to be hauled down by
the assailants. . . .

.....
Being anxious to proceed to the city, and finish my opera.
tions u7ninst it before dark, I only gave Captain Mundy
time to spike the guns and throw them over the walls, and
blow up the magazine, when 1 proceeded to my main object.
Aware that the Sultan had a heavy battery, a jlettr dean
pointing directly down to a bend of the river, from which
it was distant about 800 yards, and round which we must
turn, and understanding that he had heavy works on
the hills not far in the rear, I anchored immediately behind
the point that protected us from them, to make my final
arrangements for landing, &c. These arrangements were,
however, overturned by the violence of the ebb tide, which
set down the river with a rapidity against which a row boat
could with difficulty contend. I was therefore under the
necessity of towing both gun boats and the division for land-
ing ; the former by the l'hlegethon, and the latter by the
Spiteful.
Baying given the people their dinners, I again weighed,
and no sooner did the ships open the point, than the bat-
teries commenced a sharp and extremely well directed fire,
and at the same time a play of musketry from the woods on
our right, and to which the Spiteful was obliged to submit
without retaliation. The critical situation in which she was
paced (with the beach but a few yards beyond hcr paddle-
oozes, the Royalist in tow, and the boats filled with the
whole of the landing force), required the utmost silence
and attention to prevent the whole being thrown on shore.
But the Phlegethon very promptly returned the tire from
her own gun, which, with the battery of field pieces placed
round her bows, and the admirable fire from the brigade of
rockets planted upon her bridge (both field pieces and roc-
kets under the immediate command of Lieut. I'aynter),
together with the now rapid progress of the whole force
directly up the river, so astonished and dismayed the enemy
that they tied before the steamers could reach their works, or
*he et-inning party carry out the service intended for it. As
quickly as possible the landing was effected, and the marines,
under Captain Hawkins, immediately took possession of the
heights which command the town.
'1 he battery,fteur &eau, was found to consist of eight
brass and two iron guns, from ($8 to 9 pounders, as more par-
ticularly detailed in the accompanying schedule. The one
upon the heights immediately above it, four guns, 9 and 6-
pounders, and four more upon another height, commanding
the latter, and 100 yards in the rear of it. The whole are
now in course of embarkation.
I much regret to add, that this service was not accomplished
without loss, two men being killed, and seven wounded; and
the Phlegethon received several shots through her hull, and
other damages in her paddle-box, cooking boilers, &c., and
which arc nuw in course of repair.
So soon as the preliminary arrangements were made for the
security of the city, 1 despatched Captain Mundy with the
gun boats to destroy the five forts we had passed, and which
be effected the same evening, having disabled 17 iron, and
brought away three brass guns.
The Sultan, I am informed, has fled into the interior with
a large body of men, and many guns. I an. now preparing
a force to send in pursuit of him, so soon as I have accurate
information of his place of retreat.
The gratifying duty now devolves on me of assuring their
lordships of the zeal and devotion to the service of every
individual I had the honour to have under my command.
have already mentioned the name of Lieutenant I'atey, the
first Lieutenant of the Agincourt, as second in command
under Captain Mundy in the gun boats, and of whom Cap-
tain Mundy speaks in the hiutaest terms ; and I must bring
to their lordship's notice Lieutenant Painter, the gunnery
lieutenant of the same ship. Ile was adjutant of the landing
party, and also commanded the rocket brigade at Malloodoo
Bay last year, and the fieldpiece and rocket brigades of the
present expidition. On every occasion that his services have
been required, I have remarked his zeal and intelligence,
and to his assiduity and attention is mainly to be attributed
the present state of gunnery discipline of the Agincourt;
and the precision with which the fieldpiece', and particularly
the rockets, were fired, affords a practical proof of the value
of his instructions. . . . .

tpon two former services, Captain Hawkins has com-
manded the marines, amounting on this occasion to niarly
200 men, and the same zeal and attention have marked his
conduct in the present, as in every former instance; and I
have invested him with the charge of the protection of the
the town.
I must not omit to mention the care and assiduity displayed
by Mr. J. E. Elliott, the master of the Agincourt, in bound-
ing the various intricacies of our approach, and preparing
himself fur the responsibilities of a pilot in a part hitherto
unknown to him.
Althongh 1 have thus extremely limited the list of officers
brought prominently before their loidships, I trust their
lordsnips will not for an instant believe that such restriction
arises from insensibility to the merits of all engaged; but,
where zeal has been general and equal, I feel a delicacy in
drawing attention to one to the exclusion of another. Their
lordships will have before them the programme already
referred to, containing the name of every officer employed,
and the duties assigned him; and I have the authority of
the captains and officers under whom they served, for
assuring their lordships that one priaciple of zeal and devo-
tion influenced the whole.
The Phlegethon, lion. East India Company's steamer,
commanded by Mr. It. S. Ross, was placed under my com-
mand, as their lordships arc already aware, by the Governor
of the Straits; and it is a pleasing duty I have to perform
in assuring their lordships that the good opinion I had
already formed of this officer, when formerly under my
orders is China, has, through his great zeal and activity,
been fully maintained on the present occasion; and that it
is my intention to make a similar communication to the
G overnor-G eneral of India.
I may not close this despatch without conveying to Mr.
Brooke, through its medium, my best thanks fur the soli-
citude he has manifested for the success of the expedition,
and the kind and important assistance I have received from
him towards securing its favourable result ; and I feel per-
suaded I shall not be disappointed in my expectation, that
he will cheerfully permit me to draw still further upon his
service —I have the honour, &c.,
THOMAS COCHRANE,
Rear-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief

Return of officers employed in the expedition under my personal com.
tuand, at the tapture and destruction of the fort. .oul butteries
on the lei‘er Brune, Borneo Proper, on the eth Jul,
Personal stutf.—Mr. Edward Waller, secnimy ; Lieutenant N.
Vanuittart, ttag lieutenant; Mr. S. U. ere,twell, ; Mr.
Robert 11. Bullen, clerk. Officers of Iler .Nlarsty's ve-uel,
spiteful; officers of tier Majesty's barque Itoyali.t ; otthxrs of the
lion. Rust India Company's steam vessel 'tinge thou.