The Express.
London, England, 1853-06-10 00:00:00

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

A 4ere4 t'u'ition =f "The l'aprerg," contoihing the paw evenieg's
t;tr-te,"o publlatel eTzry T•zesday toff Prlday slyht, :Lb.:
for bog.
g wa tINCIAI Pt, tutc rated for "The Expresr "London Evening raper,
vou4 be at the thtice, IC, Boutesic.dreet, by Two o'clock on th;
of ',Ailkoatios.

MGR WATER AT LONDON BRIDOR.
Tau Dav—Moiraistr. 41. 26. ----Merman, 4b.23..
Tmtoaacw—Mornlag. 41. Cm.

LONDON, FRIDAY, JUNE 10.

WHILST heartily praying for puce—and whilst
inclining strongly to the hope that the gloomy cloud
now overhanging Europe will clear off without blood_
shed—it may not be unwise to glance over the means
the SULTAN has at command fur defence against any
attack from the CZAR. Those who told us a short
time since that Russia was honourable and disin-
terested told us also that Turkey was crumbling and
helpless. Let us sec whether a few facts and figures
will not demonstrate the falsity of the last assertion
as completely as political events have exploded the
first.

The Turkish army is set down in very consider-
able figures. The "Regular active army" is stated
to be 138,680 men ; the reserve, 138,680 men ; the
irregular troops, 61,500 men ; auxiliary contingents,
110,000 men; giving a grand total of 448,800. Be-
sides this, the Courrier de Constantinople tells us
that the Viceroy of Lover has been most prompt
in his loyalty, and has already offered to
place 45,000 men, commanded by a French officer,
at the service of the SULTAN; whilst an Albanian
ruler has volunteered to lead a very far larger num-
ber of soldiers against the Russians—and Albanians,
be it remembered, will fight. Whether these Alba-
nians and Egyptians are included under the " Auxi-
liary Contingents" in the general muster-roll of the
SULTAN'S army does not appear; but, even if the
grand total be only 400,000 men, it is a large force
when we remember that the troops are not to be led
to a war of aggression, but are simply to act for
national defence. The desire of all sensible men, in
all countries, is of course for peace on any honour-
able terms; but if Russia,—led by the tameless will
of an irresponsible despot,—forces the Ottomans to
use arms in self-defence, the as; iration of all good
and true men will be " May Heaven defend the
right."
Everybody knows the difference between a fleet
or an army on paper, and the same force ready to
take order of battle. It is nothing new therefore to
say that the list of the Turkish farces afloat, given in
the French papers, puts the Ottoman fleet rather ae it
may be, than as at this moment it is. But on the
good authority of an experienced naval officer just
returned from Constantinople, we may say that the
SULTAN has a very satisfactory squadron ready for any
emergency that may arise. He has at this hour, in
commission, and manned, four line•of-battle ships,
mounting from 80 to 120 guns each ; two very heavy
frigates, built by American shipwrights, and—let the
truth be told—finer vessels of their class than we can
show in the English navy; several fine steamers in
excellent order, besides many smaller vessels of war.
The crews of these ships are all expert in gunnery,
having been instructed in that warlike art by Eng
lish officers, and the entire Ottoman fleet is under tic::
charge of a Turkish Admiral, who is no other than a
captain of the English navy—Capt. ADOLPHUS SLADE,
an active officer and good seaman, in the prime of
life, and author moreover of a book about Tur-
key, published is London some time ago. He is said
to be gradually bringing the Turkish sailors up to
the standard of English seamanship, and if they
have not yet reached that point, they have at least
so far advanced that—in the opinion of naval men
who have seen both fleets—any given num-
ber of Turkish ships and men would be
able to beat a similar number of Russians
if their vessels were placed together in sea fight.
The Turks are stated to be almost as good as the
Russians in seamanship, and very much better in
gunnery, which latter superiority would give the
Ottomans the advantage gun for gun. Indeed, an-
other English Navy officer, Captain BORLASE, is
now, and has long been, engaged at Constanti-
nople, drilling successive Turkish crews in gun-
nery; and he is understood to report—that, com-
paring his former experience on board the Excellent
at Portsmouth with what he has seen in the
East, he considers that the Turks acquire the
use of ships' guns more quickly than English
seamen do. Altogether it seems certain that the
Turks are quite able to give a very good ac-
count of themselves, should the Russians be unhappily
and wickedly determined to sail down on Con-
stantinople. The Russian fleet in the Black
Sea is said to bear 2,500 guns. But this is the
statement on paper, and if that is to be accepted as
evidence on the subject, we may then, by the same
rule, put down the general statement of the Turkish
fleet. This is given by the Courrier de Constanti-
nople as follows :

6 sail of the line of from 74 to 90 guns and from
GOO to 900 men.

11 frigates of 52 to 64 guns, 400 to 500 men.
12 corvettes from 11 to 48 guns, 150 to 260 men.
4 brigs from 12 to 18 guns, 100 to 150 men.
6 steam-frigates from 450 to 800 horse power.

22 cutters, schooners, and other small craft.

Taking the least favourable view of the case, it
appears quite clear that the Turks, in co-operation
with either the French or the English fleets in the
Sea of Marmora or the Black Sea, could meet
with success all the naval force Russia could
bring there. If England and France were together
in the Turkish waters the Force of Defence would
be so unapproachable, that Russia would scarcely
dare to open an attack, and the peace would not I
be broken ;—for burglars do not break open a door
when the house is surrounded by policemen. It
should be remembered, however, that whilst
prompt action might prevent aggression on the Bos-
phorus, yet any hostile force once in the Sea
of Marmora unchallenged, and a few hours might
settle the question ; for whilst Constantinople is de-
fended on the aide of the Mediterranean by a
strong range of forts, the defences on the
side of the Black Sea are almost contemptible.
Approached by ships, the city is comparatively in-
vulnerable on the European side—whilst helpless on
the other. This, of course, tells all in favour of any
foe sailing down from Odessa before friendly reinforce-
ments had had time to pass the forts from the other
sea. The British fleet under Admiral DUNDAS,
though not including a large number of ships, is a
very fine force, and, acting as it does under a popu-
lar commander, would be sure to do its duty, what-
ever that duty might happen to be. We sincerely
hope that our seamen will not have to come into col-
lision with JOHN Dona.% (as the Russians are called
by the English tars). Should they do so, the Cz.o.
will doubtless be doubly cautious before he again
breaks treaties which England is bound by honour
and interest to maintain.

The probabilities are that no shot will be fired this
time near Constantinople, but whilst only threats
are resorted to on the shores of the Black Sea, armies
will be put in motion on the Pruth. A Russian
force may cross the frontier, and Wallachia and
Moldavia be occupied—not conquered. Once in pos-
session, the Autocrat may say in derision, " Turn me
out if you can." What will Europe say then ?

TllEltEious district
ar:ssreulmanodursinodf eilferercation of the ite
D (ift,filu:ei
to be held i
for the Inspection of Nunneries. ow much
will be proiuced by such meetings, and lir
amount of remonstrance, time ve ill show;
but
sa
with
deci-
sions
whether it be little or much, there will remain avast
amount of interest which will find no public expres.
sion, and which need find no such expression, as it is
rather a speculative and historical than a pulitical ie.
terest which causes the proposed measure to be talked
over as it is in a multitude of British homes.
absolutely
to be
opposite id
on
case of the civil visitation of Nunneries is, in
bothfact;are i onesde
sides,
possible.wt
hha which hn T
tnhee isrhbeeurt
so iny u
be
eh sympathy
There
may
both sides, but there can be no compromise of the
ultimate judgment. It is a case of collision between
the Catholic religion and a polity which (no matter
whether it be Protestant or not), is not based upon
that religion nor organised by it. Such collisions
have taken place for many centuries, in various
countries, and about all sorts of questions. The
peculiar interest of the present case is that
it has arisen in consequence of the successful
claim of the Catholics to share the religicus liberty of
Protestants. It is a curious phase of the world's
history, and not the less interesting because it was
sure to arrive, which presents the old dogmatic faith,
whose whole basis of distinctive character was
Authority, adducing, in England and Ireland, the
Protestant arguments in favour of religious liberty,
while carefully protecting itself from schism in con-
tinental countries. In England and Ireland it ob.
tamed liberty ; and one of the most striking conse-
quences of Catholic Emancipation has been the
increase of conventual establishments. The ques-
tion now is whether—the political liberties of the
Catholic body being secured to them by our l'rotes-
tant principles—those same principles are or are not
to extend protection to the civil liberties of cer-
tain Catholics who are withdrawn from the ordinary
open protection of our laws. The difficulty of the
question, as of all the contested questions between
the Catholics and the State, lies in the application of
the principles of religious liberty which both parties
invoke. When the Catholics claimed emancipation,
in the name of religious liberty, and when we
supported them in that claim, their opponents con.
tended that they were already in possession of full
liberty, and that it was only political privilege that
was withheld from them. The obvious reply was
that eivilsdisability on the ground of religious opinion
is an infringement of religious liberty, because it sets
a price of reward or punishment on particular opi-
nions ; and that this view is not affected by the poli-
tical authority of Home being incorporated with its re-
ligious dogma. And now, on the other hand, the Catho-
lics who object to the proposed visitation of Nunneries
do so on the ground that their religious liberty is in.
elided by it, while the advocates of the measure
assert that it is purely protective of civil liberty.
The fact seems to be that, while Protestants can
easily, for all practical purposes, classify their liber-
ties as religious and civil, the Catholics cannot sepa-
rate them. Precisely in proportion as they become
able to do so they cease to be orthodox Catholics,
and become Protestantised, however little they may
be aware of it. It is, therefore, impossible that the
proposed bill should meet with favour from consistent
Catholics, who disregard their local position under
civil rule, though we believe it does, as it ought, from
many who consider themselves sound members of
their church. It certainly does essentially alter
the conditions of monachism in this country;
and that is the first item of the remonstrant
plea. It breaks up at once the inevitableness
which has been, for a few centuries, the main sanc-
tion of monastic as of married life. The first hermits
were free enough, without even a door to their caves
in the Lybian Desert; and for some centuries after
convents were established monks and nuns could
depart at will, though not altogether without stain;
and in those days it was not uncommon to enter a
convent for a declared term of years, and thou re-
turn to the world. But no suck thing is thought of
now; and when we see it declared, as it is on the
present occasion, that nuns are now and then sanc-
tioned in leaving their convents, the very showing of
the case reveals that such a release is an exceptional
and remarkable circumstance. In fact, the convent
life is as irreversibly altered as the matrimonial
when tho inevitableness of the position is
broken in upon ; and, though taking the veil is not
a sacrament, like marriage, we cannot wonder that
those in whose eyes the spiritual marriage is holy
should deprecate the introduction of any idea of
laxity into it. And then they say that the vast ma-
jority of nuns are satisfied and happy ; whence they
argue that no change is needed. Many nuns, no
doubt, are genuinely happy in a life of active bene-
volence as well as piety. Many more are probably
satisfied, because they know nothing of life and its
interests, and have their corporate pride and vanity
incessantly gratified by the fostering of the curious
notions that nuns have of their position in comparison
with that of people in the world. If, again, the sister-
hood are what Protestants would call ignorant, it
mast be remembered that in Catholic eyes this ig-
norance appears under the form of sanctity and in-
nocence ; and it is not to be wondered at that they
shrink from any change which can wither or taint
it. As for the objections that we hear most of, that
virtuous and resolved ladies would be insulted by
official visits, and are already insulted by the notion
that their whole sisterhood are not as resolved and
satisfied as themselves—we hold that sort of
complaint as no otherwise worthy of notice than as
it suggests that there must be grave objections be-
hind which are veiled by this flimsy protest. Ex-
actly in as far as the case of these ladies is sound,
will they be glad that it should be seen to be so. It
can, be no insult or trial to them to have henceforth
the most indisputable testimony that could be de-
vised on behalf of the soundness and rectitude of
their position and circumstances. It will be an im-
mense relief to be secured henceforward from the
slander which is always echoing somewhere in so-
ciety, and will continue to defame convents and their
inmates, while both are shrouded in mystery. AS
for the plea that convents are not mysterious
places now, but open to the visits of ladies
—Protestant as well as Catholic—this reduces
the proposed change to something so small
as to render ridiculous the violence of language
expended upon it. In short, if there is already
no mystery, the proposed innovation is practically
very slight : and if there is mystery, the innovation
is the more necessary. In either case, any woman
of sincere devoutness in her vocation will rejoice to
discredit suspicion, silence slander, and vindicate the
choice of her life and the honour of her faith by so
small a sacrifice as admitting a legal authority from
time to time to see that all is right, and that nobody
suffers for her privileges.
So much as a matter of sentiment and sympathy.
The stern facts of the case must have some notice;
and they are so stern that a bare notice suffices. The
age at which nuns may devote themselves tar life
varies in different countries, as does the period of
; probation : but the rule laid down by the Council of
Trent is, that the vows should not be taken before
; the age of sixteen. We believe there arc few nuns
i who have not professed before they were out of their
teens. What can they know of themselves or of life
at that age which can justify their being allowed to
answer for themselves for the whole of their lives,
and to preclude themselves from being inquired of
whether they desire to abide by their choice? It ia

Its of

t Amoy to the whole spirit and
Eni,ish LW and society that children should be
a;:,,iscd to plunge into any engagements that they
jr not knew the full extent of, without opportunity
Ordure. And another stern feet is, that whatever
tnrcptier.s may be quoted here and there, it is
without opportunity of return. Amidst all va-
ot profession in different orders, there
ate three sows which arc always taken on this
threshold or the monastic cell ; vows of chastity, po.
sots, and obedience. Now, it is the last of these which
clashes with English principles of liberty. Ones
Living taken this vow, the recluse is a slave ; more
a ;have than the negro iu Cuba, because the negro
has taken no vow. The external apparatus of bond-
ue is stringent in both cases ; and the monastic
ease has this one restraint more. It will not do to
ear that this is entering on the ground of spiritual
considerations, for the obligation to obedience is-
yokes its own enforcement by outward restraint.
This is one of the caws which the new measure is
designed to meet—not by ordaining new laws, but
simply by taking care that protection of our or-
dinary laws is extended to the interior of the con-
vent, as to that of every other house in the kingdom.
The other case is that of forcible detention where no
voluntary vow has been taken, or of misuse of mo-
nastic control, in other matters than in the going in
or coming out. Whether there are such cases or
not, it is not necessary for us to assert
or inquire. All we have to do is to ace
henceforth that there shall bo none. Now
that the subject has been brought up, it will not be
let drop. When Englishmen once conceive the idea
that their Habeas Corpus is unavailing to any body
within the roar seas, they do not rest till the matter
is set right. The projectors of these Irish meetings
would do wisely to change their objects. Let them
meet, if they like. Let them look well to the bill,
to sec that the convent inspection is managed in the
most discreet, and especially in the moat effectual
manna ; and let them then pray fur the passing of a
measure which will ensure them credit for all that is
sound in their monastic institutions, and put them
further beyond the reach of calumny than anything
they could say for themselves, if they had the elo-
quence of all the confessors of their Church, and the
perseverance of all its Saints.

TURKEY.

We have despatches from Constantinople to the
26th ult.

The following note, addressed to Reschid Pacha
by Prince .Menchikoff on the 21st ult., discloses more
clearly than any preceding Russian document the
dangerous character of the protectorate claimed by
the Czar over the Christian millions of Turkey. It
will be seen that Russia claims to regulate the muni-
cipal institutions as well as secure rho religious
influence of Turkey.
Nailer', Hay 21.
At the moment of departure from Constantinople the un-
dersigned ambassador of Russia has learned that the Sub-
lime Porte manifested its intention to proclaim a guarantee
la the exercise of the spiritual rights steed in the clergy
of tho Cistern church, which in fact renders doubtful the
maintenomee of the other privileges which that church en-
joys. Whatever may be the motive of this determination,
the undersigned is unch r the necessity of informing his
highoess the Minister of Foreign Affairs that a declaration
or any other act which, although it may preserve the in-
h grity of the purely spiritual rights of the orthodox
Eastern church, tends to invalidate the other rights, privi-
leges and immunities, accorded to her religion and clergy
from the most ancient times, and which they enjoy at the
present moment, shall be considered by the Imperial
cabinet as an act of hostility to Russia and to her religion.
The undersigned begs, itc
(Signed) MsNeuncort.
His Highness Reschid Paces, Minister of
Foreign Affairs.
According to this note, to give but one illustration,
the Czar would deny the right of the Sultan to
assimilate the administration of the law throughout
his dominions, carry the equality of Christian ana
Turk into the civil jurisdiction of the empire, and
make the Osmanlis and Rayabs amenable to one
tribunal, except on condition that such tribunal
should have a Greek priest fur its president, as the
Christian courts have now. It is unnecessary to
remark, that Prince slenchikoff knew very well,
when ho presented this note, that the Porte
was not about to issue any declaration invali-
dating the secular rights, privileges, and immunities
of the Eastern church. On the contrary, he feared
that the liberal firman about to be issued by the
Sultan would satisfy the desires of the Christian
population, and so deal a fearful blow at the infiu-
rocs of Russia. It is now patent to all that the pri-
vileges of the Greek and Sclavonic rues of Turkey
are of no account in the eyes of the Cur except es
they furnish him with • pretext for stealing the pre-
rogative of a crowned neighbour. How • firmaa
guaranteeing the spiritual rights of the Greek clergy
eau be oan act of hostility to Russia and her reli-
gion" it is indeed hard to conceive. The Greek
Patriarch of Constantinople and his bishops hare
issued and forwarded to the Grand Vizier a paper in
which they declare that they are not dissatisfied with
their privileges, and desire to owe them to the jus-
tice and magnanimity of the Sultan.
The Courrisr de Constantinople makes the follow-
ing remarks on the rejected demands of Prince
Menchikoff :

We have no time to-day to develop the peremptory m-
ates of political right which are opposed to the acceptance
of such s demand. We will merely say that, in acceding
to these pretensions, the Sultan would abdicate into the
hands of the Cur a part of hie legitimate authority ; he
would treats a state within a state ; he would introduce
sa 'levant of &isolation into hi empire, and be would
open a door to anarchy. Coosoquontly, out of rupee% to
his imperial digalry ; out of reenact to the charter of Oal-
Ilene, which guarantees to all Ottoman natiects, without
distinction of religious creeds, liberty ifeft ce, Ilis, pro-
perty, fortune, and honour; net of respell to the treaty of
1111, signed by the five great powers, in order to protest
the independence and integrity of the Ottoman tiepin, the
demands of Russia could not but be *sew by his imps-
rial majesty. Prince Menehikedfdemanind to protect peo-
ple already protected, and who aro leo happy in the pro-
tection they now enjoy to wish to stomp it.
We red is the setae Joann':
The anamemeets sesame at* bummed activity. Ab-
bas Pasha, the Viceroy
to place at of the esiaalsoaring the reports of
u war, bashed pert. 43,000
troops eximaanded by Maws (Colossi &vet), a
line-of-bsttlewbip, two fist-slam Myths, 4 ourvettes, 2
brigs, 2 stoma-frigates (one of 1110 aid the oda of 450-
horse-power), and a steanrosevistlo of 000-berms power.
This spontaneous act bee base wavy mineable es the Otto-
mans, and clearly shows the spilt of the blerelaaes. On
the other hand Mostapba Pemba, en Anemias, rosestly
appointed Governor of Ifersegovine, has Wined to toretsk
the Porte with a levy of 200,000 Albanians, and to march
them on en, point which the government of the Sultan
might point out. Render-ban Bey. also demanded frum the
Porte to be permitted to organise in the Kurdistan for the
Ottoman government a considerable body of troops. The
following is the strength of the land and sea forces of the
Ottoman Empire.

Rmilar active army 138.680 men
Reserve

Irregular amps.
61.500
Auxiliary easibiesto llO,OOO ~

NAVY._

6 sail of the line of from 74 to 90 guns, and from 600 to
900 men.
11 frigates of 52 to 64 pea, 400 to 500 men.
12 toilettes from 18 to 48 guns, 150 to 260 men.
4 brigs from 12 to 18 guns, 100 to 150 men.
r, steam-frigates from 4.50 to 800 horse power.
22 cutters, schooners, and other small craft.
A correspondent writing from Berlin on the Gth
remarks, as a sign of the resolution of the Czar to
proceed in his headstrong course, heedless of the re-
presentations of other powers, that his ministers at
the two principal courts of Vienna and Berlin declare,
in answer to all inquiries, that they are able to give
no information about Russian movements in the
East, having received no communications on the
subject.
(In the 25th lilt. a number of letters were re-
ceived at Constantinople from Odessa containing
copies of a document drawn up in the name of the
Rayahs, and protesting against the rejection of Prince
Menchikoll's ultimatum by the Porte. The ezppres-
• lions pat into the mouths of the people by the Rus-
'Luz agents are of tho most revolutionary cha-
racter.
Letters from Moldavia state that the Boyars in
the Russian interest are busily intriguing against
Prince Ghika, the Hospodar, who has of late shown

more independence than agreeable to the Rus-
sian chargé d'affairts, and in particular has refused
to appoint a ltussian colonel to the ministry of war.
The Prince has declared in plain ,terms to the Rus-
sian agent that he will govern independently, and
for the interests of the principality, or not at all.
From Belgrade, it is reported that the Russian
agent has refund to sanction the ministry which
has the confidence of Pr:nee Alexander and the se-
nate. The Prince resisting, encouragement is given
by the Russian agent to the adherents of his rival,
Obrenowitz, and a revolt is expected.
The Bulletin de Paris, which has in some quarters
the reputation of being a semi-official organ of the
French government,has a long article on the rumour
that a very large body of Russian troops have re-
ceived orders to advance towards the frontiers of
\Wallachia and Moldavia. The Bulletin de Paris
says it will doubt the truth of this rumour until there
shall be some positive information to confirm it, but
proceeds to express its opinion as to the consequence s
which would result if it should prove to bo true.
Whatever colour should be given by the Rus-
sian government to the occupation of these
principalities, whatever grofessiuns should be
made by Russia on the subject, nobody ac-
quainted with the character of Russian diplo-
macy, says the Bulletin, can doubt that it Russia
should on the present occasion occupy the principali-
ties it will be with the intention of keeping them as
an important step towards future designs upon Tur-
key. "This occupation," adds the Bultetin, '• would
be a manifest violation of the treaties of Ackerman
and Adrianople, and would be equivalent to a decla-
ration of war against the Turkish empire. The
clause of the treaty of 1811, declaring that the Dar-
danelles and the Bosphorus shall be closed to the
vessels of war of all nations so long as the Porte
shall be at peace, would, in the case of the occupa-
tion of the principalities by Russia, be uo longer ap-
plicable, and the Porte would have a perfect right to
apply for the presence of the, French and British
fleets."

The Journal de Congtanfinople confirms the report
mentioned in the last letters from that city, that the
Divan has resolved on ameliorating the position of
all the Christians in the Turkish empire, without
distinction of sect. In its number of the 21st ult.
the Journal de Oniglantinople, after giving details
respecting the negotiati as, which are known to the
British public, expresses its regret that Prince Men-
chikoff did not wait for the Porte to communicate to
him the decision to which it had come on this sub-
ject, and which it thinks would have been ac-
cepted by him as a satisfactory solution of the
question. A correspondent writing from Constan-
tinople on the 23rd remarks that the intimation of
what the Porte proposed to do was given to the
Prince, and rather hastened than retarded his de-
parture, as the proposal was of a nature to prevent
the possibility of Russia aceniring any additional in-
fluence in Turkey. Prince Nleochikoft had demanded
the signing of a treaty which would have given to
Russia the right of interference in any case where a
person professing the Greek creed should become the
object of religious persecution or he involved in any
difference with the Turkish government in matters
unconnected with religion ; and, this power being
granted to the Russian government, it could at any
time lay hold of the slightest pretext for intervention.
According to the correspondence of the Debuts,
it is not the Danube but the range of the Balkan
which the Sultan will make his line of defence. He
reckons on being able to collect 120,000 men under
the walls of Shumla by the end of this month. The
Danubian fortresses dismantled in 1828-1829, have
ne-er been repaired, and must now be considered as
open plaxs. Accoiding to intelligence received from
Odessa by a steamer which left that port on the
21st, the Grand Duke Constantine, second son of the
Emperor Nicolas, and Grand Admiral of the Rus-
sian fleet, had arrived there on that day, to hasten
on the armaments of Sebastopol and the depar-
ture of a flotilla of gunboats for the Danube.
Private letters from Ismael, a town of Bessarabia,
situated on the Danube, Agate that apartments were'
preparing there for the Emperor himself. The tim-
ber for constructing a bridge at Ismael was ready,
and it was supposed that the Russian army, in mak-
ing an offensive movement, would cross the first em-
branchment of the Menthe at that Luau, cud its
southern branch at Touldscka, where it would enter
the Turkish territory, as in 1828, and so traverse the
high road to Adrianople. Such, says the Debals,are
the various statements which are made. We give
them subject to correction, although they reach us
from a good source.

FRANCE.

OAT SVIIYAILI:1
(mom ova ows

TILZORATH.)

PARIS, FRIDAY MORNING.

The Moniteur announces that the French and
English ambassadors at Constantinople are provided
with instructions and powers which put at their dis-
posal the squadrons of both nations, and that the
governments both of France and England have de-
cided besides that their united squadrons should
approach the Dardanelles without any more delay.
Orders left Toulon and Marseilles on the 4th of this
month by the Chaptal and Carideo for the Admirals
de la Susse and Dundaa. This measure of precau-
tion does not exclude the hope of a pacific settle-
ment of the actual difficulties.

PARIS, THURSDAY BURNING.
The public mind is several shades more warlike
than it has been for some days past. The Turkish
question, tiresome u it would by this time have
become, if it were not alarmingly interesting, con-
tinues to be talked of, to the exclusion of almost
every other. It is calculated that news from St.
Petersburg may by possibility have been received to-
day, and the alarmists make the most of the fact that
none has been made public. The latest intelligence
from Constantinople and Germany confirms all that
has been said of the immense warlike preparations of
Russia. The Gazette de Cologne and several
other German journals announoe that Prince
Gortschakoff has been definitively appointed
General Commander-in-Chief of the Russian troops
in:cantonments in Bessarabia. The Ostdeutschs Post
speaks of serious differences between the Emperor of
Russia—and the'iChancellor of the Empire, M. de
Neaselrode. This experienced diplomatist is de-
cidedly hostile to the schemes of his imperial master.
It is affirmed by the German papers that the real in-
tentions of the Czar have not been communicated to
the different foreign embassies. It is inferred from
this that he is pursuing a personal policy. The opi-
nions loudly expressed by the Russian residents
in Paris are most insolent. They scout the
idea of any peaceable solution of the ques-
tion, except a concession:on the part of Turkey,
which, however, they say mast necessarily take
place. And the reason they urge is that, should the
Czar be provoked to go to war by the Sultan's refusal
to yield, ho will take Constantinople in a few days,
and destroy the French and English fleets to effect
his object. They, boast that they have infernal
machines of inch destructive power that nothing
earthly can resist them. I presume they have not
heard of, or do not believe in, Captain Warner's
description of his own neglected inventions. The
Assemblers says to-day that although Austria joins
the other powers in friendly remonstrance with
Russia, it may be taken for granted that she will
not take part in any active resistance to that
power, and that if the Eastern question comes
to be settled by cannon, the burden of the fight will
fall upon France and England alone. This assertion
of the Assentbkle was a good deal talked of at the
Bourse to-day, ante was thought to contribute to the
serious fall that took place. The Threes fell fully
1 fr., and closed at about 76fr. 25c. All the railways
fill from 10fr. to 20fr. About half-past one o'clock
I there was a report of a fall of half per cent. in Con-
sola, but as the bankers do not usually receive their
telegraphic despatches from London till half an hour
later, this news was not very generally believed.
Had it been so, the effect on securities here
would have been very great. The govern-
ment journals continuing as they do, and
of course in any Event will do to the last
moment, to express an opinion that peace will not be
interrupted, use arguments by no means of a re-
assuring character. The peace they speak of is a
peace maintainable only by a perilous demonstration
of armed force. They assume that when the Emperor
of Russia sees that England and Franco are fully
prepared and determined to oppose cannon to cannon,

then, but not till then, he will withdraw his preteu-
' Mons. This, however, is not considered so clear as
that the issue to which things are now brought can
be regarded without appiehension. M. Grimier de
Cassagnac argues in the Constitutionnel that none of
the powers, except perhaps France, would have any
Will; to gain by the compensations commonly
spoken of as likely to be awarded to them in the
CAN of the partition of Turkey. What he says a ith
regard to England is worth attention. Egypt, he
contends, would be of no advantage to her with the
Czar at Constantinople. She has already the advan-
tages of the Indian transit across Egypt without the
cost of an armed occupation of that country. The
Master of Constantinople would always be the
Master of the Sultan of Egypt, and England, with
the Russians at Constantinople, would become the
Pacha of the Emperor Nicholas, supposing he
having constituted himself, by the possession
of the Dardanelles, the first maritime power
in the world, should allow her to remain in Egypt
at all. Austria and Prussia, he says, would be the
weaker by the concession to them respectively, often
suggested; of the Danubian provinces and Poland.
France alone might perhaps erect beyond the Rhine
another Constantinople, which might soon alarm the
other contracting powers, but then France does not
calculate her own interests, and desires nothing bat
to guarantee the faith of treaties, and to sot
honourably.
I am assured that 70 or SO political arrests, chiefly
among the republican party, have been made within
the last day or two.
The Emperor received yesterday at a private au-
dience. Prince Poniatowaki, Envoy Extraordinary
and Minister Plenipotentiary of the Grand Duke of
Tuscany, charged to present the reply of his soy-
reign to the letter announcing the marriage of his'
Imperial Majesty, and to the credentials of Count de
Montessuy, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary of France at Florence.
The Emancipation of Brussels publishes the fol-
lowing letter, addressed to the editor, by General
Changarnier, dated Mallow, Gth
tau—Your number of yesterday intorms me, according to
the Austrian jouraal, the Prase of Vienne, that a report
was in circulation that I had offered my services N tae
l'arte in the event of war. All those who are personally
acquainted with me or who have a just idea of my foe►is's
cud my character know that my sword belongs only se
France. Accept, &c.
The government has determined to grant a pension
of 150 tr. each to the survivors of the little army
that followed Napoleon from Elba, and remained
under his flagduring the "hundred days." It has been
ascertained by a commission of inquiry, that out of
the original number of six hundred, one hundred and
fifty-three are still living.