The Express.
London, England, 1853-09-29 00:00:00

homage being due to him as the Caliph and head
of Islam.
A European staff officer writes from Schumla on
the 11th that the Turkish army is now making the
last preparations usual before entering on a cain-
paign. The different bodies of troops are all pro-
videj with the necessary means of transport. Great
magaolnee are being formed for the maiutenanoe of
the army during six months ; and in Ronmeiia an
army of reserve, composed of Redifs, is being orga-
nised. The marching army now numbers upwards
of 80,000 men of regular infantry (troops of the
line), and 10,000 irregular foot soldiers, about 10,000
cavalry, and upwards of 180 pieces of field artillery,
of different sizes. Three lines have been fortified—
the Danube, the lino stretching from Varna to
Schumla, and another line situated further back,
commencing at the river Kamesick, which is pro-
' longed towards the east, and embraces every pass of
the Balkan to beyond the city of Sofia. Upwards of
44 points are fortified, and altogether 120 different
fortified works have been constructed. Works of
colossal proportions hare been undertaken and exe-
cuted, and the greatest energy has been displayed.
Accounts from official persons that reached Schumla
on the 10th, are to the effect that the Russians con-
tinue to fortify themselves in the principalities.
The Trieste Gazette has the following from Con-
stantinople, dated the 12th : "It is stated that Russia
demands as the sole indemnity for the expenses of
the occupation of the Danubian principalities the
small province of Laristan. This small country
would be more valuable to Russia than Moldavia and
Wallachia together, for in addition to the mines of
lead and copper which it contains, it would give to
Russia extensive forests of oak. It is well known
that a French company has sought to obtain the
working of these mines and forests. Russia would
find in these forests the wood necessary for the con-
struction of her fleets. Once in possession of Lois-
tan, the submission of Daghestan and of Circassia
would be infallible. All the roads conducting into
Persia and Asia Minor would be in the hands of Rua-
sia, and no one could disturb her on that side."
A letter from Vienna of the 23rd, in the Cologne
Cia:ette,:coatains the following significant statement:
—" The complaints which reach the Austrian em-
, bossy at Constantinople, relative to the various attacks
, on property, are becoming,more and more numerous,
and the indemnities claimed by the Austrian subjects
amount to a considerable sum. The instructions
which M. de Brack has received are so energetic, that
the Divan will not be less surprised by them than it
was formerly by those given to Count de Leiningen."
In other worde, the ci decant mediating power is
going to cover its tergiversation with a quarrel of its
own.

A discovery has been made in Turkey in the course
of the railway survey, which will probably increase
the Czar's avidity for that fine country. Messrs.
Leahy, the engineers of the contemplated railway,
have returned to Constantinople, bringing with them
large quantities of almost every sort of metalliferous
ore, viz., gold, ulcer, mercury, (topper, lead, anti-
mony, arsenic, and iron ; and also coal, alum, salt,
saltpetre, and sulphur. It is calculated that the
annual produce of the fields may be four millions ster-
ling. The gold has been found near Adrianople, in
the plains formed by the earthy deposits, and in the'
ferruginous sands of the river Arda, and also on the
slopes of Mount Pelion and Mount Ossa in Theesaly,
intermixed with extensive deposits of lignite. The
silver and lead mines appear to be of most value, and
of immense extent, particularly those of Mount Pe-
lion, where more than two hundred different galleries
have been already opened, showing an amount of
richness in mineral deposits almost fabulous. The
lead mines of Mount Pelion are only three or four
miles from the harbours of Zaora and Volo, and have
an abundance of water power and fuel.

THE FLEET IN THE MEDI

BESIKA BAY, SErr. 15.

The Fury left Constantinople on the morning of
the 14th, with Mr. Stafford on board, who returned
to England, or rather left the Fury, in the Peninsular
and Oriental steamer Douro.
__

The Inflexible has been to Rhodes with the sur-
geon of the Britannia to offer assistance to Lord Car-
lisle, who has had small pox, but was convalescent.
Inflexible returned to Besiks. Bay on the 15th, took
Fury in tow (which vessel had just returned from
Constantinople). Both vessels are now at Killeen
coaling. Niger is expected here to coal from Stam-
boul The fever intermittent is raging fearfully,
Vengeance having 120 cases, the rest in proportion
less, the admiral, for change of air, having shifted
several of the ships. Report says that the Russians
have lost 15,000 men by sickness.
We have had a deal of sickness in the fleet.
The Bellerophon is said to have been the worst. The
French ships are in a fine, healthy state. They beat
us hollow in paint, polish, and discipline. There
has been a great deal of diver-giving between the
ii-and captains of the two fleets ; but all the
junior offioere are prevented from holding commanica-
tion. Strange that men of mature age are not sup-
posed to have discretion, because they do not happen
to be decorated with stripes and stars. We are all
most heartily sick and tired of the state of inaction
in which we are kept. Some of the officers have not
left their ship for full three months. It is a miser-
able place—no animation of any sort, and from what
we can hear the settlement of the Russian question
I seems as far off as ever.

MALTA, SEPT. 22.
I enclose you a letter from the Fleet, which con-
firms the rumours at this place brought from Constanti-
nople, that, should the Sultan agree to the terms offered
him, there is every chance of a revolution in Constantinople.
Report says that Lord George Pullet resigns the command
of her Majesty's ship Bellerophon, and Captain Sones, of
the Sampson, is likely to obtain the vacancy for the time.
Triton arrived on the 21st, with the despatch from Lon-
don, about 11 cm., and wu out again by a quarter past one
is route for the fleet.

The Board of Health have taken off quarantine on
arrivals with clean bills of health from Turkey and Egypt;
in fact, it is done away with.
Freights keep up, and few vessels to be obtained.
♦ gentleman who leaves by the French steamer for Mar
lollies this day, informs me that the fears of the Turks of •
revolution are much exaggerated.