The Express.
London, England, 1853-06-11 00:00:00

THE TURKISH QUESTION,

The telegraph places us in possession of news
from Constantinople (received ria Semlin) of the Ist
inst. The situation remained unchanged. Warlike
I preparations were continued with vigour, but hopes
of peace were still maintained.
From Jassy the telegraph reports that the 4th
and ith Russian corps ((armee, united in Bessarabia
and disposed on the line of the Pruth, had made no
forward movement rep to the 4th inst.
From Vienna it is announced also by telegraph
that Baron Meyendorff, the Russian minister at the
court of Vienna, arrived in that capital from St.
Petersburg on the Bth, chartered with special dis-
patches for the Austrian government.
The Gazette of Temesvar gives some particulars of
the preparations making by -Russia for creasing the
Pruth and Danube :
We receive news from Jassy, dated May 20, that a Rus-
sian general of engineers arrived on the 13th at Scoutini,
for the purpose of discovering the most favourable spot for
passing the river. For several days before the 6th prepara-
tions for erasing the Pruth had been carried on with great
activity. All the Cossacks on duty in Bessarabia bad been
called to the banks of the Danube. The detached forts
which extend along the line of the Froth, and are ordi-
narily occupied partly by Coesaeks and partly by custom-
house officers, have lately been entrusted exclusively to the
latter. The Russian Vice-Admiral, Kornileff, who was
last heard Out Odessa, on his return from Constantinople,
arrived at Rani at the beginning of the month, and had a
long conference with M. Khola, Russian Consul at Galata.
Immediately after the return of the latter to Galata,
he purchased on account of the Russian government
a thousand timber trees, which are evidently des-
tined to the construction of a bridge over the
Danube.
So that according to the corespondent of the Hun-
garian journal, M. Khola bought his timber in the
principality to be invaded, otherwise the purchase
would have been made before, and not after his re-
turn from Rein, which is a Bessarabian town oppo-
site Galata. This statement needs explanation.
The Cblogos Gazette states that Prince Gortscha-
koff is appointed to the chief command of the troops
in Bessarabia.
Several journals mention a mediation which is to
be exercised, according to some by Austria, and
according to others by Prussia. There is good reason
to believe that the notion referred to, which ap-
pozently originated in the German press, has no
better foundation than the natural desire, both by
Austria and Prussia, to play a part at once exalted
and safe in a rare crisis of European history.
We read in the Delats :
On the 20th ult. M. de Lacour went to Miracle», in
the Heron steamer, to take leave of the Russian ambassa-
dor. The Prince landed from his steamer to receive hint at
the Russian palace. The reception given to the French
embanador was most gracious, and when he left the Prince
seconipanied him as far as the landing place. Lord Red-
eliffe, who it was said bad had a rather warm altercation
with the Prince, did not pay him any visit. These inci•
(bats were much talked of at Constantinople. A strong'
movement in public opinion was apparent at Constantinople
is favour of the Sultan, not only among the Turks, but
also among the Greeks, who appear to fear the protectorate
of Russia much more than the suzerainty of the Ottomans.
The National Cozened' Berlin states from Con-
stantinople that the Ottoman Porte has recalled its
ambassador from St. Petersburg.
1 A letter from Stettin announces the departure of
the Wladimir steamer from that port for Cronstadt,
with two couriers from London for St. Petersburg.

THE EXPRESS, SATURDAY EVENING, JTJNE 11, 1853.

SOCIETY OF ARTS.-DISTRIBUTION OF
PRIZES.

The lecture-room of the Society of Arts was yee-
terday afternoon thronged to suffocation, by the members
and their fair friends, and a powerful contingent from the
provinces in the persons of the delegates from the various
machiuries' institutes throughout the United Kingdom.
The .ezpetted presence of his Royal Highness Prince
Albert had raised the curiosity of these latter gentlemen to
such a pitch of frenzy that it was with the greatest difficulty
the necessary ceder and decorum were preserved. Bursts
of discomfort or impatience were continually issuing forth
from remote corners and the crowded doorways, in every
variety of dialect, and one gentleman went the length
of making a set speech on the interesting topic
of his personal inconvenience. He said that " the Society of
Arts had sent him a card of invitation, and now he had
come he could get no farther than the top of the staircase."
The impromptu orator concluded with a terrific threat
about going away, amid general laughter, in which the
illustrious president heartily joined. Order being at
last restored,

His ROYAL MoltsEss rose and said—Ladies and gen-
tlemen, three years have now elapsed since this society last
distributed its medals, and other rewards and testimonials.
The interruption which has taken place has been owing to
the Great Exhibition of 1851, the excitement it produced,
and the large share it occupied in the public attention. In
the maturing and carrying out of that exhibition this
society took a most active and effective part, and I am sure
you will agree with me, that they have no reason to be
ashamed of their exettions. (Loud cheers.) During that
spate of time great progress has been made, and the prizes
and rewards that will be distributed to-day, show that the
inventive genius and skill of the people of this country are
making rapid strides to ultimate perfection. (Cheers.)
The SECRITARY (Mr. Solly) read the report, which re-
capitulated the share taken by the society in organising the
Exhibition of 1861, and stated that, although for three
years the society had not distributed prizes, it had never
since its foundation done so much to advance the arts and
manufactures of this country. If the number of prizes
now awarded was smaller than in former distributions, the
cause was to be found in the altered spirit of the times,
which rendered the encouragement of the society less
needed, in bringing forth and developing inventive talent.
The report then stated in detail the names and contribu-
tions of each prixeholder.

The prizes were severally presented by his Royal High-
ness, the president, amid general cheering. We subjoin
the hit, but there were two which deserve more particular
mention. The first was the society's silver medal and 101.
to Mr. H. J. Saxby, a working man of Sheerness, for a new
lock, simple in construction, admirably adapted for its pur-
pose, and so cheap as to be universally available. The
prize holder, a respectable and intelligent looking artisan,
was addressed with much condescension by his Royal
Highness the president, and loudly cheered by the meeting.
The second case was that of Mr. James Hole, of Leeds, for
his essay on Mechanics' Institutes—the society's medal and
501. This award was also received with general cheering.
The distribution having terminated,
The Marquis of LANISDOWNI said he would detain the
meeting but • very few momenta in proposing to them
to do that which he knew they were all most anxious
to do, namely, to pass a vote of thanks to his
Royal Highness Prince Albert for his kindness in attending
that day, and for his condescending and most fitting con-
duct in the chair. (Loud cheers.) In proposing that vote
he did not propose it—as he did not think they would vote
it—merely on account of the high station, the highest
a subject could enjoy, which his royal highness filled in this
country. He proposed it more especially on account of the
position his royal highness occupied as president of that
society, and the efficient and valuable manner in which his
royal highness had performed the duties of the office. It
would not become him in such a presence to enumerate his
royal highness's many virtues, nor was it necessary, as they
were known to all her Majesty's subjects, but they would
allow him to dwell for a few moments on the
practical virtue which led his royal highness to
places like that in which they were assembled, and to a
steady course of exertion in promotion of the prosperity and
improvement of the country at large. (Cheers.) Not a
year had elapsed since be (the,Marquis el Lanadowne)ehad the
honour of meeting many there present, and he would ask
them to look back and consider how great had been the pro-
gress, and how many the improvements which bad been
effected, even in that short space of time, in manufactures,
in science, in the discovery of new principles, and in their
effectual application. (Hear, hear.) He alluded princi-
pally to objects of art, the improvement in which was of
I course mainly attributable to the awakened spirit of the
people ; but that would have been of no avail,
had there been no central point of , attraction,
round which all might revolve, and all receive the
benefit of bright example. That point of attraction was
furnished by the part which his royal highness consented
to take in their proceedings, and the immediate and familiar
contact in which his royal highness placed himself with all
the promoters of art throughout the country. (Loud
cheers.) He need say no more. His royal highness had
never more frankly evinced his determination to assist their
efforts with his powerful influence than on that day, and
therefore he b►d the greatest pleasure in proposing a vote
of thanks to their illustrious president for his proper and
dignified conduct in the chair. (Loud cheers.)
Lord COLIONI4I briefly seconded the motion, contenting
himself with expressing his hearty assent to everything
that had been so well expressed by his noble friend.
The vote was carried by acclamation, after which

Prince ALBLILT again rose and said :—My lords, ladies,
and gentlemen, I thank you most sincerely for the kind
expressions which have fallen from your lips in my behalf.
I mud confess that such an expression of kindness coming
from such an assembly almost makes me blush. (Loud
cheers.) In coming here to-day I have only performed
my duty as President of your society, and the performance,
of a duty is always a pleasure to me. (Continued cheering.)
Earl Granville sat braids his Royal Highness, bat took no
other part in the proceedings which terminated immediately
after the vote of thanks.

The following Is the list of prises :
I To Mr. Joshua Roger., of 133, Dunhill-row, for his shil-
ling box of water colours, silver medal.
To Mr. John Croentirs, 10, Cottage-lane, Commercial-
road East, for: his kalf-crown box of mathematical instru-
' meats, silver medal.
To Mr. James Taylor, of Elgin, for hie Essay on the Cot-
' ton Manufactures of India, Isle medal.
Te Mr. Henry Weekes, A.R.A., for his Essay on the
Fine Arts Department of the Great Exhibition, silver medal
To Mr. F. C. Haswell, for his Essay on the Machinery
of the Great Exhibition, silver medal.
To Dr. Robinson, of Newcastle, for his improved safety
lamp for miners, thanks of the society.
To Mr. It. G. Salter, for his method of flushing sewers,
silver medal.

To Mr. Jonas Bateman, for his improved life boat, thanks
of the socdety.
To Mr. William Clerichew, of Ceylon, for his improve-
ments in the curing of coffee, Isis gold medal.
To Mr. V. Vaughan, of Maidstone, for his machine for
putting up chimney pieces, silver medal.
To Admiral Sir Henry Hart, of Greenwich, for his mode
of curing smoky chimneys, his medal.
To Mr. J. Rock, Jun., of Hastings, for his new carriage
spring, Isis medal.
To Dr. Stolle, of Stella, for his essay on the manufacture
of sugar, thanks of the society.
To Dr. Cumin, of Bath, for his specimens of paper from
sugar cane refuse, thanks of the society.
To Mr. W. Bollaert, for his essay on the use and prepa-
ration of salt, moiety's medal.
To Mr. H. Owen Husakison, for his essay on the use and
preparation of salt, society's medal.
To Mr. John Dalton, of Hollingworth, for his double
register calico printing, society's medal.
To Mr. 0. &holes, of Landport, for his slide motion in-
dicator, society's medal.
To Mr. G. Edwards, for his improved portable photo-
graphic camera, society's medal.
To Mr. J. Toynbee, F R.S., for his artificial tympanic
membrane, society's medal.
To Mr. W. Wood, for his improved method of teaching
music to the blind, society', medal.
To Mr. A. Claudet, for his essay on the stereoscope, and
its applications to photography, society's medal.
To Mr. Joseph Hopkins, of Worcester, for his mode of
giving Equatorial Motion to Telescopes, society's medal.
To Mr. G. Jennings, for his improvements connected
with the Drainage of Houms,isociety's medal.
To Mr. H. J. Sasby, of Miletown, Sheerness, for his
new lock, society's:medal and 101.
To Mrs. A. Thomson, of New Bond-street, for four
drawings in outline, society's medal.
To Mr. W. Stones, of Gueenhithe, for his essay en the
manufacture of paper, moiety's medal.
To Mr. C. Shepherd, jun., of Leadenhall-street, for his
improvements in electric clocks, society's medal.
To the Rev. W. T. Kingsley, of Cambridge, fey hie dis-
coveries in photography, society's medal.
To the very Rev. The Dean of Hereford, for his Essay
on self supporting schools, society's medal.
To Dr. Lloyd, of Warwick, for his samples of paper
made from the refuse of cow-houses, thanks of the so-
ciety.
'l'o Professor Jack, of New Brunswick, for his essay en
the decimal system of weights and measures, thanks of the
society.
To Mr. James Hole, of Leeds, for his Essay on the Hit-
I tory and Management of Literary, Scientific, and He. chalets' Institutions, society's medal and 501.

LORD MALMESBURY AND THE PRINCE
FREDERICK OF SCHLESWIG - HOLSTEIN-
HOER.