Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-05-19 00:00:00

RUSSIA AND AUSTRIA.

The Russian forces in the provinces bordering on
the Austrian empire are gradually assuming for-
midable proportions. Our correspondent at St.
Petersburg has already informed us that the 3rd
and 4th corps d'ahnee, together 70,000 strong, had
been put in a state of readiness : and subsequently,
that the sth division, occupying Bessarabia, and
consisting of 26,000 men, had been treated in a
similar way. He now informs us that further orders
have been issued to the Ist division, occupying
Lithuania, and the 2nd, stationed in Poland, desiring
them to hold themselves in readiness for any
emergency.
This information, the authenticity of which we are in a
position to guarantee, confirm at the same time that they
correct a telegram published two days ago by the Russian
journal, the Nord, and dated from Berlin. According to
this despatch, the order for mobilisation was issued to all
the divisions from the Ist to the 6th. This is inaccurate,
since the 3rd and 4th divisions had been already mobilised,
.while as to the 6th, that division, which is the central
corps d'armie, has its head quarters at Moscow, and is very
rarely mobilised, if, indeed, ever.
The sth division, now in course of being mobilised, con-
sists of 200,000 men. We are, therefore, far in advance of
the 50,000 men which, according to the Times, Russia had
agreed to concentrate upon her eastern provinces. This
measure, however, while it cannot fail to cause a con-
siderable sensation in Germany, is nothing but what might
have been expected. and is only the equivalent of what
England and Prussia have themselves been doing.---Inde-
pendence.

LARGE CASTING.—On Saturday last, an anvil block,
intended for an immense hammer, to be used in the making of
Sir William Armstrong's guns, was cast at the foundry of
Messrs. Morrison and Co., Ouseburn, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
When finished, it will weigh 211 tons. It was cast in one
run, the quantity of metal melted for it being 23 tons. The
size of the base is 6 feet 6 inches by 9 feet, and its thickness
9i inches; the body part being 3 feet 10 inches by 3 feet
9 inches. In consequence of the heat still in the metal, it
will have to lie a week before it can be raised.
DEATH or SIR M. C. SMITH.---We have .to announce
the death of Sir Michael Cusack Smith, Bart., which event
took place on Monday last at the rectory house of the
parish of Leybourne, near Maidstone. He was the third
baronet, the first having been the Right Hon Sir Michael
Smith, Master of the Rolls in Ireland, and the second a
Baron of the Exchequer in Ireland. The deceased baronet
is succeeded in his title by his son, William Cusack, who
served for a considerable time in the 4th Royal Wurtem-
burg Lancers.
COAST DEFENCES.—A few days since Rye was honoured
with a visit from Admiral Sir H. Chads, Rear-Admiral Sir
H. Leake, K.C.8., M.P., Major S. Westmacott, R.E., and
one or two other gentlemen, who came for the purpose of
selecting sites adapted for fortifications to defend this portion
of the south coast. The cliffs at Playden, contiguous to the
town, first shared their notice ; returning thence, the New
Battery in the Gun-garden, renovated in 1855, was duly
inspected; then Ypes Tower, opposite, now used as the
borough gaol ; the mouth of the harbour next invited their
attention, whence they proceeded to the ruins of Camber
Castle, and then to Winchelsea. On Saturday morning last
the street leading, from the market to the Gun-garden
(recently called Pump-street, but now forming an angle of
Church-square) was measured, but whether for the purposes
connected with the visit of inspection has not transpired.—
Sussex Advertiser.