The Sun.
London, England, 1855-04-24 00:00:00

LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, APRIL 24, 1855.

NAVAL AND MILITARY INTELLIGENCE.

A court-martial, comprising Captain Lord George Paulet,
of her Majesty's ship Bellerophon, president ; Captains Sir
Thomas Maitland; C.B , of her Majesty's '
ship Excellent • H.
Ayres, C. 8., of the St. George ; J, J.. Stopford, of the Cal-
cutta ; G. H. Seymour, of the Pembroke ; F. 'Hutton, of the
Neptune; P. Fisher, of the Retribution; J. C. Caffin, of the
Hastings; A. Farquhar, of the Malacca; and Mr. G. L.
Greetham, Deputy Judge-Advocate of the Fleet, assembled
yesterday morning on board her Majesty's ship Victory, Cap-
tain G. T. Gordon, flag-ship in Portsmouth harbour, to try
Mr. William Kerr, the senior naval instructor in the fleet,
and serving in the Victory, on a charge of being drunk and
incapable of performing his duty on board the -said ship on
the-afternoon of the 29th of March last. The charge was
established by Captain Gordon, Commander Strode, and Dr.
Muirhead, of the Victory, who, on being called upon by the
prisoner, also testified to his general good coaduct and char-
acter. The latter officers. having known him longest, spoke
in very high terms of Mr. Kerr's gene al deportment, drc.
The court, after due deliberation, declared the charge pro vel,
and adjudged the prisoner, in consideration of his long ser-
vices (upwards of 31 years', we believe), to be dismissed from
th 9 said ship Victory, and to lose four years' rank as a naval
instructor in her Majesty's naval service.
A letter from her Majesty's ship Himalaya, dated Alexan-
dria, April 9, states :—" We embarked 192 of the 10th Hus-
sars in the Etna yesterday, and she sailed for Constantinople
early this morning. The Himalaya is embarking 34.1 more,
and will sail at daylight to-morrow. - Ths Trent is to take
the remainder (200), but has not yet arrived ; she is hourly
expected. The Himalaya ran down h• re in 64 .hours from
Kululee. The Austriau frigate Venus is the only ship of war
in port."
The Hawke, 60, new screw block-ship, Capt. Ommanney,
arrived at Spithead yesterday afternoon, from Sheerness, to
get men and await further orders In the afternoon the Pem-
broke, 60, sister ship, Captain G. H. Seymour, went, out of
Portsmouth harbour to the same anchorage, also to aw it the
completion of her crew and sailing orders. The -Hastings,
60, similar ship, Captain Caffin, from Portsmouth- Harbour,
and the Russell, 60, ditto, Captain Scott, from Sheerness, are
appointed to be at Spithead to-day. This will make the sea
service fleet at that anchorage and in-harbour the following :
Ecorse-
Guns. Men. power
Neptune, Captain Hutton
St. George, Captain Ayres, C.B l2O 970
Calcutta, Captain Stopford
Powerful, Captain Massie B4 751
Hawke, Captain Ommanney - 600 200
Pembroke, Captain Seymour
Hastings, Captain Caffin 6O • 610 200
Retribution, Captain Fisher
Malacca, Captain Farquhar l7 250 200
Centaur, Captain Clifford 6 200 540
Falcon, Commander Pullen
Rosamond, Commander Crofton - 280

It is to be regretted that the abode numbers of crew repre-
sent the appointed complements of the ships, not what they
have on board.
The Imperial French naval corvette D'Assas, 21, Captain
Jules d'Aries, flag of Rear-Admiral de Chabannes, arrived
at Spithead yesterday morning, and saluted the national flag
and the port admiral, which salutes were duly acknowledged
by the garrison battery at Portsmouth and by her Majesty's
,ship Victory. After this Admiral Chabannes landed at the
dockyard and visit d Vice-Admiral Sir Th .mas Cochrane,
K.C.8., the Commander-in-Chief, with whom he breakfasted.
The officers of the corvette also landed and visited the town
under the guidance of the Chevalier Vandenberg, the French
Vice-Consul at Portsmouth. About five o'clock in the even-
ing the corvette bore the admiral away for Cherbourg.
The Arthur the Great, transport, Captain Davis, is hourly
expected at Portsmouth from the Thames to embark the fol-
lowing troops for the Cape of Good Hope, viz. : —4B men and
2 officers of the 2d Foot; 215 men and 7 officers of the 6th
Foot ; 245 men and 3 officers of the 73d Foot; and 7 men of
the Cape Mounted Rifles. The American packet Southamp-
ton, Captain Pratt, arrived at Portsmouth from London yes-
terday, a• d sailed for New York, after embhrking passengers.
The Hecate, 6, paddle sloop, Commander, Glynn, left Ports-
mouth yesterday afternoon for Plymouth, carrying supernu-
meraries for the ships at that port. The Rosamond, 6, paddle
sloop, Commander Crofton, arrived at Portsmouth yesterday
from the Downs.
The friends of the soldiers who aro sick in hospital at
Portsmouth will be glad to hear that all are doing very
well, and receiving the kindest attention from the medical
staff, as well as extra comforts from Major-General Sir
Frederick and Lady Smith, and other thoughtful bene-
factors. Dr. Burgess has now the sole charge of that district
in the general hospital lately confided to Dr. Lawson, who
has gone on other duty. Several amputations have lately
taken place under the hands of Dr. Odell, the principal staff
surgeon of Portsmouth garrison. Further arrivals of sick are
expected at Portsmouth daily, and accommodation is made
for them. .

The following appointments have been made :`—•
Lieutenants—George A. T. Drake, recently prjmoted from
mate of the Arethusa, to the St. Ceorge ; Lieutenant John
Nott, from the St George to the Retribution.
Masters—John C. Hutchings, from the St. George to com-
mission and command the Volage. . .

Chaplain - Rev. H. E. Yeoman to the Waterloo.
Naval Instructor—Timothy Sul Ivan to the Hawke.
Assistant.Surireon—Reudal M`Donald to the Lightning,
with the Baltic fleet.

Captain Hasthigs' company 6th Battalion Royal Artillery
(late Captain Crawford's company), for siege-gun service, are
to embark at Woolwich on Thursday next, on board the
Gibraltar screw steam-transport, for the Crimea.
Orders have le, en given for the transfer of a proportionate
number of the non-commissioned officers of the thirteen bat-
talions of the Royal Artillery to the 14th battalion.
The following are to bo the staff officers of the 14th batta-
lion :
Sergeant-Major.—Sergeant Charles Phillips, from the Sth
battalion.
Quartermaster-Sergeant.—Sergeant James William, from
the sth batta ion.
Repository-Sergeant.—James Inglis, from tho 7th batta-

lion.
The Government has entered into an extensive contract for
Minie and other rifles, rifled carbines, plainbore muskets and
revolve. s ; a large Dumber of the Minie rifles and revolvers
wid Ire supplied by an American firm, and the remainder by
Liege, London, and Birmingham manufacturers, the estimated
number to bo sent in weekly to the Ordnance stores is 3,000
stand.

THE MILITIA.
The Northumberland Light Infantry Militia, which was a
good deal reduced by Lord Panmure's act of grace, has since
been augmented by a considerable number of men, who have
been reottested under the act of 1854. On Saturday week 3P
men of this corps volunteered into the line, by joining the
541 h Regiment, which has a depot at Newcastle ; since then
above 30 more have joined the 54th ; and the 7th Hussars,
6th and 48th Foot, the Royal Marines, and the 56th and 82d
Foot, who have recruiting parties in Alnwick, have each en-
listed men from the same source. The militia regiment is re-
cruiting in Newcastle and Berwick.

FROLICKING ENSIGNS•

•
The Commander-in-Chief, we are glad to see, has issued a
memorandum severely censuring two ensigns of the 30th
Regiment for insulting, in a very infamous manner, Ensign
Falkuer, of the 50th Regiment. We hope that this whole-
some and very necessary punishment and disgrace will effec-
tually put an end to a system which, although tolerated
amongst school-boys, is altogether unworthy of men who
hold her Majesty's commission, and who have voluntarily
taken upon themselves responsibilities and duties both
honourable and important. It is very evident that these dis-
gusting and ungentleman-like practices are more general in
the army than is supposed ; and that they die not confined
4.0 the infantry regiments may be seen from the report of an
analogous case which has, within the last day or two, occurred
in a cavalry regiment now in Canterbury Barracks. A duel
was threatened, and, but for the timely interference of a ser-
jeaut of the regiment, it might have ended in loss of life to one
or both of the officers concerned. The report of this last-
named case will be found reported below. The following is
the document issued by the Commander-in-Chief :
" Horse Guards, March 23, 1855.
" It appears that on the Ist . of March, Ensigns Sanders
and Neville, of the 30th Regiment, broke in the door of
Ensign Falkner, 50th Regiment, pulled him out of bed,
compelled him to go into the room of Ensign Neville, and
there grossly insulted him by threatening and attempting to
throw him out of the window, threatening to make him eat a
candle, and actually smearing his mouth with tallow, kicking
him out of the room, and, after following him into his own
apartment, throwing several things at him, and having with
a stick broken part of his furniture, forced him on his knees,
and kicked in the panel of his door.
" Ensign Falkner reported these circumstances to Captain
Tillbrook, commanding the depot companies of the 50th Re-
giment, on the following morning. Captain Tillbrook, 59th,
in conjunction with Brevet-Major Campbell, of the 34th Re-
giment, agreed to accept an apology from the two officers,
and a full and ample one was made by Ensign Neville on the
morning of the 3d, Ensign Sanders having gone to Cork on
duty on the day preceding ; on his return he also made a full
and ample apology for what had occurred, and Ensign Falk-
ner was satisfied.
" It must here be remarked that this disgraceful conduct
of Ensigns Sanders and Neville was unjustifiably compromised
by the injudicious and irregular decision of Brevet-Major
Campbell and Captain Tillbrook, who, as commanding com-
panies only, and having in no respect any jurisdiction in the
discipline of the battalion of which their companies form a
part, were in duty bound to make known the complaint of
Ensign Falkner to Colonel Passy, their commanding officer.
" The General Commanding-in-Chief cautions Brevet-Major
Campbell and Captain Tillbrook against the assumption
of an authority with which they are not invested, and de-
sires that, on all occasions involving the character of offi-
cers, and the discipline of the service generally, they will
communicate with their commanding officer, who in this case
was Colonel Passy.
" Ensigns Sanders and Neville may think themselves thus
far fortunate that by the error—the General Commanding-in-
Chief is willing to say the mistaken leniency of Brevet-Major
Campbell and Captain Tillbrook they have escaped the
inevitable consequence of conduct o ungentleman-like as that
of which, by their own acknowledgment, they were guilty
towards Ensign Falkner.
" But what opinion can be formed of an officer who, after
apologising for an outrage committed, and narrowly escaping
its merited punishment, again commits himself by insulting
the same individual.
" It is shown that Colonel Passy was obliged very severely
to reprimand Ensign Neville on the 13th instant, for having
used very insulting language to Ensign Falkner on the pre-
vious Saturday, and it was then for the first time that Colonel
Passy beard of the outrage previously committed—the repe-
tition of which would have been prevented if the previous
case had been reported.
" The General Commanding-in-Chief, although disposed to
accept the atonement of Ensign Sanders for his participa-
tion in the insult offered in the first instance, cannot avoid
marking with his severest displeasure 'the repeated miscon-
duct of Ensign Neville, and his total disregard of the printed
instructions given him on joining the 30th Regiment. The
apology of a gentleman is accepted as a promise and a gua•
rantee against the repetition of au offence; but no reliance
can be placed upon an officer who so far forgets what is due
to the character of a man of honour as to repeat the offence
which he bad expiated by an avowal of regret.
" This opinion of the General Commandi, g-in-Chief on the
con lust of Ensign Neville will be read in presence of • a'l the
dams of the depot kfatta4ion at Fermoy, assembled for that

purpose, and a copy communicated to Vie officer command-
ing the 30th Regiment, with an assurance that on the re-
currence of similar misconduct on t' e part f Ensign Neville,
Viscount Hardinge w 1, c nsider is his duty to recommend to
the Queen that that officer's name should be e•a,ed from the
list of the army.

"The Gen ral Commanding•in-Ch'ef thanks Major-General
Mansel for the very proper u easure taken by him to bring
the above circumstances to the knowlo !go of Bead-quar:Ass.
" The conduct of Ensign Falkner is highly commendable
for having reported, as be did, the unmerited insuts offered
to him I:y Ensigns Sanders and Neville ; and Lad h. not done
so, in accordance with the orders of the army, Viscount,
Hardinge would have deemed it impel-at ve upon him to sub-
mit his name to her Majesty for removal.
" T e conduct of .Ensign Neville wll be reported every
three mopths by his commanding officer for theduformation
of the General Commanding-in-Chief. _

(Signed)

" . WETHERALL,A.G."

MORE PRACTICAL JOKING IN THE ARMY.-A DUEL
• ' -PREVENTED.

CANTERBURY, MONDAY; EVENING.
This morning our Guildhall was the sccue.of great ex,ite-
meut, owing,to its becoming known that tw.. ,ffic rs of the
6th Inniskilling.Dragoons (now lying in our barracks), were
to be had before the mayor and magistr des, on the c arge of
having met for the purpose of fighting a duel early on Satur-
day moruing4ast. The two combatants are Cornet Edward
Pick ton Baumgarten and Cornet John Evans, both of •the
Same regiment.
It appears_ from inquiries made, that for some:little time
past Cornet Baumgartou (who has only been in the corps
some three months, and who is considered a quiet, inoffen-
sive young man) has met with anything but gentlemanly
treatment from his'brother officers, and their'practical jokes
partaking more of personal insult rather than anything else,
and in some instances, acoordiug to the reports current in the
regiment, they have proceeded beyond the bounds of coin-
mou decency, and partaken of a character that prohibits fur-
ther allusion. Among some of the tricks to which this young
officer has been subject may be mentioned the following :
His sword was broken to pieces, and the plume of his hel-
met des‘royed —two buckets of Water thrown -into his bed,
and his clothes placed In the bath, white the chest c,,ntain-
in his' clean linen was filled with water—six panes of glass
in his window and his looking-glass smashed—the chamber
utensils broken and placed in the bed—the door fastened, as
well as the window, while he was in his room—his horse
(which cost him 80 guineas) has been deprived of its tail and

topped. In consequence of this treatment, Cornet Eaumgar
ton sent Cornet Evans a challenge, as he imagined that he was
the ringle,Aer in the affair, and Saturday last was fixed for
carrying it into execution. Accordingly the parties met at the
place appointed,/but the duel was prevented, as explained in the
evidence. It should be stated that Baumgarten appeared at the
magistrates' meeting on Saturday evening, and was bound
over to appear to-day, and that subsequently Evans was taken
on a warrant, and also admitted to bail.

Joseph Quautrill deposed to detaining Cornet Baumgarten,
at the request of Sergeant Brodie, shortly after six o'clock on
Saturday morning, as- he was proceeding through the Old
Park at the rear of the barracks with two others. He took
the cornet to the farmhouse. There were five or six persons
about at the time. Witness told Mr. Baumgarton what he
had heard about the treatment he had received from the offi-
cers, when he said they had served him so many games and
tricks that he had had them before the colonel ; but that
he should take some sharper steps for the future than he had
done. He said he would as leave go out to face the man and
fire at him, as he would go out of witness's house. In answer
to witness, as to whether he had any pistols, he said, " The
others will bring them; duelling pistols are as long as my
arm." The adjutant (Webster) then came up with a file of
men, and ordered the sergeant who had prevented the duel
into custody, and if he refused to go to knock him down
with the butt-end of their carbines.
The Superintendent of Police merely deposed to the offi-
cer's coming to the station-house, and to his admission that
Evans was the other party iu the duel.
sergeant Alexander Brodie, of the let Royal Dragoons,
deposed that he was in the Old Park, at the rear of the
Canterbury Barracks, between five and six o'clock on Sun-
day morning last. Adjutant Webster, of the depot and Cornet
Baumgarten, were there, and also a little gentleman who I
was told was Doctor Cooper, of the town. Mr. Hartopp
was also present. The first three were walking together in
the direction of the sand-pit, the doctor and Mr. Baumgarten
being a little in advance. Adjutant Webster said, "Sergeant
Brodie, what do you want here I" Witness made no reply,
when the adjutant said, "Go away homo, sir." Witness re-
" No, sir, I shall put a stop to this that is to take
place." The adjutant then said, "Go to your room, sir, and
consider yourself a prisoner." With that, the adjutant after
saying, " I will go and get a file of the guard and bring you,"
went in the direction of the barracks. Witness then jumped
over the stile and ran up to Mr. Baumgarten and the doctor,
and placing his hands out in. front of them said, " You shall
not fight a duel, Mr. Baumgarton, in my presence; you shall
shoot me first before you shall do it, sir." Mr. Baumgarten,
however, got away, and witless ran after him, He said,
" Leave me alone; I have been an injured man, Sergeant
Brodie, which you know, and I will have it out now." He
Was making his escape from witness, and as he (witness) saw
he could not stop him, as he was in such a raging state, he ran
forward to some men working in the field, and asked them,
f, ,r God's sake, to assist, as there were two gentlemen going
to kill one another. They hesitated at first, but subsequently
went and caught hold of Mr. Baumgarton, who kicked,
and tore, and tried to get away front them. Witness then
went to the farm-house to obtain further aid, and Mr.
llaumgarton was taken into the house. Witness then re-
turned towards the barrack, when ho met Adjutant Web-
ster and Mr. Hartopp w.th a file of men. He said to the
adjutant " Good morning, gentlemen; I give ,myself
up as a prisoner." Adjutant Webster told his men "
to
knock witness down with the butt-end of their carbines if lie
resisted them." Witness replied, "No adjutant, lam an
old soldier, and know my duty--don't hurt me." He was
b
tFlii.ekiiiaayrie•evsetinganAddtjauktaennttNovetbhseteih:stri.a
servant
s.
came
etle
toi witness's
house for a pair of pistols. He told him he had not had any
since the regiment went out, and then inquired what they
were wanted for. The servant said, "I don't know, but I
have to call my master at five o'olock in the morning." Being
asked if he had anything further to add, witness replied, " I
should not like to say anything, about regimental affairs,
as it
may injure me afterwards."
The magistrate's clerk explained that witness was sum-
moned to give evidence in behalf of the Crown, and therefore
it was his duty to tell everything that he knew about the

offence.
Witness—He knew nothing else about the duel. Did not
see any pistols on the ground at the time.
Cross-examined by Cornet Baumgarton--One of the
farmer's men were present when you said " Let me Rion;
Sergeant Brodie, I'm au injured man." You said, "If it
does not come off to-day, it will another day." I swear
solemnly that you did say that. I can swear that I was to.d
by two persons that tiler° were pistols there.
At the reque-t of the Whet, Mr. cooper, :surgeon,
then entered the witness-box ; but
Mr. Austin (soliCitor) addressed the magistrates, and ob-
served that the whole affair was a mere joke from beginning
to end. Should the bench think it might have ended se-
riously the defendants were quite willing to enter into sureties
to prevent any breach of the peace taking place, which, he ap-
prehended, would put an end to it.
The mayor and magistrates then consulted for a few mo-
ments, and then ordered the two defendants to enter into
their own bonds of 1001. each, and two sureties in 50/., to
keep the peace towards each other.
The regular bail was quickly procured, and the officers left
with their friends. -

TBE VIENNA CONFERENCE.

(Prom the Times of this day.)
The proceedings of the Plenipotentiaries of the Great• Powers
at Vienna have now reached a point which at once removes
the uncertainty and destroys the hopes raised at the outset
and in the progress of these negotiations. We have not, in-
deed, ourselves at any time used language in speaking of
these transactions which implied the slightest confidence in
their successful result ; but as long as the negotiation itself
lasted there was a possibility that the Russian Plenipoten-
tiaries might have in reserve some concession to satisfy the
just demands of the Allied Powers, or that some decisive oc-
currence at Sebastopol might alter the present aspect of
affairs. These faint chances of success have both failed. The
Conference has now terminated its sittings by an adjournment
sine die • the Plenipotentiaries have separated with assurances
of mutual l regret ; Lord J. Russell and M. Drouyn de l'Huys
are way to London and Paris ; and it is
negotiation for peace with Russia will not
be resumed until events of a far more decisive character thany
an which have yet occurred determine the issue of this great
proba
le
contest. It will, of courso, be the duty of Lord John Russell
already
that o
a their
and of the British Government to make known to Parliament
and to the nation at the earliest period the precise nature of
the terms of peace proposed to the enemy, and the cause of
the failure of this negotiation. This course was followed
when Lord Malmcsbury broke off the negotiation at Lille in
1797, and when Lord Lauderdale returned from Paris in
1806. Lord Palmerston has, however, already informed the
House of Commons that in the final interview of the Pleni-
potentiaries on Saturday last, Prince Gortschakoff and M. de
Til,,ff wholly rejected the proposal for a limitation of the
naval forces of Russia
• in the Black Sea, and likewise the al-
ternative of the neutralisation of those waters, nor. did they
offer any counter-proposition to the Conference,' although
they were expressly invited to do so. This answer brought
the negotiation to a close.
The position of Russia in this negotiation may therefore now
be clearly defined. She professed to give her sssent to a
document based upon the notes of the Bth of August, and the
Four Points as the basis of a definitive arrangement, well
knowing that the diminution or abatement of her own
power in the Black Sea formed an essential part of
those terms. The mode in which this abatement of her
power in the Black Sea was to be effected depended chiefly
ci the results of our military and naval operations while the
negotiation was going on; but, as Sebastopol was still nu-
t-aka'', and a parts of the Russian fleet undestroyed, the pro-
position itself assumed the mildest form ; nothing was said
of the destruction of Sebastopol, and the Allies professed
their willingness to make peace on' condition that Russia
should no longer maintain in the Black Sea a naval power
fatal to the existence of Turkey. Nevertheless, when the
Conference arrived at a positive and distinct discussion of
this point, after a fresh reference to St. Petersburg, the
Russian Ministers refused to accept any terms involving
either a surrender of territory or a diminution of their own
naval power, and they offered no other expedient for attain-
ing the proposed end, which is to secure the independence
Turkey. These fact,, having been stated in Parliament by the
of
First Minister of the Crown, the conduct of Russia in the
stage of this negotiation affords us demonstrative evidence
last
that she never intended to submit to the diminution of her
preponderance in the Black Sea, unless the military
events occurring in the interval should leave her no
option ; but, as the progress of the siege of Sebastopol
has been, and still is, undecisive, she would not lend
herself to any arrangement which give might
effect
to that essential condition. Had the time which
has been
spent in these negotiations been employed with vigour by the
allied commanders, it is quite possible that the language
the Russian Ministers would have undergone a considerable
ofble
change ; but during the inaction of the allied forces in the
Crimea the Russians appear to have thought that our demands
were not yet justified by our success. The effect produced
upon the enemy by these discussions is therefore null and
void, and we must even doubt whether Russia had acceded
with sincerity to any part of the proposed compromise. It
remains for us to consider what will be' the effect of these
Conferences and their termination on our relations with the
other Powers of Europe, and especially with Austria.
Throughout those discusidowi. at Max& both withia tad

/ without the official Conferences, the Austrian Government
has not ceased to act in close union, and apparently entire
sfireement, with the Western Powers. The statement that
:difference of opinion arose between these three Powers as
to the extent of the conditions to l?e demanded of Russia for
the limitation of her power in the Black Sea is without foun-
dation, and it is consequently equally incorrect that the
Western Powers were called to make, or (lid make, any
further concessions to meet the views of Austria. Iu fact,
the refusal of Russia to treat on this basis was so
absolute that it admitted of no such distinctions of mode or
degree. Neither has Anstritygiven 'the slightest cause for
the imputation of entering into a separate arrangement with
Russia, from, which she is expressly precluded by the first
article, of the treaty of the 2d of December. We shall as-
sume,-then, until the contrary-be proVed, that Atistria agrees
with France and- England on the principal conditions and
securities for the restoration of peace, as !he. agreed with
those Powers in the Notes of the Bth of August, as she agreed
in the treaty of 'the 21 of December and the correspoudence
of that period, and as she agreed in the joint interpretation
affixed to those propositions at the outset of these' Confer-
ences. Indeed as long-as words retain their moaning, there
are so many documents in existence recording 7 this assent of
Austria in $o many forms that there can b 3 no .clispute•about
the mo.tter;• nor has the Cabinet of Vienna shown any dis-
position, so far as we yet know, to repudiate' nr fecede from'
these declarations. Indeed Lord Palmerston expressly stated
last night that the principle laid down by France and England
•was agreed to by Anstria, and unanimously pressed on Russia
by thh four other Powers. If those conditions were essential
to the. restoration and maintenance of peace eight months
agortl ey unquestionably are so still, and Austria has not
expressed an opinion that peace can safely be obtained on
any less broad and solid basis. ' Thus far, then, and on
the ground of policy and principle, Austria has not
deviated from the views which have led the Western Powers
to take up arms. Is she then prepared, on the failure of
these negotiations, to act up to the engagements of the treaty
of the 2d of December, and, peace not being made, to enter
at once upon the "effectual means for aecomplis4ing the ob-
ject of that alliance ?" That is the next vital question which
can engross the attention of Europe, and at the present mo-
ment it is by no means decided. As Austria has adhered
throughout to the views' And propositions of the Western
Powers, and she has already made herself a party to formal
treaties with the belligerent States, announcing an irrevocable
determination completely to unite her own efforts with theirs
until their common object is entirely attained (these are the
words of the treaty with France and England), it is impos-
sible that she should ignore or repudiate these engagements
without renouncing her own position in Europe, and acting
in direct opposition to all the arguments she has herself ad-
dressed to Prussia and the other German States. To subside
into the Prussian system of neutrality, after having followed
the opposite line of policy to the very verge of hostilities,
would be an act of such supreme inconsistency and absurdity
that it must instantly expose the Court of Vienna to all the
consequences of amoral defeat both in Germany and in Europe.
But, on the other hand, it is clear that the Ministers of Austria
regard with extreme apprehension the dangers and chances of
• war. They are aware that they can by no means rely on sup-
port from any part of Germany, and that it is not impossible
that Prussia should take a selfish advantage of the embarrass-
ments in which Austria might be placed. They cannot hope
for the direct military assistance of Franco or England against
Russia, because the whole available force of those States must
be directed for the present to the Crimea. Austria has in
front of her the four finest corps of the Russian army, amount-
ing probably to 250,000 men, operating upon a basis of im-
pregnable fortresses against a frontier which is almost unpro-
tected.from Czernowitz to Olmutz, and, unless Austria is sup-
ported by her Germanic confed.!rates, whose strategical posi-
tion completes her own, the result of such a contest might
depend on the fate of a batee. These are the considerations
which doubtless cheek the resolution of the Cabinet of
Vienna; and they are materially aggravated by the want of
decisive success on the part of the allied armies. But, although
the decision of Austria is not yet taken for active war, she
must perceive that there is more danger to herself as well as
to Europe from a protracted war than from one vigorous and
united effort, in which she would have for her allies the most
powerful and civilised nations in the world ; and, as it is now
certain that the Emperor of the French is resolved to proceed
to the Crimea for the purpose of giving the full weight of his
authority to the conduct of the war, the fame, and possibly
the existence, of her Government is staked on the success of
this contest.

OFFICIAL DESPATCH PROM FIELD-
MARSHAL LORD RAGLAN.

( From a Second Supplement to Friday's Gazette.)
War Department, April 24, 1855.
Lord Panmure has this day received a despatch and
its enclosures, of which the following are copies, ad-
dressed to his Lordship by Field-Marshal the Lord
Raglan, G.C.B.

Before Sebastopol, April 10, 1855.

. .
My Lord—ln accordance with the arrangement made
between General Canrobert and myself, the batteries of
the French and English armies opened upon Sebastopol
soon after daylight yesterday morning.
The weather was extremely unpropitious. Much rain
had fallen in the course of the night, and it continued
during the day, accompanied by a tempestuous wind,
and a heavy mist which obscured everything, and nu-
dered it impossible to ascertain with any degree of accu-
racy the effect of the fire, which has continued with little
or no interruption from the commencement, and has
been superior t) that of the enemy, who were evidently
taken by surprise, and, except upon the extreme left,
did not respond to the attack for nearly half an hour.
This morning has been hazy, and for some time there
was a drizzling rain ; but it is clearing this afternoon,
and there is again a prospect of fine weather.
The country yesterday was covered with water, ard
.the ground was again very deep. The trenches %.‘ ere
likeNise extremely muddy, and their condition addeo
greatly to the labours of the men employed in the bat-
teries, who consisted chiefly of tailors, artillerymen, and
sappers.
They conducted their duties admirably, and I am sorry
to say that the two former, particularly the navy, sus-
tained considerable loss.
I have not yet received the returns of the casualties
beyond the 9th instant, which are herewith enclosed ;
but the death of Lieutenant Twy ford, of the Royal Navy,
a most promising officer, and greatly respected by all,
has been notified to me ; and Captain Lord John flay,
who has taken a most active pat t in the gallant and dis•
tinguished services of the naval brigade, was wounded
almost at the very moment, I believe by the same shot.
I hope the injury he has received is not very serious, but
041 cm of Icis4utsietanceeeven.for4l timec ttruchAto be"
regretted.
The Russians have not shown themselves in any force
in front of Balaklava.

I have, Ste.,
The Lord Panmure, &c., &o.

RAGLAN.

Enclosure I.—Return of casualties from the 6th to the

Bth of April, 1855, inclusive.
4th Regiment of Foot, 1 rank and file, killed, 3 rank and
file, wounded ; 19th Foot, 1 rank and file, wounded ; 30th
Foot, 1 rank and file, wounded; 34th Foot, 1 rank and
file, killed, 2 rank and file, wounded ; 39th FoCt, 1 rank
and file, wounded ; 49th Foot, 1 rank and file, wounded
89th Foot, 2 rank and file, wounded ; 97th Foot, 1 rank
and file, killed, 1 rank and file, wounded ; Royal Artillery,
2 rank and file, wounded ; Royal Sappers and Miners, 1
rank and file, wounded. Total-3 rank and file, killed; 15
rank and file, wounded.

Enclosure 2.—Nominal Return of Non-Commissionel Offi-
cers and Privates Killed from 6th to Bth April, 18J5,
inclusive.
KILLRD.--April 6 : 34th Regiment of Foot, Private John
Blackburn. April 8 : 4th Regiment of Foot, Private Chas.
Ship; 97th Regiment of Foot, George Keogh.

Enclosure 3.—Nominal Return of Non-Commissioned Offi-
cers and Privates Wounded from the 6th to Bth April,
1855, inclusive.
WOUNDED.—ApriI 6 : 19th Regiment of Foot, Private
Joseph Hales, slightly ; 34th Regiment of Foot, Private
William Cook, slightly; Royal Artillery, gun and driver
James Flood, severely; gunner and driver Henry Davis,
severely ; Royal Sappers and Miners, Lance Corporal J.
Veal, slightly. April 7 : 39th Regiment of Foot, Private
William Morgan, slightly ; 49th Regiment of Foot, Private
John Egan, severely ; 89th Regiment of Foot, Lance• Co-
rporal Matthew Burke, severely ; April 8 : 4th Regiment
of Foot, Private Daniel Cockerton, slightly ; Private Thos.
Golding, slightly ; and Private William Norman, slightly;
34th Regiment of Foot, Private Patrick McNamara, se-
verely; 89th Regiment of Foot, Corporal William Palmer,
severely ; 97th Regiment of Foot, Private George Evans,
severely ; 30th Regiment of Foot, Private George Shep-
pard, slightly.

J. B. BITCKNALL ESTCOURT,
Adjutant-General.

Enclosure 4.—A Return of Casualties in the Royal Naval
Brigade on the 9th April, 1855.
KlLLED.—Lieutenant Samuel Twyford, London ; John
Glanville, sailmaker, Wasp ; William Millar, A. 8., Al.
bion Daniel Good, Ord., Queen ; John Bradwell, L-5.,
Leander ; Daniel Albion, A.B , Leander ; Joseph Bur-
rows, A. 8., Queen; Thomas Dudgeon, A. 8., Queen.
WOUNDED.—Robert Gardner, A. 8., London, fatally,
since dead ; Captain Lord John Hay, slightly ; William
Jones, sailmaker's crew, Wasp, slightly ; John Fry, Ord.,
London, severely ; Samuel Pinhorn, Ord., London, se-
verely ; George Ellis, Ord., Queen, severely. ; Charles
Stammers, A. 8., Queen, severely; Charles Gray, Ord.,
Leander, slightly; Edward Hukins, Ord., Leander,
slightly ; Henry Adding, Captain Mast, London, slightly.
CONTIISED.—Henry Lencock, A. 8., Queen, severely;
James Newby, Ord., Leander' severely Frank Wadham,
Ord, Queen, slightly.—Total, 8 killed, 10 wounded (1 since
dead), 3 contused ; total 21.

STE eHEN LUSHINGTON.
Capt tin Commanding Naval Brigade.
Tho Military Secretary to H. E. Lord Raglan,
Commander-in-Chief.

FATAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE•DAIIP AT THE YNYS CYNON
COLLIERY, NEAR ABERDARE.--Intelligence bas been re-
ceived at Bristol of a terrific explosion of fire damp bay
ing occurred on Thursday, at. Mr. Williams's Ynys
Cynon Colliery, near Aberdare.' It is believed to
have' been occasioned, as is too frequently the case,
by the recklessness of one of the men, in neglecting
to observe the precautions which are enjoined by
tshioen,mthanaatgaerm.
anSaondgareha,otrsweaws
etrheeblofowrcnetoof the explo-
sion,tho shaft, where their dead bodies
lyingacount
hiTd rendered,
eemr snuec
wnne de of
frre
nentgdhehoeanttbi
eh:extsuetpi
thddi
of
fast;
explosion
2rtnuoeh
amfceb
nkn::
immediately
exceedingly
exeerwdcrcosineacaowkse. ruwttdnetseirhroieei btAneyovedwygeasral
rwwfeytweet
arealehtyarstnhoi
shwcnivbshektaet
auhahrbidtrledeohnl
doubtful.
ntestttoeutdtoh eflcoetmn itoTwuhfiheanoevhalel
essetf.
their
o w a extent
jI
thushhnoeincorwer:stoc::roniiinetrye
ra
• es"wwetei •
rerted; n
jnuxo
despatch. The accoun s

`PRIG`. SD.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

NEWMARKET FLRST SPRING MEETING.

MONDAY.

Handicap Sweepstakes of 20 sous each, li ft, if declared,
&c. -; for 3-yr-olds and upwards. T.Y.C. (5 furlongs
140 yards.) 5 subs.
Lord Anglesey's Old Rswley, by the Merry 3fonarcb,
6 yrs, 7st 41b
Sir R. Pigot's Folly-o'-the-Day, 4 yrs, 6st 101 b
(J. Steggles) 2
Duke of Bedford's Nathan, 5 yrs, Sit 71b (S. Rogers) 3
Mr. Kenyon's Sis. to Singapore, 3 yrs, sst 121 b (Quinton) 4
Mr. Turner's Census, 4 yrs, 7st9lb, paid 10 soya fc.
Betting-6 to 4 agst Sis. to Singapore ;7to 4 agst
Nathan ;4to 1 agst Old Rowley. Won by a bead ; half
a length between the second and third ; bad fourth.
Sweepstakes of 10 sous each, for 3-yr-olds; colts Sst 71b,
fillies Set 41h ; the winner to be sold for 200 sore, if de-
manded, ke. T.Y.C. (5 furlongs 140 yards.) 4'-nl)..
Lord Anglesey's Lauib's-wool, by Joe Lovell, Bst 41b
(H. Goater)
(Bartholomew) 2
....(13ashain) 3
...(Quinton) 4

Mr. Mkins's Fearless, Bst 71bt
Mr. G. Di ewe's Vulcan, Bst 71b
Mr. Kenyon's YoutickBst 71b

' Betting-9 to 4 agst Vulcan, .5 to 2 agst Llinb's-wool,
4to 1 agst .Yeutick. Won by a neck ; had third; Yeu-
tick some lengths in the rear..
Match, 100, h ft. First half of Ab.M. (3 furlongs 215
yards).
Captain Lane's Flageolet, by Hautboy, 3 yrs, 7st 121 b
(J. Mann) 1
Duke of Bedford's Alcyone, 3 yrs, Bat 51b ...(S. Rogers) 2
Betting-6 to 4on Alcyone. A head and head race
throughout, the finishing set-to resulting in favour of
Flageolet by a head.
Match, both four-yr-olds, 200, h ft. A.F. (1 mile 2 fur-
longs 73 yards).
Mr. Greville's Kaffir, by Alarm, Bst 71b (Flatman) 1
Lord Glasgow's c by Pantaloon, out of Physalis Bst 51b
(Bartholomew) 2
_ _ _

- Betting-4 to lon Kaffir. The favourite made the
running, and, after a fine race up the cords, won by a neck.
Handicap Plate of s'Jl.° for three-yr-olds and upwards
R.M. (1 mile 17 yards).
Mr. Wood's Falcon (late Grub), by Sir Isaac, 4 yrs, Bst
71b
Mr. Sare's Gossip, 5 yrs, Rot 71b
Mr. Stevensun's Commodore Charley, 4 yrs, Bst 51b •
(Wells) 3
The following also ran :—Diminutive, Donald, Fearless,
Top Sawyer.
Betting-6 to 4 agst Donald, sto 1 each agst Gossip and
Falcon, and 6 to 1 agst Commodore Charley. Won by
half a length ; a head between the second and third ;
Fearless, fourth, and Diminutive, fifth, were pretty well
up with the third ; Donald was sixth.

BETTING UP TO SIX O'CLOCK.
TWO THOUSAND.
11. to 8 apt St. Hubert.
7to 4 aget Lord of the Isles.
8 to 1" bar two."

CHESTER CUP.
100 to 6 agst The Reiver (20 to 1 taken).
20 to 1 agst Arthur Wellesley.
30 to 1 agst Escape (offered).
1000 to 30 agst Claret (taken).
1000 to 30 agst Kaffir (taken).
Offers to bet 1,0001. even Neville beats anything.
DERBY.
6to 1 agst St. Hubert (taken).
12 to 1 agst De Clare (offered).
15 to 1 agst Lord of the Isles.
15 to 1 agst Grwoulus Esuriens (taken).
The weather was bright and sunny, but cold—a keen
breeze from the north-east having a chilling effect on the
atmosphere. The attendance of general company was re-
markably thin, and the sport scanty and Df little interest.

BETTING—TUESDAY MORNING.
THE TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS.
6to 5 agat St: Hubert
2to 1 agst Lord of the Isles
10 to 1 agst any other
CHESTER CUP.
14 to 1 aget Scythian (taken)
•,
15 to 1 agst Neville (taken)
16 to 1 aget Mortimer (taken).
25 to 1 agst Knight of St. George (taken)
25 to 1 agst Escape (taken)
•' 25 to 1 agst Joe Miller (taken)
• 33 to 1 agat Bright Phoebus (taken)
40 to 1 agat Instructress (taken)
DERBY.
6to 1 agat St. Hubert (offers to take)
12 to 1 agst De Clare (offered)
15 to 1 agst Grmculus Evriens (taken)
Two THOUBXND GUINEAS.—The following have paid
forfeit :—Prince of Wales, Nailer, Sardonyx, Aurifer,
Bonnie Morn, br to Bribery, Aneurin,Talbairn, Ly
ton, Russian, Professor, Strood, Noisy, Cecrops, Sand-
boy, f by Cowl, Dr. Cooke, Huntsman, br to Little
Harry, Westminster, Dirk Hatteraick, Almond, Ponf-
mel, the Earl, Hazel, Uncle Tom, Gerald, Artaxerxes,
Valentinian, Conveyancer, Cinnamon, Nutjobber (dead).
ONF.: THOUSAND GursEAs.--The following have paid
forfeit :—Supp:ieant, Chime, f l y Cowl, enarmian,
E'er:am, Whirl, Paradigm, Miss Eva.

MILITARY STEEPLECHASES.—UXENDON
FARR (HARROW).
AVEDNE4D A, Y.
Entries for the Frisk Stakes, a sweepstakes of 7 sera each,
3 ft, with a banns added for horses the property of
officers in full pay, and which have been hunted by the
same, 12st each, Certain allowances and penalties. To
be ridden by officers in the army or navy. About three
miles.
Mr. W. Craven's The Brigadier, Mr. De Winton's Con-
certatiou, Ur. Davenport's Dissipation, Mr. Gretrix's The
Baronet, Lord Eltney's na Nora Creina, Lord Grey de
Wilt n's no. Jumping Jemmy.
Entries for the Allied Stakes, a sweepstakes of 10 sovs
each, li ft, with a bonus added for horses that have been
hunted this seaton ; 13st each; certain allowances and
penalties. Gentlemen riders. About throe miles.
!Ms% Oven's Pickpocket, Mr. Davenport's The Debau-
chee, Mr. G. Symond's Ironbrace, Mr. Clifton's Jo ne sais
pas, Mr. Redpath's The Black Doctor. •
The above comprise all the entries made up to half-past
seven o'clock yesterday (Monday) evening.
A good entry is expected for the Free Handicap, which
closes at the post after the second race.
The races commence at two o'clock.

eirlie.t,

VACANCY IN THE COUNTY OF RENFREW.—CoI. Mure,
of Caldwell, M.P. for the county of Renfrew, has ad
dressed a letter to his constituents, from Nice, where he
is at present residing, intimating his retirement from
the representation of the shire. This is understood to
have been caused by the ill-health of the colonel and of
some of the members of his family. In his letter to his
constituents Colonel Mure says—" As the reasons that
have induced me to take this step are altogether of a
private or domestic nature, I abstain from entering into
any detailed explanation of them. It will suffice to re-
mark that those by which I have mainly been influenced
are serious obstacles lately interposed by various causes
to my regular attendance in my place in Parliament
—a duty, at the present crisis, more than usually im-
perative on every member of the Legislature." Colonel
Mure contested Renfrewshire unsuccessfully in 1841,
but was returned in 1846 (on the death of Mr. Patrick
Maxwell Stewart), and again at the last general election
without opposition. He was elected Lord Rector of
Glasgow University in 1847, which office he held for two
years, and he is well and favourably known in the lite-
rary world. As the intimation of his resignation has
taken the constituency by surprise, no candidate tor the
vacant seat is yet in the field, but public attention is
generally directed to Sir Michael Shaw Stewart, of Ard-
gowan, as Colonel Mure's successor. Sir Michael is a
young man much esteemed in the county, in which he
has a large estate. He was recently married to a daugh-
ter of the Marquis of Westminster.
INSPECTION OF THE GUARDS' PlONEERS.—Yesterday
the whole of the pioneers attached to the brigade of
Guards were mustered in full marching order at the Horse
Guards for the inspection of the Commander-in-Chief and
the adjutant-general, to ascertain to what extent the
burden of the men can be lightened when on the march.
At present the men, in addition to their pioneer tools,
have to carry the implements of their trade, which,
with their kits, firelock, bayonet, cartouche-box,
weigh, without canteen or haversack, nearly 1121 b.—a
fearful weight on a heavy march, and one that most men
would sink under. By command of Lord Hardinge a
number of army accoutrement-makers were present ; the
different articles the men carried were all subjected to
the test of weight ; the men were invited by the Com-
mander-in-Chief to suggest any improvements that had
occurred to them. It is understood that the cumbrous
leathern apron is to be entirely dispensbd witb, and the
weight hitherto carried reduced to about one-half, the
reduction to be extended to the regimentloofothEeml_ineihe
ANOTHER GERMAN CONSTITIITIO:forD
all the highest
utter impotence of the Germanic D
efforts of national lite was probablyaff
are
; yet this is the
at the present crisis of Germ never so apparant as
moment selected by that bodya
inding
ced a decision uphold-
that its powers of mischief aren f entire°r a Germany
unimpaired.
The Diet having recently. pronoofutinie
uanov
erian nobility
ing the exclusive pretensions
against the nation, has just passed another resolution,
b t. for it one more
calling on the King of Hanover to destroy the present
itAute
threat is added
constitution of the country sad dlasv.u.
in harmony with the.
ia be followed
that the neglect of this admonition y by
the active intervention of the Diet.
The Sa.'isbury Journal says that the induction of the
Rev. L. N. Humbert, formerly of St. ()lave's, South-
wark, appointed by the Bishop of Winchester to the
Mastership of the hospital of St. Cross, vacant hy the accepted resignation of the Earl of Guildford, wilt has
place in a few days. The Rev. H. Holloway has ad,
g upon his lordship
ressed a letter to the Bishop, calling to take proceedings agaiust the Earl of Guildford, under
the Church Discipline Act, for having, as a beneficed
clergyman (according to his own allegation) within this
diocese, supplied the defendant with money to the ex-
tent of 8001., in the late action for libel of " Holloway
v. Jacob."
Saturday was the day for the reception into the French
Academy of the ten
.new members ilatroduced iut9 its
midst by an •
Imperial decree. -

TIRE_ :EMPEROR AND EMPRESS AT
BOULOGNE.

•
A letter from Boulogne, this morning, gives the
following-account of the proceedings of the Impe-
rial party there during Sunday :
" I mentioned to you yesterday the arrival of their
Majesties after a good passage, both the Emperor and
the Empress having escaped all annoyance from the
state of the sea." This morning, at 'a
quarter to eleven,
their Majesties, attended by a brilliant escort, • walked
from the Hotel to the parish church of St. Peter's, the
fishermen's church, on the heights, overlooking the her-
-bout, where they heard a low mass. A dense crowd
was assembled to receive them, although it was-thought
that but few knew of their Majesties' intention. .After
mass a brilliant review of the.four camps took:place
in the sands opposite the. Hotel. 40,000 men, under
the orders of General Mac Mahon, Bourgon, l'Admi-
rault, and Borelli were drawn up in a long parallelogram.
On the left, or the shortest side, was the first division
from Equihen massed in double columns of regiments ;
Himomnvead uiaitte;lyo
opposite
frontsi
te tooft
them,
,Hwoi tthel
theirwere
backs the t rto,,otpl.isefrßeoan:..
wwaerseththeeforuegrtiihndenivtiss and on their left,
of divisions, then en cchiquier ; the Emperor
did sight ! Trey4e;o:Viln-sl:tiAdmmerarbev.i'ueetKein ups efnll itnwe
taihsneannBmnrsol esdenes-
down the whole fruit followed by a splendid staff, among
whom the red coat of Lord Alfred Paget was conspi-
cuous. His Majesty was received with much cheering
as he Passed each regiment.. The troops then formed
into close columns and WO off before the Emperor,
who remained on horseback" eppssite the balcony
of the Rote!, wbore the Empress and her Ladies
were looking on the magn:ficeat spectacle. As each
regiment passed-her Majdsty they raised a tremendous
shout ; when the whole was terminated, his Majesty
herrod rode down
carr
carriage,
a g et, to the t in
a nd stearrinteiudn
fos,r followedt bay
quarter
teEmpressrto two,
amidst the thundering of -artillery and the enthusiastic
cries of the population."

DIABOLICAL-A-T-TEMP-T AT THE SLAM!
IRONWORKS, SOUTH WALES.

On Friday morning a most diabolical attempt to de-
stroy lives or property, or both, was made at the Blama
Ironworks, South Wales. At about half- past 12 o'clock
that morning, the engineer who has the charge of the
great engine stopped it for the purpose of oiling it, and
having accomplished that object, and put it, as he be-
lieved, in the best working order, he again started it for
work. Luckily the man, who is an unusually careful
engineer, started it at a very low speed. Had he not done
so, it is fearful to contemplate the extent of injury that
might have ensued'hoth to life and property ; for almost
as soon as it started, he found that there was a seine-
thing amiss with the great fly-wheel, the reversion of
which caused a sudden jerk and a loud crashing noise.
He immediately shut off his steam to stop the machinery,
and having called the carpenter, they made a proper
examination of the engine, and soon found that some
miscreant had inserted a bolt of iron between the
cogs of the great driving wheel. The iron was
forced out, and fell into a pond of water under-
neath the wheel, from which it was afterwards fished
out, and was f )tind •to bear marks corresponding
with injuries of the cogs themselves. An inquiry was
immediately instituted, with a view. to ascertain who,
as the iron must have been introduced into the wheel
purposely, could have been guilty of so diabolical an
act, and at length suspicion fell on a man named James
Norman. He had been seen during the time that the
engine was stopped standing close to the wheel, and
suspicion falling on no other person, Norman was ar-
rested and taken before the magistrates, charged with
the crime. Two of the shearers engaged at the works,
named John Whitley and William Vaughan, swore dis-
tinctly to having seen him standing close by the great
driving wheel, and one of them added that he saw him
throw something towards the wheel. -

Mr. Richard Arnold, the engineer of the Cwmcelyn-
mill, was present at the examination, and stated that had
full power been put upon the engine after the' iron Was
in the wheel, the damage might have amounted to
10,0001. or even to 15,0001.,- besides which there 'wculd
have probably been a sacrifice of human life, which be
shuddered to estimate.

The prisoner simply denled the offence, or that he had
been near to the driving-wheel, as was alleged by the
witnesses, but both Whitley and Vaughan were positive
as to his identity ; and the magistrate, after commenting
on the diabolical nature of the attempt, fully committed
Norman to take his trial for the offence. _ _

The occurrence, as may be supposed, has produced
quite a sensation in the neighbourhood.

THE WEATHER IN' THE BALTIC.*

STOCKHOLM, April 13.—There is no probability of the
navigation being open for two or three weeks at the

RIGA, April 13.--The ice in the Duna broke.up, and
began to drift off the White Church yesterday. From
the White Church to the Fortress the water is open.
In the channel to sea the ice is firm. The ice in the
roadstead is loose.

ROSTOCK, April 18.—Since the 13th of April the ice
has entirely disappeared, an the navigation is, open
several vessels having entered, and others left the liar!,
`bour. Weather fine, wind N.V.

PILLAU, April 18.—The first *learner fr.)m Koniabberg
arrived to-day ; the river may therefore be considered as
navigable. _ _

. . .
( TERRI= AND FATAL ACCIDENT AT THE CDT:3JUN
OnEAr ViAtwor.—A terrible accillnt has occurred,
through a simple tni,talto on the plrt of one of the work-
men, at Crtimlio Great Viaduct, South Wales". Three
of the colossal. iron giracr,, which stretch from the st4a
pint. to the firit pier on the oppositeside of the valley, I+l
been properly fixed in their plaCes;•hi,d a fourth ha I
hen raised, and was in progress of being secured like the
other, when a workirani named George 13:tuniA,F,
misapprehending, it is suppose:), the orders of the fore-
man of the works, George Ives, knocked away the
wooden supporters before the girder had been fastened.
The girder, which was of great weight, immediately fell
outward, and being fastened by means of chains to the
other three, they were also drawn out with it, and the
whole fell with a tremendous crash, carrying with it a mas 3
of platform work, and snapping immense bulks as easily as
if they werereede. The foreman Ives,and George Bannister,
who were standing on the girder at the time, were
carried with the falling mass, and were both killed ; and
two other men, who were beitriding the girder, were
also' carried down with it, but, marvellous to relate,
escaped with comparatively slight injuries.* The weight
of the mass which fell could not have been less than 209
tons, but luckily the girders are not hurt. Ives', the
foreman, was a workman of great experience, and hid
before had some very narrow escapes with his life. In
December last, when some of the same work fell, he had
his leg broken.

DESPATCH OF BUSINESS IN THE COURT OF CHAN-
CERY.—A bill brought from the House of Lords on the
30th ult. proposes to make further provision for the more
speedy and efficient despatch of business in the High
Court of Chancery, by appointing an additional
junior clerk to each of the Chief Clerks, and by
the apiJointment of additional junior clerks hereafter,
if necessary. In the Report-office of the Court of
Chancery, the office of Master of Reports and Entries
is to be abolished from the • first' occurrence 'of a
vacancy, and the business of the said office will thence.
forth be conducted under the superintendence and con-
trol of the Clerks of Records and Writs, and Entering
Clerks under the Registrars. ' A provision! is made for
the continuance of the salary of the present Master of
Reports and Entries, Mr. James Thomas Fry. The
salaries of the present Clerks of Records and Writs may
be increased by the Lord Chancellor if he: shall deem
the duties devolving upon them too extensive in pro-
portion to their present salaries, such additional salaries
not to exceed 2001. a year each. The Lord Chancel-
lor is also empowered to grant a retiring allowance
of 1001. a-year to Mr. Alexander MlCean, employed in
the Report-office for 25 years, and now superannuatod:
Solicitors appointed' to administer oaths underlhe 16th
r
and 17th of Victoria, chap. 78, are to exercise their
powers only at their place of business, except wvhest
in
tending sick persons. The bill also propuor
buildings of the
the Lord Chancellor the ground and b •
said court, satiate in Sontham
of.
lane, with powers of leasing and salether.e
N York •
t V cfriees from New •
NEW YORE.—The connnerout* a
'y e present atearaor has
Cnancery-
this week are uninteresting. '-til)le /.nion, which ails'
brought 146,0001. in gold, i!
abdas not yet arrived,
atvo:
pton-buildingis,
three days previously, but. . probably for Ir.
dui .
60,0001., a portion of
which is d'unnutto
had caused a i
ed
These continued shipmentshanks, and had prod=
the specie returns of the
..
ltnongh there had as yet been
ness in the stock market, %. The bills lately drawn by
no contraction of discou,ntsiri
Francisco, on their _New
and Co*, " ' bad been refused
Page, Bacon,
effect a resumption,
York agents,
ando there seemed consequently every pm.
acceptance, ill again have to suspend. The chief
pect that they :a_
had
been the passage of a bill b the
soya t 5
event of the
State Legislature analogous to that
ado New York in the State of
time hack . Maine, prohibiting the
retail sale o
drunkenness .
fine equal to 21,
for in
measureany public place,The
is to take effect from the 4th
of Jul
as the annual importation of foreign r y next, and
quo •
York has been at the rate of about 2,00 rs into New
the extent to which it will affect this 0,000/. sterling,
serious. It is very doubtful, however,is trade may be
whether the law
will be maintained for any lengthened
while, as no such restriction . period and
of New Ntw Jersey, which is exists in the adjoining State
merely
results, at far as New York •y separated by a ferry, its
divert a large portion of the city is concerned,' will be to
13 traffic to that quarter.
T. ... ETERSBURG.—The letters from St. 'Petersburg
state that warm weather. and heavy rains promised an
early openin of the
to advices of the 16thna'vlgation. , From Riga, nccordi
inst., it appears that the ice in the river had'broken four days previously, and caused the
water to rise higher than at any period since 1829. 111°
flood soon subsided, but not until it had damaged much
property,' and destroyed all the reads round the town.
From the Sound it is mentioned that the captains of the
English cruisers bad intimated there that the blockade
would be established as soon as the ships could reach the
respective ports. ' , , .
THE ARCTIC EXPEDITIONS.--A return obtained by

Mr. Rich, M.P., shows that the cost of the further
papers relative to the recent Arctic expeditions, presented
to both Housei of Parliament in Jan. last, amounted to
1,6851.—viz., 3971. for printing, 6151. for lithograpl4,
4t0., and 6721. for paper. The number of copies printed
Was 2,000, of which. 475 were supplied to the House of
Lords, 700 to the House of Commons, 160 to the Jour-
nal-offioe, 140 to the Sale-office, and 290 to tho Ada*
salty (ii' part). ' - . • - • - - •