The Sun.
London, England, 1855-08-01 00:00:00

THE BALTIC FLEET.

OFF CRONSTADT, July 16,
The powerful naval forces of the allies, which within
the past few days have been augmented to 40 sail, com-
prising 16 line-of-battle ships, 2 steam-frigates, 4 small
steamers, 4 mortar-vessels, and 14 gun-boats, after a
strict reconnaissance for a period exceeding three weeks
of the north shore of Cronstadt, weighed anchor at 7
a.m. of the 14th inst. Rumours of an early movement,
which had been prevalent for several days, were con-
firmed in the afternoon of the 13th by a general signal
being made to prepare for sailing ; and it was gene-
rally supposed that by far the greater portion of the
fleet would proceed down the Gulf of Finland, a
small squadron remaining off Cronstadt to watch the
movements of the enemy. But two hours had barely
elapsed after the arAlliors had been weighed on the
morning of the 14.111 before the three Admirals, Dundas,
Penaud, and Seymour, parted company in their resoec-
tive ships, tide Duke of Wellington, the Tourville, and
the Exm.'outh, with the Austerlitz and Merlin in attend-
ance, 1..1n route for Nargen. The Eurya,los had been sent
in PAvance at 4 a.m., with the four mortar-vessels, for
Ode same destination. The remainder of the allied
squadrons, having been placed under the orders of Rear-
Admiral Baynes, immediately after the departure of the
three senior flag-officers anchored about four miles
N.W. by W. of Tolboukin Lighthouse, where they are
to remain until further orders.
I have good reasons for stating that the separation of
the three Admirals from the main bulk of the fleet is
merely temporary, and has occurred in consequence of
Rear-Admiral Penaud having conceived a plan for an
attack on Revel, the practicability of which Rear-Ad-
mirals Dundas and Seymour have gone to ascertain by
personal observation. If the result should be sufficiently
satisfactory to justify the bombardment of that port it
will be made by the entire fleet, with the exception of
such -portion thereof as may be necessary to watch the
proceedings of the Russians off this and other places in
the Gulf of Finland.

The defences of Cronstadt and Sweaborg have been
so considerably augmented by the enemy in all respects
during the last 12 months that they are unassailable by
the present maritime forces of the Allies, and, however
much it is to be regretted that during the lapse of time
between this and the previous campaign the naval autho-
rities at home have not devised the means of furnishing
a proper class of vessels of war to insure a succes-ful at-
tack on these strongholds, it must be acknowledged that
it is now too late to attempt it. Hence these, the two
most important possessions of Russia in the Baltic, are
enabled, at least for the present campaign, to bid de-
fiance to all hostile operations of the Allied fleets.
During the present week there has been but little
of interest connected with the proceedings of the fleet.
Their movements, &c., have been as follows :
JULY 9, 9 P.m.—The Pelter weighed by signal, stood
towards the land, and captured a small boat containing
two Russians. In towing the boat towards the fleet it
was swamped and went down. The prisoners were fisher-
men, who are detained for the present on board the
Cressy.

JULY 10.—The chartered steam-transport Isabella
Napier arrived with live bullocks and vegetables for the
fleet. The Russian fleet was observed making frequent
telegraphic signals on board the men-of-war and at the
shore batteries.

JULY 11.—The entire fleet of gun-boats weighed,
formed in two lines, and were exercised in various ma-

nceuvres.

JULY 12.—The Tourmente, French gun-boat, was em-
ployed cruising along the north coast of the Bay of St.
Petersburg. The Imperieuse, 50, Captain R. Watson,
rejoined the fleet, in 15 days from Spithead. She brought
supernumeraries and parcels, but no letters or news-
papers.
JULY 13.—General signal made to prepare for sea.
A large conflagration was observed in the first watch at
St. Petersburg.
JULY 14.—At 41inithe morning the Euryalus and Vul-
ture got up steam, and left for Nargen, the former with
four mortar-vessels in tow, the latter with two colliers.
At 7 a.m. the entire fleet weighed anchor, the Duke of
Wellington, Tourville, Exmouth, Austerlitz, and Mer-
lin proceeding to the westward, leaving the bulk of the
fleet under the orders of Rear-Admiral Baynes. They
came to at 10.30 a.m., about four miles to the north-
west of Tolboukin Lighthouse.
Almost as soon as the ships bad tripped their an-
chors the Orion ran into the stern of the Duke of Wel-
lington, damaging the' Admiral's boat and carrying
away her own flying jib-boom, and one whisker. The
collision was caused by the Orion not answering her helm,
which was put " hard a-starboard" for the purpose of
passing the flagship.
JULY 16.—The Dapper, tender to the Colossus, cap-
tured another fishing-boat with its crew, but they were
not detained.

JULY 16 TO 23, AT NOON.
The opinion entertained and expressed, that nothing
on a large scale will be attempted during the present
year, is being daily confirmed. The Horatio, whose
heavy armament, according to common report, was to
have smashed to atoms the granite batteries of Cronstadt
and Sweaborg, will not arrive in the Baltic this cam-
paign, in consequence of Nasmyth's guns not being likely
to be ready for shipment for some time to come. The power-
ful naval forces can effect little else than keep the Rus-
sians under cover of their forts, owing to the shallow-
ness of the water, submarine piling, and other impedi-
ments which render it impossible for the shore to be
approached nearer than a distance of 4,000 yards, or any
point of Cronstadt where an attack may be deemed
desirable. Doubtless the Commander-in-Chief is in-
vested with full powers, which he appears to exercise
with much discretion, in not attacking stone batteries
with the ships at present under his command, some of
which might get aground, and the risk of their destruc-
tion and a great sacrifice of life be thereby incurred.
Since the departure for Nargen of the three principal
flagships the proceedings of the division of the fleet off
Cronstadt have been of an ordinary nature.
JULY 18.—The beat is very oppressive. Thermome-
ter in the shade, 79 deg. ; in the sun, 94 deg. ; baro-
meter, 29'680.

JULY 19.--The Cossack, Captain Fanshawe, arrived
at 10 a.m., with despatches for Rear-Admiral Baynes.
Rear-Admirals Dundas, Penaud, and Seymour, with
nine sail of the line, several steamers, mortar•vessels,
and gun-boats, were at anchor off Nargen, superintend-
ing a series of experiments with the mortars, the greatest
range of which had not exceeded 4,200 yards. The
Cossack having taken on board letters and parcels for
the Arrogant and Magicienne, employed in cruising off
Viborg, sailed at 6 p.m. The Bulldog was despatched
towards Cronstadt, under a flag of truce, for, the pur-
pose of landing two prisoners—fishermen. She was
met by a Russian steamer of war, the captain of which
stated that a few nights since an extensive fire had
broken out at St. Petersburg, whereby several houses
and much valuable property had been destroyed. A
violent storm, which continued upwards of an hour,
passed over Cronstadt and the bay of St. Petersburg.
The rain fall in torrents. The flashes of lightning were
of the most vivid description, followed by loud peals of
thunder. After the storm had ceased the oppressive
feeling of the atmosphere was abated and a cool refresh-
ing breeze set in. At 9 p.m. the Bulldog was ordered
to keep in readiness for night service.
JULY 20.—This morning a man was observed on the
top of Tolboukin Lighthouse making some signal to the
fleet. Two of the gun-boats, in charge of Captain G. R.
I\lnndy, of the Nile, were immediately despatched to-
wards the lighthouse ; sent boats thereto, and brought
the prisoner off to the Retribution. He is a deserter
from the enemy, an officer of inferior rank in the Russian
service. One of the steamers came out of the harbour to
intercept the gun-boats, but, on the Bulldog going to her
assistance, immediately put back.

NARGEN, OFF REVEL, JULY 24.

-One day here is so like another that I find some diffi-
culty in " spinning a yarn" worth sending you. We are
all in high hopes, however, that this monotony is nearly
at an end, and I fully expect to send you by next some
gratifying news of more active work. On the 17th the
Commander-in-Chief, accompanied by Admiral Penaud,
Admiral Seymour, and Commodore the Hon. F. F. Pel-
ham, proceeded in the Merlin to reconnoitre Sweaborg
and Helsingfors; they were also attended by two gun-
boats and a French steamer. When about 3,000 yards
from the batteries several infernal machines were ex-
ploded by means of galvanic wires connecting them
with the shore ; but they seem more useless than those
which explode by being struck, for it is next to an im-
possibility for any one on shore to ascertain by taking
angles or any other means, when a ship is so exactly
over one of the machines that the explosion would da-
mage her ; this was proyed by the experience of the
16th, for none exploded nearer than 50 or 70 yards of
the ships. To be effective the machine should touch the
ship's bottom, for if it exploded with two feet dis-
tance between them the shock would be diffused
over such a large surface as to be harmless. Two
line-of-battle ships have been sunk in the Western
Channel. The Amphion saw them go down. One
heeled over as she sank, and remains on her side ; the
other has her bulwarks just above the water. Only two
ships and a few small vessels could be seen in the har-
bour but the crest of every hill and small island now
bristles with cannon. No less than 17 new batteries
and earthworks have been erected since we pointed out
their weak places last year. Having satisfied themselves
the Admirals returned to the fleet about 6 p.m.
JULY 18.—The Ivanhoe hired transport left for Eng-
land. The fleet is so well stocked with provisions that,
though she has been more than two months in the Bal-
tic, she has been unable to discharge her cargo until now.
At 8.15 the Lightning arrived from Ledsuud. She
brings some explanation of the Driver's boat's mishap I
mentioned in my last. It seems she was cruising off a
town called Raumo, a little to the south of Nystadt.
The burgomaster of the town came on board, and offered
to deliver up all the Government property, provided
they would spare the town, which they readily assented
to. He told them there were several Government ves-
sels, but their masts and sails were stowed away in a
storehouse up a small creek, and that they must go up
that and fetch them. The boats were accordingly sent
away manned and armed, but the moment they got into
the small creek mentioned a murderous fire was opened
upon them from both sides of it, and they were obliged
to retreat with the loss of five killed and eight wounded.
This is another piece of treachery we will have a reckon-
ing for before long.
JULY 19.—We continue to have the most beautiful
weather—rather hot in the middle of the day, when the
wind lulls, but the mornings and evenings are deliciously
cool and fresh.
JULY 20.—The Dragon arrived from cruising near
Helsingfors where she left the Amphion. All the mor-
I tar-vessels (15) and gun-boats have been painted of a
greyish colour, which makes them scarcely distinguish-
able at a distance of 3,000 or 4,000 yards. The Hon.
Mr. Hobart, senior lieutenant of the flag-ship, has been
placed in command of all the mortoriveaselo.

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.

t From the Morning Advertiser of this clay.)

The extraordinary speech lately delivered at the Tri-
nity House, by one who had always been held up by his
friends to popular respect, on the ground that he never
interfered with politics, has already done, is doing, and
will do, incalculable mischief. The sole object of that
unconstitutional speech— especially unconstitutional,
considering the quarter whence it came—was to damage
representative Government in the eyes of the people of
this country, and to hold up to their admiration the
superior advantages of which those despotisms which
flourish in Germany are productive.
A person in the exalted position of the speaker on
that occasion is sure to have a number of followers,
eager to curry favour in high places, by doing all they
can to discredit representative Government in this coun-
try. They do this by their acts, where they dare not,
for fear of popular indignation, do it in so many words.
The conduct, relative to the Turkish loan, of the party
who are thus so anxious to carry out the views ex-
pressed in the German speech to which we allude, ought
to open the eyes of the people of England to the immi-
nent danger to which we are at this moment exposed, of
having German Absolutism substituted for that consti-
tutional system under which this country has raised it-
self to the high position which it occupies among the
States of Europe. The escape which we have had was a
very narrow one. It is alarming to think that, by so
small a majority as three, the French alliance was pre-
served, and the advent of a despotic system of Govern-
ment averted.

We fear the country is not yet fully alive to the dan-
gers by which we are surrounded. Our perils• did not
pass away by the Ministerial majority on the Turkish
Loan. The Peelites and Peace Party by whom we
were placed in that imminent danger, are still as active
as ever, though working quietly and insidiously, in their
efforts to overthrow our representative institutions, in
order that a German despotism may be erected on their
ruins. They know full well what will commend them
most in an elevated quarter, and they make sure that,
through means of an influence behind the Throne, they
will, before many months have elapsed, have the reins
of Government exclusively in their own hands. Hence
they go on pandering, sometimes directly, at other times
indirectly, to the wishes of Germanism.
We feel it to be our bounden duty thus to warn the
country of what, it the people be not on their guard, will
most surely happen. We are just now on the high road
to a Russo-Austrian system of Government in Great
Britain. The Times, we are glad to perceive, is at last
beginning to have some suspicions of this. Our con-
temporary is evidently aware of more than he chooses to
communicate. His first leading article of yesterday was
eminently suggestive. It was the most significant of
anything we have seen in that journal for a long time
past. Mr. Gladstone, Sir J. Graham, Mr. Sidney Her-
bert, Mr. Cobden, and Mr. Bright are the principal par-
ties by whose means the purposes of the German Courts
are in the course of being worked out in this country.
And, strange to tell, even some who have no sympathies
either with the Peelites or the Manchester school, are
doing their best to overthrow representative institutions
in this country, in order that Germanism may take their
place.
We are sorry—to give only one illustration of this—
to see Mr. Urquhart eulogising the syst,rn of Govern-
ment which prevails in Austria as incomparably superior
to that which obtains in England. Mr. Urquhart is
fond of paradoxes ; but the position advanced by him at
Bristol, on Wednesday last, that "Austria is a free and
independent State as compared with England,"—is the
most startling wd ever remember to have come even
from him. It is so paradoxical that we hardly know
how to grapple with it, any more than we would know
how to deal with the proposition that two and two make
five, were any one to make it.
With regard to the means by which our rapid pro-
gress towards Germanism can be arrested, it is unhap-
pily too clear that we can put no faith in Parliament.
There never was a more corrupt legislative assembly
than the present House of Commons. It would stand
inactively and silently by and see our most valued insti-
tutions sacrificed one after another. The Times never

wrote anything more strictly in accordance with the
truth than when it yesterday spoke of the House of
Commons as "pusillanimous or treacherous," and as
being in the habit of giving utterance to " mean and
truckling sentiments."
There is but one quarter to which we can direct a
hopeful eye. Our dependence is solely on the people.
To them alone we look, and to them do we look with
confidence. If the Commons be corrupt, the heart of
the country is happily sound. Two years have elapsed
since the commencement of the war, and notwithstanding
all the efforts which have been made by the Court, and
by many of those who profess to represent the people in
the Commons, the country is as anti-Russian as ever. Nay,
they are more bent on carrying on the war with a vigour
which shall insure a glorious result than at any previous
period since its commencement. All that has been said
to the contrary is a calumny. There is no sacrifice
which the country will not make, whether in the shape
of blood or treasure, rather than submit to an inglorious
peace, to be followed by the ascendancy of Germanism
in the councils of Great Britain. "The pecple," says
the Times, with great truth and force, " stand now as
ever, patient, forbearing, long-suffering, ready with
their treasure, if we want treasure—ready with
their blood, if we require blood—anxious to endure any-
thing except the ignominy of a disgraceful peace, and to
submit to any sacrifice except that of national honour,
the preservation of which is in them a feeling and
passion."
It is truly deplorable that such a people—so patient
under privations, so heroic in dangers, so noble in their
aspirations—should not be worthily represented in what
is called, by courtesy, their own branch of the Lewis-
lature. Never was a nation so glaringly or grossly

misrepresented. There is no sympathy with them in
the House of Commons. Let them, however, be
thankful that though not represented where they ought
to be, they are represented elsewhere. They are repre-
sented in the press. But for the press, we advisedly
affirm, this country would before now have been tho-
roughly Germanised. The country does not know the
full extent of its obligations to an honest and indepen-
dent press. We can answer for at least a portion of the
press, that it will never become corrupt or servile, and
we feel a thorough conviction that through its instru-
mentality, aided by the people, we shall before long have
an upright and independent, a free and fearless House of
Commons ; and thus have an undoubted guarantee for
the perpetuation of our representative institutions, not-
withstanding the machinations of those in exalted places,
who would hand us over, body and soul, to the tender
mercies of a German despotism.