The Sun.
London, England, 1855-06-02 00:00:00

THE ISTHMUS OF PEREEOP.

-The Isthmus of Perekop, which unites the Cri-
mea to the main-land, is so often mentioned in the
accounts of the operations' of the allied troops in
the East, that the following particulars respecting
it will probably prove of interest : ,

The Isthmus of Perekop, called in the Tartar lan-
guage the Gate of Gold,' is situated between the Black
Sea and the Putrid Sea, and is 10 versts long by 6 wide
(25 versts make 20 Miles). To the west extends the
Gulf of Perekop, closed on the side of the continent by
Cape Seilgasch, and on the side of the Crimea by a pro,
montory of the same name as the isthmus. Perekop is
the capital of the circle of that name which touches the
circles of Aleschki, Sitnpheropol, and Eupatoria. On
the east, the country is indented by a great number of
bays ; and several streams, one of which is the Salghir,
water it. The climate is generally insalubrious. The
town and fortress of Perekop are situated in the isthmus,
between the Gult of Siwasch in the Sea of Az eft, and a
line of ratupa:ts running from east to west. A trench
of 24 feet depth, provided with a drawbridge, and coatsd
with cut stone at both sides, runs across the isthmus
opposite the town. The situation of the town is not a
good one, and the *uouses are poor in appearance, being
covered with thatch, and the streets narrow and dirty.
The great article of trade is salt, which whole caravans
come to carry away in,summer. The inhabitants, ab,,ut
3,000 in number at most (some writers say not more
than 1,500), are composed of Russians, Tartars, Ar-
menians, and Jews. The citadel had formerly a cer-
tain importance, but a few iyears ago the walls were
allowed to fall to ruin. Lately considerable repairs
have been effected in the building, and other works have
been erected. At three versts distance from Perekop
is the village of Armenskoi, inhabited by Jews, Greeks,
and Armenians, who carry on a considerable trade
in cattle of various kinds, but more particularly in
lambs. It was in 1736 that the Russians appeared for
the first time in the Crimea, under the command of Gen.
Munnich, who had with him 100,000 men. They found
the isthmus cut across by a trench 24 metres wide and
14 deep, and protected by a wall 20 metres high. All
these works were flanked by towers and defended by the
fort of Orkapu. The entrenchments were, however,
carried by the Russians, and two days after the fortress
surrendered. But it was not the bravery of the Russian
troops which thus achieved the entrance into the
Crimea ; for they in reality succeeded partly by the
treachery of the Tartars, and partly by the carlessness of
the workmen who had been entrusted with the repairs
of defence. Munnich was then able to devastate the pe-
ninsula as he pleased. The next year there was another
attempt at invasion on the part of the Russians, but
without success, as the walls were then repaired, and
the Khan commanded in person and beat off the assail-
ants. In 1770 the Russians failed against the fortress,
but the year after 90,000 men succeeded in seizing on
the isthmus, which the Russians have since held pos-
session ot."

MINING INTELLIGENCE.

(From the Mining Journal of this day.)

The business in mining shares this week has been, if
anything, more active than the last, purchases having
been made to a very large amount, though more con•
fined to dividend shares. South Frances has still
further advanced, and are now quoted 4751. to 5001. In
West Frances very large purchases have been made at
181. to 191. per share. The largest business, however,
has been in North Basset, transactions to a large
extent baying been done at 231., 231. 10s., 241., 241. 10s.,
251, 261., and 261. 103. The demand is chiefly owing
to the facilities afforded by the shares for small invest-
ment in such a firbt-class dividend mine, and we believe
not less than 150 shares have changed hands this week.
Wheal Bassets have been done at 6451. to 655/. ; an im-
portant feature is likely to come off here before long ;
for some months past a cross-cut has been in progress to
cut the rich South Frances lode, and is now within a few
fathoms of reaching the lode, which runs through nearly
the whole length of Basset sett ; and if met with rich as
it is in South Frances, the value of Basset would be
materially enhanced. Great Davons have changed
hands at 3651. to 3701.

In Foreign Mines, the market has been fully sustained
throughout the week, and a fair amount of business
done.

COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL.

On Thursday a court was held for the despatch of
public business.

PUBLIC! LIBRARIES AND MUSEUMS BILL.

Mr. R. C. LAMBE,Chairman of the Library Committee,
to whom it had been referred to consider the bill brought
in by Mr. Ewart for further promoting the establishment
of free public libraries and museums in municipal towns,
and for extending them to towns under local improve-
ment acts, and to parishes, brought up their report
thereon. The committee stated that, believing the bill
would be useful to the inhabitants of the City of London,
yet doubtful whether, as the measure stood, it could be
carried into effect therein, they had waited upon Mr.
Ewart, who bad expressed his willingness to adopt any
amendment which would make the bill applicable to the
City of London. The committee recommended that they
should be empowered by the court to propose an amend-
' ,nent, extending the provisions of the act in the manner
referred to.

The report was unanimously adopted.
FREEMEN'S ORPHAN SCHOOL.

Mr. W. S. Hale, Chairman of the Freemen's Orphan
School Committee, brought up a lengthy report upon
the subject of this institution, from which the following
are extracts :—lt appeared that in pursuance of the Act
of Parliament for establishing orphan schools for the
City of London, the committee had erected from designs
by the City architect, at a primary outlay of 9,6001., a
suitable building for an orphan school, which they con-
sidered might be confidently referred to as highly credit-
able to the Corporation and the City architect. The
establishment was opened on the 28th of March, 1854.
Balloting papers had been issued from time to time to
the members of the court for the election from approved
candidates of children to the school, and the total num-
ber at present in the establishment amounted to 56 boys
and 29 girls, one having recently died, leaving vacancies
for 14 boys and one girl, all of whom would be elected
at an early period.
The report was agreed to, and ordered to be printed.