The Sun.
London, England, 1855-12-31 00:00:00

FRANCE.

PARIS, SUNDAY.
The latest despatches that have reached Paris
from Sebastopol state that the mining of the docks
was nearly complete. The allied armies were in
excellent condition, and had every comfort. Large
quantities of winter stores had, it was supposed,
reached the enemy. The Russians continued to
fortify their positions, and such points as com-
manded their roads of communication (Dec. 18).
We hoar that Omer Pacha's army will soon be
considerably increased.
It is well known that Austria is taking a most
' active part in pressing Prussia and the small Ger-
man States to use their influence for urging Rus-
sia to approach peace. On the other hand the
agents of the Czar seek to persuade the German
Courts not to do anything of the sort, assuring them
that by the spring the scale will turn in favour of
Ho]y Russia, when they may throw in their weight
to consolidate that European policy which they
desire to see triumph. All the information which
reaches here leads to the conclusion that Russia
will go on with the war, and the pr9parations for
another campaign are obvious throughout the em-
pire. _ _

Last night the streets of Paris were gaily illumi-
nated ; the Boulevards and all the principal tho-
roughfares of the city were crowded with pedes-
trians in holiday humour. A grand military fete
yesterday closed the most eventful year which
France has witnessed since the days of Napoleon
I. It is difficult to over-estimate the significance
of the universal homage which the people of Paris
yesterday paid to the Sovereign of their choice.
The soldiers, who yesterday made their triumphal
entry into Paris, received 2f. each, which they ex-
pended in a banquet, which took place in their
respective quarters. To-night the theatre of Porte
Saint Martin is thrown open to the heroes of Se-
bastopol. Various private parties have been given
to the officers. Amongst the varied illuminations
last night, in honour of the Crimean heroes, the
Maisou Doree put up the following verses :--
"France, jamais to n'eus dejour plus beau,
Grace aux heron dela Crimea
Lafille dela grande armee
Console sa mere au tombeau."

' There were all sorts of glittering compliments in
most of the principal streets, such as " lionneur
aux braves marins Fran!lais," " Bomarsund,°'
sobastopol," " Tractar," "Inkerman," " Alma,"
s weaborg," " Kinbourn," "Mer Baltique,"
cc 1854-1855," "Mer Noire," (Sze. The army of
Franc* must feel that their devotion and glory is
participated in and fully appreciated by their
friends at home.
All the Paris journals aro occupied with the mi-
litary fete of yesterday, and do not offer any other
attraction.

The King of Prussia, on the report of General
de \Vedell, has ordered the construction of a rail-
way from the frontier of Luxembourg to Saarbourg
by Troves, a bill for which will be presented to the
Chambers.

The King of Sweden has conferred the Order of
the Seraphims on Count Walewski, the French
Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Count Walewski, on Saturday, signed a tele-
graphic convention with M. Masud, director- general
of the Belgian telegraphs ; General Math°, direc-
tor-general of those of Spain ; Chevalier Bonnelli,
of those of Sardinia, and Dr. Brunner of those of
Switzerland. By this arrangement a uniform tariff
has been established which is much lower than that
which previously existed for the transmission of
despatches between France and the above named
countries.

The Emperor and Empress honoured the theatre
of the Porte St. Martin with their presence last
evening to witness the performance of La Boulan-
gere a des Ecus.
The Moniteur publishes the text of the decree
promulgating the fresh postal convention entered
into between France and England, making a re-
duction in the charges on newspapers and printed
papers of all descriptions sent through the post-
office between the two countries.
The Moniteur publishes a decree of the Minister
of Public Instruction, containing regulations for
the organisation of the superior division of the
Normal School, for the education of teachers.
The Algeria frigate has just left Toulon with
provisions and materiel for the Crimea.

USA.
We have received the St.l
Petersburg journals of
the 22d December.
The Invalidc Busse publishes the following
" Under date of the Bth (20th) of December, Aide-
de-Camp General Prince Gortschakoff has sent the
following :
" 'On the 4th (16th) of December two eotnia,s of
Cossacks of the Black Sea defeated, near liertch, a
strong squadron of the Anglo-Turkish cavalry of
General Vivian. In this affair the commander of the
squadron, an English officer, and 47 men, were made
prisoners.

"Elsewhere, all goes on well in the Crimea.' "

A letter from St. Petersburg, of the 20th says
de Fonton, the Russian Minister at the
Court of Hanover, has arrived hero, and imme-
diately after had a conference with Count de Nes-
selrode, but he has not yet been received by the
Emperor. The Saxon and Bavarian Envoys are
also shortly expected. The Emperor went a few
days sinco to Pawlowsk, to review a new corps,
specially trained for guerilla warfare. The Empe.