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 hear that Omer Pacha's army will soon be
considerably increased.
active well known that Prussia and
taking a Tringt.
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
Holy 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 preparations 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
Maison Doree put up the following verses :
" France, jamais to n'eus dejour plus beau,
Grace aux heros dela Crimea
Lafille dela grande armee
Console sa mere au tonabeau."

There were all sorts of glittering compliments in
most of the principal streets, such as "lionneur
aux braves marins Frainais," "Bomarsund"
Sebastopol," " Tractar," "Inkerman," "Alma,",
" Sweaborg," " Kinbourn," "Mer Baltique,"
"1854-1855," "Mer Noire," &c. The army of
France must feel that their devotion and glory is
participated in and fully appreciated by their
friends at home.
All the Paris journals are 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 Wedell, has ordered the construction of a rail-
way from the frontier of Luxembourg to Saarbourg
by Treves, a bill for which will be presented to the
Chambers.

The Ring 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 Mathe, direc-
tor-general of those of Spain ; Chevalier Bonnelli,
cf 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 Algerie frigate has just left Toulon with
provisions and materiel for the Crimea.

SSA.
We have received
the St.l
Petersburg journals of
the 22d December.
The Invalide Busse publishes the following
o.
"Under date of the Bth (20th) of December, Aide-
de-Camp General Prince Gortschakoff has sent the
following :
" 'On the 4th (leth) of December two sotnias of
Cossacks of the Black Sea defeated, near Kertch, 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 wade
prisoners.

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

A letter from St. Petersburg, of the 20th says
M. de Fonton, the Russian Minister at the
Court of Hanover, has arrived here, 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 since to Pawlowsk, to review a new corps,
specially trained for guerilla warfare. The ErnPe-

' ror,was so satisfied. with the men that, in addition
to the marks of satisfaction given to the different
generals, he presented to each soldier a gratification
of three silver roubles, a larger sum than is gene-
rally given, the usual sum being one or two.
This corps has been formed for the purpose of re-
sisting any attempt on the part of the Allies to
effect a landing next spring on the coast of the
Baltic. Generals continue to arrive here to take
part in the grand council of war, which is to be
held in the course of next month. The Minister
of the Imperial Domains has been authorised by
the Emperor to suppress the breeding studs estab-
lished in the Crimea, until peace shall allow of
their being again put in their former state. The
Minister of the Interior has ordered the police at
Kherson to be increased in consequence of disturb-
ances which have taken place there from the panic
caused among the inhabitants by the taking of
Kinbourn and the entrance of the allied fleets into
the mouth of the Dnieper."
The Journal de St. Petersbourg announces with
much ceremony that the Seif Oul Moulk, Thir
Pendj, Abbas Kouli-Khan Ambassador Extraor-
dinary of the Shah of Persia, had an audience of
the Emperor on the 18th inst. The members of
the Ambassador's suite were afterwards presented
to his Majesty.