The Sun.
London, England, 1864-11-10 00:00:00

FRANCE.

The Society of Sciences, Agriculture, and Belles-
Lettres of the Tarn-et-Garonne has offered a gold
medal of 300 fr. for the best pi,ce of poetry—poem,
°le, or star zi—on Meyerheer,
The Emperor of Russia has left Berlin to return
to St. Petersburg.
A telegraphic despatch announce 3 the arrival
yesterday of King Leopold at Lyons, where he was
to piss the night.
BOURSE, Nov. 9.—The market has been heavy,
and prices are rather lower. Threes, for the Ac-
count, are now at 64f. 95f., and Mobilier at 8851'r.
Railway Market without animation, and some of
the lines have receded. The market closed as fo'-
lows :

41 per Cents 92
Do. end mouth
3 per Cents 64 75
Do. end month 64 85
Credit Mobilier 876 25
Do. end month 875
Bank Shares 3393
Credit lioncier 1165
Roman

Italian Loan 64 50
Do. end month 64 70
Ditto Threes —
Now Mexican „ 49 75
Russian
Austrian ..
Spanish Threes —
Rome Debt
Deferred

Cash. Account.
Orlean.s .. .... ... . 835 835 --
Northern .......... 970 970
Lyons and kluditarrancan 866 25 .. 867 50
Southern ....._••••• 586 25 .. 582 50
Western .............. 495 497 50
Eastern
Sardinian ...... 310 315
Austrian .............. 415 .. 445
Loyphsrd .............. 602 50 .. 51)2 5 )
North of Spain ........ 262 50 .. 362 50
Saragossa .............. 447 50
.. 445
Ditto to Barcelona .... 170 —• 175

JAPAN.
DESTRUCTION CF JAPANESE FORTS.
The China Mail contains the following account
of the operations of the allied fleets in Japan
We have already alluded to the probability of active mea-
sures being taken to open up the inlend sea of Japan,
which is one of the highways of commerce in Eastern
waters. Some few years ago this sea was made use of by
vessels of different countries, on account of the facility
it afforded for communication between Nagasaki and Yoko-
hama. The western entrance to the Sea of Japan is guarded
by the Straits of Simonosaki, which are so narrow
that any vessel passing through them is liable to be suc-
cessively fired upon from either side. It is now mere than
a year since the experiment was actually tried ; and it will
be remembered that, in retaliation, various vessels of war
went to the place and temporarily silenced the batteries.
Since that time the dispute has remained in abeyance; but
the interval has been employed in considering the best means
of settling it.
The Tycoon of Japan, who seems to be alternately
powerful and powerless, could in this case afford no relief
and it was therefore determined, wisely enough, by Sir
Rutherford Alcock, to take immediate measures for open-
ing up the straits to the free navigation of every country.
This was by no means easy of accomplishment under ordi-
nary circumstances; but the very strong naval force at pre-
sent in this part of the East offered an opportunity of forcing
the necessary concession, and Sir R. Alcock went to work at
once. In conjunction with the French, American, and Dutch
authorities, he despatched an expedition to the Straits
of Simonosaki, in order to accomplish the common obj set
of opening the inlaid sea to foreign nations. The vessels
of war detailed for this undertaking, were as follows :
English—The Barosea, the Perseus, the Argus, the
Coquette, and the Bouncer. French—The Semiramis, the
Dupleux, and the Tancredo. Dutch—The Metollen-Cruz,
the Djambi, the Medusa, and the Amsterdam. The Ameri •
can Minister, having no vessel of war at command, char-
tered the Ta-kiang, on board of which the United States
flag was displayed, in order to show that America was
acting in unison with the other powers.
On the sth of September, the fleet haying previously
anchored off Simonosaki, an attack upon Prince Nagato'e
forts was commenced, which ended in the destruction of
two batteries on the eastern extremity. The Japanese
fired some shot and shell during the attack, but without
any serious effect. Not more than seven vessels of the
allied fleets were engaged in the attack. On the following
day (Sept. 6), shortly after daybreak the Tartar and Ba-
rossa were in action, having been challenged by the fire
of some Japanese forts farther on, and in half an hour they
succeeded in silencing the guns. Shortly afterwards, how-
ever, the firing was renewed, and arrangements were made
for landing the marines. The men were put on shore at
9,30 a.ta, along with contingents from the French and
Dutch vessels, and in about 20 minutes the forts were
taken. The Perseus went on shore while protecting the
landing parties, but continued to do service notwithstand-
ing ; she was got off 36 hours afterwards, the Barossa
having stood guard over her all the while.
The storming party were assailed with various weapons,
including arrows ; and it was remarked that the latter made
nasty wounds. The struggle cit moment Was tough