The Sun.
London, England, 1839-02-18 00:00:00

TURKEY.

CONSTANTINOPLE, JAN. 29.—The Tatar expected from
Persia has just got in, and by letters he brings to the sth,
we learn that on the 4th instant, Mr. M`Neill, accom-
panied by Sir Henry Bethune and Major ',arrant, started
from Tabrctz for England, via Tiflis and Russia. Colonel
Shce and the " detachment" had proceeded for Bagdad,
whilst Captain Shiell and the gentlemen of the mission
were to set out for Erzeroom on the 6th. The British
merchants were staying in Persia to wind up their affairs,
and hopes were entertained that they would be able to
effect this without the slightest danger of molestation. We
must now see what will be the next act of this political
drama. Mr. M‘Neill has done perfectly right to proceed
home by the route he has taken, as he will thereby view
with his own eyes further proofs of the progress and pre-
sent position of Russia in the east.
Sarim Effendi arrived by land from London last night,
and now resumes his functions as Musteshar of the Minis-
ter for Foreign Affairs.

The military preparations on the part of the Ottoman
Government continue with activity. The number of re-
cruits enlisted for the navy, both here and in the provinces,
is to be raised to 20,000, and 40,000 for the army.
The wind is blowing strong from the south, and we
shall soon have in the shipping that was so much wanted
here. .In that case the present enormous freights cannot
be maintained. On the other hand grain will probably
rise as freights decline. The Odessa pAcket that put in
here from stress of weather re-sailed fur her destination
yesterday.
M. Duclos, appointed French Consul at Belgrade, has
arrived here, and proceeds in a few days for his destination.
His nomination has been elicited by that of Col. Hodges,
our Consul at the same place.
On the night of the 20th instant, a few hours before day-
break, the watchman of the city announced that •the Porte
was on fire. The conflagration, favoured by a strong
northerly wind, spread with such rapidity as to leave no
time even to save any of the property in the apartments
inhabited by the Grand Vizir, and in less than two hours
the whole of this extensive wooden
.edifice ivaz converted
into ashes. It was by many said that the whole of the
state records and papers of Government had also been
burnt ; but the place where these writings are permanently
kept, and where every evening all important documents are
deposited, is a massive building of .stone, perfectly fire-
proof, and situated, moreover, at a considerable distance
from the Porte.
The ship Triton, commanded by Captain Hamelin, and
the corvette Favourite, had joined the French squadron at
Smyrna. Two slight shocks of an earthquake were felt in
that city, on the 22d at night.

The General Steam Navigation Company's
Packet, the 'lnwood, from Rotterdam, arrived off the Custom
(louse, at half-past eleven o'clock last night.

um•

stances which have only transpired within!
The Leinster Express states that ciret;ex
may lead to the discovery of the assassin and the oonsPlance
the particulars of which we for the present suppress, in woe
jibe
of the ends of justice; bw. upon which, as far as human I"es
can penetrate, we look with great probability Oa'
Tile Coromandel Land nym°
~ nun ondon t oc-
to New South Wales, arrived at Sydney, all well, about the -
tuber last, hav'ng left P•ymr,u'h 14th June. 11
Sunday next is the bin} -lof his Royal e
C ay let
ness Adolphus Frederick Duke of Cambridge, who will cosroa
_Pico
his 65th year. His
Royal Highne.s gave the second cower
for the season on Saturday ev ning, at Cambri 'ge Howe. r the
Lady Charlotte St. Maur, eldest daughter (,',„id
the present .racy,
Duke of Somerset, has resigned her appointment to the hoU
of hef Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent. whO
Ihe Duke and Duchess of Clevelaaat for the
were expected in St. James's-square on Saturday evening
delay
season, from Newton House, near Boroughbridge, have !nrd
their departure from the north, until the close of the weelc_:.
noting
Darlington, his Or ice's son, is entertaining a party at his S
Lodge, Pouton, near Grantham, evena.s
li.
INDIA AND THE COLONIES.--On the _foe
of Thursday last, a public meeting, to promote the object. 6 the
ting
Aborigines' Protection Society, and to give information
heldre
the present condition of the natives of British India, asu
Friends' Meeting House, Darlington. and attended by n
and respeaable audience.