The Sun.
London, England, 1863-05-02 00:00:00

THERMOMETER.

--- -
Highest since Noon yesterday. 56
Lowest during the night
This day at Noon .
Wind—W. ; with fine weather.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
Taw Ds.v.—Ntorning, 12h. .56m.—Afternoon, lh. 19m.
To-5t0,?.8.aw.-Morning, lh. 40m.—Afternoon, lh. 57m.

•
_
atilt Adi--5 f 11111 4 4 44.
v. 4
, 4_ ,Wv Vl,t i" 44.1 t.

LONDON, SAI:PRDAY, MAY 2, 1863.

The attack on Charleston has brought up again
the old question between forts And ironclads, and
its result has modified the popular opinion that
we should rest our defences almost exclssively on
ships of war. The value of fortifications rightly
applied has been proved beyond contradiction,
and many advocates of vessels against forts have
changed their opinion owirg to the defeat of the
Federals off Fort Sumter. It is well, however, to
adopt the medium course in this, as in most other
things, and there is no doubt that a due combina-
tion of forts and ironclads afford the best security
for the defence of the country. Ws have always
upheld the necessity of erecting forts at Ports•
mouth and elsewhere, which would possess a
strength never to be acquired by a vessel who has
to contend against a shifting foundation, and the
counter influences of winds and waves. Much ex-
pense and trouble might, however, he saved, if the
Government were to follow the plan tried with suc-
cess in the new railway bridge at Hungerford, and
substitute iron foundations for stone ones. The
various methods of constructing fortifications will
probably excite as much discussion as the different
modes of building iron ships, now that the public
attention has been once more turned that way. On
Thursday evening the Earl of HARDWICKE put a
question to the First Lord of the Admiralty respect-
ing the works at Spithead. He complained that
they had been left unfinished in consequence of the
general doubt as to the efficacy of fortifications,
after the Government had expended on them nearly
£lOO,OOO. Lord HARDWICKE himself was in favour
of their continuation, and cited many instances in
which forts had carried the day against their
aseaulters. Among them he mentioned the cases
of the Pompey, commanded by no less a personage
than Sir SIDNEY SMITH, which had been beaten off
by a single marten° tower—of the memorable attack
on Copenhagen and of the experience of Algiers.
The noble lord also expressed his anxiety that the
summer should not be suffered to pass by with-
out profit, as if the golden months of
opportunity were allowed to slip past unheeded
it would occasion great expense next year to put
the works in their present condition. The Duke
of SOMEIc SET, in answer, denied that the expense
had been so great as the noble Earl supposed. He
expressed himself as fully satisfied with the situa-
tion selected, and with the general result of the
works. By a singular coincidence the distance be-
tween our forts at Spithead and the neighbouring
sandbank, is precisely the same as the distance be
tween Forts Sumter and Moultrie. The resem•
blance is still farther carried out by the
strength of the current and the facilities
which exist for vessels approaching within a
certain distance, and we have little doubt that the
results of an attack upon the English ports would
be found as unsatisfactory to the invader as the
famous assault on Charleston. The Duke of
SOMERSET was not equally satisfied with the expe-
rience
of iron-clad ships. Re reminded their
Lordships that when the American Government
built their first " Monitor" they gave it its name 1
as a warning to the British Admiralty, "and a
warning," added the noble duke, "it cer-
tainly proved, for the first gale that it was
caught in it went to the bottom." Recent
experiments have been more satisfactory, but
as the Duke of SOMERSET observed, there are seve-
ral points which we must learn before we can rest
satisfied with the construction of ironclads. Mean
while the building of the forts should be proceeded
with without delay, and the erection of two forts
at Portsmouth is necessary to render the work of
protection efficacious and complete.

The report of the Committee that was appointed
by the Prussian Chamber of Deputies to consider
the cartel convention between Russia and Prussia
will not be very satisfactory to Herr von BISMARK.
They have unanimously declared the convention to
be invalid, and proposed that the Government be
reltiested to abstain from carrying it into operation
t
il the consent of the Chambers has been obtained.
It is moat
satlafaetory that such a decision should
have been arrived at, and it surely must have some

effect upon the course adopted by the Government.

The whole tone of this report is highly creditable to

the members of the committee, and proves that they
are worthy of representing the spirit of the Prussian
people. Herr von BISMARK will be greatly mortified
it this contradiction in terms to his wishes and
subversion of his plans, so far as the committee are
concerned. The length of the correspondence that
has recently been published proves how many
events have been crowded into a short space. So
many as one hundred and seventy despatches and
enclosures are contained in the first instalment of
communications. The conversation between M.
DRODYN DE LEWES and Lord COWLEY is very sig-
nificant, and the former gentleman displayed great
sagacity in his remarks. He said that one thing
was remarkable, and that was, that on the day on
which the ukase of amnesty had been signed,
there had been another at St. Petersburg which put
a sequester on the property of those who joined the
insurrection. As to the institutions which they
promised in that document to maintain, he would

mention that it was under these that the conscrip-

tion:had been carried out that acts of violence which
had occasioned the outbreak. There is great fore-
sight and sagacity in these remarks, which aptly
illustrate the state of the case, and prove that the

French Minister for Foreign Affairs is well aware of
the double entendre of such affairs, and is not likely to
be easily entrapped into concurrence with a scheme
that speaks well without performing much. Lord

RUSSELL'S reply to Lord NAPIER on the subject
of the amnesty is a very good one, and is through-
out expressive of his lordship's doubts as to the
validity or success of the arrangement. He truly
states that an amnesty may be the foundation of a
peace in two cases, either when the insurgents have
been defeated or when it promises to redress the
grievances that gave rise to the insurrection.
In this instance, however, said his lordship,
neither of these ends is answered. In the first
place the revolt has not been put down by any
mesas, and in the second place the terms of this

amnesty hold out no hopes that will give satis-
faction to the Poles. The chief point that
is mentioned in the carrying out of the

plan is the maintenance of the institutions. Now
Lord RUSSELL aptly observes—" With those insti-
tutions in full force and vigour innocent men might
be imprisoned as criminals, or condemned to serve
as soldiers, or banished to distant countries, without
a trial, without publicity, without any guarantee
whatever. As to the promise held out for the
future, it must be observed that it is made to depend
on the practical working of these institutions, and
on the wants of the time and of the country. The
first of these conditions destroys all reasonable
hope of the fulfilment of this promise." So
that as his lordship concludes by saying
" there are wanting in this Imperial manifesto
the first elements of success, namely, a guarantee
of security on the one side, and the feeling of trust
and confidence on the other." Lord RUSSELL, in
the last passage, quotes a saying of Lord DURHAM'S

when ambassador at St. Petersburg, " There 'has

long been a jealousy, nay hatred, existing between
the Russians and Poles." Her MAJESTY'S Govern-
ment had hoped that the present EMPEROR had
ameliorated the state of things in general, so that
such bitter feelings might have, in a great measure,
have subsided. Bat ,says Lord RUSSELL, they now
see with pain that thirty years have not abated
or diminished the sentiments before exist-
ing, and the present amnesty is not likely
either to moderate the insurrection or to give any
security to moderate patriots. M. BISMARR'S own
interpretation of the Cartel Convention of 1857
proves its extreme harshness and the comprehen-
sive nature of its requirements. It has been so
arranged that all Russian subjects who cross into
Prussia during the revolt may ultimately be sent
back into Russia—the unsuspected at the instance
f Prussia, and the suspected at the demand of
Russia. Sorely this is a state of things that should
not be tolerated in a country that claims to be con-
sidered as a constitutional Government, and too
much stress cannot be laid on the importance of its
suppression by the members of the Chamber of
Deputies. The honour of their country demands
it at their hands, and it is to be hoped that even
should the war unhappily rage for some time lon-
ger, that Polish refugees will not be subject to the
cruel treatment that is prepared for them according
to this extraordinary and arbitrary convention.
The whole tone and nature of its proceedings are
worthy of emanating from a kingdom steeped in
intolerance, and overridden by despotism, and in-
flict a lasting stigma and perpetual disgrace on the
rulers of a country that claims to rank among the
civilised States of Europe.

The Thirteenth Report of the Commissioners on
the Fine Arts, appointed to decide upon
the decorations of the Palace at Westminster'
has just been brought before the public. It
tells us that the labours of the commission are
drawing to a close. The whole scheme of decora-
tion has been finally decided on after careful con-
sideration, and as it only remains for the artists to
carry out the; designs they have undertaken, the
commissioners consider that they may with safety
and propriety resign their responsible office. It
does not appear, however, that they are sanguine as
to a speedy termination of the work in hand. In
fact in two cases they pointedly express their
hope that the artists will be a little more expe-
ditious in the fulfilment of their undertaking.
The industry of Mr. MACLISE calls forth a
special encomium, and so satisfied are they with
the achievements of his skilful pencil, that they
recommend that his labours should extend to other
portions of the Royal Gallery. Bearing in mind
the extent of the work, which can scarcely be satin
factorily completed in one generation, the commis-
sioners
recommend that the works, so far as is pos-
sible, should be conducted in a symmetrical manner,
that is to say, that the principal rooms and adjoining
parts should be first completed, in order to secure,
if practicable, their execution by the original artists.
With a view to this end,they recommend that the two
large compartments facing each other in the Royal
Gallery should be first brought to a conclusion, and
thanks to the industry of Mr. MACLISE, the
prospect of a speedy termination is not hopeless.
With regard to the royal statues to be placed
in the gallery and its vicinity the commission
recommend that those intended for the Robing
Room should be completed immediately after
those in the Royal Gallery and its immediate
precincts are finished. The financial statement is
satisfactory the sum required gradually diminish-
Lig. Less gratifying is the failure of all efforts to
ascertain the cause of the rapid decay of the fres-
coes. The committee appointed to consider Lhe sub-
ject have proved unable to detect the evil, and until
this difficulty is grappled with the artistic prospects of
our Palace at Westminster are anything but reas-
suring. We trust, however, that all obstacles may
be smoothed away by judgment and discretion, and
that the artistic embellishment of the seat of the
Imperial Legislature may be worthy alike of the
dignity of the building and of the genius of the
nation.

The Mirror, the new sixpenny paper, is reported
to be under the management of Mr, Dallas, of the Times,
and to be owned by Messrs, Strahan and Co., the proprie-
tors of Goff; Words,

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

THE CALCUTTA AND CHINA
MAILS.

SOUTHAMPTON, MAY 2.

The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steam-
ship Ripon, Captain Christian, with the heavy por-
tion of the above mails, arrived at 12 o'clock mid-
night. She brings 144 passengers, five packages
specie (value £640 10s. 6d.), and a general cargo,
including 1,226 bales raw silk, value £120,000

sterling.
The Ripon left Gibraltar on the 26th. Across
the Bay of Biscay and up the Channel she encoun-
tered strong N.E. gales and heavy head-sea. On
the 22d the Ripon signalled the steamer Delta,
bound for Malta, and Alexandria. On the 29th, at
10 a.m., in lat. 44 20 N., long. 8 42 W., passed a
large steamer south and westward, supposed to be
the steam ship Carnatic, with the outward mails of
the 27th ;on the Ist inst, at 4 deg. 40 min. p.m.
passed and exchanged colours with the Belgravia,
14 miles S.W. of Portland, bound up channel,
apparently crippled on the main topmast.
The French frigate Perdrix, the Italian frigate
Vittore Emmannele, and the usual Egyptian fleet.
were at Alexandria; at Malta were her Majesty's
ships St. George, Shannon, Marlborough, Coxines,
and Magicienne ; and at Gibraltar the Virago, Tri-
dent, Procris, and Edgar.,
The steam ship Poonah, with the outward mails
of the 20th arrived at Gibraltar en the 25th, at 5
p.m., and left the same evening for Malta and
Alexander.

The British schooner Roe, from Leith, with coals
for Rosas, lost maintopmast and sails in a heavy
squall off Cape de Gatt. On the morning of the
20th the Spanish steamer Cervantes picked her up
in a dismasted state on the coast of Marbella, and
took her safely into Malaga the same day.

The latest accounts received from Dar-el-Baida
report a cessation of the hostilities that have so
long been waged amongst the tribes in the vici-
nity. After some negotiation an arrangement was
come to, and it was expected that the Medioona
tribe would decamp from the neighbourhood of
Dar-el-Baida. The reconciliation of the belligerents
was a source of great rejoicing to the inhabitants of
the town, and corn and water, of which there had
been great scarcity, were again brought in in abun•
dance.

The arrival out at Gibraltar of British ships since
last advices, included the steamer Cairo, six days
from Liverpool; steamer Britannia, seven days from
London ; barque Princess Royal, 26 days from Glas-
gow ; brig John Wesley, 24 days from Shields;
steamer Cella, eight days from Cardiff; steamer
Don Pedro, 10 days from Glasgow ; steam tug
Cesar, 13 days from London; steamer Morocco, 41-
days from Liverpool ; brigantine White Star, 25
days from Newcastle; schooner Sea Nymph, 20
days from Liverpool; brig Mina, 21 days from
Newcastle; and steamer Orontes, six days from

Liverpool.
Gibraltar Exchanges on the 213th were quoted on
London, 90 days date, 501 to 504 ; Paris sf. 30c. ;
Marseilles, sf. 31c. to 32c.; Genoa, sf. 32c.; Ma-
drid, eight days' sight, 1 prem. ; Cadiz,l dis.;
Seville, / dis.; Malaga, par; Barcelona, Ito t
prem ; Almeira, i die. ; Valencia, 1 prem. ; Ali-
cant, I-- dis. Premium on five franc pieces li, P.C.
The freights unaltered.

THE BRAZILS.
(PER MAGDALENA.)
* BUENOS AYRES, MARCH 28.
Exchange, 761. Ounces, 426. Wet salted ox
hides, 40. Dry American, 35 to 37 (? 37), large
transactions. Wool quiet, prices 3 to 4 lower.
Tallow 14 firm, and in demand. Lumber 34 declin-
ing. Flour unchanged. Refined sugar 161. The
money market is easier (? easier).
* The transmission of this telegram from Lisbon has oc-
cupied nearly three days.

PRUSSIA.

BERLIN, MAY 2.

The members of the Moderate Liberal party of
the Chamber of Deputies discussed in a private
sitting yesterday the proposition of the party of
progress to send an address to the King upon the
foreign policy of the Government. The members
rejected this proposition on the ground that a
debate thereon might lead to a conflict between the
Chambers and the Government.

No address will, therefore, be forwarded by the
Chamber to the King for the present.

POLAND.
[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

CRACOW, APRIL 28.

The lung-sought aid of the peasants has at length
been gained by the Polish insurgents. Commenc-
ing with the district of Kalisz, the flame has spread
among the peasant class with such rapidity, that
very few of the 150 insurgent bands which are now
scouring the Kingdom in all directions, but are
composed more or less of peasants. In the Polish
province of Lithuania, the peasantry have, from the
beginning, taken an important part in the insurrec-
tion. As the masses are now rising, the want of
arms is making itself seriously felt. So long as the
millions who are willing to fight are unsupplied
with weapons, Russia has still a chance ; but she
can have none against a nation in arms. If some
hundred thousand swords and rifles, with the neces-
sary ammunition, could be got into the country,
they would be far more effectual in recovering
Poland, and restoring peace to Europe, than de-
spatches or even foreign armies and fleets.
The Russian army in Poland, which constitutes
all the force that Russia can at present spare, is
slowly but regularly diminishing. A loss of twenty
or thirty men in a single encounter is not of much
consequence ; but when such encounters take place,
in nine or ten parts of an extensive country every
day, the gap created by them in the army becomes
formidable. The insurgents, on the other hand,
being almost always on the defensive, and in a
good position, and moreover almost invariably
successful, lose very much less men, and their
losses in this respect are easily supplied in a
country where for every insurgent that falls there
are ten men eager to fill his place. The conse-
quences of this gradual diminution of the force
of Russia in Poland are already showing them-
selves. Pressing demands for more troops are con-
stantly pouring into Warsaw from the military
commandants in various parts of Poland. Gen.
Wittgenstein has given up the command at Konin,
his troops being rendered helpless by the swarms
of insurgents surrounding them ; and in Lithuania
the coast is so feebly guarded that 300 insurgents
not only landed with arms and ammunition from
three Swedish ships at Polonga, but beat back
with ease a body of troops sent to attack them.
&ltogether the situation for Russia is a perilous one.
With the Circassiacs keeping her troops i❑ the Cau-
casus fully employed in the East—her Polish army
gradually disappearing under the persistent attacks
of the guerillas in the West—and discontent surging
up even in her Muscovite dominions—her power
need no longer frighten those who only refrained
from seeing justice done to Poland because they
thought it impracticab!e. With sufficient arms,
Poland can see jastice done to herself; and it is by
ultimatye elf
t i
nPeotliaonndo
fmße
Russia
anas. a a
a a
forcer alone that this can be brought about, for the
The European Russians, whoinearly 11 R nothingthe-
Euroless a than European
tempire.he
lare a n
plans, will Actuallyprefer the free government of

Poland to the autocratic tyranny of Russia; and
the (Mental despotism of the latter Power will be
forced buck to its cradle—the steppes of Northern
Asia.

The insurgents are gradually gathering round
Warsaw. The troops occasionally make sallies
from the capital, but are always beaten, their only
victory having been one over some 200 youths who
left the city and had not had time to join their
more experienced comrades. Those of the Poles
who escaped, however, numbering about 130, nobly
revenged the fall of their fellows, defeating a body
of Hussars in the Kampinos woods, with a loss of
300 /tilled and wounded. A number of peasants
who had joined the young men, showed great cou-
rage and steadiness in this fight. In the Palatinates
of Lublin, Sandoniserz, and Kalisz, the insurgents
are equally successful. In the former, Lelewel, in a
series of brilliant manoeuvres, has completely out-
generaled the Russian commanders. His band con-
sists of not more than 500 men, yet for upwards of
a fortnight he has kept 2,000 Russians at bay, every
now and then giving them a severe beating. In
Sandoniserz Czchoweki is constantly harrassing
the troops, whose headquarters are at Kielce; and
the last news from Kalisz is, that yesterday Young,
with his Kosquiers, attacked a body of 1,800 Rus-
sians near Goplo, and drove them across into Prus-
sia. Will Prussia disarm these soldiers on her ter-
ritory, as she has the Poles ? If not, she will be
committing a fresh breach of international law.

FRANCE.

PARIS, MAY 1.

BOURSE, May I.—The market has been rather
heavy, and prices have slightly receded, Threes
being now at 69f. 40c. The Railway Share Market
has been also dull, but without any material change
in quotations. The market closed as follows

4t per Cents .. 97 25
Do. end month.... 97 25
3 per Cents .. 69 30
Do. end month.... G 9 25
Credit Mobilier.... 1412 50
Do. endmonth....l4l2 50
Bank Shares 3375
Credit Fonder 1490

Italian Loan 7l 95
Do. end month —
New ditto —
Do. end month —
Russian
Austrian
Spanish Threes, 52/
Home Debt

RA ILWAYS.

Cash. Account.
Orleans lOl5 1016 50
Northern
New ditto

Lyons and Mediterranean 1155 .. 1156 25
Geneva 452 50 .. 451 25
Southern 767 50 .. 768 75
Western
Eastern ....
Sardinian
Austrian
Lombard . 598 75 .. 600
North of Spain
Saragossa . .
Ditto to Barcelona 380 .. 375