The Sun.
London, England, 1863-02-20 00:00:00

ment, an analagous amelioration has taken place
among the poorer classes. Various reasons are as-
signed for this, but chiefly the spread of education
is mentioned.

The Opnione Nationale animadverts upon the
conduct of M. Bismarck in the debate upon
Poland. It trusts that he will not much longer be
able to quote the indifference of the Western
Powers as an excuse for his policy. It is assured
that the Gcvernments of France and of England
will not permit King William to violate the prin-
ciple of non-intervention, and allow him to assist
the Czar in crushing a people worthy of all our
sympathies.
Le Pays has heard it rumoured that General But-
ler is to be the new War Secretary l The position
of Prussia and Poland are still the chief subject of
discussion. Le Pays condemns the conduct of the
Czar and the King with just severity. Le Siecle,
quoting the opinions of the English press with re-
gard to the recent continental events, remarks on
the unanimity of the English, French, and German
press respecting the conduct of the Prussian Go-
vernment. The same journal announces the ap-
proaching recognition of the Kingdom of Italy by
the Grand Duchy of Baden. Robberies seem to
be on the increase in Paris according to English
fashion.

BOURSE, Feb. 19.—The market continues heavy,
but without any further depreciation in prices—
Threes, for the Account, being now at 70f. 10c.
Railway Shares quiet, with little change in quota-
tions. Prior to the close the market was firmer,
owing to the reduction in the discount of the Bank
of England, and left off as follows :

41 per Cents. 99 75
Do. end month
3 per Cents
Do. end month 7O 10
New 3 per Cents
Do, end month —
Credit Nimbilier 1,216
Do. end m0nth...:1211 26

; Bank Shares 3375
• Credit koncier 1507 50
Piedmontese Fives
Italian Loan 69 85
Russian ..
Austrian
Spanish Threes 53
Rome Debt
,WAYS.

RAIL'

Orleans
Northern ....
Now ditto

Cash. Account.
1110 1107 50
1032 60 .. 1033 76
1015

Lyons and Mediterranean 1180 .. 1185
Geneva..
Southern
Western
Eastern ... e
Sardinian
Austrian
Lon.bard
North of Spain
Saragossa . . 696 26 .. 697 50
Ditto to Barcelona .... 338 75 .. 337 60

The Confederate Naval Victory at

Charleston.

The Richmond Dispatch contains the following
telegrams in reference to the recent Confederate
naval victory at Charleston :

" Charleston, S.C., Jan. 31.

"The two iron-clad gunboats Chicora and Pal-
metto State, with three steamers as tenders, went
out beyond the bar at 1 o'clock this morning to
attack the blockading fleet. Firing began soon
aftor 1, and for a time was very rapid and conti-
nuous. Afterwards it slackened, but continued at
intervals until 9 o'clock this morning. Owing to
the fog the result has not yet been ascertained.
Commander Ingraham is aboard the Palmetto State
as commander of the expedition."

" SECOND DESPATCH.
" Charleston, Jan. 31.

" This morning the gunboats Palmetto State,
Captain Rutledge, and Chicora, Captain Tucker,
accompanied by three small steamers—the General
Clinch, Etiwan, and Chesterfield—all under the
command of Commodore Ingraham, made an attack
on the blockaders, and succeeded in sinking two
and crippling a third. The engagement commenced
at four o'clock. The Palmetto State, with Commo-
dore Ingraham on hoard, opened fire upon the
Federal gunboat Mercedita, carrying 11 guns and
158 men, which was soon sunk in five fathoms of
water. Her commander, Capt. Stellwagen, with a
boat's crew, came on board and surrendered. One
shot pierced her boiler, going clear through. Capt.
Stellwagen and crew were paroled by Commodore
Ingraham. Capt. Tucker, of the Chicora, reports sink-
ing another Federal gunboat and the disabiing of the
steamship Quaker City. The latter was set on fire
by the Chicora, and hauled dow❑ her flag to sur-
render, but afterwards managed to escape, using
only one wheel. She was very seriously damaged.
The number of the blockading fleet outside at the
time of the attack was 13, with two first-class fri-
gates, the Susquehanna and Canandaigua. The
Federal loss was very severe. It was a complete
success on our part, with not a man hurt. Our
gunboats were not even struck. All the blockaders
have disappeared. There is not one to be seen
within five miles with the strongest kind of glasses.
Our boats are now returning to Charleston. The
following is the official despatch :

" THE REBEL OFFICIAL REPORT.

" Ou board gunboat Palmetto State.

" I went out last night. This vessel struck the
Mercedita, when she sent on board a boat and sur-
rendered. The officers and crew were paroled.
Captain Tacker thinks he sunk one vessel and set
another on fire, when she struck her flag. The
blockading fleet had gone to southward and east-
ward out of sight.

"D. N. INGRAHAM, Flag Off cer Commanding."
" THIRD DESPATCH.
" Charleston, Jan. 31.

" Our gunboats Palmetto State and Chicora have
reached the wharfs. They were enthusiastically
cheered by an immense concourse of citizens who
had assembled to greet them. Salutes were fired
from the forts and batteries. Not a man was hurt on
our side, and our gunboats were not struck by the
enemy. Our attack on the fleet was a complete sur-
prise to the blockaders,each one running away with-
out caring for the others. It is supposed that nearly
all of the crew of the Mercedita perished. The Pal-
metto State,which engaged the Mercedita,having no
boats, and fighting at the time, could render her no
assistance. The Quaker City was struck twice, and
one of her side wheels almost torn off."
" FOURTH DESPATCH.

" Charleston, Feb. 1.

" Gen. Beauregard and Commodore Ingraham, as
commanders of the land and naval forces, have
issued a joint proclamation, dated Jan. 31, declaring
the blockade of Charleston raised, the entire hos-
tile squadron having been sunk, burned, or dis-
persed by the superior naval forces of the Confede-
racy. Yesterday afternoon General Beauregard
placed a steamer at the disposal of the foreign con-
suls to see for themselves that no blockade existed.
The French and Spanish Consuls, accompanied
by General Ripley, accepted the invitation-
The British Consul, with the commander of the
British war steamer Petrel, had previously
gone five miles beyond the usual anchorage of the
blockaders, and could see nothing of them with
glasses. Late in the evening four blockaders re-
appeared, keeping far out. This evening a large
number of blockaders are in sight, but keep steam
up, evidently ready to run."

" THE LATEST DESPATCS.
" Charleston, Feb. 1.

" Official Proclamation.
" Head-quarters, Land and Naval Forces,
Charleston, S.C., Jan. 31.
"At about 5 o'clock this morning the Confederate
States naval force on this station attseked the
United States blockading fleet cif the harbour of
the city of Charleston, and sunk, dispersed, or
drove off and out of sight for the time the sntire
hostile fleet. Therefore we, the undersigned com-
manders respectively of the Confederate States naval
and land forces in this quarter, do hereby formally
declare the blockade by the United States of the
said city of Charleston, S.C., to be raised by a
superior force of the Confederate States from and
after this 31st day of January, A.D. 1863.
4, G. T. BEAUREGARD, General-Commanding.
N. INGRAHAM, Flag• Officer Commanding
Naval Forces in South Carolina.
(Official)
" THOMAS JOURDAN, Chief of Staff.
44 The results of the naval engagements yesterday
are two vessels sunk, four set on fire, and the re-
mainder driven away. The foreign Consuls here held
a meeting last night, and were unanimously of opi-
nion that the blockade had been legally raised.
Twenty blockaders. are off the bar to.day. Other
Tory important =Temente are in progress hero."