The Sun.
London, England, 1863-05-21 00:00:00

RUSSIA.

ST. PETERSBURG, MAY 20.
The Northern Post of to-day announces that
bands of peasants are being organised in the
Western provinces of Russia for the protection of
persons, and for keeping open the communications.
These peasant bands consist of from 60 to 100
men each, taken from the inhabitants of every
place. Their chiefs are subordinate to the regu-
lar military commanders, or to the chiefs of the
provincial police.

CALCUTTA, CHINA, AND AUSTRALIAN

MAILS.

SOU I HAMPTON, MAY 21.

The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steam-
ship Poonah has arrived here with the heavy por
lion of the above mails and 176 passengers, includ-
ing Sir W. Codrington, Governor of Gibraltar;
Chief Justice Adams, of Hong Kong; Lady and
Miss Cochrane ; and Sir John and Lady lirbitiock.
Her freight comprises 1,820 packages of Indian
cargo, and 1,600 bales, value .E 150,000 sterling.
Prince Napoleon arrived at Alexandria on the Btb
inst. in the steamer Jerome. •

On the 17th inst. the Poonah spoke the steamer
Ellora off Cape SE. Vincent, and on the 20th the
bark Calypso, from Jamaica.
Exchange on London at Gibraltar, 90 days, was
quoted 50Z- to 501 ; on Paris, 530. Freights un-
altered.

EGYPT.

ALEXANDRIA, May 12.

On Friday evening (the Bth) Prince Napoleon and
Princess Clotilde, on board the Imperial yacht Prince
Jerome, came into this harbour quite unexpectedly,
as a telegram had announced their departure from
N 'pies on the same day they arrived here. The
public disembarcation was put off till the next day
at 3 o'clock, when the French and Italians, between
whom great rivalry has existed throughout, went ie
boats decorated with their respective flags, and
formed a double line from the yacht to the landing
stairs of the palace of Rassetine. The French Con-
sul-General and some Marine officers went on board
and paid their respects to the Prince and Princess,
and a deputation from the French inhabitants was
then received, whose representative, M. Bletoß,
made a long speech. •
Prince Napoleon's answer was as follows :

" I am profoundly touched. Gentlemen, by the manifes•
tation of which I am the object, and the sympathies dis-
played by the speeches just addressed to me. I promise to
report faithfully to the Emperor the prayers of the French
colony in Egypt for the prosperity of his reign, ant I am
persuaded that he will be as deeply touched by them as I
am myself. You have spoken, Sir, of the work carried on
here by one of our most illustrious fellow-couni ryrnen, M.
de Lesseps, and it was with reason that you called it a hu-
manitarian task, for it fulfils the aspirations and wants of
every civilized nation, on which account this great under-
taking may always reckon on my constant support."
At 9 o'clock that morning the Prince had, how-
ever, already paid en official visit to the Viceroy at
Itassetine, and the Princess an hour later went to
the Harem. She was accompe flied, as far as was
permitted, by Nubar Pasha and Mourad Bey, and
was much interested by her visit, insisting on see-
ing everything and on having an Arab breakfast,
The Turkish ladies must have been curious to see
her, as her Royal Highness is the first daughter of
a King who has visited them, but her kind and gra-
cious manner must have at once charmed them.
The Viceroy returned Prince Napoleon's visit OD
board the yacht at 2 o'clock, and soon after he left,
the State barge, containing the Prince and Princess
end suite, was keen threading its way between the
e,
French and Italian boats, amid the cheers of all
present and the firing of the men-of-war in port.
On landing their
Royal Highnesses found a ear-

riage and lour to take them to the Viceroy's Palace,
No. 3, on the banks of the canal, which had been
splendidly furnished for them ; solid silvcr bed•
steads, the mosquito nets made of gauze embroidered
with gold, beautiful Aubusson carpets, and even
cosmetics were ready for the Princess, On Monday
their Royal Highnesses took a drive, and on the
following day left for Cairo.

Captain Speke is expected here soon, as the Vice-
roy has sent a steamer to meet him, and orders to
help him in every way. His Highness is most
anxious to see Capt. Speke, and expresses himself
delighted that so great a discovery should have been
made during his reign. It is remarkable how general
the feeling of interest is among the natives as to the
discovery of the sources of the Nile.