The Sun.
London, England, 1863-01-20 00:00:00

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THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 20, 1803.

Second Edition, Now Ready, in 3 vols., 31s. ed.,
"LES MISERABLES. By VICTOR HUGO.
Authorised Copyright English Translation.
_LA
"The merits of 'Les Miserables ' do not ctusist merely in
the conception of it as a whole. It abounds, page after page,
with details of unequalled beauty. "—Quarterly Review.
Hurst and Blackett, 13, Great Marlborough-street.

try is not so atroug us it was. I believe, moreover,
that at this moment the whole weight of public
opinion, so far as such a thing exists here, is with
the party of progress and in opposition to the
Sultan. That it wil! find vent in outward demon-
stration is not likely in a country where devotion
to the person of the Sovereign is carried to a verse•
ration, and even worship. There is no doubt, how-
ever, that the army is with the Sultan. His profuse
liberality to the soldiers on public occasions, his
constant attention to their wants and the improve-
ment of their condition, his love of military dis-
plays, which is carried to a mania—all these things,
which, there is no doubt, have worked such a won-
derful change in the army, have made him an idol
among the troops, who would back him in any-
thing. The knowledge of this probably causes him
to resist the counsels of his advisers, but it might
lead to disastrous results. Things have come to
such a crisis that a combined diplomatic interven-
tion has become necessary.

Naval and Military Intelligence.

THE NAVY.

The only vessel of the wooden class of ships upon
which the workmen are now employed at, Chatham
Dockyard is the paddlewheel steamer Salamis. The
Salamis, which is one of the new description of
paddlewheel steamers of the Psycho and Enchan-
tress class, is well forward in her construction,
and by direction of the Admiralty was to have been
ready for launching in March next. By subsequent
orders, however, half the shipwrights employed on
her were removed to the Achilles and the other iron
ships, on which they have ever since been employed,
by which the completion of the Salamis will be de-
layed beyond the time spEcified. In fitting the
Salamis provision is to be made on board for 140 of
the common and segment 40 pounder Armstrong
shells, 128 cases of the diaphragm shells, and 50 of
the 40 pounder Armstrong solid shot. The wooden
vessels standing idle in frame at Chatham Dock-
yard, upon which no workmen have been employed
for some 12 months or two years past, are the Bul-
wark, 91, the Belvidere, 51, the Menai, 22, the
Reindeer, 17, and the Myrmidon, 4. The Bulwark
is the most forward of the whole, and was about
two-thirds completed, when all work on the wooden
ships was suddenly ordered to be discontinued. The
engines manufactured for the Bulwark by Messrs.
Maudslay and Co., of Westminster, were accord-
ingly ordered to be placed in the Royal Oak,
armour-clad frigate, on board which ship they have
been fitted. It is now stated that the Bulwark is
to have one of her decks removed, in order to under-
go the process of " conversion" to an iron-cased
frigate, which will necessitate her being cut asun-
der amidships, and a considerable addition made to
her length, besides being strengthened throughout
to bear the weight of her armour-plates, the altera-
tions involving an enormous outlay. The Belvi-
dere, which is in frame on the fourth slip, is also
to be metamorphosed to an iron-plated frigate, ac-
cording to a plan proposed to the Admiralty by Mr.
Laing, the master shipbuilder at Chatham, the
leading features of which have already been men-
tioned in The Sun. Owing, however, to the in-
sufficient accommodation at the shed under which
the Belvidere at present lies for constructing an
iron-plated vessel, it will: be necessary to take
the frame of the frigate to pieces and recon-
struct her under the new shed at the eastern
end of the yard, from which the Royal Oak was
launched, that building-slip containing all the
requisite machinery and appliances for building
armour-clad vessels. In about two months the
whole of the hands employed on the Royal Oak
will, on the completion of that vessel, be disengaged.
They will then be immediately transferred to the
Belvidere, to commence the reconstruction of that
50-gun frigate.
The operation of bending the first armour-plate
for the iron frigate Achilles, 50, at Chatham Dock-
yard, was successfully accomplished yesterday after-
noon in the factory adjoining the dock in which the
Achilles is under construction. The plate operated
upon yesterday was one of a large number supplied
to the Admiralty by the Parkgate Company, York-
shire, and was of the best possible iron. Its dimen-
sions were 15 feet 3 inches in length, 3 feet 2 inches
in breadth, and 41 inches in thickness, the weight
being 3 tons 19 cwt. 1 qr. The plates received
from the Parkgate foundry, being all of rolled iron,
require no annealing, as is the case with those
shaped under the operation of the steam hammer,
the hammering process which they undergo in their
manufacture rendering them so exceedingly hard
that it is impossible to bend, plane, drill, and other-
wise prepare them until they have undergone the
annealing proms in the furnace. The plate selected
yesterday was taken from several hundred tons
stored beneath the shed under which the Reindeer
is building, and was removed direct from the stack
to the hydraulic press with which the whole of the
plates used for the Royal Oak were bent cold. In
less than an hour it had been twisted and bent to
the exact shape of the mould taken from that portion
of the side of the Achilles to which the plate will be
attached. It was afterwards removed to another
part of the factory to undergo the planing, drill-
ing, and polishing processes. The hydraulic
press, being no longer required to be used in
bending the plates for the Royal Oak, will now
be exclusively employed in shaping the armour-
plates for the Achilles. During yesterday afternoon
the workmen commenced the removal of the ele-
vated tramways on each side of the dock in order to
lay down a much larger line of rails, on which will
be placed two of the patent steam cranes for lifting
the armour-plates.

It is unfortunate that at such a critical moment
the Sultan should be deprived of the advice of our
ambassador, who is still in Egypt.* There is no
doubt that he has some influence on the Sultan,
which on this occasion might have operated favour-
ably and prevented the crisis. Mr. Erskine pos-
sesses the best qualities of a diplomatist, but his
position as unrecognised Charge d'Affaires is alto-
gether a false one, inasmuch as it precludes him
from direct intercourse with the Sultan.

They aro those who believe that the Sultan will
still listen to the voice of reason, and that in a few
days the late Ministers will be reinstated in their
posts. If this happens, this crisis, which has spread
consternation in all ranks, may produce beneficial
results in the future. It will show to the Sultan
the hopelessness of any reactionary ideas, he re-
presentatives of which have been the first to desert
him in his hour of need. There are others, how-
ever, who, founding their opinion on his head-
strong disposition, his deficient education, his igno-
rance of political events and public opinion in
Europe, maintain that he will not yield, and in
that case there is no calculating the evil effects of
this coup detat, for such it undoubtedly is.
There is a fatality attaching to this unhappy
country which declares itself at moments when its
well-wishers begin to look hopefully upon its
affairs. Whatever the individual failings of the late
Ministers may have been (it is not generally among
Turkish statesmen that one looks for private excel-
lence or public morality), there is no doubt that
they were collectively exerting themselves of late to
bring about a better state of things. Nor was the
public feeling insensible to their efforts. An increase
of confidence manifested itself in a gradual but
steady rise of public securities, which was the more
healthy because it was slow and steady. A National
Bank was in contemplation in which some of the
most influential financial elements of London and
Paris were recruited. The delegates were at Con-
stantinople, and at the time of the crisis it was as-
serted that the combination had received the ap-
proval of the Government. Other enterprises were
were on foot, and the Government, learning wisdom
from experience, was carefully selecting such of
them as were worthy of support; and avoiding the
clamorous demands of adventurers eager conces-
sions intended to be hawked about to the highest
bidder in any European market. Indee', to the
most sceptical it must have been evident th .t there
was a serious disposition "to turn over a ric w leaf."
All these things have been interrupted, and the
whole machinery of the State is at present at a
standstill.

JAN. 5.

All attempts to form a Government have up to
the present moment proved abortive. The Grand
Vizierate has been offered to a number of men re-
gardless of their claims or ability to conduct the
affairs of the State. It has been declined successively
by Said Pasha,Nevres Pcaha,aCou rt favourite; Namik
Pasha (well known iu °Gl:auction with the Djeddah
affair) ; and it is said, also, by Mehemet ICipriali
Pasha, who was sometime Grand Vizier at the com-
mencement of this reign. It is now asserted that
it has been accepted by Riamil Pasha, who was for
a long time President of the Grand Council. He is
a man of amiable disposition and moderate views,
and an adherent of Fuad's policy, but without ex-
perience, and unable to cope with the present diffi
culties. Much surprise is felt at his having deserted
Fuad; but it may also indicate a disposition on the
part of the Sultan to yield, in which case it is rea-
sonable to infer that this will only be a transition
Ministry, which in a few days will make room for
Fuad and his party on their own terms. Ba this as
it may, the effect produced by such freaks must be
disastrous. The greatest uneasiness continues to pre-
vail, and public securities are falling considerably.
There is .lso a vague alarm occasioned by a certain
amount of insubordination among the troops against
military authority. The manner in which they have
been pampered by the Sultan has resulted in their
looking to him and him only, and they are rather
disposed to make cheap of any other authority.
It is curious to compare the Turkish soldiers of
to-day with the ill-clothed, ungainly creatures of the
last reign, and it is difficult to believe that they are
the same men. No doubt the Sultan has done won-
ders for the army, but the question is whether this
change may not go further than it was intended, and
get beyond control. There is in the present Tur-
kish soldier a swagger which strongly reminds one
of the Janissaries. Let the Sultan look to this be-
fore it is too late, for it may produce grave results.
This is the public feeling on the subject, not the un-
reasoning fears of the multitude, but the apprehen-
sion of men who know the country well, and whose
opinion is the result of experience and observation.
The mania of the late Sultan was to build pa-
laces; that of Abdul Aziz is to build barracks. Pera,
where two years ago the only sign of an existing
army was to be found in a few uncouth, dejected
sentries at the door of humble police stations, has
now assumed the appearance of a full-blown gairi-
son town. Its peaceable, money-making inhabitants
are roused daily by the sound of the trumpet and
the drum, and the constant movement of soldiers.
In the very centre of the suburb a handsome bar-
rack (Galata Serai) has suddenly sprung up,swarm-
ing with magnificent, Zouaves, than whom it is
impossible to see finer men in Europe. In the
Square in front well taught military bands play
daily operatic music, and with some stretch of
imaginationsolooks one might fancy one's-self at the Place
Vendome, in Paris. All this is very fine and im-
posing, an d hasits
uncommonly good.li k points,
ttoiamt
j,
tnaor
y ddoeusbptu,
ibs
ni.ut it
also

The sailing frigate Active, 40, attached to the
Chatham sailing reserve, has been selected to be
fitted as a training ship for the lads and men of the
Naval Coast Volunteers. It is probably that the
port to which the Active will be sent will be Har-
tlepool.

A court-martial was held yesterday on board her
Majesty's ship Formidable, flagship of Vice• Admiral
Sir W. J. Hope Johnstone, K.C.8., commander-in-
chief at Sheerness, for the trial of Richard Beasley,
supernumerary firat•class engineer, belonging to the
Cumberland, Capt. T. P. Thomson, guardship of
the steam reserve at Sheerness, on a charge of
drunkenness. Capt. W. G. Luard presided. Com-
mander Wiley Cruve Read, of the Cumberland, pro-
secuted; and Mr. G. H. Knight, Deputy Judge-
Advocate, conducted the case. It appeared that the
prisoner went on board the Cumberland in a state
of intoxication on the 22d of December last. He was
examined on the 28th ult. by Assist.-Surg. William
G. Ridings. He found him suffering from an attack
of delirium tremens, and ordered his removal to
Melville Hospital. He was recovering conscious-
ness when he was visited two days afterwards by
Mr. Charles R. Kinnear, Deputy Inspector-Gen. of
the fleet and hospitals, The prisoner made no de-
fence, but pleaded for mercy on the ground of long
service. The Court, after duly considering the evi-
dence, sentenced him to be dismissed from the ser-
vice.

Letters dated Dec. 13, received at Plymouth, state
that the screw steam corvette Charybdis, Capt. the
)n. George D. Keane, from the Pacific Ocean,
arrived on the 10th Dec., all well, at Callao, where
she will probably remain until March. She was
rather short of hands. Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas
Maitland Knight, K.C.8., in the screw steam fri-
gate Bacchante, 39, Capt. Donald M'L. Mackenzie,
was expected to arrive at Callao about Christmas-
day.

The following appointments were made yesterday
at the Admiralty :—Lieut. E. J. Lawson, to the
Hastings; Lieut. F. W. Inglefield, to the Cornwal-
lis ; T. Hockings, paymaster, to the Wellesley ; E.
D. Back, paymaster, to the Formidable; J. W. 11.
Allen, second master to the Mullet; W. Read, naval
instructor, to the Excellent ; Frederic M. Manning,
M.D., T. Browne, W. Corleton, W. B. Fletcher, and
W. Stables, acting assist.-surgeons, to the Victory,
for Hasler Hospital ; Frederick A. P. Harris, M.D.,
Ernest. Low, M.D., J. G. Clarke, J. Shields, and W.
L. M'Dermott, to the Royal Adclade, for Plymouth
Hospital ; Thomas Huard, engineer, to the Caradon;
William Todner, engineer, to the Cumberland, for
the Bullfrog ; James Donne, engineer, to the
Tri-
ton ; James Bowman and T. S. Gissing, first-class
assist.-engineer, to the Caradoc ; Charles Bulford,
first-class assist-engineer, to the Asia; F. W. Ro-
binson, first-class assist-engineer, to the Triton;
John Kelly and William Hopkins, second-class as-
sist.-engineers, to the earacloe ; William -Walker,
second-class assist.-engineer, to the Triton ; Robert
E. Ramsay, acting second-class assist.-engineer, to
the Triton ; and F. B. Baverstock, assist,-paymaster
in charge, to the Triton.

JAN. 8.
Nearly a week has elapsed since thhe resignation
of the Ministry, and very little has yet been done
towards replacing them. It is certain that Kiamil
Pasha is the new Grand Vizier, and Aalia Pasha
the Minister of Foreign Affairs,
who had resigned
with Fuad, was sent for by the Sultan yestecday,
and remained with him for several hours. The
result of the interview is that Aali, for the present
at least, remains in office. It is inferred, therefore,
and with good reason, that the Sultan is yielding to
the imperative necessities of the moment. Whether
qe is doing so with a good grace, or only desires to
have time to form a party more pliant to his views,
remains to be seen. Sir Henry Bulwer is expected
tomorrow. It is a great pity thot hie return should
have been so long delayed.

We have news by telegraph of Sir Homy Bulwer's
arrival at Constantinople.

OLDER THAN METHUSELAH.—There is a pauper
woman in the parish of Edinkillie who is so old that she
herself cannot tell her age, and there is no other one who
can do so. Last week a Christian gentleman called on her,
and among other questions inquired her age. She replied,
" Indeed, sir, I dinna ken; but I'm sure am a thoosand at
ony rate !" She is still able to move about, al. i bids fair
to add yet another year or two to the number.— Inverness
Courier,