The Sun.
London, England, 1853-12-30 00:00:00

..
,
..,, THE SUN, LONDON,
- ~...„._....„.._
~........., ..............._ air .___ ---.- _
,:i.;
-1
51 UNEY MARKE A
rii - TILE W SHA.I?
)WEATHER AND THE PARKS. MARKETS-(THIS DAY).
.-._
st.
•COMME AND BRITISH RAILWAYS. St
RCIAL INTELLIGENCE'.
The frost which has prevailed during the past few
i
days continues, and with increased severity, for from Closing Prices Buiness done St
• this day. this day.
Tb;) Sal CITY, TWO O'CLOCK. 12 o'clock on
.W.ednesday night_ the mercury rapidly Shr. Paid RAILWAYS.
descended until it had fallen so low as 15/, degrees be-
...._:____
loi _ es of cotton at Liverpool yesterday wer© st.
'wore matedeat 7 000 bales, of which 500 American low freezing point-a lower temperature than has been St. 100 Aberdeen ..... ........ 206 -21 i 214 5
85 Ambg. Nottng. Bost.
.. _ 15
nee n for known for many years. At 7 o'clock yesterday morn- 20
& &etre Junes...... 12 - Di
export, and 500 American and .
50 all Belfast & Ballymena - - "' 6
4, Surat
1:1Y., at ful°lll 3Poculation. The market closed ing the thermometer indicated no higher than 17 de-
-6
grees, being 15 degrees of frost, and during the day 14 all Willing. Wolverh. &
~ _
~
Stour Va11ey......... v ri
pricer.. The sales comprised 5,000
-"terleau 50
tiao ) Bahia, at 64(1. to 74d. ; 500 Egyp- had not ascended to more than 27 degrees, again re-3
3
''at 6d to 915
and 50 • c.. ; 1,500 Surat, at 2id. to 41d.north and, from the clear and 27, all 4 Do. Chesh. & Birk.,
acedwiinngd,
atup
ntoorB o'clock la.st, night, to 2. 5 degrees,. with 31 28 Bciritesnhhirde.
JLaanuctcsh. * 11
.... 9
7
Rep_ a Sea Island, at Is. 3d. to 2s. 3d. per lb. bright starlight night, giving every indication of a frost
,tw
~y Shares. 6
f ernoon 22
301 D05.,0£42025 Cen2....
lgi -- rid
'were dull at lower prices. Blyth & Tyne original
of considerable duration. On Wednesday a t
£25 (iss. at £45).... ••• - ••• 6
• u Colonial and Foreign Produce'Markets hay- the wind slightly veered to westward,-the then cloudy 2°
I'lg been 1 98 - 100 10
litrietecill,e-rise-d this week, business has been re- atmosphere was cleared by a descent of snow,
icewhich se 100 Bristol & Exeter
20
of t, wT'•ureliase by private contract. The prices
the le was eventually frozen hard to the ground. The on
50St. 100 all Caledonian.......-e aan.iio.l.;h-e.a..ci 7.11 -,_ 11,7 i 55 a4l
go all Cork and Bandon l4 -15 10
atoeic tiling staples are well maintained, and the ornamental.. waters in the Royal parks, &c., had,
St
8 are not heavy. The deliveries also continue ••• - •••
from the intensity of the frost, gained such additional ',,,0 all Cork, Black. & Pass.
•••• - -
5
RbOtl. 1- 468 i
.....- 497
vkliet,
,In coffee there has been a tendency to ad- strength as to cause a great accession of skaters and 220050
au4150
DDCouurbunwall
b
ilea._ bl-lt tea has become duller. Tallow is also sliders, as well as to draw to their banks a vast assem-
ble of s ectators, particularly on the banks of the
cer. -rx,-
48a., n' e are now much in the same position ge P St
u tile close Serpentine. 25 all East Anglian (£25 L. ...,
finan-
cial' of 1852. Trade is sound and finan-
TilE SERPENTINE.-On the surface of this piece of 25 all Do. New ... - ...
&E.& L. &D.) t - :I St
eiv.lll.ospects are good, so that under ordinary
water there were during the day upwards of 7,000 skaters 18 all Do., (XlB E. &. IL)" 3.i- 13i 135 i 5 St
te''n.lnstances full support might be expected to and sliders, including several members of the Skating ?0 100a11 EaEall.nnuCnoitoinntiAes..a
33s_
42
1(
17e.11 to the various markets, but there is the Club. The ice was in admirable condition when cleared St. ▪ 29 -31 1(
e'llnoSt. 100 Do., do. 8..... ......
tty„ US drawback of politics which may overcome from the snow. Along the banks were innumerable
Ir. florcnrablit contingencies.2s3t 1005 DEo•Nt eLwaAea(laashtGeiTriaehirds) Ali
.....-
4,a:•,_,•:
65
163:1. 840
I
stalls, occupied by men lending out skates,. who drove. a 2(
Several cargoes of oranges have arrived since profitable trade. 5(
The only accident in this park during
-mrlatreaslos :
11001 i
EEEliiinillibbb.ul.partguhhd.Pdrxeebulsirsdle4;••• 21);• =-
knee • The Challenge, from Fayal, brought thes. day. was that to a young gentleman named George,
..• SI
470 Packages, a portion of which, together with ,0 re iding at 68, Upper Berkeley-street, Edgeware-road, 10 1 Forth and Clydejune. ...
St. 100 Glasgow & S.Western :::, -... iii s
4t cargoes St. Michael, sold by Keeling and Hunt, who, from a fall on the ice, received. a.severe concussions
Public Sal of the brain. During the morning, in consequence of St. 100 Great Northern Stk !II -
St. 100 Do., A. Stock '
.2!
-,n, 11
lockage. e, went at a reduction of 2s. to 3s. perS
Messina
luita h Lemons sustain their value. an order from the Woods and Forests, a number of carts St. 100 Do., B. Stock - ;pi!
were employed to remove ice from the east end, in order hit. 100 Gt. Sth.&West.(lre unli _ -"IX,
‘1,.!!- i 21
1117,3 advanced 2s. per bag. Chesnuts ss. perl.'
el low to supply her Majesty's ice wells at Buckingham Palace. n. 1210 Great western
th.etera 00.! _ 00...1 156
S
sever el.. The adverse wind has prevented
It was accordingly found necessary to place lines across go ' all ILaneaster &Carlisle 93 - 98
ver., fruit cargoes from reaching this port, and a
to prevent the skaters and sliders from getting on that 13 -14 p S
tio-.: indifferent supply for the Christmas consump- portion whence the ice had been abstracted. 161 111IDo., Thirds
31. 100 lameash.&Yorks. . 6(6S - 67 66i 5
- 60 101
4 Was the result. , 198 175 Do., Fifths •.
This THE LONG WATER AND ROUND POND.-The ice at 14 11i Do., Wst. Riding Un. ••• - ••• d S
It th may be regarded as the last business dayE
these places was in excellent condition, and was visited 50 all Leedscortahsoernt;t.ii•pt..: 1-..3.4 -..._ 13 135
*hi ° Year 1853, and looking back at the events by a great number of skaters and sliders. Fortunately
N. all Lliaindon6 i. Blackwell 8i - 8g 5
to e.,„11 have arisen, one may discern abundant rea. there were no accidents. On the banks of the Long 40 85 Lond.Tilb. & Sthend. 4 -14 p
m tor cepl
set_ gratulation that commerce has proceeded Water was erected the elegant marquee of the S 100 Lond.Brigtt.drS.Cst. 985 - 998
Skating
St. 100 London &N.Western 1035 - 1044 1045 31 48 4
greenegularly, and that our traders have stood their Club. 30 12 Do. Fifths - 4 F 1
1,, d against all disadvantages. It will be re- REGENT'S-PARK.-The attendance of skaters and lo 1 D0.,16/.5h.,M&8...0 r- 1 P 2
-.4e/b.i„„__ ••• - •••
uered that on the let of Januar the minimum sliders at this point amounted to some thousands, while ,125 28 Do. Eighths
l
1)11A„: of discount at the Bank of the
wasl2s -115 d from the brightness of the day..the banks of the orna- St. 100 London & S.Western 77 78 771 5
50 428 Do., £5O •• •
• 2
per Cent., that on the Bth of that month
It v P mental lake were thronged with innumerable spectators.
40 34 Do., £4O. ...... ........ 9 - 8 d I
There were no accidents from immersion, but several 25 all Lnudrry.4sColeraine ... - - I
lit Was raised to , and on the 22nd to 3 per cent., all laidudrry. & Ennisk. ... - ••• 1
Which • cuts and contusions from falls, which were promptly 25
/.
vnt
.it remained until the 4th of June, when St 100 Manch.Shef.daLineln. 22 - 23 22 3 E
/ 8 attended to by the medical officer of the Royal Humane
85. 45 Do., Man. &Lin. Un. ••• - -d E
I raised to 3-i. The amount of bullion in the
stk of -..-,. Society. St. 100 Midland . . 621 - 8•34 621 4 3
tier England had, in the interim, sunk from
ST. JAMES'-PARK.-The ice on this piece of water had St. 100 Do.Birm &Derby 36 38 1
sto 20 to about 18 millions sterling, and Consols Midland G.. 'West. (Ir.) ••• - ••• 49 1
become materially strengthened by the intense frost of r,.
25 'III Do. iShares ........ ... - ... f.
II 111
3•Oli i had been down to 991 in January, and the preceding night, but was nevertheless considered to 100 all Newcastle &Carlisle.. •-•- -
A a •
ter gain to 1001 i in May. On the 3rd Septem-E
be dangerous in various parts. There were, however, St. 100 Newmarket.......:-.. 54. d - 56
5 Do. Bury Extensions i - par 41 F.
to the discount was raised to 4 per cent., and not less than 6,000 skaters and sliders who ventured on,
254 175 Newpt.Aberg.&Htfd. 5 - 4 d 2
1)614°18) which were about 98, gradually fell to and the only accident which occurred took place about E
toh.,._•' Oil the 17th of that month, when the Bank 3 o'clock, at the west end, near the fountain, when Mr. 50 7i Newry & Enniskillen 25 - 34 21 /
20 all Newry Warrenpoint 6 - 8
& Rostrevorl
I,BTMIlta charge was made 45 per cent. The Hooke, 93, Felton-street, and his relatives, Henrietta
. St. 100 N0rf01k......... ...... ~ 48 -52 48
itt q9ctober brought up the charge to 5 per cent., ' and Mary Hooke, broke in, but were speedily rescued 50 35 Northn. Counties Un 35 -35 d
1
Which it has since remained, and in the same by Superintendent Parsons and several icemen, and at- St. 100 North British ........• 305 - 315 305
..8. -1.(:).
tile, tended by Dr. M'Cann.
jatil Consols were done as low as 91. Although 1
Ponsl6l6
1116 a NiDnort.,hNDe.ev2o.n..:.N 0...
......
gi everal occasions during the year, extreme On the Surrey Canal,.. Clapham-common,. and. various
8 all be., 5 A Deferred... 14 - 24 2
1
)13Pl'ellension has prevailed with respect to the open waters in the vicinity of the metropolis,. innumera- g 8 Do., 5 B Guaranteed 64 -75
50 all North London ..... ...: 50 ... 52 1.1
"444te ble skaters and sliders amused themselves without any
it be na question, it was not until September that 10 1.1 N.& S.Wstn., )lamp-1
serious injury. stead, and City Jn..l ... - ••• 2
tee calue so decided as to lead to anything
erubling a panic, and then the publicE
tililia ANOTHER FIRE IN THE CITY. 2020
all?
NorthNotii
Western........
58!
_....- 505 d
10 10 N. 4S. Westrn. June. 1d - par
son again became tranquillised. The
4/Bcertained deficient in the crop s , exercised, about - 10 1 Nuneaton, Hinckley,l -
••• 2
At two o'clock yesterday morning the vicinity of the and Leicester • •
thish y Period, a great influence, as the bullion in the City was again the scene of another devastating fire, 365 - 375 36 5
ro_t'k Was weekly declining, having been at its St. 100 OwxferverWhaomrpeetosteni....dz 1
making the third that has happened since Monday last. 20 2.2 Portsmouth ... - ._, :
thwest point within the last two months, and with It orignated from some as yet unexplained cause, on the St. 100 Scottish Central :T 9l - p. 92
ofe aggravation of strikes, and a rise in the prices premises in the occupation of a Mr. Burgin, upholsterer St.
100 i) soottishbbluryidladrnßdirm..g. g7B
...._ 5860 58
II
, all the great staples, including grain, and cabinet-maker, No. 26, Great Winchester-street,
eeeet
, tallow, coals, and several articles of London-wall, a building of some antiquity, a relic of Stt .. 100 DGou.,araL.nt&eeNd.sWthecsktn
55 -
60
10 10 Shrewsby. & Herefd 25 - 2dis
Colonialtoms produce, it was a matter of as- house architecture long before the great fire in 1686.
265 all Shrewsby. & Chester
tetuahnierit with many that the export trade No person appears to have slept on the premises ; they (Nor. W. Min.) l4 -16 '
k the United 7 - 8 '
b Kingdom continued astonishingly were used as a kind of warehouse for upholstery, some 135 all Do. Halves, do
rl'lc, due in part, no doubt, to the Australian de- of the upper floors being made into workshops. When
2200 all6i
sDhio..oopsehwieresturyidon
3111
.-~
3d12
Inaud, but likewise to our general foreign business,
theTT closed on the previous night by Mr. Burgin the lights
... ~. D0.A,8,C, &D,fully
United States proving large customers. The were properly extinguished, and the place was compare- paid up at per cent. ... - ...
tively safe • and so they continued till about two 50 all South Devon .....
significant points which we have now before us to ' . • St. 100 South Eastern6l - 62 614 25
o'clock yesterday morning, when the policeman on 50 all South Wales...
bullion
us in an opinion of the future, are that the
duty in the neighbourhood, on passing the door, ob- 20 15 S. Yorksh. River Dun 3 -2 d
11-liOn in the Bank, although larger in amount 4 - 5
served a glare of light at the back of the warehouse- 20 5 Do.
than, it was a short time back, is still greatly 2O 2.2 Staines,Wole.,&Wok ... - ...
room, and in a second or so saw that the place was on 25 all Stockton & Darling 27 - 30
l'elcw the sum at which it stood in the
fire. Immediately alarming the occupants of the ... 165 Stockton & Hartlepl. ... - ..,
beginning of the year, that discounts have adjoining houses he proceeded to despatch his brother St. 100 Taff Vale - - •••
been advanced 3 per cent that wheat has this day 10 8
Do. £lO shades e - -.
ri„ .)
n 28. to 35., that large imports are still required, eonstables, who came to his assistance after hear-
St. 100 Do. Prof., No. 1 . - ~.
ing the springing of the rattle, to the brigade stations in 25 20 Thames Haven Dock
agar coffee tallow, tea, and other articles are at Whitecross-street, Watling-street, and Jeffery-square, and Railway. .....
about the highest point attained this year, and that 20 17 Vale of Neath ..... - 16
the with information of its outbreak. The engines of those
20 all Waterfd. & Kilkenny 55 - 65
, War with Turkey is yet in progress. There is stations, with a full corps of engineers and firemen, 50 all Waterford&Limerick 27 - 29 25
4:uuladant room for caution therefore, though we quickly reached the spot, but in the meantime the fire 20 14
WestsN;es ZioT7falLia.); 8• - 85
gist also plenty for hope, and our merchants and had gained prodigious strength and power, arising from •••• 1 and Crystal Palace ..„ - ..,
capitalists stand well prepared whatever may the circumstance of the extraordinary quantity of timber 20 all West London - ...
happen. in the building. Its appearance when the firemen ar- 10 ols. Wmbledon&Croydoi. ... - ...
rived was truly terrific. Not only was the whole front-
.St. 100 York Newctl.daterw. 64 - 65 64
I.le English funds are firmer, upon an official 25 20 Do. Extensions...-. 81 - Sidi 115
age of Mr. Burgin's premises in one vivid sheet of flame, 25 115 Do. G.N.E. Purchase 4 -34 d
announcement in the Afoniteur that the Ottoman
P but it reached completely across the street, and fired the St. 100 York &N. Midland 47 - 48 .
Porte has accepted the terms of arrangement pro-
houses on the opposite side, numbering 11, 12, and 13,
rsed by the allied powers. This was known, per FOREIGN.
which were all burning fiercely, and a most direful con-
telegraph, soon after the market opened, and Con-
fiagration was apprehended. Very fortunately the fire- 10 6 Antwip &Rotterdam 2 -15 d 4
11°185 which were 932 -i, rose to 934 to 94k. They men obtained an almost instantaneous supply of water,
205 ? Belgian
isseJunssacte. 13. - 1.
have
a\re since been 932 to 94, with very little doing. . '-8' I.3eziers tEo flit.a.
and getting their engines into full play, the whole of their
Central of Italy - _.
The speculators do not appear very sanguine as to 20 all Charleroi & Erquelin 13 - 15
What the Emperor Nicholas may do, and the public engines were directed towards preserving the row of
houses opposite to that of Mr. Burgin, which was past 175 all DF.merarad.Be•
2 -"'' ...
- 3
rather keep up the supply of New 31 per Cents.,2o 113
DDuljtoenhalntheni:g° n.-
2t -25 pd saving. After considerable difficulty the men accomplished
'which are 954 to -5. Bank Stock is heavy at 2171. their task.. They then conveyed their hose into the houses 3 - 35 p
be--
x2O all East Indian
.r.equer Bills are ss. to Bs. premium. Nos. 25 and 27, the former occupied by Mr. Skee, general 20 2 Do. Extension id -5 p
Foreign securities have been dull. Mexican are merchant, and the latter by Mr. Bowling, boarding 5 all Gt. Indian Peninsula
20 10 Ga. Janet. of France 25 - 3 p
!:,t at 24 to 4, and Spanish Deferred 3 per Cents.lo Gd. Trunk. of Canada
house keeper. The roofs of each building. had taken fire,.
...
Sh nd Bonds
-"" 22. Dutch 4 per Cents. have been 97, and since
$ }, and the flames were descending rapidly into the interior,
,0
6... Russian 41 per Cents. aro 974. ~ 8 Gt. Crenatral of France' 5- 1 p
205 205 Gt. Westn. of Canada
but the men soon succeeded in checking the fire from
The English Railway Shares aro about 1 per proceeding further, although the main body of it, in Mr Shares ld - par
"lit better as respects the principal lines, the hßurgin'L remises continued raging for upwards of an ... ... Do. bonds(l iss.)lSs7 ... - ...
1 .
~2.00.0 i
a.i..115. i DDI
Leskoi ooa
m. b6uo
etupoocelnurs
s(s
zet2e. i
nsTsi. )113a108ns6ti2oe .r•.: .: _
.. .
1.- !.:1) 108
Teat
business being in Midland, North Western, Whenil subdued all that remained of the premises
woeurre'the walls , the interior was entirely consumed, and
"Teat Western, and Aberdeen. French shares are
also better. the roof and floors. had fallen in. An intense frost pre-
vailed at the time, so great, indeed, that the firemen 5 4 Lucca andt Pistoja,ref. 5 _
...d
The Gold Mine Shares are dull, the Banks firm, were coated with ice, and icicles were hanging from 11 104
%I the Land Companies' neglected. 2010 15
10
DLpu:e.linaecmeniblwonaPryg)
_...- 17145 7
their helmets, an occurrence that has not been expo-
-14 - 25 45 5
rienced since the night when the Old Royal Exchange 5
5 3Do l5
(Canal) l/ - 2i
BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY. was burnt down, in January, 1838.
10 5 Do. 6p. cent. pref. e. - •••1)
(From the Official List.) Mr. Braidwood, the superintendent of the brigade 20 12 Lyons & Mediterran. ... - ...p
Rushiess done. who was present at the fire, has made the following re. 20 105 Madras i- 1 P 115
Rank
3 Stock ............ ......... . ........... ...... 2175 port to the different insurance companies on the cha 335 29 Maria Antonia - •..
3 Per Cent. Reduced Annuities 94k -.
New
Cent, Consols Annuities •hut ratter of the property destroyed and •damaged :-The 20 2 Melbourne Dk. & Ry. ... - •••
' 31 per Cent. Annuities 054 54 5 4 premises No. 26, Great Winchester-street, London. 20 all Namur & Liege (with
. Consols for Opening 18th Jan. - 4 31 wall, tenanted by Mr. Burgin, upholsterer, for the most interest 7l - 91
Exchequer Bills, Id. 20 all Do. (ex interest) . - •••
part destroyed ; cause of fire unknown ; insured in the 16 all Northern of France 35 - 351 355
£l000
X5OO SS p Royal Exchange office. No. 27, in the same street, oc- 20 all Do. 201. 3p. c. Bds..
Binall 5B p fray B.&Ams.Shs.] ... - ...
cupied by Mr. Bowling, boarding-house keeper, roof {- • 7. 8
10 all NorwegianTrnk.Pref 8 -
__l
PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY. and upper part of the premises damaged by fire, and the 20 10 Paris and Lyons 165 -16 p 263 5
Danish Bonds, 1825, 3 per Cent Bl contents by water ; insured in the Phoenix office. No. 40 40 Do. bonds -•-•
a.ni.tto 5 per Cent .. .
Isexican 3 per Cent. - damaged , insured in the Atlas office. Three houses on 20 all Paris and Orleans.... 46 -
.4-B__
20 all Paris and Rouen 4l. -43
„ Ditto for the Account..
4tssian Bonds, 1822, 5 per Cent. £St - the opposite side of the street, fronts much scorched, &c. 20 4 ParisCaen&Cherbrg. 3- 4 p
e,.Ditto 45 per Cent 975 8 Another fire broke out about the same time as the 104 104 Quebec & Richmond id - 4 d
i'dnulait Bonds, 5 per Cent 9O above did, in the neighbourhood of Chapel-street, West- 20 all Rouen and Havre .... 19 - '2O
?parish Bonds, 3 per Cent 464 1 20 9 Royal Danish ld - par
Paalish New Deferred, 3 per Cent. 22 minster, which destroyed part of the house occupied by 5 2 Royal Swedish 1 - 5 d
ii b Dividends on the above payabieln London.
Mr. Baker before it could be got under. 20 all Sambre and Meuse Si
10 6 130.55 per cent. pref - 9
•81
... - ...
etch Exchange, 25 per Cent. 12 Gull • 645 20 2 S.E. of France ... -- •
.-
Ditto 4 per Cent. Certificates .....
THE TURKISH QUESTION.-A requisition is in course 20 6 Southern of France.. 4- •6
p
THREE O'CLOCK. of signature for presentation to the churchwardens of '2O 6 St. Andrews &Quebec ... - ...
20 2s. Upper India Scrip.,. ... - ...
Consols for Opening 18th January.... ..... 934 4x d St. Pancras, calling upon them to convene a public 8/ all West Flanders 45 -4/
meeting to protest against the supineness of the Govern- 20 10 Do. 55 per c. Prof , • 4 - 5 d
44 W INTELLIGENCE-(THIS DAY). meet
active upon
measuresthe against Turkish
th e question,aggres
s ioannsdo
ft to
Russia,
more 20i 10 Westernof France 75 -84 p
4West. - lid
-••• 2O 2 Wiesbaden
A CHRISTMAS " GHOST" STORY.-On Sunday' even- •• - •••
SECONDARIES' COURT. ing, about half-past nine o'clock, the pedestrians near 20 12 Zealand 45 -4 d
(Before Mr. Secondary Potter.) Everton-crescent were startled by hearing strange
sounds proceeding from the chapel of the Rev. J. LINES LEASED AT FIXED RENTALS.
JOHNSON V. COOPER.
Kelly, at the corner of Field-street. At first the
A QUESTION AS TO COUNTY COURTS. noise was only indistinct, and passers-by stopped and Sbr. Paid RAILWAYS. Leasing °losing Prices Business
• Th.
. is was an action to recover the sum of 121. 17s. on wondered, but, intent on their own pleasure, 'went Cog this day. this day.
- bill
la. of exchange. their way and thought no more about it. Not so, - _
. ',r• J. R. Chidley, Gresham-street, appeared for the hhoeweehver,
la. number of ohfe curiosity-hunters, u
thente r s ,
uw nhdoshorufnnugentdar
abanonudet 50 all
B lßedfordetehi
eya.n.d. Ln.& N. W. . _ .. .
Plaintiffcufriollsity-
O:/ and proved the acceptance, &c., and the only
roundt age yedrifice, indulging in a varietys , St. 100 Buckghamsh. L. &N.W. 101 - 103
brj_eetion taken was, that the" action ought to have beenso all Clydesdale Je. Called= ... 51 - 52
conjectures, and speculating as to what they could
be, ono or two of the more experienced hazarding St.
`',...nght in the County Court. lOO E.Liucoln. gr.
Gt.Northn 142 - 145
er:3-r- Chidley, in reply, contended that there was a the remark that they. had " seen something" flash 25 all Glas. Barr. & Caldonian.
6 p. cent
gcnrrent jurisdiction, and that the plaintiff could - •••
maintain his action in the superior court. altogether, and although this fact was more remarkable, 2; all Do. New Do - ...
The lea still the coldness of the night drove the ghost-hunters 25 all Glstr.&Dn.Fr. Elt.litestn 3O - 32
learned Secondary held to that effect, and refused away, one old woman alone retaining her post, positive 100 all Hrtlpl. Dk. & Yk. New
t° grant any certificate to deprive plaintiff of costs, which that there "must be something" in it. Herpatience
Ivouldßailway & Berw.. ... - •.:
- Only cause delay, and in this case it would appear was also giving way, and she was in the act of moving te 50 all Hull & Selby Y.&N.Md. 109
644
_-- 151-5-15
defeat justice, from the spot when a loud rumbling noise was heard, fol- 25 all Do. 8 Shares Do
kr, • lowed by a tremendous knocking at one of the doors, and 12:1 all Do. i Shares. Do - 28
. Chidley said he was perfectly open to discuss the
blouteB,t.ion before one of the learned judges at Chambers, immediately succeeded by loud shrieks and cries for help 124 all Lon.&Greenw S. Eastern.
214354
....-
2154 i
20 all Do. Preference Do
it appeared to him that the defendant must show which caused the old lady to shudder. Still she kept her'
presence of mind, and induced a young man to climb St. 100 Lowestoft gr.
veryi,ri,ong grounds before the plaintiff would be de- over the railings, and make inquiries as to whence the St. 100 Do. 6 per ct... Do - -
4 per cent... Norfolk - 95
th.
the
of costs when circumstances had driven him to untimely sounds proceeded, for she was now certain 55 all Manch.Bxton. Ln.&N..W.
in7:perior Court-indeed, in many instances, litigancy that no ghost ever made such a noise before. The and Matlock & Midld. 21 - 3
Au all Middlesbro' & tc
county courts led to ver great expenses. young man soon ascertained that the " spirit-rapper"
v 50 SDakrtictinn eds.
...
......
...
was a little girl, who had been sent to chapel by
100 all Midld.Eradfcl. Midland 99 - 101
deprive verdict was given for they plaintiff, the certificate to her parents, where the effects of the Christmas cheer she Redcar
the plaintiff of costs being refused, had partaken of,at dinner had caused her to indulge in 50 all NEoarsttheezpand
c. E. Count.. 60 - 62 604
_ a quiet nap. On the congregation dispersing she did 5
44 ,
IaBOROUG.H-STREET-(THIS DAY.) all Do. 6 per ct.. Do ......... ... - •..
not awake, and being so very little (only four years old) 5. all Do.Fixedsp.c Do ... ..... ... - ...
she had been overlooked by the chapel-keeper in his ee all Prest. &W re L. CS. W.
____,_. dzLn&Yk ... - rounds and locked in. Her screems on being dig-
/
'-
desie,....y4iciaskatr,doßn ranwhite, who was brought. up on Thurs. covered were fearful, and it was no easy matter to pacify 112 Do. 5 Share. Do - -
a charge of sending certain anonymous her. At length the chapel-keeper was found, the doors
140tetresett0 Mr. Owen, the secretary to the London Trade opened, and the unwilling prisoner released, when shel42 - 145
his b Jon Society, appeared againito. day in answer to flew, rather than ran, home, none the worse for her im- S,.
100100
DRooy.sshtnep.dithH.sistt.: Gpto.Northn 142 - 145
ail. 2) 181 Shef. Roth. & Lancash.&
trat The solicitor having exp eine to the magic- prisonment, though dreadfully frightened. The strange Goole g. 5. p.c Yorksh ' ... - d
:-.11..(111‘,at a most humble apology had been made to noises which first attracted the notice of pedestrians in 12 95 S. Stafiordsh.. MrMClean 2 - lid
m'rego thso all WearValleygr Stockt. dz
en, and that genti"nar, had been induced to the street were caused by the child wandering about the n
Isis r.,,Thaeiza. prnoesesecu.tioni; on the prisoners entering into chapel in search of a place of exit, in the course of which 25 all D6orr Do 3O -31
cent ... Darling ... - -
149,„
__ e sum of 1007., to be of good be- sho several times stumbled against the pew-doors.- St. 100 Wilts4Soulrat Gt.Weetn 99 - 100
' '"' v.r tia6 144 twelve months. Liverpo4 rifPN.

. 100
100
:5 30

;0 5
it. 100
.5 an

3il all

5 all
7 2
64 all

61 all
LO all
;0 all

5 I all

FOREIGN.
10 6 Antwip &Rotterdam 2 lid 4
5 3 Belgian East. Juliet. 1 1 A
20 8 Beziers to Graissessac 3 --- 2 d
.. . . Central of Italy
20 all Charleroi & Erquelin 13 15
174 all Demerara..
20 10 Dijon and Besagon • 2 -
20 S Dutch Rhenish
20 all East Indian 3 34 p
20 2 Do. Extension id 4 p
5 all Gt. Indian Peninsula p
20 10 Gd. Juliet. of France 24 3 p
... 10 Gd. Trunk. of Canada
Shrs. and Bonds 4 3d 64
20 8 Gt. Central of France 4 1 p
201 20 Gt. Westn. of Canada
Shares ld par
Do. bonds(l i55.)1657
. . ... Do. bonds (2 i55.)1862
204 104 Hamilton & Toronto id 4 p 104
11'0 all Do. 6 per cent — •.•
20 5 Lake Const. & Basle ... ..•
5 4 Lucca and Pistoja, 5
per cent. pr0f....... . ...d
20 15 Luexembourg lO4 ilk 11 ioi
10 10 Do. (Railway) 64 74 7
5 2Do l4 24 44 5
5 3 Do. (Canal) l4 24
10 5 Do. 6p, cent. prof. ••• ...p
20 12 Lyons & Mediterran. ...p
20 104 Madras 4 1 P 114
334 29 Maria Antonia
10 10 Do. New
20 2 Melbourne Dk. &Ry — •.•
20 all Namur & Liege (with
interest 7i 84
20 all Do. (ex interest) • •••
16 all Northern of France 35 354 35}
20 all Do. 20/. 3p. c. Bds
[fmy.B.&Ams•Shsi ••• •••
10 all NorwegianTrnk.Pref 74
8
20 10 Paris and Lyons 164 —161 p
40 40 Do. bonds
20 all Paris and Orleans 46 —4B
20 all Paris and Rouen 4l. —43
20 all Paris and Strasbourg 324 —33
20 4 ParisCaen& Cherbrg. 3 4 p
104 104 Quebec & Richmond id 4 d
20 all Rouen and Havre .... 19 20
20 9 Royal Danish id par
5 2 Royal Swedish l— 4 d
20 all Sambre and Meuse B4 9 81
10 6 Do. 54 per cent. pref ...
20 2 S.E. of France -
20 6 Southern of France 4•— • 6 p
20 6 St. Andrews &Quebec •••
20 2s. Upper India 5crip......-
8i all West Flanders 4 4i
20 10 Do. 54 per c. Pref ,
20 10 Western of France 7 —B4 p
1G 4 West. of Switzerland lt lid
20 2 Wiesbaden
20 12 Zealand

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, DEC EMBER 30, 1853.

MARKET .NEWS-(THIS DAY.)

Aberdeen .•
Do., No. 2, 7 p. c...
Blyth & Tyne 10 por
ct. pref. (iss. at£so)
: • tol & Exeter 4 pr
cent., stock
111 g. Do., shares
aledonian £lO
Chester & Holyhead
'Guar. 54 per cent
Cork &Bandon 5 p.c
Dundee Perth&Aber-
deen Junction
EastAnglian (£3los)
6 per cent
Do. (£5) 7 per cent
Do. (£7175) 7 p. ct
Eastern Counties Ex-
tension, 5 p. c. No.l
Do., No. 2.... .....
Do., New 6 p. c. St
Eastern Union, Scrip
Guar. 6 per cent
Do. £lO Deben. Sh...
EastLancash. 6 p.cts
East & West Yorksh
Junction Fifths
Edinb.Prth.&Dundee
4 per cent.
Glasgow & s.Western
guar. 5 per cent
Great Northrs 5 p.c 1
Do. 5 p. c.,Red.eem.,
at 10 p. c. prom
Do. 4 percent. Scrip
Gt.N. of Scot. ,lst Prof
Gt. Southu. &Westn.
(Ireland) Eighths
Do. 4 per ct. pref. St
Gt. Westn. (Berks
Hants Ex. 5 p. c.)
Do. con. & red. 4i per
Do. do. 4 per cent 1
Do. irrodeem. 4 p. c.
Lan. & York. F. £2O,
Do., 6 p. c., Stock
Leeds Nn. 6p. c. No.l
Do. Quarters, 1848...
London andlßrighton

6 I- iiii

1003/4 993/4

CO RN EXCHANGE.

0 24

6i -- 61
1 -- 41
51 -- 6
-- 1p
-- 10
1* -- I#k
13i -- 14

Fresh up to this m oming's market, the arrivals of Eng-
lish wheats were very limited; hence, the show of samples
was comparatively s' Ca all. The attendance of both town
and country millers the ing good, the demand for all kinds
ruled active, at an t ►cl vance in the prices of last week of
from 2s to 3s per qu alter, and a clearance was speedily
effected.

There was a good•ir tsquiry for foreign wheat, partly for
shipment to the Cont; itient, and prices were from 2s to 3s
per quarter higher th an on Friday last. The imports are
only 4,570 quarters.
_ _ _

Floating Cargoes so Ed freely, and the quotations had an
upward tendency.
We had rather arc active inquiry for barley, and fine
parcels advanced is p or quarter.
Malt was in short s upply and good request., at extreme
quotations.

The oat trade was: ether active, and good dry corn pro-
duced Gd to is per qi tarter more money. •
White peas were lsto 2s higher. Grey and maple, as
well as beans, move( L off readily at extreme rates.
The flour trade wr a firm, and American barrels were is
dearer.

20 - 21

.0 all
it. 100
5 all

ARRIVALS THIS WEER.
Wheat. Barley. I Malt. I Oats.
1,110 1,720 1,640 3,240
4,570 1,780

2i -

English ..
Irish .. ••
Foreign ..

Flour.
890

8:2-50 I 9,76-01br8

;t. !ID°

,120 - 122

SMITHFIELD.

it. 100
;t. 100

1109 - 110
, - fi P

To-day's market was fairly supplied with beasts as to
number, but their general quality was inferior. Prime
Scots, &c., sold ste tadily, at full prices. Otherwise, the
beef trade ruled dual, at Monday's currency. Prime Down
sheep were scarce, and quite as dear as last week. All
other breeds were i n moderate request on former terms.
Calves—The suppl: r of which was limited—sold slowly ;
but no actual chan go took place in their value.
Mulch cows were very dull, at from 141. to 191. each, in-
cluding their small calf.

0 10
.0 4
64 all

8 - 8A

6 7
101 103
95 100
98 100
id par
143 145

••• ."--.

• •• ^. •

Guar►nteed 5 P. c...
Do. Pref., 5 p. c. St.
Do. Convertible, sp.

•••

••• ..-. •

- -
c., 1852
Do. New Guar. 6p.c
Loud. & N. W., Coy
& Nun., 5 per cent
London & S. Western,
Con. Thirds
Londonderry& Coler

••• ''''' .

... •.

... - •

23/4 - 3

6 Shares ..............
Lonely. & Ennis. 6 Sh
Nlanch.,Shof & Lin

12i - 13
7 - 8
- I}Q

. .
I Sharos, No. 1
Do. New, £lO
Do., 26 • ......
Marypt.dtearl. 4 p. c.
I Do. 4i per cent.
I._

• •• '''

••• '-'''

Do .................
Mid. Consol. 6 p• c. St
Do. Consol. Bristol &
Birm. 6 per cent
Do. Pref. 4i per cent
Norfolk Debent. Sh
Norfolk Extension
Do. Pref. 5i per ct
Do. Way. Val. 5 p c
North British
North Staffordshire
" xford Worcester &
Wolverh. 1'.15,6p. c
0

•• • ''''

••• '''''

141 - 143
-
106 11.6
112 - 116

•• -

23' L ii

1102 - 104

cot. Cen., Now Pref.
hrews& Birm. N. (4.
Shrewsby. & Chester
(Nor.W.Min),B p. c.
Do. 5 per cent
South Devon
Do. New

9t - 10
151 - 161
9 - 104
- 151
d- ip

S. Eastern (Reading
Ann.,) of £1 09.6 d.
S.Yorksh.4p.o. Guar.'
\Vaterfd. op. c.
York Newcastle and'
Berwick, 4 p.c.Pref.

23 24
17 19
1 —d,

95 - 98
3 - 41

Do.
York& N. Midland H
k S. Purch

0 -

THE MILITARY STRENGTH OF RUSSIA. I like them, they became a formidable obstacle to all the
reforms contemplated by the State, and especially so in
thd army.
Peter I. soon had to suffer from the impudence of
the Strelitz. He got rid of the ambitious soldiery in a
bloody, but efficacious manner, in the midst of one of
tlitzi most dangerous wars which Russia had for a long
ti im
sustained.
rom the feeble nucleus of the compaigne d' agrement
e w ch in his early years he had organised, Peter I. had
co enced the formation of an army after the European
fa i ion, destined to supersede the Asiatic troops Which
toad in Russia. The regiments Itroobajeuski and
S menowski, which now a iieye Inrm the Imperial
Guard, were the first regiments of the new army.*
They were created by voluntary enrolment, chiefly from
anliong the lesser nobility ; but, in consequence of the
unwarlike character of the Russians, this system of en-
rolment did not keep pace with the wants of the new
army, and Peter I. introduced the recruiting system as
it exists at present. The obligation of the nobility to
serve in the feudal army was extended to the permanent
arrny, and the only choice allowed to a gentleman was
the pai ticular troop or regiment into which he was to
enter as a common soldier. This system was maintained
until the reign of Catherine 11., who abolished the direct
obligation, and substituted for it the indirect obligation
which is in force at the present day.
Peter reaped the first fruits of his military reforms,
even before the suppression of the Strelitz, in the con-
quest of Azoff and in a victory gained over the Turks
and Tartars by the Black Sea. He then attempted to
give weight to Russian power in the political balance of
Europe ; but he was made to feel the superiority of
European tactics at the battle of Narva, where 15,000
Swedes compelled 80,000 Russians to lay doWn their
arms.

The Spectateur Militaire contains an article on

the armies of Russia, of some value at the present
moment. It is an analysis, with comments, of a
pamphlet recently published by Baron Auguste
de Haxthaussen ;I• the pamphlet itself being an
extract from a work in three volumes, published
originally in 1848, under the title, Etudes sur la
Situation Interieure, la Vie Nationale, et les Insti-
tutions Burales de la Russie.
The Spectateur observes„ that the author seems
designedly to have chosen such burning epochs as
1848 and 1853 as fitting seasons to lay before
Western Europe a work in which the strength and
resources of the Muscovite Colossus, as we have
been accustomed to think him, are detailed with an
enthusiasm amounting to exaggeration. Whatever,
however, may have been th e author's motive, his book
deserves attention, as from its perusal we may attain
to a fair approximation to a knowledge of the
numbers which the Czar can actually call into the
field ; as to the quality of these numbers, events in
actua progress will soon give us some practical
knowledge. Baron Haxthaussen gives most im-
portant information as to the heterogeneous ele-
ments which compose the Russian army—its re-
sourees of every kind, prepared now for a long
time—its formation and numerical strength. He
considers the Great Army of Operations, as the
active army is called, to be remarkable for the
speed of its movements,—" Son armke active, dite
Grande Armee d'Operation, est d'une mobilite re-
marquable ;" upon which the Spectateur observes
that experience has always proved the contrary.
However rapid the movements of a Russian army
may have been when fairly in an enemy's land,—
witness Suwarrow's brilliant campaign in Northern
Italy and Switzerland in 1799,
—yet history always
tells us, at the commencement of a war, of allies
looking with anxious glance to the North for their
pected succour, and in imminent danger of utter
destruction pending its arrival. We must, indeed,
except the prompt and rapid movement of the
Russians when called to the suppression of the
Hungarian insurrection.

This defeat, and the symptoms of internal de-organisa.
tion which it revealed, did not discourage Peter I. The
very greatness of that disaster turned to his profit, for
Charles XII., despising his adversary, let slip the occa-
sion for completely humbling Russia. Peter assembled'
a fresh army, enrolled officers, and learnt from the
Swedes the art of conquering at the cost of great defeats
and some feeble successes. Niue years later Charles
XII. learnt at Pultowa the mistake he had committed
at Narva.
After the death of Peter I. the Russian army found
in Mentschikoff, Munich, and Keith, men able to carry
on the work of the great reformer. The successes of
Russian army were for a long time confined to victories
over the Turks and the Poles, troops which at that time
Were not held in high consideration in Europe ; but be-
fore the battle of Zorndoff, Keith wrote to Frederic,
" Pour vaincre les Russes, it faut lea battue en breche et
les demolir comma une forteresse."
The Russians had stood firmly at Zorndoff and at
Kunersdorf ; and Europe learnt that an obstinate de-
fence was well suited to their national character. This
opinion has obtained credit by the great defensive bat-
tles of the Russians against Napoleon. Suwarrow also
proved that the Russian armies like all good troops,
only require exercise and an able commander to distin-
guish themselves in attack as well as in defence. Fhe
march of this general through Switzerland shows what
can be done by Russian troops.
In 1700 the Russian army was the laughing-stock of
Europe at the battle at Narva. The same army quitted
the field of war in 1799 greatly to the regret of its
allies. This army (we are still translating from Ilex-
thaussen), like all other European armies, was unable to
withstand the superiority of French troops commanded
by Napoleon ; but even in succumbing it had the glory
of giving more trouble to the great captain of his time
than any other.
Since this period the Russian army has made some
great and glorious expeditions in Asia and in Europe. A
sovereign who is every inch a soldier, says our Baron,
tout militaire—as energetic as he is intelligent, has, dur-
ing 25 years, spared neither trouble nor expense to
strengthen and to perfect his army and to get rid of
numberless abuses. In short, the Russian army, both
as to numbers, organisation, and instruction, is very
different from what it was in Germany and even it
Poland.

We must observe that Baron Haxthaussen is
absolutely carried away by his enthusiasm for
Russia. His comparisons are ill-chosen. Surely,
in comparing the military organization of Russia
of the present day with that of France, it is not
with the administration of Louis XIV. or Louis
XV. that the comparison should have been made,
but with that of his Imperial Majesty Napoleon
111. On this subject the Spectateur justly
remarks,—
" Why speak of the Sybaritism and lax discipline of
the French troops during the seven years' war ? Com-
pare the Russian soldiers who fought in the Caucasian
wars with our soldiers daily engaged at the foot of the
Atlas range ; speak to us of our army of Italy, which
has saved the capital of the Christian world."
The Baron attaches great importance to the names
given to each regiment in the Russian army, in-
stead of a simple number, as in the French army.
It is rather characteristic of our gallant neigh-
bours,over the water to attach much importance
to such a small matter ; but the Spectator re-
marks,—
"This system has been kept up in Russia in order to
perpetuate the historic souvenirs of each regiments, and
to revive at the moment required the passive courage
of the Russian soldier. This system, which may be well
suited to nations among whom men are slow and difficult
to be aroused, was suppressed in France at the great re-
rolution, as it recalled the ancient divisions, feudal and
se7gneurales, and was opposed to that amalgamation of
the French people which produced strength by unity.
Great advantages have accrued in the recruiting of the
French armies by this change, and the memorable battles
of the Pyramids, of Arcola, f Rivoli, Marengo, Auster-
litz, Jena, Eylau, Friesland, Wagram, Moscowa, Lutzen,
Bautzen&c., prove that the mere numbering of our regi-
ments has not lowered the intrinsic courage of our soldiers.
If at a later period the restored familyresumed the plan of re-
cruiting by departments. as formerly the recruitment had
been by provinces ; and if we had the legion of Calvados, of
L'Herault, of the Cantal, &c., it was evidently done to
please the old Courts of Europe ; for as soon as France
was again free in her movements she got rid of the re-
maining marks of feudalism to return to the plan of
simple numbering of regiments, which admits of an
equalisation of physical strength."
The Spectateur then proceeds to say that the
Russians regiments, already locally named, receive
a number to show their place in order of battle,
whether they be cavalry or infantry, just as our
Scots Greys are the 2d Regiment of Dragoons—
nulli secundus, as they proudly add on their
achievements—just as our Enniskillen Dragoons
are our 6th Regiment; just as our East Kent re-
giment (the Buffs) is our 3d Regiment of Infantry
our Ist Warwickshire is our 6th Regiment, our
East Norfolk is our 9th, our Yorkshire East Riding
is our 15th, our Leicestershire our 17th, our Royal
Irish our 18th, our Cheshire our 22d, our Royal
Welsh Fusiliers our 23d,- and so on to the 99th.
The Spectateur cqntinues,—
" We infinitely regret that a deplorable partiality
pervades this pamphlet, in which the author be-
comes the apologist of all the measures of the Rus-
sians—political, administrative, and military—and the
depreciator of every Western idea. If M. de Haxthaus-
sen were not an admirer of quand meme of the Russian
Government, he would certainly have expended his
criticisms, not on the measures exported from Paris to
St. Petersburg, but their unreasonable application to
men unable to appreciate their value, or who, in their
itnprudent pride, thought it was sufficient to copy what
was done in France in order to raise a Russian to the
elevated position of a French soldier."

* The Ismailowski Regiment was also of this numbe
but it was not formed until 1730, by the Empress Ann, to
support the old regiments.

These are but French opinions of Russian sol-
diers ; but, as we are quoting a military periodical
in high repute in France, and a devoted Bona-
partist organ, we think we are not wasting time in
recording such opinions. Our French editor pro-
ceeds to say,—

" We liave too high an opinion of M. de Haxthaussen
not to be convinced that he well knows that every
people has its own peculiar stamp, and that, in spite of
the efforts of the Emperor Nicholas, the Russians have
to undergo many a change ere they reach the level of
soldiers of Western Europe"—that is to say of French
soldiers, as we do not suppose that our military editor
means to assert the inferiority of Russian troops, either
to Spaniards or to Portuguese. Whether Englishmen
are included under the name Western Europeans, or
whether we are still to be classed as " des fieres inset-
laires," and nothing more, we know not.
The Spectateur continues,—
" That part of the work which relate to the Cossacks,
seems to us to be written truthfully, and in great de-
tail. The author, after conferring the highest praises
on these troops, finishes by somewhat qualifying his
estimate of their real value, and what he says of their
utility in war is incontestable, and has been already
pointed out, to the Emperor Nicholas by a Russian gene-
ral officer in a memoir, entitled " The Cossacks, and
their Usefulness in War."
The Spectateur's comments on the concluding
portion of Baron Haxthaussen's book, which treats
of the naval strength of Russia, we translate ver-
batim :

" Our author (Ifaxthaussen)," say the Speetateur,
" always abounding in courtesy to the Czar, exclaims,
without attempting to prove what would indeed be most
difficult of proof, that the fleet is completely equipped
and efficiently manned (compl4tement equip6e, et p,,iilr
vue d'un nomhreux personnel). We willingly admit that
the Russian navy is well equipped, but M. de Haxthaus-
sen must agree with us that good materials alone are
not sufficient to constitute a good navy, as men must,
above all, be thoroughly accustomed to-the sea to be of
any use. Now, surely it is not in the Black Sea that
the Russian navy can acquire this experience ; coasting
is all that can be learnt there. As to the fleet in the Bal-
tic, the ice holds it prisoner for five months, and when
the tardy thaw does set it free, it is in vain that it looks
on the distant horizon amid the /nighty waves_uefxn
the
e
h
ocean, for its other half; its younger sister of tl
Sea. What can we think offleet E which
can only manoeuvre for one
single month state o
in a
the
year
?"
We have now done with our French editors 's com-
ments on his Russianized countryman'stneletter. We shall bear
will proceed to an analysis ofalection with which his own
in mind the Muscovite
pre
and take all his statements
countryman charges hymn of salt.
with an apportion °
Btngstitutions which actually exist in
The remarkablo i.
be ell back to the reign of Peter I. ; but
Russia may periodt3the military power of this empire has
since that
extended vastly. With the exception of the Cossacks
and the militia, all the regular army may de looked upon ,
work of his (Peter's) hands.
a 3 the
Peter I. was not the first Russian monarch who saw
the superiority of Western military art, and who endea-
voured to introduce it into his own army. Ivan 111.,
between 1462
and 1503, had attempted to organise a per-
inanent army ; but the scanty intercourse between Rus-
sia and Western Europe kept Russia from a thorough
acquaintance with the progress of the art of war, and
opposed various obstacles to the military reforms pro-
posed
by the Czars. The national spirit of the Rus-
sians, moreover, repels, with an antipathy often fanati-
cal, whatever comes from a foreign source.
The Russian army was composed at that time of a
feudal curiere ban, -I' of an effective force of about
260,000 men. This army, w • hich had all the defects in-
herent in feudal arrays, and which was strongly marked
with the military manners of Asia, was grouped, in time
of war, around a nucleus of permanently levied troops,
the greater part of which were composed of the famous
Strelitz.
The Strelitiz, who were raised by Alexis Michaelo-
witz, father of Peter I. to about 40,000 men, bore a
strong resemblance to the Janissaries, not only in their
organization and privileges, but also in their qualities
and in their defects. Like the Janissaries, the Strelitz
formed the nucleus of the army when they manifested
bravery and usefulness in time of war ; like the Janis-
saries, demoralized by their privileges in time of peace,
I they became an arrogant and factious soldiery ; and,