The Sun.
London, England, 1854-07-10 00:00:00

soundings off the island of Cronstadt, are stated to
have discovered three infernal machines" moored
under water. A Russian man-of-war steamer
made an attempt to come outside Tolboukin Light-
house on the 27th inst., but perceiving that two of
the English squadron at anchor in the vicinity were
getting under weigh to intercept her, she put her
helm up, and took shelter under the outermost
battery.

The various ships in the fleet made all possible
sail on the 28th inst., for the purpose of exercising
their respective crews. It being the anniversary of
her Britannic Majesty's Coronation, the flags of
England, France, and Turkey were hoisted—those
of the two former nations flying conjointly at the
mainmast heads of every ship. At noon, a Royal
salute was fired—the bands playing the English
National Anthem.

An opinion being entertained that an attack on
Cronstadt was practicable on the northern side of
the island, Rear-Admiral Chads and Vice-Admiral
Parse val-Deschenes, accompanied by Lord C.
Paget, of the Princess Royal, the Hon. H. Keppel,
of the St. Jean d'Acre, and others, embarked ou the
2th in the Driver, paddle-wheel steamer, and
proceeded as far up the Channel as was ne-
cessary, in order to judge by personal observa-
tion the nearest distance off the town which could
be approached with afety by any portion of the
ships in the fleet. I believe lam not mistaken
in informing you that the greater part of the
ships in the fleet may, without difficulty
steam up the channel on the northern
side of the island, and to take up a position
from which they might, at long range, throw
their shell, &c., into the town, and destroy
.it,
without sustaining any serious injury themselves.
The in-shore squadron of paddle and screw
steamers have captured several fishing boats, with
their crews. The enemy's coasting trade on both
sides of the Gulph of Finland is completely
stopped. _

A-.-sudden change in the temperature of the at-
mosphere, from cold to heat, has, during the last
few days, caused much sickness in most of the ships,
and several deaths have occurred. The progress of
the disease, which was of a 'formidable character,
Las fortunately been arrested by a favourable
change in the weather, and most of the patients are
rapidly approaching a state of convalescence.
Rear-Admiral Corry's squadron left Baro Sound
on the 25th inst., and are cruising balween Revel
and Sweaborg. Rear-Admiral Plumridge, in the
Leopard, with the Valorous and Odin, is in the
Gulph of Bothnia. The Vulture, Captain Glasse,
is to proceed to England.
The Commander-in-Chief with upwards of 300
sail, 18 of which are line of battle ships, will remain
off Cronstadt until further instructions from the
English Government. The yachts Esmeralda and
Gondola have been in company with the fleet for
several weeks past.

THE MILITARY EXPEDITION TO THE
BALTIC.-OBJECT OF ENGLAND AND
'FRANCE.

The object of the French and English Govern-
ments in sending out reinforcements of land troops
to the Baltic, says a letter from Paris, is now be-
ginning to be known.- It appears that a third
attack is to be made on the fortresses in the island
of Aland, and that the island itself is to be taken
military possession of as a point d'appui fortifie at
the entrance of the Gulf of Finland. General
Baraguay d'Hilliers, who is to command the French
division, is now at Boulogne inspecting the troops.
General Renault is to be the second in command.
General Niel, is a distinguished general of engi-
neers, who was chosen by Marshal Vaillant to ac-
company him to Rome at the period of the siege
of that city in 1849, accompanies General Bara-
guay d'Hilliers. At the period of the siege of Rome,
General Niel was only a colonel ; he is now a
general of division. The selection of an officer of
such high rank to command the engineers is con-
sidered as a sufficient proof of the great importance
attached to the expedition to Finland by the Go-
vernment. It is intended that the operations to
be undertaken shall be of such a character that the
allies will be enabled to establish themselves firmly
in the island of Aland.