The Sun.
London, England, 1854-06-15 00:00:00

those in authority. Here the lower classes, not without
the countenance and instigation of the priesthood, have
settled that the anger of the Propin t is due to the short-
comings of the later Sultans and their Executives, and
that no miraculous interference is to be expected with-
out a general return to the rigid observances and edify-
ing exclusiveness of ancient days. The prophecy which
limits the Ottoman sway in Constantinople to 400 years
is equally accepted by Turk and Rayah ; indeed, it has
probably a Mussulinan origin. It is a most widely-
extended legend, and prevails universally, from the Per-
sian Gulf to the White Sea. After all it has not been a
successful prediction, for here we are under the Sultan's
sway one whole year after the Russian advent has become
due. But a superstition does not die easily, and the
despondent among the faithful have discovered the rea-
son why the decree of fate has been thus deferred. The
present year is a year of grace given at the intercession
of the Prophet to his people, in order that they maY
prepare themselves for the great change ; and even after
this year a few more may be added to the term of em-
pire ; but they will all, be years of grace. Another
piece of divination which has made its way among the
pious somewhat concerns ourselves. Theologians
in
Turkey, as elsewhere, are anxious to spy into the
future, and the method they adopt is that species of con-
juring with texts which was in use in our own dark ages.
A passage of the Koran is taken which seems to bear
on some event of the present time ; to each of the Arabic
characters a numerical value is attributed, and the whole
are added together. The sum will give the date of the
year in which the event will be accomplished. There is
a passage in the Koran to this effect,—"The Prophet
wishes his people to succeed, but there are obstacles
against it." The letters added together give 1,270, the
present year. What, then, are the obstacles which
prevent tl. e success of the Prophet's chosen ?
doubtedly the presence of allies who do not reverence
his name. If left alone the Moslem could easily•deal
with the Moscow giaours, assisted, as believers would
be, by supernatural assistance ; but, as they call to
their aid infidel assistance, they must be left to fight
with mere mortal weapons. The boatman who relates
these pious legends will then break out into invectives.
against the fallen stlte of Ministers and generals.
" Does Reschid Pasha fast ? Does the Seraskier repeat
his nasnaz five times a-day ? If these great men violate
the sacred precepts, how can it be wondered at that ca-
lamity should be coming on those they govern.—Tinter
Correspoizdent.

COMMOTION IN THE CRIMEA.
The Aloniteur de la Platte quotes a letter from
the Black Sea, of the 24th ult., stating that con-
siderable ferment prevailed in the Crimea, in con-
sequence of a decree of the Governor of the pro-
vince, ordering all the seamen engaged in the coast-
ing trade, without exception, to repair forthwith to
Sebastopol, where they were to be incorporated;
with the Russian navy. Many of those unfortunate
men have fled with their families, to avoid that
incorporation.