The Sun.
London, England, 1854-09-29 00:00:00

TEE RUSSIAN PRISONERS.

The Courrier de l'Eure publishes another letter
from the Ile d'Aix, on the subject of the Russian
prisoners. We extract as follows:
"I cannot ray too much of the docility, mildness, and
submission of the Russian soldiers. They are at liberty
to move about in the island, under the condition of an-
swering.to their names when called over three times a
day, twice at meals, and a third time in the middle of
the day. They submit without difficulty to the duties
imposed on them. What is most remarkable is the disdain
with which they are treated by their officers ; the latter
scarcely give them a look, notwithstanding the respect-
ful, nay, servile attitude, which the soldiers assume at
their approach. They appear quite delighted when we
return by a movement of the head the salutation which
they give us in passing. Before alluding to the officers,
on whom I have some serious observations to make, I
will say a few words of the females. With regard to their
dress, they are quite as coquetish as the French women.
They wear flounced dresses, silk mantles, handkerchiefs
very neatly arranged at the back of the bead, and
small shoes, showing a pretty foot and ankle, covered
with a stocking, very white, and carefully drawn
on. The majority of them have good teeth, and
lightish hair, very fine and silky. One only
amongst the number, a Jewess by origin, has very
black hair. The children are kept very clean, and
well dressed. The soldiers appear very well contented
with their situation, and fraternise very cordially with
our troops. Several of the latter have already turned
professors of the French language, and teach their pupils
all the slang of the camps and the barrack. It is really
curious to be present and see them taking their lessons.
We have made acquaintance with the Russian officers,
to whom we give a very cordial reception. They
accepted an invitation, and came in full uniform.
During the whole evening the conversation was very
animated, and their information has enlightened
us on many points which were before obscure or
doubtful to us. We found En' difficulty in talking
on political questions, and had no fear of either wounding
their feelings, or of having ours wounded by them. M.
Furtheim, the civil governor, who is 'officer in the Im-
perial guard, appeared much touched at our courtesy to.
wards him. 'We are only machines of war,' he said to,
me, ' once off the field of battle we have no longer ene-
mies, we have only brothers, as every religion prescribes.'
The colonel appears to be a well-informed man, particu-
larly in matters relating to gunnery ; he is well ac-
quainted with all the weapons we use, and highly praises
the carabines of our Cha,sseurs, which he considers far
superior to those of the Russians, although the latter are
lighter and shorter. Ono of the most distinguished
among the officers is Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander
Kranshold, of the Engineers, who had organised the de-
fence of Bomarsund. Ile speaks French very well and
without the slightest foreign accent. He related to me
that the system of fortifications which it had been pro-
posed to construct at Bomarsund would have been the
most formidable, and would have been composed of fif-
teen towers, united together by a wall with triple bas-
tions of granite. What impeded the works of defence
was, he said, an order given by the Emperor that, even
in the event of the most pressing danger, the foundations
of the fortifications should not bo touched. In conse-
quence of this order, the approaches to the place could
net be broken,up, and our breaching batteries were able
to place themselves in positions favourable to the attack,
and out of the reach of the Russian guns. He mentions
the fact of General Niel having been seen reconnoitring
the site for the battery which attacked the principal
tower, and could not under.tand by what miracle he es-
caped the shower of grape shot Which was discharged at
him."

ge THE SHIPWRECKED MARINER."—The Shipwrecked
Fishermen and Mariners' Royal Benevolent Society has
just published the number for October (completing the
first volume) of the above work, which is issued quar-
terly. It contains, in addition to its usual amount of
interesting matter, accounts of proceedings of a num-
ber of societies on the coast and elsewhere, established
for the benefit of the sailor. The Shipwrecked Mariner
has now obtained an extensive circulation, and we are
happy to learn from its pages that the statements it con-
tains have gained for the society many new supporters ;
and we are not surprised at this, for no one acquainted
with the workings of this great national society can fail
to give it every support in his power, and to wish it God
speed in its humane exertions for the relief of our gallant
seamen, their widows and children.

Norinfamtm.—The slight movement perceptible in
lace has been confirmed, and the autumn home trade
may therefore be regarded as having set in, although
somewhat later than usual. Hosiery business, however,
owing to the depressing reports of the United States and
Canadian harvests, has assumed a somewhat less propi-
tious aspect since the date of our last report ; whilst the
home transactions are precisely at that ebb when nobody
inclines to continue summer purchases, or for some time
to come to place winter orders. Still prices continue
firm, and the employed refuse to relax their rites.—
Notts Guardian.

THE STEAM-SHIP FRANKLIN.
slit reory
timbers
all
rn
t
erschhaanveee oafll lotose —We learn that thede
severe weather of the past few days has completely .
blocks, &c., are broken,g hetienignedtl:is steamer afloat again.
from stem to stern, and she. bendswo
• odhwae woodwork
tei:dibspatsdlalwtyeidst,hampetali,glta.erryd,
motion of the water. A large portion of her machinery
will also be lost with her.—New York Sun.
THE IRON TRADE.—BIRMINGHABIt Sept. 28.—As was
anticipated, the preliminary meeting of the ironmastera,
held here to-day, has resulted in a determination to
maintain the present prices. Besides the comparative
buoyant state of tho trade, this resolution might have
been expected from the circumstance that the bulk pf
the orders now coming in are for railways, ship-building, .
and other heavy purposes, and are, consequently, such
as are chiefly taken by the larger manufacturers, by
whom these resolutions are controlled. It may have also
. been influenced by the circumstance that pigs ;laving,
lately fallen 10s. per ton, the smaller Makers will probe-
-1 bly accept orders under the list prices, as, indeed, is
nearly the case.