The Sun.
London, England, 1854-09-30 00:00:00

HAY MARKETS.

SurrtmELD.—Meadow hay, 2/ 12; to 41 103 ; clover
ditto, 3/ lOs to 61 Os ; and straw, 1/ 8s to 11 14s per load.
A full average supply and a sluggish demand.

VG!
CUMBERLAND.-Meadow hay, 2/ 12s to 4/ 17s ; clover
,litto, 3/ Os to 5/ 18s; and straw, 1/ lOs to 1/ 16s per load.
Both hay and straw sold slowly, at our quotations.
WHrrEcHArat.—Meadow hay, 21 14s to 41 12s; clover
ditto, 3/ Os to 6! Os ; and straw, 118 s to 1/ 11s per load.
Trade dull, at barely stationary prices.

EDINBURGH CißTLE.—Considerable alterations have
for some time past been going on here. Part of the old
Armoury has been converted into storehouses and maga.
zines for gunpowder ; a large outhouse has been erected I
close to the screen-wall of the western area behind the
New Barracks, which, it is understood, will be used for
cooking purposes by the whole garrison. A stone portico
has been erected over each of the ascending back entries
from the west, which will have the effect of making.
quarters there more comfortable, by destroying the cold
currents so much complained of in easterly winds. The
heavy barricade at the Esplanade entrance, which con-
slated of indented terred loge of timber, is in progress of
dwiitin.

TEE FRENCH ARMY OF THE NORTH.

BOULOGNE, Sept. 28.—The sham-fight which has
been so long looked forward to took place yester-
day, and far exceeded the highest expectations of
what it would be. From 60,000 to 65,000 men
were present, and, although greater musters have
been seen for purposes short of actual warfare, pro-
bably on no former occasion have such large num-
'hers of soldiers been connected with so faithful and
close a representation of a real battle. In every
respect but the sad scene of the dead and the dying .
the spectacle was complete. A broad distinction
must be drawn between this sham-fight and the one
which took place the other day at Marquise. That
was a long advance in the face of an enemy, accom-
panied, indeed, by a considerable expenditure of
gunpowder—but of which the rapidly-executed
manoeuvres were the chief feature. Yesterday, on
the contrary, the spectacle exhibited was a regular
pitched battle, with upwards of 30,000 men on
either side, and the shock cf arms such as takes
place when decisive victories—those which deter-
mine the fate of nations—are contended for. A
general may have his position turned by a dexte-
rous movement °Gins adversary, and be placed at
a great disadvantage thereby; but the large results
dependent upon the fortunes of war belong to Lim
who conquers on a well-fought field. The repre-
sentation of a pitched battle, therefore, is the
grandest of military spectacles, just as its real
enactment is the most terrible If what is here
related of yesterday's sham-fight does not preserve
all the proprieties of the subject, it is due to the
number of different ways in which an event may
bo regarded. Even the fact that it assembled to-
gether and collected in one view the whole Army of
the North is not without its interest ; that army
mustered upon the frontiers of France for enter-
prises which the future still dimly foreshadows.
How many reflections does such a fact suggest ?
Who can tell where the 60,000 actors in the bloodless
strife of yesterday may next close their serried ranks
iu combat ; and what the strife, its prizes and its
sacrifices, may be ? Another consideration which
may not be withheld from this spectacle is that
which is due to the presence of the Empress.
Young and handsome, well mounted, too, on her
dapple gray Andalusian palfrey, with her picturesque
Spanish riding hat, set off by a snow white plume
that danced and fluttered as she rode—who could
see without emotion this last and most graceful
accession to the sovereign families of Europe watch-
ing, for the first time, how the soldiers fight who
put her husband upon the throne of France Per-
haps the presence of old Prince Jerome should also
be mentioned. He did not.arrive until the sham-
fight was half over, bui his being there at all con-
stitutes a portion cf the historic interest which the
event may, without exaggeration, be considered
to possess.

The district of country between Escceuilles and
Desvres has hitherto been indicated as that where
the sham-fight would probably take place, but it
is too much enclosed to admit of any extensive field
operations, and the locality actually chosen by the
Emperor proved to be far better adapted for that
purpose. It is situated on the road from Desvres
to St. Omer, by Courtraux and Senbecques, and
is one of those wide, undulating expanses of stubble
and ploughed land which seem carefully kept open
on the Continent that battles may be fought on
them. The troops coming from the four coast
camps set out for the place of rendezvous on Tues-
day, but did not march beyond the eastern verge
of the Foret de Boulogne, where, in a long line
stretched out on both sides of the Desvres high-
way, they bivouacked for the night. The posi-
tion they thus occupied was one of considerable
' strength, for they had a valley in front and the
wood behind for shelter, in case of need. The
0 artillery and Chasseurs were in front, and pickets
thrown out as in actual service. There was
nothing very worthy of remark in this mode of
bivouacking as compared with that of our
own army, except, of course, the use of the
Arab tent, which has already been frequently de-
scribed. It may, perhaps, however, be mentioned
that iu picketting the horses there are some modifi-
cations of the English practice ; one is to stretch
the rope to which they are tied on the level of the
ground, so that there is no tendency to stumHe
over it in the dark and kick ; another, but more
objectionable novelty, is the plan of tying horses
!lead-to-head on each side of the rope. How the
troops came from Helfaut, or where they bivou-
acked on Tuesday night, we are not able to state,
but. yesterday, at half-past 11 o'clock, they had
reached the eastern side of the open ground near
Courtraux. There they were joined by the bat-
talions from Equihem, a portion of the St. Omer
cavalry force going over to the battalions from the
three camps on the western side. Thus the
.army
became divided into two opposing hosts, each shel-
tered from the other by the lay of the ground, and
not very unequal in point of numbers. On the
east of the proposed battle-field were the troops of
Equihem and Helfaut, with their proper comple-
ment of artillery and cavalry, under the command_
of General Schramm ; on the west, those of Hon-
vault, Wimereux, and Ambleteuse, with artillery
and cavalry, led on by the Emperor in person.
The weather was superb—not a cloud .in the sky,
And yet a pleasant coolness abroad which helped to
keep the soldiers fresh. They were all in light
marching order, having left their tent poles behind
them. The Emperor reached the ground about 10
o'clock ; the first-hour and a half was spent by him
in seeing that the troops on both sides were pro-
perly placed. Shortly before 12 o'clock the Empress
arrived at Courtraux, and, mounting on horse-
back, was conducted at once by the Emperor to the
spot where the fight was to commence. A valley,
open to the eye in every point, yet finely undulated
and crowned by low heights, behind which the
more advanced battalions of the Emperor's coin- 1
mand lay concealed, separated the two armies. The!
position and arrangements of each indicated that it
was aware of the immediate presence of the other,
and that a battle was imminent ; but Schramm's
corps was exposed to view, as, in fine order, it
formed line and threw out skirmishers on the .
eastern slope. Gradually, and as if feeling their ,
way, the leading battalions of the Emperor's army
showed themselves. upon the edge of their side of
the valley, and then the firing commenced by a
dropping; fire on Schramm's side. This had not
continued long when the front rank of the Empe-
ror's troops opened, and a regiment of Hussars
rushing through made a rapid advance upon the
enemy's centre, throwing out skirmishers. It was
a movement very imposingly executed, but horse
and rider were soon compelled to beat a precipitate
retreat, and Schramm, emboldened by his first suc-
cess,
moved up to a closer attack. The Emperor
now brought forward his artillery, first on the
heights to the right of his position, then at the '
centre, and last of all to the left. He also ad-
vanced his foremost battalions, and skilfully avail- '
ing himself of some cover in doing so, brought a
larger number of men to the front. A tremendous
fusillade now raged along the lines on either side
for some time, and the fronts were rapidly ex-
tended by bodies of troops brought up from the
rear. Some of Schramm's battalions, threatened
by the Emperor's cavalry, once more formed
square, and, being this time within close range of a
batteryon the heights, must have been tremendously '
cut up by it. It was therefore necessary to throw
out skirmishers and fall back, so that the attack
upon the Emperor's strong position on the heights
had been successfully resisted. He now began to
advance his line, still extending it at the same time
until it reached from one end of the open space to
the other. The left wing gradually inclined further
forward than the right ; the centre rested on the
St. Omer road ; and the right was gradually thrown
back, in order apparently to get round a projecting
piece of woodland, from which Schramm could be
assailed on his left flank. While this operation was
in progress, a heavy musketry fire was kept up,
especially along the centre, the opposing forces ex-
changing withering volleys at short distances. For-
tune appeared still to declare herself in favour of
the Emperor, and his opponent was driven back
still further upon his own side of the valley,
whence he had advanced to attack the heights.
Schramm had hitherto made little use of his artil-
lery, but it was now brought up to cover his
backward movement. The Emperor's batteries
replied, and on the right his reserves were brought
forward further down into the valley, as if to sup-
port the movement which was in progress at the
extreme verge of the wing in that direction. On
the centre and left he appeared reluctant to forego
his strong position on the heights, and, in conse-
quence, the direction of his front changed, the
right wing being thrown considerably in advance
of the left. Schramm's lines being withdrawn to
a still greater distance on the St. Omer-road the
battle now resolved itself into a demonstration of
artillery— the musketry fire ceasit:g, except upon
the right, where there was some skirmishing. At
this stage there was a good deal of manoeuvring' on
both sides, the exact object of which no one seemed
able to explain, but, finally, Schramm's left having
been successfully assailed, a strong force was de-
tached from the Emperor's left to drive him back
on his right flank also. The consequence was a
further backward movement into ground splendidly
adapted for cavalry operations, though, in this re-
spect, there was no portion of the field of battle
which could be considered unfavourable.
display,
Before,
however, entering upon that part of the
the Emperor made a short pause—partly y se partl to rest
arrival of Prince
_
-the troops, but also to await the
Jerome, who, with a party of ladies, at this time
When the fight was resumed
came upon the field.
a general advance was ordered, and the battalions
of infantry, in dense columns, threw themselves
across the valley which had hitherto been the scene
of the contest. They formed the centre and right

of the Emperor's arm, while his -
cavalry force, sup.
ported by horse artilleyry, came gracluallyforward on
the left. Dragoons, Cuirassiers, and Hussars, in
one mighty tide of flashing steel, to which all
eyes were directed—they swept on their way under
the blazing sunlight. Every eye was directed to
them, as slowly each regiment, singling out its bat-
talion, prepared itself for the tremendous charge.
First, the batteries were brought up and poured
their fire into the compact masses of squares ; and
then, before " the war cloud" had swept away
horse and man were hurled like thunderbolts upon
them. It was a wonderfully fine sight, and brought
this great field day to a splendid finale.
The foregoing details of the sham-fight at Deavres,
if they serve no other purpose, will at least enable
the reader to understand that, on this occasion, a
perfect idea was given, if not of a real pitched
battle, at least of the manner in which the French
army, when such battles are fought, endeavours to
bind victory to its eagles. First, there was the
terrible display of infantry power in all its varied
forms, in skirmishing, in forming line, in seeking
shelter from fire or coming under it, in the firm
advance, and in the square. Then the force of the
artillery arm was shown, the distances at which it
acts, and how it covers reverses on the one hand,
and conceals movements on the other. Finally,
there was the cavalry brought proudly forward and
charging—that portion of an army which comes in
with most effect, in real as well as sham-fights, at
the close—which changes into rout, smashing and
driving into irretrievable confusion the broken
ranks of an enemy. Of the spectacle in which,
during four hours, these different phases of the
battle-field were represented,- no adequate concep-
tion can be formed by
any description. It is not
in language, however well selected, to fill in
upon the, canvass of the mind so astonishing
a picture. When the mere effects of the
pageantry comprised in it are exhausted, other
considerations remain behind. Such, for instance,
are the impressions thus conveyed of military
science as an element of
Power in human affairs.
Undoubtedly, in this respect, the French army de-
serves the reputation which it enjoys, and it is no
disparagement to the character of our own troops
that we feel duly the might which such an army
carries along with it.
At the close of the sham fight the Emperor and
Empress, side by side, and followed by an immense
staff, rode from battalion to battalion. Though •
nominally an inspection, it was in reality a oto..
ful mode of enabling the men to see her Majesty,
and they appeared much gratified at the opportu-
nity for doing so.
It was five o'clock before they began to march
back to their encampments of the preceding night,
but though they had had a fatiguing day of it, and
bivouacking is not even in fine weather a brilliant
prospect to look forward to, they sang merrily in
bands as they went. In some respects, to see their
dense columns moving along under the bright
moonlight, and afterwards the long line of their
watch fires fringing the Fort de Boulogne, was
almost as striking as their most brilliant move..
ments in the field.

It is confidently believed here that there were
from 80,000 to 100,000 men engaged in the sham-
fight at Courtray, 50,000 at that near Marquise,
and that the Emperor and Prince Albert reviewed
30,000 when they went to St. Omer. Now, the
army of the North is chiefly concentrated in fire
camps, each containing about 10,000 men. That
makes 50,000. Allowing that there are 10,000
more billetted in villages and towns, the whole in-
fantry does not exceed 60,000, and cavalry and
artillery together will not make up another 10,000.
The full strength of the army, therefore, may be
set down at from 65,000 to 70,000, and, as a con-
siderable number of men remain behind on such
occasions, it is tolerably clear that the estimates
generally accepted here are very much over-stated.
To-day and to-morrow are blank days, but on
Saturday the grand parade for the distribution of
decorations is expected to take place at the Napo-
leon column, and on Sunday, it is said, the Em-
peror and Empress return to Paris.

LETTER FRONT AN OFFICER IN THE
TURKISH ARMY.

BcCHABEST, Sept. 18.—My dear Friend,—l have
addressed one letter to you at Paris ; I now forward
another to you at London. lam in ecstasies at the
marvellous sagacity of the great diplomatists, who have
devised this alliance with Austria, and at the conse-
quences to which it may lead. As I am no theorist,
but a soldier, who has taken up again his old trade of
arms, I will only trouble you with facts.
Austria has called upon us to co-operate with it
for the liberation of Wallachia ; the French and Eng-
lish commander-in-chief have pressed us to aid this
new ally. We force the passage of the Danube, we
skirmish with the Russians, and we push on to Bucharest.
We find and we maintain there order and tranquillity,
devotion to the Sultan, eagerness to promote our work
by force of arms ; and everything goes on as well as
can be. The French and English start on their expe-
dition to the Crimea, and we prepare to march into Bee.
sarabia.

On the 6th of September the Austrians arrived
General Coronini declares that be wishes to re•establish
order—which he found ro-established ; to bring back jue.
tics, by the recall of Prince Stirbey and M. Johannides,
who despised and outraged it ; and to confirm the pri-
vileges and prerogatives of the Wallachians, by instal-
ling Prince Stirbey—humiliating decision !
Uur Commander-in-Chief invites General Hess to
unite in a forward movement to create a diversion in
favour of the French and English who have landed in
the Crimea, and who might be embarrassed if Russia
were left free to concentrate its forces against the troops
that have been disembarked there. General Hess is in
no hurry to give his adhesion to this proposal ; on the
contrary, he intimates that his troops will occupy the line
of the Prutb, and that they will neither allow the
Russians to re-enter Moldavia, nor our army—the
Turkish—to advance into Bessarabia. Here is a mag-
nificent result ! One hundred and fifty thousand of the
hest troops of the Allies reduced to a state of inaction
by the new ally; whilst sixty thousand French and Eng-
lish will be exposed to all the forces of Russia, which,
guaranteed and covered as it is by Austria, has its whole
arthy disposable.

The first-fruits of the alliance are magnificent—are
they not ? We shall see in time what are to follow.
If diplomacy continues to work in this fashion, we
shall march from Sinope to Sinope, to arrive at Moscow
and the Beresina. Present my respects to these gentle.
men ; they are great and f-pleudid men.
I say nothing to you of Wallachia ; you will come
and you will see.

THE RESTORATION OF BBSSARABIA TO

TURKEY.

(From the Journal de Constantinople of 14th September.)
A correspondence from Bucharest., which has appeared
in the Moniteur, seems to deserve notice. It relates to
Bessarabia. After recapitulating the circumstances
under which this province was wrested from Turkey by
the E nperor Alexander, and giving sonic statistical de-
tails relating to its population, the writer proceeds t.
remark "Toe Emperor Alexander left intact to the
Bessarabians their administrative institutions and their
laws, and ultimately consented to grant them a kind
of constitution. But in 1827 the Emperor Nicholas
decreed measures diametrically opposed to those of
the preceding reign. Deputations sent to St.
Petersburg reclaimed their ancient institutions as a
right : they were sent back unanswered. Tho
opposition of the boyards became evaluated ;
struggle then began between the government of St.
Petersburg and the aristocracy of the province, and all
the measures adopted by Government have since been
directed to one end—the ruin of the country. Since
1829 the resources of this rich province have sensibly
and continually decreased, without inducing the Govern-
ment to pause in the course it has chalked out for itself.
' The Wallachian tongue has ceased to be the official las.
gnage ; it is discussed in the courts of law and in the
Government offices. Russian officials are appointed
everywhere, and the province has been treated with a
view to make it lose all sense of nationality. In this
state of affairs it is easy to conceive what are the wishes.
of the people, and what vows the presence of 6! allied
armies on the Danube has canoed them to emit. W •
said lately that in order to rfect a just and substantial
work, Bessarabia must be restored to the Porte by re-
uniting it to Moldavia.
Only by this means can Bess-
arabia be raised from the state of ruin into which it has
been plunged by the Russians.

......
TERMINATION OF VIE JI-ARVEST IN THI WEST.--The
Somerset,
finallymerg et,
Dorset,concluded
pient tot:
hfaoanurdrvecwsotersnmtwearanyll_ancoowunndtb,isesns,
soivtdwizithetanding all that has bests
stated in
sin, reference lie:
little
probableeertdnoeotduhbeitththaastb,
s on yid
yasomfuttebteeuwthwdeoearrt
lcraattoetpder,.
counties are con e ,
quantityy of corn bas already been thrashed out,
though little has been made into flour, by reason of the
stoppage of the mills. A sufficient test has bees
Apartiall affordedargetoenable skilful agriculturists to determine th •
real produce of their wheat land. One-fifth above an ave.
rage crop is the result of their calculations as respects Des
vonshire ; and in Corn wall, where a rough estimate has been
formed of the yield on the bulk of the wheat farms, the
quantity will be rather less. but certainly tar beyond an.
average. Oats have turned out well in all parts of the
western district, and the crops of barley have been good,
and generally saved in splendid condition. Turnips,
mangold wurtzel, and ether root crops are very pro.
mining, and the potatoes which have been taken up
within the last few days are much less diseased than was
expected. Prices of beef, mutton, wool, and other farm
produce are still remunerative to the agriculturist, but
the great bulk of the consumers of butchers' meat in
Devonshire and Somerset are turning their attention to
a reformation in their butchers' bills.
THE DEEP SE/ TRAWL.—Mr.iDempster has invented
a trawl net or dredge, for the use of sea-going vessels, so
as to enable their cornln - edn ----ers
oms:4oi:tally to supply
their crews with messes of fresh fi i 1,,, suCh as turbot,
halibut, skate, place, and sales, Zi„:. - The advantages of
the new trawl are, it never capskes the wrong way on
the ground, nor is there any possibility of the net getting
foul of the warp whilst deeoeudieg knee& the swim