The Sun.
London, England, 1854-07-13 00:00:00

THE BALTIC.

A letter dated Copenhagen, July 7, says :—The
Vulture, Captain Glasse, started to-day for England.
He will assure you of the mild character of the
few sporadic cases of cholera which have hitherto
occurred on board the Admiral's ship. The French
small-pox patients have now been transported on
board the hospital-ship rAlgerie. An agent
from an American company has lately been here,
to request the permission of the Danish Govern-
ment to lay down wires over Iceland and
Denmark, as part of the line from America to Eu-
rope. All expenses will be paid by the company.
Private letters from St. Petersburg are as gloomy
as may be. Trade is at a standstill. All the British
houses are breaking up their establishments, and
all who can are returning to England. Among'
them is the British chaplain, the Rev. Mr. Law,
who, finding himself sans congregation and income,
will quit the scene of his labours. The Norwegiancom
Agricultural Association has had a very favourable
gathering at Christiania, attended by nearly 500
members. There is no Danish news.
The tele-
graph has been interrupted, but is now in
order again. Warlike exercises continue. The
Danish fleet has commenced its evolutions under
the command of Admiral Mourier.
The following extracts of letters from officers on
board her Majesty's ships in the Gulf of Finland,
although of somewhat earlier date than other in-
telligence which has reached us, give some details
of considerable interest :

" H.M.S. —, off Cronstadt Lighthouse, July 1,
1854.—Sir Charles Napier is at this moment anchored
about nine or ten miles from the harbour, with fourteen
screw liners, one of which is French, and seven French
sailing line-of-battle ships—in all, twenty-one. Closer
in to Cronstadt, that is, within about five miles of the
batteries, we have an advanced squadron, of two steam-
frigates and five large steamers, well on the look-out to
prevent fire-ships, or anything of that kind getting out
of harbour to annoy or even examine the fleet. Y es-
terday Sir Charles ran down from the flag-ship in a small
steamer, protected by four of the advanced steam-squad-
ron, and closed within two miles of the batteries to re-
connoitre the place. Our people distinctly counted six-
teen sail of the line and four large frigates. It is to be
feared this is all we shall see of them, unless they
muster sufficient courage to come out, which, to do
their prudence justice, cannot be expected. They must
wince awfully at seeing our fleet where it is, and our
steamers running to and fro under their noses. Our
people land at their lighthouse (probably the Tollbucbin)
every day, and take a look at what is going on inside
the harbour. The impression among us is that nothing
will or can be done against Cronstadt unless we had
troops to effect a landing, to be covered by our ships ;
but no one knows what may occur at the next moment.
We keep our steam up constantly, and are ready for
work on the instant. Admiral Corry blockades Swea-
borg with eleven English liners, so that no ships can get
in or out of that place, even if they were bold enough to
make the attempt. The health of the fleet is as satisfac-
tory as can be desired, and the utmost cordiality exists
between our people and our merry French friends. The
only rivalry existing is about who shall first be able to
get well at the Russian wallflowers."
" H.M.S.— June 30, 1854.—We are now in sight
of Cronstadt, about eight miles distant, having cast
anchor here the day before yesterday. Upon our arrival
the signal was made to 'prepare for action ;' so each
man put on a light fighting dress, and loaded his re-
volver. We all expected an immediate attack upon the
fleet, which is anchored under the protection of the bat-
teries ; but I suppose Sir Charles thought it no go'
just at present. A little excitement was also caused
by the signal to 'look out for machines,' and grapnels
were accordingly trailed about. The forts even at this
distance look almost too much for us, and I do not
think it likely we shall attack them. We have an
enemy in the camp in the shape of cholera, and
we buried two of the gunners yesterday, and one marine
this morning, and a number of men are ill in the ship.
The duke also has it, and I believe we are going to try
a change of air, as the advanced squadron of small steamers
has just been recalled. They are about five miles nearer
Cronstadt than we are, keeping just out of range of the
forts. A fast rakish-looking Russian steamer, supposed
to be the Grand Duke's yacht, comes out now and then
and leads them a chase. I went on board the Hecla
yesterday to see a messmate, who dined with rue She
is quite covered with marks of rifle bullets, and has
several round shot in her, though only twelve pounders.
One came through into the master's cabin, and,
taking a slanting direction, passed through six
bulk heads, and lodged in the mids' berth,
at the other side of the ship. His sou'-wester hat
received two large splinters in it, as it was hang-
in up. gad the gentleman been in .bed it would ,

have just taken his head off. We got a couple of shee
yesterday, which were to us as manna to the children
of Israel. We had to-day for dinner roast mutton,
hashed mutton, and mutton pudding. Brandy and
water is a very agreeable beverage, and certainly green
vegetables and fruit have nothing to do with the cholera.
It is thought the water is partly the cause of it, as the
men like the water alongside better than the distilled
water, and many of them have been drinking it, as it is
quite fresh. The French are sensible fellows ; they
stayed at Kiel while we were cruising about ; they smoke
right and left on board their ships ; have splendid bands,
and get up supper parties, with flags, &c., in the gayest
manner possible. As to fighting, I should be quite
willing to back them against the Russians, and
have no doubt they will do good service when the hour
of trial comes."

A letter from Memel of the 6th, in the Corres-
pondent of Hamburg, says :—" The funeral of
Captain Foote took place yesterday. The officers
and men of the Conflict and Amphion accompanied
the body from the house of the English consul
where the coffin had been lying in state, orna-
mented with flags, and having the sword and hat
of the deceased placed. on it. The town band, play-
ing a funeral march, preceded the hearse, which
was accompanied not only by the crews of the two
vessels mentioned above, but by Captain Wiebe,
commandant of the fcrtress of Memel, all the
foreign consuls, the English residents, and a con-
siderable number of the inhabitants. Three dis-
charges of musketry were fired over the grave, the
cannons of the citadel and of the two frigates firing
a salute each time in return."