The Sun.
London, England, 1854-03-30 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 1854.

European States, Russia, Turkey, England,
France, Sweden, Norway, Sardinia, Prussia,
Austria, as the bases of all their warlike prepara-
tions.

At present we would more particularly direct
attention to the part adopted by the Viennese
Cabinet at this moment of supreme emergency—.
because, in a very great measure, upon the course
during the next few weeks pursued by Austria, the
complication or the unravelinent of European
difficulties must be regarded as particularly de-
pendent—Austria affording, at this moment, one
of the means for the war being promptly and vigo-
rously terminated, or for its being enhanced in
magnitude and protracted indefinitely.
A communication, which will be found elsewhere
iu ourimpression of this evening, has been addressed
to us very recently by a correspondent who has
manifestly appreciated at its right value the im-
portance of the political position and of the finan-
cial resources of the Austrian Government. In
reference to the latter subject—in regard, that is
to say, to the present state of the finances of
Austria, we have ourselves most carefully and
minutely examined the remarkable arguments put
forward in the really masterly pamphlet alluded
to in the course of our correspondent's communi-
cation. At present, our customary limits have
been exceeded. But upon the examination
of those notable arguments we are deter-
mined to enter, because we regard this
pamphlet* as the most extraordinary exposé yet
given to the world of the situation of the Finances
and Currency of the Austrian Government. Dissent-
ing from the opinions advanced by the anonymous
author of this production—evidently one who
speaks from the fulness of his knowledge as a
financier, and as a statesman of experience—we,
nevertheless, cannot fail to recognise either the
veracity or the value of the particulars which he
has therein enumerated. The subject is one, we
repeat, of supreme interest at this awful juncture,
when the alternative for the next few years of
peace or war for Europe, of a peace replete with
blessings, or of a war the most sanguinary, is in
a great measure dependent upon the policy adopted
by the Austrian Government. Remembering
this, and remembering how much trembles in
the balance, we shall have no compunc-
tion in reverting, as frequently. as the throng
of events will permit, to a problem like that of
Austrian Finance, a problem, we are certain, emi-
nently deserving some attempt at solution, and we
believe not altogether incapable of being satisfac-
torily elucidated.

It cannot but be advisable, immediately before
entering upon this great war against the Russian
AUTOCRAT, to take a glance, however rapid and
cursory, at the pecuniary preparations made for
it by the principal European Governments.
If we might regard these preparations alone as
presenting us with an augury, or as affording us
a criterion, through which to calculate the probable
magnitude of the approaching struggle, we should
be empowered at once, incontestibly, to assurat that
the contest is likely, according to the opinion of
the rulers of the earth, to be one of an importance
scarcely within any rational limits of expression to
be exaggerated.

Everywhere throughout the chief Powers there
has been long manifest this active movement forthe
accumulation of funds for the liquidating of whatever
expenses may be incurred during the course of the
on-coming contention. Munitions of war have been
collected together—troops have been assembled—
military outposts have been cared for--there has
been an extraordinary attention directed to the
various departments of the public service, such as
the Ordnance, for example, or the Commissariat,
with an eye to their improvement, and with a
view also, in some instances, to their thorough
reorganisation. Among the maritime States,
moreover, there has been evident, all the while,
an earnest resolve to bring the sea force at the
command of the Government, to the highest pos-
sible state of efficiency attainable under the pres-
sure of these urgent circumstances. In this
manner each of the more formidable nations of
Christendom has been calling together all the
resources of its strength, and all the energies of
its patriotism, for the evil day of war, which was
seen, from the outset, to be approaching. Each
has, in this way, moreover, had its peculiar soli-
citude, Throughout all these enormous and con-
trasting efforts at warlike preparation, there has
been in one particular, however, a prevailing re-
semblance—whether the State were military or
maritime, whether its position in regard to the
expected contest threatened to be that of a prin-
cipal, or that of a neutral spectator. Some at-
tended peculiarly to their army, some more espe-
cially to their navy—all to their finances. All
looked to the securing, with reasonable despatch,
money adequate to the emergency.
It may be interesting and significant, at the
present juncture, to compare the extent of these
financial preparations.
Observe, therefore !

_Russia has long ago prepared for the struggle
in this respect, according to a scheme quite
consonant with the arbitrary character of her
despotic Government. In other words, the
CZAR has collected the resources necessary
for the carrying on the war against Turkey,
backed by the French and British Governments,
by a "forced loan "—the determination of
NICHOLAS being in this manner announced by
such measures as the issuing of the Ukase of the
17th ultimo, a mandate addressed to the Directing
Senate, ordering the issue of credit notes for a
casual trifle such as 18,000,000 silver roubles.
Supplies, in fact, are extorted in the shape of
substantial contributions from the Muscovite
population at the glitter of the bayonet and at the
crackling of the knout—while paper money, of a
nominal value, is thrust upon the unwilling accep-
tance of the creditors of the State, according to
the plan most in favour with the Autocratic Go-
vernment.

Turkey, on the other hand, has obtained a loan
of 2,200,0001.—in a 6 per Cent. Stock, at 85, re-
deemable in 15 years—a loan, the negotiations
for which were readily completed on the 22d ult.,
in our metropolis, by the Messrs. ROTHSCHILD.

England, we all know, has deemed it unneces-
sary to make more than a temporary provision
for the enormous expenses certain to be very
speedily incurred—contenting herself with a
reduplication of the Income Tax for one half-year,
an increase from 7d. to 10d., calculated to be
productive of 3,307,0001., according to the esti-
mate announced, on tha Gth inst., in his Financial
Statement, by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
France, it cannot easily be forgotten, has resolved
upon raising a loan of 10,000,000/.—not a forced
loan, like Russia, but a voluntary loan—a loan,
remember, for 250,000,000 francs, and towards
which 98, 000 subscribers have offered 214, 000, 000
francs in Paris alone, and 253,000,000 francs in
the departments—altogether no less actually than
467,000,000 francs !
So much for the principals in the great
European war, so much for Russia, and Turkey,
and France, and England in regard to the finan-
cial part of their warlike preparations.
Now for the States which have virtually pledged
themselves to a course of neutrality.

Sweden has required for purposes of armed de-
fence an advance of 5,000,000 francs, through a
loan of 2,500,000 rix-dollars, readily resolved
upon in the Legislative Chamber at Stockholm,
while her twin-sister Norway has quite as readily
decided upon raising her contribution of 300,000
rix-dollars, a sum at once cordially voted at
Christiana.

Sardinia, as the State especially interested in
the preservation of order throughout the northern
part of the Roman peninsula, has resolved no less
promptly than her northern contemporaries upon
requiring a loan---the deputies at Turin conceiv-
ing that one of 35,000,000 lire could not be
considered extravagant even for a neutral State
under these imminent circumstances.

* " The Present State of the Finances and Currency
in Austria. By an Impartial Observer. Translated
from the Second Edition of the German Original." Bvo.,
pp. 64. Leipzic :J.M. C. Armbruster. London :
Dulau and Co. ; Lumley ; Nutt ; and Ttoutledge. 1853.

We regret to see any appearance of opposition
to the cautious manner in which the LORD CHAN-
CELLOR proposes to relieve persons who, on reli-
gious grounds, scruple taking an oath. He has the
weight of the highest authority, both living and
dead, with him ; he can cite cases of imprisonment
revolting to the moral feelings of the community
and of the Court which inflicted them, for de-
clining to be sworn, and other cases of justice ob-
structed, and some even of justice not attempted,
from the same cause. But the unanswerable argu-
ment at the present day is, that relief is demanded
by those principles of religious liberty which all
Englishmen hold to be peremptory. So much so,
that we may safely affirm that, in every case of
late years in which suffering has been incurred
from conscientious refusal to be sworn in a court
of justice, the persons present whose opinions
were diametrically opposed to those of the sufferer,
have felt that the common rights of man were
outraged in his person. The reasonableness of
the objection is perfectly clear, even to those who,
as they consider on good grounds, can meet it by
other considerations. It is not founded on any
logical conclusion merely, not on inference more
or less remote, from doubtful passages ; on the
contrary, those of us who do not take oaths, have
to resort to inference to evade the apparently con-
clusiveand decided language of a seemingly very plain
precept. In the Book itself to which every Christian
Church, and every individual Christian refers, as
the supreme authority, it stands recorded that
the Founder of our faith himself said, "I say unto
you, swear not at all ;" and that one of his apos-
tles, writing too at a late period in the canon,
says expressly, " But above all things, my bre-
thrtn, swear not, neither by the heaven nor by
the earth, neither by any other oath." Now, we
put it to the Earl of Wren Low, or to any candid
man, whether it be fair ,to brand a literal obe-
dience to such precepts as fanaticism not to be
tolerated. We submit that the only fanaticism
which cannot be permitted is that which, like
Thuggism or Indian infanticide, makes religion a
motive to injury of life or property ; the fana-
ticism of literal obedience to the very plain and
reiterated precepts of CHRIST and his apoAles, is
one which, if Christianity be what we all believe
it to be, can never wrong society. We will grant
it to be a misinterpretation, or rather a too
narrow one, or an over-scrupulousness, nay even
a superstition, if the Earl of WICKLOW likes ; but
we hope that no one will now defend making
superstitions themselves penal, merely because
they happen to be inconvenient to some who
despise them. ' The false logic of compelling a
man first, as he believes, to disobey his GOD, and
then expect him to speak truth to his fellow-man,
has often been exposed ; the absurdity of re-
fusing his evidence, instead of using it for what
the jury might think it worth, is a piece of gra-
tuitous folly, but the denial to one man of the
right to make his affirmation in the mode which he
believes to be most binding en his conscience, while
the privilege is granted to others, and granted to
them as sects also, is both intolerance and par-
tiality. It is absolutely imperative on us to con-
cede liberty in some form. Quakers and Mora-
vians must be again punished for refusing oaths,
or we must indulge every man who for the same
reasons shares their scruples, though not belong-
ing to their sect. It would really seem that,
peculiar as the language of Scripture is, the ad-
vocates of oaths, rather than those who refuse
them, should be put upon their defence. The
latter cannot be wrong when they say, " We un-
derstand our religion as teaching that our serious
affirmation ought to be equivalent to all which
oaths seek to accomplish, and that we are, there-
fore, forbidden to imply that a Christian's word
is not equal to an oath." A Peer, at least, should
understand this. Noble Lords who are so jealous
for the sufficiency of a Peer's word of honour,
may well comprehend a like sentiment on behalf
of the word of a Christian. Nothing, however,
can be more moderate as a first step than, as the
LORD CHANCELLOR does, to leave it with the
.Tudge to decide whether tie motives of a person
objecting to an oath are or are not those which
the principles of Religious Liberty are bound to
respect. As old and unwavering advocates of
those principles to their fullest extent, we strenu-
ously insist upon the concession proffered by the
LORD CHANCELLOR.

The Duke and Duchess of Hamilton intend to leave
St. James's•place early in the ensuing week for Paris,
on a visit to her Grace's mother, the Grand Dowager
Duchess Stephanie of Baden, who has been staying
some time on a visit to her relative the Emperor of the
French. _

His Excellency Sir Henry and Lady Bulwer have
left town for Brighton. It is, we believe, doubtful
whether Sir Henry will return to his diplomatic duties
at the court of the Grand Duke of Tuscany.
HORRIBLE DEATH THROUGH FALLING INTO A COP-
PER OF BOILING SOAP.—This morning the neighbour-
hood of Milton-street, Cripplegate, was thrown into a
state of the most intense excitement, in consequence of
a frightful occurrence that took place at Messrs. Grant's
soap manufactory; by which one of the workmen met
with his death instantaneously, under the following cir-
cumstances :—From what has transpired relative to this
melancholy occurrence it appears that a portion of the
boiling soap was about to be drawn off from an im-
mense copper, capable of holding 200 gallons, and the
workmen were engaged in making the necessary
preparations, one of the men, a native of Ger-
many, whose name could not be ascertained,
had to stretch across the copper, and in doing so,
overbalanced himself and fell into the boiling liquid,
the workmen who witnessed the accident instantly
got the poor fellow out and conveyed him to St. Bartho-
lomew'a Hospital, but he expired on the road. When
brought to the institution it was found that the deceased
was literally parboiled. No blame can be attached to
the manager or overseer of the factory, as the greatest
precautions are observed to insure the safety of the
workmen employed on the premises.

M,ONEY MARKET

AND
CO7jIIIIE.RCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

CITY, TWO O'CLOCK.
rr
Ale sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were
',lstimated at 5,000 bales, of which 1,000 American
were taken for export and on speculation. The
market was more steady, American 4d. per lb.
lower, and other kinds unsaleable except at rather
lower prices. The sales comprised 4,000 American,
270 Pernant and AlSranham at 6d. to 6d., 300
Egyptian at 6d. to 7d., 100 Surat at 2id. to 4d.,
and 20 Sea Islands at Is. 4d. to 1. 61d. per lb.
The share ma zket was dull, and closed with a panic
feeling, prices' being 4 to 2 per cent. lower.
Accounts, from Rotterdam state that at the sales
of coffee by the Netherlands Trading Company,
low to good ord Java realised 28 to 29 cents.,
being a d ecline of Ik to 2 cents. compared with the
valuation i.

Business in the produce markets here is very
circumsc:ribed. The dealers are quite at a loss how
to acts and importers sell as the readiest means of
obtaining, money now discounts are restricted.
The steamer Arctic brings 100,000 dollars.
The. South Sea Company has intimated that its
advances to the proprietors who do not wish to wait
till the acct is obtained for dissolving the Company,
must he nceforth be at the rate of 4 per cent. per
annum. It has been stated that an arrangement
has been made with the Company by the Govern-
ment to postpone for a time the payment of the
large amount due, but this seems to require confir-
mation. Certainly the Company cannot distribute
its assets until its bill has received the approval of
the Legislature ; and therefore might conveniently
wait if the Chancellor of the Exchequer offers them
the same rate of interest that they could obtain in
the open market.

There has been a very depressed market again
for English Securities, and prices have been down
nearly 1 per cent, compared with yesterday. The
intelligence now hourly received from the two
points where the war will be carried on excites the
deepest interest, not to say anxiety ; and while,
on the one hand, there are conflicting statements
as to the defeat of the Turks on the Danube, on
the other there is the gratifying intelligence that
the English fleet was about getting under weigh.
It is hoped, therefore, that a very few days will
elapse before we shall have some accounts of the
blockade commencing. Consols have been 851 to
for transfer, and Ai to for account, being now
85 to I. The character of the market has not
changed, so far as the time sales are again over-
taking those for money. East India Stock has
been at 220 to 224. Exchequer Bills are 2s. dis-
count to 2s. premium, and India Bonds have been
as much as 10s. to 20s. discount.

Foreign securities have been heavy with mode-
rate transactions. Mexican Bonds have realised
21i to 24-, and Spanish Deferred have been at IGi
to I. Peruvian Stock is marked 52 ex dividend.
Sardinian Bonds have been dull at 71. Dutch
Two-and-a-Half per Cents. are 51 to 52, and
French Four-and-a-Half per Cents. 89 75, with
the exchange at 24 92A. Danish Five per Cents.
have been at 87 to 89 ex-dividend.

The last week's railway receipts ascertained up
to this day are in round figures as under :

1854. 1853.
Great Western
North-Western
South-Western
Brighton
Midland
South-Eastern. 13,407 12,269
Great Northern 17,152 14,185
Caledonian, and Edin. and Glasgow 15,536 12,703
Lancashire and Yorkshire 17,523 18,101

This is " ticket day" in the English Railway
Share-market, and the bargains done are principally
in connection with the settlement which takes place
to-morrow. Prices are again lower, and in some
instances rather considerably. Great Northern
have fallen about 21., and Great Western, Mid-
land, and Caledonian to an equal extent. Eastern
Counties have receded 1 to North-Western 11.
to 1/. 10s., and South-Eastern and York and Ber-
wick, U. The French lines have been ss. to 10s.
lower for Paris and Lyons, but the others are
nominally steady.

The Mining Aare Market has been duller, but,
nevertheless, keeps up.
The Australian Bank Shares are flatter.

The Australian Agricultural Company's shares
have risen about 2/. to 31.. owing to the favourable
accounts of land sold by its agents. The prices ob-
tained show an extraordinary rise compared with
former and even recent periods, corroborating the
statements as to the value of the property owned
by some of the other companies, including the
Australian Consols.

ACCIDENT TO THE KING OF PRllSSlA.—Accounts from
Charlottenburg are not quite satisfactory. It is said
that the wound in the King's eyelid has brought on an
attack of erysipelas in the
eadjaeent parts, and that in
consequence thereof his Majesty has been strongly urged
by his medical attendants to abstain from business of all
kinds, so that even the Minister-President has been ne-
cessitated to refrain from waiting upon his Sovereign.
MISS ESIMA. BUSBY'S CONCERT.—Thi3 lady's concert
took place yesterday evening at Willis's Rooms, St.
James's, and was attended by a vtry numerous and select
musical auditory. The selection of music was varied
and excellent, and the performance all that could be de-
sired. A very agreeable musical treat was the result.
Miss Busby was, of course, the pianiste, and received
from the audience the largest share of the approbation
bestowed for her correct and brilliant execution.
M. Van Gelder (violoncello) and Herr Molique
(violin), were very favourably received. Madame
Zimmerman sang an aria from Der Freischatz, and the
song " In den Augen liegt das Herz," with considerable
effect. Miss Bertha Street sang " Gentle Zephyr," and
the aria " Non rni dir," with great accuracy, but her
voice, although a good one, wanted power. Miss
Busby concluded the evening's entertainment by two
solos on the piano from Mendelssohn and Weber. The
arrangements were under the efficient superintendence
of Mr. Charles Salaman.

SADLER'S WELLS.—Messrs. Phelps and Greenwood in
a few days bring to a close one of their most prosperous
seasons ; and on Easter Monday a summer season will
commence, under the management of Mr. Payne, the
enterprising theatrical agent of Bow-street, who has
taken the theatre for the representation of drama, vaude-
ville, opera, burlesque, extravaganza, and ballet. The
programme announces productions from the pens of
Planchtl, Talfourd, Dance, Stirling Coyne, Selby, E.
Stirling, &c. ; and the company embraces Messrs. Henry
Farren, George Vining (from the Lyceum), H. Nye, G.
Yarnold, F. Charles, Barrett, Worrell, Craven, &c. ;
Mesdames and Madlles. Castleton (a debutante of great
Dublin fame), Lavine, Mandelbert, St. Leger, A. Els-
worthy, E. Elsworthy, Caroline Parkes, M. and A. Gun-
niss, and Miss Marshall. The novelty at this theatre of
a ballet company will also go far to insure success. Mr.
W. Farren, Mr. Ranger, Mr. Wright, Miss Cushman,
and Miss Fizpatrick are also expected to appear for
limited periods during the season. With such promise,
and attention to the raise en scene, the present charac-
teristic of the theatre, success is undoubted. Mr. Henry
Farren will be stage-manager, for which, from his general
knowledge and experience, he is peculiarly fitted ; while
Mr. James Worrell has received the appointment of
acting manager. Mr. Worrell was for more than seven-
teen years attached to the Haymarket and Adelphi
school, under the Webster and Wallack management,
and he will no doubt ably fill the position he has
obtained.

MONEY ORDERS.—Major Money Order offices will
be opened at the under-mentioned places on the respec-
tive dates named :—Bletchley station, Bucks, on the
6th April ; Great Ilford, Essex, Ist April ; Salford
(Manchester), Lancaster, Ist April. Minor Money
Order offices will be opened at the under-mentioned
places on the respective dates named :—Ebbw. Vale,
Monmouth, head-office, Newport, on the sth April ;
Shipley, York, head-office, Leeds, 20th April. On
the 6th April, the post-office at Fenny Stratford
will be reduced to a sub-office under Bletchley sta-
tion. On the Ist April next, the under-mentioned
Major Money Order offices will be reduced to
Minor offices, postmasters must, therefoae, after that
date, pay no Money Order issued at those offices,
unless the corresponding advices shall have been received
by them through the Chief Money Order Office, Dublin,
with the stamp of that office affixed to the document :
Buncra.na, Donegal, head office Derry ; Castlefin, Done-
gal, head office Strabane ; Caledon, Tyrone, head office
Armagh ; Castledawson, Derry, head offieo Antrim ;
Clogher, Tyrone, head office Aughnacloy ; Cushendall,
Antrim, head office Larne ; Dnngiven, Derry, head of-
fice Derry ; Kesh, Fermanagh, head office Enniskillen ;
Moira, Down, head office Lurgan; Portglenoue, Antrim,
head office Ballymena ; Tynan, Armagh, head office
Armagh.

Prussia, though pledged more strongly than
any other of the principal Powers of the Continent,
being bound by the ties of dynastic relationship
with the CZAR, and by the naptorious timidity or
duplicity of her own SOVERMGN, was required to
place no less a sum than 30,000,000 Prussian
dollars in the coffers of the Administration—a
demand which, all things considered, not unna-
turally provoked the hesitation of the national
representatives.

Aiustria--and this among the neutrals is, of
course, the most important of all—has decided upon
a Joan of 50,000,000 florins, in a Five per Cent.
Stock, a loan favourably received, like the ma-
jority of its predecessors.
Such are among the chief financial proceedings
adventured upon by the principals'and the neutrals
in reference to the European conflict just com-
menced—such are the pecuniary aids secured to
themselves by the more powerful among the

BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK.
(Front the Official List.)
Business done.
3 per Cent. Consols Annuities Bs,f
New 2 per Cent. Annuities
India Stock
India Bonds, £lOOO .
Ditto, under £lOOO 2O 10
Consols for Account 18th April 853
Exchequer Bills, 2d.
£lOOO
Small 2 d 2 p
PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK.
Danish Bonds, 1823, 3 per Cent
Ditto 5 per Cent
Mexican 3 per Cent.
Peruvian Bonds, 44 por Cent.
itussi:tit Bonds, 1822, 5 per Cent. £ St — x d
Ditto for the Account B2
Sardinian Bonds, 5 per Cont... .... 71
Spanish Bonds, 3 per Cent 33
Spanish New Deferred, 3 per Cent. lO
Ditto for the Account
Dividends on the above payable in London.
French Rentes, 4. per Cent. . 89f. 75c. Ex. 2402
Dutch Ezchange,*4 per Cent. 12 Guil 5l 2
lIA LF-PA ST TWO.
Consols Bsi
Ditto April .Account

THE SUN, LONDONT, TIIEJRSDAY EVENING, MARCH 30, 1854.

LATEST FOREIGN NEWS.

THE WAR IN THE EAST.
PASSAGE OF THE DANUBE.

BATTLE OF TURTUKAI.

In a second edition to-day, the Morning
Chronicle publishes the following despatch from its
Vienna correspondent :

" Advices from Turtukai, of the 23d, say that a
battle has been fought.
" The Russians lost 2,000 men.

" The victory is doubtful, as the Turks finally
withdrew to their entrenchments."

ANOTHER BATTLE AT TULKSA-
DEFEAT OF THE TURKS.

The following, from the Freanden Blatt, is .tele-
graphed this day by the Vienna correspondent of
the Times:—

" On the 23d a Russian detachment under
General 0 ortschakoff forced the passage of the
Danube above Tulksa, notwithstanding the vigor-
ous resistance of the Turks, and some redoubts
on the right bank of the river were taken.

" The loss of the Russians was considerable, that
of the Turks terrible.

" Eleven guns and 130 prisoners were taken by
the Russians.

" Tulksa, was occupied the same day."
it appears from the map that Turtukai and
Tulksa are nearly 150 English miles apart. The
latter place is about 50 miles from the mouth of the
Daßube. These movements of the Russians would
seem to confirm the rumour that their object is to
get possession of Varna, if possible, before the
arrival of the English and French auxiliary forces ;
but as Varna can be protected from the sea by the
fleets, it is probable that they will be disappointed.
Another telegraphic despatch from Vienna this
morning states that General Gortschakoff, with
80,000 Russians, took Tulksa on the 23d. The
Turks lost 150 prisoners, 11 guns, and a colonel.
The loss of the Russians was considerable. The
siege of Matschin has commenced.

The Times' Paris correspondent, in his letter of
yesterday's date, says :—" Accounts were received
here last night of the passage of the Lower Danube
by 50,000 Russians, and rumours are afloat of
disasters having befallen the Turks in that direc-
tion. If the passage of the Danube be confirmed,
as it is necessary to add there is not much doubt,
it is evidently with the intention of executing
the project which I long since alluded to, of
striking a blow before the arrival of the auxi-
liary forces—of doing on land what the fleet did
in the bay of Siuope. Omer Pasha has announced
in his order of the day, published in the Journal de
Constantinople, of the 15th, that the Russians would
render him a great service by passing the river.
We only hope that the act lias been a service, and
not otherwise, to the Turks. Private letters from
Constantinople complain strongly of the delays in
the arrival of the troops, and an opinion is ex-
pressed which I find corroborated here, that the
unpreparedness of the French contingent by land
and sea is much to be deplored. It is feared that
the Russians calculate on a rising in Bulgaria, or
some other parts of the Ottoman territory ; or on
some other event which will aid them in their pro-
gress, should they really be disposed to march on
towards Constantinople ; and a good deal of dis-
content exists that there is still sufficient time for
them to advance before the Anglo-French army ap-
pears on the ground. It may seem surprising that
France should be so much behind hand, and one natu-
rally desires to get an explanation of the fact. On in-
quiry you are informed that it isthe result of the great
reductions in the land and sea forces effected when
the opinion was general in England that this Go-
vernment meditated au invasion. It is also alleged
that the unpreparedness, now admitted, is to be
traced to the assurances on the part of the English
Government that the intentions of the Emperor
of Russia had nothing hostile in them, and therefore
when the contrary was all at once proved to be the
case that the French Government was unable to
fill up the void in the time required. Whatever
be the weight these reasons are entitled to, it is
certain that they are used to explain the deficiency."
The news of the passage of the Danube and Sir
Hamilton Seymour's despatches, taken together,
have made a very painful impression at Vienna.
It was believed to the last that the Czar would, from
respect to Austria, confine his forces to the Princi-
palities. Prince Gortschakoff's movement, and the
contempt for Austria disclosed in the Czar's con-
versation with the British Minister, will hasten the
decision of the Vienna Cabinet.

It is estimated that the Russian force thrown
across the Danube, under General Luders, must
amount to nearly 50,000 men.

The latest estimates of the strength of the Rus-
sian army in the Principalities give Prince Gort-
schakoff a gross force of from 130,000 to 150,000
men. But these numbers include a very large num-
ber who could never be placed in line-8,208 be-
longing to the convoy service. Besides these a
considerable deduction must be made for sick and
dead, killed and wounded. According to even
Russian accounts 25,000 would not be too large a
deduction to make from the nominal strength of
the imperial army, so that it would be with only
from 102,000 to 117,000 men that Prince Gort-
schakoff could take the field. It is stated that there
are as many as 26,000 men of the 3d and sth army
corps in Bessarabia which are probably in full
march for Galatz by this time ; but the alleged
numbers may reasonably be suspected, especially
as it is understood that they have recently been
called to supply the reinforcements for the Crimea.
The Turkish force between Shumla and Tulska
was on the 12th about 40,000 ; the garrisons of
Rutschuk and Silistria numbered 8,000 men each,
and 30,000 were at Widdin and Kalafat. It was
thought probable that Omer Pacha, who was in
person directing the dispositions of troops on the
Lower Danube, would advance the reserve at Adri-
anople upon Shumla, and bring the force at the
latter fortress into his front line, relying on the
British and French auxiliaries to cover his rear.
It was asserted at Shumla that the Anglo-French
corps would disembark at B Lltshik, above Varna.
Sir J. Burgoyne was most probably at Omer Pacha's
head-quarters when Gortschakoffand Luders crossed
the river.

Accounts of the rith from the Danube are given
in the Satellite of Cronstadt. They show the great
preparations which were then being male to cross
the river. In substance they state that sixteen
Russian generals, with 40,000 men, were in the
plain. Two bridges had been constructed over the
river, and every thing was prepared for the pas-
sage into Bulgaria. General Schilder went and
came from Ibrail to Galatz, where he was directing
his operations. Since the 12th, there had been
several skirmishes, but without result. Great
activity was spoken of as being displayed at Jassy.
At the mouth of the Jalaruitza, opposite Hirsova,
was placed the right wing of the Russian army of
Ibrail, four generals commanding it. Their object
was probably to prevent the Turks from passing.
It seemed that Jassy would become quite a strongly
fortified point.
Subsequent events have proved the partial suc-
cess of these movements.

THE BALTIC FLEET.
COMMENCEMENT OF HOSTILITIES.

According to a Berlin letter, Lord Bloomfield,
the British Envoy, on learning that the Emperor
of Russia resolved to give no reply to the Anglo-
French ultimatum, sent a telegraphic despatch to
Admiral Napier, via Hamburg, announcing to him
that a state of war now existed, and that, conform-
ably to his responsibility, he was to commence
operations against the enemy.
A telegraphic despatch dated Kiel, yesterday
(Wednesday), says :—" Yesterday the fleet sailed
from Kiel for Kjoge Pay, near Copenhagen.
" On Monday the Miranda returned to Copen-
hagen, having reconnoitred as far as Revel."
The Gothenburghers, says a Copenhagen letter
of the 25th, have been making daily trips to
the English fleet, which now consists of 16 sail.
On one of these occasions they were allowed to go
on board the Duke of Wellington. The atten-
tion and politeness of the officers, and the excel-
lent bearing of the crews, are highly spoken of.
The ships were being exercised in shooting at a
mark on the rocks or on the sea, and the practice is
said to have been excellent. The marks were struck
at immense distances. Each bomb discharged costs
51., which, of course, will not have to b 3 paid for
eventually by the British nation, but by Russia.
The first packet of letters from the fleet had been
landed at Gothenburg ; it weighed 561b5., and cost
900 rdb. in postage. The armaments on the west
coast continued, in spite of the neutrality, as if the
Western Powers were very dangerous people. The
neutrality itself, as now officially declared, had been
received unfavourably on the Go thenbu rgE xchange,
and among the people generally, who began to
fear that this opportunity for Sweden to recover
its rank and independence may again be neglected,
in consequence of the dynastic and Court intrigues J

now so actively prosecuted all over the North. But
our Government will take care that they are not
made cats'-paws of by any Russian pensioners, high
or low, either in the North or on the Continent.