The Sun.
London, England, 1854-03-22 00:00:00

FRANCE.

The Moniteur of yesterday announces that the screw
ship of the line Austerlitz, of 100 guns, left Brest on
Monday for the Baltic. The Hercules, Duguesclin, and
Trident, ships of the line, have left Toulon for the same
destination. The Duperrd will leave between the 23d
and 25th. The other ships of the line will sail very soon.
Vice-Admiral Parseval-DeschOnes left on Monday for
Brest, where he will assume the command-in-chief of
the 3d squadron, called the " Squadron of the Baltic."
The Union has received an official warning for one of
its articles containing attacks upon England, the friendly
warnings given to it by the Government having been
without effect. This journal seems to have treated the
official warning with as much indifference as the friendly
admonitions which preceded it, for immediately after
the Ministerial notification which it publishes at the head
of its number of yesterday (Tuesday), it gives a com-
mentary on the secret correspondence of the British and
Russian Governments, in which it endeavours to convey
to its readers .an impression that the conduct of the
former has not been what the English call " fair and
above board," and above all to excite susceptibility, and
even hostility, by making it appear that England is in
clined to treat France as an inferior State.

Lord Raglan is expected here on the Ist of April, or
very soon after, so as to coincide as nearly as possible
with the departure of Marshal St. Arnaud, which is now
fixed for the sth, as that of Prince Napoleon is for the
15th. The division of the Prince, which was originally
termed the reserve, is now spoken of in the official organ
of the army as the third division. We are assured on
good authority that it has been decided that 3,000 Bri-
tish troops, consisting of cavalry and artillery, viz.-
2,000 of the former and 1,000 of the latter, will pass
through France, to embark at Toulon or Marseilles, and
that the first detachment is expected in Paris in a week
or 10 days from the present date.
. _

--•
An Imperial decision of the 15th gives the title of
third division of the Eastern army to the corps placed
under the command of Prince Napoleon, which had
been at first: denominated a corps of reserve. It is to
consist of two brigades. The first, commanded by Gen.
Count de Monet, is to be composed of the 19th batta-
lion of Chasseurs de Vincennes, the 2d regiment of
Zouaves, and the 3d regiment of Marines. The second
brigade, commanded by . General Thomas, is to be
formed of the 20th and 22d regiments of light infantry,
two mounted batteries of artillery, a company of engi-
neers, and a detachment of gendarmes.
It appears that a majority of the commission named
to report on the proposition of the Attorney-General to
prosecute M. de Montalembert, for the publication of
his third letter, and which has been considered as insult-
ing to the Chamber, are opposed to that prosecution, so
that the affair will most likely terminate there.
All the securities experienced yesterday a considera- I
ble fall, in consequence of the decline of English Consols.
The Three per Cents. opet ed at 65f. 10c., and closed at
64f. 55c. for the end of the month. The Four-and-a-Half
per Cents. closed at 91f. 10c. ; Orleans Railway Shares,
1,072 f. 50c. ; Rouen, 850 f• ; .flavre, 440 f. ; Great
Northern, 722 f. 50c, ; Straqburg, 70f. ; ditto, New

A highly satisfactory prospectus of the forthcoming
reason of the Italian Opera has just been published. It
appears that the opening night will be on Thursday, the
30th of this month, in lieu of Tuesday, the 28th, as pre-
viously announced. The directors promise their con-
tinued efforts to carry out the original design of this
great lyrical establishment. It is stated that the great
artist Madame Viardot, after an absence of three years,
will return once more to shed lustre on the representa-
tions of the theatre. Mademoiselle Sophie Cruvelli,
whose eminent talents are already so highly esteemed in
this country, will appear for the first time at the Royal
Italian Opera. Signor Lablache will also, for- the first
time, lend his powerful aid in supporting the efforts of the
directors, and will enable them to produce many of the
most popular works with an unprecedented caste
of characters. In addition, Mademoiselle Marai, a
young singer of great promise, who has already made
very successful debuts, both at St. Petersburg and
Vienna, will appear for the first time in England ; also
Signor Susini, for the first time at the Royal Italian
Opera. Mdlle. Bosio, who during the past winter has
acquired fresh laurels in
,the French capital, continues*
her engagement. Those unrivalled performers, Signor
Mario, Signor Ronconi, and Signor Tamberlik, together
with Signori Tagliafico, Poloni, Luchesi, Stigelli, &c.,
have been re-engaged, while the directors still have the
advantage of the invaluable services of Signor Costa.
"The forthcoming season, however (says the pros-
pectus), brings with it one subject of regret—viz., the
retirment from the lyric stage of a lady who for many
years has been one of its brighest ornaments. Towards
the end of July Madame Giulia Grisi will make her last
appearance before an English audience. It has probably
never before fallen to the lot of any candidate for public
favour to sustain for 21 successive seasons the highest
and most arduous characters of the lyric drama, and
most certainly never with such unanimous commenda-
tions as have been unceasingly bestowed on Madame
Grisi. The directors are convinced that not only will
the subscribers of the Royal Italian Opera, as well as
the musical amateurs of the metropolis, participate in
their sentiments on this occasion; but they feel sure
that the retirement of Madame Grisi will cause one
general feeling of deep regret in the minds of all those
who take any interest in the musical affairs of this
country.

"It is the wish of Madame Grisi, during this her last
engagement, to repeat those impersonations in which it
has been her good fortune to obtain her greatest suc-
cesses, and it will accordingly be the care of the direc-
tors to contribute every possible éclat to these perfor-
mances, relying with the greatest confidence that the
subscribers, the patrons of the opera, and the public,
will on these occasions still extend to their long-favoured
artiste the cheering influence of their countenance and
support." .

In addition to the repertoire already formed, several
pieces are announced which have never been performed
at this theatre, and which will be, in effect, new to the
public. Among these are La Vestale of Spontini, the
Domino Noir of Auber, the Matilda di Shabran of Ros-
sini, and (the most remarkable of them all) the Oberon,
of Weber. The subscription is to consist of 46 nights,
commencing on the night already mentioned, and end-
ing in August.
Madlle. Plunkett is engaged, and will be assisted by a
very talented and efficient corps de ballet.

BANQUET AT THE FRENCHEMBASSY.

Yesterday evening their Excellencies the Count and
Countess Walewski gave a grand banquet to the gene-
rals of the Eastern expeditionary force and a select cir-
cle of the aristocracy, at their magnificent official resi-
dence, Albert-gate.
The guests upon the occasion were his Royal High-
ness the Duke of Cambridge, Lord and Lady Raglan,
Lord De Ros, the Duke of Newastle, the Marquis of
Lansdowne, the Earl and Countess of Clarendon, Vis•
countess Palmerston, the lon. Major James Macdonald
Right Hon. Sir James Graham and Lady Graham,
Right Hon. Mr. Sidney Herbert and Mrs. Sidney Her-
bert. M. Jules De Salim and M. Veillat, Secretaries of
Legation, were also present at the entertainment.
Later in the evening the, Countess liValeswki threw
open her saloons for the re ceptien of a select circle of
the aristocracy and beau monde, and was honoured with
a numerous and brilliant attendance.

DEPUTATION OF RUSSIAN MERCHANTS.—This depu-
tation, which waited on Lord Clarendon yesterday, con-
sisted of Messrs. Weguel in, Brandt, Morgan, Mitchell,
Tooke, Hill, Robinson, and Hodgson. in answer to
their inquiries, his 1 )rdship stated that the Government
are disposed to respect the persons and property of all
Russian subjects residing as merchants in this country
to the full extent promised by the Emperor of Russia
towards British subjects, and that all necessary measures
will be adopted to enable them to remain unmolested in
the quiet prosecution of their business. With regard to
licenses for special ship ments during the war, it was
stated that each case must be considered on its merits,
but that the Government will do all in their power, after
concert with their naval allies, to protect the bona
fide
property of British subjects in Russia. Finally, on the
question as to the trade of neutral ports, his lordship said
that the desire is to avoid th rowing any special obstacles
in its way, and that certil icates of origin will not he
demanded. Produce shippe d from the ports of Prussia
or any other friendly or xi .eutral country will copse.
quently be considered prima foie as friendly cargo,

L ONDON, March 22.—Wind this day at Noon, N. 8.)
mod !orate breeze, and cloudy weather.
S DIITIIIIIPTON, March 22.—Arrived--Trent (s), from
the West Indies.
S .ITNDERLAND, March 21.—Wind, N.B. Arrived..."
De, ron, from Rotterdam ; Fraw, Amsterdam.
I #ol7llit, March 21.—Wind, N.B. Arrived—New Great
Bri lain, from London, for Montreal.
P 'oRTSMOUTH, March 21.—Wind. N.E. to E.N.E. Ar'
rive xl—Sumatra, from Demerara; Catherine, Nysted ;
Col 'et, Sunderland, for Venice, with bowsprit sprung,
jibl ioom, cutwater' and head rails carried away, having
bee a in collision, at the entrance of the Gull Stream, with
the Royal George, from Hartlepool, for Ramsgate.
3 tILFORD, March 20.—Sailed—Nautilus, for Melbourne;
Six edy, Corfu ; Turcea, Malta ; Helianthus, Naples.
I LIRTMOUTEI, March 21.—Wind, E. Sailed—Drown,
for Malta.
I ‘.A.L3IOUTII, March 21.—Wind, E., strong breeze. Are
rive Kl—Gezina, from Groningen, for Truro ;
Per Exambuco t Levant, Palermo.
PLYMOUTH, March 21.—Wind, E.N.E. Arrived—SU
san aah, Payti, for Hamburgh ; Harebell, Callao, for Bet'
wit k ; Marco Polo, Monte Video, for Cherbourg ; Fortunh
Sal ita Martha; British Queen, Salonica ; Brant, Malt*
for Newcastle.

[iIVERPOOL, March 21.- The Atlantic (s), from Liver
po, A to New York, which was on shore, March 8, on the
int td at Sandy Hook, got off same day, and arrived At
Ne riv York, without damage.

(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.)
LIVERPOOL, Wednesday, 10.30 LW'
Wind, N.N.W. ; fresh breeze, and fine
krrived—Charles Ward, from New Orleans.
)ff Port—Otter, from Bretuerhaven ; Albion, Constair
,n ople.

wind, E. N.E. QUEENSTOWN, March 20.
Lrrived—Roe, from Benin, for Liverpool ; Jenny Joni*
Va Iparaiso, for Liverpool.
I Nit in—Crown, from Liverpool, for Jamaica ; Lonio
Mu :lame, Liverpool, for Bay of Fundy.

(By SUBMARINE AND EUROPEAN TELEGRAPH.)
GRAVESEND, Wednesday, 10.16 sane
rind, E.N.E. ; tide, half ebb ; fresh and fine.
i_rrived—Sophia, from Hahnstadt ; Hannibal, Randers;
Co ocordia, Stettin ; Lowina, Emden ; Maria, Copenhagen
Ev erhardus, Bremen; Droningen, Mollerup ; Gustave,
He lsiuborg.
riled—Alar (s), for Dunkirk ; G. B. Lamar, Ne/r
Yc rk ; Amaulipas (s), Liverpool ; Euphros, ne, Cape of
Go od Hope ; Seine (s), Boulogne.
DEAL, Wednesday, 9.45 a.m.
' Wind, NE. ; fresh and fine.
1 .'assed—Partisan, from Shields, for Constantinople ;
Ma ria, Sunderland for Carthagena ; Beverley, do., for
Ma Ita ; Pyrenees, transport, No. 1, from London, for
Ma It&

Wu. BUNN. —This gentleman, labouring under a severe
col d, was unable last night to repeat the lecture oe
An ',erica, which he delivered on Monday evening at the
Re g ent Gallery for the first time.
LiIEUTENANT SAMUEL GURNEY CRESWELL .--The
QV can having been pleased to command Lieutenant
Sa anuel Gurney Cresswell, formerly of the Investigator
dis eovery ship, and the first to accomplish the north'
we at passage, to attend at Buckingham Palace, the en-
ter prising young officer had the honour of complying
wi kb her Majesty's commands on Monday, and sub-
mitted his sketches, made by him during his service in
the s Investigator, and exhibiting some of the most in-
ter vsting scenes brought under his notice during the
dis covery of the north-west passage by Capt. McClure.
II( it Majesty examined the drawings minutely, and
put ; numerous questions to Lieutenant Cresswell
reli wave to the long and hazardous voyage of the Inves-
tig itor, which he answered to the entire satisfaction of
the I Queen. The sketches are to be, by special permis-
sion, dedicated to her Majesty. Lieutenant Cresswell iC
no w serving in the Archer, 14, screw steam-corvette,
an. 1 leaves for the Baltic in the course of the present
we ek.

: kiORE APPRHENSIONS AT PRESTON.—PRESTON, TUES.
DA r, 10 P.M.—Nine delegates and committee men have
be in apprehended, and warrants have been issued against
otl iers. Five prisoners have been under examination all
da, y, charged with conspiracy, the alleged offence being
th. a sending back of hands brought from Manchester.
Th .e examination was adjourned till to-morrow (Wed-
ne !clay). The prisoners Lave been liberated on bail.
Tb e town is in a state of great excitement, but peace is
ha ppily preserved.
PRICE OF GOLD.--The quotation of gold at Paris is
ab out 3 per mile discount (according to the last tariff),
wi Lich, at the English Mint price of 3/. 17s. 100. per
ou ace for standard gold, gives an exchange of 25.091 ;
an, the exchange at Paris on London at short being
24. 95, it follows that gold is about 0.58 per cent. dearer
in Paris than in London. By advices from Hamburg
the , price of gold is 419 per mark, which, at the English
Mi nt price of 3/. 17s. 104 d. per ounce for standard gold,
giv es an exchange of 13.11 ; and, the exchange at liain-
bin w on London at short being 13.11, it follows that gold
is ;it the same price in Hamburg and London. The
course of exchange at New York on London for bills at
GO days sight is 109 per cent., and, the par of exchange
bet ween England and America being 109 23.40 per cent.,
it f 'ollows that the exchange is nominally 0.58 per cent.
aga inst &gland. But,
after making allowance for
cha roes of transport and difference of interest, the pre
seri t rate leaves no profit on the transmission of gel'
eitl ler way between the two countries.
IT. PETERSBURG.—The St. Petersburg advises en-
nou lice the prohibition of the export of bullion, and a
con auquent fall in the exchange on London to 34d.,
thus sbowint, a serious depreciation in the paper cur-
rergey. Under these circumstances, on the Londo
e*otibauge yesterday bills on Russia were unsaleable.