The Sun.
London, England, 1854-04-25 00:00:00

THE WAR.

THE FRENCH FLEET.

PLY Si .0 um, Monday Evening.—The squadron seen off
this pivr• t on Sunday afternoon included six sail of the
line, tw o frigates, and a steamer.

By el ectric telegraph from Torquay we learn that the
Brunsvi7lck steam packet, Captain Russell, which left
Plymour th at 1.15 this afternoon, saw the French squad-
ron off' the Bolt. It consisted of seven ships and a
steamer,, sailing on a wind under reefed topsails. The
wind ch, opping light the head ship would not stay, and
therefa/•e wore round: All the others followed in line,
then 104 )sed topgallant sails, and stood away to the south-
ward w ith a very light breeze. The British and Irish
Steam iCompany's packet Nile, Captain Moppett, which
arrived hero this evening at 9 o'clock, reports that at
half-pal t 5, the Start bearing north-west, distant 12
miles, she saw eight sail of the line and a paddlewheel
frigate. The sailing vessels were under topgallant sails
and ro2vals, the steamer under easy steam and fore and
1 aft cau vas. They were all reaching off in a south-east
directio n. Wind E.N.E., very light.

MELANCHOLY DEATH OF CAPTAIN FOOTE
ANA) FOUR SEAMEN OF H.M.S. CONFLICT.

A better from Memel of the 19th inst. reports the
Captain J. Foote, of the corvette
melancholy death of Ca
Conlliict, a most meritorious officer. Captain Foote
came on shore on the morning of the 19th, with another
officer, on business connected with the prizes. About
five Ire the afternoon he wished to return on board. A
fresh north-wester had been blowing for some time,
Tight, against the stream of the Haf, where it debouches.
There. was a heavy surf, especially between the moles.
The head pilot at Memel strongly advised Captain Foote
to take a larger boat for his return, but in vain. The
captain, with his lieutenant, got into a long narrow gig
that was manned with five sailors. In less than ten
minutes after the boat suddenly disappeared. In an
instant the life-boat was launched and manned with
pilots, but it came too late to save all ; the lieutenant
and. one of the men were still alive and clinging to the
thwart-straps of the boat, but half frozen ; the captain,
with four of his men, had already found a watery grave.

NAVAL AND MILITARY INTELLIGENCE
The screw-frigate Termagant, 24, was placed in the
steam-factory dock of Portsmouth yesterday, to be pre-
pai*ed for commission. Having no machinery on board,
this will take some time.
The Pigmy steam-vessel, 100-horse power, is ordered
to be commissioned at Portsmouth as a tug and gun
ho at, to attend on the Baltic fleet. She will have a
crertv• of 35, and will carry one long 32 and two long 18-
, po under swivel guns.
' T'he Rosamond, 6 guns, paddle-wheel steam-sloop,
Coaannander George Wodehouse, got up steam yester-
da and left Sheerness at noon for the Downs, on her
passage to the Baltic.
The Majestic, 91 guns, new screw steam-ship, Captain
tmes Hope, has proceeded through the Queen's Chan-
t}, d for the Downs, on her way to the Baltic. The Ma-
je stic will wait in the Downs the arrival of the French
squadron from Brest, and keep them company.
Tier Majesty's brig Frolic left Gibraltar on the 12th
just. for the westward.
The following appointments have been made :
Paymaster James C. Pinhorn (1852), serving in the
Comus, 14, sloop, on the East India station, is appointed
secretary to Commodore John Adams, who is to succeed
Commodore Lambert on the Madras station.
Paymaster John Retallick (1853) from the St. Vincent
gziardship of ordinary at Portsmouth, to the Comus, vice
Pinhorn.

Master's Assistant James R. Harris, to the Amphion
34, screw steam-frigate, in the Baltic Sea.
Clerk's-Assistant W. F. Simmonds, to the Miranda,
14, screw steam-sloop, refitting at Sheerness.
Mr. Martin, treasurer of Portsmouth dockyard, has
'been promoted to be foreman of shipwrights at Chatham
'vice Blessley, appointed from Chatham to Portsmouth.
13y the arrival of the Peninsular and Oriental Com-
pany's steam-ship Tagus at Southampton yesterday, wo
have accounts from Gibraltar to the 14th inst. The royal
mail steamer Orinoco, with the 7th Fusiliers, reached
Gibraltar on the 10th inst., in five days &dm Southamp•
on.. The Trent, with the 23d Fusiliers, arrived the fol-
lowing day, in six days from Southampton. The steamer
Toianing, 4i days from Deptford, having on board
Brigadiers Sir Colin Campbell, J. L. Penne-
fath ier, C. 8., and R. Airey, with a detachment of the
19':h Foot and a number of horses, arrived on the 11th.
Th e steam-ship City of London, six days from Woolwich,
ha sing on board a part of Lord Raglan's staff, including
Gcnierad Sir de Lacy Evans and a company of Sappers
and Miners to form the pontoon train, arrived on the
13.t.h. The Medway, seven days from Portsmouth, with
the 95th Foot, arrived on the 13th. All these steamers,
after coaling, proceeded at once to Gallipoli, the Tonning
and Trent to call at Malta en route. The royal mail
stosoners Medway and Trent, after landing their respec-
tive regiments at Gallipoli, were under orders to return
to Gibraltar to embark the 30th and 50th Regiments
front that garrison for the scene of war. The Cunard
steam-ship Niagara, with the 88th (Connaught Rangers)
on board, passed through the Straits at 11 a.m. on the
10th. The Peninsular and Oriental Company's screw
steamer Colombo, four days from Southampton, had ar-
rived at Gibraltar, on her way to Malta and Alexan-
dria. She took out orders for Staff-Surgeon R. J.
O'Flaherty to join the expedition under Lord Raglan.
The Edmundsbury, hired transport, embarked the
fourth portion of the 17th Lancers at Portsmouth dock-
yard yesterday morning, consisting of Capt. Morgan,
Lieut. Musgrove, Dr. Powell, and 40 men and horses,
and sailed with them in the afternoon for Turkey. The
headquarters and last troop will embark this morning
in the Eveline.
The Rodsley, No. 37, the Rubicon, No. 3S, and the
Harkaway, No. 39, horse troop transports under the
charge of Lieut. James H. Ma. Robertson, R.N.,
agent for transports, arrived at Woolwich from Dept-
ford yesterday, and were all taken into the basin. At
2 o'clock Capt. Maude's troop of Royal Horse Artillery
and a portion of Capt. Swinton's Field Battery arrived
at the dockyard and embarked their horeos and guns.
The following six sailing vessels, which have been for
some tine past at Liverpool, fitting up for the accom-
modation of horses, aro expected at Kingstown :—The
Glendalough, the Tyrone, the Asia, the -Warcloud, the
Panola, and the Paramatta. Immediately on their
arrival the 11th Hussars, who are matter marching
orders, will embark for Malta, en route to Gallipoli and
the seat of war.
Seventy-two large guns, of 9 and 11'. inch calibre,
cast by Walker and Co., of the Low Mecir Ironworks,
for the Turkish Government, have been proved at the
Royal Arsenal, and sent up to the dockyard, that a few
of each may be sent out in the transport :ships for their
destination. These fine pieces of ordnance are different
in the calibre from the 8, 10, and 13 inch guns used in
the British service. They appear to be east on Monk's
principle, or closely resembling it, with a great solidity
of metal at the breach, and are well adapted for defensive
operations,
The companies of the 38th Regiment, doing duty for
some time past at Woolwich, have been pieced under
orders to march from the garrison at 5 o'clock a.m. to.
day for New-cross, and proceed thence by railway to
Portsmouth, where they are to embark in the Megaara
iron screw steam-ship for conveyance to Gallipoli, there
to join the head-quarters, which embarked at Chatham
in the Melbourne.
Lieutenant-Colonel Dacres and Captain E. B. Hamley,
of the Royal Artillery, embarked from
East. Gibraltar on the
7th inst., by the steamer Sultan, for
the The
British transports Earl of Shaftesbury, the Mercia, No.
2, and the Alipere are reported to have passed
,the
Straits of Gibraltar.
A detachment of the 6th Enniskillen Dragoon Guards
arrived in Exeter on Saturday evening. They
con-
sisted entirely of the dismounted portion of the regi-
ment, and travelled the whole distance from Birming-
ham by railway. They proceeded at once to the Artil-
lery Barracks, which are situated about two miles from
the city. The remainder of the regiment, who are
mounted, are on their way. On Saturday they arrived
at Cheltenham. They are not expected to arrive at
Exeter until Saturday week.
A detachment of the Bth Hussars loft Exeter yester-
day morning en rotate for Plymouth, whence they will
almost immediately embark for the East. The men
mustered early in the Artillery Barracks, Topsham-road ;
and, on passing through the city, were received with
enthusiastic cheers by the inhabitants. They were ac-
companied some distance out of the town by the band
of the 3d Light Dragoons.
Two companies of the 90th Light Infantry are under
orders to proceed on Thursday next to Carlow and Mary_
borough respectively, under the command of Captains
O'Gorman and Meredith, replacing detachments of the
16th Regiment, ordered to England. It is said that
seven companies of the 90th Regiment are to be sent
out on detachments, in addition to the one now at Tul-
lamore, leaving at the head quarters in Dublin two
companies only, with just a sufficient number of duty-
men to furnish the Castle guard once a week.
The second or last division of the 14th Regiment,
under the command of Major James Watson, arrived in
Cork on Friday, by rail, and took up their quarters in

barracks. Malta, for the present, is to be their destina-
tion. The Bombay transport, a fine vessel of 1,200
tons, arrived on Friday in Queenstown for conveyance
of this regiment.
Some four-wheeled hospital waggons were yesterday
despatched from the manufactory of the Messrs.
Holmes, at Derby, to' Woolwich, whence they will be
immediately shipped to the seat of war. The body of
each waggon is divided into compartments, fitted to
receive four severely-injured men, in a recumbent ,posi- -
tion, on easy and commodious stretchers, and the front j
locker has seats upon it to accommodate six men, less '414
disabled. The whole is hung upon long elastic springs,
which on very uneven roads will be relieved by contact 81',
with india-rubber buffers ; the sides of the waggons fold
down, and form convenient receptacles for bedding and E;;12.,
stretchers during their transit by water. The method Of
detaching and packing the wheels, undercarriages, ~fts.;.'
canopies, medicine chests, &c., is very convenient and
simple.

THE MILITIA.
The 2d Royal Lancashire Militia (Duke of Lancaster's
Own) assembled for their 28 days' drill at the parade
ground at Everton yesterday. The regiment, which is
commanded by Colonel Sir Thomas Hesketh, is very
strong, consisting of about 1,200 men, almost all of
whom were on the ground, and looked in admirable con•

dition.
The 2d Regiment of Warwickshire Militia assembled
on the parade ground at Leamington on Friday to re-
ceive their colours. A square having been formed, the
colours were solemnly consecrated by the Rev. T.
Bowen, curate of the parish church, and were then
presented to the ensigns by Lady Skipwith. Colonel
Sir T. G. Skipwith then addressed the men. The
ground was kept by the Yeomanry Cavalry, under the
command of Lieutenant-Colonel Bolton King, Captain
Lord -Willoughby de Broke, and other officers. Colonel
Boultbee, of the Ist Militia Regiment, was also pre-
sent, and a large number of the most influential resi-
dents in the county witnessed the ceremony.
A notice has been issued directing the men belonging
to the Hertfordshire Regiment to assemble at Hatfield
on the 27th inst., instead of on the 26th (as before ar-
ranged), it being the day appointed for prayer and hu-
miliation on account of the war. After receiving their
clothing, arms, &c., they will be marched to Hertford,
where they will remain under training for 28 days.
The Royal -Monmouthshire Light Infantry Militia
assembled for 28 days' training on the 20th at Mon-
mouth, under the command ofaLieutensnt-Colonel Clif-
ford, M.P. Both the men and officers of this regiment
have evinced much military ardour, and the latter have
offered, in the event of the war continuing, to place
themselves unreservedly at the disposal of the Govern-
inent.
The Ist Devon Militia under the command of Earl
Fortescue, the lieutenant, colonel of the regiment, will
assemble for 28 days' training on the 31st of May at
Exeter. By that time the Bth Hussars—two troops of
which now occupy the Topsham, Barracks—will have
left for the East, and it is therefore expected that the
Militia regiment will occupy the barracks, which will be
much inure convenient and comfortable than billeting
the men at public-houses.
The 3d Royal Surrey Regiment of Militia assembled
yesterday morning at 10 o'clock, under the command of
Lieutenant Colonel C. B. Challoner, at Kingston-on-
Thames, for 23 days' training and exercise. The men,
who did not muster in as large numbers as was expected,
\
appeared to be in first-rate condition, and fit for the
duties they will have to perform. A great number of
visitors were on the ground during the morning.
The Royal Wiltshire Militia mustered at Devizes on
Thursday last. The muster was very large, only a small
number having entered the regiments of the line. The
men are in good condition, and will shortly be an effi-
cient corps. The period of training terminates on the
Ist proximo.
The West Essex Militia have assembled at Chelms-
ford, under the command of the Hon. C. H. Maynard.
The entire regiment numbers about 800, but the number
at present under training does not exceed 680.
[ The 4th Royal South Middlesex Militia, Lieutenant-
Colonel Bagot, was yesterday summoned by Adjutant
Prosser to muster at the head-quarters at Hounslow on
the 15th of May for 23 days' drill. This regiment num-
bers 1,000 volunteers.
Militia barracks are to be built at Norwich and Yar-
mouth for the accommodation of the Norfolk Militia.

THE DAY OF NATIONAL HUMILIATION.

From a Supplement to the Gazette of Friday, pub.
lished last night, we extract the following :
By the QUEEN—A PROCLAMATION,
For a Day of Solemn Fast, Humiliation, and Prayer.
VICTORIA R.
We, taking into our most serious consideration the
just and necessary war in which we are engaged, and
putting our trust in Almighty God that he will gra-
ciously bless our arms both by sea and land, have re-
solved, and do, by and with the advice of our Privy
Council, hereby command, that a public day of solemn
fast, humiliation, and prayer be observed throughout
those parts of our United Kingdom called England and
Ireland, on Wednesday the 26th day of April instant,
that so both we and our people may humble ourselves
before Almighty God, in order to obtain pardon of.
our sins, and in the most devout and solemn man-
ner send up our prayers and supplications to the
Divine Majesty, for imploring his blessing and assist-
ance on our arms for the restoration of peace to us and
our dominions ; and we do strictly charge and com-
mand that the said day be reverently and devoutly ob-
served by all our loving subjects in England and Ire-
land, as they tender the favour of Almighty God, and
would avoid his wrath and indignation ; and, for the
better and more orderly solemnising the same, we hat•
given directions to the most reverend the archbishops
and the right reverend the bishops of England and Ire-
land to compose a form of prayer suitable to this occa-
sion, to be used in all churches, chapels, and places of
public worship, and to take care the same be timely dial'
persed throughout their respective dioceses.
Given at our Court at Buckingham Palace, this
twenty-fourth day of April, in the year of our
Lord, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four,
and in the seventeenth year of our reign.
God save the Queen.

By the QUEEN—A PROCLAMATION.
For a Day of Solemn Fast, Humiliation, and Prayer in
Scotland.

VICTORIA E.
We, taking into our most serial's consideration [the
just and necessary war in which wo are engaged, and
putting our trust in Almighty God that he will graciously
bless our arms, both by sea and land, have resolved, and
do, by and with the advice of our Privy Council, hereby
their
GeilLtwerokner
twenty
,tayotn.
command that a public day of solemn fast, humiliation,
and prayer be observed throughout that part of our
Kingdom of Great Britain called Scotland, on Wednes-
day the twenty-sixth day of April instant, that so both
we and our people may humble ourselves before
Almighty God, in order to obtain pardon of our sins,
and in the most devout and solemn manner send
up our prayers and supplications to the Divine
Majesty for imploring His I)lessing and assistance
on our arms for the restoration of peace to us and
our dominions ; and we do strictly charge and com-
mand that the said day be reverently and devoutly
observed by all our loving subjects in Scotland, as they
tender the favour of Almighty God, and would avoid
His wrath and indignation.
Our will is, therefore, and we charge, that, this our
proclamation seen, ye forthwith proceed to the Market
Cross of Edinburgh, and all other. places needful, and
there, in our name and authority, make publication
hereof, that none pretend. ignorance.. And our will and
pleasure is, that our solicitor
.do cause printed copies
hereof to be sent to the sheriffs of the several shires
stewarts of stewartries, and bailiffs of regalities, and
whom we ordain to sec the same published
—and we do appoint them to send copies hereof to the
several parish churches
.within their bounds, that, upon
the Lord's-day immediately preceding the day above
mentioned, the same may be published and read from
the pulpits
eo fourthur
thousand
Court afterdayoetai
eight
DhAßtipvurhi
Buckingham
nsidigeri rhevtcaihir
aceae
n*Pydaelafiarrcetyo,.iftoohururis,
~
and in the seventeenth year of our reign. ..
God save the Queen. ' .'3‘ll‘'
!inn c.d.

,r • Us,
_ THE CAPTAIN OF A. STEAM-BOAT IMPRISONED POlt--.7, d
NEGLIGENCE.—On the 31st of December last, a collision „„ took place on the Granton and Burntisiand ferry, be- X ".,
tween the steamers Leviathan and Express, which created
much alarm among the passengers, though fortunately
no loss of life was occasioned. Blame was attributed at
the time to the parties in charge of the steamer Express,
and, after a preliminary investigation into the cir! e4sl
cumstauces, the Crown deemed it necessary to instie
tute a prosecution against Samuel Barker and John i.
M'Lellan, captain and mate of that vessel. Their
case was tried before Sheriff Monteith, at the Sheriff
Criminal Court of Cupar, on Tuesday. The indictment
charged them with culpable and reckless breach of duty
—the former in having left the deck without sufficient
reason ; and the latter in not having kept a better look-
out, and in having failed to put his helm to starboard,
so as to pass the steamer Leviathan, in consequence of
all of which the two ships came in violeut collision, and
injured several of the passengers. Some of the witnesses
who appeared for the prosecution alleged that the cap-
tain lett the deck in order to sell whisky to the passen-
gers. The captain and mate got excellent characters
from the exculpatory witnesses who were examined.
The jury found both panels guilty as libelled, but unani-
mously recommended them to the leniency of the Court.
The Sheriff sentenced Captain Barker to imprisonment
for three months, and M`Lellan, the mate, to imprison-
ment for two months. The Sheriff, while passing sen-
tence, reprobated the practice of selling whisky on board
the vessels on the ferry.—Scotsman.
EXTRAORDINARY DISCOVERY OF COINS.—A very ex-
traordinary discovery was made by a labouring man in
the neighbourhood of Coleraine the other day, while
cleaning out a ditch. He found an urn containing 1,937
coins, together with 341 ounces of silver in pieces of
various sizes. The coins are Roman, in the most perfect
state of preservation, of the most antique description,
' and, what is very singular, no two coins appear to bear
the same superscription. The silver is composed of a
large number of weighty ingots and ornamental pieces,
, supposed to have been used on armour for horses.
There are also several battle axes, marked with Roman
characters. The whole is now in the possession of Mr.
James Gilmour, Watchmaker, Coleraine, where they
may be seen by any one curious in the science of nutule.
matics.—Cokraine Chronicle.