The Sun.
London, England, 1853-12-05 00:00:00

[-PRICE SD.

THE EASTERN QUESTION..

( FPom the Tintes. )

It is not true, as has been stated on assumed autho-
rity, that any' brief and conclusive_ note" from the
Emperor of Russia to ths,Frencli and English Govern-
.'ments has cut short all further negotiation, arid referred
the decision of, the Eastern question to the fortune of
war. No such Connnunication has.reached this country.
The effect produced in Russia:, and especia!ly on the
mind of the Emperor Nicholas, by the intelligence se-
mi:red during the past month front the frontiers" of the
Danube and the Caucasus is. still imperfectly known to
the west of Europe, though it is of essential imporrxtiee
to any estimate ,which maybe funned of the chances 'o.f
peace and war. Our own correspondence .from St.;
Petersburgh and Warsaw extends to the 2441 of No-,
versles, and, although in those iron-girt cities little is
suffered to transpire which conveys an impression, of
doubt or perplexity on the part of the Government,
it is clear that the aspect of affairs is viewed there
with extreme anxiety awl apprehension. The Emperor
himself appears to have been alternately irritate,' and
depressed—annoyed by the evident failure of his politi-'
cal schemes and military operatious—irresolute in the
adoption. of measures slifileien'ly decided to carry -on;
.orto ' h' - ' '''
'the war on a grand seale ontlirr,e I. _sting p-aw 4.
-11 e .fiirds hinis.elf, indeed, irca-cp '..
.111Alk
Aillioulty ands embarrassment. :.Tohseitiorn °IT '1"" b :he'
.haughtily, despatched across -liin frontiersoci)swbil' which'
the Porte by their mere 'presence 1,,,,;,,, to. °YeY,'sFe'
feated on every occasion' mi.-Which they' haveasSet' beendi"'
collision with the eneiny:. The Ttirii,anltsobni,eirbiaise.livleids,
ticome into
-acknotvledge A loss of 1,500 wen killed
• Missing, in their late rencontres with the Turk! . k-x i
,the Danube, and, among the nuiiiber: G 3' 1
• • • ) enera
Pawloff, commanding, a divisipn, and tiericeraU
SiurtkOwski,: corninanding - llio- Artillery, - =hare
been severely weendtd. On the. Asiatic frontied
matters look oven worse. . The first incident of the war,!
being the capture of a fort named after the patron saintl
of the Car himself, has struck a'stiperstitiotisgloorn intol
the army and Atte Russian people, -and is regarded as of
most ominous event. Prince jti oronzow's. d&spatell,
giving an account of the capture of this fort—St. Niche-,
las—was certainly not 'calculated to diminish the itnpres-
sion produced by such 'a : defeat ; and the subsequent'
repulse by the Turks of five attempts to retake this
position has aggravated the disaster. At the same time
a Russian steamer, the Foudroyant, with troops on
board, the same, it is said, which conveyed Prince Mens-
chikoff to Constantinople on his arrogant mission, ran,
aground on the coast, and was destroyed by the enemy,:
and a steam-frigate is reported to have been damaged,
if
.not lost, in another part of the Black Sea. There
appears great reason to expect that these successes
of the Turkish forces, followed by •the raising of the
blockade of the coast, and by supplies of arms and pow-
der from the Turkish arsenals, will be followed by a
general insurrection of the mountaineers of the Caucasus.
The hill forts and block-houses, which served to cover
the Russian stations, will be closely invested, and' the
communication by the military roads through the pro-
vince. wholly interrupted, Meanwhile Prince Woronzow
is at Tiflis with an army of about 30,000 men, but the
reinforeoments he demanded have not reached him ;
his communications by sea and land are threatened or
cut off ; and, to complete the embarrassment of the
Emperor, it appears by the last accounts that Prince
Woronzow himself, who may be regarded as the second
personage in the empire, and has shown great abilityin
his administration of Southern Russia, is seriously, and
even dangerously ill. . , . . ,
If the Emperor Nicholas turns his thoughts westward
he finds'iliere no grounds of confidence or satisfaction.
Exactly a year ago he was united by the closest ties to
the leading States of Central Europe and to-this country.
He has now converted. the . intimate relations which ex-
isted between himself arid the German Powers into dis-
approval of his policy, remonstrances against his mea-
sures, suspicion of his designs, and neutrality verging
towards positive resistance. :With this country and
with France he finds himself on a still more precarious
footing ; and in the course of these transactions nothing
appears to have affected the Emperor more than the
consciousness that lie :has. forfeited the respect and
goodwill of the whole English people, and placed in
Jeopardy the pacific relations between Russia and
England; which have remained almost unbroken for
300 years. He Stands in that positibn 'of total isola-
tion in which no Government, not even that of
Louis XIV., or Napoleon, could maintain unwarrant- '
able pretensions, and nn Soiereign ever yet perma- '
nently gave the law to Europe. Whatever be his pride,
and whatever be his power, to that law he must one day
bow, and it is a lamentable mistake to imagine that
this necessity will become less painful and humiliating
by'a`more protracted contest. On the contrary, at each
successive step- the Emperor findsliimself more nearly
opposed,' not to Turkey, bUt ,to the great Western
Powers whom he has called into the field; for there is
now reason to believe that positive and definite engage-
iirents have been agreed to by the. four -vacillating
. Powers..pledgingthem to submit to no change in the
territorial arrangements of Europe. The scheme of a
direct negotiation- between Russia and Turkey, which
has been mentioned, is a !mere invention of the Journal
des Debats or its Russian informants.

Probably another fortnight will elapse before it is
known with certainty whether the belligerents accept
or. refuse the invitation to send plenipotentiaries to a
conference of the other Four Powers, and in the mean
time we must expect the continuation of military pre-
parations. At present, however, no measures of extra-
ordinary promptitude or energy appear to have been
taken, and the Russians seem rather intent on pre-
paring for a long struggle than on striking an imme-
diate blow. The army in Poland, contrary to the re-
ports which have been current, has not moved, and has
received no orders to move ; but the process of recruit-
ing is carried on this year in Poland with peculiar
violence and barbarity ; the number of conscripts
required has been increased by several thousands, and
persons have •been seized even in their, own houses
and pressed into the Imperial ranks for military service
of 25 years ! . While these horrors are perpetrated at
Warsaw and in other Polish towns, the dignified and
hopeful language of the venerable Prince Czartoryski to
the Polish emigration in Paris, and the marks of confi-
dence recently shown to the Polish leaders by the
French Government, may serve to remind the Emperor
Nicholas that the most audacious act of Russian ambi-
tion and injustice—the spoliation of Poland—is still
unredressed. If the army of Poland is really intended
to move southward, its place must be immediately sup-
plied, and probably the Imperial Guard would advance
to the western frontier. The corps of General Osten-
Sacken, which was reported some days ago to have
crossed the Pruth, is still by no means so far advanced.
The, reinforcements that crossed the Pruth were
only three cavalry regiments. But Osten-Sacken's army
will probably not reach the Danube before the latter
part of this .month, or the beginning of January, if, in-
deed, it be riot still further retarded by the state of the
country, which is almost impassable at this season.
According to all the previous experience we have had of
Russian armies' entering upon a campaign, several
months will elapse before the Emperor can be prepared
to take the field with such forces as he marched into
Hungary in
.1849.

These various circumstances —.the inglorious com-
mencement of the war, the critical position of the
Transcaucasian provinces, the increasing alienation
from Russia of all the European Powers, and the scar-
city of money, which begins to be felt—are said to
have produced a very unfavourable effect on the Em-
peror's mind. At the most critical moment of his reign
the-confidence which existed between himself and his
oldest counsellors, and even his own family, is shaken
and impaired. His conduct is wayward, his policy un-
settled ; and we hear no more of that popular enthusiasm
for war in Russia which was said to be urging on the
Government to the most violent measures. If this
be a faithful picture, as we believe it is, of the state
of opinion at the Court of St. Petersburg, nothing
can be further from that vigorous union and manly
decision which can alone direct with success gre enterprises in politics and in war. From the choke
of Prince lienschikoff as her envoy to the,
to the more recent incidents of this cam
committed a series of gross blunders, whPicafliiSaiiisoffinecalille.
ally exploded her extravagant reputationf di
7ttlessia has
ability, and even shaken the prestigeheer
in a position
power. 'These blunders have placed her
by fresh acts of
out of which she cannot force a her military
violence without encountering
No doubt it has. berme
difficult caries and a more signal defieeahto.ias
niPasiTformidable adver-
facilitatteo recede,
and,
tilihtan hto
difficult for the Emperor Nicholas
his
.ret,rse.
•elay
has
sake of peace, it is wiser.
But every ". (I
insist Upon a surreinilte:d
strengthened the u.
1, retensions, an
t.
determination
ilifit
twi'leereottrhteter
Powers to oppose despera
..is preteen ate resolu ion of breaktin. ge
the
that-he had takerlotiations,
p Of the success of
off all further
lrgportien he would throw down b
glove to • a greons we
entertain any confident hope,
hate ceased, e.from the experience
these negotiate months, to
of the last irat
least have
coin ardtaetdedevtehreyezffneoarntss
of
but they wicace, they have consolidated i
presort-
ivtgP)owers interested in restoringiePye
fail, the dis-
ace, and they
the Gren I tely throw on Russia, if t
will "'IT ethe penalty of this unjust and unnecessary
grace an,.

war.

THE MATI. PACKETS. —SOUTHAMPTON, TRIDAY.—The
Royal Mail Conipany's steam-ship Solent (Captain
.TiMello) left this afternoon with the West India and
Mexican mails. She had on board 14,0001. in specie,
120 passengers, amongst whom are. Vicomte de la hlotte, -
Sir W. Thomas, Captain Arbuthnot, and D. Rohobach.
She had also a small amount of general cargo.
DEIARRIHE or THE ASIA.—On Saturday, at noon, e
for New
British and North American Royal Mail steani-fitlliiip-
Asia, Capt. E. G. Lott, sailed from the Mersey
York, with the usual mails for the United States and
British possessions in North America seventy-one pas-
sengers, and a full cargo of general merchandise on
freight.
ANOTHER BLOW AT HUNGARIAN
NATIONLITY.—
The Emperor of Austria has
ja January
issued a decree direct-
ing that, from the Ist
next, public instruc-
tion shall be given exclusivelyuariyn the German language
in all the state colleges of
professors in 'these colleges
ltun.gary. At present, the
Latin, 31UngD, ' l:l4u, and German.
-give their instruction in

aehe Penimular and Oriental Company's steam-
shill Sultan, Captain John Weeks, arrived at
Southampton on. Saturday, at 5 p.m., with the
usual Peninsular mails, and dates from Gibraltar
the 23d, Cadiz the 24th, Lisbon the 29th, and Vigo
the 30th ult. With Oporto no communication could
be effected, in consequence of the state of the
weather.

The Sultan brings on freight three packages of
specie, 97 boxes of eggs, 1,825ha1f-chests of oranges,
265 boxes of raisins, 732 serous of canary seed,
seven casks of ivory, 20 boxes of preserved fruit,
28 casks of wine, six baskets of chestnuts, 16 bar-
rels of dates, and sundry merchandise.
The Sultan left her Majesty's steam-frigate Odin
at anchor in the Tagus at 8 a.m. on the 29th ult.,
as also be, Newton; French steam-sloop. The South
American and General. Steam Navigation Corn,
pany s ' new steamer Lusitania, on. the Brazil line,
'entered tho Tagus -at daylight on the 29th, having
been off the bar in little more than four days from
Liverpool..
The French steamer-of-war Canada left Lisbon
for Toulon on the 28th. •
On the 29th ult. the Sultan communicated with
her Majesty's ships Imperieuse and Valorous lying
in Caceis-bay. Her Majesty's ship Desperate was
also observed in company with those ships. The
Portuguese war-steamer. Don Luiz, having on
board the Prince de Joinville and suite, left Lisbon
on the 28th nit. for CadiZ.

Another asgzmination has just been perpetrated.
The. victim on this occasion was the notorious
Galamba, once a most active guerilla. chief, and
latthrly a deputy to the Cortes.
The Comit Tasarada, Son-in-law of the Duke of
Sallanba, and civil governor of Lisbon, died on
Friday, after a lingering illness. His successor in
•The Goyerninent Will probably be the Connt -de
Ponto,':the nephew Of the Duke.'
- The Lisbon exchange quotations .for bills at
three months are, by this steamer, 541.0 n London,
with little husinris and paper over ; Paris, 531 ;
"Amsterdam, 4`.2,, in demand ;1-fambrirg, 48k, in
demand ; and Genoa, 530 ; Netv Poi-fugues° Three
per Cents. were--in deinand 39.!i to 40 ; and
Bank of Portugal shares, at 157t.Q.1.33 milreis dis.
per share of 500 milreis, these- rates being subject
to the current discount of.2im per cent. upon
,Lisbon Bank,
main-
trained 5 to 6-
•.opoito Bank Shares main-
per cent. pm. in metal.

THE FUNERAL OF THE LATE QUEEN.
On the 10th ult. the remains of the late Queen
' of Portugal were deposited in the tomb of her an-
cestors. In consequence of the rapid decomposi-
tion of the body much of the ceremonial used on
such occasions had to be dispensed
with, and,
among other things, the kissing of the Royal hand
was substituted by obeisances performed before the
closed coffin. At ten o'clock on Saturday morn-
ing, the Mistress of the Robes, having locked the
outer coffin and delivered the key to the " Mordonio
Mor," took a lighted candle in a candlestick (the
established etiquette)and went before the bearers of
the coffin, as far as the palace gate, where she stood
until the hearse in which it was deposited began
to move away. The following was the order of
the procession :—A squadron of Lancers, the offi-
cers of the municipality on horseback, in long black
cloaks and cocked .hats with crape bands—two long
lines of citizens (among them many of the British
residents) all ix deep mourning and bearing wax
torches—the carriages of the ministers, the nobility,
and the corps diplomatic-pc—the state carriages
conveying the great officers of the household—a
splendid carriage conveying the crown and sceptre
upon a large cushion of crimson velvet—an empty
mourning coach—the hearse surrounded by the
archers o the Royal Guard in their showy dress
of scarlet and gold, and walking bareheaded—
another squadron of cavalry—and lastly, the
troops that lined the streets, and fell into platoons
as the procession passed them.
On the . whole, there was nothing grand in the
funeral ; but the voluntaray attendance of the
citizens, whose numbers must have amounted to
some ,two or three thousand, was an unexpected
novelty which greatly heightened its effect. The
part which our merchants took in it did credit to
their good feelings ; the more so, as the system of
government coeval and connected with the en-
thronement of the illustrious deceased has been
one of anything but favour to their commercial in-
terests. The wisdom of the display may, perhaps,
be questioned, but certainly not the amiability of
the feeling by which it was prompted. The fune-
ral service at the church was long and solemn, and
at its termination the crowds dispersed; the lights
were extinguished, the doors were closed, and the
High and Mighty Princess Donna ‘Maria da
Gloria, Queen of Portugal and Algarve, &c., was
left to pass her first night in the vault where lie
the remains of her Royal ancestors.
On the 23d inst., after having, according to the
custom of the Portuguese Court, passed eight days
in close retirement, the King Regent held a levee
at the palace of Necessidades, On the 26th an
address of condolence on the part of the British
merchants was presented to his Majesty by a depu-
tation from that body, composed of Mr. Vice
Consul Meagher, and Messrs. Shore, Roughton,
Ellorton, Knowles, Wilby, Turner, Hancock, and
Carruthers.

There is a rumour very current that his Majesty
intends, when the Cortes meet, to recommend that
they should either declare the young King of age
' at once, or at all events shorten the term of his
minority. It does not appear upon what founda-
tion this report rests. It is, however, very
likely to be true. The minority is too short to
allow the Regent time to carry out any extensive
plan he may have for promoting the good of
the country, but quite long enough to enable
him to bring a load of odium, deserved or un-
deserved, upon himself. Besides which, he
is not only a foreigner, but setting aside the period
-of Spanish domination from 1580 to 1640—the
only foreigner who has ever been at the head of
the State ; and, all circumstances considered,'
therefore, it will not be wondered at if he should
decline the regency at once, or endeavour to shuffle
ifeteolffingas: soitouisas
npootssilbiklee.ly
A thatssm u i h
el 1 gw
i ,1111 i sm
etha nth hi
li es make any change in the administration; or do more, than merely carry on the ordinary routine of Go-
vernment ; unless, indeed, the state of the Duke
of Saldanha's health, which is said to be again very
infirm, should oblige that nobleman to retire from
office ; in which case, M.
the hands of what party theßoyochuniggo
li. .er. Into
da Fonseca
would probably take
is place as Premi
King will fall
remains to be seen. • As y
nprootbmabalnyifethstoed any political predilections, being
et, it is said, he has
e rboyish
sports to tninkra ilmucheh t 2
mat-
ters ; but this of course cannot last long, and esneriuoupslwyiothf
ohtihs
mean-
while, no doubt, every effort will be made by the
different cliques to win him over to their side.

THEATRE ROYAL DRURY-LANE.
Lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith.
THIS EVENING, DEC. 5,
The GREAT AMERICAN EQUESTRIANS will exhibit their
astonishing Feats, unmatched in the history of such Performances,
assisted by the most renowned Gymnastic Artistes, 0. Dale and
Barnes, the European and American champions.
To render the termination of the Equestrian Season equal in
attraction to its commencement, Mr. T. Smith has engaged Herr
Hengler, the most accomplished Tight-Rope Dancer in the World.
Mons. Desaire's Troupe of Performing Dogs and Monkeys every
Evening. Reduced Prices as usual.

TIIEATRE ROYAL, HAXMARKET.
Under the management of Mr. Backstone.

THIS EVENING, DEC. 5,

Will be performed THE HOPE OF THE FAMILY. Characters
by Messrs Compton, Chippendale, and Buckstone ; Miss E. Grey,
and Mrs. Fltzwilliam.
To be followed by ANY PORT IN A STORM. Characters by
Misses E. Ormonde and Featherstone.
To conclude with A PRETTY PIECE OF BUSINESS. Cha-
racters by Messrs. Howe and Backstone ; Miss Reynolds and Mrs.
ritzwilliam.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET.
Under the Management of Mr. CHARLES KEAN.
THIS EVENING, DEC. 5,
Will be performed THE DAY AFTER THE WEDDING. Sur-
ported by Mr. and Mrs. W. Lacy.
After which. L9rd Byron's Tragedy of SARDANAPALUS, con-
siderably abridged for stage representation. Principal characters by
Mr. anti Mrs. C. Lean.
To conclude with TURNING THE TABLES. Characters by
Messrs. Harley, J. Vining, Chester, and Everett ; Mrs. W. Lacy,
Misses Daly and C. Leclercq.

LYCEUM THEATRE.

Under the Management of Madame Vestris.
THIS EVENING, DEC. 5,

will be performed A BACHELOR OF ARTS. Characters by
Messrs. C. Mathews, F. Matthews, and Baker; Miss F. Hughes.
After which, THE COMMENCEMENT OF A BAD FARCE
which, however (it is hoped), will. in the end, show HOW TO
MAKE HOME HAPPY. Principal character by Mr. Wright.
To be followed by A NICE FIRM. Principal characters by
Messrs. C. Mathews, F. Matthews, and Mrs. F. Matthews.
To conclude viilth WRIGHT AT LAST.

.LTBE ROYAL A.DELPIII.
Proprietor, Mr. B. Webter•—Directress. Madame Celeste.
TBIS EVENING, DEC. 5,

Will be performed THE THIRST FOR GOLD; or, The Lost
Ship. Characters by Messrs. B. Webster, P. Bedford, and Keeley;
and Madame Celeste.
To be followed by WHITEBAIT AT GREENWICH.
After, which, THE C AMP AT CHOI3IIAM.
To be followed by "HOTEL CHARGES!" or, How to Cook
.. A Btfnn."

ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE.
Lessee and Manager, Mr. A. Wigan.

THIS EVENING, DEC. 5,
Will be performed PLOT AND PASSION. Principal characters
by Mr. F. Robson and Mrs. Stirling.
To be followed by THE CAMP AT THE OLYMPIC. Charac-
ters by Messrs. A. Wigan, Emery, F. Robson, Cooper, and Galli ;
Mesdames A. Wigan, Stirling, P. Horton, Chatterley, E. Turner, and
Wyndham.
To conclude with THE WANDERING MINSTREL.

ASTLEY'S EUROPE'S NATIONAL AMPHITHEATRE.

Lessee and Manager, Mr. W. Cooke,

Extraordinary Novelty. First Appearance of Mr. W. Cooke's won-
drous TRAINED ELEPHANTS, and First Night of the New
CHINESE SPECTACLE. Grand combination of Equestrian
Talent in the Arena.

THIS EVENING, Dzc. 5,

Will be produced (on a scale of magnificence surpassing all former
efforts) an entirely original iiippo-Dramatic Chinese Spectacle, in
Three Acts, with new and splendid scenery, costume's, and appoint-
ments, written expressly by the popular author, Mr. G. ALHAR, to
introduce those wonder of wonders, Mr. William Cooke's Trained
Elephants, and embodying the immense resources of this Esta-
blishment, entitled THE WISE ELEPHANTS OF THE EAST;
or, The Magic Gong. In the course of this gorgeous Spectacle the
singular customs, costumes, and scenery of this country (China)
will be vividly portrayed, and the marvellous feats of the Elephants
(hitherto unattempted irom their apparent impossibility of achieve-
ment until witnessed) will, it is trusted, render the Drama an un-
rivalled production in this Theatre.

Followed by William Cooke%i matchless scenes of the ARENA,
by unequalled artistes.

Supported by Mr. ALFRED COOKE and the Elite of European
Equestrian Talent, iccluding Six popular Clowns.
Concluding with (Last Six Nights) JUPITER'S DECREE; Or,
The Fall of Phaeton.

Box-office open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W,
West.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
Tuts DAY —Morning 53 min.after 4 I Evening 19 min.aft. • 5
To-Moattovi—Morning 46 min.after 5 I Evening 13 min.aft. 6

THE WEATHER.—Sus OFFICS, DEC. 4.

. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE.
55 —highest since noon yesterday.
40—lowest this morning and during the night.
43—this day at noon.
BAROMETER, 30'02.
WIND, E.—Light breeze, and fine weather.

DECEMBER 5.
48— highest since noon yesterday.
42—lowest this morning and during the night.
48—this day, at noon.

BARONET Ell, 29'97.
WIND, S.E. to E.—Dull weather, with a sprinkling
of rain.

. .Ged4A,
molt ,