The Sun.
London, England, 1854-08-08 00:00:00

RUSSIAN EMISSARIES AT ROME.

The Univers says :—" The Russian Archiman-
drite of Jerusalem has been at Rome for some
weeks. On the other hand, Prince Gregory Wol-
conski, attache at the Russian Legation at Rome,
arrived in that city about a fortnight back, with
despatches from his Government. Lastly, the
German journals announce that a Russian agent
has likwise been sent to Rome to give explana-
tions, in the name of the Czar, respecting the
questions of the Holy Places. Thus, it will be
perceived, Russian diplomacy does not remain idle.
It is impossible to imagine, a letter says, with what
horror the news was received at Rome of the revo-
lutionary movement which has just broken out at
Parma. A unanimous cry of reprobation has
arisen against the wretches who select, for the pur-
pose of attacking the Government of their country,
the moment when that Government is entering so
frankly and so resolutely on the path of wise re-
forms and public ameliorations."

FORTIFICATIONS OF SEBASTOPOL.
The news of the sailing of the expedition to the
Crimea has all of a sudden given a fresh interest to
the Eastern question, and every one is looking out
with intense anxiety for news from that quarter.
C~„n lady eno.ovb +9 have thought
an attack on oecastopol by lane procaine, as leans
during the present season ; and no one seems to
know with precision what the Russians have been
doing for the defence of Sebastopol, or with what
force they will be able to oppose the allied armies.
If we are to believe the Journal des Debats, great
and important additions have been made to the
strength of the place on the land side, and the
armies will meet with a formidable resistance.
That paper says :
" Before 1852 Sebastopol was scarcely fortified on the
land side, and was commanded by the surrounding heights;
but those hills nearest the town have been partly levelled
and the earth transported to the lower grounds and
hollows, which might facilitate a besieging force in ap-
proaching the place. On the ground so prepared, a
circular wall, starting from the citadel, which rises be-
hind the quarantine fort, has been traced out. This
wall must have at least three-quarters of a league in cir-
cuit, and is an exceedingly important work, requiring
much time and outlay. Constructions of strong masonry
are necessary to constitute fortifications capable of resist.
ance, and a mere rampart is not sufficient ; and, in addi-
tiim, a fortified place must have half-moons and lunettes
also in strong masonry. So great a work cannot be
executed all of a sudden. However, the report goes that
all the soldiers and seamen are now employed on it, to
the number of 40,000 ; and with the Russian method,
which consists in sacrificing men by thousands for any
works whatever, whether of war or not, it is not impos-
sible that the fortifications may be in part finished when
the allies arrive before the place. In spite of the works
of levelling which have been executed, Sebastopol not the
less remains commanded by heights which it is impos-
sible to remove, and on which is marked out by nature
the position of an entrenched camp for a besieging
force.
It is true that outside neither the port nor even the tops
of the maritime site with respect to
the depth
when the siege works shall
surrounding cliffs. But
right, the great mili-
taryhave been carried towards the
will then be laid open, and may be raked by
port
of the masts of the vessels can be seen, on account of
cannon alongits whole
most vulnerable point
unless immense fortifications
raised there, which cer-
tainly the
the Russians cannot have time to construct with
extent.
of Sebastopol
Thatopot will
on
land
always
dbe sitdlei:
sufficient solidity. Besides, every strong place, be-
sieged in the rules of art, and with the necessary means,
is of
most necessity taken. h
08l
eu But forrm army
the
required,siege f
forSebas-
topol
undoubtedlys
less
placethan
the
Russians will send one there
for the defence of tbat great arsenal. The prelimi-
nary operation of the siege will be the landing in the
Crimea of an army with its materiel. A landing in an
enemy's country is always one of the most difficult ope-
rations of war. The coasts will certainly be well nothing
l ae
pro-
vided with troops to oppose the landing. Where will
the allied forces be landed on this occasion ? Is it on the
southern coast, at the Monastery of St. George, or in
the excellent harbour of Balaklava, or on the fine
'strand of Yalta, or in the inlets of Cape Cherso-
nesus ? The most distant of these inlets is only
three leagues from Sebastopol ; four of them are
known, the following being their names :—Strebetska,
Pestebanaia Kamiesk, and Kasach. In landing in one
of these little bays there would be this advantage, that
of being very near the place to be attacked, for the con-
veyance of siege materials. Eut our generals, and ad.
mirals will no doubt know how to choose the proper
point for landing. 1.1.5 to the expedition itself, there ap-
pears to be no doubt than it will take place, and the Rus-
sians expect it every day,"

THE BALTIC.
THE FLEETS AT LEDSUND:

The following extracts are from an interesting
letter, dated Ledsund, August 1 :
" We have captured a commissaire, one of that mys-
terious and powerful force—the Russian police.
"In consequence of the frequent disappearance of the
buoys which were laid down for the safe navigation of
this archipelago, an inquiry was set on foot, and at length
some clue was obtained of the whereabouts of the trou-
blesome and annoying marauder.
" Captain Sullivan, of the Lightning, landing upon
one of the islands, visited a snug little cottage, embowered
in trees and surrounded by many social rural comforts,
introducing himself with much suaviter in modo to the
lady portion of the household, he expressed a wish to
purchase a few necessaries from them, the produce of
the farm, and at the same time stated his desire to be on
the most friendly terms with them on all occasions. They
told him they dare not sell anything, as the Emperor
had issued positive orders forbidding the use of English
money, and therefore they could not receive it, espe-
cially as his minions, whose vigilance nothing could
escape, were on every side of them. While this friendly
conversation was being maintained, an individual, who
seemed to strike awe in every countenance, walked
brusquely in, and looking around him with the triumphant
air of a " man clad in a little brief authority" (not a
little), said, `How now ? What do I see ? I observe
you' (addressing the palpitating women, who quailed
before his gaze) receiving English money. I will send
you to the interior. I will not tolerate proceedings like
these.' To exonerate the innocent, and show himself
the guilty one, Captain Sullivan said—No ; on the con-
trary, these people have refused to take the money I
tendered ; but he now added that he required a few sup-
plies, and that if they hesitated in taking the money, he
would lay it down and help himself to the articles. I
won't allow you,' quoth the übiquitous imperial spy.
I have a duty to perform, and Ah, then,' rejoined
Captain S., assuming the frirtiter.in, rei 'and so have I,
too, a duty to perform, You are a Damian ; you are

therefore my enemy. You are now my prisoner.' The
tables were now turned, as two sturdy seamen conveyed
him away. _

"There is another gentleman of this class lurking
somewhere in the vicinity of the island of Brousso—one
of the many islands clustered here in such wild profusion.
The natives possess much pristine innocence, and seem
to welcome the English on their soil in the same ratio
that they abhor the Russians. Ido not pretend to
know their many causes of complaint against their
rulers, but I will mention a resent occurrence, which
has made the blood of all this innocent population run
cold. Two fine young lads, from Ango—another of the
islands—went on 'board one of our ships of war, and
on their return to the shore were met by some Russians,
who found some English money upon them. They were
immediately taken up to the fort, decapitated, and their
mutilated bodies were sent to the island whence they
came: This narrative was told us by some of the inno-
cent peasantry with tears in their eyes on presenting
them with money for a few requisites that we stood in
need of.

" The enemy are not asleep on their posts ; they are
daily strengthening their defences. With jackets off,
they seem to ply the pick-axe and shovel with enery in
throwing up works, opening loopholes for musketry,
forming glacis, and, I think, filling some of the embra-
zures with sand bags ' • they are well supplied with ord-
nance stores, have a three years' store of provisions, and
are quite prepared for prolonged resi,tance, The ships
are guarding the passes in every direction, so that the
garrison must see themselves completely hemmed in on
every side, and cut off from all relief. All the ships
are within signal distance of each other. The French
ships cut off all retreat on the Swedish side. Cap-
tain Ray, of the Amphion, took advantage of a dark
gloomy evening, when a fresh breeze was blowing,
and heavy rain falling, to sound the waters close in
by the forts, and make a general reconnaissance of
the works. He quietly proceeded with muffled ears,
and succeeded without being discovered. Such zealous
acts are worthy of being recorded to an officer's
credit, for in doing so he ran considerable risk of
being shot, even by less vigilant sentries than those
posted along the front of the fort on that night. The
islands look beautiful. We are now in the very midst
of an Aland summer. Everything is crowned with
vegetation. The trees have assumed their greenest tints,
mad everything is refreshing to look at. Only 7 weeks
ago the site of this blaze of flowers and sea of green was
dazzling white, and knee-deep in snow. An Aland sum-
mer is very fleeting. Already a perceptible change has
taken place in the length of our evenings. There is not
much time to delay operations before the winter, which
is very severe, sets in.

"The commander-in-chief, in the Driver, with the
captains of the squadron, visited Bomar Sound on the
26th ult. to inspect the localer Vice-Admiral Parseval
Deschenes also went up on the same day in the Darien.
The Odin and Porcupine (now at Bomar), which vessels
had been away on a cruise in the Gulf of Bothnia, on the
Swedish side, returned here on the same date. The
Rajah, steam-transport, with letters (27th) joined.
"Early on the morning of Sunday (30th) the trans-
ports with French troops made their numbers, and be-
tween 1 and 2 o'clock they came into the Sound, the
Hannibal leading, the Algiers following. The English
squadron manned and gave their brethren-in-arms a
good English cheer of welcome, which was 'heartily re-
sponded to by the French troops, who crowded the
booms and boom-boats. In round numbers, about 5,000
of the French contingent have arrived.
" General Baraguay d'Hilliers, in La Reine Hortense,
the Emperor's royal yacht, steamed in about half-past
three o'clock to-day (the 31st), and was loudly hailed
with thrilling cheers. He called upon the commander-
in-chief, Sir Charles Napier, on board the Duke of Wel-
lington, where he was received with all the honours due
to his rank. He is a fine soldier-like looking officer,
and, in the loss of arm, bears evidence of service. The
garrison is determined to hold out while they have a leg
to stand upon, or, as the saying is, " while there is a
shot in the locker." They have got plenty of red-hot
shot to greet us, as soon as we commence. They are
already piled up in the furnaces, fit for immediate use.
In addition to the garrison of regular (Finnish) troops
within the forts, ranging from 1,500 to 1,800 men, part
of the population of the island itself are armed, altogether
there are about 3,500 of all arms. Out of those 500 are
equipped as sharpshooters. There are about 80 Cossacks
of the Don, and some horse artillery with field battery.
The large fort mounts 100 guns. The large Martello
tower on the hill, commanding the other forts, has 30
guns; and another small tower on the right mounts ten
guns, and a masked battery on a promontory contains
seven guns. The colonel of engineers has been up to
examine the place, but there has been no general com-
bined inspection, as yet, by the heads of departments.
The forts fired upon the reconnoitring party, but the
shot fell short,
" A court-martial has been held on board the St.
Jean d'Acre, on a private of marines, belonging to the
Gladiator, for threatening his sergeant. The prisoner
has been found guilty, and sentenced to receive corporal
punishment.
"The French royal yacht, La Reine Hort‘nse, has
just left this anchorage for Bomarsund, with General
Baraguay d'Hilliers, Sir Charles Napier, Colonel Jones,
and all the heads of departments on board. The result
of to-day's inspection will be replete with interest to us
all. The health of the squadron is good, except the
St. Jean d'Acre, where cholera has again broken out.
train p,rpcted ir
transports, has not yet arrived. I believe they are on
their way here from Faro. Before commencing we must
have one company of Sappers here also ; but we shall
begin operations next week, I believe.
Another letter of the same date says :—" The Valo-
rous has come down to Ledsund ; she is very much
injured, and makes five feet of water per hour. By the
aid of a diving apparatus (which was borrowed from a
Frenchman) 13 of her planks have been found started,
and pieces five feet long have been brought up. A sail
has been passed under her bottom, over the hole, and
hopes are entertained that it will he so filled up as to
enable her to come home for repairs. On the 28th the
Holyrood arrived. It has been proposed to turn this
useful ship into a tank for the use of the fleet ; she is
admirably adapted for it, being divided into compart-
ments. Three Russians, who have deserted from the
forts, were taken on board the Duke to-day. They state
that the five forts have 3,100 men in them, including
500 Riflemen. They state that the garrison is very dis-
contented, and many would run if they could. They
are quite healthy. August 2.—This morning the three
Commanders-in-Chief have gone up to Bomarsund in the
yacht
to arrange the plan of attack, which I think will
take
place on Thursday or Friday, for everything is
prepared."
According to other letters from Led Sund, it was re-
ported that the gallant admiral said he would knock the
fort (of 108 guns) down in three hours after the towers on
the heights have been besieged. In the evening at 7
o'clock a private theatrical performance took place on
board her Majesty's ship Duke of Wellington, being
under, the immediate patronage of the Commande-in-
Chief. A large covering was stretched over the poop
and quarter-deck of the flag-ship, and there were seats
raised for the whole of th crew, the admiral and his
officers being on the poop. The seamen only performed
the pieces selected being Charles 11., or the Merry
Monurch, and the farce of Fortune's Frolic. The cha-
racters were exceedingly well sustained, and would have
done credit to a minor provincial theatre ; but the
bronzed arms and neck of Lady Clara contrasted
strangely with her elegant white dress and embroidered
handkerchief. The attendance of a fine band playing
overtures, and the usual supplies of tints, oranges, and
ginger beer, added much to the illusion of the scene.
Sir Charles Napier and suite attended in person, and it
I concluded with great eclat, much to the delight and en-
joyment of the men.