The Sun.
London, England, 1854-02-04 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING-, FEBRUARY 4, 1.8 54.

TIIEATRE ROYAL DIM/a-LANE.
Lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith.
TBI4 EVENING, FEB. 4,
Will be performed the Tragedy of BRUTUS. Characters by
Messrs' G. V. Brooke, G. Bei inett, Lee, Belton, and Pearson ; Miss
Fanny Cathcart, Mesdames Lewis and Vickery.
To conclude with KING RUMMINGTOP ; or, Harlequin and the
Lind of Toys.

THEATRE ROYAL, IIAYMAKKET.
Under the management of Mr. Bu.ekstone
THIS EVERTING, Faa. 4,

Will be performed THE HOPE OF THE FAMILY. Characters
by Messrs. Chippendale, Compton, and Backstone ; Mrs. FitzwWiam,
Miss E. Grey, &c.
After which, the Grand CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME, called
HARLEQUIN AND THE THREE BEAR:; or, Little Silverhair
and the Fairies. Columbine, Miss M. Brown; Harlequin, Mr. J.
Marshall : Pantaloon, Mr. W. A. Barnes; Clown, Mr. H. Marshall.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET.
Under the Management of Mr. Casual; KEAN.
THIS EVENING, FEB. 4,
Will be performed THE LANCERS; or, The Gentleman's Son.
Principal characters by Messrs. Meadows, Ryder, Everett, H. Mellon,
and D. Fisher; Mrs. Winstanley, Miss Daly, and Miss C. Leclercq.
After which will be presented the nevi Grand CHRISTMAS PAN-
TOMIME, entitled HARLEQUIN AND THE MILLER AND
HIS MEN; or, King Salamander and the Fairy of the Azure
Late. Harlequin, Mr. Cormack ; Clown, Mr. Reline ; Pantaloon,
Mr. I'anlo ; and Columbine, Miss Desborough.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
.fig DAY —Morning 26 min.after 6 Evening 47 min.aft. 6
ro-Moaftow—Morning 7 min.after 7 I Evening 29 min.ait 7

THE WEATHER.—SuN OFFICE, Fee. 4.
THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE.
43 —highest since noon yesterday.
36 —lowest this morning and during the night.
45—this day at noon.
BAROMETER, 30.04.
WIND, S.E.—Light breeze, and fine, clear weather.

Ot,

4. V.
-`•
• >AA'n*

LONDON, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1854.

The memorable Paul-Pry-Expedition in the
Black Sea has terminated. January the 23rd
found the combined fleets snugly ensconced once
more in their old Beycos anchorage. The Lint-
Expedition to Sinope has been followed up as far
as Batoum by the enterprise which a month ago
we predicted in so many words would be nothing
more remarkable, rather should we say nothing
less ludicrous, than this redoubtable Paul-Pry.
Expedition. Ministers may therefore " lay the
flattering unction to their souls" that they have
persisted in their old system of child's-play up to
the latest moment, up to the moment when it has
become absolutely impossible to defer any longer
the collision which any sane man might have
seen was inevitable from the commencement.

Inevitable, we say, that collision has at length
become—ani for these reasons—in spite of the
preposterous return of the combined fleets from
the Euxine to the Bosphorus, to the astonish-
ment and perturbation of the people of Constan-
tinople. Inevitable, because .of the withdrawal
from London of M. DE BRUNOW, and from Paris
of M. DE KISSELEIT. Inevitable, because of
the recal from St. Petersburg of Sir G. B.
SEYMOUR, the English, and of M. DE CAs-
TELBAJAC, the French Ambassador. Above
all inevitable from the occurrences which are
known to have taken place very recently in the
Austrian Capital. There, as well as at Berlin,
we are told that the wiser councils of the hour
have prevailed—the Prussian KING and the
Austrian EMPEROR having resolved, in
spite of every threat, and of every tempta-
tion (so it is whispered) to refrain even
from the medium course of a protracted
neutrality, and instead of that to regard the pas-
sage of the Danube by the Russians as tantamount
to a declaration of war against the Germanic
Confederacy. At Vienna, moreover, Count BuOL
has presented the counter proposals of the CZAR
to the assembled plenipotentiaries : and those
proposals have proved to be wholly incompatible
with the propositions already forwarded by the
Four Powers to St. Petersburg. Hence—
briefly—the plan produced by Count BuoL
iu the name and on behalf of his Imperial
master's Government has been rejected. The
Conference patched up for a time has again
dissolved. Negotiations are formally declared
to have terminated definitively terminated.
Wherefore, taking all the foregoing reasons into
account, we repeat that the time so long antici-
pated has at length in earnest arrived—the time
for action, the time for war, the time when it
would be not only criminal but impracticable to
talk of further pacific or conciliatory correspon-
dence.

The Ttussian army is already roused up from
its temporary quietude on the left bank of the
River Danube, and is directing its course boldly
on the formidable Turkish position at Kalafat.
Simultaneously with this movement the combined
fleets return from their dawdling, do-nothing trip
in to the Black Sea, and inJeekly take up their old post
at the Bey-cos anchorage. Intelligence of this extra-
ordinary and bewildering movement reached Lon-
don yesterday, was published in our columns of last
evening, and yet not a whisper in reference to it
was audible within the walls of Parliament.

Enough was surely known to justify some interro-
gation of Ministers by the Opposition. It did
not surely require any :prolonged or profound at-
tention to the Blue Bot recently placed on the

tables of both Houses, in order to enable
members to understand the enormous folly
of this last and most preposterous of all our mari-
time proceedings. An incident so incomprehen-
sible as to excite only feelings of dismay and irri-
tation at Constantinople ! Contrasting the ener-
getic course hitherto adopted by the Russians, in
obedience to the mandate of the AUTOCRAT, and
in defiance of a series of notable disasters, at once
in Asia and in Europe—contrasting the energy dis-
played both by sea and by land by the Muscovite
armaments, with the weakness evinced by the Allies
of Turkey up to this moment both in the Closet and
upon the waters of the Black Sea, and of the Sea
of Marmora—it must be confessed that upon the
side of the former lies, undoubtedly, in mere
worldly credit, the advantage. Whatever suc-
cesses have yet been gained over the arms of
Russia, have been gained neither by the
influence nor by the aid of France or of Eng-
land—being solely attributable to the cour-
age of the Turks, to their skill in gunnery,
and to their indomitable determination. Dis-
credit alone has heretofore accrued to the Western
Allies of the Porte, from the doubts and difficul-
ties of this deplorable -Eastern Question. A climax
has now been put to our mistaken policy by the
return of the combined fleets to the Bosphorus.
Let us hope that by that singular movement the last
limit has been drawn to our scheme of mingled
indifference and pusillanimity. A rupture having
ostensibly taken place by the recal of the ambassa-
dors from Paris, London, and St. Petersburg—
the Vienna Conference having for the second and
last time been broken up—the Russian proposals
presented at Vienna by Count BuoL having been
formally rejected by the plenipotentiaries—all fur-
thernegotiations having at length been pronounced
impracticable—let us hope that France and Eng-
land will, without any more delay, boldly take
the initiative, and by the decision of their revised
policy sever the Gordian knot of this Eastern
Question with the trenchant method adopted of
old by ALEXANDER.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer is entitled to
much credit for the important financial measure
which he introduced on Thursday evening to the
House of Commons. The Right Hon. Gentleman
has undertaken to abate a nuisance of no ordinary
magnitude—to remedy an evil which has long
attracted public attention, but with which former
Ministers were either unable or unwilling to
grapple. The task of amending and simplifying
the entire system of public accounts was unques-
tionably one of considerable difficulty. But it was
not merely the difficulty of the undertaking that de-
terred all previous financiers from at least at-
tempting any amelioration. Many snug jobs,
many comfortable sinecures, and indefensible
pensions were concealed under the mystifications
existing in the national accounts, matters that
could not bear the light of day were withdrawn
from observation, and placed beyond the super-
vision and control even of Parliament itself.
By paying only the net proceeds of the different
branches of revenue into the Exchequer, the
Legislature was unable to enforce a more simple
and economical mode of collecting the national
income. There could be no cutting off or cutting
down the salaries of useless or over-paid officials.
Improvements of any kind were thus rendered
utterly impracticable, for they could only be
effected through the Treasury or the different
Boards ; and we all are but too well aware of the
utter hopelessness of any attempt to persuade
" my Lords" or " their Honours" to sanction any
efficient or real reform in the departments under
their charge. We might, indeed, endorse the
opinion of "Paddy CHARLEY," in Mrs. HALL'S
admirable novel of " Marian," that "Boords are
always desperate stupid," if there Were not but
too much reason to believe that another quality
exercised at least as great an influence as their
folly in retarding or preventing adequate amelio-
rations. It is in these matters, indeed, that
" red tapery" reigns paramount, that substance is
invariably sacrificed to form, that the vis inertice
is .most conspicuous. There might be complaints,
both loud and universal, but " their Honours"
studiously closed their ears against the voice of
public opinion, and let ancient abuses flourish,
without the slightest attempt at cleansing the
A ugean stables over which they presided.

The system could not possibly have so long
continued without alteration or modification,
but that it was convenient for the Ministers fox
the time being, to have places with which to re-
ward unscrupulous adherents, and to enable their
candidates for senatorial honours to have the
means of bribing " free and independent electors."

Those whose virtues were proof against the seduc-
tions of a few sovereigns, or even cf 101. or 201.
notes, surrendered at discretion when places in
the Custoths, Excise, Post-office, or, in fact, any
of the public departments, were tendered. These
baits were never rejected even where the " golden
hook" failed. Place, in any form, was eagerly
grasped at. The value of such instruments were
but too well known, and the "Patronage Secre-
tary of the Treasury" too frequently found that a
lavish use thereof, supplied the only means of
whipping-in or whipping-out a house, and reject-
ing or shelving unpleasant questions for the time
being.
But this was not all. Other matters that would
have excited a storm of public indignation, if
exposed to the broad light of day, were conveni-
ently shrouded from public observation under
the cover of the system. The pensions to the
Dukes of GRA.FTON could not otherwise have con-
tinued for one hundred and seventy-five years.
That noble house could not in any other way have
received what at compound interest amounts.by
this time to more than ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUN-
DRED MILLIONS OF POUNDS STERLING. But by
charging nearly 4,0001. per annum to the Post-
office revenue, and nearly 8,000/. to the Excise,
and stopping these sums in transitu before they
found their way into the Exchequer, the annoy-
ance was totally got rid of. It was in the same
way that the money for purchasing the immacu-
late patriot PULTENEY was obtained, the as-
signees of the
lucky
CHARLES
BOONE still draw-
ing 1,2001. a-year from the Excise, without the
cognisance of Parliament. By a similar mode
were the heirs of the Duke of SCHONBERG enabled
to cultivate their taste for tulips at their ancestral
domains in Holland with money drawn from
Great Britain. And in like manner were the
comfortable establishments at Panshanger, and
Ratling Court, and Moat House supported, and
even the fees paid for viewing Blenheim were
assisted by 4,0001. from the Post-office funds, for
supporting the state of the ducal house of Marl-
borough.

These comfortable jobs will now be interfered
with. The inexorable GLADSTONE has, at length,
decided on placing the whole of the national ex-
penditure under the control of Parliament.
Henceforward the expenses of collecting the re-
venue are to be submitted with the other esti-
mates for the consideration of the House of Com-
mons. Henceforward annual votes must be taken
for the various payments. The reform, so urgently
demanded by HumE, and MACGREGOR, and Wu-
r.r.A.ms—by all persons, indeed, who desired econo-
my and prudence in the management of the pub-
lic funds—will be carried into practical operation.
It is but an act of simple justice to Mr. DISRAELI
to state that he had announced his intention of
bringing in such a measure, if he remained in
office, and that lie cordially supported the mea-
sure when brought forward by his successor. Mr.
GLADSTONE has, however, achieved the triumph,
and we gladly award him the honour to which he
has thereby eminently entitled himself.

APOTHECARIES' HALL.—Names of gentlemen who
passed their examination in the science and practice of
medicine, and received certificate to practise, on Thurs-
day, Feb. 2, 1854 :—Ambrose Willy, Teddington,
Middlesex ; James Charlesworth Copland, Notting-hill ;
George Leworthy Thorne, Bristol ; Nicholas Hardcastle,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne; Lucas George Hooper, St.
Helier's, Jersey.

LATET FOREIGN NEWS.

RUSSIA AND TURKEY.
RETURN OF THE FLEETS TO
CONSTANTINOPLE.

A telegraphic despatch was received in Paris
yesterday confirming the announcement that the
English and French fleets had returned to Beycos.
At first it was thought that their return was an
augury of peace, but it is now known that their
object in returning is to accompany a number of
Turkish transports, which are about to carry rein-
forcements of troops and ammunition to the army
of the Danube. These reinforcements •will be
landed at Varna.

CO-OPERATION OF AUSTRIA AND PRUS-
SIA WITH THE WESTERN POWERS.

A telegraphic despatch from Vienna yesterday,
says Count Orloff's mission at the Austrian Court
has completely failed, and the overtures of which
he was the bearer have been decidedly rejected.
Count Buol at once declared them to be of a nature
which the Four Powers could not entertain. He
convened a meeting of the Conference, at which he
stated that the Russian propositions must be re-
garded as inadmissible ; and a Protocol to that
effect was drawn up, and signed by the representa-
tives of the Four Powers.

Another despatch from Vienna, dated a few
hours later, is as follows :

"It is confidently asserted that Count Orloff
seeks to form a close alliance between Russia on
the one hand, and Austria, Prussia, and the Ger-
manic Confederation on the other.
" Austria will probably plead that she must con-
sult Prussia before she gives a positive reply.
" Count Orloff also demanded whether Austria
would object to a Russian corps marching through
Servia.

" The answer was, that any violation of neutra-
lity in Servia would lead to counter measures on
the part of Austria. In consequence of this reply,
Baron Meyendorff's son was to-day sent with de-
spatches to Bucharest.

•The right wing and centre of the Russian corps
in Little Wallachia is advancing towards Kalafat.
" It is rumoured that the army-corps in Galicia
has received positive orders to march.

Prince Gortschakoff will, it is said, take the title
of Commandant-in-Chief of the 3d, 4th, and sth
corpsd'arrnee.

Prince Gortschakoff, according to the last ac-
counts, was at Radovan, whither his head-quarters
were to follow him.

General Sella lers, of the Engineers, had arrived
at Krajova, and General Baraguay d'Hilliers was
expected at Widdin in March.

In Bulgaria the trading classes had been invited
to make advances to the Government, on bonds
bearing interest.
The Transylvanian Messenger of the 23d ult.,
says :—" It is said that the Czar has given 10,000
ducats to Prince Gortschakoff from the treasury of
the two Hospodars. It is reported that there are
only 400 Russians at Krajowa, and that the troops
generally have marched for Kalafat."

A Rotterdam journal gives the following from
Trieste, dated the 30th ult. :—" The commandants
of the combined squadrons have received orders to
play amore active part in the Black Sea. The
Anglo-French vessels stop all the Russian vessels
they meet, and, conduct them to the nearest Rus-
sian port, with orders not to quit it again. Nine
or ten vessels of war have, within the last few days
been fallen in with on the coast of Asia, near
Batoum, by a part of the combined fleets, and
forced to make for their nearest port."
The following is from Constantinople, dated the
19th January

" The day- before yesterday Lord Dudley Stuart
and Mr. Colquhoun, her Britannic Majesty's po-
litical agent in the principalities of Wallachia and
Moldavia, had an interview with his Imperial Ma-
jesty the Sultan, at his palace of Tcheragan, on
the Bosphorus. They were accompanied by Count
Pisani, of the British embassy, who undertook to
act as interpreter on this occasion. Abd-ul-Med-
jid honoured them by a• most gracious reception,
and discoursed for a considerable time with Mr.
Colquhoun about the unfortunate state of the pro-
vinces of his empire, actually in the occupation of
a Russian army. _

"On the same day her Britannic Majesty's ship
Sidon arrived here to join the squadron ; and yes-
terday the Vesuvius likewise saluted the Golden,
Horn. The Fury steam-frigate has been despatched
to Sebastopol to demand a reply to the despa,tcl es
delivered there a short time since by her Majesty's
steam-frigate Retribution, referring to the release
of two English engineers who were taken prisoners
on board the Turkish merchant-steamer Tidjari
Midjaret, which was captured by the Russians
some time since. When the Retribution went to
Sebastopol, the admiral in chief command of that
place was absent, and no answer was given. There
were also three other Englishmen in captivity, as
well as some engineers on board Ottoman ships
whose release was demanded.

" The return of the combined squadrons to the
Bosphorus is now very generally spoken of. So
short a cruise would, however, scarcely be worthy
of so great a fleet. _

" Everything at Constantinople is quiet, and
wears a tranquil aspect. Nevertheless, things in
general look as warlike as ever, and the fears en
tertained of a general European war are daily in-
creasing. A great deal must now solely depend
upon the attitude assumed by the Emperor of Rus-
sia. The late defeat at Csitate, near Kalafat, may
materially influence the progress of the peace ne-
gotiations, and, it is with reason believed, will per-
haps entirely stop them. It cannot be said that
persons well versed in Russian affairs have any
faith in the Emperor giving way after the late de-
feat, and the entry of the combined squadrons into
the Black Sea."