The Sun.
London, England, 1854-05-04 00:00:00

opening of all the ports of those countries to the British
and French fleets ; and declares that if Russia take
offence, all that the Scandinavian states have to do is to
side at once with their natural allies—the Western
Powers. The above journal then proceeds as follows :
"' As for us, Norwegians, we should be literally starved
to death (swalta ihjeto were the English and French
fleets to enforce a strict'blockade on our coasts and de-
,stroy our marititne navy, and they could do all that
without heirg under the necessity of landing any troops
on our shores. A war with Russia, on the contrary,
would be far less dangerous to us ; and even if we should
experience any loss in advancing the good cause (for den
goda sakens beframjande) such loss would be less severe
and more honourable for us than that of dying of hunger
for the sake of Russia.'

"The above extract, , which no doubt expresses the
feeling of the Norwegians in general, is also copied into
the Stockholm Allmanna Tidningen of this evening,
and the latter journal does not forget to express its ap-
probation of the tendency of the entire article.
" I shall conclude my extracts by the following one
from the .Aftenbladet of last night :
" It was only towards evening that the majority of
the inhabitants knew that Sir Charles Napier hal paid
a visit to this city. Had timely notice been given an
enthusiastic reception would have been given him by all
classes. We know that the harmonic clubs established
among the working men had been for some little time
past practising God save' the Queen,' and Rule Bri-
tannia,' in order thereby to manifest their respect for
the illustrious naval hero who now represents on the
Swedish waters the flag of Great Britain. We can
truly say that Sir Charles's arrival created, when fully
known, a deep sensation in this city.'
" P.S. I open this letter to state that there are grounds
for believing that the Aland Isles, in the Gulf of Both-
nil, have not been evacuated by the Russian troops,
and that large addition numbers have arrived. The
next destination of the fleet will be partly the above gulf
and partly the mouth of the Gulf of Finland. Several
English vessela have brought large cargoes of coal to
the Island of Faro."

A private letter from the fleet off Gottske Sound,
and dated the 19th inst., contains the following re-
marks, which may not be without general interest
at present, and which the following are extracts :

"Most of our time has been spent in cruising, blockad-
ing the various passages through which strange vessels
can possibly sail into the Gulls of Bothnia and Finland,
and in practising the men at the great guns and exer-
cising them with small at ins, and, during all spare hours,
this practice is continued with the utmost clieerfolne=s
by the crews of the ships. The scene is such, at times,
that any one might readily imagine he is witnessing a
review at Portsmonth ; the smoke is so abundant that
nearly every object is concealed from our sight. Nor
are the officers less active trying their revolvers, and the
best gunpowder Mr them ;• equally in casting a sufficient
quantity of balls, in preparatum for coining events.
Nor are swords and cutlasses forgotten, as all of them
are well sharpened and ready for action.
" We have sleet, snow, and frost, but, which have not
hindered any of our cruisers from examining and faking
as prizes any vessels passing through the fleet and at
other points • and we frequently have the pleasure of
seeing many Of these captured ships proceeding in charge
of our crews to the appointed places destined for them.
We have ourselves often had our share in chasing such
vessels, and always with success.
" The Admiral took a start the other night, no one
but those on board of the ships in company with him
knowing where he was bound.
"On the 18th, however, about 2 p.m., some vessels
were perceived a long way off. All men were sent
aloft, a good look-out was kept ; but for some two hours
they could not he made out for smoke. At length, how-
ever, at four o'clock p.m., they were distinguished, and
found to be the Admiral returning with the ships that
went with him.

"On the 19th a signal was made from the Admiral to
ascertain how long we (the paddles) could go full speed
without requiring a fresh supply. of coal. Since sailing
from Spithead the fleet has been gradually advancing to-
wards the enemy in a most syste.oatic manner. Every
movement has been well calculated by our noble admiral;
and, now that we are so near, and within only a few
hours' sail of the enemy, the countenances of every man
and officer indicate anything but that they are on the
point of a sanguinary battle. Contentment and happi-
ness and a feeling of certainty pervade the whole fleet.
The men are so well trained, that everythirg goes on
like a piece of machinery ; certain hope and glory before
us all ; and, as Sir Charles said in his ad,lress that he
would make quick work of it,. so it will be by all ; for,
from the gradual, certain way we, are progressing, every
one feels that the moment the enemy is in sight they
must, without a chance, be. crushed. And, while such
confidence exists, the wooden walls of Old England and
her jolly tars defy the world. As letters must be sent
away in half-an:hour, I have-only time to say, you. may
soon hear from me again if I escape the balls of the
enemy ; and I hope we shall be able to give our country
a signal proof of our goodwill and capability under the
command of such an admiral."