The Sun.
London, England, 1854-07-03 00:00:00

GUN-BOATS FOR THE BALTIC.

We announce a fact which has come to our
knowledge at the last moment. The Prussian
Government has been asked to make over to our
Admiral the two gun vessels, Nix and Salamander,
whosedimensions and armaments have been so often
lauded by ourselves, and advocated by the press,
with the exception of the Times and one other
journal, as the models on which the vessels ought
to have been built which were asked for by Sir
Charles Napier. If any member of the Imperial
Parliament in either house doubts our assertion,
let him so word his question as to prevent evasion
from the responsible or responding Minister. Let
him ask, " Has any overture been made by our
Government or any particular offer of the same re-
specting the transfer, in any shape, of the two gun-
vessels, Nix and Salamander, belonging at present
to the Government of Prussia, for the use of the
fleet in the Baltic ?" If he asks abotit hiring, the
answer may be " No"—because the loan may have
been sought ; if about lending, again it may bo
" No "—because it may be hiring ; if both, again
. it may be "No"---because an offer may have been
made to purchase. It is well known how Govern-
ment authorities wriggle and twist matters rather
than give a straightforward answer to a plain ques-
tion on a subject they have been in fault about; so, if
a question be asked, the foregoing would, we think-,
prevent evasion. We announce the fact, and we
challenge denial—and what a fact to announce full
three months after the Admiral's entreaties for
vessels of light draught of water—nearly three
months after the country, through the press, be-
came aware of the wants of the service ! Just
three months since Mr. Russell and Capt. Claxton
bestirred themselves, in consequence of Mr. Ken-
nedy's question in the Commons, which brought
out first the one, and then the other corro-
borating on the use made of their names,
and, as near as may be, the time in which
our builders would, under penalties, have under-
taken to place similar vessels at the disposal
of the Admiralty ? What, may we ask, becomes
of the reported objections to iron vessels on the
score of shot effects or boiler exposure I If they
really exist, why make an offer which will entail
greater loss of life, or risk of damage, than would
ensue in the case of vessels of wood ? The ground
on either of these scores is cut from under the First
Lord, who, though responsible, of course, knows
no more about ships and vessels than a Spanish
cow knows about handling an English handspike.
But who have been his advisers ? That is the
question now to be asked in the face of the great
consequences which may be effected by the refusal
of the Prussian Government, and the non-supply
of similar vessels by our own, for the in-shore service
of the fleet, or operations on the Neva, up which
river we have not sent, nor is there building, to be
soon ready for launching, one single vessel that
can go. We are glad overtures have been made for
the vessels, and we hope for the sake of the service
the request will be acceded to, although we doubt
it. But what a field for reflection does the fact
itself, the mere asking, open out l What must
Prussia think of the conductors of the greatest
naval power of the world, England ! entering upon
a Baltic and Black Sea war with an enemy pre-
pared and armed to the teeth with gun vessels
. of heavy armament and light draught of water,
without herself having one such vessel for the
outset, or preparing one even for the onslaught ?
We blush for their Lordships, and, with all our
lungs, cry "Shame I" The defence is to be, when
the time comes (for come it will), that iron is not
so good as wood against shot. We will not say
we doubt that proper experiments were made, but
we will say that to be fairly tested* a wooden
thing of the same scantling to represent the sub-
stance of the thin old iron or tin thing fired at ought
to have been experimented on in the same way; and
we, furthermore, feel certain that, end on, the only
probable way these vessels would be exposed to
the enemy's shot, seeing they need never turn,
every shot that struck them would glance off harm-
less. But, once more we say, and we are almost
tired of stating it, even this chance might have
been obviated by wooden topsides, similar bulwarks,
similar protection in every way to the long-legged
craft their Lordships have in their wisdom so unac-
countably ordered to be fitted out in acceding to Sir
Charles Napier's request for a supply of steam-gun
vessels of heavy armament, and the least compatible
draught of water. We tell their Lordships that a
heavy responsibility is on their shoulders, and that,
should an attack be made, the want of the vessels
such as they are now anxious to obtain from a
purely military Government (and having which,
sooner would have prevented the bloodshed and
loss sustained in the Gulf of Bothnia), will prevent

our Admirals from prosecuting up rivers and creeks
any advantages that may be obtained against
fortresses guarding their mouths after hard light-
ing. As we said in our last article on this subject
we shall return to it when occasions offer, or
until some decided step is taken by Government
iu what we boldly assert is all but generally thought
to be the right direction, with the exception, in fact,
of a very few pig-headed naval authorities.

SPORTING NOTES.

NEWMARKET AND WORCESTER.

Worthy Dogberry declares that " comparisons are
oderous," even so weighty an authority, however, will
scarcely induce turfites not to institute them between
the two meetings which are about to take place at
Newmarket and Worcester. At the former place,
indeed, the supply of sport is likely to be scanty, the
attractions weak, and the attendance limited to a few
old fogies ; whilst at the latter the racing will at least
be sufficiently interesting and ample to command the
attention and presence of the principal metropolitan and
provincial speculators. Newmarket and Worcester not
inaptly represent the two systems of racing—the effete
and antiquated, the newly organised and popular.
The July and Chesterfield Stakes are the only items
in the Newmarket programme which require discussion,
the others consist of stakes and plates, for which the en-
tries have yet to be made. Among the nominations for
the July Stakes, figure the names of Bonnie Morn and
Dirk Hatteraick ; the former is an animal of tried and
approved racing merit, whilst the latter possesses a high
reputation for the promise of future excellence, which
he has displayed in his " private performances." The
curiosity, therefore, to witness the debut of Dirk Hat-
teraick is not a little eager ; but it is somewhat doubtful
whether it will be gratified to-morrow. Even, however,
should he go to the post I shall expect him to succumb
to Bonnie Morn. Of the animals which comprise the
it dark division," I have no trustworthy information. I
have, however, heard a good account of Chime.

Thirty-five " youngsters "—all at present unknown to
fame—are nominated for The'Chesterfield Stakes. Re-
port speaks favourably of Alcoyne, but I have not suffi-
cient faith in it to induce me to place sanguine expecta-
tions in the realization of its truth.

The well-filled list of sport pUbli;bed by the Worcester
Race Committee affords a gratifying proof of the well-
directed efforts and judicious liberality of the promoters
and managers of the meeting. Twelve events are ap-
pointed for the two days—within two of the number
which will constitute the three days' sport at head-
quarters. .The fields, too, are likely to be large, and it
is probable that for the principal race—the Worcester-
shire Stakes—the number of starters will scarcely fall
short of that which contested it last year, when twenty-
one animals were brought out.
The proceedings will commence with the Trial Han-
dicap, for which seven are entered. Domino, moderate
as his recent running has proved him to be, may be
capable of achieving success. For the Two-Yr-Old
Stakes I shall expect Bessie and Mary to occupy the
first and second places. Speculation on the Worcester-
shire Stakes has scarcely commenced, it is, therefore,
puzzling to indicate with any degree of accuracy even the
intended competitors. Indian Warrior will most likely be
reserved to do battle for the Liverpool Cup, but his
stable will not, I opine, be unworthily represented by
the Knight of St. George. Among the old uns" fa-
vourably handicapped are Sleeping Partner, Candle-
wick, and Waterfall. Of the four-year-olds, the best
"in" seem to be Hope, Massaroni, and Whalebone; and
of three-year-olds, in addition to the Knight of St.
George, Hercules, St. Clair, and Punchbox are most
entitled to notice. Calculating upon a start, I shall
select Knight of St. George, Candlewick, and Punch-
box against the field. Master Slender, Hazlenut, and
Nelly Hill are the most attractive names among• the
entries for the Witley Court Handicap. The Flyir g
Handicap will occasion a "scurry," in which Forester,
Battery, Pope Joan, and Cimicina may get home in the
first flight of competitors. For the Handicap Plate I
shall select at a venture Braxey, Wellsbourne, llazlenut,
and Red Rose.

Leaving Newmarket to the aristocracy of the turf, I
shall be at Worcester, among those whom it is now the
humour of certain people to call the roughs of the ring.
July 3. A FRESH MAN.

The Fox Club had their annual fish dinner at the Tra-
falgar, Greenwich, on Saturday last. There were pre-
sent the Right Hon. Sir R. Adair, the Earl of Scar-
borough, Mr. Alston, Colonel Boldcro, the right Hon.
Edward Ellice, Mr.' Stephewon, the Hon. E. Coke,
Lord Cremorne, the Hon. R. Carew, Colonel Ferguson,
Sir H. Ferguson Davie, Sir J. Choltneley, the Right
Hon. Lord Hill, Mr. E. Ellice, Mr. A. Stephenson,
the Earl of Ilchester, the Right Hon. Dr. Lushington,
Mr. H. Langston, Lord Mostyn, the Earl of Zetland,
Lord Charles F, Russell, the Ron, 11, Ducau, &c,

iNIONEY MARKET

AND

COMMERCIAL lIVTELLIGENCE.

CITY, TWO o'CLOCK.

The sales of cotton at Liverpool on Saturday
were estimated at 7,000 bales, including 2,000
American, and 150 Surat taken for export, and on
speculation. The market closed firmly without
alteration in prices. The sales comprised 5,000
American, 400 Pernam and Maranham, at 6jcl. to
Md., 250 Bahia, at 61d. to 6d., 200 Egyptian,
at 6d. to M., 700 Surat, at 3d. to 44d., and 160
Sea Island at 10d. to Is. Id. per lb. Railway
Shares were fiat at lower prices.
From 'Birmingham the letters inform us of an
advance of 20s. per ton in the iron market. This
was necessitated by the ruling high prices of pig-
iron consequent on the dearness of materials. The
iron most in request is the production of South Staf-
fordshire.

In a statement received from Messrs. Joseph
Robinson and Co., of Liverpool, the wool market
is reported as having continued inactive last month,
and prices of most descriptions have fallen, but
such is the absence of demand that they are gene-
rally nominal. The English clip has been coming
forward, and the quantity offered is, so far, not by
any means so large as last year, the low prices
causing the farmers to hold. As the consumption
is much lessened, it is expected the growers will
give way. In the short wool districts more is
doing, and a large Government contract for blan-
kets has been given.

The number of passengers from Liverpool to
Australia during the quarter ended the 30th ult.
was 12,623, against 5,575 in the previous quarter,
and the tonnage 52,202, against 30,668 tons.
By a statement recently made by a contemporary,
it might be inferred• that the East Indian Railway
Company had hitherto constructed their works with
celerity and economy, because they found the line
would be executed for 9,0001. per mile, instead of
the estimate of 14,000/. per mile ; whereas the very
reverse is the fact. The original estimate of the
East Indian was 8,0001. per mile. This was sub-
sequently increased to 14,0001. for the original line
to Mirzapore. Captain Western, of the Bengal
Engineers, having estimated the Rajmahal line at
4,4001., and the originator of the line from Howrah

to Rajmahal, now being constructed by the East
Indian Railway Company, made the cost 8,0001.
per mile; and because the East Indian Railway has
exceeded by more than 1,0001. per mile all these
estimates, with the exception of their own sub3e-
quent extravagant calculation, we are to give them
credit for economy ! The. fact is they have been
wrong in their data, and have paid, there is good
reason to believe, for their earthworks more than
they ought to have done. Colonel Kennedy states,
in his memorandum recently printed, that the
original project of this company was so " crude
and unfitting" that it would not only have failed,
but " would have blighted the principle of such
works." This is the opinion of the late con-
sulting engineer to the Indian Government as to
the project of the East Indian Railway Company.
As to the agency and management so injudiciously
lauded, we turn to the recent report of the present
consulting engineer, Major Baker, and find the
following :--
"The partial failure of the contract system with us
(for such, I fear, must be confessed, as regards both
economy and rapidity of construction) is attributed to
causes some of which are accidental and transitory, others
permanent. . .

" I have seen good reason, in the progress of the pre-
sent works, to desire that our future operations may be
entrusted to a better and more efficient agency."
The railway meetings announced are the follow-

mg :-

Company.

Date. Place, &e.
Aberdeen • July 6, Radley's Hotel.
Ambergate, &c.
Central Peninsula of Portugal Aug. 1, Lisbon.
Eastern Counties
Eastern Union
Edinburgh and Glasgow
London and Greenwich July 11, 10, Coleman-street.
Lon., Brighton, & S.-Coast July 27, B. H. Hotel.
Lucca and Pistoja Junel 59 Lucca.
Manchester, Shef. and Linoln Aug. 2, Manchester.

Ne winarke
North British

Jury 6, London Tavern.
July 16, Edinburgh.

Paris and Rouen .
West Flanders ....
llitto.

.. July 31, Paris.
July 11, 61 Moorgate-st.
~. July 14, Bruges.

The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty re-
quire tenders to-morrow for the conveyance of 300
tons of ordnance stores to Malta, including 20
tons of " filled shells." The shipping interest are
looking forward to active employment for vessels
as transports, in consequence of the greater vigour
manifested in the prosecution of the war.
Accounts from New York by the Niagara, which
brings $558,000, contain the new tariff bill, and as
its operation would only reduce the customs revenue
to forty-five and a half millions of dollars, it met
with much disapproval iu many quarters. The
money market was stringent, and Stocks were
declining. Freights were steady, breadstuffs heavy',
and cotton rather cheaper.
The growing wheat crops in Canada would in
all probability be much above the average, although
the reports were conflicting. In some of the high
grounds near Hamilton a great part of the wheat
had been winter killed, but not to such a degree
as to warrant itsheing ploughed down-, and although
the crop would be considerably thinned yet with
fine weather a good. yield was expected.
The steamer Candia has arrived with the remain-
der of the Overland Mail from India. Australian
advices are expected about the middle or end of
the present month.
The ship Alfred, from Geelong, Australia, has
arrived with 10,378 ounces. As she sailed Feb.
18, her advices are not so late as those previously
to hand.
The letters from the Continent received this
morning advise generally drooping markets for
corn, the weather being fine upon the whole. The
wool markets in Germany have been brisk, the
English buyers having operated somewhat freely.
At Hamburgh, 12,000 stone of German, and 5,000
stone of foreign wool vi ere brought to the fair. The
former sold at 13 to 14k, and fine sorts at 15 to
16 rix dollars per stone. Ord. and mid. went at
8 to 11 rix dollars. There were some purchases on
Swedish account.

The English funds have been in a very differen t
position this morning, having experienced a fall of
to 1 per cent. This has been occasioned chiefly by
the reply stated to have been given by the Em-
peror of Russia, that he will hold out to the last.
The greater preparations for the war are also,
looked upon as significant of the opinion at
head-quarters, and many think the " tug"'
is only just beginning. -On the other hand,
the revenue for the quarter ending next Wednes-
day is expected to exhibit an increase compared with
the like date of 1853. Consols have been 93g 4,
and since 93 to 93g. Exchequer Bills have been at
2s. to 3s. prem. The New Three-and-a-Quarter
per Cents. have been at 93 to 931. Bank Stock
has been very firm at 208. Exchequer Bonds have
been at g premium.
Foreign Securities have been extremely dull.
Mexican Bonds have been steady at 24k. Danish
Three per Cents. have been at 77k. Russian Five
per Cents. have been at par. Dutch Two-and-a
Half per Cents. have been at 59i ex div., and
the Four Per Cents. at 911.
The Railway Share Market has been weak in
proportion to the fall in the funds. The Cale-
donian, Great Western, North-Western, Midland,
York and Berwick, and South Eastern are all
lower. Foreign Shares have been dealt in to a fair
extent about the previous rates.
Gold Mine Shares are very dull, and South
Australian are weaker.
Joint-stock Bank Shares are heavy.
Australian Agricultural have risen 55., and
Crystal Palace are flatter.

BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK,
(From the 06cial List.)
Business done.
Rank Stock
3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities 93,k 1 3 g A
31 per Cont. Annuities 931 $ li
Consols for Opening 19th July .
Exchequor Bills, 24d.
£IOOO
400 2 p
Small 4 1 p
Exchequer Bonds Scrip, 1853:
Ditto 1819 i i p
PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK.

Danish Bonds, 1825, 3 per Cent 77j
Mexican 3 per Cent.
Russian Bonds, 1822, 5 per Cent. £St l9O
Dlvldenis or. the above payable in London.
Dutch Exehange,2j per Cent. 12 Gull 69j. x d
Ditto 4 par Cent. Certifieates

HALF-PAST TWO.
Consols for Opening 19th July

LATEST FOREIGN NEWS.

_<-

TII E WAR.

THE RUSSIAN REPLY TO
THE AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN
SUMMONS.
BERLIN, Sunday, July 2.—The Russian reply to
the summons of Austria and Prussia was received
hero last night.

It is unequivocally negative in the essential
points.

Russia will resist to the last man and to the last
rouble.
The Post Ampt Gazette, under date of Vienna,
26th ult., says :
" In a conference which Baron de Meyendorff had a
few days since with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, he
indirectly remarked that the Emperor of Russia would
consent under certain conditions to the resumption of
negotiations. In reply to the question what those condi-
tions would be, Baron de Mayendorff read a note which
lie had received from Count de Nesselrode, and in which
they were detailed at length. The ambassador was in
the same note ordered to demand explanations as to the
extensive armaments of Austria, and as to the military
preparations which she was making on all her frontiers,
particularly on those of Gallicia and Transylvania. It
is not known what answer was given by Count Buol on
the subject of the armaments ; but, as to the conditions
set forth, it is certain that Baron de Meyendorff was
told that they could not serve as the basis of fresh nego-
tiations, unless they were very considerably modified.
As it is, therefore, by no means probable that, under
existing circumstances, the Cabinet of St. Petersburg
will consent to such modifications, it may be concluded
that diplomatic negotiations will not be very soon re-

RETROGRADE MOVEMENT OF THE
RUSSIANS.

The Moniteur publishes the following despatch :
"BUCHAREST, June 26.—The Russian troops
which were concentrated before Silistria are effect-
ing their retreat by Ourzitseni, and take the road
to Plojesti and Kimpina. It is at the latter place
that they are establishing themselves. By this
movement Russia appears to assume a defensive
attitude towards Austria, Kimpina commanding
the communication between Transylvania and
Wallachia, by Oronstadt and the pass of Temesch."
KAJ,k-R,AscH, June 26.—The Russians have re-
crossed the Danube without being molested.