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

INCREASE OF PAPER MONEY IN RUSSIA

The following are the terms of the ukase issued by the
Emperor of Russia for an increase of paper money. It
appears that out of an augmentation to the extent of
30,000,000 of roubles, or about 4,800,0001., authorised
in 1841, the sum of 1,600,0001. remains to be put forth,
and that this is now to be used, while an additional total
of 40,000,000 of roubles, or 6,400,0001., is to be created
and held at the service of the Finance Minister upon his
receiving the Imperial sanction for its disbursement.
Against this new issue, as in the case of the former one,
specie in the proportion of one-sixth is to be deposited ;
but, as the quarter whence it is to be obtained is not
designated, the conjecture arises that the operation will
be contrived merely by a nominal removal to a special
account of some portion of the treasure already held.
Even under the more favourable supposition that a por-
tion of the new issue will be employed to purchase the
guaranteed amount of bullion, so as to create to that
extent a real instead of a fictitious security, it is evident
that the measure is pregnant with the most disastrous
consequences to the trade and credit of the country, and
that a course is now commenced calculated to end in all
the evils of a depreciated currency, and to cause the St.
Petersburg Exchange to undergo, from the consequences
of distrust, what has been so long experienced at Vienna.
Since 1839, when Russia compromised as an insolvent,
and paid the holders of her notes less than 30 per cent.,
her currency, although not absolutely convertible
at
pleasure, has been maintained a par, owing to its
being limited to a specific amount. The propor-
tion of notes to the legitimate requirements of
infringed
the having at length, however, been
the notification that one-sixth of their amount in specie
is safely locked in the hands of the Government will have
little effect in convincing the holders of their value when
they require not only that that sixth, but, also the re-
maining five-sixths, should be handed them in coin to
enable them to pay for foreign goods. The precedent,
moreover, even if it had been introduced at first on a far
more limited scale, is fatal to the financial existence of
any nation, from the certainty it inspires that, once re-
sorted to, the dangerous facility is almost sure to be
employed till confidence of every kind has been anni-
hilated.

"By a ukase of his Imperial Majesty, issued to the Ad-
ministrative Senate on the 17th of December last, under
his Imperial Majesty's sign-manual, it was set forth,—
" To facilitate the operations of the imperial credit
establishments, our manifest of the Ist of July, 1841, di-
rected the issue of 30,000,000 roubles of credit notes, with
the condition that at each delivery of the same the Trea-
suries and the Loan Bank should deposit in specie a sum
equivalent to not less than the sixth part of the notes issued.
" Of the said amount of 30,000,000 roubles, by our
manifest of the Ist of June, 1843, 10,000,000 roubles were
placed to the credit of the active capital of the credit
establishments, and 20,000,000 roubles were reckoned as a
reserve, and their issue submitted thenceforth to our own
supervision.
In pursuance of authority of our ukase to the Senate,
given on the 9th of March, 1849, there were issued out of
this reserve capital credit notes for 10,000,000 roubles for
the purpose of strengthening the operations of the Trea-
suries and the Loan Bank. _ .

" At present, in consequence of the great extension
during the past year of the operations of the imperial
credit establishments, we have deemed it good, in accor-
dance with the representation of the Minister of Finance,
examined by the Council of State, to decide upon the
issue from the reserve capital of the remaining ten millions
of roubles ' • and, in order to provide in future sufficient
means to the said credit establishment for the uninter-
rupted conduct and extension of their operations, to con-
stitute for them a new reserve capital on the previous
bases.

" In pursuance whereof we ordain :
" 1. The remaining ten millions of credit notes attri-
buted by our manifest of June 1,1843, to the reserve capi-
tal of the credit establishments shall be delivered to the
Treasuries and the Loan Bank, to be distributed among
them according to their requirements.
" '2. A new reserve capital of 40,000,000 roubles of cre-
dit notes shall be formed for the imperial credit establish-
ments.
" 3. The delivery of note' from this reserve capital
shall take place in the event of an actual necessity to
strengthen the imperial credit establishments, upon the
presentation each time of a petition of the Minister of Fi-
nance for our decision thereupon.
" 4. Equivalent to the sixth part of the credit notes
issued shall be transferred in specie from the credit esta-
blishments named to the office of imperial credit notes, to
be added to the fund attributed to the credit notes.

" ' 5. The completion of this fund, in case of need, shall
be carried out on the same basis as fixed by our said mani-
fest of June 1, 1843.
" ' The Administrative Senate is to take the necessary
measures for the execution hereof.'"

UNIVERSITY INTELLIGENCE.

OXFORD, JAN. 31.

In a Convocation holden this day, at two o'clock, the
following delegacy was appointed to consider the ques-
tion of erecting a museum, with particular reference to
the principle of constructing a building surrounding
three sides of an area, which should be covered in and
applied to the purpose of a general museum, receiving
light from the roof ; the report of sueh delegacy to be
submitted to the approval or disapproval of the house :
—The President of St. John's ; Principal of New Inn
Hall ; Warden of New College ; Master of Pembroke ;
Dr. Daubeny, Magdalen College; Dr. Acland, All
Souls ; B. Price, M.A., Pembroke, Professor of Natural
Philosophy ; John Phillips, M.A., Magdalen College,
Deputy Reader in Geology ; Manuel Johnson, M.A.,
Magdalen Hall, Radcliffe Observer ; Thomas Chaffers,
M.A., Vice Principal of Brasenose ; "William Healey,
M.A., University ; G. Butler, M.A., Exeter ; John
Burgon, M.A., Oriel.

CAMBRIDGE, FEB, 1.
CLASSICAL TRIPOS.

Candidates for the classical tripos are requested to
send in their names to Mr. E. H. Perowne, Corpus
Christi College, on or before Saturday, Feb. 11.

THE ARMY.

INCREASE OF THE BRITISH ARMY,—We are enabled
to state that the army estimates for the ensuing financial
year provide for an increase to the forces of no less than
10,000 men. _ ....

STRENGTH OP THE ARMY AND CAVALRY MOVEMENTS
IN IRELAND.—CavaIry, 2,679 ; infantry, 17,450 ; artil-
lery, 1,347 : total, 21,476. Besides recruiting parties
of various regiments, and 16,750 constabulary and staffs
of militia. The Ist Dragoon Guards move from New-
bridge to Scotland ; 2d Dragoon Guards, from Dublin
to Dundalk ; 3d Dragoon Guards, from Longford to
Dublin ; 4th Dragoon Guards, from Dundalk to Long-
ford ; sth Dragoon Guards, from Cork to Newbridge ;
7th Dragoon Guards, from Cahir to England ; Ist Dra-
goons, from Manchester to Cahir ; 11th Hussars, from
Dublin to Cork ; 13th Dragoons, from Birmingham to
Dublin ; and 16th Lancers, from Dublin to Newbridge,
with a squadron remaining in Dublin—United Service
Gazette.

CHATHAM, MONDAY.—The under-named officers at
this garrison have obtained leave of absence from their
respective corps for the periods herein stated. 25th
Foot—Captain H. T. Walker, from Feb. 1 to Feb. 27.
81st Foot—Ensign Floyd, from March 1 to March 9.
15th Hussars—Ensign Muir, from Jan. 27 to April 7.
38th Foot—Colonel Sir John Campbell, Bare., to Feb.l
to March 10. The under-named medical officers have
been relieved from the duty at this station for the rea-
sons herein specified. Staff Assistant Surgeon Ovens is
to proceed to Fermoy, in Ireland, to join the 9th Regi-
ment of Foot ; and Staff Assistant Surgeon Young is
also to proceed to Fermoy, to join the 62d Foot.
ROYAL ARTILLERY.- -It is currently reported that two
additional battalions will be added to this distinguished
corps at the commencement of tne financial year (the Ist
of April) ; and that an increase of three or four com-
panies will shortly reinforce our establishments in the
Mediterranean.
MILITARY FORCES IN KENT.—The county of Kent
now contains more troops than it has done for several
years past. We have endeavoured to give a summary
of their numbers, not altogether vouching for their accu-
racy, as changes so often occur ; but we believe we are
tolerably correct :
Cavalry ~
Artillery
Sappers and Miners
Marines
Infantry

. 830
.. 3,224
. 590
. 1,750
.. 5,420

Total
In addition to which there are several companies of en-
rolled pensioners regularly trained at Canterbury,
staff
Maid-
stone, Chatham, and Woolwich, and the permanent
of the three Kent militias, stationed in Dever, Canter-
bury, and Maidstone.

SCARCITY OF COAL AT SOUTHAISIPTON.—Ii now 30
years since there was in Southampton a scarcity of fuel
like that which prevails at the present time. There no
collier made its appearance for 17 weeks, now no collier
which left the north at the beginning of this month has
reached Southampton. The price of coal now in the
town is 3 guineas per ton. People are paying 2s. 6d. a
hundred for the scrapings of the coal yards and cellars.
Owing to the usual good supply of coal in the winter at
40tithariipton a large number of persons neglected to
take in a stock last fall, and are now put to the greatest
inconvenience. Numbers cannot taste roast joints, hav-
ing nothing but wood and coke to burn. The steam-
packet companies are causing coal to be brought all the
;,,ay from Wales by rail. The gas company are obliged
to buy up anything at any price in the shape of coals,
and then go to extra expense to purify the gas.
PASSENGERS' BAGGAGE.—IMPORTANT NEW REGULA-
TIONS.—The Customs awhorities have determined on
sanctioning the receipt of duties at the different baggage
warehouses at the docks for dutiable articles contained
in the baggage and effects of passengers arriving from
foreign and distant parts of the world. This arrange-
ment will no doubt be found of material service to the
public and acceptable to passengers, and to parties in
this country recipients of presents from Australia, the
East and West Indies, and other parts of the globe.
The authorities have directed the new arrangement to
take effect from the let inst., and to be in the first
instance confined to the London and East India Docks,
and if it be found to work satisfactorily it will be subse-
sequently extended to the baggage warehouses at the
• other dock establishments, •

marines.

6/
NAVAL INTELLIGENON.

PORTSMOUTH, FEB. 1.
An examination of candidates for the situation of fore-
man has been held to-day at the Central Mathematical
School in this dockyard. The report will be forwarded
forthwith to the Admiralty for consideration.
Mr. Wood, C.E., clerk of the works in this port, has
been ordered to become a resident officer in this dock-
yard, and will occupy the house late in the possession
of Capt. Mould, R.E., who has been removed to Lon-
donderry.
The Princess Royal, 91, screw, Capt. Lord Clarence
Paget, has entered some excellent seamen during the
past week, and is now nearly completed and ready
for sea.
The Simoom, 18, iron troop-ship, Capt. Kingcome,
has been completed in repairs by the shipwright depart-
ment of the dockyard, and is having her bottom re-coated
with Hay's composition.
The Dragon, 6, paddle frigate, Capt. Willcox, will be
brought down the harbour to-morrow. She has entered
a few good seamen already, and we hear of others about
to volunteer for her.

The Porcupine, 3, paddle steam-vessel, Lieut. Com-
mander Jackson, arrived at Spithead yesterday morning
from the coast of Scotland, and discharged her powder
to-day and came into harbour.
The crew of the steam troop-ship Vulcan, Commander
Von Donop, were paid down to-day and granted 14
days' leave.
The Dauntless, 24, screw, Capt. Ryder, bent mizen-
topsail to-day, and exercised her newly-entered men.
Capt. Peter Fisher, of the Royal Naval Coast Volun-
teer Corps, came to this port yesterday, and held a meet-
ing in the evening at the Sailors' Home, where a large
number of seafaring men attended to hear his address on
the advantages of volunteering to serve in the navy, in
preference to compulsory service. There were about
600 present, and the sentiments of Capt, Fisher seemed
thoroughly understood, and were received with general
approbation. To-day the gallant captain commenced
enrolling the volunteers.

PLYMOUTH, FEB. 1.
A court-martial will assemble on board the Impregna-
ble flag-ship, on Saturday next, for the trial of Mr. W.
Ward, clerk's assistant of the Ajax, on a charge of
theft. The prisoner was brought from Queenstown by
the Wizard, sloop, which arrived here on Friday last.
Orders have been received to stop further -entry of
seamen for the`
Watt,- 90,--seibewMipt'thellon.
G. Elliot, until the number of hands entered at the ren-
dezvous for the ship at the several ports are known. At
least a half of the crew of the Thetis have volunteered
for her. The Hon. G. Elliot is very popular at this
port.
Seamen are entering very fast at this port. The
Bulldog, 6, Capt. Hall, only commissioned on Saturday,
has already two-thirds of her complement.
Rear-Admiral Dundas is hourly expected at this port
on an official visit. _ . _

The Wizard, 6, was towed into harbour yesterday by
the Confiance, steam tug, to be refitted.
The Thetis, Capt. Kuper, which recently arrived from
the Pacific station, will be paid down on Friday next.
The Magicienne, 16, paddle, Capt. Fisher, will also be
paid down this week.
The Nile, 90, was taken out of dock on Monday after-
noon, and the Bulldog taken in. The Nile had her masts
and engines, &c., on board. Riggers and labourers went
into the yard at four a.m. The Bulldog was taken out
of dock again yesterday.
The Prometheus, 5, paddle (reserved steamer), arrived
here on Monday night from Woolwich, to refit. She
came into harbour yesterday.

A remarkable scene was exhibited at Devonport yes-
terday, where in the forenoon there was a large number
of landsmen at the rendezvous, near the dock gates. The
motley group comprised agricultural labourers, masons'
labourers, butchers' boys, &c., all of whom appeared de-
sirous to get themselves booked for service in her
Majesty's navy.

WOOLWICH, FEB. 1.

The Cyclops steam-frigate, Master-Commander Ro-
berts, having reported ready for service, the detachments
of the Royal Artillery under orders to proceed to Gib-
raltar, Malta, and Corfu, numbering 190 officers and
men, were marched from the garrison at seven o'clock
a.m., headed by the band and drums and flutes of the
regiment, under the superintendence of Brigade-Major
Bingham and Captain Riddell, Deputy Assistant Quar-
termaster-General of Artillery, to the dockyard, and
embarked in the Cyclops, at half-past seven, for convey-
ance to their destinations. The baggage was put on
board during the day, and the Cyclops will leave Wool-
wich at the earliest possible moment.
The Hannibal, 90, screw steam-ship, launched yester-
day at Deptford, was towed down to Woolwich by the
Monkey and Zephyr steam-vessels, and was immediately
taken into the basin to have her engines put on board.
The James, hired convict ship, arrived yesterday at
Woolwich, with 35 invalid convicts from Bermuda on
board, and they were sent to the prison at Pentonville
to-day. The James left Bermuda on the 19th December,
with 100 convicts, whose period of service had expired,
or whose health was not sufficiently strong to allow of
their being employed on the public works, and 63 of
these were left at Cork, two having died on the passage.
There are an additional number of convicts at Bermuda
in readiness for a return passage to this country.
The Bermudien, of the 21st December, says :—" We
have heard of no case of yellow fever during the past
week. We are assured that the troops are now in excel-
lent health. There may be isolated cases of a febrile
nature, but these islands are at present free from any
epidemic."

LAUNCH OF THE 91-GUN SCREW LINE•OF•
BATTLE-SHIP HANNIBAL. •

The steadily-increasing power of our screw navy wail
again augmented at the Royal Dockyard, Deptford, on
Tuesday, by the launch of another screw liner, called the
Hannibal, named after the celebrated Carthagenian
general. Notwithstanding the unfavourable appearance
of the weather, so irresistible are the attractions of a
ship launch still, that an immense number of persons
assembled to witness the interesting event.
As soon as the water had risen sufficiently high, Miss
Martin, the amiable and accomplished daughter of the
gallant captain superintendent, was led to the how, and
taking the bottle of champagne suspended therefrom,
performed the usual ceremony of christening in a most
graceful manner, by dashing the bottle against the bow.
The ribbons were then severed, the dog-shores were
knocked away, and the formidable engine of war glided
beautifully into her future element about 3.30, amidst
the enthusiastic cheers of the assembled thousands. The
Hannibal ran up the river, and was brought to just off
the Victualling-yard. Not any of the Lords of the
Admiralty, and not many navy or army officers, were
present. Three cheers were given for the captain super-
intendent by the artisans and other workmen employed
on the launch, and the vast assemblage then dispersed.
It was first intended the Hannibal should be a 90-
gun sailing-ship, and built at Woolwich yard, and her
keel was laid down there just after the memorable launch
of that noble three-decker. the Trafalgar, 120, and in
the same slip from which that ship was launched ; but
it was subsequently removed to Deptford yard, and again
laid down on the 12th Dec., 1848, on No. 1 slip, and
immediately proceeded with ; and it was not until she
was in a very advanced state of completion that the
superior advantages of the screw propeller became
known, and it was deemed expedient to convert her into
a, screw-ship of 91-guns. Her conversion was com-
menced in September, 1852, by lengthening her nearly
10 feet by the stern.
Her dimensions are as follows :
Length from fore part of figure-head to the aft ft. in.
side of taffrail
Length on the upper deck
Length of the keel for tonnage 179 6
Breadth, extreme 5B 1
Breadth for tonnage 57 3
Breadth, moulded 56 5
Depth in the hold 23 116
Depth from the upper side of taff-rail to the
under side of false keel
Depth from the upper side of the figure-head
to the under side of the false keel 5l 6
No. Tons.
Burden in tons, old measurement
Burden in tons, no measurement.
2658
Burden in engine-room
1112
Register tonnage
And her armament :
No. 28 8-inch 65 cwt. 9 feet
38 32-pounders 56 cwt. 9 ft. 6 in.
24 32-pounders 42 cwt. 8 feet
1 68-pounder 95 cwt. 10, pivot.
The Hannibal was towed to Woolwich by two steam-
tugs yesterday afternoon, where she will have the
machinery that was fitted to her before she was
launched, but was unshipped in consequence of some
nervousness of the master shipwright to launch her with
it on board, refitted, and then proceed to Sheerness, to
receive her armament and be fitted for commission.

57 0

INCREASE TO THE NAVY AND MARINES.—We under-
stand that the active forces of the Royal navy are to be
increased by an addition of 10,000 seamen and 3,000

PRIZE-MONEY TO THE CYGNET.—Messrs. Chard have
given notice to the officers and crew of her Majesty's
ship Cygnet, Commander Henry Layton, that the pro-
portions arising from the bounty money on the tonnage
of the Brazilian polacre brig, name unknown, destroyed
on the 17th November, 1845, after abating the expenses
incurred by the detention of the Aquila Brazilian slave
vessel restoted, will be paid those who were actually on
board at the time of the destruction, or to their repre-
sentatives duly authorised to receive the same, on the
15th of February next, at No. 3, Clifford's inn, and the
shares not then claimed will be re-called every Wednes-
day and' Thurs,lay for three months to come. Propor-
tions due to each class :—Commander, 1171. 13s. Sd. ;
first class, 421. 3s. 4d. ; second class, 251. 6s. ; third
class. 121. 13s. ; fourth class, S/. Bs. Sd. ; fifth class,
41. 4s. 4d. ; sixth class, 21. 16s. 2d. ; seventh class,
1/. Bs. Id.

ACCIDENT ON THE NORTH BRITISH RAILWAY.—An
accident took place on the North British Railway on
Thursday evening last. The train which left Dalkeith
at 8.30 p.m. had only proceeded to about Millerhill,
when, from some unascertained cause, the engine and
tender ran off the line and stuck fast in a bank. For-
tunately none of the passengers were seriously injured,
but they had to make their way as they best could, in
the dark, to Niddrie and Portobello, not without some
danger and difficulty, the greater part of the road hav-
ing been newly opened up and under repair. A gentle.
man seated in a first-class carriage had a narrow
escape ; he was thrown by the force of the concussion
to the further end of the carriage, when almost instantly
that part on which he had been sitting was smashed to
pieces.—Scotsman.