The Sun.
London, England, 1854-05-10 00:00:00

TIIE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, MAY 10, 1854.

purpose of meeting the expenses that had been incurred
by the Government in sending an expedition to the
East !" He follows the argument of the Times,
that " the financial scheme provided fur the cost
of preparations, and no more !" That it was a
" temporary provision"—for the expenses of
the Eastern Expedition ! Now the largest por-
tion of the Supplemental Estimates consists of
freight and charges connected with the transport
service under this head. No less than 3,096,7001.
was demanded and granted, all of which, as well
as other charges contained in the various esti-
mates, were included in the costs of the Expedi-
tion to the East which was under orders, and a
part of which had actually sailed at the very
time. Mr. GLADSTONE must, therefore, have
known, if not the exact accounts, at least that
very large sums would be required on these ac-
counts. And one charge is that, with that distinct
knowledge, he not only refrained from giving the
slightest intimation of the true state of facts, but,
on the contrary, led the people to believe that the
doubling of the Income Tax for six months would
meet all the expenses that might fairly be antici-
pated, and, unless something unforeseen occurred,
provide for the vigorous "prosecution" of the war
for twelve months. He not only spoke of what
had been done, and what he was then announc-
ing as "looking like an intention to carry on
war with vigour," but he also says —we
quote from his own organ, that there may
be no dispute as to the authenticity of the pas-
sage :—" I WISH THE COMMITTEE TO UNDERSTAND
IT IS OUR BELIEF, THAT THE FUNDS FOR WHICH

WE NOW ASK WILL NOT SUFFICE TO CARRY ON THE
ACTIVE OPERA'rIONS OF WAR BEYOND TWELVE
MONTHS ! ! !"

Now, we ask any person of ordinary capacity,
what is the meaning of that passage ? What can
it be, but that the expenditure then referred to
would suffice, unless something unexpected should
happen, to, carry on the active operations of war.
This was the sense in which he intended it to be
received. This was the sense in which it was
received by the House and the country. Nay,
more, he explained the reason why he demanded
the whole increase of the Income Tax on the first six
months, instead of spreading it over the entire
year, in these words—" It is only, therefore, by
laying the increase of the Income Tax on the first
moiety of the year that we shall be able to levyit
within the year !" It is true that he also
declared that it was' desirable to leave open the.
question as to the augmentation of taxes, in the
event of the duration of the war rendering such a
proceeding necessary. But he permitted, nay,
more, induced the House to believe that unless
something unexpected should happen there would
be no further demand. How then, we ask, is it
possible to believe that his present statement is a
particle more binding or conclusive than either of
those by which it was preceded ? or, that if the
Income Tax be permanently doubled, and the
duties on. Spirits, Malt, and Sugar increased in
accordance with his proposition, he may not again
come within a few weeks or months, and ask for
the addition of ten or twelve millions more to our
expenditure, and the restoration of the various
indirect imposts which have happily been got rid
of during the last quarter of a century. When no
reliance can be placed on the veracity of the Mi-
nister, very grave suspicions must naturally be
entertained, and the consequences may be ex-
ceedingly prejudicial to the public service.
But this is not all. We shall not at present
refer to his opinions in March as to the impolicy
of indirect taxation, which he unhesitatingly
adopts to the extent of 3,600,000/. in the begin-
ning of May. We cannot forego the charge that
the Right Hon. Gentleman pledged himself on
the 6th of March that there should be no early
loan—a pledge virtually repeated and confirmed
lon the 11th of April, and violated on the 21st of
the same month. The Right Hon. Gentleman
designates it as a charge of "a most gratuitous
and a most foolish character !" We emphatically
repeat it, however, notwithstanding his denial.
He says there was "no war on the 21st of April !"
that it was merely " a provision for the tempo-
rary raising of money I!" Why, what pitiful
casuistry what contemptible equivocation—
what special pleading is here I He asks to
borrow six millions for terms of four, five, and
six years. If he did not succeed in that object—
if it proved a total and very humiliating failure—
it was not the will that was wanting, but his
utter incompetence to manage the transaction.
Hear it, ye expectant heirs, who are desirous of
anticipating the period of enjoyment ! Hear it,
ye spendthrift youths, who are rapidly alienating
the provisions secured by the prudenee of your
ancestors 1 You may safely resort to your bill-
discounters, for the money raised on bonds or bills
for from five or six years is " not a loan at all,
but a provision for the temporary raising of
money !" This is a refinement beyond the com-
prehension of ordinary men—a refinement which
plain men of business will not sanction or tole-
rate. Mr. GLADSTONE has himself laid down the
principle, " that a period'of war is the last when
that important trust (the Ministership of Finance)
should be committed to hands that have been dis-
credited in the view of the House and the coun-
try." Acquiescing to the fullest extent in that
view, we leave our readers to'draw the obvious
conclusion, asking whether be should be continued
in a station for which he is disqualified on even
graver grounds than those of financial incompe-
tence.

ROY AL ITALIAN OPERA.

IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA.

We have never seen a more rgag,nificent performance of
Il Barbiere than we witnessed last night at this opera. The
vocalism, acting, and instrumentation were all perfect, and
the cast, as it ought to be, was also perfect. It was as fol-
lows—Rosina, Mdlle. Bosio ; Bertha, Mdlle. Cotti ; Count
Almaviva, Signor Mario, who, of course, experienced a mag-
nificent reception, as did, and rather indeed in a greater de-
gree, the old favourite, Signor Lablache. Signor Roncoui
was the barber, and Signor Tagliafico, Basilio.
It would be, of course, ridiculous to enter into anything
approaching detail in an opera perhaps the most familiar to
the public of any of Rossini's. We shall content ourselves
with pointing out the prominent features of the different per-
formers, beginning, of course, with the ladies.
Mdlle. Bosio improves every day. We never heard a more
delightful Rosina, with the exception of the queen of all
Rosivas. In everything she had to do she was perfect. Her
voice is strengthening, her vocalisation is more facile and
brilliant, and her intonation correct. She sang the exceed-
ingly difficult " Rode's Variations," originally intended for
the violin in the music lesson, with perfect facility. Her
bearing on the stage is also improving as her experience in-
creases, and she is now altogether one of the most promis-
ing of our prime donne. Mdlle. Cotti is also ono of the im-
provers. She sang the rapid air describing the hubbub in
the house remarkably well, and she is taking a considerably
higher place than we remember her heretofore as holding.
Signor Mario's voice appeared to us at first rather husky
and restrained, but it brightened up as he advanced in his
part, and he acted capitally in the development of the charac-
ters of count, drunken officer, and music master,
Of Lablache, we have to say that ho was as young, and as
gambolsomo, and as waddlingin his gait, as ever. His mag-
nificent voice appears to have improved by rest, and in the
music lesson he sang the song that the Caffarelli sang with
all the vast power of his organ. Of course he was as
frolicsome as ever, keeping the house in a continued roar
when he was on the stage, as he was wont to do in the days
of yore.

Ronconi's barber is well known, and he played it to per-
fection. His powerful voice came out strongly in the con-
certed parts. TagliAfico made up in the most dismal fashion,
and sang the calumniating and hypocritical aria, in which he
instils these amiable qualities into the ear of Dr. Bartolo, in
the most masterly fashion.
Altogether, we repeat that the performance was eminently
complete in all the departments of the opera.
The house was brilliantly crowded, and her Majesty and
the Prince were present for a part of the evening.

The youthful Prince Victor of Hohenlohe, nephew to
her Majesty, and the Duchess of Kent's grandson, who
is serving in our navy as midshipman, has embarked,
via Copenhagen, to join the Cumberland ship-of-the-line,
ono of Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Napier's squadron.
Mr. Freshfield, M.P. for Falmouth and Penryn, has
been unable to attend to his parliamentary duties since
the recess in consequence of an attack of inflammation.
The hon. gentleman is slowly recovering.
ARRIVAL OF THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR FROM PARIS.
—ln consequence of bad weather Lord Cowley did not
leave Boulogne in the Dover Royal mail service packet
Violet until yesterday morning. His lordship on arrival
at Dover, breakfasted at Birmingham's Ship Hotel, and
came up to London by the 935 express train.
THE AUSTRIAN FRIGATE RADETZKY.—SOUTHAMPTON,
TUESDAY.—This fine screw-ship, which was laid down
under orders received from the Austrian Government,
and built by the Messrs. Wigram, of Northam, left the
dock this evening for London, for the purpose of receiv-
ing her machinery. It will be remembered that a few
weeks since we noticed the launch, which took place at
the premises of her builders, since which time she has
been lying in the Southampton docks, where she has
been rigged, and a great portion of her interior fittings
placed on board. She is being assisted to London by
two steam-tugs, which arrived from the Thames'this
morning.

MONEY MARKET

AND

(Yo' MEECIA liv T_RLLIGENC:E.

CITY, TWO o'CLOCK

The sales of cotton. at Liverpool yesterday were
estimated at 7,000 bales, including 1,000 American
taken for export. The market closed very steadily
at previous rates. The sales comprised 4,300
American, 1,400 Pernam and Maranham at 7d. to
71d., 300 Bahia at 60., 200 Egyptian at 6d. to
7jd., 700 Surat at 2ld. to 4d., and 40 Sea Island
at ls. to ls. 4d. per lb. Railway hares were firm
at an advance of 1 per cent.
The followirig report is furnished by Messrs. W.
H. Jewesbury and Co. :
"The quarterly sales of indigo commenced this day,
consisting of 11,180 chests (including 6,197 chests of old
goods, bought in at, or withdrawn from, former sales,
and 1,191 chests in second hands), comprising the fol-
lowing, viz.:—Catalogue A : 6,358 chests Bengal, Oude,
&c., 1,871 Madras, 1,336 Kurpah, 5 Bemlipatam, 39
Calcutta Fig., 83 Pondecherry, 3 samples, 173 with-
drawn and not printed, 121 lots warehouse sweepings-
-9,989 chests. Catalogue B: 1,191 chests. Various in
'second hands. Total, 11,180 chests. The qualities of
Bengal are about two-thirds middling and ordinary, and
one-third good and fine ; the Madras, three-fourths or-
dinary and very ordinary, and one-fourth middling and
good, with a few chests fine ; the Kurpah, two-thirds
middling and ordinary, and one-third good and fine ;
the Oude, two-thirds ordinary and very ordinary, and
one-third middling and good ; the Bemlipatam, ordi-
nary. The sales opened with a parcel of middling
and good Oudes, which mostly sold with moderate
spirit at a reduction of 4d. to 6d. per lb. upon last
February prices ; several parcels of ordinary to good
Madras followed, but were mostly withdrawn or bought
in at last sa,le's rates, a few lots only of the good finding
buyers—subsequently ordinary Madra's sold at 3d. to
4d. per lb. discount. The greatest reduction has been
upon the good Bengal qualities, which were in limited
demand, at a decline of 6d. per lb., upon the finer de-
scriptions the fall was even greater, in some instances
fully 9d. to is. per lb "; for Kurpah the demnd was
rather better, and good qualities realised about 3d. per
lb. below last sale's rates. The attendance of both
home and foreign buyers was small, and the sales have
opened very flatly; we quote good and fine Bengal 4d.
to 6d. lower ; Kurpah, good, 2d. to 3d. lower ; ordinary
6d. to 9d. lower ; Madras, good, par to 2d. lower ; or-
dinary 4d. per lb. lower. 1,212 chests have passed to-
day, of which 398 were withdrawn, 347 bought in, and
460 sold."

There was an improvement yesterday afternoon
in the rates of exchange upon. some of the Conti-
nental cities. Paris, 90 days, was negotiated at
25 25 to 274, Hamburgh at 13 41 to 4i, Amster-
dam at 11 15 to 154, and Trieste at 13 50 to 55.
At Paris money is so abundant that a reduction
in the Bank of France rate of discount to 4 per
cent. seems to be expected.
The New Austrian Loan, of which we wrote
last week, is stated to have been taken by the firm
of Rothschild, at Vienna, we presume, in conj unc-
tion with the other firms of the same name at
Frankfort, Paris, and Amsterdam. The amount
is 35,000,000 florins, of which 10,000,000 florins
are to be emitted at 751 per cent. in Zollverein
florins at Frankfort, and 25,000,000 florins at 712
in Dutch florins at Amsterdam. The payments
are to be in 10 monthly instalments, with right of
anticipation, and the interest is to be 5 per cent.,
payable at Frankfort, Amsterdam, and Paris, and
commencing from the Ist of July next. One per
cent. is to be set aside for the sinking fund, and
the Austrian Government takes the right of buying
in the open market, but of suspending its pur-
chases when the quotation is above par.
The India mail is not expected here until the
15th inst., as the Ripon steamer was three days
behind time at Malta.
The Government is still exceedingly active in
its preparations for the war. An immense num-
ber of guns are being made, and 32-pounders are
the favorites. Tenders are this morning invited
for a steamer of 800 to 1,000 tons, for the convey-
ance of cattle, and to be for six months certain.
The Committee of Mexican Bondholders have
issued a very interesting report, and the conclu-
sion is warranted that Mexico could pay nearly
3 per cent., even out of existing revenues.
Stocks opened very buoyantly this morning,
Consols having advanced to 88g. 4, but there has
since been a sale to some amount by an influen-
tial party which has caused a reaction fpr money
to 88 to The settlement of the account takes
place to-morrow, and occupies preliminarily, the
attention of the jobbers and brokers, who complain,
however, of having had very little to do recently.
Money appears to be easy, and should the Bears not
already have, closed or arranged to " carry over"
their operations there will be a further rise in prices
probably. The foreign news this morning is not
of a nature particularly to influence prices. The
New 34 per Cents. have been up to 882, and are
now 87i. The 3 per Cents. have been 871 to -a.
Bank Stock has been at 202 to 205, and India
Stock at 233 to 237. Exchequer-bills are Is. dis-
count to 2s. premium, and India Bonds have been
ss. discount.
The New Exchequer Bonds have been at 1 to
premium.
Foreign Stocks are quiet, but firm generally.
Mexican are steady at 23i, Brazilian Small Bonds
at 94, and Spanish 3 per Cents. at 361. Russian
5 per Cents., after being at 931, ruse to 94,1, and
the 44- per Cents. are 80. Dutch 2i per Cents.
have declined to 58. ►
In a few of the principal Railway Shares there
have been several transactions ; but the general
business was not large. Great Western rose ss.
to 10s. ; Lancashire and Yorkshire 10s. to 1/. ;
Midland, 10s. to 1/. ' • North Stafford, 5s ; and
York, Newcastle, and Berwick, 10s. to 1/. French
Shares were also firmer. Paris and Lyons were
10s., and Paris and Strasbourg ss. to 10s. better.
Mining shares were dull, and rather lower.
Bank Shares remained steady.
Land Companies' shares were neglected.

BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK.
(Prom the Official List.)

. ...... ........... ...... ....... ...... . 205 2 -
Bank Stock Business dons
per Cent. Reduced Annuities ... 874
3 per Cent Consols-Annuities
clew 3} per Cent. Annuities BBs 8
_BB4_B a 711.

India Stock ..... -. ....
India Bonds, .El.OOO ... . . 2337
Consols for Account 11th ..* '''''' '' '-• - • 15 d
Exchequer Bills, 2d. May
£lOOO

Small. .................
Bonds •Se.rip
4 p
PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK.
nrazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent.
Ditto Small

Mexican 3 per Ceut.
Russian Bonds, 1822, 5 per Cent. X St 93A 43/4
Ditto 43/4 per Cent _ BO

Spanish Ifoilds, 3 per Cent 36i
Dividends on the above payable in London.
Dutch Exchange, 24 per Cent. 12 Guil 53
JJALF•PAST TWO.
Consols BB h
Ditto May Account

AUSTRIA IN WANT OF MORE MONEY.—The Austrian
Government has opened a subscription at Frankfort and
Amsterdam for three millons and a half sterling.
THE EARL OF ELGIN.—We have reason to believe that
the Earl of Elgin is charged with a special mission to
the Government of the United States, in reference to
questions arising out of the present war. For this pur-
pose his lordship will proceed to Washington on his re-
turn to his government in Canada.
TENDERS FOR HEMP.—The Navy Board yesterday did
not accept any of the offers made for hemp, but simply
stated that they would write to the several parties by
whom tenders had been sent in.
MAURITIUS. --Advices from Mauritius to the 16th of
March had been received. The weather was favourable
for plantation operations, and the prospects of the crop
were satisfactory. The total quantity of sugar returned
for 1853-54 was 190,000,0001 b., of which 130,038,3221 b.
had been shipped to the United Kingdom. The prices
of the finer qualities ranged from $4 50c. to $5 40e.
Tonnage having become scarce, the rates of freight had
advanced from 2/. 15s. to 3/. Treasury-bills, at 30 days'
sight, were 1 per cent. pm. ; private bills, three months'
sight, 2 to 3 per cent. die.
THE CLEARING-HOUSE.—It has not yet been defini-
tively settled when the joint-stock banking establish-
ments of London are to be admitted to the privileges of
the Clearing-house, but it is believed that the 24th of
June next will be the day appointed. In consequence of
the large amount of extra business which will then be
transacted, the place of business will be removed to the
Hall of Commerce.
THE CHARGE OF CORRUPTION AGAINST IRISH MEM-
BERS.—The select committee appointed to investigate
this charge re-assembled yesterday, for the purpose of
hearing further evidence. The proceedings took place
with closed doors, and we were given to understand that
the remainder of the investigation would be in private.
MELANCHOLY DEATH OF A GENTLEMAN IN ONE OF
THE CARRIAGES UPON THE GREENWICH RAILWAY.—
Yesterday morning a most painful instance of the un-
certainty of human life occurred to a gentleman, about
50 years of age, named Adams, of Morden-terrace,
Lewisham-road, in one of the first-class carriages be-
longing to the above-mentioned line of railway. It
appeared that the deceased gentleman had walked some-
what sharply from his residence, which is but ashort
distance from the Greenwich Railway, and had scarcely
taken his seat in the carriage when he was observed to
turn pale, and his head fall back. He was instantly
lifted from the carriage, and taken into the first-class
waiting room, and a medical gentleman living opposite,
who was at that moment just leaving home, instantly
hurried across, but found that he was dead, and that the
event must have been most instantaneous, and it was sup-
posed arose from disease of the heart. Later in the day,
Mr. Carter, the coroner, held an inquest at the station
upon the body, and a verdict in accordance with the
medical testimony was returned. The affair, as nay be
supposed, has created a most painful sensation amongst
a large circle of gentlemen, to whom he was known by
travelling with them almost daily upon this Ina of
railway.

AMERICA.

~( BY 111,4 ON TIC TELEGRAPH.)
ARRIVAL OF THE ARCTIC.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
LIVERPOOL, WEDNESDAY.

The United States mail steam-ship Arctic, which
was to leave New York on the 29th ult., arrived
off Holyhead at 11 o'clock this morning. She will
bring four days' later intelligence than that con-
veyed by the America on Monday last.
It is expected she will arrive in the Mersey in
time for the evening mail, and first delivery in
London on Thursday morning.

CITY OF GLASGOW
STEAMER.

(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPIL)

LIVERPOOL, Wednesday, 10.20 a.m.—Messrs.
Richardson, Brothers, of this town, have just re-
ceived the following telegraphic despatch from
Queenstown, it being thought that the steamer seen
was the 'missing City of Glasgow.
The Captain of the Baldaur, •arrived at Queens-
town, reports as follows :—April 21, lat. 45.30,
long. 32.54, two miles distant, saw a large steamer,
hull and funnel black, inside painted drab,
paddle boxes yellow, fore and fore top mast,
sail yard and top, nothing on the mainmast ;
great beam, and strong list to port. Saw no people
nor smoke. She was headed north, but altered
course towards the Baldaur, and immediately dis-
appeared. The Baldaur steered there ; saw large
quantities of biscuits and boxes. When first ob-
served a barque was alongside the steamer, but she
steered away south.
The above description applies to the City of
Glasgow, with the exception of paddle boxes, and
it is thought that the captain of the Baldaur might
have taken the houses on deck, which are painted
yellow, for paddle boxes. •

THE OVERLAND MAIL.

BY SUBMARINE AND EUROPEAN TELEGRAPIT.

TRIESTE, Tuesday, May 9.—The steamer Calcutta,
arrived here this morning, at 11.30 a.m., in 113
hours from Alexandria.

ALEXANDRIA, May 4. The Indian mail has
arrived at Alexandria, with advices from Calcutta
to the Gth April ; Madras, 10th April ; Shanghai,
15th March ; Manila, 21st March ; Hong Kong,
27th March ; Singapore, 4th April ; and Bombay,
14th April.

Burna- ah continues in a disturbed state.
The electric telegraph between Agra and Calcutta,
a distance of 800 miles, is completed.
Business fair. Indigo neglected. Exchange at
Calcutta, 2s. id.; Shanghai, ss. Bd.; Canton, ss. 2d.
_ _

The Russian fleet left Manilla on the 18th March
for Batavia.

The English steamer has not yet arrived at Alex.
andria.

ANNIVERSARY OF THE ROYAL HIGH-
LAND SCHOOL SOCIETY.

The usual anniversary festival of this valuable society
is fixed to take place 011 Saturday, May 27, at the Lon-
don Tavern ; his Grace the Duke of Montrose has con-
sented to preside. As officers are " particularly re-
quested" to appear in uniform, and Scottish gentlemen
in Highland garb, the scene at the dinner will probably
be a very brilliant one. The secretary, Mr. Mackie,
whose exertions on behalf of the society have not only
been unremitting, but eminently successful, we regret to
find retires from his office this year, being about to re-
side in Scotland. He now appeals, and we hope not
without receiving a warm response, to his friends and
countrymen to give him their support on the occasion,
in order that his last official effort in aid of "the children
of the north" may be made with eclat. The anniversary
sermon of the society will be preached on the forenoon
of Sunday, June 25, by his Grace the Archbishop of
Canterbury, at Portman Chapel, Baker-street. It having
been stated that the Crystal Palace would be opened on
the 27th May, the managers bethought themselves of
changing the day for the festival, but on communicating
with Sir Joseph Paxton, the secretary received a reply
to the effect that the day had not been appointed for the
opening.

THE PROPOSED POLISH LEGION.

LATEST FOREIGN NEWS.

THE WAR.
THE BOMBARDMENT OF ODESSA.

The following is from the special correspondent
of the Times :

" BRITISH FLEET, OFF ODESSA, APRIL 25.
"The English official declaration of war reached
the fleet then anchored at Baltshik Bay, near
Varna, on the 9th of April, upon which the steamer
Furious was sent to Odessa to bring away the
English Consul. With a flag of truce flying at her
masthead she hove to, and sentin a boat, also carry-
ing a flag of truce, to demand the Consul. There was
some delay in returning an answer, and the Lieu-
tenant in command of th boat thought it right to re-
turn to the Furious, upon which the Russians opened
a fire upon the boat and in the direction of the
steamer. Six or seven shots were fired, but for-
tunately without effect. On the 17th (the French
official declaration of war having arrived, without
which Admiral Hamelin was naturally unwilling
to proceed to extremities,) both fleets sailed for
Odessa, before which place they anchored on the
afternoon of the 20th. An explanation was de-
manded of General Osten-Sacken, the Military
Governor here, as to his reasons for outraging a flag
of truce, always held sacred by all nations pretend-
ing to civilisation. This demand was also sent in
under a flag of truce, but the boat when backed by
the fleets, was not molested. The General returned
an unsatisfactory and untrue answer, declaring
that he did not fire upon the boat, but upon
the Furious, which, not heeding customary signals,
was steaming up the Bay for the purpose of examin-
ing it, whereas she was motionless. Upon this the
admirals sent in a demand for the delivery of all
the shipping in the port, and, in the event of no
answer arriving before sunset on the 21st, declared
that they would punish this outrage on the law of
nations. On the morning of the 22d the steamers of
the combined fleets attacked the Imperial Mole at
Odessa, and during the day completely destroyed it
and most of the (Russian) shipping within it. Here
it is necessary to endeavour to give the reader some
idea of Odessa. It has often been compared in gene-
ral aspect to Brighton, but the line of cliffs on
which the town stands has a slight curve inwards,
forming a shallow bay, with a radius of some
three miles. These cliffs face 'the north-east,
and towards the north they sink into low sandy
mounds and flat endless steppes. Stretching out
from below them, at the lower or south-easterly
end of the town, runs a long fortified mole, at
the end of which was a lighthouse. This is called
the quarantine mole, and shelters a great crowd
of ships of all nations. Their crews are never
permitted to go into the town, but are strictly
imprisoned within a small walled-in and
strictly-guarded quarantine district at the foot of
the cliffs, even if they should happen tobe detained
there for six months at a time. Under pretence of
preserving themselves from disease, the Russians
have made the quarantine a- hateful political
tyranny. At the time of our visit this mer-
cantile prison of all nations was very crowded,
and on the morning of the 22d each vessel
had her colours at her mast-head, as if appeal-
ing for succour, and protesting against cannon
balls intended for the Russians. The attacking
force had orders to give this mole as wide a berth
as possible, in order to be out of reach of its fire and
so to avoid the necessity of returning the fire and
injuring any of the neutrals within. The following
was the attacking force :—(French), Mogador,
Vauban, Descartes, Caton ; (English), Sampson,
Terrible, Tiger, Retribution, Furious, and a de-
tachment of rocket boats under Commander
Dixon. The Sanspareil and Highflyer acted as
reserve. The force proceeded to another simi-
lar mole at the northern extremity of the cliffs,
called the Imperial Mole, enclosing a mass of
Russian ships of all sorts, and some large stores
or barracks. Both moles had a formidable array of
embrasures, and there was a battery between them
at the foot of the cliffs, but, as far as we could learn,
they were badly off for guns. We counted over 70
embrasures. The steamers had orders to go as far
as possible in-shore so as to rake and destroy the
Imperial Mole and shipping, but to avoid firing
upon any part of the town or upon the shipping
in the Quarantine Mole. About 20 minutes Co
7 they began, the Sampson leading in Most gal-
lantly. From the large ships, abOut 31 miles off,
it was a most curious sight. When within about
2,000 yards each steamer delivered the fire of her
enormous guns, then wheeled round in a circle of
about half a mile in diameter, each taking up the
fire in succession. Thus they kept wheeling and
twisting about like so many waltzers, without ever
touching or getting into scrapes. The guns in the
mole answered steadily, and in the course of
an hour the Vauban came towards the fleets
on fire from red-hot shot, and riddled in several
places. Happily the fire was got under, and
1 she returned to her post. For a long time the
terrific fire from the steamers did not silence
, the mole. As length it became slow, though
regular, answering about once every two mi-
nutes, and towards 1 o'clock a shed at the back
of the tongue battery caught fire, and in a few
' minutes the whole of that part blew up. The
steamers continued plying the ships with shot and
shell, and they were sinking, and on fire through-
out the mole, when suddenly from behind some
sheds on the low sandy shore near them a bat-
tery of six horse artillery guns opened out upon
the rocket boats, which were at the moment within
musket shot. lappily nobody was hurt, though a
perfect shower of balls fell around them, knocking
the oars about and plowing up the water all
around them. Upon this the rocket boats and
steamers opened upon them, and soon sent them
scampering. A few minutes after the sheds behind
which they sheltered themselves burst out into a
furious fire. The steamers kept up their fire till about
five o'clock. In the early part of the day, while
they were so engaged, her Majesty's- steam frigate
Arethusa was ordered to attack the southern
side of the 'Quarantine Mole battery as a diver-
' sion, for its guns had frequently been very trouble-
some. Nothing could be prettier than the way
in which she stood in, hove to, and delivered her
fire, filled, tacked, and again delivered her broad-
side. Shortly after the breeze freshend and she deli-
berately reefed her topsails, though under fire, and
was then recalled by the Admiral. During the fire
several English merchantmen slipped out of the Qua-
' rantine Mole and escaped. The poor fellows are very
thankful to have escaped. Altogether the punishment
was severe but appropriate. Russian property was
destroyed and much of it must have belonged to Go-
vernment. The town and neutral ships were spared,
though completely in our power, and it cannot be
contended that a place with so many batteries on
the sea-board was defenceless. Some of the steam-
ers are a little damaged, but nothing of any conse-
quence. But one Englishman was killed, and eight
or nine wounded, none of them severely. No
officer has been laid up. _ _

" it is delightful to observe what a good feeling
there is in the fleet, and what complete cordiality
exists between the' two nations. Notwithstanding
all the sneers of Pera politicians and ignorant
writers, the Admirals have acted in so prudent and
wise a manner, that their respective Governments
seem to place full confidence in them, and their
conduct so far has completely checkmated Nicholas,
who undonbtedly hoped that winter weather or
mutual jealousy would, by weakening them, render
them less formidable."