The Sun.
London, England, 1854-09-02 00:00:00

LONDON, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1854.

The interesting despatch from General BARA.,
GUAM D'HILLIERS, which appeared in our impres-
sion of yesterday, proves, beyond the possibility of
doubt or difficulty, the vast importance of the re-
cent exploit accomplished by the allied forces in
the Baltic. The great value of the Aland Isles as
an offensive position, from which lie could securely
threaten neighbouring nations, had not been over-
looked by the AUTOCRAT. He clearly perceived its
Wonderful capabilities, and determined to spare no
exertions or money to render it impregnable. An
advanced " Cronstadt," in fact, commanding the
Gulfs of Bothnia and Finland, and the entire
Baltic, under conditions, as the French Admiral
PARSEVAL DESCHENES declares, " far superior to
those at Cronstadt or Sweaborg." Hence lie could
menace Sweden, Norway, Denmark (to the sove-
reignty whereof he was already looking forward),
and a portion of Prussia. It would also, when
his gigantic conception had been carried into
practical execution, serve as a defensive out-
post, that would sustain the brunt of the
first attack, and, so far, delay—if it did not
altogether baffle its assailants, as to pre-
vent any further injury being inflicted on the
Russian possessions during the brief interval of a
northern summer. That these anticipations were
by no means exaggerated may easily be conceived
from a consideration of its geographical position,
in reference to the Baltic and both the gulfs, and
also from the following graphic description by the
French General of its local advantages. He says
The Isle of Aland is broken up in the direc-
tion of north and south, by arms of the sea which
penetrate into the land, and in which there are
thus thrown a number of lakes which, joined to-
gether by converging streams, permit almost the
entire isolation of some points of the isle. Thus,
in leaving Bomarsund, that fortress, situated on
the edge of the sea, has behind it an arm of the
sea and two lakes or marshes, which defend the
approaches to it. To this first enciente, or natu-
ral defence, there is joined a second of a more
extensive radius, which reaches to Castlehom,
rims from thence to Siby, and there unites with
the sea, by a tongue of land of small extent, and
easy to hold."
Here, then, was an opportunity of establishing
Russian power on the most solid foundation—of
creating an "impregnable" fortification, which
could resist the most formidable onslaught, and
prove to the fool-hardy assailants that, in attacking
" the god of the Russians," they were merely
imitating the foolish animal that destroyed its
teeth in " biting against a file "—of proving by
the most conclusive testimony, the vis inertice, or
resisting power of granite, and the utter hopeless-
ness of any attempt, however potent, against the
combined strength of nature and art.
Under such circumstances, can we wonder at
the magnitude of the conception of the modern
the would-be conqueror of the
" civilised," aye, and of the " uncivilised," world ?
We can easily credit the statement of General
BARAGUAY D'EtILLIEEs, that " The intention of
the Emperor of Russu was to make Bomarsund
one immense entrenched camp for his militaryand
naval forces, to the first of which there were great
obstacles, and which had been a constant menace
to the neighbouring states of the Baltic. After
obtaining possession of the Isles of Aland, Russia
has not ceased to augment the fortifications of
Bomarsund ; and if, from that which exists and
that which was in course of execution, we may
judge of the projects of that power, Bomarsund
appeared destined to become the advanced sen-
port of Russia in the
tinel and the principal

Baltic."
It is true that his wishes had not been altoge-
ther carried out. Bomarsund had not as yet at-
tained the rank of a first-rate or quasi im-
pregnable fortress. But we may learn from the
following account how far it had progressed
towards it. We are told that "Bomarsund,
ivith the three towers which formed its advanced
posts, included a garrison of 2,400 men ; it was
armed with 180 pieces of cannon, and was sup-
plied with a considerable amount of provisions."
Such preparation would, at all events, when the
strong holds were garrisoned by gallant defenders, I
insure a protracted resistance, and serious, if not
ruinous, losses to the assailants, before the Bus-
Sian standard would be lo7ered to any foe ; and
.I.ho salutary lesson thus taught vrpuid preserve
Hanel and svreaborg, and Oronstadt from any

appearance of, or attempt at, attack. Where an
infe ei.or fortress had inflicted so much damage on
the enemy, it would be little better than mad-
ness to encounter the still more potent dfences
of these strongholds. But the futility of these
calm alations have been made too clearly apparent
for even the Russians themselves to indulge any
Ilonger in these flattering illusions. They have
seen how speedily and completely their boasted
walls of granite crumbled to the earth before the
bombardment
_of the Allies, when France and
England
" Both conjointly bent
Their battering cannon,
charged to the mouths,
Till then soul-fearing clamours had brawled down
The flinty ribs of that contemptuous city."
This lesson, if painful, will also be salutary. It
will teach the CZAR that he must humble him-
self to the level of ordinary humanity, and make
reparation to those whom he has so deeply in-
jured at any sacrifice of pride. General BARAGITAY
D'llturEs declares—" The-destruction of Bomar-
sund will be a considerable loss for Russia, not
less in a material sense than in a moral aspect.
We have destroyed in eight days the prestige
attaching to those ramparts of granite, which
cannon, it was said, could not overcome. We
know now, we cannot doubt it, that there is
nothing in those fortifications, so fine and so
menacing, which is not at the mercy of a well-
directed fire."

The result of this instruction is already known.
It appears that the Russians have not awaited
the attack on Hango, but at the very approach of
the Fleet have blown up their fortifications and
retired on Abo. There we must follow them, if
the commanders should not deem it more advisable
to follow up their first successes more rapidly, and
aim the next blow at Sweaborg, or even at Cron-
stadt itself.

Under any circumstances, the clear intimation
of the value of the feat accomplished must prove
as satisfactory to ourselves as it is injurious and
humiliating to the Northern Despot.

It is now certain that Prince ALBERT will pay
a friendly visit to the French EMPEROR at
Boulogne. The horses and servants of his Royal
Highness have already arrived, and also the Guard
of Honour by which he is to be attended during
his sojourn amongst his good friends and allies.
This is as it should be, and we only regret that
we have to announce that "the fair MAJESTY of
ENGLAND" will not accompany her Princely Consort
on this first interchange of social compliments.
We have long since indicated the benefits to be de-
rived from such an interchange of civilities. "Louis
NAPOLEON," the chosen ruler of France, the se-
lected of Eight Millions of Electors, has afforded
the most conclusive testimony of his good faith
towards Europe, and more especially towards
England. Much as he must have felt the virulent
and wanton attacks directed against him
as Candidate—as President—and as Empe-
ror—when of the English Press " The
Sun" stood almost alone in rendering justice
to the illustrious object of these disgraceful libels
—he yet suffered no personal feelings to induce
any degree of hesitation when called on to sup-
port the cause of truth and justice. He has had
the noblest revenge, by exhibiting, in the
strongest light, the unmitigated falsehood of the
accusations that were so recklessly preferred.
By the power of his intellect, and the vigour and
energy of his actions, he has erected his throne
on the most substantial and most enduring basis
—the respectful esteem and affectionate loyalty
of his people. He has also earned golden opinions
from England and the English ; so that those who,
in their undue prejudice, were prepared to curse,
are now willing to bless.

We wish, then, to see friendly relations not
merely between the peoples, but also between the
rulers, of France and England, and we rejoice at
this timely visit of the Prince Consort as only the
precursor of many such friendly meetings, that
will draw more closely together and firmly ce-
ment the alliance now subsisting, and render it,
in fact, as well as in name, an "cnteinte cordiale."

NOT is Prince ALBERT to be the only Royal
visitor to the EMPEROR. It would almost seem
that a " Coburg Congress" was intended, for we
also find a visit announced from the King of the
BELGIANS, the " Nestor of the family," and one
from its rising hope the "Neoptolemus" of POR-
TUGAL. We trust that the intercourse about to
take place may be regarded as the inauguration of
a new line of policy towards the EMPEROR rather
than the desire to carry out any " Coburg" in-
trigue with regard to Spain. It has been more
than hinted that hopes have been indulged in by
by more than one of "the family" of uniting the
Iberian and Lusitanian sceptres in the hands of
the Boy-King. We cannot, however, lend the
slightest credence to such a rumour, or believe
that the sound practical common sense of the Prince
Consort, or the experience of King LEOPOLD,
would permit them to participate in so chimerical
a project.—one that must necessarily occasion an
internal conflict in Spain, of which it would
be impossible to predict the result. The Spanish
people would never consent to come under even
the temporary rule of Portugal, however pro-
mising might be the future prospects of tho
United Kingdom.

Nor is it at all more likely that Louis
NAPOLEON could be won by a few honeyed words
or specious compliments to engage in such a
speculation. He has seen the effects of French
interference in Spanish affairs. He has wit-
nessed the fall of the Orleans dynasty, in conse-
quence of the intrigues of Louis PHILIPPE to
procure the throne for his own family, and, with
such "beacon light" before him, he could not
easily be brought to enter on such devious paths,
for what could hold out no advantages to him-
self or to his empire. As there could be no
rational hope, of gaining his assent to such a
project, we shall not suppose that there is any
notion of attempting it, strange as the visits of so
many COEURGS to France at the 'same time may be;
and that, too, when the " spirit of mischief" has
just escaped from Madrid, when MARIA CHRIS-
TINA. is sojourning in the Portuguese capital.
Let us, then, accept the meeting for
what we believe it really to !be—a mark of
friendly respect for the reigning Sovereign of
France--an indication of the just sense enter-
tained of the important services which he has
rendered to the cause of order. It will be a glo-
rious spectacle for those who behold it—more
cheering even than the interview on the field of
the cloth of gold between HENRY and FRANCIS,
which took place at no great distance from the
same spot, and one which we firmly believe will
prove the forerunner of a long course of amity be-
tween nations which were too long opposed to
each other, but, firmly united, may defy the world
iii arms.

SIR JAMES GRAHAM AIIONG THE FARMERS,—The
First Lord of the Admiralty arrived at Carlisle on W
nesday night, and on the next day went to Whitehaved.
and attended the show and dinner of the Cumberland
and and Westmoreland Agricultural Society. At the dinner
the right hon. baronet toolcthec
gentryhair,
of thecounty,
with thned
and found hf
rou
oef thoftehe principal Lord Mayor of London. The
sureadddbyitsioonm
speeches were of a highly gratifying character, but the
speakers rarely passed. out of the .circle of personal com-
pliments; doubtless well merited, but uninteresting to
the. Fublit'.
_ -

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, SEPTEMB_Eit 2, 18b4.

LATEST NEWS.

THE BALTIC,

The following are the latest telegraphic despatches
from the Baltic :--

DANTZIC, Friday Morning.—The Bulldog reports
this morning that the Finnish coast had been re-
connoitred by several steamers from the fleet.
On Sunday, the 16th inst., General Baraguay
d'Hilliers and Vice-Admiral Napier went up to
Hango. In their sight the Russians blew up the
fortifications, and retreated to Abo, where there are
15,000 troops.

Abo will be attacked by the allies.
The French forces have not yet left Bomarsund.
General Baraguay d'Hilliers, General Jones, and
Admiral Parseval-De:ichenes have had a look into
Helsingfors.

Rear-Admiral H. D. Martin, C.D., with a small
squadron, has gone up the Gulf of Bothnia.

The French have lost 600 men by cholera.
Telegraphic advices from Stockholm state that
the Rtissians are raising a new battalion of rifles in
Finland, to supply the loss of the garrison of Bo-
marFund.

the Mena, by the French. The Diamond, it is
said, will have her guns taken out. and wil
transport troops. The Atganiempoi4 Hatiso.ro;
and llighflyer (with ether ships) are to belong to
the co Vtrilig division, and, of course, will take
no troops, but will cover their landing. Sixteen
liners will be kept clear to take care of the
Russian fleet should it make its appearande. TheS3
are the on dits of and military circles, and I
think there is a great deal of truth in them. This
fall of Sebastopol will be a fine and a splendid
thing. This bay is crowded with merchantmen
and transports The fire in the town has caused
much ruin of streets and buildings. A Greek was
captured yesterday morning trying to raise another.
The day before yesterday a little Austrian mer-
chant brig arrived here. Such a fact might not
have been perceived, had she not commenced an
irregular salute to our own flag, and kept it up
till she had attracted attention. Then it was ascer-
tained that this proceeding was caused by the day
being the fete day of the Emperor Francis Joseph.
Then the French and English ships dressed "in
rainbow," with the Austrian flag at the main, and
English, French, and Turks expended their powder
together.

Aland is declared infected with cholera, a,nd a
quarantine is imposed on all arrivals thence.

ENGAGEMENT WITH RUSSIAN GUN-
BOATS.

The Odin, 16, paddle, Captain Scott ; Gorgon,
6, paddle, Commander Cracroft ; Driver, 6, paddle,
Lieut. Commander Hon. A. C. Hobart ; and
Lightning, 13, paddle, Captain Sullivan, engaged
eighteen Russian guu-boats, carrying about fifty
men each, and four steamers, at Abo, on the 18th
August, without loss.

European intercourse has greatly changed affairs
at Constantinople. An Englishman or a French-
man may now, by merely taking off his shoes, sans
finnan, "sans everything," enter the mosque of
Santa Sophia itself without let or hindrance, and
also may stroll (again taking off the shoes,
though retaining the hat) into that of Sultan
Achmet during " Divine service," listen to the
monotonous chaunt of the Imaums, and observe
the prostrations of the worshippers. Continuing
his walk, he may wander about the Seraglio
Gardens without suspicion. The officers of the
guard, it is true, may stop him, but it will be
merely to offer pipes and coffee, and to chat about
the war ; and then, disregarding a doubtful shake
of the head from an old Mussulman, he may walk
into the courts of the Serai itself, and criticise the
odd heterogeneous mass of splendour, a little taste,
and much barbarity. The splendour is in the pro-
fuse gilding, now in a state of rapid decay. Pera,
too, has its attractions—in the evening bands
of music may there be heard, and good beer may
be obtained. The Bosphorus is in all its beauty,
shining like silver in the bright sun, except where
the highly-coloured houses contrast in reflection
with the tall black cypresses, and where its sur-
face is varied by the passage of numerous mer-
chant craft and huge transport steamers (such
as the Orinoco and Himalaya), or the swift little
Turkish steamers with their odd mixture on board
of pretty Greek faces, Turkish yasmacks and their
fezzed brethren, a few English and French officers
on leave being intermingled, and a pretty fair
sprinkling of travelling Englishmen, dressed in a
mixture of straw hat and turban, and a sort of style
oscillating between.the West and the East wonder-
ful to behold. The Turks are much improved in
civility ; the women wear their yasmacks generally
smaller and thinner, and one may prophesy the
time not far distant when that article may become
merely a fashionable custom in dress, an air-woven
web, and used but to set off to advantage that
which it is now supposed to conceal:
Intelligence has arrived from Varna, via Rut-
schuck, that the allied fleet was expected to leave
Varna on the 27th. Its destination is reported to
be, not Sebastopol, but the mouths of the Danube.
On the 24th instant a great number of troops
were embarked. The cholera was decreasing in
violence.

BOMARSUND.
The.Moniteur, publishes the following
" BOMARSUND, Aug. 20.
"It appears froin the plans found in the fortress that
Russia entertained most extensive projects with respect
to the future of Bomarsund. The defensive works of
this place were intended to receive additions which would
have made it the most formidable position in the Baltic,
and have rendered them superior in strength to those of
Sweaborg and Cronstadt. This discovery, while proving
the importance of the service rendered to maritime Ger-
many as well as the Scandinavian states, by the capture
of Bomarsund, also proves that the dangers of Russian
ambition are not less great for the north than for the
south, and that if it had been allowed tune to develope
itself in a few years, the Sound would have been no more
in safety than the Bosphorus."
A correspondent, describing the place after the
action, says :

"I could not shut my eyes to the sight, and my ears
to the sounds of woe from the poor Russian women—
many with babies in their arms—whose husbands bad
either fallen or were now on their way to England or
France, prisoners of war. That monster Nicholas bad
pressed these men, and they were actually locked into the
fort I have just been over, to fight until they perished.
These women are now without homes or means of any
kind whatever. The French they fear to approach, but
cling to the English as protectots, and all the English
here seem proud of the distinction. I saw some of our
sturdy fellows dividing their rations with them, and
sheltering them from the sun.
" I sat beside one poor creature who seemed over-
whelmed with grief ; her husband had his arm blown off.
I intended to give her some pieces of silver, and placed
some before her. They were all allowed to see their
husbands before leaving for England. The officers were
allowed to take their wives with them ; indeed, the
English are very kind,"

give up the advantages of a free loan, Russia has been
obliged to have recourse to a forced one, disguised under
the nacre of Toluntary contributions ; that she is con-
deinnea to seek a perilous ejuindltlnt hi an issue, more
and more extensive, of paper money ; and that she is
incapable of furnishing money fur a second or third
campaign."
General Vaudrey, Governor of the Tuileries, has
been promoted to the rank of Grand Officer, and
Count Rodolphe d'Ornano, Chamberlain of the
Emperor, to that of Officer in the Legion of
Honour. _

Tho Moniteur contains three decrees founded on
reports from the Ministers of War and Public
Works. One for the re-organisation on improved
bases of the corps of military workmen ; the
seconl, for applying to Algeria the international
convention entered into between France and several
foreign countries, for establishing a uniform
sanitary regime applicable to vessels in the Medi-
terranean ; and the third, authorising the Minister
of Public Works to apply the sum of 100,000 fr. to
oncourage in the departments the new system of
draining by means of pipes of baked clay.
The Three per Cents. closed yesterday at 74f. 20c.,
for the end of the month ; the Four-and-a-Half
per Coats. at 100 f. 80c. ; Orleans Railway Shares,
1,245 f. ; Rouen, 900 f. ; Havre, 590 f. ; Great
Northern, 860 f. ; Strasburg, 806 f. 25c. ; New
Shares, 633 f. 75c. ; Paris and Lyons, 975 f. ; Lyons
and the Mediterranean, 833 f. 75c. ; Western of
France, 670 f. ; Bordeaux and Cette, 621 f. 25c. ;
Great Central of France, 515 f. ; Lyons and Ge-
neva, 526 f. 25c. ; Bank of Credit Mobilier, 730 f.

THE VISIT OF THE EMPEROR TO
BOULOGNE.

BOULOGNE, Sept. I.—The Emperor was expected
to arrive at 6 30 p.m. by railway from Paris. From
half-past five the population of Boulogne streamed
towards the railway station. A battalion of the Ist
regiment of the Imperial Foot Guards, dressed like
the " Old Guard "—blue dress with white facings,
white gaiters, and huge bear-skin grenadier caps—
a detachment of the Guides, aad another of gens-
d'armes a cheval, kept all the approaches to the
station. As the Guides are a crack regiment, a de-
scription may not prove uninteresting. Their dress
consists of a hussar cap with straight white feather,
a close fitting dark-green jacket, the breast gorgeous
with gold la .e and buttons, with a gold cross-belt,
the sleeves heavy with gold lace as far up as the el-
bow; a richly chased silver and gold cartouche box,
curved sabre, red breeches as far down as the knee,
with two broad gold laced stripes ; from the knee
downwards, boot and trousers seem to form one,
all of black leather. The saddle cloth is of
dark green with the Imperial Crown and the initial
"N" in each corner. The appointments of the
horse are equally rich and in keeping with the rest.
The horses are superior to those in the other regi-
ments, and are nearly all fine bays. The only
difference between the dress of the officers and pri-
vates is, that what in the offi ers' dress is gold lace,
is embroidered braid of a deep yellow for the pri-
vates. The band wear red jackets and green
breeches by way of distinction.
Seven o'clock struck and still no Emperor ; at
half-past seven bang went a gun, bang, bang, from
a battery on the ramparts ; a rumbling noise and a
shrill railway whistle, and the Emperor Napoleon
111. alighted at the station, where a saloon, richly
decorated, was prepared for him. In two minutes he
was in an open carriage, with three officers in gene-
ral uniform, and a,t .a sharp trot, the Guides lead-
ing, he drove past, followed by a detachment of the
" Cent Guards" in steel helm and cuirasse, and
drawn swords. It was too dark to distinguish any-
thing more. lam told that these Cent Guards
are magnificently got up, that their horses cost 100
guineas each, and that they are splendid fellows.
I shall take another opportunity of describing
them.

At seven this morning, Louis Napoleon was out
inspecting some of the troops. The King of the
Belgians is expected to-morrow. The Emperor
will, in• person, take the chief command of the
armee dit Nord. Boulogne is all alive ; the Folke-
stone steamer due to-day is expected to brilig a de-
tachment of the Horse Guards, who will form the
guard of his Royal Highness Prince Albert.
The first grand review is to be held between
Honvault and Ambleteure. To-morrow is spoken
of as the day, but there seems to be some doubt on
the subject. The cavalry stationed inland have re-
ceived orders to advance nearer the sea-coast. The
Emperor is accompanied by Colonel Fleury, his
aide-de-camp, and other staff officers. He was re-
ceived at the station by General Schramm, com-
manding the first corps d'armee, General Rolin,
chef d'etat major-general of the camp du Nord, and
the generals commanding the different divisions
encamped around Boulogne ; all the civil digni-
taries, prefects, mayors, &c., were present.
The arrival of Prince Albert is confidently ex-
pected on Monday.
Two small English cutter-yachts arrived yester-
day, and are at anchor in the port, gaily decorated
with flags.
The sun is broiling hot, and, as the moon is in
the first quarter, the weather promises to keep up.
The Prince Ernest steamer, from Folkestone, en-
tered the harbour at 4 o'clock with the horses of
his Royal Highness Prince Albert on board. A
detachment of Horse Guards are also on board.
The port is thronged, and they experienced a most
cordial reception upon landing. All the usual
rules with reference to the landing of passengers
were dispensed with.