The Sun.
London, England, 1854-03-22 00:00:00

No. 19,185.

LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, MARCH 22, 1854.

13, Great Marlborough-street,
ANEW STORY, by MISS MITFORD,
entitled " ATIIERTON," with a Portrait of the Author, and
other Illustrations, will be shortly purchased by Messrs. Hurst and
tilakett, successors to Mr. Colburn, 13, Great Marlborough street.
Orders received by all booksellers.

MR. ALBERT SMITH'S MONT BLANC,
including the BERNESE OBERLAND and the SIMPLON,
THIS EVENING, and Every Evening at Eight o'Clock, (except
Saturday) ; and Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday Mornings, at Two.
Stalls, 3s. (which can be taken at the box• office every day from 11
till 4; area, 25.; gallery, 13.—Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly.

PREPARATIONS FOR WAR.

Not the least important announcement, in connexion
with .the expedition. which we are despatching to the
East, is that contained in a Treasurypinute just issued,
whereby directions are given to the Commissariat de-
partment for supplying the troops.with malt liquors,
preserved potatoes, chocolate, coffee, tea, sugar, rice,
and Scotch barley for broth. These articles of diet are
in an addition to the ordinary rations of bread.and meat,
and to be supplied in detail at their nearest wholesale
cost, without payment of duty and excluding incon-
venient fractions, thus leaving the public to bear the
expense which will be incurred for freight, packing, and
other incidental charges. The following tabular state-
ment shows the supplies provided, the cost price, and
the rate of proposed charge :

THE SEAT OF WAR.
Now ready, price One Shilling,
A. DESCRIPTION of the SEAT of WAR ill
EUROPEAN TURKRY.
Translated from the Treatise of Baron de Valentinl.
By MONTAGUE GORE, E,q.
James Ridgway, Piccadilly, and all Booksellers.

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TBE WAR IN TIIE EAST.

(Peon the Morning Chronicle.)

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body of newly-joined recruits were draughted from the
depot at Beggar's Bush to Aldborough Barracks yester-
day, there not being sufficient accommodation for them
in the former quarters. The 21st and 63d are only
awaiting the arrival of the transport-ship, which is daily
expected.

The war might be short and decisive if all the great
Powers were prepared to do their duty, and the with-
drawal of Prussia from the common cause still leaves an
irresistible preponderance of force on the side of the
Allies, if they can count on the assistance of Austria.
But the sinister rumour of a declaration of neutrality to
be adopted by the German Federation, indicates the
possibility that England and France may have to bear
the whole burden of the struggle ; and it is well that they
are neither unprepared nor unequal to the task. The
Cabinet of Berlin still affects to abide by the Protocols
of Vienna, but that scaffolding of a building which was
never completed has itself long since been demolished.
Three months ago, it was considered an important fact
that the four great Powers were unanimous in their
judgment as to the conditions on which a reasonable
peace might be negotiated • but there is no longer any
question of negotiation or of peace, whilst the highest in-
terests of Europe demand that the disturber of the world
shall be compelled to abandon his pretensions. The re-
presentatives of Austria and Prussia at Vienna shared in
the summary rejection of the last counter-project proposed
by Russia ; and when one of the members of the confe-
rence takes its stand on the ci-devant protocol, it is not
easy to repress a feeling of contempt for the affectation
which refuses to recognise the change of circumstances.
A few weeks back, Prussia approved of the terms
offered by England and France on the part of Turkey. As
the Emperor Nicholas, however, has refused to consider
those proposals, neither the Porte nor her allies any longer
tender them ; and it is an impertinence for an unin-
vited mediator to pronounce a judgment on a different
issue from that which the belligerents themselves have
selected. At present, no preliminaries of peace are
under consideration ; and when, at some future period,
negotiations are recommenced, they will bei nfluenced
by the fortune of war, by the actual state of affairs, and
by the interests of those who, having shared in the
struggle will have established a right to share the solu-
tion. The last consideration which will enter into the
councils of the belligerents will be deference foz the
wishes or opinions of timid Governments, who were
neither for nor against the cause of right—

Ma per se foro."
When the Cabinet of Berlin announced the intention
of maintaining the rank of a Great Power without
incurring the corresponding risks and sacrifices,
the singular revelations of the Secret Correspondence
had not yet transpired. But the intelligent people of
Germany, long indignant at their political dependence on
a foreign and detested Power, will now find, with in-
dignation, that, in re-arranging the map of Europe, the
consent of Prussia was contemptuously disregarded by
the Czar. While England was courted—while France
was regarded as an enemy—and while Austria was de-
scribed, with patronising confidence, as an inseparable
friend—not a single allusion was made to the wishes or
interests of Prussia. At present, it must be admitted
that events have justified the appreciation which the
Emperor Nicholas had formed of his kinsman and
ally ; but it seems scarcely possible that even the
loyal and temperate representatives of the Prus-
sian nation will consent, without further assur-
ances than they have yet received, to supply the
means for equipping an army, which will be use-
less, unless it be treasherously employed. The neu-
trality of Germany, so long as it is strictly observed,
can require no protection. Russia, for her own sake,
will not violate it ; nor can the Allies be suspected of
meditating a wanton and futile aggression. A tax
levied on the Prussian people for the purpose of garri-
soning the kingdom of Poland, would cause a dangerous
discontent ; nor will the Western Powers tolerate any
movement which may tend to render a larger portion of
the enemy's army available at the theatre of war.
The overtures made by Russia to
.England for
the partition of the Ottoman Empire will also de-
serve attention at Vienna. The official assurances
which the Austrian Government has
in repeatedly vo-
lunteered, of its implicit confidencethe promises
of moderation contained in the Russian manifestoes,
were never to be understood in their literal sense ; and
it has now become impossible even to pretend to believe
to the sincerity of those hackneyed pledges. The Em-
peror Nicholas himself, with all his indifference to diplo-
matic veracity, expressly limited his promises of non-
interference to the duration of the then existing peace.
A war, as he frequently told Sir Hamilton Seymour,
would cause the immediate dissolution of the patient ;
and the question would then no longer turn on the
means of preserving his life, but on the disposal of his
inheritance. The case in which Russia avowedly in-
tended to seize Constantinople as a C.cpoit has now
occurred in the sight of all Europe ; and no statesman
can even affect to think that a fresh manufacture of
Vienna Notes would meet the present crisis. The con-
flict of right with hypocrisy is at an end—force is about
to be met by force.
In the impending struggle, Prussia may possibly stand
aloof, though it will be at the cost of her leadership in
Germany, and of her consideration in Europe. For
Austria, however, the conquest of Turkey by Russia
would be fraught with the most formidable and imminent
danger ; and it daily becomes more evident that she has
no alternative except complicity or resistance. Unless
she can hope to extend her dominion to the Balkans, the
expulsion of the Russian invader from the Lo wer Danube
will be absolutely necessary to her own security and in-
dependence. There can be no doubt that the Govern-
ment of Vienna would infinitely prefer the existing
territorial arrangements to any dangerous project of
aggrandisement ; yet the Russian Emperor asserted
that his Imperial ally was perfectly identified with
himself in policy. If, indeed, Turkey alone were
in the field, it is possible that Austria might acquiesce
in the proposed encroachments of Russia ; but the Ern-
' peror Nicholas can scarcely expect her concurrence in a
partition which is forbidden by England and France.
She cannot fail to anticipate the success of the Turkish
armies, when aided by their powerful allies ; and there
can be no doubt that any blow inflicted on Russia would
be as welcome at Vienna as at London or Paris. Yet
it is an unworthy position for the Power most immedi-
ately interested in the struggle to leave the protection
of its frontiers to the arms of strangers ; and, in the
present case, neutrality is as dangerous as it is un-
dignified.
The more nearly the forces of the belligerents are
matched, the longer will be the struggle. It is cer-
tain that England and France will persevere until
they have accomplished their purpose ; but several
campaigns may possibly be required before the enemy
is finally humbled. In the meantime, the Austrian
Cabinet, with the power of deciding the conflict in its
hands, would be incurring the obvious risks attendant
on a war in its immediate neighbourhood. The Western
Powers would discountenance any insurrection against
an ally, but they will assuredly leave a neutral Govern-
ment to protect itself. For the last year, every enemy
of Austria, domestic or foreign, has been anxiously
hoping that the would blindly throw herself into the
arms of Russia ; and half the prayer would be granted,
if England and France were left to fight the battle of
European independence without any aid from Germany.

,~~%%~

[PRIOE SD.

HIGHLAND 'SOCIETY OF LONDON.

Yesterday evening this national, patriotic, and con-
vivial its annual festival at the Freemasons'
Tavern, to celebrate the anniversary of the battle of
Alexandria, where the heroism of the Highland troops
was so conspicuously and memorably displayed. The
society, which was instituted so long ago as the year
1778, has since that period directed its efforts to the pre-
servation of the martial spirit, language, dress, music,
and antiquities of the Celt—to the relief of distressed
Highlanders at a distance from home—and to the
general improvement of that part of the kingdom. In
following out these objects, it has not only succeeded in
redeeming from oblivion the poems of' Ossian and other
valuable remains of Celtic literature, but it has
conferred incalculable benefits on the inhabitants of the
north, in communicating to them, by the institution of
Gaelic schools, the blessings of education. From it have
proceeded many well-timed acts of liberality, which have
exercised the very best influence upon a land where the
presence of the romantic in scenery does not shut out
the realitiei of poverty and distress. That excellent in-
stitution, the Caledonian Asylum, owes its origin to the
generous benevolence, and its efficient maintenance to
the support and countenance, of the society. It has
been the parent, too, of many kindred associations, for
promoting the social amelioration of the Highlands ; and
in the principal dependencies of the empire branch so-
cieties from it are in existence, which not only afford all
true Celts when abroad a rallying point round which
they may gather, but secure to them also the means of
preserving those associations' and cherished remem-
brances of home which are the sources not only of do-
mestic virtue, but of genuine patriotism.
On the present occasion there was a "gathering" of
upwards of 100 gentlemen, several of whom were in mi-
litary uniform and Highland costume. The gallery was
filled with elegantly and well-dressed ladies.
The Duke of Hamilton and Brandon occupied the
chair, and time having made sad havoek amongst the
veterans !who have survived the battle of Alexandria,
there were only Sir John M, Doyle, K.C.8., M-ajor-
General Sir John M. Wilson, and Captain Jay, R.N.,
present of those now alive who were in that great en-
gagement. Amongst the company were Lieut.-General
Delamotte ; the Turkish Consul-General ; Sir Charles
Forbes, Bart. ; Sir John N. R. Campbell, Y.C.H. ; Sir
Win. D. Ross ; Colonel Fitzgibbon ; Norman Macdo-
nald, Esq. ; J. F. Campbell, Esq., younger of Isla ;
Captain A. Macdonald ; Alex. G. ackenzie, Esq. ;F.
W. Caldwell, Esq. ; Alderman Finnis ; Charles Suther-
land ; Dr. Stewart Chisholm, R.A. ; G. Bain, Esq.;
the honorary secretary of the society ; and several officers
of the 17th Lancers.

The loyal toasts having been proposed and responded
to with due honour, and the health of Prince Albert, the
chief of the Highland Society, having been drunk with
the warmest expressions of approval,
The CHAIRMAN gave "The memory of Sir Ralph Aber-
crombie, and the heroes who fell with him in Egypt."
In proposing this toast his grace observed that, incom-
petent as he felt to do justice to the subject, he could
not but rejoice in having an opportunity in calling
attention to it. Although many-years had elapsed since
the memorable action which they were met to celebrate,
Many of its heroes were still living, and amongst them
was a gentlemanwho sat near him that evening. Great
as was the loss sustained, the day was a proud one
for those gallant soldiers who distinguished themselves
on the occasion. He believed he might particularly
allude to the 92d, the 42d, and the 79th regiments,
whose proud deeds did honour, to the country to which
they belonged. It would not be proper in him to expa-
tiate at this moment upon this interesting subject, as it
was a singular circumstance that our enemies on the
occasion referred to were now our friends and allies.
They were prepared to embark in war, and he felt
assured that the descendants of those heroes whose
deeds .they were now met to celebrate would always
prove good to their scions. He felt the difficulty of
speaking upon this theme, and therefore he would not
presume to detain the company, but would at once call
upon them to drink, in solemn silence, the toast he
proposed.
Sir J. M. DOYLE, an officer who was present with
Sir Ralph Abercrombie, acknowledged the compliment.
Other toasts, including the Army and Navy, fol-
lowed, and in due course Sir JOHN CAMPBELL proposed
the health of his Imperial Majesty the Sultan of Turkey,
obseiving that his Imperial Majesty was the most faith-
ful and ancient ally of this country. In proposing this
toast, his mind naturally reverted to the ancient history
of Turkey, and to the many changes which that country
had undergone down to a recent period when its shores
had been made the scene of anarchy, and bloodshed ;
but he was rejoiced to say that
,they could still con-
gratulate her upon the proud position which she occu-
pied amongst nations. She had lately put forth re-
sources which it was supposed she did not possess, and as
she was now at war in self-defence against the ambitious
designs of an usurper, let them hope and believe that
success would attend her efforts. The Sultan had in-
troduced Many reforms into his dominions ; but, amongst
all the proofs he had given of his enlightened under-
standing and friendship for this country, there was bone
which appealed to their sympathies more forcibly than
the protection and encouragement he had given to the
zealouggefforts of our religious societies to diffuse the
blessings of the Gospel wherever they pleased. (Cheers.)
The CONSUL-GENERAL of TURKEY, in returning thanks,
expressed his regret that circumstances had prevented the
attendance of the Turkish ambassador, who was at this
moment engaged in entertaining some of the officers who
were about to join the army in the East. He felt deeply
the high praise which his friend Sir John Campbell had
thought proper to bestow upon his Imperial Majesty the
Sultan ; and he could assure the company that it was a
proud moment to him to have an opportunity of expressing
his feelings in presence of such an assembly as the present.
Every one of the Sultan's servants in this country had
seen with the greatest and deepest delight the universal
feeling of the British nation in the cause of justice and
right ; and he hoped that the conduct of the Turkish,
army on the Danube had given a proof that the nation
was not so degenerate as it was supposed to be—(hear,
hear)—but that it was worthy of being associated with
the English and French armies in the cause of justice.
He hoped that the same victory and the same glory
which had attended the battle they were now celebrating
would also distinguish the united armies of peace which
were about to be engaged on the same soil and [on the
same shore. (Cheers.)
Amongst the other toasts which followed was " Pros-
perity to the Caledonian Asylum ;" and Sir Charles
Forbes, in introducing it, made a forcible appeal to the
benevolence of his countrymen to increase their efforts
to support it.
The juvenile band of the Caledonian Asylum, and
pipers, as also the pipers of the Duke of Hamilton, and
of Lady Agnes Duff, were in attendance. The enter-
, tainment was also enlivened by some excellent and ap-
propriate singing by Mr. Allen, and the dinner was
served in the best possible taste.

THE CHARGES OF CORRUPTION
AGAINST IRISH MEMBERS.

The above committee re-assembled" yesterday, Mr.
Henley in the chair.
Mr. Mowbray Morris, manager of the Times news.
paper, was the first witness called. Mr. Moore, M.P.,
called his attention to two articles which appeared in
the Times of the 21st September, 1853, and 6th Feb-
ruary, 1854, reflecting very strongly on the Irish mem-
bers; and, in reply to questions by Mr. Moore, he said he
was not prepared to state anything of the article of the
21st September, and as to the other he had not refreshed
his memory on it. With regard to the article of the
6th February it was founded on a speech made by Dr.
Gray, to which the attention of the committee had been
already called.
Mr. Moore—May I take the liberty of asking you on
what portion of Dr. Gray's speech you found the asser-
tion in the article that "all the Irish members would
take pay ?"
Mr. Morris—l really can't recollect on what parti-
cular passage the article you allude to was written.
Dr. Gray alluded to two cases of that sort.
Mr. Moore—Do you think such a charge justified
you in stating that the whole of the Irish members, num-
bering 100 men, were guilty of such practices
Mr. Morris repeated that he could not, just at the
moment, recollect the exact circumstances under which
the article was written.
Mr. Moore then said Mr. Morris had better attend
the committee another day, after he had refreshed his
recollection by a reference to the Times.
Mr. Morris said, in any case, he should not be pre-
pared to disclose any of the secrets of the management
of the paper.
Mr. Moore—That is your opinion. It will be for the
committee to decide that.
It was then agreed that Mr. Morris should attend
the committee another day, of which he should get
notice, and he then withdrew.
Mr. Lucas was then called again ; and, after a good
deal of discussion as to the mode in which he intended
to show that an article in the Tablet connected Mr.
Keogh with the inquiry the committee was engaged in,
The Chairman said the course they would take was
this—Mr. Lucas should state what he wished, and if it
was found not relevant to the inquiry, the committee
would strike it out.
Mr. Lucas then entered into a statement respecting a
speech made by Mr. Keogh at the Defence Association,
and a speech by Mr. Keogh at Cashel, and other
places, all strongly denouncing place-taking by the
Irish members. Mr. Lucas read lengthy extracts
from articles in the Tablet, bearing on the conduct
the Irish members should pursue in reference to the
subject of place-taking, and be now contended
that what he had then foreshadowed had conic hi
pass by Mr. Keogh himself having taken office. He
then read extracts from a speech made by Mr. :Keogh at
Athlone 28th October, 1851, in which Mr. Keogh
charged Mr. Lucas as being a calumniator, and iu which
Mr. Keogh said he did not belong to the Whirrs and he
did not belong to the Tories, and never would; and he
"solemnly declared if there was a Peelite Government
in office to-morrow, and that they were joined by the
Whigs, he would not join them for any consideration,
until they had made it a basis of their government to
repeal the Ecclesiastical Titles Act." That document
he put in 33 a promise to take a particular line on Mr.

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