The Sun.
London, England, 1854-01-25 00:00:00

with the Empress, which was not true. A great num-
ber of our countrymen were present at the ball, and
among them was Lord Gough, with whom both the
Emperor and Empress conversed for some time. The
Emperor inquired a good deal about the veteran's
campaigns in the East, and, alluding to the posi-
tion of affairs with Russia, expressed .the pleasure
it gave him -that Englandl and France should be
allies in so just a cause. The whole of the Russian
Embassy was present at the ball, as well as their
chief.
It was reported in Paris yesterday that a mes-
aangerwa,s despatched from St. Petersburg to Sebas-
topol with directions to Prince Menschikoff not to
avoid an engagement with the united fleets, whatever'
Might be the result. It is also said that the Grand
Duke Constantine, who was at Sebastopol at the
period of the arrival of the Retribution, declared
that without waiting for the orders of his father,
he would give all the orders necessary for the
maintenance of the dignity of the empire ; adding,
" We can accept a defeat, but not a humiliation."
A letter from Prince Gortschakoff to a Russian
Hof distinction in Paris was read on Monday evening
in 4 VlUipni,st salon, in which he seems to intimate
the expectation of obtaining some great success
before long. " I have hitherto," he says, " had to
contend against snow and mud. When the ground
shall have been properly cleared away, you will see
that I shall make a successful effort.".
A council of superior officers was held a few days
ago at the War-office. The abject of the con-
sultation was; it is affirmed, .to devise the means
for the transport of a body of troops, should cir-
cumstances render it necessary, to some part of the
Turkish territory ; and it is said that the whole
of the railroad companies have received in-
structions to have means of transport ready at
the shortest notice for troops. The evident
object of giving such notice to all the companies,
that the particular direction in which they
may be sent should not be known. Gene-
ral Canrobert is still, as before, spoken of as
.the Commander-in-Chief of the corps d'armee, and
General Pelissier, the well-known African General,
as his intended Chief of the Staff. It is admitted
that a better Commander and a better Chief of the
Staff could not be selected.

It is announced that the directors of the Bank
of France have resolved to diminish the advances
made on the deposit of public securities by 10 per
cent. to the amount of 50,000 f. The directors
reserve to themselves the right to fix the amount
to be advanced on deposits exceeding 50,000 f.
There was a rumour that a despatch had been
received from St. Petersburg announcing the re-
signation of M. de Nesselrode, and its acceptance
by the Emperor.
An imperial decree approves of the modifications
lately introduced into the statutes of the Strasburg
Railway Company, in consequence of its annexing
to its network of lines, thou) from Paris to Mul-
bausen, Nancy to Gray, and Paris to Vincennes
and to St. Etienne. _ _

The ;Peculators at the Bourse, were more con-
fident yesterday in the maintenance of peace,
in consequence of a report that the reply of the
Czar to the English and' French Governments is
not so peremptory in its terms as was expected, and
may lead to further negotiations. The Three per
Cents. opened at 681. 35c., rose to 69f. 10c., and
closed at 69f. for the end of the month. The Four-
and-a-nalf per Cents. closed at 97f. 25c.; Orleans
Railway shares, 1,035 f. ; Rouen, 920 f. ; Havre,
417 f.; Great Northern, 740 f.; Paris and Strasburg,
725 f.; Paris and Lyons, 825 f.; Lyons to the. Me-
diterranean, 635 f. ; Western of France, 547 f. 50c.;
Bordeaux and Cette 540 f. ; Great Central, 440 f. ;
Lyons and Geneva, 448 f. 75c. ; Shares of the Bank
of Credit. Mobilier, 635 f.