The Sun.
London, England, 1853-11-15 00:00:00

THE SUNS LONDON, TUESDAY EVE NOVEMf3ER 15, 1853.

the fact of the conspiracy for Colonel MACICESON'S
death having been traced to SAA.DIIT KHAN, the
Momond chief of Lalpoorah. But it would seem
in reality that that sudden march of troops
upon those particular portions of the bound-
aries of our Asiatic dominions, had its
origin in the advance of a Russian army within
ten marches of Oorgune, a city which may be
described, not inaccurately, as the Lyons or Man-
chester of Khiva—that Russian army being op-
posed solely by a few native troops, hastily as-
sembled and headed by the Khans of Khiva and
-Bockhara ! Intimation, moreover, is given in
our despatches from India that those same Rus-
sians candidly avow their intention to be the
seizure of the invaded country—the CZAR having,
with that objeot in view, adroitly bribed over DosT
MAHOMED of Cabul to a promise of neutrality.
Meanwhile, it is understood-that with an eye to their
co-operation with the Russian soldiers in another
direction, in plainer words " against the Turks,"
a considerable army is being rapidly gathered
together by the SHAH of Persia in the valley of
Sooltania. All these currently reported and gene-
rally accredited movements, at one and the same
time of intrigues and of armament; originating
in the wiles of the candid, and pacific, and con-
ciliatory
Cabinet of St. Petersburg ! So earnest
is the solicitude of the august master of all the
Russias to " circumscribe the circle of hostilities,"
according to the happy and ingenious phrase of
NESSELRODE

Several, of course, of the still faithful admirers
of the Emperor NICHOLAS will, of course, object
to the foregoing, that these statements are, each
and all of them, exceedingly dubious, and in every
likelihood wonderfully exaggerated. Neverthe-
less, we would still venture to observe that,
granting these rumours have still to be jus-
tified and have still to be proved in no par-
ticular idle or extravagant, there yet remains the
certainty, the absolute and undeniable certainty,
that we have contrived (thanks to the Coalition)
to place ourselves with regard to Russia, both in
Moldo-Wallachia and in Hindostan, at a manifest
disadvantage. That we take to be altogether un-
deniable. Under the guidance of Lord ABERDEEN
we have allowed the contention between Russia
and Turkey to ripen from negotiations into cam-
paigning, to develope itself in virulence from
words to blows—until the pacific, and moderate,
and magnanimous CZAR suddenly throws away
the mask, crying " war be it," insolently
terming the Manifesto of the SULTAN "
lying document," and impetuously plunging
into the hazard of battle, so that twelve hundred
of his soldiers are killed and wounded in a single
day at the very outset of the campaign—namely,
on the 4th instant, in the battle of Oltenitza.

Reviewing with a comprehensive glance the
whole of these strange occurrences which have
rendered the past eight months peculiarly memo-
rable, it must be acknowledged that the policy of
the Russian EMPEROR could scarcely have been
more daringly or flagrantly insensate. From the
beginning he has set all the principles of honour,
all the laws of nations, all the rights of sove-
reignties at defiance. He has demanded at
the hands of the SULTAN the virtual resig-
nation to his own of the authority exercised
for many centuries over the Christian population
of European Turkey by the successive Chiefs of
the Ottoman dominions. He has haughtily in-
sisted upon this extravagant concession in the
name of all that is holy, in the name of GOD and
in the name of Religion—and this while the I
Christian subjects of the SULTAN have been tend-
ering the assurances of their uninterrupted alle-
giance through the solemn memorial recently pre-
sented to his MAJESTY by the Greek Patriarch of
Constantinople. NICHOLAS has acted thus auda-
ciously—despatching his forces across the Pruth
—taking possession of the Danubian Principali-
ties—talking about the violation of treaties with
his Cossacks in Moldo-Wallachia, and about insults
to be avenged, while the world's memory is still
alive to the mission and the proceedings of Prince
MENSCHIKOFF. And now, forsooth—not Turkey
alone, but France and England are to listen un-
moved to the impiety of that final declaration of
the Russian AUTOCRAT in his Manifesto, "In
to DOMINE speravi, non confundar in ceternum"—
now, while his Minister NESSELRODE is talking
about the CZAR'S desire to " circumscribe the
circle of hostilities "—now, when that flagitious
Prince, for the mere gratification of his personal
pride by the development of his lawless ambition,
is closing a peace of thirty-eight years' continuance
by the most atrocious war (both in origin and in
object) that ever threatened the desolation of
Christendom.

HEAVEN forbid, however GOD forbid that
England or France at so supreme a juncture should
by their indifference prove false to their historic
glory, to their national honour, to the dignity of
their crowns, to the rights of their populations !
GOD forbid that by a supine attitude, during a
crisis such as this, they should betray, at one and
the same moment, the holy cause of Liberty, and
the sacred interests of Civilisation !

The real misfortune of the City of London, with
its Corporation, is its false position. The London
meant by the whole kingdom when its people use the
word—the London thought of by foreigners when
they look to it as the capital of Europe and of the
world, is not a municipality smaller than Liver-
pool, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds,
Sheffield, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, much
smaller too than the huge Parliamentary Boroughs
which enclose it. What all the world mean by
London is the huge city of more than two mil-
millions and a quarter of inhabitants on both
sides of the banks of the Thames. The City of
London- contains 127,869 inhabitants ; Liverpool,
Manchester, and some of the metropolitan boroughs
contain three times as many, or nearly so. The
City, in point of population, is but a small por-
tion of London, yet it has to sustain, and indeed
is but too willing to grasp all the grandeur
and eclat pertaining to a population of minions.
The Corporation of the City of London in its
technical meaning would be thought in our great
towns, and in those of the continent, a rather
humble affair, but the Corporation of London
appears to the world with an undefined gran-
deur, derived from all that is called Lon-
don ; with a kind of halo vastly larger
than itself, and radiating in splendid bo-
roughs on every side. Its hardship is, therefore,
that it has to deport itself • worthily of all the
greatness which is loosely attributed to its name,
and which, except when funds are in question, it
is not very forward to disavow. It would be a
melancholy thing if any of the corporate trust
funds overflowed beyond technical London, or even
if any part of the taxes levied on the adjacent dis-
tricts were expended in those districts.; but, of
course, it is not to be deplored that country-folk
and foreigners should see in the Lord Mayor of
London the chief magistrate of two millions of
a people,l' comprising all the wealth, intelligence, and
on of the country, and not merely the civic
headl fashion
some thousands of second and third rate
shopkeepers,
rabble.
This, indeed, is
as many clerks and shopmen, and
that due proportion of long-shore men, and other
tion's ' unlucky, false it
deserted of all its wealthy.psion and
at all. The very Dons
another side of the Corpora-
They speak conteraptuousi
0 f
the
Thei old City is as
distinguished in-
habitants as Nineveh or Babylon
of inhabitants
Corporationih. itself
no longer honour the City with
their own resi-
deuce.Y enough of

the Metropolitan boroughs, in comparison with '
their source of honour, yet seek a dwelling in
them, or in the country around, perhaps as far as
Brighton. It is but now a city of offices, ware-
houses, and shops, tenanted for the most part by
servants whose principals have fled with the close
of business hours, and whose home and local at-
tachments are all elsewhere. It is probably from
this point of view that Mr. TRAVERS regards a
Chamber of Commerce as most adapted to manage
the affairs of a place where people trade rather
than live, and do the work of life rather than
enjoy it. If we do but look fairly at what the
City of London is in regard to the standing and
quality of its actual inhabitants, and compare it
with the other part of real London, it will be
owned at once that the wealthy, the educated, and
the influential are no longer denizens of the in-
corporated part. Yet the Corporation has to sus-
tain in the eyes of the world the central position
in the vest group of important classes who belong
to all London. The Mayor, Aldermen, and
Council are Oxpected to be personages worthy to
administer the civic affairs of the most renowned
population of all the cities of England or of the
world. Men of business habits, though illiterate
and unpolished, might pass very well as the civic
representatives of what their London really is.
The awkwardness is felt when it is attempted to
invest them with the honour which flows from
the now incomparably superior suburbs. When a
Lord Mayor whose chief characteristics too
frequently are bad grammar and good dinners, is
spoken of as " the first magistrate of the first
city in the world"—a truly respectable magistrate
for the present City, which lies between the Tower
and Temple-bar, he becomes . a ludicrous one if
thought of in the most shadowy connection with
the West-end. Even the commerce of London is
but partially under Corporation control, and the
less said, perhaps, of that control the better.
Civic privileges here seem to interfere sadly with
private rights, and the growth of Liverpool is a
broad proof that something in this department is
seriously wrong. In any case, the large docks
owe the Corporation neither thanks nor allegiance,
yet all the shipping frequenting the port of Lon-
don brings an undefined amount of honour to the
body which stands before the world as the repre-
sentative of London. We refrain entirely till
both sides have been heard from touching on the
evidence now before the Commissioners. The
worst forms of corruption have, no doubt, been
much abated of late years. Public opinion re-
quired it. Some nice little jobs are sure to come
to light when so much money is administered, and
some inexcusable civic privileges will hardly pass
the ordeal of free inquiry ; but we have the word
of the Corporation for it, that they are the purest
and best-managed body under the sun, and, of
course, we believe it against all comers until they
have the opportunity of proving their word.

COURT CIRCULAR.

WINDSOR, Nov. 14.

The Duke and Duchess of Brabant, attended by the
Belgian Minister and the Count and Countess Gustave
de Lannoy, left Windsor last evening, by the Great
Western Railway, for Plymouth.
The Earl of Clarendon left the Castle to-day, for
London.
Lord Elphinstone had an audience of the Queen.

A deputation from the parishes of All Saints, Poplar,
relative to closing the churchyard, transacted business
yesterday, at the Home-office. The deputation con-
sisted of the Rev. T. T. Bazely (rector), Messrs. John
Carter, Samuel K. Ellison, Charles Darling, and Ed-
ward Coleman (vestrymen), and Charles C. Ceely (vestry
clerk). The deputation was introduced by Mr. Charles
S. Butler, M.P.
The Earl of Clarendon arrived in town yesterday,
from a visit to her Majesty, at Windsor Castle.
Despatches were received at the Colonial-office yes-
terday from the Governor of Bermuda. Despatches were
sent yesterday to the Governors of the Cape of Good
Hope and the Mauritius.

BANK OF ENGLAND NOTIFICATION.—The Bank of
England have intimated that they will now discount the
amounts of the various petty stocks due in January at
the rate of 3 per cent. instead of at 4 per cent., as ori-
ginally proposed in their notification of the 2d inst.

MUNIFICENT DONATION:--We understand that her
Most Gracions Majesty the Queen, hearing of the very
heavy dram upon the funds of the Shipwrecked Fisher-
men and Mariners' Royal Benevolent Society, conse-
quent upon the late disastrous gales, has, with her accus-
tomed liberality, presented this -valuable institution, of
which she is patron, with the sum of 100 guineas.

THE TEMPLE GARDENS.—GRAND CIIRYSANTHEMIIM
SHOW.—At the present time the lovers of this autumnal
flower will be highly gratified by paying a viPit to the
Temple Gardens, Fleet-street, where may be seen, per-
haps, the largest collection of chrysanthemums in Eng-
land in, or nearly, full bloom, which comprises every
description of the plant. Most of the judges and learned
members of the bar have inspected the collection, and
the gardens, we understand, being the property of the
Hon. Society of Benchers, can be viewed gratuitously.
LONDON SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY, EXETER-HALL.
—SIXTH SEASON, 1853-54.—The first concert of the
above society will take place on Thursday evening next,
when Handel's oratorio, "Israel in Egypt," will be per-
formed under the direction of Mr. Surman, the founder
of the Exeter-hall oratorios, preceded by Dr. Elvey's
festival anthem " The Lord is King." Principal singers.
Miss Birch, Mrs. Lockey, Miss Stabbach, Mr. Lawler,
Mr. Leffler, and Mr. Lockey. The band and chorus
will be complete in every department.
MAP OF THE BURMAN EMPIRE.—At this particular
moment we are disposed more eagerly than ever to wel-
come this admirable map of the Burman Empire, just
issued opportunely in Leadenhall-street, from W. H.
Allen and Company's enterprising establishment. It can
scarcely fail to be examined just now with a peculiar
and melancholy interest—now that our triumph over
the Burmese is being followed up by a series of lament-
able disasters in the way of insurrection against
our authority. Scarcely any one who has read
Mr. Cobden's logical and unanswerable exposure
of our criminality towards the Burmese will re-
gard the events now taking place in the territories
here depicted with any degree of amazement. As we
have sown, so are we reaping—•we have sown the storm,
and we are reaping the whirlwind. At a crisis like this,
therefore, no map could come to us more opportunely
than the one which is before us at this moment, display.
ing with admirable accuracy and distinctness the whole
of what were, and what still are, the King of Ava's
dominions.

DETERMINED SUICIDE IN HYDE PARK.—On Sunday
morning, about one o'clock, a police constable of the
A division, while going his rounds in Hyde-park, per-
ceived what appeared to be some person leaning against
one of the old trees near the Royal Humane Society's
receiving-house. On closer examination, however, he
discovered the body of a man suspended by a hand-
kerchief tied round his neck, and attached to a bough of
the tree, quite dead. The constable immediately cut
the unfortunate man down, and, after procuring as-
sistance, conveyed the body to St. George's Workhouse.
Upon the body being searched, a pocket-book was
found, [with the name of "W. G. Cotterall" written
inside it.

BONDING PRIVILEGES.—The question as to an exten-
sion of bonding privileges to certain quays and ware-
houses above London-bridge is still pending. By some
parties, however, it is contended that, as far as the re-
quirements of trade are concerned, there does not appear
to be any real necessity for the measure. The increase
in the number of articles of merchandise, free of duty,
must, it is contended, relieve the bonded warehouses
already existing to a very considerable degree, and
therefore leave ample room for such goods as may be
entered under bond. It is admitted that the business of
the port has increased to an immense extent, and that
there is every reason to suppose the augmentation will
be still greater ; but, at the same time, it is pointed out
that the privileges have recently been much extended on
the Surrey side of the water below London-bridge, and
that in the course of the next year the new docks, which
are now being constructed near Blackwall, are expected
to be opened. There is also the projected Wellington
D. ock, on the Surrey side, which, if formed, will give
increased accommodation to the shipping and general
business of the port.
THE MAIL PACKETS.—Southampton, Monday.—The
Peninsular and Oriental Company's new screw steam-
ship Noona left this morning Bombay, for from which
place she will be put upon
one of theline; in the East
occupied by the company. She has taken with her a
few stores, Captain Black, late chief officer of the Hima-
iTa,hyea,aheans enerbaelscarproiewenotemdptao thny,se commandsteamilship
Indianaof theN o(Coanpa:
tam Lambert) also left to-day for India and the Cape,
calling first at Plymouth for her mails. The Indiana
had on board about 100 passengers, all of whom she
shipped from this port, 20,0001. in specie for India,
about 500 bottles of quicksilver, and a usual cargo
of bale and case goods. The Royal Mail Company's two
ships Severn and Solent are hourly expected, the for-
mer with the Brazilian mail, and the latter with the mails
from the West Indies. The Magdalena leaves on the
17th, with the outward portion of the West India,
mail. The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steam-
ship Iberia is hourly expected to arrive with the Penin-
sular mail. The Sultan will leave Southampton on the
17th, with the outward portion of that mail. The Indus
is expected from Alexandria with the heavy portion of
the East India and China mail, and on the 20th the
Euxine will leave with the outward heavy portion of
the same, The Cork Steam Shipping Company's screw
steam-ship Cormorant arrived here yesterday en route
from Rotterdam to Liverpool. After landing a quan-
tity of cheese, some cattle, and some bale goods, she
left to-day for Liverpool. Messrs. Palfour, Laming,
And Owen are appointed the agents at this port for the
company, and it is arranged that this line of steam-ships •
shall call at Southampton on each passage.

CITY OF LONDON COMMISSION.

(THIS DAY.I

The Commissioners resumed their inquiry this morn-
ing, in the chamber of the Judicial Committee of the
Privy Council.
Mr. Remington, the silk manufacturer, came before
the commission to complain of the manner in which the
corporation exercise their privilege with regard to the
election of the sheriffs of London and Middlesex. He
stated that he was a member of the Fishmongers' Com
pang, and a freeman of the City, but he had never re-
sided in the City. Nevertheless in 1840 he received notice
from the Town Crier that his name had been put on the list
of gentlemen selected by the Lord Mayor to fill the office
of sheriff, and in 1848 he was elected against his own
will. Mr. Bousfield, a gentleman attached to the
Weavers' Company, which was older than the corpora-
tion, was elected with him, but as it was quite impossible
for either of them to serve they were compelled to pay
the fine of 6001. each. Now what he complained of was
this. At the time he was elected he resided seven miles
beyond the limits of the City, and he was therefore de-
prived of the municipal franchise, while at the time of
his election, in 1848, Aldermen Finnis and Law-
ranee, who were bound to be put in nomination,
were excused by the Common Hall from serving that
year. The consequence was, that when lie and Mr.
Bousfield were fined, Alderman Finnis was forced to ac-
cept the office for the convenience of the corporation,
and the Alderman was allowed 1001. out of the fines
towards his expenses. Parties were afterwards put in no-
mination and elected against their will for the sake of the
fine ; for instance, in 1814 and 1815, the fines from this
source amounted to 15,0001., and it was said, however
truly he knew not, that reluctant parties were fined
in this wholesale manner to provide the means for
entertaining George the Fourth and the Emperor
of Russia at the period of the peace. There was no
necessity for putting parties indisposed to serve to the
expense of these fines, because there were always plenty
of aspirants for civic honours, and the only mode of in-
troducing them to the City was through the means of
the shrievaity, which brought them into contact with
the Livery at the banquets of the different companies.
Some time the office of sheriff was made the medium for
advancing the interests of solicitors, who induced their
friends to serve for the sake of obtaining the ap
pointment of under-sheriff, and thereby becoming
known in the City, where they hoped to cultivate
a lucrative practice. On both occasions the cor-
ruption of the long-shore men was resorted to, and
no matter whether the candidate aspired to the honour
of Lord Mayor, or sought to further the designs of his
legal friends, the end in view could only be accomplished
with the assistalnce of the agent to that corrupt portion
of the Livery. Formerly the fines paid by gentlemen
who declined to serve in the office of sheriff were carried
to the general accounts of the City, but Parliament hav-
ing, in 1848, ordered a return of these fines, and of the
manner in which they were appropriated, the Common
Council passed an ordinance directing that the fines
should be devoted to the purposes of charity, and now
they were appropriated to the support of the necessitous
orphans of the City. Mr. Remington, in conclusion,
stated that he did not think the expense of the
office deterred gentlemen from serving, nor did he
believe the corporation had ever experienced any diffi-
culty in finding candidates for the office, and under
these circumstances he thought parties who did not en-
joy the municipal privileges of the City ought not to be
called up on to share in its burdens.
Other witnesses were examined on similar points, after
which Mr. Pulling, the barrister, resumed his statement,
which occupied the attention of the commission up to the
hour of adjournment. -

LAW INTELLIGENCE-(THIS DAY).

COURT OF BANKRUPTCY.
(Before Mr. Commissioner Evans.)
IN RE SWALLOW.

This bankrupt was described as of Nine Elms Tavern,
Battersea, and to-day was appointed for his last exami-
nation.

The balance-sheet prepared by Mr. Watson, Basing-
hall•street, commences Feb., 1853, and ends sth Octo-
ber, 1853 ; it shows debtor to creditors 1,9611. 2s. ld. ;
surplus 9th February, 1853, 2,3091. 10s. 6d. ; profits,
1501. Creditor by good debts, 191. 10s. ; leasehold pro-
perty, 2121. ; property at Battersea, on which there is
an injunction in the Court of Chancery, 3,8841. 19s. 3d.

Mr. J. R. Chidley, Gresham-street, said the assignees
required further accounts, and therefore the bankrupt's
examination must be adjourned.
An adjournment for a month took place.
Mr. Chidley then asked for the sanction M the court
for the assignees to defend a Chancery suit instituted by
the relatives of the bankrupt,
His Honour granted the application.

LA 'E6II iNr

RUSSIA AND TURKEY.

According to a private despatch, fighting was
renewed near Bucharest on the 11th, in the morn-
_ _

It is believed that Omer Pasha will also attempt
to cross the Danube above Galata, in order to get
into Moldavia.

The Turkish Embassy at Vienna have reason to
believe that between 90,000 and 100,000 Turks
have already crossed the Danube.

The Wanderer publishes a letter from Bucharest
of the 6th inst., stating that, after a series of
murderous conflicts on the 3d, 4th, and sth inst.,
the Turks maintained their position on the Wal-
lachian bank of the Danube, while the Russians
took refuge in their entrenchments near Oltenitza.

Advice; from Kalafat of the 3d inst., state that
on that day the Turks had not left their positions.
They were waiting for reinforcements to march upon
Krajova. . _ _

The communications between Galatz and Odessa
have been interrupted since the 28th ult.
It is said that the Turks have obtained posses-
sion of several Russian forts in Georgia and the
Caucasus. These forts are Cartoor, which was
taken by the Kurds, Fuliler by the troops from
Damascus, and Surmine Istrat and Kuchat by the
Bachi-Bozouks.

The Austrian Correspondence, under date of
Bucharest, Nov. 9, says :—" The Turks have been
repulsed from the island near Giurgevo. General
Klapka has received a Turkish command at Olte-
nitza or Giurgevo. A strong cannonade was heard
this day (9th.) Prince Gortschakoff had advanced
his head-quarters some stations from Bucharest."
The Moniteur gives the following details of the
battle at Oltenitza :—" The Government has re-
ceived the following information respecting the
recontre of the 4th between the Russians and the
Turks at Oltenitza :—lt is in the triangle formed
by the Argis, the Danube, and the village of Olte-
nitza that the murderous battle of the 4th of No-
vember took place. The Turks had not more than
9,000 men. They occupied the quarantine build-
ing on the plain near to the Danube and the village.
The building and au old redoubt were fortified with
materials brought from Turtukai. The Turks
were very successful in making use of the bat-
teries of. the fortress (Turtukai.) They threw
across the Danube, which is about 260 toises
wide at that place, bullets and bombs which reached
the Russians even as far as the foot of the village,
which is situated on an elevation. General Dan-
nenberg, who directed the operations, was at a
short distance from the village with his staff.
The loss of the Russians is calculated at 1,200 men
killed and wounded. Nearly all the chefs de bat-
tallion have been wounded, as well as several
colonels. The greater part of the wounds were
made with conical balls. Prince Gortschakoff has
left for Oltenitza. They speak of his attacking the
Turks to-day or to-morrow."
The Siecle says :—" According to information
worthy of being relied on, as the Moniteur says,
we think we may announce to our readers that the
Ottoman troops have gained a fresh victory at
Oltenitza. On the 21 and 3d inst. the Russian
General Pauloff endeavoured in vain to prevent
the Turks from establishing themselves in advance
of Oltenitza, on the Wallachian side of the Danube.
The Ottomans maintained their positions, and
caused the Russians a loss of 600 men, among
whom are 18 officers. The position of Oltenitza,
situated about thirty-eight miles from Bucharest,
which is the basis of their operations in Wallachia,
appeared so important to the Russian Generals,
that they resolved to make a fresh effort to dis-
lodge the Turks from it. The attack was recom-
menced on the 4th, and continued through part
of the sth. The Russians have had 1,200 killed
or wounded, and it is stated as certain that the
Ottoman chasseurs, armed with the Vincennes
carabines, made terrible havoc in the ranks of the
officers. Almost all the commanders of corps have
fallen. We will admit that we have No details on
the consequences of this second engagement, but
from the summons made to Prince Gortschakoff by
Omer Pacha to deliver up all the fortified places
into the hands of the Turks, and to evacuate the
Principalities as promptly as possible, there is
reason to infer that the troops of the Sultan have
assumed a real attitude of superiority ."
The Wanderer of Vienna has the following, 10th
inst. :

"It was on the 2d that the Turks concentrated them-
selves between Tschitschatahka and Turtukai to the
number of 14,000 men, without reckoning the reserve.
They were concealed by the wood. In the night of the
3d the passage of the river was attempted near Olte-
nitza, and effected by force. As soon as 2,000 men had
landed., the boats returned to fetch others. The ad-
vanced posts of the Russians were at Oltenitza. and the
reserve wi-hin gunshot of the place. The Russian forces
amounted to ✓,OOO men. The Austrian Correspondence
had fixed a number of 3,000 men, but it has now aug-
mented it to 9,000 men. The combat began by break
of day, and great bravery was exhibited on both
sides. The cannonade lasted 18 hours. The Rus-
Walls received reinforcements from Kanzurva. The
struggle terminated at noon by the retreat of the
Turks, but was renewed in the evening. The Rus-
sians retired on Oltenitza, where they had an entrench-
ed position, whilst the Turks remained on the banks
of the Danube, and threw up entrenchments. On the
following day the report of cannon was again heard.
The farms in the neighbourhood of Oltenitza fell a prey
to the flames, but the town itself did not suffer. The
combat was most sanguinary, and the loss on both sides
was severe. The Russians made every effort in their
power to resist the superior forces of the enemy, but
the Turks displayed the most extraordinary bravery,
and gave proofs of their waists in the water, but would
not give way. On the sth, the Turks maintained them-
selves on the Wallachian side, and the Russians retired
towards the position of their reserve at Oltenitza. On
the 2d, the Turks concentrated themselves at Silistria,
and advanced as far as Kalaradsche. Near Giurgevo
there was an affair of outposts. The road leading from
Oltenitza to Kalaradsche is occupied by the Russian
troops. The first news of the affair at Oltenitza re tched
the British embassy at Vienna. All accounts agree in
stating that the Russians have not lost their entrenched
position, but that the Turks occupied the shore."
A Vienna journal of the 10th says :—" The news
from Montenegro are to the effect that the princi-
pality is perfectly tranquil. Prince Danielo has
forbidden his subjects to invade the Turkish terri-
tory, and his orders have been respected. We are
assured that in this war the Wladika will remain
neutral. He is, however, arming a body of regular
troops."
Several Wallachian boyards and their families
have arrived at Vienna from Bucharest. Amongst
them are Prince Soufzo, M. Cambisse, M. Catorno,
and others of distinction. The Hospodar Prince
Stirbey, who had arrived previously at Vienna,
paid court visits to most of these boyards.
A private telegraphic despatch, dated Berlin,
13th, says :—" The -Journal de St. Petersburg pub-
lishes a declaration of the Minister of Finance, ac-
cording to which the embargo is not placed on
Turkish vessels until the 22d November. After
that delay all Turkish vessels remaining in Russian
ports will be declared lawful prizes, even should
their cargoes not exclusively belong to Turkish
subjects. Neutral flags will enjoy perfect freedom
even during hostilities."
It is stated that the Prussian Government has
resolved not to allow private despatches, giving po-
litical news, to be forwarded from Berlin.
Private letters from Constantinople of the 31st
mention that intelligence received from Asia Minor
announced the capture, by the Turkish troops, of
five forts on the frontiers of Georgia. The first of
these forts is called Cartom, and was taken by the
Kurds ; the second, Futilee, by the contingent from
Damascus ; the third, Hermini, the fourth Istrat,
and the fifth, Kuchat, were captured by the Bashi-
Bozouks, or irregular troops. The same letters add
that the intelligence was believed to be correct in
Constantinople. They state, besides, that the
Austrian squadron, which was about to return
to Venice, received orders to proceed to Smyrna,
where reinforcements were expected, and that two
ships had already arrived. Two frigates were ex-
pected. at Constantinople from Genoa. The Gover-
nor of Broussa, Halil Pasha, had resigned. The
new Minister of Finance was about to submit to
the Council a statement, of the finances, and an
exposition of the measures lie had in contemplation
to enable the Government to meet its present diffi-
culties. Very few people at Constantinople be-
lieved in the possibility of an amicable arrangement,
but that matters must be allowed to take their
course.

A private letter from Trezibonde, of the 22d
ult., states that Abdi Pasha mached from Erze-
roum, through Kars, on the 12th October, at the
head of 12,01)0 regular troops. 10,000 regulars
had arrived at his head-quarters from Kurdistan
and Diarbekir. 15,000 redifs are likewise en-
camped in the neighbourhood of Kars. The
Government has called the Bashi Bozouks into
active service. They are irregular volunteers,
armed, with muskets without bayonets, with pis-
tols, and a poinard with a broad blade. There
are nearly 30,000 of them between Batoum and
Kars. A Russian corps of 30,0'00 men hat been
encamped for the previous 20 days at the foot of the
mountain which commands Alexandropol, distant
12 hours march from Kars on the Georgian ter-
ritory. Another corps of 15,000 men is encamped
in the neighbourhood of Akhalzikh, which is in-
tended to take possession of Batoum by the moun-
tains which command it, whilst it is to be bom-
barded on the sea side by ships of war. 1,500
riflemen, armed like the Chasseurs of Vincennes,
were landed at Trebizonde, on the 21st, from
Turkish ships, together with 6,000 infantry.
Those troops are well armed and equipped. 22
steam-boats were expected with additional troops ,

for Erzeroum and Kars. It was expected that the
Turkish Government would despatch 5,000 good
troops from Constantinople to Batoum the follow-
ing week. This was absolutely necessary, for
Batoum was defended by only 2,000 regular troops
and 6,000 Bashi-Bozouks, who could not resist
Russian troops preparing to attack it.
Another letter from Trebizonde anounces that
the Russian fortress of Dariel, situate in Circassia,
on the right bank of the Terek, between Mosdok
and Tiflis, was surrounded by the insurgent Ossetes
and by a large force of Circassians, and that it was
on the point of falling into their power. The same
letter announces that the authentic details had
been received of the affair which took place some
time back, when 20,000 Russians, lately arrived in
the country, were overpowered by Schamyl's
troops, and all that were not killed were made
prisoners, and are now at Ardiauskai, in Circassia.
A letter from Tunis, of the sth inst., announces
that a Tunisian brig, escorted by a Turkish ship-
of-war, had sailed the previous day for Constanti-
nople, with arms and ammunition for the Sultan.
The following is the notification of the Russian
Minister of Finance respecting the embargo on
Turkish vessels, dated November 5 :
" In consequence of war having been declared against
Russia by the Ottoman Porte, the Minister of Finance
considers it fit to make the following communications to
the trade. The warlike operations which Turkey has
already begun against Russia put a stop to all direct
intercourse between their respective subjects ; neverthe-
less the Porte has laid no embargo on Russian vessels
lying in her ports, and in her proclamation promised
to grant them a limited period for their departure for
whatever port they please ; at the same time the Porte
promised not to hinder the free passage of merchant
ships of friendly Powers through the straits leading to
the Black Sea.

" Prompted by feelings of justice, the Russian Govern-
ment, on its part, offers a free exit to the Turkish ves-
sels that happen to be in her ports up to the 10th (22d)
of November of this year ; furthermore, if even after the
expiration of this date, our cruisers should happen to
fall in with Turkish vessels loaded with goods belonging
to the subjects of those Powers with whom Russia is in
friendly intercourse, they will be permitted to proceed
to their destination unmolested, and their cargoes re-
cognised as inviolaable if the ships' documents prove
that they were loaded by the above-mentioned date.
Further, as the Porte has not exempted the mercantile
navy of Russia from the rigorous measures which are
justified by the ,rules of war, so our cruisers also will
chase Turkish merchant ships on the sea, and in the
event of capture the vessels themselves, as well as their
cargoes, will be considered as rightful sea prizes, al-
though the cargoes seized under Turkish flags may not
have been Turkish property, but belong to a subject of
a friendly Power. To the navigation of 'merchant ships
of neutral nations, even during warlike operations on
the part of Russia, full freedom will be allowed. Com-
mercial craft under neutral flags will, as heretofore, be
permitted to enter and leave our ports at will. Besides
this, in consequence of the rupture of that general inter-
course between Odessa and Constantinople which was
carried on by Russian steamers, our Government. ap-
preciating the importance of this intercourse to trade in
general, has empowered the Company (Lloyd's) during
the war to keep up this regular communication between
Odessa and Constantinople by means of steamers, in
which they are at liberty to transport not only pas-
sengers and goods, but also correspondence."