The Sun.
London, England, 1854-12-30 00:00:00

CRIMEA,

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sir,—Will you permit me, through your columns, to
inform your correspondent, " Who knows the Mersey
well," that the Wildfire, with the navvies, left the Mer-
sey on the 23d instant, and on the 25th was off the
Saltees (coast of Ireland), proceeding favourably. From
this position, with the wind at W.N.W., she had a
favourable start, and, as the wind has been northerly
ever since, there is no doubt by this time she is well on
her way to Gibraltar. With reference to the steamers
employed in this service, they are not small steamers, but
large carrying vessels, between 500 and 800 tons, nearly
all new and of good power ; and there is no doubt of
their making a good passage. As to their not being
able to " sheer" in bad weather, they are not intended
to sheer, but to proceed straight on their course, as no
doubt they will do.
With reference to sending the men and material by
railway via Marseilles, a moment's reflection will con-
vince any one of the impracticability of such a scheme ;
for without taking into account the length of time and
enormous expense that would be incurred in conveying
six thousand tons of material from various parts of
England to Calais, thence sending them by rail to Mar-
seilles, they would there have to await the arrival of the
steamers from England to convey the same to Balaklava;
for it is well known there are no available ships at
Marseilles for such a purpose—this alone would lengthen
the voyage by several hundred miles, besides a great
waste of time, labour, and expense.—Yours, &c.,
ONE WHO KNOWS THE WAY TO BALAKLAVA•
December 29, 1854.

The Duke and Duchess of Northumberland are enter.
taming a select circle at his grace'•s splendid baronial
seat Alnwick Castle.
We understand that Messrs. Jones Loyd and Co., with
their usual liberality, have made their clerks a Christmas
present of I,oooi.
THE MONEY MAEKET.—The demand for money,
which has rapidly increased during the present week,
was yesterday particularly active, large amounts con-
tinuing to be discounted at the Bank •f England. There
is nevertheless, every appearance that all the engage-
ments consequent upon the close of the year will be well

THE NEW FRENCH LOAN.—It is stated that English
applications are to be entertained for the new French
loan, and tha` endeavours will be made by several houses
to form lists on this side to the amount altogether of
about 3,000,0001.
THE PIONEER.—This new steamer •f 800 tons register
and 120-horse power, which was to leave on Monday
with a mail for the Cape of Good Hope, has been taken
up by the Government for the Black :Sea.
The steam-packet of the Messageries Imperiales
Louqsor, which arrived at Marseilles on the 28th inst.,
last from Constantinople, contributed on the 24th to as-
sist the English transport Arabia, which had left Mar-
seilles with troops, and went ashore during the night at
the Faro (at the entrance of Messina). The Arabia, not
having suffered any injury, was able to continue her
voyage to the Crimea.
CAPTAIN COLLINSON'S EXPEDITION.—We hear that
Captain Collinson, in the Enterprise, has arrived at
Hong Kong from the Arctic Regions.
The celebrated Swedish sculptor Fogelberg, died on
the 11th inht. at Trieste.
The French ship Fleurus arrived at Toulon on the 28th
December, bringing 410 military passengers from Al-
giers.— Pi eneh. Paper.
On Christmas-day the musicians of the chapel of the
AlMpelPse executed at the Tuileries an unpublished mass
of M. Auber, which produced a great effect. Their
Majesties complimented M. Auber on the success of
his work.
FUNERAL OF TILE LATE PRESIDENT OF MAGDALEN
COLLEGE.—OXFORD, Dec. 29.—The funeral of the late
lamented President took place this day in Magdalen
College Chapel, and was on a grand and extensive
scale, the number of followers amounting to upwards of

300.
Monday next, the Ist of January, the new act, with
respect to dogs drawing vehicles comes into operation.
The provision extends to the whole of the United
Kingdom. For the first offence, the penalty is not to
exceed 40s.
A Mr. Jackson has invented a method if expanding
gas by the introduction of a platinum wire into the
burners, which effects a saving of 17 to 25 per cent.,
while an equal amount of light is afforded.
Italy has lost two of its most distinguished artists—
the historical painter, Michael Ridolfi, of Lucca, and
the director of the ducal manufactory of mosaics at
Florence, Carle Sicies.
BAGNALSTOWN AND WEXFORD RAILWAY.—The cere-
mony of turning the first sod of this intended line was
performed on the 28th inst., by Lady Harriet Kava-
❑agh, in the presence of a large assemblage of the neigh-
bouring gentry and peasantry at Borris, in the county
of Carlow.
NOTTINGHAM ALE FOR THE CRIMEA.—It is, we be-
lieve, anticipated that the Committee of Licensed Vic-
tuallers, which has been formed in Nottingham for the
purpose of providing a present of Nottingham ale for
ear gallant troops in the East, will succeed in getting
together at least fifty tuns of " stunning stingo." It is
intended that the whole quantity shall be sent off by rail
on New Year's Day.—Nottingharn Review.
RELEASED RUSSIAN PRISONERS.—The crew of the
Atlantic (lately condemned as a legal prize, and still in
Leith Docks) were released from the receiving ship
for Russian prisoners on Thursday, having volunteered
to serve on board ships chartered from London for
Australia and China. The Crew of the Atlantic, 13 in
number, have left with an excellent character.—Edin-
burgh Courant.
NORTH BRITISH AUSTRALASIAN COMPANY.—A meet-
ing of shareholders in the North British Australasian
Company was held yesterday, but in consequence of the
non-arrival of the accounts the proceedings were of a
formal nature. A general statement of the directors
was read, and they were re-elected until the adjourned
meeting appointed for April next. It was stated that
according to the deed of settlement it is compulsory to
hold the meetings in December, which has been attended
with considerable inconvenience, and to obviate which
certain alterations in the deed will be proposed at the
next meeting.
MARIQUITA AND NEW GRANADA MINING COMPANY.

A. meeting of proprietors in the Mariquita and New
Granada Mining Company was held yesterday for the puf-
pose of considering and adopting the report of Mr.
Gower, and to devise the best means of raising capital
to purchase the Purima Mines. A very stormy discus-
sion ensued, which ended in taking a ballot whether the
report should be received. The shareholders present
having voted, Monday and Tuesday next were named as
the days to complete the balloting, immediately after
which the result will be announced.
Sir J. Maxwell, Bart., of Pollock, has generously
offered to the Government a contribution of 500 tons of
coal for the use of our brave fellow-countrymen in the
Crimea ; and, pending the decision of the Government
in the matter, he has ordered 50 tens to be shipped by
the Cicero, about to sail for Balaklava, to be placed at
the disposal of Sir Colin Campbell for the special behoof
of the Highland Brigade:
MAILS FOR AUSTRALIA AND THE CAPE.—The mercan-
tile community and the public generally may be ser-
viceably reminded that the next mail for Australia will
be despatched from Liverpool by the Lightning, on the
sth January ; letters must be posted in London on the
4th proximo. The steamer Pioneers, which was ap-
pointed to take a mail on Monday next for the Cape of
Good Hope, has been taken up by Government, and
will be despatched to the Black Sea. She will, conse-
quently, not proceed with the Cape mails. It is, how-
ever, intended that they shall be taken out by the
Lightning above referred to.
ACCIDENT TO THE BISHOP OF PETERBOROUGH.—The
Bishop of Peterborough met with a severe accident,
which broke a small bone in one of his arms, while
performing divine service in the cathedral on the morn-
ing of Christmas-day. His lordship was proceeding_ to
the altar to assist in the communion service, and in v_wawlaks
ing up the steps he caught his foot against a bass an was
leis
precipitated to the floor. The acute pain caused
se
rvlordshipservice,
wasto sswoon.soon
at
his Dr.
side
Paley,to
render w
how
in his power. The bishop, however, has not received
any very serious injury, and he is favourably progressing
towards recovery,
ss.le
s t„l
aalst the attendinga