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

HIGHLAND SOCIETY OF LONDON.

:or the'

'WOOLWICH, MARCH 21.
The Lightning steam-vessel, Captain Sulivan, left this
morning, at five o'cldck for Sheerness, preparatory toher
proceeding to the Baltic. She is to be employed in lay-
ing down buoys where the navigation is difficult, and
will be assisted in that service by the Alban, commis-
sioned at this port by Captain Otter. The Lightning
had 12 buoys put on board at Woolwich. Her duties
will be of no ordinary kind, as it is understood that the.
Emperor of Russia has ordered all the buoys serving as
guides to safe navigation in the Baltic to be removed
previous to the arrival ob the British fleet. The Light-
ning and the Alban are preparing to lay down about
350 buoys, which will be taken out a few in each of the
ships of war and war steamers proceeding to the
Baltic.
The Archer, 14, screw steam-corvette, Captain Heath-
cote, remains
in the harbour here ready to join the Bal-
tic fleet, and is expected to leave Woolwich for her des-
tinationin the course of the week.
The Hope, hired steam-transport, left Woolwich yes-
terday afternoon, with the officers of the Commissariat
and a large quantity of commissariat stores on board, for

Malta.
The Melbourne, hired steam-transport, is having coals
put on board from the coal depot off Woolwich Dock-
yard.
The John Masterman, No. 9, horse-transport, was
brought down from Deptford to Woolwich on Saturday,
and is now in the basin ready for embarking horses pro-
ceeding with the next detachment of the Royal Artil-
lery for service in the East.
The Allipore, No. 8, horse-transport, was towed down
the river yesterday from Deptford to Woolwich by the
Rhadamanthus paddle-wheel steam-storeship, Master-
Commander Belarn, and has also been taken into the
basin.
The Palmerston, No. 7, horse-transport, was towed
down from Deptford to Woolwich in the afternoon, but
too late to be taken into the basin on the same day.
It is expected the Melbourne will embark the reserve
battery of Artillery, under the command of Captain
Barker, as that battery takes out no horses.
ROYAL ARSENAL.
The whole of the workmen belonging to the royal car-
riage department worked from seven o'clock a.m.to seven
o'clock p.m. on Sunday last. Nearly 1,000 men are
employed in that department in the construction of field,
garrison, and ship gun-carriages.
ROYAL ARTILLERY.
Captain Mande's troop of Royal Horse Artillery ar-
rived at Woolwich to-day, their arrival being accelerated
by an order transmitted to them, while on the march, to
take the railway from Stafford to London.
Captain Cleaveland's field battery, Bth company of
the 12th battalion, has received orders to join head-
quarters at Woolwich, from Ireland, with the least pos.
Bible delay.
Captain Harrison's company, 6th battalion, has been
placed under orders to proceed to Dublin on Tuesday,
the 28th inst., to relieve Captain Graydon's company,
Ist battalion.
Captain Graydon's company, on being relieved, will
proceed to Portsmouth, to relieve Captain Bingham 's
company, 12th battalion, the latter being under orders
to return to head-quarters.

DUBLIN, MARcil 21.
The 21st North British Fusiliers (Lieutenant-Colonel
Lord West commanding) was inspected yesterday at
Richmond Barracks by Major-General Cochrane, pre-
paratory to its embarkation for Malta. The resultf
the inspection was most satisfactory. and the high disci-
pline and fine appearance of the troops elicited warm
commendation from the General. The 63d infantry re-
giment will he paraded for inspection this morning in
the Palatine oquare of the Royal Barracks. A large

(A.onl, the Morning Chronicle.)
IThe 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 be influenced
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 fo: 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
bad 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 treaeherously employed. The neu-
trality of Germany, so long as it is strictly observed,
can require no protection. Russia, for hor 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 repeatedly vo-
lunteered, of its implicit confidence in the 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
in 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 deposit 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 Lower 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 Em-
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 she 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.

COURT CIRCULAR.

The Queen attended by the Hon. Matilda Paget, Vis-
count Torrington, and Colonel the Hon. Charles Grey,
visited her Royal Highness the Duchess of Glocester
yesterday afternoon at Glocester-house.
His Royal Highness Prince Albert rode out in the
forenoon, attended by Viscount Torrington.
The Duchess of Cambridge and the Princess Mary
visited her Majesty.
Her Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince Albert,
attended by the Countess of Mount Edgcumbe, the Hon.
Mary Seymour, Lord de Tabley, Viscount Torrington,
and Colonel the Hon. Charles Grey, honoured the
Olympic Theatre with their presence last evening.
Her Majesty's private band was in attendance in the
palace on Monday evening, and performed the follow-
ing compositions :
Overture, "Haydee"
Couplets, " L'Etoil du Norde"
March, "Fidelio" Beethoven.
Selection, "La Figlia du Regiment" .. Donizetti.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of the Glocester re-
ceived visits yesterday front the Queen, the Duchess of
Kent, the Duchess of Cambridge, and the Princess

Mary.
Her Royal Highness the Dnchess of Kent, attended
by Lady Fanny Howard and Lord James Murray,
honoured the Princess's Theatre with her presence last

Yesterday evening this national, patriotic, and con-
vivial society held 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, inusie,
and antiquities of the Celt—to the relief of diAressed
Highlanders at a distance from home—and to the
general improvement of that part of the kingdout. 1 n
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 realities 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.
li upwardst
aO r ny
thex
sn iof
of rml
presentooa nd gentlemen,oicicigashi
ioann d
ehioersretaulwmoa
costume.
.lavh,r‘o‘hmgeatgwlaieeilrl•ecili.iiygn'‘'mvoaifs_
filled with elegantly and well-dressed ladies.
• The Duke of Hamilton and Brandon occupied the
chair, and time having made sad havock amongst the-
veterans who have survived the battle of Alexandria,
there were only Sir John M. Doyle, K.C.8., Major-
General Sir John M. Wilson, and Captain Jay,
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, K.C.H. ; Sir
Wm. D. Ross; Colonel Fitzgibbon ; Norman Macdo-
nald, Esq. ; J. F. Campbell, Esq., younger of Isla ;
Captain A. Macdonald ; Alex. G. Mackenzie, 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,
Tho 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 gentleman who 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 lie 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
0CC3.81011 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 lie 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 v.ith
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,
observing 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 histdry
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 corn
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 none
which appealed to their sympathies more forcibly than
the protection and encouragement he had given to the
zealous efforts 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 opportuuity of expressing
his feelings in presence of such an assemblyasthepresent.
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 hand 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
I served in the best possible taste.

TIM CHARGES OF CORRUPTION
AGAINST IBISB MEMBERS.

The above committee reassembled 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. e
justified
you in stating that the whole of the Irish members,?st at the
num-
bering 100 men, were guilty of such practices.
Mr. Morris repeated that he could not,
ju
moment, recollect the exact circumstances under which
the article was written.
Mr. Moore then said Mr. Morris had berett re er attend
his
the committee another day, after he had alt
his
recollection by a reference to the Tinw
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 be intended
to show that an article in the Tablet connected Mr.
Keogh with the inquiry the committee was en
I gaged in,
The Chairman said the course they would. take was
this—Mr. Lucas should state what he wished, and it 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 he now contended
that what be had then foreshadowed had come to
pass by Mr. Keogh himself having taken office. Ile
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 in which
Mr. Keogh said he did not belong to the Whigs and he
did not belong to the Tories, and never would ; and be
‘i solemnly declared if there was a Peelite Government
is 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 as a promise to take a particular line on Mr.