The Sun.
London, England, 1854-03-30 00:00:00

PREPARATIONS FOR WAR.

It is rumoured that, in addition to the late augmenta-
tion of the army, there is to be a further increase of
30,003. men, and that the first division of the expedition-
ary force at Malta is now being rapidly moved into
Constantinople.
The cavalry regiments proceeding to the East through
France are each expected to occupy about nine days
after crossing the Channel in proceeding to Marseilles.
As the railway communication between Chalons and
Avignon is incomplete, about seven days will be spent
on the march, and it is believed that this wiu be found a
useful preparatory training for both men and horses
before they enter upon active service. The large num-
ber of transports that would be required in conveying
the force entirely by sea is, we understand, the chief
reason for the selection of this route. Those who are
anticipating a military display on the occasion of the
English cavalry passing through Paris will probably be
disappointed, as according to present arrangements the
troops will proceed on their journey by squadrons. The
distances are as follows :

From London to Dover.
Dover to Calais
To Paris
To Chalons
To Avignon...
To Marseilles

88 miles.
25 „
232 „
238 ~
217 ~
75 ~

Total
It is intended that the men left behind of the cavalry
regiments shall form a provisional depot at Newbridge,
which is conveniently near the place of embarkation,
possesses excellent barrack accommodation, and the best
drill-ground in the three kingdoms. The whole of the
detachments will be under the command of a major, a
riding-master, and a quarter-master. All the other
riding-masters and quarter-masters will take the field.
It is expected that gentlemen cadets will be allowed
to join both cavalry and infantry regiments, in confor-
mity with the usual regulations.
We understand that Captain Hackett, R.A., is to take
charge of the photographic establishment, which, as
already stated, accompanies the expedition. A similar
provision is said to be ill contemplation for the fleets,
unless the indifferent success of the experiments made on
board the Hecla in her recent voyage to the Baltic has
put a stop to the arrangement. The practicability of
taking instantaneous views at sea as well as on land has
been clearly proved by Mr. Roger Fenton, the honorary
secretary of the Photographic Society. n the occasion
of the fleet leaving Spithead under Sir Charles Napier,
that gentleman took some excellent impressions of the
scene from the deck of the Fairy. Captain Hackett is
not himself an expert photographer, but if he secures for
those who will be placed under his charge fair opportu-
nities for showing what the new art can accomplish, we
have no doubt that the prejudice with which such inno-
vations are at first apt to be regarded by strictly profes-
sional men will soon be overcome.
The Cunard screw-steamer Tenerife, Captain Bell,
sailed from the Mersey on Tuesday forenoon, with a de-
tachment of eight officers and 206 men, for Malta. She
also carried out a full cargo.

PORTSMOUTH, MARCH 29.

The James Watt, 91, screw, Captain George Elliot,
Will leave Spithead for the Baltic probably this
evening. Her engineering defects, by the inde-
fatigable application of the steam department of
this dockyard working all night, are remedied,
and she has filled up with coal. She was officially
visited, and her crew mustered by Vice-Admiral Sir
Thomas Cochrane, K.C.8., Commander-in-Chief, this
morning. She is, our own observation, in as fine
man-of-war condition as any ship could be during so short
a time after commission ; her crew are also above medi-
ocrity. Her steaming powers we may judge of by the
fact that she made Spithead in 17 hours after weighing
from Plymouth, using only half her power, and with no
sail set except jib.
The St. Vincent, 101, sailing three-decker, Captain
E. H. Scott, has got her lower and topmast rigging
turned in ready for rattling down, and is shipping her
tanks from the Clarence-yard.
The Penelope, 16, paddle-wheel steam-frigate, has
been this day recommissioned for war service. Captain
Caffin is her new commander. She is being refitted for
sea with all despatch.
The Magicienne, 16, paddle-frigate, Captain Fisher,
followed the Prince Regent at sunset last night for the
Baltic.

The Harpy, iron steam-vessel, 4, is ordered for com-
mission. She will be taken out of dock on Monday.
The Pigmy, steam-tug, proceeded to Southampton this
morning, to embark troops for the Isle of Wight.
Capt. Tennyson D'Eyncourt has been appointed to the
command of the Desperate screw steam-frigate. •

DEAL, MARCH 29.
Anchored her Majesty's ship St. George, from Ports-
mouth, to the Baltic ; her Majesty's steamer Heels, from
Portsmouth, to the Baltic ; her Majesty's steamer Driver,
from Sheerness, to the Baltic ; her Majesty's steam-tug
African, from Sheerness, to the Baltic.
4.30 P.M.—Arrived and anchored, her Majesty's ship
Prince Regent, and her Majesty's steamer Magicienne.

PLYMOUTH, MARCH 29.
The Ist battalion of the Ist Royals, under command
of Major Montgomery, were inspected on the Hoe yes-
terday by Major-General Sir Harry Smith, K.C.8.,
Commander of the Forces for the Western District, who
expressed himself well satisfied with their appearance
and discipline. To-day Sir llarry inspects the 20th Re-
giment at Mount Wise. Both regiments are preparing
for early departure for the seat of war.
Orders were received here yesterday to expedite the
fitting of the screw steam-ship Nile, 91, Commodore
Martin, so that she may go out of harbour on the 4th of
April.

The hospital ship Belleisle, 24, Commander James
Hosken, had her lower rigging over her mastheads yes-
terday. Several women, nurses, are to be entered on
board her for service in the Baltic. Extra hands are to
be engaged on the Exmouth, 90, building in No. 4 slip.

WOOLWICH, MARCH 29.
The Edendale, No. 10 horse transport-ship, having
taken on board 60 homes of Captain Fitzmayer's gray-
horse field-battery, was taken out of the basin at Wool-
wich Dockyard to-day, and towed down to moorings off
the Royal Arsenal, until the other horses of Captain
Fitzmayer's battery are embarked. The St. Hilda, of
Liverpool, No. 11 horse transport-ship, and the Col-
grain, No. 12 horse transport-ship, were both taken into
the basin at high water to-day, and the shipment of the
remaining horses of Captain Fitzmayer's battery imme-
diate! commenced. They were all put on board in the
course of the afternoon, and the harness, guns, carriages,
&c., stowed away. A great number of spectators wit
nessed the embarkation.
One hundred and eighty-two horses arrived in the
garrison at Woolwich at s'clock a.m. to-day, from Dub-
lin, in charge of 10 non-commissioned officers and 70
gunners, who return to Dublin, with the exception of
seven gunners, who have volunteered to join the com-
panies under orders for foreign service.