The Sun.
London, England, 1854-10-23 00:00:00

_RUSSIAN PRISONERS AT LEWIS,

The war prison at Lewes (formerly the county House
of Correction) is now completed, and on Thursday re-
ceived the remainder of its en nplement of prisoners, 204
of whom, including three women and ono child, arrived
on the afternoon of that day from Sheerness, in charge
of Lieutenant Mann, R.N., the governor of the prison,
and a detachment of pensioners. The officers, who
are on parole, are—Major Grahn, Captain Ithliert, Cap-
tain Von Essen, Captain Snellinan, Lieutenant Bloum,
Lieutenant Bollfras, Lieutenant Hook, Lieutenant
Grotenfelt, Lieutenant Dalin, Younker (Cadet) Groten-
felt, Younker Leisted, Younker Leisted, Younker
Beckman, Mr. Okerman (apothecary to the battalion),
and Sheriff Oehrbun. The latter is a civilian, and pro-
tests age.insts his imprisonment, as being contrary to the
usearee of war. The whole of the prisoners at Lewes
bel:isged to the Grenadiersche Streltze, or Fusilier Gre-
nadiers, and formed part of the garrison of Aland. The
men are Finlander:, but the officers, although Russian
born, are descendants of French and German
Captain Melert and Lieutenant Blown are accompanied
by their wires, both of whom are highly accomplished
ladies. Although the Russian array generally is attached
to the Greek Church, the officers at Lewes are members
of the Lutheran Church, to the doctrines of which those
of the Church of England greatly assimilate, and the differ-
ences between them are riot such as to prevent the officers
a.ttendieg divine service in our churches ; but at present
i
Lieutenant Bellfraa s the only one who understands
English. When the prisoners first arrived diarrhoea.
prevailed among them, but from the exertions of Dr.
Burton, the prison surgeon, assisted by Mr. Okerinan,
it has now disappeared. Ile iafirmary, which is de-
tached, is fitted up with baths and every convenience,
the siedicines are regularly arranged, and everything
is ready for irnmeniate use. Accommodation is pro-
vided for thirty patients. The dining-room is con-
structed to contain 400 persons, and in it the prisoners
breakfast at eight o'clock, dine at one, and take tea
at six ; each person is allowed 111 b. of bread per day.
This room is to be used on Sundays as a chapel, a
clrgy' m a
ton
the having been appointed by Government to
prisoners in their own language. A
preach e
large shed has been fitted up for the mere to make
toys in for sale to the public ; and here may be seen
a considerable number of them seated on the ground
cutting out of single pieces of wood with a knife,
chains, representations of crowns of thorns, and
puzzles, which are seperated at joints ; a large demand
tor these articles has sprung up, from saspence up-
wards being the price paid for each article bought
by the numerous customers, and with this price
the men appear exceedingly well pleased. The receipts
are divided among the prisoners, and in one day 'upwards
f 11. was taken. The toysbop-keepers at Brighton
have taken the hint, and most of the shops of that de-
scription have "Russian toys" ticketted in their win-
dows. Most of the men speak three languasses—viz.,
Finnish, Swedish, and Ruse ; but the first is their native
tongue, and the others they acquire by residence in
various parts of Russia. The majority of them- are not
only able to read, but can write tolerably well, particu-
larly the aergeante and other subordinate officers. If a
comparison were made between the prisoners now 3n this
gaol and one of our own regiments as to their intellec-
tual acquirements, we almost fear the " northern b erisa-
rians" would carry off the palm. A large room is being
fitted up as a library, and writing materials will also be
provided; suitable books will be furnished by the Go-
vernment, and the men are anxion.ly looking forward to
their arrival. In almost every cell there is a copy of the
Bible and Testament, and in one a visitor saw a soldier
attentively reading the latter. Three men are locatecl in
each cell. Workshops are being erected for the car-
penter and joiner, the tailor, the shoemaker, and the
barber has not been forgotten ; a snug little gessitaping
shop being in course of construction fur him to carry on
his vocation in. All who have examined the prison ex-
press then- admiration at the manner in which the Go-
vernment officials have executed its orders; for providing
for the comforts of the men, and the prisoners themselves
appear exceedingly well pleased with the treatment they
receive. Several of the leading gentlemen of the county
have been introduced to the officers, and others hues,* left
their cards. Among these are the Hon. H. =Brand,
ALP., Mr. R. W. Blencowe, and Mr. W. H. Blaauer,
county magistrates. The officers frequently take a ride
over the South Downs, and appear delighted with the
salubrity of the air.

THE ROYAL PATRIOTIC FUND.—We have retut•n9
from all quarters of the United King loin of the instD,ait
co-operation of all the country authorities, municil 'al
bodies, and benevolent societies in the Royal reco,
mendation to establish a Patriotic Fund' to meet tbe
calamities of the war.