The Sun.
London, England, 1871-02-06 00:00:00

THE EASTERN QUESTION.

ST. PETERSBURG, February 3.
According to reliable information, an understand-
ing has been arrived at at the Conference in refe-
rence to the question of the navigation of the
Danube. This question is being treated apart from
the Black Sea question, in order to make it
appear not to be an object of the Conference,
but as an affair which is treated by the repre-
sentatives of the Powers. Thus every attempt to
bring other questions before the Conference will be
prevented. As regards the Danube question, an
understanding has already been arrived at on all sides.
The European Commission remains in force. Neither
England, Germany, nor Russia have any objection,
and the Porte also has given its consent.

(CENTRAL PRESS TELEGRAMS.)
ACCIDENT AT A CIRCUS.
At a circus in Manchester, on Saturday evening, at
which 3,000 children were present, some boys, passing
against the balustrade of the balcony, caused it to break,
and half a dozen of them fell amongst the children in the
lower part of the house. Five of the boys received slight
injuries.

FIRE IN MANCHESTER.
On Saturday night the spinning warehouse of Messrs.
Shaw, Jardine and Co., was completely destroyed by fire,
the damage done being estimated at £50,000.

THE ADMIRALTY FRAUDS.
The court martial for the trial of Charles Townsend
steward of the Inconstant, on twelve charges of fraud
and conspiracy with the contractor for the supply
of fresh beef, was resumed on Saturday. Woods,
the foreman to the contractor, was cross-examined,
and admitted having received a promise that
he should not be prosecuted. He adhered to his
previous statement, that the prisoner told him, if he was
questioned, he was to shew a book in which were false
entries. This witness was closely examined as to the
entries in his books, and some of his replies were unsatis-
factory. James Curtis, contractor, proved having refused
a certificate from prisoner in December, just before
Christmas, when he came to him and said he had his
monthly receipt, and asked him (Curtis) to settle with
him. He told him he was too busy then, and prisoner
then said he had not the receipt with him.
Curtis then sail he had becn paid for more
beef than was supplied ; but he could not state the exact
amount. In cross-examination Curtis said he had never
paid prisoner any money, or entered into any agreement
with him to do so. The Court then adjourned until to-day
(Monday).

PROVISIONS FOR PARIS.
Provisions for Paris are being furnished from the Royal
William Victualling Yard as rapidly as possible. On

THE SUN LONDON, MO

Saturday evening the ovens in the establishment were set
to work buscuit baking, and were kept busily going
throughout the whole of yesterday. The baking staff being
deficient, every man and boy in the service who has ever
been employed in that department has been temporarily
restored to it. The Valorous left Devonport for
Sheerness to-day to embark supplies of food for the
French capital.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY.
The Enchantress, with Mr. Childers on board, still re-
mains at DevDnport, owing to the very unfavourable state
of the weather.

THE BISHOP OF EXETER ON EDUCATION.
The Bishop of Exeter preached a sermon in hi,
Cathedral yesterday on behalf of the National Education
Union. His lordship urged the importance of combining
religio.us with secular instruction, holding that there was
no times in which religion could be so successfully taught
as in early life. The Government, while extending the
means of education in the country, had thrown off all
responsibility in connection with the religious
element. As to the wisdom of that step he
would express no opinion, but it was evident that an in-
creased responsibility had been thrown upon Christians,
all of whom ought so to unite that religious instruction
would be placed on an equality with any other education
given, so that while the intellect was being cultivated the
spiritual faculties might be cultivated also.