The Sun.
London, England, 1856-02-29 00:00:00

THE PEACE CONGRESS.

(Prom Second Edition of the Morning Post, this day.)
PARIS, THURSDAY.
The Nord says that Count Orloff was the first
person who spoke at the Congress, in which he set
forth the policy which would animate Russia during
the period of negotiation, The Russian journal.
add that his expose!' WAS of a nature to strengthen

the hopes of peave "
Despatches from St. Petersburg, dated February
20, say that naval prepa,ations continue to be
prosecuted with the greatest activity in every port
of the empire. Machinery for steamers has been
ordered abroad. The Grand Duke Constantine
personally attends to all naval matters, and displays
the greatest solicitation for the completion of the

work.
It is understood that, immediately after the de-
claration of an armistice, telegraphic despatches
were sent to the Crimea, Russia, Sardinia, Turkey,
and Lyndon, in order that measures might be
adopted without delay for the suspension of hosti-

lities.
If you were in Paris you would hear how that the
Russian envoys had used the telegraph to know if
it were not imprudent to ratify an armistice, which
enables the allies to withdiaw• their armies from a
difficult position in the Criima, if they think proper
to do so, whilst the naval forces of Franco and Eitg-
land prevent all communication between the Russiaa
ports. You would hear also that the answer to this
question arrived at midnight. You might be in-
formed, in confidence, how the Austrian Plenipoten-
tiaries objected to the word " Congress," awl how
the Russians had declared that they had fp,
powers for anything hut a Conference. Taea
comes a long line of argument as to what cell-
stitutes the difference between the one and the
other. If the conversation takes place in A.
crowded salon, at which the Pahan Opera
singers assist (which is the fashion), and delight
the great diplomatists, how you long for Madaha,
FrezzAini's approach to the piano, that her
" Tocea la notte placida" may give you some re
pose. But do not expect to escape a poli,ical con-
versation for any length of time just now.
Your hest and kindest friend will not spire you
even in the streets. " Now do tell us—are we
to have peace or war ?" says G-, who looks very
sulky becauee you do not positively say yes
nr no. So many persons will insist on suppos-
ing that a few favoured individuals " must
know." There is a strong inclination iu the human
mind to believe in the male political sibyl ; if events
have not occurred, the favoured one is aware of
what will take place ! Why are there not alma-
nacs for gamblers at the Bourse. A prophetic
messenger giving the price of the French Three per
Cents., from January to December would save
some of us much amiable torment. At such times
as those, one might reply by " Look at your pro-
phetic messenger." We should get out of the
interrogations by such means. No one would have
the impertinence to ask one if it is going to rain
next Sunday ; and why ? Because some meteorolo-
gical scholar has already printed his " rather
dry," " or showery,' as the case may be. How de-
lightful if a political weather-cock had registered,
"First meeting of the Congress, very sunny and
smiling ; second, threatening clouds from the
north ; tird, stormy ; fourth, occasional showers;"
and so on. Bet, unhappily, no astronomer has
touched on this universal topic ; and the order of
the day is—every man is his own old Moore, or
find it out yourself. •
•

(From the Times Second Edition of this day
The Congress met for the second time at 1 o'clock
to-day. We shall have to-morrow many versions
of what occurred, with a number of minute details
which, however deficient in truth, will, I doubt
not, do much honour to the inventive faculties of
the sportsmen whose pursuits are directed to one
particular kind of bird—the canard. Remembering
the strict obligation the members have adopted
about not revealing to any one the points that are
discussed, or the decision that Las been come to
on them, I hardly venture to repeat half of what
is said. It was nevertheless stated last night that
the next discussion, that is, the one of this day,
would be of a really serious character, inasmuch as
it would turn on the fifth point. One or two persons
not likely togiveeasy credence to any of the rumours
that are incessantly flying about affirmed that on
this point an important difference of opinion was
anticipated. The first day's deliberation was for the
most part one of formalities. Count Orloff is said
to have made some observations on the armistice,
with reference particularly to the transport of
soldiers aid military stores; and also' on the terri-
torial limitation in Bessarabia, in which he pre-
tended to show that those who drew up that con-
dition were unacquainted with the geography of the
country. He did not dispute the principle, it is
said, but merely referred to details. I must not
omit to mention that iu most of what is reported
there is evidently a desire on the part of intereAied
persons to show that when any dissension or (1,-lay
occurs, it is to be attributed to the English Govern-
ment. But whether the subject of this day's de-
liberation be the territorial limitation or the fifth
point—Bomarsund or Kars—it was stated confi-
dently last night that the English, French, and Sar-
dinian Plenipotentiaries would really enter into the
subject, and make certain demands which it was not
expected would be granted by Russia. A long and
earnest discussion was looked for, and it was at the
same time doubted whether the sitting would close
so satisfactorily as that of Monday. It may be
that Count Orloff and Baron Brunow would ask
to ran to St. Fetoroburg (by telegraph I. pre-