The Sun.
London, England, 1856-02-16 00:00:00

MILITIA.

The annexed circular has been directed to the lord-
Lieutenants of the several counties in the United King-
dom, by Lord Pawn are :
War Department, Feb., 1356.
" I have the honour to request that iu all future sub-
missions to this department of the appointments and pro-
motions of officers of the Militia of the county under your
charge, for the purpose of being laid before her Majesty,
you will be pleased to state the names of the officers in
whose succession such appointments or promotions are pro-
posed to be made, and whether the vacancies have been
occasioned by resignation, death, or otherwise, or whether
the appointment is to a commission not previously tilled
up. I havo to add that the omission of thesJ particulars
in some instances has rendered this circular communication
necessary. " I have, &c.
" PAYMURE."

VISIT OF THE SULTAN TO THE FRENCH

EMBASSY.

We take the following letter from the Afoniteur:
" PERA, Feb. s.—On the same day upon which his
Majesty the Sultan paid a visit to the English embassy,
he notified his intention to M. de Thouvenat to attend a
ball which was to be given three days afterwards at the
French embassy. Every preparation was immediately
made by the representative of the Emperor to receive
his Majesty with the honours due to his sovereign rank.
At 7 o'clock in the evening the whole front of the em-
bassy was splendidly illuminated. .Above the principal
gateway a brilliant transparency showed in lines of fire the
Imperial ' toughra.' Detachments of picked companies
from the French regiments encamped at Maslak, sap-
pers of the engineers, a division of the fire brigade (sa-
peurspompiers) of Paris, and foot artillery occupied the
avenues of the embassy and formed th 3 line. Opposite
the French troops, whose martial bearing created ad-
miration, was drawn up a battalion of the Imperial Otto-
man Guard in full uniform. At half-past 7 o'clock one
of his Majesty's aides-de-camp came and informed the
ambassador that the Sultan had left Tophane, and was
proceeding on horseback through Pera-street. M.
Thouvenal, accompanied by all the members of the
embassy. and by the generals and superior officers
of the French division, went as far as the gates of the
palace to receive his Majesty. As noun as the
Sultan made his appearance the drums beat to arms, the
troops presented arms, and the military band struck up
the Turkish national hymn. Bengal lights were lit as
if by enchantment, and their brilliant light enabled
the Sultan to have a good view of the coup d'ceil
offered by the court of honour of the palace. His
Majesty, accompanied by the ambassador, proceeded
by one of the grand staircases specially reserved for him
to the apartmente prepared fur his reception. A com-
pany of Auaves, a detachment of Cuirassiers, Dragoens,
and Chasseers d'Afrique formed the line inside the
( palace conjointly with the Naval Brigade and Ottoman
Artillerymen. After a few moments' repose, which the
Sultan took advantage of to have some private conversa-
tion with the ambassador, his Majesty wearing the grand
cordon of the Legion of Honour, and a uniform richly
Istudded with jewels, preceded by the officers of his
Household, entered the Throne-room. He found drawn
up in two lines—to the right his Ministers and the great
dignitaries of State' to the left the foreign ambassadors
anQ the French and English generals residing at Constan-
tintple. To the right of the throne reserved seats were
occupied by the ladies of the diplomatic corps. His
Majesty. was led towards the throne by the ambassador.
His attention was immediately attracted by a por-
trait of the Emperor. Having looked at it for a few
moments--' I am happy, he said to 11.1. Thouvenel, 'to
behold the features of my august and faithful ally. 1
experience the most lively satisfaction at being his guest
to-day.'
"His Majesty immediately received the homage of the
diplomatic corps. He conversed with all the foreign re-
presentatives, especially with those of England, Austria,
and Prussia. He had a gracious word for every lady
presented to him. After the official introductions the
ambassador took his Majesty's orders, who expressed the
wish to visit the ball-room where the elite of Pere was
assembled—all the members of the different embassies
and a great number of naval and military officers in ful
uniform.

The Sultan was announced by the introducer of
ambassadors. A line Wa3 formed up to the seat pre-
pared for his Majesty, who entered preceded by the
officers of the Crown, and followed by the diplomatic
corps: He was received with expressions of marked
respect and the most Ikely sympathy. His Majesty
would not sit down till CI e ladies and the ambassadors
accredited t.) his Government had taken their places.
"Having taken his Majesty's orders, the Ambassa-
dor gave the signal for opening the ball ; a quadrille was
immediately formed in front of him, and the dancing
commenced.

"In about an hour his Majesty returned to the
Throne•room where he requested the presence of the
ladies who had been presented to him. They sat down,
forming a circle round the Sultan. Lady George Paget,
the Princess Stourdza, and Madame la 13arronne Darri-
can were introduced to him. His Majesty rose to bow
to ( saluer ) each of these ladies. After half .an hour's
conversation the-Sultan returned to the ballroom, which
he left at half-past ten o'clock, to retire to his private
apartments, where he took leave of the ambassador, and
thanked him graciously for the reception he had
met with. His Majesty was conducted back with the
same ceremony to the gates of the palace, where he
mounted his horse and rode in front of the troops, who
presented arms as ho passed.
"After the Sultan's departure dancing was resumed,
and kept up with great spirit till far in the night."

SMITHFIELD APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE.—On Wed n eg-
day a meeting of members of this committee was held at
the Rose Inn, Smithfield, in order to Incilitate the estab-
lishineat of a grand central market upon the site of
Smithfield. Mr. J. Lardner presided. Several of the mem.
berg were in attendance. The minutts of the last meet-
ing having been read by the secretary, acme routine
businees was transacted as to future proceedings, and
the meeting separated.

~ >-- .