The Sun.
London, England, 1860-05-28 00:00:00

ST. PETERSBURG.

The following letter has been received from St.
Petersburg, dated the 17th of May :—" Since the
communication made by Prince Gortschakoff to
the Ambassadors of the Four Powers, the English
and Austrian Ministers have taken great pains to
acquire a proof of and to ascertain the bear-
ing of a pretended convention concluded between
Russia and France. I believe I can assure
you that there are no fixed stipulations agreed
on between France and Russia. There is a
general convention, very vague in its terms, and
not containing any stipulation respecting any
other Power. The Cabinet of St. Petersburg
entertains views on certain questions which are far
from being agreeable to the Cabinet of the Tuileries,
but on the contrary differ from the ideas of the Em-
peror Napoleon. lam assured that the Cabinet of
St. Petersburg counts upon the adhesion of
Prussia to its plans. The French Government ex-
pects to protect the interests of the Christians in the
East by a common intervention of the Powers which
signed the Treaty of Paris, without the exclusion of
any; but nobody believes that Russia sincerely de-
sires to pursue that course. Notwithstanding this
difference of opinion, and the surprising vivacity ex-
hibited by Prince Gortschakoff on reviving this
question, I can assure you there is no reason to
apprehend an arbitrary encroachment on the part
of Russia. It is believed here that neither Austria
nor Prussia will refuse their co-operation to improve
the miserable condition of the Christians. The
Austrian Cabinet was apprised by M. Balabine of
the intentions of the Russian Government to
watch carefully that the promises made by the Su-
blime Porte at the Congress of Paris to improve the
condition of the Christians shall be accomplished.
But if unexpected circumstances should hasten
the intervention of the European Powers in the
slave provinces of Turkey, the issue of such
an initiative might become doubtful, and for that
reason it is to be desired that the moment for regu-
lating so serious a question should not be delayed
The Russian Gevernment has just established a
new port, called Temrink, in the Sea of Azoff. It

has granted many privileges to those who shall
establish themselves there. The ports of Anapa
and Novorossisk, which were half ruined by the Cri-
mean war, have been suppressed. The inhabitants
of these towns wili receive assistance from the Go-
vernment to enable them to establish themselves
at the new port of Temrink. The number of moun-
taineers who have emigrated into Turkey from
the Caucasus by Kertch and Trebizonde is
estimated at more than 70,000 men. The emigra-
tion continues, but the emigrants do not belong to
the warlike tribes of the Caucasus but to the Tartar
population of the western Caucasus. who are Tinto-
rious for their lazy, idle, habits, and for their in.
clination to a roving, thieving life. These vaga-
bonds will increase the number of highway robbers
who invest the roads throughout Asia Minor.

CRYSTAL PALAaE..

A flower show of great interest, the first of the
season, was held in the Crystal Palace on Saturday,
and although the weather was wet and ungenial,
upwards of 10,000 persons were present on the oc-
casion. So unpropitious a day would have com-
pletely marred a similar fete at Chiswick, or the
Royal Botanical Gardens ' • but there is this advan-
tage at Sydenham that, besides being peculiarly
adapted, beyond all comparison perhaps, by space,
light, and many other accessories, for giving effect
to a floral exhibition, the sense of public enjoyment
there, on such an occasion, is wholly unaffected by
atmospheric considerations; and when once a lady
and gentleman bound for the Palace sets foot within
the railway station at Pimlico or London-bridge,
they may bid defiance to our fickle climate for the
remainder of the day. Of the visitors on Saturday,
2,997 were season ticket holders, and 7,212 were
admitted on payment. The receipts on entrance
must have amounted to about £2,700, exclusive of
half-crowns charged for admission to persons who
hold one guinea as distinguished from two guinea
season tickets.
The exhibition itself, so far as such a thing is
susceptible of written description, may be said to
have been the largest that has been held in the
Palace, with the exception, perhaps, of that of 1857.
It comprised, among many others, five different
classes of stove and greenhouse plants in flower, be-
sides one of plants of fine foliage; three of orchids
of exotic species, in blossom ; and three of green-
house azaleas. Then there were specimens of Cape
heaths in endless profusion ; several varieties of the
tall cacti ; and pelargoniums without number. Of
roses there was a charming collection ; the " Sou-
venir de Malmaison," a magnificent large white
flower, redolent of perfume, sent by Mr. Paul, and
the " General Jacquemina " of a rich deep crimson
and fine form, a specimen lurnished by Mr. Francis,
especially attracting notice. The cut flowers were
chiefly tulips, verbenas, and pansies. The plants
were arranged with fine effect' stretching along the
entire length of the nave on both sides, under a
light awning, and winding round the centre tran-
sept; the exquisite beauty of each variety chal-
lenging the admiration of the gay throng of visitors
at every step of their progress. Of fruit there was
a small but rare exhibition, arranged along one
side of the transept, consisting principally of pine-
apples, grapes, peaches, melons, nectarires, straw-
berries, and cherries, awl at once fascinating and
tantalising the spectator.
Upwards of £5OO was distributed in prizes ; and
subjoined is a list of the first prize men in the prin-
cipal classes :
Class I.—Twenty stove and greenhouse plants,
in flower : Thomas Whitebread, gardener to Mr.
H. Colyer, Dartford, £25.
Class 2.—Twelve stove and greenhouse plants, in
flower : J. Green, gardener to Sir E. Antrobus,
Cheam, £l5.
Class 3.—Eight stove and greenhouse plants, in
flower : W. Chilman, gardener to the Rev. W. C.
Wenshire, Ashstead, £lO.
Class 4.—Twelve stove and greenhouse plants,
in flower : J. Green, gardener to Sir E. Antrobus, £7.
Class 5. twelve stove and greenhouse variegated
plants : G. Young, gardener to Mr. W. H. Stone,
Dulwich hill, £7.
Class G.—Sixteen orchids, of exotic species, in
flower : W. Gedney, gardener to the Rev. W. Ellis,
Hoddesdon, Harts, £2O.
Class 7.—Ten orchids, of exotic species,in flower:
S. M. Carson, gardener to Mr. W. F. G. Farmer,
Cheam, £l5.

Class ix orchids, of exotic species, in flower
Mr. R. Warner, Broomfield, Essex, £7.
Class 9.—Ten greenhouse azaleas : S. M. Carson,
gardener to Mr. W. F. G. Farmer, £l2.
Class 10.—Six greenhouse azaleas :S. M. Carson,
£7.

Class 11.—Eight greenhouse azaleas, new kinds :
Mr. Charles Turner, Royal Nurseries, Slough, £5.
Class 12.—Eight Cape heaths: B. Peed, gardener
to Mr. T. Tredweli, Lower Norwood, £lO.
Class 13.—Six tall cacti, large plants : J. Green,
gardener to Sir E. Antrobus, Cheam, £5.
Class 14.—Ten roses in pots, distinct kinds :
Messrs. A. Paul and Son, Nurseries, Cheshunt,
Herts, £lO.

Class 16.—Ten pelargoniums, distinct varieties,
in pots not exceeding Bin, diameter : Mr. C. Turner,
Royal Nurseries, Slough, £lO.
Class 17.—Eight fancy pelargoniums, distinct