The Sun.
London, England, 1858-11-26 00:00:00

RAILWAYS.

Cash. Account.
Orleans
Northern
New ditto. —"— • • 837 50
Lyons and Mediterranean 875 .. 87: 50
New ditto
Geneva 630 .. 630

Midi. — ..
Southern
Weatarn 6lO --.. 611 26
Eastern
702 50
Grand Central - -- • •
Sardinian
Austrian
646 25
Exchange on London, at sight, paper, 25f. 121 e. ; three
months, paper, 24f. 971 c. ; money, 24f. 95c.

THE PORT OF VILLAFRANCA
A correspondent sends the following from Nice,
dated the 22d :—" The vacant building comprised
in the darse of Villafranca, which, according to the
explanations given by the Turin journals some
months back, had been ceded by the Sardinian Go-
vernment to an Odessa steam navigation company,
has been taken possession of by the commander of the
Russian naval force in Villafranca, for the service
of the Imperial navy. The premises actually ceded to
the latter are of little importance in themselves,
but it is perfectly understood that all the accom-
modation offered by the arsenal. of Villafranca is
at the disposal of the Russian navy. Instead of
repairing in Toulon or other southern ports, these
vessels will in future profit by the resources of the
deserted Sardinian port, which will also become
the habitual rendezvous of the Muscovite flag in
the Mediterranean. The material advantages ob-
tained by Russia are of no great account, for they
were to have been found in any friendly port; but
it is possible that the political influence which will
accrue to her by this measure may be of greater
import. Hitherto the movements of the Russian
ships of war in the Mediterranean have been sub-
mitted to general attention, and the absence of any
central point of action deprived their presence of
political signification. But the very nature of this
retired port, with its splendid bay, is calculated
to awaken mistrust in others, and inspire
mischievous ideas in Russia, even if they do not
exist, if Villafranca has been really patro-
nised at St. Petersburg with the sole view of fa-
cilitating the movements of the Imperial navy. In
this out of-the-way port, the ships of Russia, dis-
persed over the south, might concentrate, with the
best . prospect of being unperceived by those
powers who have nothing to gain by the extension
of Russian influence over the members of the Greek
Church in these waters. It could not be supposed
that the sudden concentration in the bay of Villa-
franca of a strong Russian squadron would at the
present moment give moderation to the politicians
of the lonian Isles, or would improve the relations
existing between the Sultan and his Greek subjects.
Not an objection could be raised by the most
fanatical Russophobe to the fact of Russian ves-
sels repairing at Villafranca, and of thus availing
themselves of resources otherwise condemned to
decay. But it certainly is desirable in the in-
terest of all the great Powers save France, that the
number of Russian vessels in the port should be sub-
jected to restriction. A friendly request addressed
to the Sardinian Cabinet would doubtless provoke
that measure. I have excluded France, not from
a sup position that French and Russian interests
could possibly work together in the East, but from
the simple fact that the presence of a Russian fleet
in tho Mediterranean depends entirely on the state
of the diplomatic relations existing between the
Governments of Paris and St. Petersburg. When
these relations are warm, it is to be implied that
an identity of policy exists on many important
points ; consequently, the presence of a Russian fleet
could excite no apprehensions. But should those
relations cool down, common prudence would lead
Russia to withdraw her vessels from the Mediter.
rune an mousetrap. France, therefore, has little or
no cause for anxiety; but the same cannot be said
of other powers. It will probably be remarked by
the partisans of Russian policy in the East that the
advantages conferred on Russia at Villafranca are
no more than those enjoyed by the United States
at Spezzia. This reasoning is absurd ; for who
would venture to place on the same footing the
American vessels which cruise in the Mediter-
ranean, representing no traditional policy, and
appealing to no popular passion, with the fleets
which Russia, the champion of the Greek Church
in the East, concentrate in Villafranca ? The
Russian vessels at present in Villafranca are the
Retrizan, a screw 84, and the Polkan, screw fri-
gate. These vessels will, I am informed, proceed
to-morrow to Genoa, where they will await the
arrival of the Grand Duke Constantine, whom they
will accompany back to Villafranca. It is said that
other Russian war vessels have received instruc-
tions to rendezvous at Genoa, and that the Russian
High Admiral will quit that port at the head of a
very respectable squadron, to which it is possible
a couple of Sardinian war vessels will join them-
selves. The dame of Villafranca—l need scarcely
say—remains entirely in the possession of
Sardinia, and the only control exercised by the
Russian Government is over the building ceded to
it as a storehouse. The Russians possess the
right of placing sentinels over this building
during the landing or shipment of stores ; but the
arsenal which, by the bye, comprises a wet dock,
a careening basin, a sail manufactory, a rope walk,
a barrrack, and other buildings, is in the hands of
the Sardinian garrison, some 2,000 bayonets strong.
I mention this circumstance because it is very pos-
sible that extravagant statements may travel
abroad with respect to the extent of the
privileges accorded to Russia by Sardinia.
Were a restriction placed on the strength of
the Russian naval force in the bay of Villafranca,
not a soul would have reason for just complaint,