The Sun.
London, England, 1868-10-20 00:00:00

RUSSIA.

The Russian Government has published a ukase which
it is feared will give rise to international difficulties. For
the purpose of preventing smuggling the Russian cruisers are
empowered to board and examine any vessel which may
be suspected of carrying contraband goods. This authority
is available for a certain distance beyond the Russian
coast ; but if a cruiser has given chase to a vessel, it is
stipulated that she may continue it in neutral waters to
any distance. The commercial societies of Prussia are
endeavouring to get this decree repealed.

(From the Anglo-American 2 imes.)

The United States have recognized the successful
revolutionary Government at Madrid, having con-
firmed the action of the American Minister, who
was the first publicly to acknowledge the Junta ;
and in a sort of semi-official way the Government of
Crete, which is now represented at Washington by
an authorized agent, who is working hard to secure
an actual recognition of the independence of that
island. The agent, Mr. Julius Bing, was formerly
connected with the Greek Legation at Washington,
and has long worked in the interests of Candia.

The question whether General Grant is hostile
to England has assumed additional importance by
the elections of this week. Not only has it been
often asserted that he is so, but yesterday the
Standard, in a leading article, stated that he " had
made no secret of his hostility to this country,
and that a large number of Fenians have
supported hitn in his candidature on that ground
alone." We have often put this question to inti-
mate friends of the General, always eliciting the
mine reply, " It is a great mistake. General Grant
means what he says, let us have peace ; and although
in cotntnon with the Northern Army during the
war he viewed England with hostility as the main
support of the Lost Cause,' that feeling has died
out." It is improbable that a man of Scotch
descent should be smitten with Anglopho'lia ; and
as far as the best testimony goes, we can assert that
it is not the case with Grant. As regards the Irish
support it is confined to the ratting of the New
York Irish People, which the Democrat says, on the
authority of Nagle, went over for $5,000.
General M'Clellan is noticed as having grown
stout, and looking remarkably well. Although he
desired to avoid public displays, yet no sooner had
he landed than he became the object of marked at-
tention. On a serenade, a procession of soldiers, who
had served under him, passed in review, and dense
crowds gathered before his hotel, welcoming him
with the warmest salutations. Three cheers were
proposed for Seymour, but not well received, as the
meeting was wholly intended to do honour to
M'Clellan. General J. Hobart Ward introduced
M'Clellan as the great commander of the army of the
Potomac, when he said—" I know, my friends, you
will not expect a speech from me ; I am sure you
will be content with the expression of my most sin-

cere and heartfelt thanks for this kind and cordial
welcome on my return home—more, a thousand
times, than I had any right to expect. You will, I
know, excuse me from making any speech."
Ritualism is exciting some attention in America,
both north and south of the St. Lawrence. The
Canadian Provincial Synod not only condemned by
unanimous resolution the elevation of the elements,
the use of incense, mixing of water, the wafer-
bread, and vestments other than surplice, stole, or
scarf, but the Synod would not even hear the com-
munion table called "an altar." In Memphis, Mr.
Rogers, the pastor of the church " Blessed Virgin,"
has received au admonition from his bishop, but
not in the meek spirit of the dove. St. Alban's,
New York, continues its ritualistic practices
to the great annoyance of many. The General
Convention was about to hold its triennial session
in New York, and Bishop Potter had already de-
livered his charge to the Conventio❑ of the dioces2.
At the general Convention of the Episcopalian
Church the subject of Church Reform in Italy will
probably b.:3 brought forward, and a reubiou of the
churches discussed. In San Francisco the mem-
bers of the Greek Church have become so numer-
ous that the Bishop of Sitka has sent a pl lest to
organise a congregation, who now regularly per-
forms services there according to the rites of his
Church.