The Sun.
London, England, 1844-12-31 00:00:00

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

MALTA, DEC. 18.
The Formidable arrived here on the 7th instant from
Naples, whither she had been sent with the Heels
steamer, in compliment to his Royal Highness the Duke
d'Aumale, on his recent marriage.
A most extraordinary circumstance occurred which has
created much surprise and disappointment on board. The
Duke had sent invitations to the Captain of the For-
midable and his officers for the wedding ceremony, and
seats were reserved. The captain did not give the in-
vitations, and, consequently, i3ot an officer of the ship
wasipresent. Those of the Heels attended. An official
inquiry took place through our Ambassador, and from
all I can learn, the only explanation was, that he, the
captain, had forgotten them. The French Ambas-
sador gave a splendid ball, and every officer on
board, including even the midshipmen, was invited
personally and separately, a thing, perhaps, never
before heard of. Nothing could equal the attention paid
by the Neapolitans to the British. The navy of the
former gave a splendid dinner to the officers of the flag-
ship, which was prepared by the King's cooks, and a
service of gold sent from the palace for the occasion.
The English officers returned the compliment. During
the stay of the Formidable the 'rondo was opened to
them, San Carlo for two nights, and every public place.
Carriages also were at their command, and the British
uniform was a passport to every kindness and attention
that could be shown.
Her Majesty's ship the Tyne; from Beyrout, arrived
here on the 4th inst., and is now performing quarantine.
The French steamer the Ramier left port on the 15th
inst. for Toulon ; she did not carry a mail.
The Acheron left pert on the same day for the lonian
Islands.

On the 16th the Snake left the harbour for Tunis,
Cagliari, and Genoa, taking mails.
The Ariadne yacht returned to port on the evening of
the 14th, and having reported that she had fallen in with
a Greek brig, with loss of rudder, the Admiral sent out
the Acheron to look for her and tow her in, which she
accomplished. The vessel was called Aglaia.
The barque Susan has put back from her passage
to Alexandria, at a distance of 250 miles from port.
She sprang a leak and made so much water that the
pumps would not keep her clear. On being hove down
she was discovered to have been pierced by a sword fish,
a portion of whose spear was taken out by a ship-builder
of this place,
Her Majesty's steamer Volcano, with dispatches for
the Admiral, arrived here yesterday from England and
Gibraltar.

The Sydenham has returned from Athens and is per-
forming quarantine.
The Medea is ordered home from Corfu.
The Geyser will be reported ready fur sea on the Ist
of January.
in Port,—French—Steamers Pericles and Mentor, both
under orders for sea.

English—The Formidable, the Ceylon, L'Aigle,
the Orestes, the Tyne, and the Beacon surveying ship.
Steamers—Geyser, Sydenhatn, Volcano, and Alecto ;
Scotia, trading steamer.
On Foreign Service—Bonetta, surveying ; Gibrailtari
Scout and Flamer ; Pirruus, Belvitier4 ; Corfta, Atedea ;
fllyrna? Wal.spite Qqp,-4antinor46;n6,astation.
.gn route to different Ports-,,Polyphemus, to Gibral-
tar; Ifeela, to Ale]tandria ; Viravq, to QOP§titAbiaopia ;
snake, to pElrlltt, Cagliari, and ClenGa.
PORTSMOUTH.
The Racehorse, 18, Commander Hay, having hen

, .
docked and had her copper cleaned, embarked her
marines on Tuesday.
The Seagull, 6, is ordered to be fitted for packet
service.

In Harbour —The Caledonia, San Josef, Albion,
Superb, A ctmon, Firebrand, Racehorse, Acorn, Persian,
Cruiser, Ranger, Daring, Eipiegle, Mucine, i I.prey, Fly-
ing Fish, Waterwitcli,
_Pantaloon, Ss Iph, Snipe, Con-
fiance, Adventure transport, and Rochester, Camel,
Devon, Tortoise, and Hamoaze lighters.
In the Sound—The Dordrecht, Dutch store-ship,
wind bound.