The New York herald., 1863-09-26


IT IS. to say The least 4. singular spectacle,
this assembiage of Russian squadron on this
side OF the Atlantic. and Europe will not fall TO
comment upon the fact, with surprise in some
quarters and d.snay in Others. There may be
no design IN this movement on the part Of the
Russis an government; but we are inclined TO
suppose the reverse. One thing Is certain:
should France 90 to war with Russia, as She
so arrogantly intmated but a short time since,
when the Galic cock was rampant about Poland,
the Russian navy will not, rs WAS the case dur.
Ing tie Crlmeaa war, find itself shut up In the
seaports blocksdcd by the French and possibly
English men.of-war. We speak doubtlngiy
OF Eng'and's cooperation IN war that France
might wage against Russia, because we do not
believe that Englana can be caught twice in so
silly q manner. Thus. IL war there be, it is
France who will attack Russia, and France viii
flnd the strong Russian fleet ready to give her
blow for blow, and, not cooped up, as was the
case before.
There may be anothcr reason for this visit Of
Russian squadron to our waters. Europe has
been much worried by statements that Pussia
and this govcrnmencswere about to form an
offensive and defensive alliance, and The Gar
raay have thought that be would make q sign
of his readiness to enter into such a compact
with us. No one can doubt that thcrc is sig
nifcance beyond mere chance II this display of
Russian strength here and we are permitted TO
Judge of the matter as we see TT; 30 may
France; and we are much deceived in our esti-
nation OF the good sense Of Napoleon il he
does not deem this Tu rsian visit menace to
himself.
B., that "a II may, we are prepared to re-
ccivc orr v;stcrs WITH all the honors. We
Lave ever liked tho Russians In the fate OF
Tier great empire we see reflection OF our
own march to power they have the same vast
extent OF country, the same immense poru'a'
nor, and display portion of our great activity
!, .end enterprise. As we said, we shal! receive
TEN vail. sn6 we ilnareTs nron On those nsticns
Of Europe who 50 fAal Aod dislike us that we
ara quite ready and willing TO max" alliance
with nation whom we so much esteem and
respect.
1t nust not be supposed that Tie re
srected lady Of the President. who so lately
protItrel the health OF the Car at fes
tive meeting on one Of hs magnificent
vessels did so urwittingly. We arc aware ths.
her action was contrary to all tie rules Of Euro.
pcan etiquette; hut 1t was in Strict accordance
with the spirit of our people; and then we do
things in an out Of the way manner, as, for
instance, Charleston, where our five mile
ranges SO astonsh and hurt Beaureeard.
Mrs. Lincoln proposed the Health or tie
Car with consciousness OF what she was
doing, and also because she knew that her wish
would meet with hearty response throughout
the country. Should France and Russia 80 TO
war, the Czar would fled then, as now. refuge
for his vessels in our harbors. and our Hearty
sympathy for his success in the struggle with
a nation which has forfeited, through the
treachery of its ruler our GOOD will and alliance.
OUR PREPARATIONS FOR wAR-OuR MEcHANI-
CAL REsouRoEs--If, among the mary success
full mechanical contrivances embodied by
Ericsson in the Monitors one stands out more
prominent than the rest, chat one is the
mechanism by means Of which a gun weighing
upwards OF twenty tons is manipulated with
ease by six or seven men.
This vital point has not. as has been seen by
our foreign correspondence and by the letters
OF Captain Coles K. n, and other scientific
authorities, published in the HERALD Of the
23d inst, until very recently penetrated tie
thick skull Of John Bull; and then the surprise
te suddenly manifests when he learns that
guns Of weight which as yet he has only
dreamed Of for practical purposes are fought
day after day under tie hottest fire, is GER
tainly refreshing.
Admitting, for the sake Of argument, that their
globular turrcts are impre ynable, it is utterly
impossible to manipulate within them ordnance
of the ponderous character required to give
them adequate offensive powers. This fact
they have virtually acknowledged; for, accord
ing to tie London Times and other authority
The globuar revolving gun shield has been
abandoned, and the cylindrical turret of Erics-
son copied as far as regards external form.
We have, however, mechanical contrivances
in store which are destined to astonsh our
British neghbors still more than the voice OF
Gillmoros Swamp Angel" for be 1t known
that the only limit to the weight of ordnance
which can be installed and manipulated in
Monitor turret is the size which can be manu-
featured.
A gun is now in contemplation which will
exceed in power the famous hfteen-inch as
much as that gun does the old eleven-noh, and
which will crush in the sides Of any British
iron-clad as though they were made of card
board Ono shot from this gun properly de-
livered will place hors de combat any foreign
iron clad afoat.
The capture Of the rebel iron-clad Atlanta
by the Monitor Weehawken is warning
foreign meddlers may well take notice OF and
profit by.
ANOTHER "PEEP AT DfproAAcY."-By letter
from Paris, TO be found in another column, we