EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IV, Issue 197, 20 September 1854, Page 2

EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE.

ENGLAND, The Lady Jocelyn, steam ship, has brought on the mail of the Great Britain, this vessel having returned to Liverpool in consequence of an accident. The dates are to the 12th June. A. change has taken place in the British Ministry. Lord John Russell assumes the office of President of the Council. The Duke of Newcastle is appointed War Minister. The office of Secretary for the Colonies is to be filled by Sir George Grey, who has long been well known as a liberal and consistent member of the whig party, and who was Secretary of State for the Home Department in the administration of Lord Melbourne, and subsequently in that of Lord John Russell. The Daily Neios this morning (June 7) gives the following :— . . The War Minister. —It is now understood that the Duke of Newcastle, and not Lord Palmerston, is to be War Minister. The Secretaryship of the colonies will thus be soon vacant. It is rumoured that if Sir William Molesworth does not step into this vacancy he will be offered a seat in the House of Loids. Should a peerage fall to the lot of the only radical member of the cabinet, the electors of Southwark will of course be called upon to elect a new representative. The Crystal Palace.—This splendid structure was opened on the 10th instant. The following account is giving of "The Opening Ceremonial."—Precisely at three o'clock, her Majesty leaning on the arm of Prince Albert, and followed by the Royal children and suite, took their places upon the dais. Her Majesty surveyed with evident interest the imposing scene before and around her, as the splendid orchestra pealed forth the National Anthem, and a royal salute was fired from the grounds. The spectacle of her Majesty and the Royal visitors, as they stood grouped together on the crimson-coyere.d dais, was one of rare beauty. In the centre stood her Majesty, on her left Prince Albert, and upon her right his Majesty the King of Portugal. On the left of Prince Albert stood theirsfe>yal Highnesses, the Prince of Wales and Prince Alfred, next her Royal Highness Puncess Alice, the Duchess of Cambridge, and the Princess Mary. On the right of the King of Portugal stood the Duchess of Kent, the Due d'Oporto, and the Princess Royal. Ranged behind were the Duchess of Sutherland, the Countess Mount Edgecumbe, and the lords and ladies in waiting. Her Majesty having taken her seat, Mr. Samuel Laing, M.P., in the uniform of a deputy lieutenant, advanced to the foot of the throne and read to her Majesty the inaugural address. A.t the conclusion "of which . her Majesty graciously replied: " I receive with much pleasure the loyal and dutiful address which you have presented to me upon the.present occasion. " It is a source of the highest gratification to myself and the Prince, my consort, to find that the great Exhibition of 1851, which was so happily inaugurated under our auspices, suggested the idea of this magnificent undertaking, which has produced so noble a monument of the genius, science and enterprise of my subjects. 'c It is my earnest wish and hope that the bright anticipations which have been formed as to its future destiny may, under the blessing of Divine Providence, be completely realized ; and that this wonderful structure and the treasures of art and knowledge which it contains, may long continue to elevate and instruct, as well as to delight and amuse, the minds of all classes of my people.'' Her Majesty having graciously handed to Mr. Laing a written copy of the reply previously placed in the hands of her Majesty by Lord Palraerston. Mr. Laing proceeded to introduce to her Majesty the managing directors of the company —Mr. F. Fuller, Sir Joseph Paxton, the designer of the Palace, Mr. Jones, Mr. D. Wyatt, and other gentlemen superintending the various departments. The Observer, from which we quote the far larger portion of these details, describing this part of the ceremony, says: "It would have been well if doctors in their scarlet robes, or gentlemen in levee-costumes, could have spared a short time for a rehearsal of their parts,'or have taken a few posture lessons from Mr. Digby Wyatt. Thousands of spectators

would not then have laughed or smiled dJh sively,or her Majesty turned her head occasionally to smile or frown as learned and distinguished authors turned their backs as tbev withdrew from her presence, or awkwardly descending the steps of the dais in imminent fear of an ungraceful stumble, from swords which dangled inconveniently, or robes whose flowine drapery sadly interfered with the locomotion of their wearers." Her Majesty leaning on the arm of Prince Albert, now.descended from the throne amid vast cheering and waving of handkerchiefs and a procession was formed in the following order Superintendent of Works, and Principal Employes. Contractors. Architects of Industrial Courts. Principal Officers and Heads of Departments. Directors The Queen. H.R.H. the Prince Albert, the King of Portugal. The Royal Family. H.R.H. the Duke of Oporto, and their respective suites. The Archbishop of Canterbury, The Cabinet Ministers. The Foreign Ambassadors and the Foreign Ministers. The procession having passed round the south nave, re-entered the transept, fand winding slowly round its east side, paraded along the east and west sides of the north nave, when her Majesty and the Royal visitors again took their seats on the dais, the Ministers in their Windsor uniforms, and the Ambassadors, in their varied rich and glittering diplomatic costumes, occupying the same place as before. Immediately came the crash of the orchestra, as it gave forth the solemn strains of the lOOth Psalm. His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, standing on the dais, at a short 'distance from Her Majesty, then offered an impressive and appropriate prayer. Beported Shooting of an Engx-ish Consdi..—ln Copenhagen there was an incredible report that the English Consul at Biga had written a letter, giving the British Government certain valuable information. The letter was stopped at the Post Office, taken to the English consul, who was merely shown the direction, and asked if it was his handwriting-. He answered in the affirmative, and was immediately sliot. ; ;■■•■".■■■./• FRANCE.. The steamboat, Heron, belonging to the division of Rear Admiral le Barbier de Tinan, has sunk or destroyed, in the bay of St. Nicholo, two schooners and a brig, which were being fitted up for piratical purposes. The Emperor has conferred the Cross of the Legion of Honour on F. T. Abbe, master-gun-ner on board the steam frigate i\Tocfa&or % who particularly distinguished himself at the bombardment of Odessa. Thirteen medals ofhono have also been granted by the Emperor to th seamen of other ships who signalised themselve on the same occasion. AUSTRIA. The telegraphic news received to-day may be condensed as follows ;— Vienna, June 4. The note recently forwarded by the Austrian Government to St. Petersburg requires that Russia shall fix a date for the evacuation of the Principalities; and in case of a refusal, Austria is prepared to move a force, not far short of 300,000 men, upon the Danube. Vienna, Sunday evening.—lt is credibly asserted that all personal relations "between the Austrian and Russian Courts have been interrupted during the last fortnight. PRUSSIA. There still seems reason to fear that Prussia may join Russia, but Austria seems more 1' sive in her altitude of adherence to the Vfestern Powers. ' J J &I TURKEY. WAR ON THE DANUBE. Bucharest,* 3VTay 28. Silistria was stormed from the north-eastern, southern, and western sides. The Russian loss was tremendous. The enemy still holds the outworlcs, The citadel can resist three weeks longer. Bucharest, May 31. An action has taken place at Brankowani, near Slatina. The Russians lost 5,000 men ltilled and wounded, and retreated.

Constantinople, May 25. Marshal St. Arnaud has been chosen Com-mander-in-chief of the combined armies. Peba, May 25. The Porte has transmitted orders to the Ottoman authorities in Albania to afford every facility to the Austrian troops. Paris, Monday. The Moniteur states that an attack was made on the 16th May, upon Silistria by the Bussians, who were victoriously repulsed by the garrison, with a loss of 1,000 Bussians. The Allied Armies.—Advices from Schumla of the 27th May, state that 15,000 English troops had sailed for Varna, and that 25,000 French troops had marched to Advianople to support Omar Pasha's operations to relieve Silistria. Albania.—-The Moniteiir of yesterday says ; —"Orders have been transmitted to the Ottoman authorities in Albania to receive (accueillir) the Austrian troops." The following portion of a letter received from an officer at Scutari barracks in Asia Minor is interesting :— " The 17th Lancers and Bth Hussars (head quarters) have" arrived all right and all well, the former with* the loss of only one horse. Lord Raglan has just returned from his counsel of war with Omar Pasha, and we hear the whole of the army with the exception of a small force will be at Varna in a fortnight; and unless the Bussians retreat by this day month (20th May) you will hear of something to our advantage. The transports are ready to sail at a moment's notice with 10,000 men, who, however, are not yet embarked." ..>.-■ Vienna, Sunday.—On the.2Bth the Bussians made a combined attack on Silistria. According to the Bussian accounts, they were repulsed with the loss of 1000 men. The citadel can resist three weeks longer. The allies are marching with all speed to the seat of war by way of Varna. 60,000 Bussians are advancing on the two roads leading from Silistria to Schumla, and 4,000 are investing Silistria. 500 Bussians are reported killed in an affair at Brancovan. They burned the bridge at Slatina. London, June 5. The aspect of affairs on the continent and the East shews that the plot is thickening, and a crisis near. All eyes are now turned towards Silistria. There can be no doubt that unless the Russians either take the place, or raise the siege, Omar Pacha will soon be there, and be quickly followed by the combined English and French troops, namely—2s,ooo French, and 15,000 English. Vienna, Tuesday morning, June 6, 10 o'clock. " The telegraphic despatches from the Danube are contradictory. The following probably are correct, — Towards the end of May, 5,000 Turkish horse took the Bussians by surprise at Turnu. Only 107 of the latter escaped to the left bank of the Aluta. General of Division Baumgarten has been missing ever since the affair. In the attack on Silistria on the 29th, Lieut.General Sylvan was killed, and Count Orloff was shot in the eye. On the 30th, at 4 in the morning, the Turks made a sally, and a feaiful massacre took place in the Bussian entrenchments. Many of the besiegers' guns were spiked. It is calculated that the Bussians. have lost 8,000 men on the Danube since the 20th May." There is a report that the Circassians have surrounded and cut to pieces the Bussian troops which lately evacuated the forts on the coast of Abasia. The petty German States have unanimously agreed upon a general declaration of adherence to the Austro-Prussian treaty. The Swedish squadron is reported as about to join the combined fleets of France and England in the Baltic. There has been to-day great excitement at the Stock Exchange. Consols, in consequence of a heavy bear account having to be closed when stock is unprecedently scarce, having risen up to 94 ; making a rise since the last settlement of no less than 7 per cent. They closed at 93, and at 92% for the July account. THE BLACK SEA. Capture of an English Steamer by the Bussians. —A report was received from Odessa by telegraph, via Lemberg, of the Tiger,

screw-steamer of 400 horse-power, belonging to the allied fleets, having run aground in the bay in the neighbourhood of that city, and had been captured by the Bussians. Her crew of 200, it was added, had been landed as prisoners. The despatch also said "two other steamers are now fighting," but gave no further explanation. The news having been sent by the correspondents of a firm of great respectability, was generally credited among the merchants in the Russian trade, and those who are interested in the commerce of Odessa express great apprehension that it may lead to another visit of the combined fleets and the total destruction of that place. Further telegraphic messages repeat the statement that she ran ashore a few miles from Odessa. Batteries were brought down, and nothing was to be done but surrender—the crew, 200 men, being made prisoners after a gallant resistance. Two steamers arrived to the assistance of the Tiger, but too late. They were, according to the last accounts, firing on the batteries. ->, - The following is the official list of officers on board -.—Tiger, 16, steam-frigate, built at Chatham in 1849, of 1220 tons, and 400 horse-pow-er. Captain, Henry W. Giffard. Lieuts. Alfred Royer, Alex. Hamilton, and VV. E. Stone. Master, Fras. Edinglon. First Lieut. Marine Artillery, R. T. Ansell. Surgeon, H. J. Domville. Paymaster, Geo. A. Lance, Mate, C. H. Wilkinson (acting). Assistant surgeon, Edm. Lawless. Second master, John C. Solfleet. Clerks, John G. Barnes and N. G. Simmonds. It is added that Captain Giffard was wounded in the defence of his ship. The Times of the 22nd May gives the following translation of one of the despatches, received by an eminent Greek firm, relating to the loss of this steamer: —"The English steamer Tiger, which ran on shore near the Campagna Costazzi, has surrendered after a combat. The crew of 200 men have been made prisoners. The commander was wounded. Two other steamers are engaged in a combat at the present moment at the same place." It will be observed (says the Times) that in this despatch, which was received .on Thursday last, the errors as to the armanientaHid description of the Tiger which suggested doubts of the authenticity of previous accounts, are not committed.— Times, 22nd May. Death of Captain Giffard, of the " Tiger."—We are greatly pained to announce the death of Captain Giffard, lately in command of her Majesty's ship Tiger. This gallant gentleman received his wounds in defence of his ship',which he only surrendered at the last, wheu beaten down. He lost one leg and was badly wounded in the other. In fact, he received several wounds, whilst bravely defending his charge to the last, hopeless as the struggle was, against fatal odds, and at every possible disadvantage. The melancholy intelligence of his death was despatched to Vienna by electric telegraph on the Ist instant, by the Austrian Consul at Odessa. He was to be buried on the 2nd June with military honours. The young midshipman, who also fell by his side, was not. a nephew, but a more distant relative. After the funeral, the captive crew of the Tiger were to proceed to Risan ; the officers are to be sent to Moscow, with the exception of the first lieutenant, who is ordered to St. Petersburgh, to attend the Emperor of Russia. By.a later despatch we learn that the funeral of Captain Giffard took place on the 2nd instant. The enthusiasm of the Turks, when the details of the engagement at Odessa were made public, was beyond all description. The newspaper office was regularly besieged. One old Turk, after scrambling for half an hour to get a copy, retired into a corner, read it in silence, and then burst into tears of joy. In his retreat he wept for several hours. He had three sons killed at Sinope. A man paid a-shilling to a " kialib" to read the bulletin to him, he himself being illiterate. Attack on Sebastopol—Our correspondent in Paris sends us intelligence of a despatch received late last night from Constantinople and dated the 10th, which announces that Sebastopol has -been cannonaded by the French and English fleets with guns of long- range, with a view, to destroy the advanced works of the port. Three vessels were cruising along the coasts of Circassia, waiting for the Ottoman flept, winch was to bring "5000 men for disembarkation, in Abasia.

THE BALTIC. Letters and Papers from Stockholm bring a number of details respecting the affair at Eclcness. The loss of the Russians is estimated at 500 killed and wounded. The exploit of the Hecla, Captain Hall, was so much the more brilliant, as she only carries six guns and had, two batteries against her. After silencing them Captain Hall landed, spiked the cannon, with the exception of three, which he look on board as trophies, and returned down the fiord with the prize ship, in company with the Arrogant, Captain Yelverton. Not a shot was fired at them as they sailed out to sea. And yet this shameful defeat by so inferior a force has been represented by the Russian Journals as a glorious victory, and the General in command has been promoted. The English had three killed and five wounded. Among the Russians who fell was an officer of high rank, who was shot together with the horse on which lie rode. The Hecla is now lying at Stockholm (that is, at Vaxbolm), and its' crew are the lions of the Swedish capital. Everybody admires their gallantry. Captain Hall is already famous for his expeditions against the Chinese pirates, but his prudence and coolness at Eckness have gained him fresh laurels. He stood during the whole combat on the paddle bridge, giving his orders with the same self possession as if it had been at parade, although the balls were whizzing around him. A number of Finnish sailors have deserted from the Russian gun boats. They have been taken on board the Admiral's ship, and have petitioned Sir Charles to be allowed to fight against the Muscovite for the liberty of their country. According to the Invalide Russe, the English fleet has been inactive up to the 28th The French Fleet.—The French fleet, 22 strong, passed Rugen on the 4th, steering North East. Berlin, Monday evening. On the 18th inst., the Amphion and Conflict brought into Memel eight prizes from Windau and Liebau. The fort of Gustavsvarn, at the northwest entrance of the Gulf of Finland, has been taken and destroyed. 1500 Russians were made prisoners during the operation. Taking of Gcstavsvarn.—An important blow has been struck in the Baltic by Sir Charles Napier. After a bombardment of six hours the castle of Gustavsvarn, south of the entrance to Hango Sound, has been destroyed, and 1,500 Russians taken prisoners. The Daily News says : " The destruction of the castle gives Sir Charles Napier entire command of the safe anchorage in Hanga Sound, off the north-west point of the Gulf of Finland ; and in this anchorage the inner channels—available for the navigation of the coasting trade and of the swarms of Russian gunboats to Abo on the north, and to Sweaborg and Helsingfors on the east, meet. The steamers of least draughtj in the English fleets are already at work in these channels, and the gunboats despatched, or about to be despatched, to Sir Charles, will soon enable them to complete thsir operations. The English Admiral will thus be enabled to cut bff all communication between Finland and the Sea of Aland, and intercept the retreat of any Russian troops that may be left in the Aland Isles. On the other hand, he has obtained a basis for his operations in clearing the inner channels (schaarleden) which skirt the north coast of the Gulf of Finland, of the Russian flotillas of gunboats and rowboats, the water guerillas upon whom the Czar counted to harass aud weaken the English fleet, and secure that coast." The French fleet of eight sail of the line, four frigates, and four steamers, were off Kiel on Saturday last, and were to sail yesterday morning to join Admiral Napier's flag-. Amongst other reports from the Baltic is one that Aland and Revel have both been taken. Another report is that a plan of attack upon Cronstadt had been agreed upon between the English- and French Admirals. — Liverpool Chronicle. Riga.—A letter from Riga, of May 1, given in the Baltic Gazette, says," we are still working at the palisades round our fortress, and if the English ships show themselves again the state of siege will most likely be proclaimed. The si«ht of our roadstead is mournful: the forty or, fifty vessels there seem a mere nothing in the void : every year previously, at this time of the year, we used to count them by hundreds."

Baltic—Sir Charles Napier is dreadfully feared by the Emperor and his troops. We have letters here from some of the pilots every week. The Duke of Wellington's guns are splendid. One of the pilots has returned from ill-health, and he gave me a glowing description of her firing all her guns broadside. They can be brought to bear so as to strike a space no larger than a good door or window, and they can" direct the shots with so much precision that a very small boat, placed a mile distance, Avas shattered to pieces by the first shot. It is considered by nautical men that a broadside from the flag-ship was equal to, and would do as much damage as, all Nelson's fleet. The Prisoners taken in the prizes captured in the Baltic had been released, on condition of not serving against the allied powers during the present war. Every item of personal property that belonged to them were permitted to be carried away. In one instance £200 was found on a captain, who was allowed to retain possession of it. In many other instances sums of greater ot less value, with gold and silver watches, chains, jewellery, &c, were taken away by the respective owners without question on the part of the captors. The Russian minister and the crews of the captured vessels were highly astonished at such liberality. A Chase in the Baltic.—One morning about [ten days since, we saw a large vessel some eight or ten miles ahead, which we fully believed to be a Russian man-of-war, as she made all sail to getaway and showed no colours. As we rapidly came up with her, she took in sail, until she was under reefed topsails (fighting trim), so we beat to quarters, and the pipe sounded loudly " hands bring ship into action." For about three minutes everything was bustle apparently, casting the guns loose, clearing the decks, &c. Fire minutes after the pipe every gun was double shotted and primed, and the men standing with the match lines in their hands waiting for the word to fire, and just as we got within good distance the blackguard ran up American colours, and coolly told us he would have hoisted them sooner, but he wanted to see how smart we could clear for action. If our taTS did notbless him to the wrong side of heaven don't believe me"!— Letter from the Baltic. GREECE. Athens, May 28th.—The new Cabinet has recalled the insurgent chiefs. It will remodel the court, dismiss the public functionaries who may have been compromised, and require that Athens shall not be occupied. RUSSIA. ' Seizure of the effects of the British Ambassador at St. Petersburgh.—His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of all the Russians has seized and appropriated Sir G. H. Seymour's property at St. Petersburgh. As the persons and property of Ambassadors and others concerned in the political intercourse of nations have ever been held sacred, such an act as that reported must raise the gravest suspicions as to the sanity of our antagonist. Every body will remember the extravagance of the Emperor Paul on a like occasion. That eccentric personage, after venting his spite against the English, nationally and individually, in all sorts of ways, declared war, and at once, without the usual warning, seized all the merchant ships in the Neva, and, when two of them had managed to effect their escape, revenged himself upon them by burning all the rest. Whether that will be the fate of Sir G. H. Seymour's houses and goods, or on what pretence they have been seized, contrary to the law and practice of the whole civilized world, we have yet to learn. There is something so inconceivably petty in such an act, and so contrary to the custom, not only of " gentlemen," but even Emperors, and all civilized beings, that one naturally tries to escape from believing it by supposing some process of Russian law with which Englishmen may be excusably unacquainted. It looks, however, very like an act of revenge for the publicity given to the Secret Correspondence and confidential communications of the Emperor. But such a revenge must recoil on its author, and the too eager expectant of a "sick man's" property has not mended his case by pouncing on the goods and chattels of a departing am°bassador. The Russian Emperor, it is understood, will hold his Easter festival at Moscow. It is alleged that the motive for the detention of the effects of Sir GL H. Seymour, was that the Czar

might appear in coat and breeches, the spoil of an enemy, at the Easter offering, as Romulus offered sacrifice clad in the spolia opima he had stripped from the foe his own arm had struck down. There is a graceful classicality in the idea; but, unfortunately^ it is whispered, the colossal proportions of the Emperor have rendered it impossible for him to don the stolen vestments. It is reported that, to make up for this, they will be displayed on the persons of the Imperial Ministers. The collective Cabinet of St. Petersburgh will be supplied for the occasion from the trunks and portmanteaus of our English Minister. Some individuals are apprehen • sive of discontent among the Russian tailors, in consequence of this exhibition of foreign work-manship.—-Daily News. Thk Panama Railroad. —This railroad progresses rapidly, and it is confidently expected that towards the end of the year the trains will run. through from ocean to ocean. We are giad to leavn that the Irish workmen lately brought out from Cork enjoy generally excellent health, and are becoming daily more useful to the Company, from whom they receive every attention and care.— San Francisco Herald.