LATEST ENGLISH INTELLIGENCE.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XIII, 11 November 1854, Page 3

LATEST ENGLISH INTELLIGENCE.

The funds on the 3rd August closed at 92* Consols for account, and an eighth less for money. The British Ministry had sustained a series of defeats in Parliament. On the Ist August, they were outvoted in both houses, and nothing but the war prevented a change in the administration. The harvest was likely to be a plentiful one. The Spanish revolution had terminated in the triumph of the Liberal party, the Queen having been compelled to agree to the demands of Espartero, at the head of the insurgents. The result is considered beneficial to Spain and the peace of Europe. .' From Liverpool we have the following report upon the public Wool Sales there :— The public sales of wool, which commenced on the 26th July, were but thinly attended by the trade. The quantity brought forward amounted to 4,900 bales East Indian. In the early part of the first day's sale prices ruled about id. to id. per lb» above the sales here in June, but the principal buyers not being willing to pay the advance, the biddings became languid, and prices receded from id. to id. per lb. On the second and last day, rather more disposition was manifested to purchase, and higher prices were realized ; but upon the whole the sales went off most irregularly. The following extracts will furnish our readers with tho latest intelligence from the seat of war :—: — Another Turkish Victory. At ten o'clock on the mornirjg of the 23rd July, the Russians attacked the Turkish entrenching camp near Giurgevo, but were finally defeated, with the loss of 2,000 killed and 5,000 prisoners. : On the 25th, 200 wagons loaded with wounded men arrived at Bucharest. Thirty thousand Turks had crossed the Danube at Oltenitza. Wreck of the Tiger. On the 14th July three of the enemy's vessels appeared off Odessa. One of them ibore the flag of France, the other two that of lireal Britain. They directed an efficacious fire on the machines established for getting up the Tiger, Being out of the reach of our cannon, the vessels were able to continue their work of I destruction. Towards evening they went away. Reported Taking of Bomarsund. Copenhagen, Monday, July 31st.—Bomarsund is reported to be taken, with great loss on both sides. x_ A letter from Dantzic, of the 27th July says: — It is reported that eight Russian ships came out^of Helsingfors and chased three English frigates that were outside. Admiral Napier had thought it advisable to send Admiral Martin in that direction. Admirals Plumridge and Chads, with several vessels, and all the paddles, and 2,000 French troops, are to attack Bomarsund. The fortifications have not been injured at all by the fire (said to have been so destructive) of the Hecla ; they present a very formidable appearanca, mounting 150 guns in three forts, and there is promise of a very sanguinary affair. Stockholm, July 27th.— The French troops have passed Gothland. A heavy cannonading has been beard at intervals in the direction of Bomarsund since Tuesday afternoon. A letter from Hamburg of the 26tb says :—: — "The Minister of War in Sweden has just addressed a circular to all the military Governors of the kingdom, demanding the space of time which it would require to concentrate all the troops in garrison in the different localities on one given point. It is supposed that the measure is the preliminary to the formation of an army to be ready to march where circumstances might demand its presence." Destruction of the Sulina Batteries. A despatch from Admiral Dundas informs the Admiralty that Captain Parker, of the Firebrand, on the night of the 26th and 27th of June, nearly surprised the Cossack guard at the entrance of the Danube, but only succeeded in securing the Cossack in command. On the 28 th and 29th, assisted by the Fury, he completely.' destroyed the strong and wellbuilt batteries at Sulina. The light- house, the private houses, {and the quarantine establishment, were untouched, but " the fear of damaging them by the use'of "powder and fire, rendered the work of destruction of the batteries very severe and heavy to the crews of the Firebrand and Fury." Retreat of the Russians* The following appeared in the second edition of the Times of the 2nd of August :— [By submarine and European telegraph.J We have received the following despatch, dated Tuesday evening, from our correspondent at Vienna : — " The evacuation of the principalities by the Russians must be for strategic reasons, as no official communication of the fact has been made by the Czar to the Austrian Government. " The diplomatist Gortschakoff has been informed that after the Emperor of Austria has joined the army, no further negotiationsrelative to the evacuation of the principalities can be carried on. " Montenegro is in a very disturbed state. " Generals Hess and Kneller arrived from the army to-day. " The Oest Correspondent has the following authentic intelligence : — "' On the 27th July, the Russians quitted, and the Turks occupied Frateschti. "'The Russians were retreating in forced marches to Schelav*. and thence to Poposoti and Obilescbti, with all their artillery and wagon trains. "'The Bucharest hospiuls were to be evacuated by the evening of the 29th. " The Turk* immediately occupiedMhe itknd opposite Kalarasch.

•"On the 28th the Russian army quitted Kalugereni, and in the evening were to bivouac between the Argish tmQ Subar. Their artillery, carriages.hospital, and baggage trains were leaving on parallel roads towards the Seretb. " 'The complete evacuation of Bucharest was to heeffette&on the 31st of July. " ' During? the retreat or flight, the thermometer was 104 in the shade.'" The Baltic Fleet. [From the Daily News, August 3.] Aland Archipelago, July 21. We-left Borosund on the 18 th, in company with the French fleet, and stood down the Gulf under easy sail. From the preparation which had taken place for some days previously, we all concluded something was up— particularly as {Admiral Chads has 1 been practising the marine* in the use of thejscaling ladders against the granite walls of the Ronakar lighthouse ; and small detachments of the same corps have been instructed by some of the Royal Engineer officers attached to the Duke of Wellington, in making! fascines and other materials necessary in field fortifications.

It appears the Aland Islea will be a most desirable 1 station for the troops daily expected out of France, and as the fortress of Bomarsund was- only partly disabled by the attack of the Hecla, Odin and Valorous, the other day, another is in contemplation, which will no doubt place them and their defenders in our power. We anchored at sea during the 19th instant, while the Lightning and Alban, surveying vessels, were despatched onwards to report on the state of the passage. These useful vessels, with their excellent officers, deserve the greatest praise for the care and exertion they evinced in inspecting the dangerous and intricate navigation of the unknown waters, hitherto pronounced impracticable for vessels of the draught of water required by the Duke and others. A passage was found where the least depth of water was 33 feet. Now this will just enable the Duke to enter, and that is pretty well, as in these fresh water regions 7b inches must be added to her draught, the resisting power of the fresh water being so much less than that of salt* Great credit is also due to the various masters for the skill with which they conducted their large ships through the different islands. Admiral Corry left for England in the Dauntless. Commodore Martin hoists, his flag in the Neptune*

On. th* 22nd the Edinburgh, flag of Admiral Chads, with the Hogue, Blenheim, Amphion, Leopard, and Valorous, proceeded up the newly discovered passage to Bomarsund, piloted by the. surveying Bteameraj Lightning and Alban. These ships took up a position in front of the fort» just out of range. The batteries and fort opened a fire of shot and shell on their approach, which, all fell far short of the mark, Admiral Chads' ship being the principal target; but as the 1 ships had no intention at this early moment to return it, the fire was discontinued, after half aa hour's waste of powder and Bhot on the part of the enemy. The Duptrre, a French liner, got agronnd in attempting to follow our vessels in the passage up, but was soon got off again by the aid of the Driver and Hecla. On the 27th, a signal was made from the Duke for all masters to proceed in the Lightning up to Bomarsund, in order to take note of the different buoys and marks, which our vessels have laid down in this passage. Having steamed up this passage some eight miles* we got a view of the Valorous, 16 gun frigate, Captain Buckle, lying high on a rock, on which she had struck the previous day, off the small village of Degerby, and, from a signal ehe made, it appeared she has sustained very much injury to her hull, so much so that even when off it is doubtful if she can float. The engines were kept at work to pump the water out. She had been on 30 hours.

It is proposed, if practicable, to have her lightened^ and lashed alongside of some steamers, in order to bring her over to the Swedish shore, in hopes of getting her into dock there for repair, as there is no place in or about these islands where she could be landed and repaired. She is a sister ship of the unfortunate Tiger. *It is mos? fortunate that the enemy have no field pieces and no troops stationed at the village* as they would have done no end of mischief.

Visit of the English Fleet to Cronstadt.

The first approach of the fleets to Cronstadt was an event of no little significance. After having stayed a couple of days off Leskar, the squadron moved on for Cronstadt. The gnlf narrowed as we approached its cut de sac. The land on either side is covered with a sea of rich waving woods of pine trees, especially on the Finnish shores, which is the higher. Occasional oatec, if I may be allowed to speak 10, appear in this moving mass of green, revealing snag hamlets and cultivated fields which often slope down to the dark nasty water of this great brackish gulf. As we dosed with Cronetadt, and as soon as the tall masts of the Russian ships in harbour (19 ships of the line and 5 steamer*) were descried from onr topmast heads, great excitement prevailed throughout the fleet. A rumour is Bet afloat that the Russian ships, not expecting us up so high, are at anchor outside the forts. Not a breath of wind prevails to carry them inside, under protection of tbeir batteries. If such b* the case, visions of immediate action, certain victory, and captured ships, seize upon our imaginations. Ships are in advance of the sqnadron, looking oat for the M infernal machines." AH the ships haw watchers posted in the tops, reporting every floating log of wood that floats near us, bearing any resemblance to a buoy— an appendage said to be attached to all those submarine traps. We draw closer and closer. A mirage now begins to tantalize us ; it clears,

and the lighthouse of Folboukin now stands clear out in whita relief. The rigging of the ships becomes more distinct, and, alas, so do the prodigious forts. The men of war are skulking under their guns within the harbour. The Admirals consult. The combined squadron come to an anchor. On our approach there was evidently a great stir amongst the Russian ships. The steamers in harbour immediately got steam up, and all seemed on the alert. Our squadron made a sweep, and, retracing its steps a little, dropped anchor about eight or ten miles off Cronstadt.

On the 29th Rear Admiral Chads, in the Driver, 6, paddle sloop, with the Bull Dog, went in near the forts to search for one of the " infernal machines," reported to have been seen by some oue on board- the [Driver. The Imperieuae also got under way for their protection. The Russians did not, however, attempt to stir during the jtime they were employed. The only thing found was a beacon. These " devils," as they are named, do, no doubt, exist, but it will be in the narrow channel to their ships, which number in all about 27 sail.

Vessels are now occasionally chased in the Baltic, which are found to contain floating villages — men, women, and children, with all their goods and chattels, deserting their farms and homes on some little islands, where, had they remained, they imagined death by shooting, or imprisonment, from the ruthless English awaited them. These poor creatures become regularly terror-stricken when boarded, caused in some measure by the usual preamble of firing a shot across their bows, to oblige them to heave to.

A proposition has been sent to the Admiralty, by an officer of the navy of high standing, for the perfect sealing up the entrance to Cronstadt, by doing which the Russian fleet could be kept there for years, and, if necessary, for ever. The plan is now under the consideration of the Admiralty, and we '(the Morning Chronicle) are credibly informed the gallant Anglo-French Admirals are being consulted on the practicability of the same. According to a letter from the coast of Finland, the Grand Duke Constantino arrived at Cronstadt on the 2nd instant, and left it again on the morning of the 4th for St. Petersburg, after seeing the combined squadrons, which were then in sight. The Prince appeared very sad and preoccupied, and could not refrain from deploring the humiliation of the Imperial Navy ignonpiniously blockaded in the Russian ports. The greatest terror pervaded the whole country. Very little effect indeed is visible on the outward appearance of the granite walls of the fort FBomarsund] since the bombardment of the Hecla, Odin, and Valorous. The roof has now been replaced, but the storehouses at the bank of the fort have vanished. Still to the eye the place presents as formidable a front as ever.

A small earth or strand battery of 5 guns has been erected lately, something to the left of the main fort, and some large granite works are now in hand; but whether those are intended for batteries or barracks cannot as yet be ascertained.

Several Russian soldiers were visible about the place, evidently watching onr movements, as we continued to stand in under the forts taking soundings. We intended to make the moat of the chance, but were at last recalled by a signal from Admiral Chads. From what we can learn, the place is now held by two or three thousand men, of which 500 are Finland riflemen. The inhabitants on these islands (Swedes and Fins) are 6aid to be about 18,000 in number, and, as far as we can learn, they are very friendly disposed towards us, and they have in return been assured of our protection. Admiral Plumridge (or, as the Fins call him, admiral Plunderage), with the Leopard, Odin, and Hecla, is engaged in cutting off the communication between Aland and the coast of Finland; whilst some French frigates are employed in the same way in the gulf of Bothnia, and in consequence every means to prevent any intercourse with the Russian authorities and the troops at Bomarsund have been adopted.

Telegraphic despatches from Vienna of the let August inform ua that it iaj bettered in the military and diplomatic circles of the Austrian capital, that the Czar has ordered Prince Gortschakoff to take the position on the Sereth indicated lin his reply to the Austrian message. According to this belief, the Russian occupation would in a short time be confined to Wallachia. Orders and counter orders have, however, been issued with such rapidity to the, Russian generals during the last four months, that the recorded movements of the Czar's troops do not afford a solid basis for inference as to the plan of the campaign, according to the ordinary principles of the military art. It has been stated with a show of authority that the Czar has declared to the Austrian Government, that he will not quarrel with it, should the Emperor Francis Joseph march an army into Wallachia, and it may be that the withdrawal of the Russians from that country, so far as it has taken place, iB the result of a compromise, tacit or expressed, between the two sovereigns, Russia gaining time, and 'Austria asserting her influence by a bloodless miU> tary demonstration on the territory in dispute. The Austrian military journal, called The Friend of the Soldier, publishes correspondence from the Russian camp, pointing to the speedy withdrawal of the Czar' a force* to Moldavia.

Stockholm, July 28. The report of a fresh attack upon Bomar■und is not yet confirmed. Letters from St. Petersburg state that they are organising, at Cronstadt, two battalions of skating infantry, an arm of the service already known in pre-

ceding wars. These skaters are intended to operate in : the winter on the ice against the islands occupied by the enemy. Battalions of skaters will be also formed in the other, garrisons. Constantinople, July 21. The Banshee has come in from the Black Sea. It is said that the fleets are to move in three days from Baltshik. It is therefore presumed that the Crimea is at last to be attacked. A Corsican general in the French service has just died of cholera, at Gallipoli. Vienna, August 1. The Russians evacuated Oltenitza on the 27th ult. They arc burning all that is not moveable. The Russians say it is not the movement of the Turks, but the concentration of Austrian troops, which forces them to retreat. Vienna, Aug. 2. At Bucharest, on the 27th July, the Turks were expected in two or three days, and will have a splendid reception. Dates from Constantinople to the 24th of July Btate that a strong body of the allied troops had gone in 15 ships from Baltshik to Anapa.

Five Russian boats had been sunk by two two English steamers, while raising the engines of the Tiger.

In the arsenal of Constantinople, many gunboats are being fitted out. Cholera has appeared at Smyrna and Varna. A correspondent of the Soldaten Frtnd writes from Odessa on the 17th ultimo, that considerable additions have lately been made to the Russian naval force in the Black Sea. Not only are all the steam- boats, the property of the Crown, heretofore employed as passage boats, now used as war vessel*, but new ships of war are being built. At Nikolajeus, four frigates and several corvettes had been lately fitted out. The machinery of the Tiger is destined for one of the frigates. The alleged entry of the Austrians into Wallachia, which was reported as lately as yesterday in an evening journal, is altogether an invention.

The Journal de Constantinople confirms in the following terms the news of the death of three English officers, Captain Arnold, and Lieutenants Burke and Meynell, at Giurgevo : — "We regret to announce that three English officers who were at the brilliant affair at Giurgevo, so deadly to the Russians, perished there most heroically, after having |powerfully contributed by their talents and bravery to the triumph of the Ottoman troops."

The French Troops fok the Baltic. — The following is the number of men of the French army on board of the war vessels and transports which have sailed for the Baltic :—: — Hannibal, 891 men; Royal William, 1,353; St. Vincent, 1,2/1; Algiers, 950; Sphynx, 123; Stromboli, 90 ; Termagant, 369; Belgravia (transport), 221 ; Clifton (transport), 344 ; Columbia (transport), 377; Julia (transport), 221 ; Prince (transport), with 21 horses, 1,142; Herefordshire (transport), 829; Edwin Fox (tansport), 477; total 9,064. The number of officers accompanying them is 242. The French men-of-war embarked at Calais camp equipage and an immense amount of ordnance stores, besides 550 engineers and artillery, and 78 artillery horses. The grand total, therefore, of the embarkation complete is, 9,856 officers and men, and 99 horses.

The Government of Saxony has notified that, from the Ist of January next, executions shall no longer take place in public; but, as in Prussia and Wurtemburg, in the interior of the gaol, and in presence of a p.iest, two surgeons, and twelve witnesses.

Glasgow is at present infested by a gang of housebreakers, supposed to be returned convicts. They commenced operations at the beginning of the fair, and have become so daring as to pursue their avocations during the day time.

Cholera has made great ravages in Barbadoes. The number of deaths up to June 26 was 2,414. Nine-tenths of the deaths were among the black population. M. Bartb, printer, of Brelau, celebrated a few days ago, the 350 th anniversary of the first book printed in his establishment. The book is a German legend of Borne rank, and appeared in 1504. M. Barth's printing office is the oldest in Europe, and has been for 350 years uninterruptedly in the hands of his ancestors and himself.

In Philadelphia there is a system of perpetual insurance. In consideration of the payment of two per cent, the company insure for ever any house, the insurance expiring only when the house is burnt down. Last Saturday night, Mr. J. R. Hind, discovered an object shining like a star of the tenth magnitude, or rather brighter, between two stars of the fifth magnitude — 29 and 32 of Flarastead — in Capricornus, which proves to be another new member of the group of minor planets. The Lord Provost of Edinburgh has addressed a letter to the newspapers, in which he states that since the act for closing the public houses on Sunday, there has been so great a decrease in the number of commitments for crime, that he thinks it probable the £12,000 recently demanded by the prison board for the enlargement of the prison will not be required. The Peninsular and Oriental Company]s steamers will no longer call at Batavia on their way to Australia.