[From the Illustrated London News, Feb. 25.]

Taranaki Herald, Volume II, Issue 99, 21 June 1854, Page 3

[From the Illustrated London News, Feb. 25.]

Tho Monitcur of Sunday announced the arrival of the Emperor of Russia's answer to the letter of the Emperor of the French. It is in the negative. In his letter to the Emperor, the Czar discugtei tho conditions of arrangement which were proposed to him and declares that ho cannot enter into any except upon the basis which he has already made known. According to the French Government organ, " thii reply leaves no chance open for a pacttie solution, and Franco must be prepared to main, tain, by the most effective measures, the cause for which the persevering exertions of diplomacy havo been unable to secure the victory," Thero are several versions of the manner In which the letter of, the Emperor of the French was presented to the Czar. The following communication gives soma details which are not uninteresting :— The letter of the Emperor of tho French arrived atSt.Petersburgonthe o'th inst. M. do CasteU bnjac immediately apprised Count Nesselrode that he wished to present v letter to tho Czar from tho Emperor of the French. Although it is contrary to Ruasiau Court etiquette to speak: to the Empe^

rbr of Russia on public bunincn<i after four o'clock in tho afternoon, Couut Nesiolrode apprised M. de Castplbajae that ho might present himself at tho Palacf, although the Emperor won Buffering from Ihe gout. M. de Casrclbnjac con'cquently delivered the lettrr on the afternoon of the Cth. Tbe Osmr appf nrrd to bo pnlnfnlly ofT'ctcd on rending it. He then spoke a frw words, in a low tone in Russian, whioh M. de Cantclbojnc did not under»t«ndi H« recovered his composure almost immediately, mid told M. da Cnntclbajac that be would return an answer in a few days.