ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IV, Issue 170, 8 April 1854, Page 9

ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

We have received the Home News of the 26th November enclosing a supplement dated tbe 3rd of December, from which we extract the following European intelligence. It appears that another victory has been gained by the Turks, the latter defeating more than three times the numbers of troops opposed to them, and compelling the enemy to fall back upon the fortress of Bucharest. Omer Pacha was moving his forces towards the lattter place, when the heavy rains setting in, by which the Wallachian bank of the Danube is rendered unhealthy-and even perilous to human life, he retreated and reformed his hoops on the opposite bank of the river, still retaining the position of Kalafat. It is reported that the son of Prince Gortschokoff was among the missing after the battle of Oltenhza. The supplement of the Home News contains the following:— The death of the Queen of Portugal in childbirth is announced. The heir apparent to the throne, Don Pedro, not having completed his majority, the king-consort had been chosen Regent. This appears to have occasioned an emeute, fashionable of late years in Portugal, during which the 13th regiment of infantry, stationed at Oporto, revolted and proclaimed Don Miguel. • A conspiracy to assassinate the emperor of France, during the fetes at Fontainbleau, is rumoured, but the report has not been confirmed. Since the successful withdrawal of Omer Pacha's advanced force from the left bank of the Danube, the interest of the struggle has been transferred to the Black Sea, which promises, before long, to become the scene of great events. First in interest to British readers is the important fact that a squadron of steam-frigates, under Captain Drummond, is now cruising at the mouth of the Danube for the double purpose of enforcing the treaty by which Russia is bound to. keep the Sulina channel clear for the passage of the corn ships, and of afterwards visiting the ports on the European and Asiatic coasts, where many British subjects are established. A squadron of French steamships, is on the point of entering the Black Sea on a similar service to French interests; and thus, for the first time in history, the allied fleets of the Western Powers, drawn thither by the ambition of the Czar, will rendezvous on his mast vulnerable frontier, Meanwhile, the Turks are daily proving their ability to maintain the advantages winch they have gained on the Asiatic coast. They have repulsed five successive attempts which Prince Woronzow has made, both by land and sea, to recover the fortress of St. Nicholas, and have captured the Russian steamer Foudroyant, which conveyed Prince Menschikoff to Constantinople, on his memorable mission of aggression. The fate of a second Russian steamer, the VVladimir, is at present doubtful, the accounts from Constantinople and Bucharest being directly at issue as to the result of an engagement between her and an Egyptian frigate. From the Russian head-quarters we learn that the whole army now in Poland is under orders to march to the principalities, and that great efforts are mating to assume the offensive in the spring with an overwhelming force under the command of Prince Paskiewitch. Attempts have been made by Prince Gortschakoffto force a passage of the Danube in the neighbourhood of Giurgevo. but the Turks have hitherto kept him in check, and after several desperate struggles, have dislodged him from the island between Giurgevo and Rntscbuk. J-lie Kalafat force also is said to have made a» advance towards Crajova, and to have formed an intrenched camp for 8000 men. The position of Servia, however, in relation both to the Sultan as her Suzerain, and to Russia as one of her protecting powers, is by no means satisfactory ; and difficulties have already arisen in regard to the passage of the Bosnian contingent, and to the presence of the Russian Consul at Belgrade, which may have an important influence on the future conduct of the war, and on the neutrality of other powers." News has reached Paris that a body of Cossacks having crossed the Danube in the night time at a point above Turtukai, to make a reconHoissance, had been surprised and completely routed by the Turks. A trial has just terminated in Paris, which nas excited a great sensation. A strong feeling 0 disaffection, or anti-Napoleonism, pervades t»e 72nd regiment of the line. The officers discovered that the police received daily reports

of their conversation over their wine at the ! mess-table, and placing no faith either in turning or conversing tables, they issued an inquiry and detected one of the officers as a police spy; this man, a Cor.sican Francheschi, was broke and forced out of the regiment for conduct unbecoming the character of an officer and a gentleman. He met one of his former brother officers lately, in the Palais Royal, and assaulted him ; the assaulted Captain explained to the crowd that his assailant was a spy, and that he could not meet him on equal terms, and the delinquent was arrested, and tried before the Court of Correctional Police. A Nappleonist barrister, M. Nogent St. Laurent, defended the culprit, denounced the 72nd regiment and its officers as a set of conspirators (frondeurs), envious of the high protection enjoyed by Franceschi, &c, but all in vain, the contemptible scoundrel and mouchard was very properly condemned to 15 months' imprisonment. On December 7th the statue of Marshal Ney will be inaugurated on the spot in the Luxembourg Garden, where, on that day in the year 1815, the illustrious soldier was shot to death. It is thought the Emperor will be present on this occasion. M. Deschamps, the aeronaut, has perished in a balloon ascent from the circus at Nismes.