The Press.
London, England, 1858-01-30 00:00:00

THE PRESS, JANUARY 30, 1858.

Shrewsbury, Leicester, Worcester, Gloucester, Dud-
ley, Evesham, Nottingham, Doncaster, York, Bristol,
Bath, Wells, Taunton, Cardiff, Swansea, Wokingham,
Reading, and other places. The rejoicings in
honour of the occasion were, however, so similar in
character, and there was such general enthusiasm,
that it is not necessary to give a detailed account of
the proceedings. But it may be remarked that Bir-
mingham took the lead in the magnificence of the
entertainment given to the poor on this occasion,
and in the liberality displayed by its mayor, John
Ratcliff, Esq., who not only feasted 1,200 of the poor
at his own expense, but cheerfully bore all the
expenses of entertaining 200 of his fellow-citizens
at a magnificent banquet, and afterwards of pro-
viding at the Town hall a free concert for the people.

prep an 4 (tolonial

FRANCE.

The Moniteur of Thursday publishes an Imperial
decree which divides the French army into five great
divisions. The head-quarters of the first division
are established at Paris, the second at Nancy, the
third at Lyons, the fourth at Toulouse, the fifth at
Tours. Each division is to be under the command
of a Marshal of France, with the title of " Com-
mandant Superieur " of the respective divisions of
the north, east, south-east, south-west, and west.. In
case of disturbance, these new marshals have full
powers to concentrate the troops under their orders.
The Moniteur also publishes an article justifying
the conduct of the Government towards the Protes-
tants, and denying the statements of the Paris cor-
respondents of certain journals, which " represent
the Imperial Government as given to an odious per-
secution of Protestants." The article concludes with
a frank statement that it is the determination of the
Government to put down all religious controversy in
the French press:—

The Government of his Majesty is firmly resolved to
exercise that supervision which is sanctioned by law. It
is resolved to suppress all attacks or violent provocations
which the different forms of worship may direct against
each other in the public press. The Constitution declares
that every form of worship recognised by the State is en-
titled to respect, as it is also bound to respect the dogmas
and practices of other sects. It is therefore necessary to
put an end to all violent controversies of a nature to hurt
the feelings or religious sentiments of citizens. It is by
works, and not by squabbles, that the spirit of faith can
act and spread in a great nation which dwells under the
shadow of the law, and will not suffer any attempt against
public tranquillity.
But, if it is advisable to protect the various confessions
against the evil they do to themselves by reprehensible
and violent controversy, it is still more necessary to protect
the whole frame of society against the spirit of subversion
and of revolutionary impiety. It conceals itself behind
religions controversies ; it takes advantage of them to sub-
vert every principle of authority, by advocating a contempt
for every form of worship. The Government is armed
with every means to protect religion as well as the State,
and it will use them energetically.

A fête was given on Monday night at the British
Embassy in honour of the marriage of the Princess
Royal of England. The entrance to the hotel in the
Faubourg St. Honore was brilliantly lit with gas,
exhibiting the arms of England, and the gardens
were brilliantly and tastefully lighted up. The entire
suite of rooms was thrown open, and a portion of
the grounds covered in so as to form the supper.
room. The Emperor and Empress honoured the
fête, which was a very brilliant one, with their pre-
sence. They arrived at the hotel, entering by the
garden on the Champs Elysees side, at about half-
past ten o'clock, and remained till near two. The
company, which was numerous, comprised the
Ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, func-
tionaries and dignitaries of State, marshals, generals,
senators, &e., besides many Englishmen and
foreigners resident in Paris. The Emperor wore the
Order of the Garter, and he and the Empress joined
in the dancing. During supper his Majesty rose and
proposed, in a few and appropriate words, the health
of the Princess Royal of England, and expressed a
hope that she might be as happy in her married
state as her amiable qualities so richly merited. The
toast was, of course, received with enthusiasm. The
Princess Mathilde, Prince Napoleon, and Prince
Louis Lucien were also present. The ate, which all
seemed to enjoy thoroughly, was closed at a late
hour by the band playing " God Save the Queen."
Her Majesty the Queen Mother of Oude died at
the Hotel Lafitte, on the 24th instant, of an internal
cancer. Her Majesty was attended in her last
moments by Dr. Royer, one of the Emperor's phy-
sicians. The body was embalmed, and the funeral
took place on Wednesday. The mortal remains of
the Queen were deposited in the Pere•la•Chaise.
The preliminary investigation into the case of the
Italian assassins continues to be vigorously carried
out. It has been discovered that the shells were
manufactured to order in Birmingham.
Addresses of a rather strongly marked tone of
fidelity presented to the Emperor by the army have
been published iu the Moniteur.

The Genevese Government has replied to the
Federal Council that the result of the investigation
made on the subject of the refugees has not led to
the discovery of any charge that can be brought to
bear upon the attempted assassination on the 14th.

AUSTRIA.
The Austrian journals are principally occupied in
defending the recent convention concluded for the
navigation of the Danube.
A letter from Vienna states that though it is not
true, as asserted by some journals, that Count
Petrulla, Neapolitan Ambassador in that city, had
left for London to negotiate a reconciliation be-
tween Naples and the Western powers, yet that he
has received instructions from his Government on
the subject, and that it is probable he will shortly
proceed to London.
The Customs Conference at this moment sitting
in Vienna continues its deliberations.

TURKEY AND THE EAST.
Mehemet Ruchdi Pacha bad, on account of his
health, refused the office of Minister of War, which
had been offered to him, and it was expected that
Riza Pacha would eventually fill that post. Mousse
Safetti Pacha, who enjoys a high reputation as a
financier, was talked of as the successor to Hassib
Pacha, the present Minister of Finance. A sensible
improvement had taken place in the rate of
exchange. M. de Lesseps had resumed the
negotiations with the new Grand Vizier, which ho
had commenced with his predecessor, on the subject
of the Suez Canal, and had had several conferences
on the subject, but the affair still remained in
state quo.

In the Principalities the Firman for dissolving the
Divans has been promulgated at Bucharest and
Jassy.

PERSIA.

Mr. Murray, our Charge d'Affaires in Persia, had
fal• en dangerously ill, and his state caused consider.
able uneasiness. The Shah had sent several times
to make inquiries concerning him. The deputation
of the Ulemas of Herat had just left the capital,
where they met with the most brilliant reception.
The members of this deputation carry back with
them the most magnificent presents, given them by
their Sovereign, as well as a promise that the Persian
Government is about to accredit a representative at
Herat for the defence of the Mussalman interests
placed under its protectorate.

AMERICA.
By the last advises from Lima we hear of the ap-
prehension by the Peruvian Government of the
assassin of the late British Minister, Mr. &Suliven.
His name is Juan Ceres, and, together with the
others concerned in the atrocious act, he was arrested
by a party of military despatched for that purpose at
a place distant about ten leagues from the city. We
may expect full particulars by the next mail, due on
the 4th of next month.

Intelligence from New York to the 18th states
that tho Mormons were either preparing for resistance
or departure, as the case may be, and the army for
Utah, as Colonel Johnbtone's little force is called,
has reached Fort Bridger and gone into winter
quarters._

The Kansas imbroglio becomes daily more in-
volved. The result of the election for State officers,
held on the 4th, seems to be somewhat in doubt.
The better opinion seems to be that a Governor
and Legislature of Slave• State views have been
elected. The Administration gives its support to
the Lecompton Constitution and to the newly
elected officers

In the New York Times of the 14th is an article
upon Cuba, which has attracted attention anew to
that question :

While the whole country is wondering (it says) how he
(the President) can possibly escape from the entangle-
ment of Kansas and Central American affairs, he is turn-
ing the whole current of his efforts and all the resources
of his ingenuity to the acquisition of Cuba. Our Wash-
ington correspondent some weeks since stated that the
President was desirous of appointing Mr. Belmont to the
Spanish mission, from a knowledge of his sentiments on
the subject, and from a belief that his connection with the
great house of Rothschild would give him peculiar facili-
ties for effecting its peaceful purchase. We now learn
that this intention is still cherished, and that the Presi-
dent only awaits indications of public sentiment upon it
to carry it into effect.
This announcement of details is perhaps somewhat
premature. So far as the substance of the announce-
ment is concerned it is no new thing. The views
of the President upon this subject are well known,
and have not changed since he signed the famous
Ostend manifesto. That his Administration will
make a strong effort for the acquisition of Cuba no
one can doubt who is acquainted with the views
which be has always and freely expressed.

CHINA.

The intelligence from China by this mail is im-
portant. The ultimatum of the allied powers bad
been rejected by Yoh on the 17th of December, and
active operations, it was expected, would at once be
commenced against Canton. An attacking force of

6,000 troops, including 900 French soldiers, 1,000 of
whom were collected on Honan, which island had
been definitely occupied on the 10th of December,
were to be employed. Mr. Reed, the American
Envoy, had endeavoured to obtain an interview with
Yeb, which had been rather insultingly refused :

I am informed, then, that the Chinese merchants say
that Lord Elgin's demand was of the most temperate cha-
racter; that he asked for no more than that the treaty
should be carried out, that Canton should be put upon the
same footing as the other treaty ports, its gates opened to
commerce, compensation given for damage done to British
merchants, and our occupation of Honan acquiesced in as
a material guarantee until all matters are settled. At
least one of the Chinese merchants thinks that these de-
mands should have been jumped at. Yeh, however,
thinks otherwise. The answer just gone up to Lord Elgin
is couched, if my information is correct, in a fine sarcastic
vein, much like that returned to the American. It tells
his lordship that the question of the treatment of strangers
at Canton has been settled by the decree of the Emperor;
that Sir George Bonham was made a baronet for respecting
that decree, and he recommends Lord Elgin to follow his
example; that, as to compensation, Yeh has a demand
noon the English Government for losses suffered by the
Chinese. You must make some allowance for a version of
a Chinese document read to me in Canton English ; but I
think I can pledge myself that this will be found to be the
substance of this document. Lord Elgin is no true son of
Robert the Bruce if he stands this style of answer ; so we
may soon now expect something decisive here.—Times cur.

Lieut. Pym, in command of the Banterer, had
landed at a village on the river banks, and, though
well received at first, was attacked by the villagers
on returning to his boat, five of his crew killed, and
the rest, without exception, more or less severely
wounded.

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