The Press.
London, England, 1856-02-09 00:00:00

THE WEEK.

As in tho narratives of early voyages, we read how indications of land
grew stronger while the land itself was yet distant, we have had signs
of peace multiplying, though the precise results of the Paris Congress
seem far off. Doubt on the subject is gradually giving way to convic-
tion. The three great Continental Courts are evidently in earnest,
and the choice of Paris as the capital for the Congress leaves scarcely
a doubt of what the result will be.

The protocol registering the acceptance of the Peace Propositions
by Russia, was signed at Vienna on Saturday last. ISAM BEY, the
Minister of the Porte, was the first to attach his signature, and the
accounts from Constantinople leave no doubt of the eagerness of
Turkey to conclude a peace on the proposed conditions. Passports
have been issued by the French Government for the Russian
Plenipotentiaries, who are now on their way from St. Petersburg.
The nomination of Baron BRUNOW is of itself a guarantee of the sin-
cerity of Russia, and of her desire to play her part fairly in the nego-
tiation. When the protocol was signed at Vienna, Prince GORTSCHAKOFF
expressed the wish of his Government that Prussia should be repre-
sented in the Congress. The desire was seconded by Austria; the
representatives of France and England could say no more than that
they would refer the request to their respective Governments. Prac-
tically, no obstacle is likely to arise on the part of France. The
question is, what course will our Government take ?
The tone of the Russian press has become pacific and congratu-
latory, and, in place of mighty efforts for the continuance of the wad,
we hear of preparations for the Emperor's coronation. It is rumoured
that he will visit Paris on the conclusion of peace, and May has been
named as the month when he may be expected. We apprehend this
is carrying the "discounting " process a little too far.

After all, it seems we shall have to wait longer for an armistice
than was anticipated. Lord PALMERSTON has taken pains to calm the
minds of Members who were struck with horror at the idea of au im-
mediate cessation of hostilities. First, the Congress must meet ; then
the preliminaries of peace must be settled ; then an armistice must be
agreed on. At this rate, we can scarcely expect that an armistice will
be arranged before the date which some have fixed for its termination
—the 31st of March But, meanwhile, will there not be a practical
armistice independent of diplomatic sanction ? We hear from the
camp in the Crimea that the news of the Russian acceptance had
created great excitement in our army, and that an immediate sus-
pension of hostilities was anticipated. It is unlikely that the com-
manders on either side would undertake any offensive operations,
whatever tempting opportunities might present themselves. Yet their
position must be a perplexing one, and, if only to relieve them from
the responsibility of attempting too much, or too little, it would be
advisable that a suspension of arms should be authorised without
delay. We are assured, however, that Lo .d PALMERSTON'S favorite
foreign enlistment scheme is going merrily forward—with more
activity than ever, indeed, writes the co. respondent of the Times at
Turin. An imposing array is given of regiments and of their
stations, and in conclusion it is stated that the " officer charged with
" the purchase of mules for the Land Transport Corps, has received
" instructions by telegraph to increase his operations to a large
" amount.' It is pnzzliug to know what we shall do with these regi-
ments now we have got them. Singularly enough, the measure which
was passed in hot haste more than a year ago to raise trained men for
immediate service, is only become effective when a peace is concluded.
Perhaps some time after a definitive Treaty is signed, Turkey
kill be paid the loan which it was urged last year was required for her
immediate necessities

We hope that Mr. WALPOLE'S election for the University is now
safe ; but so long as Mr. DENMAN'S committee determine to keep open
the poll there is the probability that a stratagem is intended, and Mr.
WALPOLE'S frionds must be on the alert. No great number of the con-
stituency have yet recorded their votes; and, if only as a testimony
to Mr. WALPOLE'S undeviating honesty of purpose and high character,
we hope to see his majority increase the longer the poll is taken. The
advertisement of Mr. DENMAN'S committee that they hope to take advan-
tage of the pa) meat to Mr. WALPOLE'S voters of their expenses,
looks as if they felt their chance to be desperate as regards a fair
contest. The argument on that point in the Queen's Bench this week
is curious. The judges put some ingenious cases, but one point they
seem to have overlooked. Ti it is lawful for a candidate to hire con-
veyances to take voters to the poll, why should it not be lawful to
allow the voter money for such hire himself ? Where is the distinc-
tion ? What difference can there be between putting into a- voter's
hand a railway ticket to convey him to and - from Cambridge, and
al lowing him the money which he has himself paid for the ticket? It is
plain that if it be the wish c f the Legislature to prohibit such pay-
ments, the whole system of voting should be altered, and ballotting
papers he sent to the electors that they may fill them up, and return
them to the post. This would be the only way of avoiding the lichen
lons anomalies which would result from a judgment that it is lawful to
the expense of carrying a voter to the poll except the

.RES, last evening, took his seat in the House as the
Midhurst, and joined the Opposition. His speech on his
rday was a manly cxpreslion of opinion, thoroughly indc-

pay any one tl
voter himself.
Mr. Ness
Member for N
return yester
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