The Express.
London, England, 1852-02-09 00:00:00

GERMANY.

VIENNA, Fsn. 3.
There arc not wanting many symptoms to show a
curious observer that the strange alliance, which for
a moment seemed to exist between Louis Napoleon
and the absolutist powers, is rapidly drawing to a
close.

It is now well known that Russia did not carry
her congratulations so far as the President wished
people to believe. Tho support of Prussia did not
last beyond a few days, and now tho fears of Austria
are driving her in a contrary direction to that in
which they drove her a few weeks ago. It is asked,
with alarm, how Prussia would act if it is invited
with an offer of increase of territory to aid an attack
on France.

The Austrian army is to bo immediately increased
by no less than 80,000 men, and the state of affairs in
Italy, a hero it is not improbable the two powers
may come into collision, causes a good deal of appre-
hension.

The request of the President to be allowed to
remove the remains of the Duke do Reichstadt is
stated to have been refused.

But ono of the most curious symptom. of the
change of feeling in Austria is the conduct of the
press. The only thing to which it can be compared
is an adroit tumbler who appears to bo making
straight for a given object, when hey, presto! he turns
head over heels and walks in a contrary direction.
At first the President had delivered France. He
was a greater man than his uncle. "In short," as
Mr. Micawber would say, "what was he not ?"
Within this last week, however, their language has
changed. " The French potentate is not to be
trusted"—" England is doing quite right to increase
her coast defences"—" Nothing is like feeling strong
if you wish to feel secure." And then comes a long
essay on the value to both parties of a firm alliance,
offensive and defensive, between England and Aus-
tria, &c.
M. Brentano has either not been offered, or like
M. Bruck, has refused the portejeuille of finance, and
the proposed increase of the army sets all our former
speculations on the subject at nought.
It is quite agreed among men who have made the
resources of Austria the study of their lives, that
there is no hope for her but in a long and profound
peace, which would enable her to make Immense
reductions in her military and naval establishments,
and to extend her commerce. There is no doubt,

however, that M. do Baumgartner, the new Minister
of Finance, is doing what he can under the insur-
mountable difficulties of his position.
The late fall in the funds is said to be owing to
the purchase by government of forty million Ha-
vannah cigars, to be paid for in silver. Tobacco, it
will bo remembered, is a government monopoly.
The small twopenny and fourpenny notes, amounting
to about 20,000,000 florins, or two million sterling,
are to be withdrawn from circulation. In conse-
quence of serious riots at Milan, the old six-kreuzer
pieces are to be allowed to continue in circulation,
and will bo received by government for twelve
months longer.
The report about a new loan which was current in
the German newspapers does not seem to gain con-
sistency, though it is quite clear that a loan must bo
effected before long. It is believed that a war would
immediately cause a national bankruptcy.
Tkcre is nothing to report respecting the customs
warm ; the steady opposition of Prussia will para-
lyse all the efforts of her rival in this direction, and
Austria herself appears reluctantly to acknowledge it.
The Archduke Albrecht has returned to Hungary,
and during his absence from Vienna Count Appony
will act as president of the committee for fixing the
constitution of Hungary, which is still sitting.
The following little circumstance may serve to
show the state of public feeling here, as in all
countries where the press is shackled the audiences
of theatres are particularly apt at catching political
allusions. A few days since, a new farce was sated
is which a maa appears with a very red nose. The

wit of the piece looks at him with ludicrous suspicion,
and reminds him that " in these days when everything
I. inquired into, he must be careful lest the police
should wish to know how he came by such a red
nose." The applause which followed this sally raised
almost a tumult in the house, the public applauding,
and the numerous officers and friends of the govern-
ment expressing their dissent. Next day the
was said to be struck out, and the play curtairea:rage
Although the Pacha who had the Austrian vice-
consul beaten in the Dardanelles has been dismissed,
the internonce, Count Ifechberg, still remains away
from his post at Constantinople, and diplomatic in-
tercourse between Austria and tho Porte may be
looked on therefore as still suspended.