The Press.
London, England, 1857-02-28 00:00:00

THE WEEK.

BY the influence of the Emperor of the FRENCH the negotiations
between FERoUK KHAN and Lord COWLEY, which last week threatened
to be abruptly terminated, have at length been reduced to a practical
basis, upon which it is possible a Treaty of Peace will be negotiated.
Whether that Treaty will be ratified at Teheran is more than probable.
We haveyet to learn the exact stipulations of the Treaty which is reported
to agree upon the mutual evacuation of Bushire and surrender of
Herat ; British Consuls at the same time to be installed at Teheran,
Bushire, and other towns on the coast, with a coaling station at
Karrack. It is much to be desired that the position of Herat, and the
exact boundaries of the Affghan and Persian frontiers, should at this
opportunity be distinctly defined, so that all misundersta►►dings for
the future upon these points may be obviated. In the presence of
these diplomatic efforts for the restoration of Peace between the two
countries, and the assurance of a satisfactory solution of the questions
in dispute, it is worthy of note that our Indian preparations for a per-
manent occupation of Bushire and Karrack continue, that stores and
building materials are still shipped from Bombay, and that powerful
reinforcements arc at this moment landing at Bushire. Moreover, we
learn by telegraph that the head-quarters of the British army have
been advanced to Bussorah, and that active operations against the
Persian forces in the ne ighbourhood were contemplated upon the
arrival on the scene of operations of the Commander-in-Chief, Sir
JAMES OUTRAN. By these movements, undertaken only upon instruc-
tions from home, it would not appear that the re-embarkation of the
troops was regarded at Bombay to be so imminent as the assurances
here of a pacific termination of the existing differences would lead us
to believe.

The intelligence from China is important. Tho situation of
affairs was, by the latest dates, becoming more complicated. The
passive resistance of the Chinese has given place to vigorous offensive
measures. The attack of Admiral SEYMOUR had excited the patriotism
of the people ; the rebel fleet at Whampoa had joined the Imperialists,
and their combined squadrons of war junks had attacked the British
squadron. They were repulsed as a matter of course, but they retired
in good order. Sir MICHAEL SEYMOUR, in retaliation, had landed the
seamen and marines of his squadron under cover of the ships' guns,
and burned the suburbs of Canton. These deplorable successes will
lead to a protracted war. By such barbarous acts of aggression
we can only excite the hatred and detestation of the Chinese, incur
the just opprobrium of all civilised powers, and ruin the trade and
commerce of Canton. Sir ;Tons Bowntso has esteemed the gratifica-
tion of a stupid and chimerical whim before the honour, the interests,
or the dignity of his country ; and by an overweening desire to instil
into the minds of the Chinese what is rooted into his own—namely, a
very high opinion of himself, and a very mean opinion of them—has
betrayed us into the most impolitic measures, and reduced us to the
absurd alternative of either undertaking a costly offensive war, upon
a point in which we had no business to meddle, or of deliberately dis-
avowing the acts of Sir MICHAEL SEYMOUR and Sir Join.; BOWRING, and
patching up a peace upon terms which might place the European inte-
rests upon a most precarious and unsatisfactory footing.

The relations between Austria and Sardinia continue very unsa-
tisfactory. Count PAAR has arrived at Turin on a special mission,
bearing peremptory demands from the Cabinet of Vienna for redress
of certain stated grievances. The principal grievance, we believe,
refers to the repeated attacks upon Austria by the Sardinian press.
The late revelations made by Mr. DISRAELI concerning the secret
treaty have created a profound sensation in Turin, as showing that
Sardinia has nothing to hope from the Western Powers in her differ-
ences with Austria.

The announcement by Mr. DISRAELI of the existence of the secret
treaty between France and Austria, guaranteeing to Austria the secu-
rity of her Lombardo-Venetian provinces, has excited very general
attention throughout Europe. The subtle denials and the painful
admissions this statement drew from the head of her Majesty's
Government have not been without their effect. A tardy article in
the Constitutionne/, without doubting Mr. DISRAELI'S facts, labours to
show that the treaty never was or ever could be effective, upon the
ground that France expressly stipulated for a declaration of war
against Russia by Austria. We respect the political influences at
Paris; but we positively assert that no such stipulation was contained
in the treaty. The Independance Beige, usually one of the best informed
journals in Europe, we are glad to see partially corrects the error in
statement of the Constitutionnel

This convention (remarks the indeprndanee) had for object to tranquillise Austria as
to the fate of her Italian possessions ; but the engagements entered into to that effect by
Frmice had not as a Rine qua non condition that Austria should unite her forces with the
Western Powers against Russia. If disturbances had broken out in the peninsula during
the war, and Austria had not marched a single man against the common enemy of the
Weitern Powers,we think that in virtue of the stipulations signed at Vienna on the '22nd
December. Austria would hare had a right to claim the suppurt of the French arms to r•-
establish order and maintain her authority in Italy, if that Rapport had been necessary.

That rip,ht Austria unquestionably possesses to this day. This secret
treaty still exists. It is but one phase of the policy of Lord
ICtI.NIERSToN in Italy. The history of the negotiations with Sardinia
at the same. period has yet to be written.

SATURDAY;

The debates this week comprise discussions on important prac-
tical subjects as well as upon the great questions of the Budget and
our Foreign Policy. On Monday night, in the House of Lords, the
LORD CHANCELLOR moved the second reading of the Probates and
Letters of Administration Bill. His second speech does not seem to
have erased the bad impression created by his first. Lord Sr.
LEONARDS objected to his perpetual changes of opinion, and all tha
Law Lords together to his plan of increasing the jurisdiction of the
Court of Chancery. In the House of Commons the debate upon the
Budget terminated in a majority of eighty for the Government—an
event the causes of which we have discussed in another portion of our
columns. It is worthy of note that Lord JOHN RUSSELL, who came to
the aid of the Government, expressly admitted the accuracy of Mr:
DISRAELI'S calculation of a deficit of five millions in the ensuing
year. On Tuesday evening, in the House of Lords,
Lord DERBY introduced his resolutions on the China question.
It will be long ere Lord PALmEasrox's Government recovers
from the effects of an encounter in which all fact and ail argument
was on the side of their opponents. Our Liberal contemporaries have
frankly acknowledged as much. But the mystery is,—What could
have driven Sir JOHN BOWRING, who is well known as a peaceable
diplomatist, into such extravagances? Can it have been instructions
from home? On the same evening, in the House of Commons, Sir
J. WALmsLxv brought forward his motion for inquiring into the exist-
ing inequalities in our representative system, and for extending to
the unenfranchised that share of political power to which they might
be entitled. Of a proposal so decidedly negatived, we need not say
much; but we may observe, that at this moment by far the greatest
sufferers from electoral inequalities are the Conservatives. On
Thursday night, before the debate upon China was resumed, Lord
CAMPBELL moved for a select committee to inquire whether the report
of what takes place in Parliament or at public meetings should be
placed on the same privileged footing as reports of proceedings in a
court of law. We perfectly agree with Lord CAMPBELL, that some re-
strictions on the freedom of publication must still be maintained.
The old Romans knew that there was no species of injustice so diffi-
cult to grapple with, or the impression of which it was so difficult to
efface, as invidia. This is only kept down by a tolerably strict law of
libel; and those who would study its effects where it is freed from
such restraint will find abundant information in the history of the
Ciceronian and Augustan eras The debate on China was again ad-
journed after a vigorous and telling speech from Mr. WHITESIDE. The
feeling of the House is so far in favour of the motion that the alarm
of the Government is apparent. The result of the debate cannot ho
but most damaging to Lord PALM ERSTON'S present ricketty position.

The result of the Colchester election is not surprising to any one
acquainted with the neighbourhood. Mr. REBow had considerable
local influence, which was not a little increased by the steady circu-
lation of a report that he had been mainly instrumental in the
establishment of the camp near that town, from which its inhabitants
doubtless derive great and various benefit. All the young women to
whom the camp would be a perfect godsend, would persuade their
parents and guardians, perhaps their husbands and sweethearts, to
vote for the author of such a delightful measure ; and if the artful
Mr. REBow had any previous intention of standing for the borough,
the device must be admitted to carry off the palm from the green
parasols of Pickwickian celebrity. In addition to these advantages,
Government was not behindhand in exerting its utmost influence in
favour of the Liberal candidate ; and of the manner in which that
influence is exercised let the electors of Southampton tell, for they
know best.

Some striking personal incidents have occurred in Parliament
within the last few days. The expulsion of JAMES SADLEI a was moved
on Monday the loth instant; and on last Monday Mr. HUMPHREY
BROWN, M.P. for Tewkesbury, received a piece of plate from 1,013 of
his constituents, and was entertained at a banquet, to which seventy
persons sat down. Just about the time when NE'. HUMPHREY BROWN
was dressing for dinner, Mr. HAYTER was informing the House of
Commons that Mr. JOHN M'Crarooa had accepted the office of Steward
of the Chiltern Hundreds; and a new writ was moved for Glasgow
,midst " cheers." Of the dinner to Mr. BROWN we have seen only a
brief and guarded report. The speech of the " Hon. Gantleman "
contained one most remarkable statement. lie said—" Though he
" had never given a party vote in the House of Commons,he was much
" respected there ; and to prove that such was the case, it was only
" necessary for him to relate a circumstance which had occurred
"ye? y lately. When a dissolution was expected, a member of her Majesty's
" Government met him, and said to BROWN, you have never
" been of our party, but I like your honesty of purpose and impar-
" tiality; awl if you Joint a qualification, I trill give you one with great
" pleasure.'" If this had been stated in Parliament, we surmise that
many members from both sides of the House would have cried,
" Name, name." It is certainly " surprising, if true." What rare
disinterestedness on the part of one of her Majesty's Ministers !
It occurred also " very lately,"—since the publication of those reports
which are not unconnected with the acceptance of the Chiltern
Hundreds by the late Member for Glasgow. It was an odd coin-
cidence in time that on the same Monday, and about the same hour,
" cheers " should have been given by Parliament at Mr. M'CraEooa's
withdrawal from the House of Commons, while " seventy " persons
were giving three" cheers " to Mr. HUMPHREY BROWN on his acceptance
cf a piece of plate.

FEBRUARY 28, 1857.

PRIVATE M'GRATH TO MR. F. PEEL.

I've gat commeession frae our men
To spak their minds oot, Sir, yell ken ;
I've cut a braw point to my pen,
Will gar ye feel ;
Syne aff gaes Stumpie at ye, then,
Douce Mister Peel.

It's bizzed aboot, the ither day
Whan ane stude i the Hoose to say
'Twas unco little, 'twas, the way
Sojers' wives fared,
Au' gin they pinch for want o' pay
Naebody cared.

It's bizzed aboot, that up ye rose,
Curlit' 3 our deeplomatic nose,
An' said, " Wi' siccon folk as those
What need to marry ?
Their term's but ten year, till its close
E'en let them tarry !"

Noo, Sir, I dinna mean to fa' ye
Wi the kind names the sojers ca' ye ;
They're nae sae nice to say afore ye,
Tho' true in season.
Lend me your lug—l daur assure ye
Plain talk's uae treason.

'Tis we ficht battles wi' your foes,
'Tis we fzet a' the bangs and blows ;
An' while ye gab, the Army goes
To back your speeches.
Gude sakes ! you Talkers wadna choose
We Doers' breeches!

Wall, Sir, an' whan we've tint eneugh
By cauld, green coffee, and sic stuff,
They that hae wives maun see 'em rough
Life out wi tears ;
T'ithers maun wait, till tender's tough,
A wee ten years.

" Increase and multiply," that's said
To coat o' black an' coat o' red ;
What gar ye shak' your silly head
To think puir laddies
That hae quid names to leave whan dead
Wad fain be daddies ?

For that command of Him adored
Ane Malthus pit' that overboard ;
An' ye, like him, ye think the Lord
Nae politeecian,
Sae gie us o' his written word
A new edeetion.

Ane Orpheus loo'ed in aulden time
Sheep-gut, as ye love sheep-skin prime,
The lassies tare him for some crime

Just bane frae bane ;
Gin ours, Sir, catch ye, deed next time,
Yell leav' us alane !

HINTS for a SUPPLEMENT to DR. JOHNSON'S
DICTIONARY.
DILIGENTLY COLLECTED FROM THE LEADING ORATORS.
Date : A.D. 1957.
Romance: an unquestionable faCL.—PALMERSTON.
[This authority was Prime Minister of England by sufferance
for a short period. His opinions were hybrid. He tried to obtain
a reputation for wit, but failed. After retiring from public life, he
edited that celebrated classic, Josephus Molitor.]
Avoidance of precipitate baste : political convenience.—WOßTLEY.
[Solicitor-General under the last-named personage. The phrase
was used in a discussion on the expulsion of one Sadleir—an
individual whom the Government at first refused to expel, from
an affectionate wish not to injure his character.]
Public duty : a job.—SMITII.
[The Smiths are numerous, and some of them notorious. This
particular Smith was named Vernon ; the scent of his Frangi-
panni has descended to the present day. He governed India
from England for a short time, and afterwards made an effort to
become Governor-General (or Viceroy) of that empire, but was
unsuccessful.]

Favourable impressions : laughter which greets a buffoon.—PEEL.
[Peel, the third Robert, a rising statesman in Lord Palmerston's
opinion. A lecturer, who indulged in virulent personalities, for
which he apologised by stating that they made a " favourable
impression.' Ile never ventured out of England afterwards, for
fear of being punished by some one ho had insulted.]