The Express.
London, England, 1852-11-22 00:00:00

GERMANY.

BERLIN, Nov. 17.
The prevalent opinion here is, that Austria is in-
duced, by the critical state of things in France, to
relax its inimical policy towards Prussia in the
Zollverein affair. Austria may, perhaps, deem it
prudent to defer the execution of its plane, but will
certainly not relinquish them after the signal success
with which they have hitherto proceeded. It is but
three years since M. von Bruck's proposal of an
Austro-Germanic customs union was first broached,
when the Prussian Cabinet regarded the notion as so
Utopian that it hardly deigned to pay it
serious attention, and thought finally to set it aside
with a diplomatic shrug of the shoulders. Prussia
was then in possession of a Zollverein embracing
the great majority of German states, reaching from
the Baltic to the Alps, and cemented by the mutual
interests which had grown up during a tree inter-
course of twenty years. Prussia deemed it impos-
sible that the bonds of the Zollverein should be
loosened. But in how short a period have the tables
been turned! Now, in fact, it is Austria that has got
possession of the Zollverein by virtue of the Darmstadt
coalition treaty, while Prussia, with its little Thurin-
gianadherenta, is fairly ousted. That Austria's language
towards Prussia is mild and polite, is equally natural
and politic. Austria, having so easily gained its aim
thus far, and counting on equally easy success hence-
forth, can very well take the matter coolly, and even
feel satisfaction in affecting a condescending affa-
bility. It can afford, too, to make to Prussia apparent
concessions as regards the postponement of the
formal union, for which it is not yet prepared ; hut
it will not budge an inch from its demand, that,
prior to the renewal of the Zollverein, guarantees
for the realisation of the Austro-Germanic
union,. at the convenient period, be given.
Austria has the coalesced states completely
in its hand, and is in a position to dictate its own
terms. How intensely the
.people in the coalesced
mates maid suffer under the impolitic course to which
their governments bound themselves by the Darm-
stadt treaty, became signally evident during the
late debate in the first Darmstadt chamber, wliereit
mei proved that one-fourth of all exports from the
grand duchy of Hesse went to Prussia, and that, in
case of a separation, the wine and tobacco growers,
and several branches of industry,will be plunged into
frightful difficulties. The Hessian ministry had
not the courage officially to defend its po-
licy. Though one of the most momentous
questions that ever occupied a legislative body, the
sudden and total change of the country's commer-
cial relations, was under discussion, all the seats at
the ministerial table remained empty, and only
Baron von Schenk appeared, not as minister, but as
simple member of the chamber, to allay the general
apprehensions, not by proving that the separation
from Prussia would not be ruinous, but merely by
expressing his private opiuion that Prussia would at
length give way, and thus avert the disasters which
the treaty of coalition at present threatens to pro-
duce. I need not add that as little weight is to be
attached to Baron von Schenk's non-official

assurances as to the official assurances of similar im-
port given on former occasions by the Saxon minister.
On the whole, I see no grounds for altering or modi-
fying my view of the course which the Zollverein
affair is likely to take ; though Austria, which is
quietly and systematically proceeding with its plans
at the secret ienna conference, may perhaps, alter
it has completed its preparations, take more time,
than I at first expected, before it pushes things to a
violent decision. Prussia, on the other hand, though
its only salvation lies in the adoption of a resolute
free trade system, so little andeistands the
spirit of liberal political economy, that the
Minister of Trade is
.preparing restrictive
edicts against speculations in corn, "as tending
to enhance the price of the people's sustenance.'
That M. von der Heydt, who is ignorant enough to
be a protectionist, may believe in the maleficent
power of speculators to make arbitrary prices, is not
astonishing; but that M. von Manteuffel is more
enlightened on the subject is notorious: for he once
'very aptly remarked that if the parties who com-
plain of speculators making enormous gains, by
buying corn and selling it at prices arbitrarily fixed,
believed in the feasibility of such a manmuvre, they
would not denounce, but practice it. If, therefore, M.
von Manteuffel consent to legislative restrictions on the
corn market, it can only be in the hope that they
will be resisted by the landowners, and that he shall
he able thereby. to damage the aristocratic party in
the popular opinion, and at the same time make a
concession to popular prejudice. This would be an
equally disingenuous and dangerous policy, or rather
trick ; for the discussions to which the proposals
must give rise will probably not only foil the attempt
but elicit from political economists light enough to
dispel the prevailing errors, and show up the minis-
try in no very. advantageous colours.
The Bavarian government has ordered that in
every parish a public magazine of corn be established
at the cost of the community, on pretext of making
provision against dearth in bad harvests; the real
motive, however, is suspected to be tho wish of
having a store at the disposal of government in case
ot war.
In Austria, r Baron Ehrenberg, who enticed up-
wards of 700 persons from Moravia and Bohemia to
go as colonists to Hungary, whence they had to re-
turn in a most pitiable plight, has been sentenced to
10 years' imprisonment, and his mother and secretary
to two years.
The Austrian government has ordered that the
German language and literature shall be studied in
the Lombardo-Venetian kingdom, in all so-called real
schools, where pupils are instructed in the exact and
natural sciences, and educated for trades, technical
pursuits and commerce.
To-morrow a solemn funeral service in commemo-
ration of the Duke of Wellington, will be performed
at the garrison church, and attended by deputies
from all regiments here. Similar ceremonies will
take place in the protestant churches of all other)
Prussian garrisons; but whether the catholic '
authorities will follow the example is not known, as
it has, of course, been left to their option.

BERLIN, Nov. 19.
The King and Queen of Prussia, and the royal
princes, yesterday attended a solemn service at the
•garrison chuch in Potsdam, in commemoration of the
ate Duke of Wellington. The commemoration
service at the garrison chinch here wus attended by
the British ambassador and several other members
of the diplomatic corps.
The King of Prussia established, a few years ago,
an order of knighthood for the distinction of
eminence in literature and science. The number of
members was restricted. By tLo death of the poet
Thomas Moore, a cross became disposable. It has
been bestowed by his Majesty, at the recommenda-
tion of the Berlin Royal Academy, on Rawlinson,
the orientalist. His competitors were Wilson and
Dumas.

The Vienna Lloyd states that the family of Wasa
is making preparations for the marriage of
Princess Carole, who lately went over to catholicism,
with the future Emperor of France. Considering the
strict control under which Austrian newspapers are
placed, we must presume that the journal in question
would not dare to make this direct assertion without
being fully authorised to do so.

ITALY.
TUSCANY.
The Spener Gazette says :—" The mission of Count
d'Arnim Blumberg at Florence most not be ,con-
sidered a diplomatic one. The count was not to
represent the King of Prussia at the court of
Florence as protestant sovereign, but merely as a
member of tLe evangelical church. The count pre-
sented to the Grand-Duke the message of the King,
in the audience which ho had on the 2nd. The
Grand-fluke received the count with much affability,
and had his reply sent to him. The count then
returned to Bavaria with Captain do Bonin. lip to
the present time the Madiai have been treated with
indulgence, and have been even permitted to receive
the visits of persons professing the protestant reli-
gion. It is hoped that the King's intervention will
not be fruitless, and that on the first favourable
occasion the two 11Iadiai will bo set at liberty."

A letter from Florence of the 16th, is (I,triere
Mercantile of Genoa, states that the he decree of
expulsion has not been generally app,ed at Flo-
rence, and that a few exceptions have Goon made.
The decree is attributed to the prth:4llB remora.
'trances of the Pope, Austria, and Modena, m conga.
quence of information received by the twilit* that
Mazzinian agents have lately been spreading trey.
11 sealable proclamations, letters, &e.

PIEDMONT.
The Turin correspondent of the Oilieisl ,troy
Gazette states that on the lith the piistn,sl letter
signed by several Piedmontese bishops --among whoa;
is the exiled Archbishop of Turin, M. Frauxeui—
threatening excommunication to all who ',Lail hence.
forward peruse liberal newspapers, was publicly reed
from all the pulpits of Turin. The eh wiles were
thronged with people on the occasion, bu nu disturb-
ance ensued.
Count Cavour, the Prime Minister of Piedmont,
has just recovered from an lndispositien, whieb wee
serious enough to prevent him from attii,,ling to his
official duties.