The Press.
London, England, 1856-06-21 00:00:00

Sintiga 6.ortrspnnbtnkt.

BRUSSELS, June 18.
THE Belgian elections have terminated in favour of
the clerical party by a majority of five. This will
bring the number of the Catholic section in the
Chamber of R •preventatives to sixty-six out of 108,
reducing the Liberal minority to forty two. In this
minority, however, are comprised the most intelligent
and influential men in the country. MM. Henri de
Brouckere and Charles ltogier are party leaders,
too independent to be swayed by other than the
highest motives, and both their accessories and
antecedents are of a nature well calculated to increase
the weight that must of necessity adhere to the
political action of honest and talented energy. The
Catholic or priest party is divided into two sections,
moderate and ultramontane, rational and irrational,
" blanc et noir." The ultramontanes are Gallican.
This term is adopted to conceal a "virus " of
Orleanism that would lend itself to the extreme of
anti Imperialism. The defeat of M. Norhomb, the
Minister of Justice, at Thuin, has been accompanied
by circumstances little creditable to the successful
candidate. M. Norhomb and his adversary, M.
Licot, both belong to the Roman Catholic faction.
An election council was held at Brussels, where it
was decided that M. Licot should receive the support
of the Romanist party ; but, in the event of his
ultimately being higher on the poll than the
Minister, and presuming the Liberal candidate to be
returned, then and in that case M. Licot should retire
in favour of• M. Norhomb. M. Licot, brother-in law
of M. Dumon, the Minister of Public Works, pledged
his word to that effect, and got elected. But having
once become an " honourable " deputy, the moral
intelligence of the new member became of a sober
and reflective character. He and his father had
paid, the one 8001., and the other 1,2001., for elec-
tioneering, expenses. In fact, they had bought the
seat, and were unwilling, according to the slang
terms occasionally used by the Radicals in the
House of Commons, " to shell out," without receiv-
ing a corresponding advantage. It was money
versus honour. The "supreme lei "of Belgium
held good, and M. Norhomb remains unelected.
The manly conduct of M. Vilain XIV., on a
late occasion, would appear to he distasteful to
the clerical and Gallicau partisans ; for, flushed with
success, they have already designated M. Meulenaere
as his successor in office.

Considerable dissatisfaction exists among the re-
sident English at the appointment of a chaplain by
the Bishop of London, in the place of the Bev. Mr.
Blacker, who has lately resigned. A petition, nu-
m, rously signed by the English of long standing in
this capital, in favour of a young clergyman—born
here—of irreproachable conduct, highly esteemed by
the Court—a pupil of Mr. Butler of Shrewsbury,
and afterwards distinguished at Cambridge, has been
of no avail. The Bishop of London steps forth,
condemns the petition itself, sets aside the powers
and rightful privileges of the Foreign office, and
claims the appointment. If the Foreign office has
yielded the point, heretofore so s'outly and so
bravely combated, that is another affair.

Since the return of Prince Windischgratz to Vienna
there have been frequent Cabinet meetings. It
was stated b; the Gazette Autrichienne that the
visit of the Prince to Berlin was unconnected with
politics. The same thing might be said of M.
de Seebach, who passed through Brussels on his
way to Paris a few days ago. The manifold
and rapid journeys of Princes and Ministers at the
time of a European crisis, cannot be concealed or
their objects be misunderstood. Prussia and the
Confederation summarily reject the Austrian pro
posal for a consolidation of Germanic interests.
They are fully aware that an amalgamation with un-
specified objects, under the hypocrisy of a " Fader
land " union, would commit them to support Austria
against Russia, and to guarantee the Italian pro•
vinces. There is a pervading irritation in Central
and Southern Europe. Even the Bohemian nobles
are demanding reform. They have petitioned the
Emperor for a constitutional change in the several
departments of local government.
To judge by the organs of Austria and Russia,
the relations of the two Courts are not likely to
become more amicable, The Gazette durrichienne

►SATURDAY,

makes an hyperbolical vaunt of the powerful attitude
of Austria, and deprecates Russian influence. An
acrimonious attack upon the Nord furnishes the op-
portunity. The Gazette announces that " Austria
is proud of her old reputation," that " she com-
mands respect," and " that, flourishing in her ex-
ternal relations, she remains firm and united at
home, with overflowing coffers and happy govern-
ment:' Russia is accused of" being without friends,"
of having been "humiliated at Paris," of having been
"politically baffled" and "forced to 'tenir Ia chan-
delle,' whilst her masters signed the treaty of the
15th of April." Then !willing itself into an incon-
tinent fury, and menacing to "montrer les dents
la nouvelle Russie," the organ sums up, " La
politique Autrichienne est la seule sure, Is politique
Autrichienne est la seule honoree, la politique
Autrichienne est In seule feconde." Upon which the
Nord observes, that despair often gives a courage
denied to juster motives, that fecundity does not
always warrant the legitimacy of its procreative acts,
that the most cunning are sometimes entrapped in
their own snares, and that the intentional " coup de
journal diplomatique " of the 15th of April fettered
the conspirators by the very bond invented for
another. " Pauvre politique Autrichienne," where
does it dare show its teeth except in Lombardy?
" Allons done, montrer les dents c'est de la politique
du lion, et co n'est pas de Ia politique Autrichienne."
In spite of polite expression and studied courtesies,
such are the unvarnished sentiments of Prince
Gortschakoff and M. de Buol.

A continued rancour is exhibited in the Danubian
principalities betwixt the Ilotimani population and
the Austrians. No opportunity is lost to testify the
national hatred against the German race, which is
not less intense there than in Italy. On the 2nd of
June a quarrel took place betwixt a detachment of
Austrian Uhlaus and some Wallachian militia at
Buzeo, on the road from Fokhani to Bucharest. The
officer in command of the Austrian troops seized
some waggons belonging to, and in actual use by,
the Wallachian troops. Their officer remonstrated,
and then the Uhlaus made a regular charge. A.
serious encounter was the result, which remained
long doubtful, but the Wallachians retained posses-
sion of their waggons, that were now used to convey
the wounded of both parties to the hospital.
General Dabormida, the Sardinian envoy, WWI re-
ceived with marked attention by the Emperor Alex.
ander at Warsaw. On his return through Vienna he
had frequent interviews with M. de Buol, without
any satisfactory result. M. de Buol accuses M.
Cavour of arraigning the Austrian policy in order to
secure a parliamentary majority in the Chambers,
and of being influenced by personal hostility to Aus-
tria in courting an alliance with Russia. He also
denies the right of Russia to form an "entente cor-
diale" with Sardinia, assuming that country to have
no pretext for forming relations of intimacy with an
Italian State, that cannot have a legitimate object.
In disproof of the disparagement of M. Cavour, and
to evidence the high estimation in which he is held,
it may be mentioned that a subscription has been
secretly made in Tuscany for his bust, which is to
he presented to him in the name of the Liberals of
Italy, and at Rome a medal is about to be privately
struck to commemorate his energetic defence of Italy
at the Conferences of Paris. It was agreed upon in
a private meeting at the Castle of Pollenzo, at which
the King was present, that General de la Marrnora
should proceed to England before being officially
appointed to the Ministry of War.
At Parma Court Seragna has resigned the presi-
dency of the extraordinary commission. He refused,
upon the demand of the Austrian General, to con-
demn without the proof of crime, and the Director
of Police has followed his example. The Go-
vernment of the Duchess Regent has likewise quar-
relled with the Austrian General, and Count Thuu
has been despatched to inquire into the cause of dis-
satisfaction, and to provide a remedy. A fray has
lately taken place between some Italian and German
soldiers. Although the Austrians were the ags
gressors, a dozen or more of the Parmesan soldiers
have b_en condemned to he shot, and a large number
have been sent t t the galleys. Not an Austrian his
been arrested. The greatest secrecy has been pre-
served in relation to this affair. It was at. first denied,
but the particulars became known, and a private
press that has been established in Tuscany quickly
conveyed the intelligence throughout the country.
The Duchess Regent and her Government disavow
all participation in the acts of the Austrian General.
The want of English and French representatives re-
sident at Parma is felt to be a serious disadvantage.
Florence was lately the scene of much commotion.
On the 29th of May the Villa PietrA, outside the
Porta San Gallo, belonging to the English Minister,
Lord Normanhy, was decorated with Briti-h Hags.
interspersed with the Italian tricolor and the cross of
Savoy. The display was accompanied by loud firing
and other clamorous demonstrations of rejoicing.
As it was the anniversary of Curtatone—which might
have reminded the Grand Duke of his oath to the
constitution of 1848—it was supposed to be the work

■

JUNE 21, 1856.

of the disaffected, and the police hastened to the
spot in order to seize the delinquents. Their sur-
prise and disgust on finding the culprit to be the
English Ambassador were amusingly evident. The
houses of many of the English in the town were
similarly ornamented with tricolor flags and decorated
with festoons of flowers composed of the three
colours—red, white, and green. In the evening the
manifestation was still stronger, and the fireworks
emblazoned again the three colours in every variety
of device.

Monsignor Franchi has been nominated Papal
Nuncio to the Court of Tuscany. His appointment
is said to be owing to the influence of the Arch-
duchess Maria Louisa, who yet hopes, through his
means, to persuade the Grand Duke to enter into a
concordat with Rome. The Nuncio is strongly sup
ported by the Ministers Landuoci and Buonerotti,
and M. Baldasseroni will encounter great difficulty in
maintaining his ground. _ _ _

At Naples the king has expressed his astonishment
to the Ministers of France and England that any
attention should be paid to the calumnies of Sardinia,
" un governo tanto birbaccio," and that they must be
aware, by their own experience, that his people are
happy and contented. In illustration of this state of
contentment the Giornale delle Due Sicilie issues an
official notice, threatening the severest penalties
against those in whose house arms of any kind may
be found. The possession of a fowling. piece is to
be punished by confinement in a dungeon with bread
and water, and, when brought before the judge, the
accused is not allowed to plead or to be defended by
an advocate, as the fact is taken as proven. In Sicily,
the vessels with the Crimean regiments that touch
there, are hailed with unbounded enthusiasm.
Orders have been sent to repress by force any mani-
festation in favour of the allied troops ; already per-
sons have been imprisoned for shouting "Viva it
Piedimonte !" The latter amounts to a capital
crime. C. A. H.

Sore* anb Orinlonia! 3ntelligcnce.

FRANCE.

The baptism of the Imperial Prince was per-
formed list Saturday with great eclat.
The Senate on Tuesday, by a majority of sixty to
fifty-six, threw out the Government measure for
imposing a tax upon horses and carriages.
The proposed bill on the Custom Duties will, it is
anticipated, meet with a strong opposition in the
Corps Legislatif.
The text of a project for a Senatus Consultum, for
the organisation of a Regency, has been laid before
the Senate. The Conatitutionnel, in a remarkable
article upon the subject, argues for a Regency in
favour of the Empress during the minority of the
Imperial Prince. The Senate was to consider the
question yesterday.
Forty persons implicated in the " Mariamme
Society " have been arrested at Lyons and Vienne.
M. de Bourqueney, at Vienna, is said to be charged
with a mission to effect the return of the remains of
the Duke de Reichstadt to France.

The army is to be reduced only to the extent of
ninety-five thousand troops, who obtain provisional
dirt Th arges.
The American question excites a good deal of
attention in Paris. The general feeling appears to
be that Mr. Crampton is made the scapegoat by the
Emtlish Government, and that the American Govern-
me it have obtained an advantage which will make
them more exacting. The Assemblie Nationals
writes

Scarcely has Mr. Crampton set foot on British soil than
he is openly disavowed by those to whom he has intrusted
the defence of his public character and of his honour,
tarnished in a cause which was that of his country. He is
accused of levity ; he is declared to be incapable of the
functions intrusted to his management, and he has re-
turned to London in order to be present at. the triumph of
Mr. Dallas. These accusations are not only strange in
existing circumstances ; they appear to us (we may be
permitted to say en peasant) supremely unjust. In mixing
himself up with this miserable question of recruits Mr.
Crampton only followed the instructions of his Govern.
merit, as the whole workl knows. This desertion of an
agent who was declared np to the last moment worthy of
responsibility, astonishes us above all.
The Count of Paris is reported to have forwarded
to M. Thiers a warm protest against a fusion of the
Bourbon and Orleans branches.
RUSSIA.

The Emperor returned by sea from Revel to St.
Petersburg on the 11th.
General Kokonovitch, the late commander of Kin-
burn, has been convicted by court-martial of
cowardice, and sentenced to death. The general is
under arrest at Odessa, and awaits the Emperor's
decision upon the sentence.
The Putish Secretary of State, Turkul, died at
Warsaw on the 11th from typhus fever. Prince
Golonischeff Kontonsoff, has been appointed it 4 his
plate,