The Press.
London, England, 1854-01-07 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

UNIVERSITY REFORM.
THE letter addressed by Lord Palmerston to his
Royal Highness Prince Albert, as Chancellor of
Cambridge University, and in reference to University
Reform, has now been published in extenso. The
following is the test of this important document:—
" Whitehall, Dec. 12.
" Bir,—Her Majesty's Government have had before
them the letter addressed by my predecessor, on the 4th
of October, 1852, to the Chancellor of the University of

Cambridge.
" Your Royal Highness will, without doubt, remember
that her Majesty was pleased, in her speech from the
throne, on the 11th of November, 1852, to acquaint Par-
liament that she had caused to be transmitted to the Uni-
versities of Oxford and Cambridge, respectively, copies of
the reports of the Commissioners of Inquiry upon those
Universities, and had called the attention of those Univer-
sities to those reports, with a view to a deliberate exa-
mination of the recommendations contained therein.
" A statemeut was subsequently made to the House of
Commons, that the Government thought it desirable that
ample time should be allowed for a full examination of
those matters, and that it was not intended that any legis-
lation on the subject of the recommendations of the com-
missioners should be proposed to Parliament during the
then current session.
" At the same time, though it was not deemed expedient
to discuss the various details connected with subjects so
important and diversified as the matters iu question, yet
reference was made to some essential points, with respect
to which her Majesty's Government conceive that it would
be the desire and expectation of Parliament, with a view
to the public welfare, and to the extension of the useful
influence of the universities, that plans of improvement
should he entertained.
" These points were :
" 1. An alteration of the constitution of the universities
with a view to the more general and effective representa-
tion of the several main elements which properly enter
into their composition.
" 2. The adoption of measures which might enable the
universities, without weakening the proper securities for
discipline, to extend the benefits of training to a greater
number of students, whether in connection or not with
colleges and halls ; and also to diminish the relative disad-
vantages which now attach within colleges and halls to
students of comparatively limited pecuniary means.
"3. The establishment of such rules with regard
to fellowships, and to the enjoyment of other college en-
dowments, as might wholly abolish or greatly modify the
restrictions which now, in many cases, attach to those fel-
lowships and endowments, and might subject the acquisi-
tion of such fellowships and endowments generally to the
effective influence of competition.
" 4. The establishment of such regulations with regard
to fellowships thus to be acquired by merit as should pre-
vent them from degenerating into sinecures ; and espe-
cially the enactment of a provision that, after fellowships
should have been held for such a time as might be thought
reasonable as rewards for early exertion and distinction,
they should either be relinquished, or should only continue
to be held ou condition of residence, coupled with a dis-
charge of active duty iu discipline or tuition, or with the
earnest prosecution of private study.
" i. And, lastly, the establishment of provisions under
which colleges possessed of means either particularly
ample, or now only partially applied to the purposes of
education or learning, might, in conformity with the views
which founders have often indicated, render some portion
of their property available for the general purposes of the
university beyond as well as within the college walls, and
might thus facilitate the energetic prosecution of some
branches of study, the importance of which the university
have of late distinctly and specially acknowledged.
" It is obvious that for the attainment of these ends pro-
vision must be made for the careful adjustment of existing
statutes, and for the abolition or modification of certain
oaths which are now periodically administered in some of
the colleges.
" There are other changes tending to the in, ceased
efficiency and extent of study which would naturally ac-
company or follow those to which I have adverted , but
what I have stated may be enough to explain the general
expectations which her Majesty's Government have been
led to form under the influence of their sincere desire to
acknowledge the services and to respect the dignity and
due independence of these noble institutions, and to see
their power and influence enlarged to the full measure
of the capabilities indicated by their splendid endow-
ments.
" Actuated by these views, her Majesty's Government
did not hesitate to determine that, so far as depended
upon them, a considerable interval of time should elapse,
after the reports of the commissioners hail appeared, be-
fore any specific propositions should be discussed as to
the degree and nature of the legislation respecting the
universities which it might be requisite to submit to Par-
..

liatnent.
" Her Majesty's Government. however, feel that the
time has now arrived when it will be due, both to the coup•
try of which these universities are such conspicuous
ornaments, and to the well-understood interests of the
universities themselves, that these questions should be de-
cided.
" I therefore request that your Royal Highness will, in
your capacity of Chancellor of the University of Cam-
bridge, have the goodness to take an early opportunity of
informing me what measures of improvement that univer-
sity, or, so far as your Royal Highness's knowledge ex-
tends, any of its colleges, may be about to undertake, and
what aid they may desire from Parliament, in the form
either of prohibitions, of enabling powers, or of new enact-
ments.
" Her Majesty's Government arc anxious to receive this
information in such time as may enable them to give to this

SATURDAY,

important subject the careful deliberation it demands, and
to be in a condition to advise her Majesty thereupon, if
possible, by the month of February.
" Her Majesty's Government, however, have no hesita-
tion in avowing their opinion that repeated and minute
interference by Parliament in the affairs of the universities
and their colleges would be an evil, and they are desirous
to maintain the dignity of these institutions and to secure
for them the advantages of freedom of action. For these
reasons, therefore, as well as on other grounds, they ear-
nestly hope to find, on the part of these bodies, such ma-
ture views and such enlarged designs of improvement as
may satisfy the reasonable desires of the country ; and, by
obviating the occasion for further interference, may relieve
those persons in the universities who are charged with the
weighty functions of discipline and instruction from the
distraction which the prospect of such interposition must
necessarily entail.
" I am, sir, your Royal Highness's dutiful servant,
(Signed) " PALMERSTON.
" To Field Marshal his Royal Highness Prince Albert, ctc.,
Chancellor of the University of Cambiidge."

MR. CARDWELL AT OXFORD.
OXFORD has been visited by its representatives, the
President of the Board of Trade and Mr. Langston,
who have taken various occasions to meet different
sections of their constituents. On Monday last they
were present at the annual festival of the " Ancient
Druids," and after dinner Mr. Cardwell, in acknow-
ledging the toast of the "City Members," embarked
upon some political topics, although he repudiated
any political meanings. The right hon. gentleman
remarked :
" We cannot but be sensible, in looking back to the year
that has closed, and looking forward to that we are now
entering, that we in England enjoy the proud privilege that
all, from the highest to the lowest, under different circum-
stances, unite in constituting that public opinion which,
after all, is the great governing principle of legislation iu
this kingdom ; and therefore, without touching upon
politics, I may congratulate you that in the course of th...
past year measures have been passed which have equalises
burdens, mitigated pressure, stimulated industry, promoted
trade, tended more generally to diffuse prosperity, and,
therefore, conciliated yet more fervently the loyal affections
if the people to that exemplary Sovereign who sits upon
the throne of these realms. The year that has closed has
been, as I am bound particularly to know, an unexampled
year for British industry, as attested by our exports to other
parts of the world. And if we have had the misfortune to
iustain a great diminution in the supply of food, what
lave been the concurrent circumstances of that visitation ?
Industry not checked, a people not complaining, but a
sniversal submission to the dispensations of Providence,
and a conscientious feeling and satisfaction that man has
lad no part in inflicting the evil. With regard to the
future we can only hope that industry will continue, and
tlat those differences which unhappily disturb one part of
tie kingdom, and that an important part, may happily be
dispelled, and by a universal good understanding between
tie employer and employed that labour may be set in mo.
tion, which is the foundation of national wealth, and which,
while it earns a present reward, enables the master manu-
facturer to lay by for a future day, and which is therefore
tie source of increased labour and the means of circulating
amongst the working classes increased prosperity. With
regard to foreign affairs, this at least we know, that every
year which it pleases God to continue to us peace is a year
of increasing conquests to the commercial armies of Great
Britain. New peoples are added year by year to the wide
circle of our intercourse abroad, races to whom we are
bound in common bonds stronger than ambition, in bonds
of love and affection, in bonds of that universal brother-
hood which we believe it is God's will shall ultimately
prevail amongst all mankind. Should any evil circum-
stance occur for a time to disturb this happy course of
events, you know that it will not be due to any ambitious
designs or to any unreflecting interference on the part of
the Government or the Sovereign of these realms. We
shall not forget that maxim, the merit of observing which
truly belongs to this country, Beware of entrance to a
quarrel ; and, if we do unhappily become involved in one,
to bear ourselves so that tile adversary may beware of us.
Thrice is he aimed that has his quarrel just ; and let
the evil day come when it may, whatever the fate of
England, I trust she will always be found clothed in the
triple armour of justice, moderation, and truth. The aspect
of foreign affairs is justifying anxious feeling. But let us hope
that reason and justice may prevail as well abroad as here,
and that the danger may happily be overcome. Whatever
may be in store for us, depend upon it that, under Provi-
dence, the blessings bestowed upon this people will not be
withdrawn if we continue to merit them by industry, energy,
and steady perseverance at home, and by valour abroad—a
valour it is unnecessary to speak of in an assembly of Eng-
lishmen, for when was that quality ever wanting to sustain
the reputation of Great Britain in any war abroad? Let
us, then, hope that in the year 15154 no circumstances,
foreign or domestic, will disturb our career of industry,
will disturb the operation of commerce, will prevent that
diffusion of comfort now so remarkably going on among
all classes of the community. For it is the principle of the
times in which we live that wealth is not accumulated for the
wealthy alone, nor is prosperity to be enjoyed only by thaw
who have worldly prosperity, but it is to be used as the means
of doing a public good, of stimulating trade, and of in-
creasing prosperity and contentment among all classes of
the people. May that principle continue to prevail—may
it manifest itself so that we shall avail ourselves of those
circumstances of prosperity according to our conditions of
life to promote that great end without which temporal
prosperity would be of little avail—l mean the moral and
intellectual prosperity of all classes. I know that is a
question which is deeply at heart with you. I hope and

U

JANUARY 7, 1854.

trust that every year greater progress will be made in the
promotion of that cause, and that in the circulation of
iutellig ence through the press—in its diffusion under the
tulaptat inn of ideas to the requirement of the age—above
all, in the unfolding of the moral instincts, and in the ex-
panding of the religious principle, this country is coming
more and more to be the example to all free nations, and
the light among the various people of the world."

REMOVAL OF CITY CHURCHES.
A PLAN for removing about thirty churches from the City,
with the view of supplying some of the growing suburbs of
the metropolis, has- been suggested by the Rev. C. Hume,
Rector of St. Michael's, Cumin% and has received the
approbation of the Premier and the Bishop of London.
Some few of the City chinches have considerable congre-
gations, the attendance averaging 300 ; but in the great
majority the number is below fifty, and even in some
instances fifteen or sixteen. In all the sacred edifices
whose removal is now proposed the average attendance at
any service does not amount to thirty-three. While such
is the state of things in the City, it has been shown by a
return made to the House of Commons that no fewer than
fitly-eight new churches are required in the diocese of
London. Of this number forty-nine are required fur the
metropolitan districts and immediate suburbs, and nine
for turns and districts within eight miles of St. Paul's.
Mr. Hume contends that less than twenty churches would
meet the wants of the population resident within the city
of Loudon union, and consequently at least thirty-eight
churches might be advantageously taken down and rebuilt
in such other parts of the metropolis anti its environs as
are deficient in church accommodation. The following
are the details of the plan :—The number of churches pro-
posed to he dealt with is fifty; it is proposed to remove (at
present) thirty, and to retain twenty, the parishes whose
churches are moved to be consolidated with those which
are left standing. In arranging the incomes for the con-
solidated parishes, the rule would be this :--To every
parish the population of which exceeds 1,000, 4501. per
annum to be assigned ; for every additional 100 parishioners,
add 12/. a year. The aggregate income of the fifty churches
is .20,:500/.; the aggregate income of the twenty proposed
consolidated parishes would he 11,3531.; there would
remain ter thirty churches to be removed 9,2071., giving
3,10/. and a fraction for each. The additional sum required
to make up a sufficient income for a clergyman, from WO/.
to 7001., should be made up in the new locality to which
the church is removed. In the following list, the first church
in every group, of which the name is printed in italics,
is that which it is suggested should he retained, as the sole
palish church of the consolidated parishes : the others in
emit group would then be removed to some other part of
the metnipolis or suburbs :-1. St. Vedast's, Foster-lune;
St. Michael's, Wood-street; St. Ann's, and St. Agnes'. 2.
st. Lawrence Jewry, St. Michael Bassishaw. S. St. Faith's;
St. Matthew's, Friday-street. 4. St. Bend's, Paul's-whar ;
St. Mary Northaw ; St. Nicholas Cole Abbey. 5. Si.
Mary's, Old Fish-al reet•hiU. U. St. James's, Garliek-hill ;
St. hliehael's, Queenhithe. 7. St. Stephen's, Coleman-
street. S. St. Illarspiret's, Loilibury ; St. Olave's, Jewry;
St. Peter-le-Poer; and St. Mildred's, Poultry. il. SI
Stephen's, lralbrook ; St. Mary's, Abchnrch-lane ; St.
Swahili's. 10. St. Mary's Woolnolh, Bt. Edmund King; All
hallows, Lombard-street ; St. Clement's, Etuacheap. 11.
St. Mary•le-Bow ; Allhallows, Bread-street; St. Mildred's,
Bread-street ; St. Mary Altlermary ; St. Antholin's. 12.
Allhallows areal and Less; St. Michael Royal. 13. St.
Dunstan's, East ; St. Mary-nt-Bill. 14. St.Maynue Mari's* ;
St. Georges, Botolph-lane. 15. St. Andrew rmlershetl,
Great St. Helen's. 10. SI. Clare's, Hart-street ; St.
Catherine Coleman; Allhallows Staining. 17. St. Dennis
Backehareh St. Benet's, Oracechurch-street ; St. Margaret
Pattens. Is. St. Mary Altiermanbury ; St. Michael's,
Wood-street. 19. St. Michael's, Cynthia:; St. Peter's,
Cornhill ; St. Martin, Outwich. 20. St. Catherine Cree.
The churches within the City which are not to be inter-
fered with are the following :—St. Bride's, Fleet-street; Ft.
Andrew's, Holborn; St. Dunstan's, West; St. Ann's,
Illackfriars ; St. Sepulchre, Snow-hill; Allhallows Barking;
St. Alphage, St. Bartolomew-the-Great; Christ Chutah,
Newgate-street ; and St. Martin's, Ludgate. Inasmuch as
the presentation to the churches proposed to be dealt with
is in different bands, it is suggested that each patron shall
have as many turns of presentation as he has at present.
The patrons of the churches left standing in the City will
present to them on each vacancy just in the order they do
now. The patronage, however, will be more valuable; as,
the parish being a consolidation of two or more existing
parishes, the income will be increased to the amount of
5001. or 0001. a year. The patrons of the churches to be
removed will present to them just in the order they do
now. The only difference will be that they will appoint to
those churches for new localities, and with increased in-
comes. The advantages of the scheme, the principle of
which has received the sanction of the Prime Minister and
the diocesan, are stated to be the following :-1. The ano-
malous position of the Church in the City would be dimi-
nished. 2. The want of spiritual instruction from which
many districts arc suffering would, to a considerable extent,
be supplied. S. The clergy in the City who have nominal
cnrea and small congregations would have real charges and
Large congregations. 4. The City clergy remaining would
have larger incomes than they had before. 5. The City
clergy removed would obtain comfortable houses, larger
incomes, larger congregations, and real pastoral charges.
13. The new parishes or districts would get good churches,
without the expense of building them, and ministers to
whom they would only pay part of a sufficient income.

CLOSING OF BURIAL GROUNDS.
TVESDAT'S Gaunt contained an order in Council,
dated 29th December, ordering the discontinuance of
burials in the undermentioned parishes and places,
from and after the 9th January, except as otherwise
directed in the said notification, viz.:—

THE PRESS.

St. Anne, Liwehouse.—hi the burial-gruuntl and in the
vaults of Brunswick Chapel, situate in Three Cult•street.

.
St. Peter ad Vincula—Tower of London ; within the
church and burial-ground, and in the vaults behind the
church.

It. George-in-the-East.—ln Old Ciravellane Chapel
burial-ground, and in the vaults under the chapel.
St. Matthew, Iletimal-green.— 1 II U ibreltar burial-ground.
Except in private vaults and graves, no more than one body-
to be buried in any grave in the Cambridge-heath and
North-east London Cemetery; and burials to be wholly
discontinued therein from and after the let of October,
1855.

St. Nicholas, Deptford.—ln the churchyard and burial-
ground, from and after the Ist of April, 18:4. In the vaults
under the church, to cease immediately.
tit. Paul, Deptiord.—Under the chinch to be wholly dis-
continued, as also in that part of the churchyard whicii has
already been buried in ; no burial to take place in future at
a less distance than ten yards front any dwelling-house ; no
more than one body to he buried in one grave ; and burials
to be wholly discontinued f►om and after the Ist of May,
1881. lu the buriabground of, and in the vaults under, the
High-street Chapel ; in the Curial-grotool of and tinder the
Wesleyan Chapel, Mary Ann's-buildings ; in the Quaker
burial-ground ; and in the general Baptist burial-ground,
Church-street, to be wholly discontinued from and after
the 9th of January next.
Holy Trinity, Brampton.—in the vaults under the
church to be wholly discontinued; in the churchyard not
more than one body to be buried in any grave, except in
Private vaults and graves ; and burials wholly to cease nom
and after the Ist. of October, 1889.
Lambeth.—ln Stockwell New Chapel intriabgmund.
St. Pancras.—With the exception of private vaults and
graves, not more than one hotly to be buried in any grave in
Camden-town Cemetery, belonging to the parish of St.
Martin-in-the-Fields, mind situate in the parish of St.
Pancras ; and no burials to take place within ten yards of
any inhabited house ; and wholly to cease in the said
cemetery from and after the Ist of May. NM.
St. Marylebone.—ln the vaults under the parish church,
St. John's-wood Chapel, Christ Church. and Trinity
Church, and in time vaults under the Baptist Chapel in
Blandford-stree% to be wholly discontinued.
St Luke, Middlesex.—ln the burial-gotund of and under
the City-road Chapel. In Buttimill-tields burial-ground, to
be wholly discontinued.
St. Mary, Stratford, llow.—Tn the vaults under the
church, to be discontinued at once ; and in the churehyamil
of the same, from and after the Ist day of May. 18.'14, and
only one body to be buried in each grave.
Stepney.—ln the East London Cemetery, in the hamlet
of Mile-end Old-town. In the vaults under Brunswick
Chapel, Mile-end-road, to be wholly discontinued.
Wandsworth.—ln the churchyard and church vault of
the parish church, and in East-bill burial-ground, to cease
wholly ; anti only one body to be buried in each grave in
the burial-ttround in Garratt-lane.
St. Stephen, Coleman-street.—ln the burial•gronnd of,
and in the vaults under, the Boman Catholic Chapel, in
Moortiehls, to be wholly discontinued.
Putney.—ln the churchyard, and under tho parish
church, to be discontinued at once ; and in Putney burial-
ground, from and after• the Ist of June, 1884.

CHERBOURG HARBOUR.
THE completion of this harbour, which has formed
an object of ambition and a source of vast outlay to
successive Governments and dynasties in France, is
at last recorded in the Monitettr. That official paper
assumes a naturally triumphant tone on this event,
and congratulates the country on the accomplish-
ment of a work whose utility, whether in peace or
war, is calculated to be enormous, and to achieve
which natural difficulties of almost insuperable cha-
racter have been surmounted. The Moniker adds
an interesting narrative of the first conception and
long-protracted execution of this great work :
The second year of the new Empire opens with an
event which will be remarkable in the naval annals of
France. The breakwater of Cherbourg is at present entirely
terminated, and from the Ist of January, 1854, it must
rank among the constructions which require only to be
kept in perfect repair. This gigantic work, commenced
in 17+43, suspended during the revolutionary tempest, re-
slimed under the Empire, suspended once more during
the whole period of the Restoration (1g14), is at length
terminated, after seventy years expectation, and forty-one
of constant efforts. For a length of time the success of
the undertaking had been called in question ; terrible dis.
asters had, at certain moments, caused apprehensions to
be entertained that the sea would remain victorious in this
desperate contest against the boldest attempts of human
genius; but, at present. every disquietude of that nature
may be set aside, and the only thing now remaining to be
done is to consecrate the work of fem. generations. It is
known that the project of the breakwater of Cherbourg
was conceived by the illustrious Vauban, who saw the ne-
cessity of our navy having in the charmed a port accessible
for the largest ships-of-the-line ; and, after successive
attempts, it has been established at about 4,000 metres
from the entrance of the commercial port. Its length is
3,71 K) metres (the breakwater of Plymouth is only 1,800
metres in length), and it presents a relief of upwards o I
20 in. above the bottom of the sea; 2,00 artificial blocks.
each of 20 m. cube, of 44,000 kil. in weight, defend against
the waves the foundation of the extreme inuseirs. The last
one-and-twenty years of this admirable work have been
exclusively employed in the construction of the wall in
masonry, which bar 10 metres 50 centimetres of height
above low-water mark, and above the level of the founda-
tion of the Ix:noire of the two extremities of the central fort.
and of the intermediate fort. The expenses since 1783 up
to the present time have amounted to 117,300,01A1. The law

of June '4 1841, had appropriated to the completion of
the breakwater an extraordinary credit of eighteen mil-
lions ; but, owing to the care with which the money of the
State has been administered, a saving of neariv ,500,01141 f.
has been effected out of that snni. Thus a bay, previously
formidable to sailors, offers at present a sure retuge to the
largest vessels in the must violent tempests, and the fleets
of France could find there a shelter against the sea and
the enemy. It is at the same time a safe asylum open to
the commercial shipping of all maritime nations. France
may consequently be justly proud of such a work, which
has not its equal either in ancient or modern times, and
which, commenced by Vauban, and marked by the Em-
peror Napoleon I. with the imprint of his genius, has been
finished by his Majesty Napoleon 111.

jortign and toltntial 3nitlligenct.

.PRIP'.4TE CORRESPONDENCE.
Paws, Januar) 5.

DFsPTTE of gaities without and grandeurs within—of
the jour &on, and the Tuileries' receptions—the l's
risian pulse beats at anything but a sanguine rate.
Our prospects of peace are rapidly passing into the
condition of dissolving views.
We now know that the Russians have crossed the
Danube, and that the Ottoman Porte will not, in any
case, renew the ancient treaties subsisting between
the two countries. That the funds should have
gone down is not surprising ; and the reported dis-
missal of M. Achille Foul(' throws consternation
among the speculators, who looked up to him as
their palladium. This report may be premature at
the tnoment, but its accomplishment is ;more than
probable in a short time. M. James Rothschild, in
fact, is said to have paralysed the financial opera
lions of this Minister from disapproval of his mea-
sures, and rendered his position with regard to the
Emperor very difficult to maintain. The modifies
tion of the Ministry, announced long ago by the
Parse, is fast approaching. It is believed that M.
de Persigny will replace M. Fould,iuid perhaps M.&
Morny become again Minister of the Interior.
The Princess Mathilde gave a ball, at which the
Emperor and Empress were present. The Empress
danced he first quadrille with the Minister of Saxe,
the second with M. de Kisseleff, Minister of Russia.
All the Russians of note in Paris wore invited, wrd
wore treated with marked distinction. His Excel
leney Veli Paella was also present, but he is not a
dancing man.
tireat curiosity is excited by the !Inmar of a mys-
terious visit to Paris, paid a fortnight ago, by Lord
Palmerston, and of a secret interview lie is said to
have had with the Emperor. Englishmen to whom
his lordship is well known have positively affirmed to
me that he had been seen in Paris, beyond the pos-
sibility of mistake.
The liftman'? contains the following official

note :
"The couriers are stopped in many parts of France at
this moment by the drifts of snow accumulated on the
lines of public transit. Despatches destined for Paris may
have experienced some delays ; but the tiovernment ne-
glects nothing to re-establish and to secure free communi-
cations everywhere, and these delays can only be regarded
as accidental."
A magnificent robe, destined as a present to the
Empress of Austria after having been shown at the
Great Exhibition of 1855, has been ordered by their
Imperial Msjesties at the manufactory of embroidery
at Nancy. Nothing is to be spared in expense or
labour to render this gift worthy of its double desti-
nation.
The staff of the National Guard of Paris is now
installed at the north-east angle of the Place Yen-
dome.
The nomination of several distinguished indi
viduals to the rank of senators, though confidently
announced, lies not yet appeared in the Moitfteur. It
is said that a number of princes, dukes, and marquises
are to he created. This I scarcely believe. But
qui vireo. verve.
Last night a magnificent ball was given at the
Tuileries. The whole of the Ministers, ambassadors,
corps diplomatique, Ike. de., were present. The
supper was sumptuously served at one o'clock, and
the dancing was kept up till the morning. The
ladies' trains caused some enibarrassment and many
lively reproaches, the gentlemen not being yet ac-
customed to walk without treading on them. The
Court mantles were very handsome, but the general
effect was rather strange. The Empress looked re
markably well. A great number of English were
present., and certainly appeared to be more at lame
than the natives.

FRANCE.
The new year has been inaugurated in Paris by a
variety of Court receptions and fetes signalised by
even more than the customary imperial magnificence.
On Sunday a grand levee was held at the Tuileries,
attended by all the Ministers, the grand function-
aries of State, the judges of the courts of law, the
cardinals and bishops, canons, marshals, generals,
and superior officers of the National Guard, and the
members of the diplomatic corps, all in costume of
ceremony. The reception was held in the throne.
room, where the Emperor and Empress stood under
the rich canopy. When the diplomatic presentations
were made, the Emperor addressed the representa-
tives of foreign powers in substance as follows I
sincerely hope to be able to maintain the relations of
amity which now subsist between my Government
and the Sovereigns whose representatives you are ; "
and, turning to the Ottoinan Ambassador, he added,
" My good wishes, my sympathies, and my efforts are
in favour of your Sovereign, and you will be good
enough to communicate what I say to him." He
then bowed to the ambassadors, and the ceremony

proceeded.
On the following evening, Monday, there was a
" reception " for ladies, which is stated to have been
the most brilliant ever remembered since the Restora-
tion. The Court " mantle " made its appearance for
the first tune on this occasion, and added greatly to
the effect. There were at least 2,000 persons pre-
sent, belonging to various nations, and exhibiting a
great variety of the richest uniform; and costumes.
After the presentations were finished, which occupied
necessarily a considerable time, the assembly re-
tired to the Hall of the Marshals, where the Em-
peror joined them subsequently, and walked through
the crowd, addressing familiarly all persons known
to him.
The Emperor and the Empress, it is said, occa-
sionally walk out in Paris in a sort of incognito.
They last week visited, altogether en bourgeois, a
well-known jeweller's shop in the Rue de la raiz.
They were quite unattended; but a certain number
of police-agents were seen to hover about in the
immediate neighbourhood.
The grooms of the Emperor on Tuesday tried
under the windows of the Tuileries two splendid
sledges, each drawn by a pair of horses.
• The Moniteur on the jour d'an announced the no-
mination of eight general officers and fourteen
colonels on the list of the Etat Major-General, and
the distribution of a great number of crosses and
military medals.
The hitherto stanch advocate of Russia, the
Assemblie, whose columns are said to be inspired by
the Princess Lieven, has given symptoms of a com-
plete change of tone. On Tuesday it said:—
" This struggle may shake the world, and we see it com-
mence with the deepest grief. We cannot, however, dis-
simulate the regret we feel at seeing a great power, which
has for so long a time given proofs of moderation, which
has always avoided separating its interests from those of
Europe, and which appeared to be a barrier and resisting
force against the revolution, now allow itself to he hurried
into a course of policy producing such deplorable conse-
quences."
The Nord of the 28th returns thanks, in the name
of the cotton-manufacturers, to the Emperor for
liming determined to maintain the present system
of duties on cotton thread. At Rouen and at Lisle
the decree in the Moniteur removing certain restric-
tions from raw cotton only was received with great
joy, and several houses were illuminated.
A decision of the Minister of the Interior, pub-
lished in the Moniteur, orders that certain tele-
graphic offices, including those of Paris, Lyons,
Bordeaux, and Marseilles, are to remain open during
the night for the reception and transmission of
despatches between France and Brussels, Vienna,
Berlin, and Trieste. The night charge is to be
double that of the day. No arrangement has
hitherto been made with regard to the night des-
patches for or from England.
The confidential clerk of an eminent Paris stock
broker committed suicide on Monday by throwing
himself from the window of a fifth floor in the Fau-
bourg Poissonniere. It is said that the rash act was
effected under the excitement caused by heavy losses
at the Bourse during the last mouth.

SWEDEN AND DENMARK.
A treaty has been concluded between the Courts of
Denmark and Sweden, by which the two powers en
gage themselves, in the event of a war, to maintain
an armed neutrality. Under this convention no re•
strictions will be imposed on commerce. The ports
of the contracting parties will still remain open to
the mercantile marine of all nations, and the treaties
regulating the passage of the Sound and the Belts
will continue in force ; but all access to the ports of
Denmark and Sweden will be denied to the ships of
war of the belligerent States, be they whom they
may. Circular notes announcing this convention
have been transmitted to the other European
p °wen.