The Press.
London, England, 1856-12-06 00:00:00

GRAND DUCHY OF LUXEMBURG.

The Grand Duke of Luxemburg (King of the
Netherlands) has proclaimed, of his sole authority,
the Constitution which the Representative Chamber
had just before rejected.
The new Constitution limits popular rights, and
has been promulgated in deference to a monition
from the Diet of the Germanic Bund, of which
Luxemburg is a member.

RUSSIA.

Le Nord, in referring to the approaching second
Congress, makes the following statement :

The political world is much occupied by the attitude
taken by France in the dispute relative to the execution
of the treaty of the 30th of March. Our correspondence
from Paris contains some details upon this subject
worthy of implicit reliance. According to our correspon-
dent, we went too far in saying that the French Govern-
ment shares entirely in the opinion of Russia as to the
questions raised by the execution of the treaty. France
has not taken a position so clearly defined; it enters the
debate more as a mediator than as a party in the dispute;
it pursues a policy of conciliation, and all its efforts tend
to bring about an understanding preliminary to the meeting
of a second Congress. The task is difficult on account
of the conflicting interests. While recognising the justice
and legality of the arguments adduced by Russia in favour
of the meeting of the Conference, the Cabinet of the
Tuileries has taken into consideration the reasons urged

against the project. There is every reason, however, to
hope that its persevering and moderate policy will end
by triumphing over every obstacle. Our special corre-
spondent at London informs us, on his part, that the
Foreign-office has at last shown itself favorable to the
meeting of the Conferences.

Count Perovsky died at St. Petersburg on the
23rd. The Emperor of Russia attended the funeral
obsequies.
ITALY.
INSURRECTION IN SICILY.

An insurrectionary movement broke out on the
23rd ult. at Cefalu, a small seaport near Palermo.
Baron Bentivenga, who has recently received the
benefits of an amnesty, has headed the movement.
The Government authorities of the village were
driven out at once. General Zola, commandant at
Palermo, instantly despatched a division of troops
against the insurgents, but no collision, according to
later dates, had taken place. Many arrests of sus-
pected persons have taken place in Palermo. A
strong force of Swiss troops was leaving Naples for
Palermo on the Ist. The attempt is not in any way
considered serious.

A letter in the German Journal of Frankfort states
that a circular has been addressed by Count Cavour

DECEMBER 6, 1856.

to the Sardinian diplomatic agents, in which he de-
clares for the convocation of the Conferences of
Paris. Count Cavour, it is reported, also demands
that the affairs of Italy shall be taken into considers•
tion at the second Congress.
At the next general election in Piedmont it is
anticipated that the Conservative party will gain a
large majority. The question at present under dis-
cussion at Rome as to the beatification of Maria
Christina, Queen of Naples, and daughter of the
house of Savoy, who died in 1836, it is generally
believed will lead to friendly relations between the
Courts of Rome and Turin.

SPAIN.
The proposal of M. Mires, relative to a loan of
300,000,000 of reels effective (75,000,000 francs),
has heel' accepted by the Spanish Government, and
the treaty signed and published in the official Gazette
of Madrid. In conformity with the Spanish law, the
outbidding remains open for twenty days.
M. Ochoa is appointed Director of Public In-
struction.
Nothing has been decided relative to the convoca-
tion of the Cortes.