The Press.
London, England, 1856-03-01 00:00:00

prrign Corrlsponlitutt.

FRO:I[IOAT, Feb. 27.
THE Vienna journals, on the eve of the Parisian
Conferences, or rather on the day on which they
were opened, declared, as the opinion of Austria, that
England is placed in the second rank at the Euro-
pean council-board. The following are the words

quoted by an Austrian journal from a Russian
organ, with full and consentaneous agreement :
—" England, by her disasters in the Crimea,
has descended to the position of a second-rate
power (les pertes et lee desastres de Is campagne en
Crimee rejettent I'Angleterre au second rang), whilst
the powers of France are increased in the same pro-
portion (pendant que la France vit son influence
grander dans la me me proportion)."
By the acceptation of the five points, the Diet as-
sumes to have fulfilled the stipulations qualifying
for a seat at the Conferences. The acceptance is
accompanied by a reservation in these words, " En
se reservant son jugement propre surtout quant aux
conditions speciales que les puissances belligerents
pourront presenter." No reproach can be directed
against the Confederation for placing itself in guard
against an extravagant construction of the fifth
point ; but thereby it forfeits the claim to a parity of
position with powers who have not made such
reservation. This comes from the impolicy of giving
the Conferences a double instead of a single action.
After the terms of peace are concluded on a firm
basis of operation, it, would then he a proper
moment for the minor power.; of Europe to be
summoned in congress to discuss details 1 y
which they are certain to be affected. A conference
is not a congress. However impatient the Confedera-
tion may be, her well-being will not be benefited by
low intrigue and abuse of the Anglo-Frank relations.
The late debates in the Lords and Commons of
England have been watched with earnest attention.
Everything connected with that parliamentary synod
of liberty—free discussion, and royal and popular
Government—" plus sacri mille fois que celui du
Pnyx d'Athines on du Forum Romain" (Mon-
talembert, c. ix ), is held iu marvellous respect and
honour throughout the length and breadth of
Europe. A difference betwixt the Crown and the

SATURDAY,

bereditar) house of nobles is viewed with regret; yet
there is a general assent given to the simple resistau s
of an encroachment upon the privileges of the peels;
It is the want of an honourable and inilepeodeLt
nobility, possessed of wealth and legislative autht.
rity, time-honoured and respected by Crown and
people, that renders impossible tins essential
branch of constitutional government on the Conti-

Still more injurious is the report of the Crimean
Military Commission, and the appalling delinquel
cies o munitted by an Aberdeen Lord of the Treastu 7
and attorney-at law. His fiscal lapses have even
reached Frankfort, and the familiar interrogation s
amongst foreigners are :—Was he really a Lord of the
Treasury? had he, in truth, been an intimate of Lord
Aberdeen, the Fast Lord? England must set its
house in order if she expects continental respect as
of old. J. E. L

SIENA, Feb. 26.
THERE is a lull throughout Italy, partially disturbed
by the republication of the letter of Mazziei, ad-
dressed to "la Giovane Italia." Young Italy, with
all the admitted wrongs of ages, has only proved it
ferocity. It has left no sign of merit for popular
gratitude. Rapine, murder, confiscation, robbery,crirne
against the person, were its daily, nay hourly evidences
of sinful progress, private, public, and legislative.
The better portions of Young Italy, however, repu-
diate pure republicanism, are well aware of the fatal
error which brought Carlo Alberto to an untimely
grave, and, seeing ,the present success of Sardinia,
are disposed to act with greater wisdom and patriot-
ism. Hence the reappearance of Mozzini's le:ter ;
and no better proof can be afforded of its beneficial
effect than having roused the ill-temper of the Maz-
zinians. All parties seem by one consent to lay aside
hostility for the moment, and to wait the upshot of
the ;Conferences. Here, as elsewhere, the peace
question is considered as a matter apart from the
general settlement of European affairs, nor do the
Italians expect to derive benefit except from the
questions that must eventually follow. That a peace
can be durable without a settlement of national dif-
ferences, not within the exact scope of the present
war, no one for an instant can imagine ; end the
attempt to perpetuate existing misgovernment by re-
fusing to entertain the subject of reform, will bring
about a revolutionary chaos that will not be allayed
without frightful havoc. But when were the saa.
guine Italians without hope?
Greater severity than newt] mark the doings of
the Tuscan sbirri. Their object would seem to be to
secure the higher order of Liberals on their transit
from the Roman States to Sardinia, in order to join
the Anglo-Italian Legion. the latter finds great
favour with the Italians, but a secret correspondence
having been lately discovered between tbe agents of
Mazzini and some of the recruits, the legion has
received orders to quit its present quarters for Genoa.
These Red republicans ire the destruction of every
plan for solid regeneration. Intelligence had been
received that Signor F—, a Liberal, highly esteemed,
and of much weight with his party, was on Iris way
from the neighbourhood of Viterbo, through the
Maremma, to the North. The authorities at Orbi-
tello and Grosseto had been fully instructed, hut he
passed through their fangs unscathed, and wended
his way by Cecina towards the Pisan marshes, Via-
reggio, noted as the place where Byron and Trelawney
celebrated the funeral rites, or rather orgie., of their
friend Shelley. Here the woods and marshes of the
seacoast narrow, and the passage of the Sirchio is
always dangerous for a fugitive. The guard at the
river was on a sharp look out, as it was known that
Signor F— had been traced to the vicinity—almost
to the water's edge. To pass the upper or lower
ferry in the day was impossible, and floating down
in a boat by night was nearly certain of detection.
He was, however, well served by his friends, lay and
sacerdotal. The little church of Borghetto stands
on the Pisan bank of the river, and the padre curato
of the establishment had been sent for to attend a
dying parishioner. Signor F— confessed, was ab-
solved, underwent the operation of the tonsure, lost
his beard and moustachios, and donned the black
cap. He then took the Host, carried it on high with
its embroidered covdrlet, and, accompanied by tbe
priest with the acolytes and wax candles, went down
to the ferry. Here the procession was received by
the sbirri sent in pursuit, upon bended knees; the
ferry was crossed in pontifical honour, amidst reli-
gious chaunts and the prayers of the tender-hearted
and anxious womankind who had assisted in the
cheat. Signor F— escared. One must not be too
severe upon the Roman Church. Sometimes it does
a good ,urn even to an unbeliever in its sanctity.
M. T. A.

MARCH 1, 1856.

3ortign anb (Colonial inttlligentt.

FR INCE.

Count Orloff was received by the Emperor of the
French on Saturday. The Moniteur, in announcing
the fact, designated the Count "premier plenipoten-
tiara of his Majesty the Emperor of all the Rua-
sias."
On Sunday the Emperor received Ash Pacha.
On Monday the conferences opened, for the first
time, at 1 p.m. All the plenipotentiaries were pre-
sent. The sitting lasted till half-past four, and
resulted in an agreement to an armistice till the 31st
March. On Thursday the second conference took
place.
An announcement in the Patrie of Wednesday
stated that the sittings of the Conference were un-
certain, as the completion of the minutes of each
sitting required time. The meetings, the Pays de•
dares, are not fixed beforehand for certain days, but
depend on the march of negotiation.
The health of the Empress continues satisfactory.

AUSTRIA.
The Gazette des Pastes states that the despatches of
Count Buol express his entire confidence in a satis-
factory termination of the Conference at Paris.
Count Rodolph D'Appoyni, Austrian Envoy at
Munich, and Count George Esterhazy, at Berlin,
were about to be recalled. One or the other, it is
believed, will replace Count Colloredo in London.
Count Valentine Esterhazy, at St. Petersburg, has
applied to be relieved on account d his health.
On the return of Count Buol it was expected
that further diplomatic changes would take place.

PRUSSIA.
The Zeit, the especial organ of the Cabinet, insists
this week upon the right of Prussia to be represented
at the conferences for the interest of Europe and the
benefit of Germany.
The committee of the Prussian Chamber of Depu-
ties, in their report on the bill for authorising the
use of the extraordinary war-credit, express an opi-
nion that, under present circumstances, the reasons
which require Prussia to hold her military force in
readiness, have not yet ceased to exist. The mem-
bers of the committee recognise that the country
ought to feel grateful to his Majesty's Government
for having secured to Prussia, during a critical
period, both peace and the right of unbiassed deci-
sion. The members unanimously propose the adop-
tion of the project of law presented by the Govern-
ment.