The Press.
London, England, 1856-11-29 00:00:00

THE WEEK.

AN eminent savant and diplomatist of Prussia, in a recently-
published work, expressed his conviction that the progress of the
principle of Association was one of the most striking features of this
age. This principle appears to be advancing not only within the
bounds of particular communities, but among nations. The great
inventions of our time are favorable to closer international inter-
course, and the statesmen for their age are they who favour the
spread of this principle, and not they who endeavour to retard it.
The present political attitude of this country contrasts singularly
with the commercial principles it professes and its commercial
interests.

There are, besides Great Britain, five first-rate Powers in the
world. Commercial ties connect us most closely with the United
States; yet friendly relations between the two countries have been in-
terrupted by the dismissal of the British Minister from Washington,
and no attempt seems yet to have been made to compose the differ-
ence, and to place the two countries on their former footing of amity.
The election of Mr. BUCHANAN renders it highly expedient that a
British Minister should be resident at Washington, since Mr.
BUCHANAN has always held principles of policy the practical applica-
tion of which must be watched by this country ; not, indeed, with
jealousy or suspicion, but with serious regard. It would appear that
though concessions have been made by our Government with regard
to the Bay Islands, which have been given up to Honduras,
yet that no satisfactory negotiation has taken place with re-
spect to the fulfilment of the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty, and
the securing the neutrality of that part of Central America
which is necessary to preserve the passage between the two
oceans open to the commerce of all the world. The last accounts
from this region report the continued progress made by General
WALKER. He seems to have established himself firmly in Nicaragua,
and has sent a representative from his Government to the Cabinet of
Mr. BUCHANAN. The disturbed state of the actual isthmus renders the
whole question of increasing urgency, and the time for European
action upon it—with a view to settle an independent Government,
able to maintain its rights and preserve order—for the region of the
isthmus would seem to be at hand. For this purpose it is indispen-
sable that France and England should act closely together.
Of the other four Powers, our relations with France have lately
cooled. The attacks of some English newspapers on the French
Government—resulting, not from the independent action of the press,
which would be unimportant, but from a knowledge that the French
Government was not disposed to support the tone which Lord
PALMERSTON's Administration thought proper to adopt towards Russia—
has produced, and in Paris continues to produce, an uneasy feeling.
Our accounts from that capital this week assure us that the mischief
continues to work, and the really independent press of England—that
press which is entirely free from Ministerial influence—is entreated to
assist in preserving the cordiality of the alliance unimpaired—a
desire which we are assured is near to the heart of the Emperor of the
FRENCH.
With a third of the great Powers—Russia—the attitude of our
Government is one of restless hostility. The general character of
John Bull is heartiness. He does not love to retain grudges. If he
has a quarrel he loves to fight it out, and then honestly shake hands
with his opponent, and resume terms of good neigbouihood. This
has not been the course of our policy towards Russia. Our Adminis-
tration, since the close of the war, seems to have been intent on
keeping the old sore open, and the most monstrous stories have been
circulated of the efforts of Russia to evade compliance with the terms
of the Treaty of Paris. This week wo observe tin a very respectable
journal (the Home News), having an (extensive circulation throughout
India, the following paragraph, intended for the edification of its
readers :

The restless and wide•spread agencies put into activity by Russia in the hope of
producing a rupture, or creating a misunderstanding between the Wester► Powers, have
become a subject of daily discussion in the English newspapers. There is no affectation
of reserve upon a subject which so deeply concerns the future tranquillity of the civilised
world. Many persons known to be employed on these insidious missions are pointed
out by name, and the scene and nature of their labours plainly described. Amongst them
is no less a personage than the Dowager Empress of Russia, who has taken up her
residence in Italy, for the purpose, it is alleged, of exasperating the feud between the
Italians and Austria, artfully applying her groat wealth and perscnal influence to the
promotion of dissensions likely to lead to European convulsions. Two Russian Grand
Duchesses have also been traced perambulating Germany. One of these, the Grand
Duchess Helena, a neice of the King of Wurtemburg, has taken up her residence at
Breslau, a convenient centre of machinations commanding Vienna, Dresden, Leipsic,
Hanover, and Hamburg. The other, the Grand Duchess Alexandra, the wife of the
Grand Duke Constantine, is at Berlin, from whence she can with ease spread her
intrigues over Baden, Brussels, and Paris.

It appears too bad, because some Princesses of the Imperial
family of Russia should please to winter in Italy, or travel through
Germany, that sinister political designs should be attributed to
them by our press, or that they should be pointed out as political
spies of Russia, charged with immense wealth to spread Russian
influence. It is quite certain, that if this tone continues to be used
by our Ministerial press, and to be favoured b) any considerable
portion of our public, the Treaty of Paris can be little more than a
hollow truce, so far as England and Russia are concerned. On the
antagonism between the Governments of England and France, in their
policy towards Russia, it is needless to remark.
Of the other two Powers, Prussia and Austria, our relations with
the former are scarcely cordial. The necessities of Lord PALMERSTON'S

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