Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-10-18 00:00:00

FRANCE.

The Patric contradicts the reports as to the Govern-
ments of Central Italy being in great pecuniary
difficulties. _
The Pod says the French Government is perfectly
satisfied with the authorities of Parma in their desire
to punish the recent criminal acts.
The Paris correspondent of the Post says the Emperor
Napoleon will only recall his forces from Rome when
the form of government renders their presence no
longer necessary.
• The demonstrations in. favour of the Holy See having
been interfered with in France, so far that the Press has
been warned against, publishing them, the French pub-
lic is intended to be reached through the Belgian Jour-
nals. The Archbishop of Malines has made a beginning
by issuing a document referring to the questions of the
day in Italy.
()ne of the canards which agitated the Paris. Bourse
on Tuesday, positively asserted that English and French •
ships has "fired into each other before Gibraltar. Another
report was that the English fleet had taken up a posi-
tion permitting it to overlook and command the Spanish
camp, an unusual position for a neutral, and which, it
was alleged, caused great sensation among the Spanish
troops.

THE STEAMSHIP 'JASON.
Gleiwt,x, Oct. 16, 2 p.m.—The Jason, from Liver-
pool, en route for New York, has just arrived here.

• VOLUNTEER RIFLE CORPS:
The Secretary at War has conferred an important
boon on Volunteer Rifle Corps, by ineretkaing the per-
centage of arms, allowed by Governinent, from 25 per
cent. to 60 per cent., with a corresponding supply of
ball-cartridge, dre.

THE CHINESE SQUADRON.
Three officers who lost their vessels at the Peiho have
been tried by. courts-martial and acquitted. Lieut.
Douglas was just six hours in command, and in that
short time became subject to be tried for the loss of his
Ship. Among the promotions in China are the follow-
ing :—Commander Commerell to be Captain, vice Van-
sittart ; Winsett to be Commander, vice Commerell,

Some portion of the troops quartered at Chatham
are to be daily instructed in embarking and disembark-
ing, for which purpose one of her Majesty's ships has
been placed at their disposal.
ENGLISH BIRDS AND FISHES IN AUSTRALIA.—We
are glad to learn that Captain Macmeckan, of the Omeo,
was successful in landing two and a-half dozen carp,
which he took with him from England, with the object of
domesticating them in Victoria. They are now in the
care of Mr. Brown, of Como, a locality situated on tile
Upper Yarrar The four dozen English thrushes have
also arrived, consigned directly to Dr. Mueller by Mr.
Edward Nilson.—Australian and New Zealand Gazette,

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

_IL-

• THE ZURICH CONFERENCE.

Altlumgh there is now scarcely room for doubt
that the long-talked-of-Coup-ass will assemble,
the pessimists still shake their heads ominously,
and anticipate many difficulties to be overcome.
The great majority of the public, however, is
hopeful, and even confident,. refusing to doubt
that all obstacles will be vanquished to the
assemblage of the great European Council
which is to settle existing complications in
the best possible manner.. As to the- Powers
that are to take, part in the Congress, various
reports are current ; but the prevalent belief
seems to be that what was. stated on Friday will
prove correct, and that, beides the five Great
Powers, six others will be represented at Brussels,
or whatever other place the Congress is to be held
at. Minor points, however, are lost sight of in
the importance of the great fact of the five Powers
being agreed to meet and deliberate. Meanwhile,
from Zurich we hear nothing authentic. Some
journals assert very positively that the treaty
of peace is on the eve of signature, that it will,
be concluded within a day or two ; and this.
may possible be true, but then the im-
portant point of the Lombard Debt will not be
settled by it, but left to arbitration. General
Dabormida's visit to Paris is said to have refer-
ence to this question. He comes on a mission, it
is stated in letters from Turin, from the Sardinian
Government to the Emperor, and expressly with
relation to the debt. According to one account,
Austria 'imposed the King of Holland for arbi-
trator ; but, an objection having been made to that
arrangement, the King of the Belgians is likely
to be agreed to by all parties concerned. If the
result of the arbitration is to be included in the
treaty, the latter can hardly be signed quite so
soon as some expect.
A letter from Turin contradicts the report that
the Government of Central Italy would be en-
trusted to Prince Eugene, of Savoy Carignano, as
Regent for his. cousin, the King of Sardinia.—
The Times (Second Edition).