The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-03-02 00:00:00

SPAIN.

MADRID, Fera. 23.
The old Polaco party, which was driven out in
18M, and whose chiefs have but recently been
re--admitted to Spain, is in a state of great
exasperation at the marked disfavour shown
to it by the Palace. Some of its members make
no secret of their feelings of irritation, and at
times indulge in expressions of a somewhat
treasonable nature, to the effect that it is time to
get rid of the present Queen, and
.to replace her
by the Duchess of Montpensier. This must be
regarded as a mere childish venting of spleen,
for however, insecure Queen Isabella 's tenure of
her crown may be thought, it is quite certain that
there is no chance of its descending on the head of
her sister. Such an arrangement would suit neither
England nor France, neither would it be acceptable
to the Spanish nation, with which the Montpensiers
are not popular. Should another and a more radi-
cal revolution than has yet been witnessed here,
leave the throne vacant, it is difficult to say who will
be called upon to fill it. The subject is not unfre-
quently discussed, as are also the merits of the
various candidates. The old project of uniting
Spain and Portugal under one Crown is not lost
sight of; and some who are favourable to it would,
in the first instance, offer the crown of Spain to
the father of the present Ning of Portugal, with a
view to its being ultimately united to that of the
last-named country on the head of his son. These,
it may be said, are rather curious speculations
than serious plans. But if the present dynasty is
not to endure—and it seems a growing and very
general opinion that it cannot—it is neither unwise
nor uninteresting to discuss beforehand what is to
replace it. The feeling that things are in a most
unsettled state gives rise to many wild conjectures
and hypotheses. I believe nobody seriously
believes in the possibility of a republic in Spain.
Count Monternolin%4 name is sometimes mentioned,
but there are many difficulties ; and,'morever, what
would France say to that ? The Emperor, it is
thought, would do his utmost to prevent an en-
thronement that would give fresh hope and vigour
to the French Legitimists. Those persons—and I
confess myself of the number—who disbelieve that
Napoleon 111. cherishes the dangerous design of
placing a member of his own family on the throne
of Spain, are puzzled to conjecture to what his policy
with regard to this country tends. It is well known
that he has favoured and supported O'Donnell,
and it is believed to be in consequence of
that support. that O'Donnell has maintained the
position he has since he left the Ministry The
Queen, it is known, does not like him, and yet he
has occasional interviews with her, and seems to
possess a certain weight, unwarranted by that of
any party that he leads, for, in fact, party he has
none. He lost his opportunity, in August last, of
putting himself at the head of the Progresistas,
and now he is reduced to be the chief of a small
knot of Vicalvariste. Yet it is known that the
Palace, moved, it is believed, by French influence,
exerted partly and indirectly through Maria
Christina, has lately endeavoured to get him
into the Ministry. That combination failing,
he has been offered the Presidency of the
Senate, which he has refused, being determined,
it is believed, not to work in any way with
Narvaez. But to what end, it is asked, is he then
upheld and put forward, and what is the
meaning of the preference shown for him by the
French Government 2. It can hardly be with the
idea, that a government which he should head or
share in, would have greater chances of stability
than one under Narvaez. For, if when action is re-
quired O'Donnell has proved himself a man of
energy and decision, on the other hand his political
changes and vacillations have been so numerous,
that if he came into power he would find himself
without supporters, and assailed by all political
parties. Except by the most corrupt means, it would
be impossible for O'Donnell to get together Cortes
in which he should have a majority, He would be
opposed on the one hand by the Progresistas, on
the other by the Polacos; sections of the Mode-
rados would also work against him ; in short, he
would be harassed on all.sides, and it would be
scarcely possible that he should*maintain himself
for any length of time. •
It is stated, but I do not vouch for the truth of
it, that the Spanish Government has applied to
those of England and France to know if they will
allow their naval forces to watch over the safety of
the island of Cuba while those of Spain proceed
from that island upon an expedition against
Mexico. I am assured that up to yesterday no
ans o'er had been received to this inquiry.

The
.following appeared in our Second Edition of
Saturday :
THE OVERLAND MAIL.

MARSEILLES, FRIDAY.
The India and China mails arrived here at ten a.m.,
and will be sent on at noon by a special train.

SPAIN.

Advices from Madrid mention that the recent invita-
tion trom the Spanish Government, for tenders for a mail
steam line between Cadiz and Havannah, at a subsidy for
65,000 reels per month failed to draw forth a single reply,
they have now increased their offer to 30,000 a month,
owing to the protracted absence of Sir H. L. Bulwer on
his diplomatic mission in the East.