The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-04-10 00:00:00

FRANCE.

PARIS, WEDNESDAY EVENING.
11118 Neufchatel Conference has not met to day,
nor is it certain it will sit to morrow. If not as
Itaportant, this paltry affair threatens to occupy as
much time and give as much trouble as the
Russian protocols. The question of money is, it
seems the present difficulty. The King of
Pr
ussia, like a man of business, is anxious to make
!_s good a thing-of it as possible, and he higgles
about
about his bargain than did M. de Veron
the sale of the Constitutionnel and the Pays,
M. Girardin about the Presse. His Majesty
might take a lesson of liberality in such matters
trr°ta either of the fortunate sellers, but he will
Y to squeeze as much as he can out of poor
Switzerland.
A private letter from Turin of the 4th states that
ti
I° departure of the Austrian Minister and the
ruPture of diplomatic relations with Vienna pro-
dbutedbut a slight impression in the former city.
tbge Sardinian Government will remain firm,
voclogh quiet and moderate, unless wantonly pro-
r:(1, and wanton provocation from Austria it does
g‘ anticipate. This refers only to overt hostilities,
~t little doubt is felt that active intrigues will be
11;„t() foot to drive M. Cavour from office. At this
or'iNnt Austria would prefer seeing M. Mazzini
sonie equally ardent politician at the head of
414'1', at wnose instigation Piedmont might com-
b it some indiscretion. A project of law will soon
e Presented to the Chambers for the organisation
f)r ihe National Guard. The moveable contingent
comprise young men from 18 years to 28, the
axed from 18 to 50, and the reserve from 18 to 54.
..4t is thought that the moveable contingent will
amount to from 30,000 to 40,000 men.
The various rumours which have circulated for
r
lust few days about an attempt on the Emperor's
Person are, I am assured, totally unfounded. The
°IIIY thing that is certain is the fact I have already
ln,eaticned of several arrests having taken place in
'l'lB and some of the departments, connected
''llh the secret society of which I have also given
Jr„9ll some details. The arrests have no doubt
Nil rise to these reports about "attentats," which
"13 untrue.
The public has received with approbation the
eelsion of the Council of State in the case of the
Bishops of Moulins. The exception is of course
thell,, party that would place the clerical power far
ethc)ve the law, that would admit no appeal from
eciesiastical authority, and would recognise no
t „.llPremacy, nor even equality, in a lay tribunal. The
;ore influential, as the most intolerant organ of
at party, the Univers, has sullenly registered the
dI
.I;;_ctee in its columns, without a single observation.
°lose who ought to be grateful, however', are the
Inferior clergy, whom it protects against the
,
gressions of their superiors. The decree does
tit affect the Bishop of Moulins only ; it condemns
0 whole of the Provincial Councils that have
~1
4eeeeived the Synodal Statute which pronounces
communication ipso facto, and without previous
notice, on all who presume to appeal to the
t
eeular power for support or protection in what
.e°neerns the jurisdiction, statutes, charges, and
other ecclesiastical regulations touching benefices,
titles,
&c. Moreover, the government from whom
sucht a check emanates, is not one that has tyran-
t Ised over or persecuted the clergy. On the con-
rarY, it is one which, since its establishment, has
found,, it its interest to gain their affection and
devotedness. It is said that notwithstanding the
Eder in the Council of State, and the decree of the
toperor, the matter will still be arranged. I do
by
well see how any arrangement, otherwise than
Y the resignation of the Bishop of Moulins,
! possible. Had it been the case of a pre-
late who was harshly treated by the secular
Mower, but who still retained the attachment
°.,f his clergy, and the affections of the people of his
itcieiss, he might refuse to abandon his post; but
sun Dreux-Breze cannot fall back on any
- Support. He may be looked upon as a
Martyr by such of his episcopal brethren as would
imitate his conduct, and sympathise with his
notions of church government, but it is not probable
that the inferior clergy who have suffered from a
rule Which until now they have borne iu silence,
°t the people whose indignation might soon have
i 'ecorne still stronger, will not rejoice at the lesson
that
has been administered to him. It would be
IlnPolitic to leave him in his diocese, for a man
"10 is the object of general odium can never hope
,
instruct with profit or to edify. The Concordat
Is, the law of the land ; the Bishop of Moulins has
etearly violated it ; that violation is aggravated by
the
way in which he extorted from his clergy the
,l'esignation of their cures previous to their nomi-
nation whenever caprice prompted him to demand
s• What the Court of Rome may think about the
matter it is not difficult to say, but the Emperor
'Jill probably console himself for any new difficul-
,ca about the coronation with the satisfaction that
,I
act of justice will have produced among the
coeral body of the inferior clergy.
,An act of severity, unworthy as impolitic, took
ace, unierstand, on the occasion of the funeral
„',
Madame de Larochejacquelein a month or two
;Re. That funeral was attended by an immense
eOurse of people from Orleans, where she died,
'c'tlfroth the country which was the theatre of her
..°lTher sufferings, and her devotion to a family not
the
remarkable for gratitude to its adherents ; and
;Ue remains of the venerable lady were followed to
;'ilse grave by hundreds who never sympathised in
'a cause for which she underwent so many dan-
gers and made so many sacrifices, and to whom the
hite cockade is but a tradition. They paid the
,h,tibuto of their respect to one so worthy of it, and
rZerely honoured heroic courage and unchanged
ISalty without thinking of the cause for which
the
were exhibited. Among those who attended
," funeral of Madame de Larochejaquelein were
°llle functionaries or agents of the Government,
-,hose,; devotion to it, we may presume, is sincere,
they receive its pay and wear its uniform. They
had no notion that a mark of respect paid to one,
/%7110, long before her death, had the rare advantage
°1 becoming an historical personage, and whom all
Parties have long united in admiring, was an
t'h'ence, or that such an act would be regarded as a
‘,.'etnonstration in favour of Henry V. They
Zte, it seems, mistaken. Their conduce was
ri Ived with displeasure by their superiors, and
s'ted with punishment. Some, I believe, were
I,lsnaisaed from their employment, and others
:cloyed to a distant post—such removal, when it is
q from promotion, being considered as equivalent
tknsure. The case was so hard that the 'Marquis
de Larochejacquelein, the son of the deceased lady,
11'°k the matter up. The Marquis, who considers
‘taself to have been badly treated by the persons
:1 Whose cause his family made so many sacrifices,
nd who was for so many years the political
arersary of the Orleans regime, has, as you
Ir° doubtless aware, long since rallied to the
.opPerial Government, and excepted the functions
Of Senator. The Marquis, whom a severe attack
lillness prevented from being present at the
oh
of his mother, felt deeply the conduct of
o.e authorities in punishing those whose only
~" ~ n. 11ce was to show her respect. He remonstrated,
he ought, and# I believe, tendered his resigna-
Rn",aB Senator; he was not obliged, however, to
tnis length; his remonstrances were attended
o-
and the offending parties were restored to their
This absurd incident I do not put to the Etn-
fh
or er°r'B account. I do him the justice to believe
it 4t it was without his consent knowledge that
'courred, and that it was the spontaneous act of
5„0,.,4° over zealous functionary, who thought that it
tr"old procure him favour in high quarters. There
Datfew characters that have more claims to sym-
a 1-1 Y and respect from all parties than Madame de
trrochejacquelein, and the pages in which she has
i:te_ed the narrative of her sufferings and dangers
,4,1.Ue cause of fallen royalty possess an attraction
is not surpassed by those of Mrs,Hutchinson,
Lis is also the historian of a heroic husband and
chivalrous independents. Madame de Laroche-
_quelein could not be hated by the most violent
entlublican. She has told the story of her friends
Qrher enemies, but in these attractive memoirs
4tftnhas not passed over without eulogium the in-
ces of heroism or kind and compassionate

feeling which were found among the Republicans,
and she has confessed, with a simplicity that
charms, the faults, even the crimes which
disgraced the insurgents of the Bocages.
In these memoirs there is no trace of bitterness
against those who forced her and hers to
become wanderers, and even remote spectators
find it difficult after a lapse of . many years
to speak of those events, which to them is but a
history of the past, with the same moderation,
kindly feeling, and impartiality which this noble
lady, who was a party and a sufferer in them, dis-
plays. It is, theretere, highly improbable that the
removal of the functionaries whose only sin was to
follow the remains of such a person to the grave
could have been with the knowledge of the Empe-
ror. Indeed, the satisfaction so speedily accorded
would lead 113 to suppose that it was not so.
A letter from Genoa, of the 3rd inst , states that
discord has reached the highest pitch between the
two branches of the house of Bourbon, and all
attempts to accomplish a fusion have completely
failed, particularly since the unfortunate letter
written by the Count de Chambord to the widow
of M. de Salvandy Some members of the family
are at present at Sesto Ponente, for the purpose of
concerting with the Duchess of Orleans and the'
Count of Paris the course to be pursued in the
event of certain contingencies more or less remote.
A letter from Algiers, of the 3rd inst., announces
that distUrbances have taken place in Morocco in
consequence of the death of the Pasha of Guerro
nans, who was much devoted to the Emperor.
Myriads of Kabyles, whom the Pasha kept in order
by the energy of his character, had taken up arins,
and the Emperor of Morocco had been freed to
send his son at the head of an army against them.
It is thought that if the insurrection is not sup-
pressed the residence of the Emperor will be
transferred to Fez.

General Todtleben, who resides at the Russian
Embassy, visited to day the Minister of War. He
afterwards visited the Marshals Pelissier, Canro
bert, and Bosquet. A great number of generals
and military men of all ranks have left their
names at the general's residence since his arrival
at Paris.

The Abbe Coquereau, Chief Chaplain to the
Fleet, will leave Paris on the 15th for Toulon, to
attend the official reception of his Imperial High-
ness the Grand Duke Constantine.

Count Kisselef, the Russian Ambassador, will
likewise proceed to Toulon to receive the Grand
Duke.

I am informed that the Commission appointed by
the Minister of Marine and Colonies for the exami
nation of the colony of New Caledonia as a penal
settlement has commenced its labours, under the
presidency of Vice Admiral Cecille.
The steam corvette Laplace, which is being fitted
out for sea at Toulon, is to be sent to the Chinese
seas to reinforce the French fleet there

The approaching departure of Mr. Guillemin,
Bishop of Canton, for the Indian seas, is
announced.

It appears by the latest accounts from Constan-
tinople that, the opinion of the Porte with respect
to the union of the Danubian Principalities i.
considerably modified. It is inclined to consent to
that arrangement on condition that its suzerainty
shall be respected and that the united provinces
continue to pay an annual tribute.
The Commission of the Budget, contrary to the
usual custom, of the Chamber, has this year
appointed its reporter before having completely
discussed all the questions connected with it,
having done so in consequence of the pressure of
time. M. A. Leroux has undertaken to present
his report to the Camber by the Ist of May, as the
Government and Chamber both desire that no pro-
longation of the session should take place. The
committee on the budget is now discussing the
new taxes, and everything favours the impression
that it will come to the same conclusion as the
Council of State, and that nothing will be changed
with regard to the 15c or transferable securities.
The following despatch has been received :

" MARSEILLES, APRIL 7.

Intelligence has been received from Constan-
tinople to the 30th ultimo. The Sultan visited
the Royal Albert before the English fleet sailed
for Malta.

" The Presse d'Orient contains a strong article
against the trade carried on in Circassian slaves.
Austria had announced at Constantinople by
telegraph her rupture with Sardinia.
" The Ottoman Ambassador at Teheran had
presented a note calling for the execution of the
treaty of delimitation and the restitution of seven
towns to Turkey, particularly Ourmiah and Suli-
manieh.
" Wheat is falling. The last arrivals amount to
80,000 hectolitres. A further fall appears to be
inevitable in consequence of the accounts received
of the fine appearance of the crops in Provence,
Languedoc, Spain, Italy, and Algeria."

AUSTRIA.

VIENNA, APRIL 6.

Although she is one of the great European
Powers, and possesses a most formidable army,
Austria is alarmed because 20,000 Sardinian
soldiers are about to form a camp near the fortress
of Alessandiia. Instead of stating in a couple
lines a fact, whim in reality is of little or
no importance, the Ost. Deutsche Post, as non-official
organ of the Austrian Foreign Office, thus writes :
"At the moment in which Austria complained of
certain hostile demonstrations at Turin, the Sar-
dinian Chamber considered it opportune to discuss
the question of the building of the fortress of
Alessandria. This was not a demonstration, it was
mere chance. When Count Paar informed the
Sardinian Minister that the Marquis of Cantono
was at liberty to remain at his post in Vienna, the
latter was recalled. The step was not taken
because Sardinia desired to bring about a rupture,
but because her dignity required it. The Turin
Government is now about to form a camp of 20,000
men near Alessandria. This, as we are told, is no
demonstration, but a military manoeuvre which
take place every year. •
q We are not so versed in the habits and customs
of the Piedmontese army as to know whether such
a concentration of troops takes place every year,
and at this season, but this we know, that every
temperate and cautious government—every Go-
vernment which was disinclined to give provocation
and to cause &arm—would, under present circum
stances, have preferred to delay the ' annually
recurring evolutions' for a few months."

It is highly probable that General della Marmora
resolved to pitch his camp in the neighbourhood
of Alessandria in order to annoy Austria, and the
Imperial Government ought, therefoili, to have
taken no other notice of such an empty demon-
stration than to order the commander in Lombardy
to keep a watchful eye on the movements of his
Sardinian neighbours. Austria has an army
of 110,000 men concentrated in her own Italian
States and in the Paiial Legations, and as
position in the Italian Peninsula is amazingly
strong, it is difficult to conceive why she
condescends to notice the petty provoca-
tions of the Turin Cabinet. The Imperial
Cabinet altogether ignores the affronts which it so
continually receives from Russia, but it is excess
sively indignant whenever Sardinia makes a move
on the political chess board which is not to its
taste. Some weeks before the diplomatic rupture
actually took place between Austria and Sardinia,
it was said in my correspondence that it would be
bad policy if this government should recall its
diplomatic agent from Turin, and reliable letters
which have, during the last day or two, been
received from various parts of Italy confirm me in
the opinion then expreSsed One writer says:—
" It grieves me much to be obliged to confess that
the
,state of public feeling here (in Lombardy) is
nearly as ,had as it was three months iago. The
receht measure towards Sardinia has produced a
very bad impression, an4l has induced the Lombards
to believe that the Austrian Government has an
inveterate and incurable antipathy to the Italian
nationality, The Milanese are blinded by their
prejudices, and consecioently totally unable to
make allowance for the mor3)id sensibility which
Austria displays whenever the justike of her claims
to the Lombardo-Venetian kingdom is in-11)14030."
second writer speaks of the disoonteht which

TFfE NORTHERN TIMES.---LIVERPOOL, FRIDAY.

has been caused by the " unusually large conscrip-
tion" in Venice and Lombardy; a third declares
that the Venetians are extremely indignant that
three millions of lire should have be advanced
by the State, at a very low rate, of interest, to the
Podesta Count Currer, who a few months ago was
in great pecuniary difficulties. There is at
this moment an unusual number of Sar-
dinian officers in Lombardy, whose presence
gives great umbrage to this government, as
very many of them are travelling in plain
clothes. The "sparring" between the Vienna
and Turin Cabinets is likely to continue, but there
is little danger of their coming to blows, as France,
England, Russia, and Prussia, are by no means in-
clined to permit them to disturb the peace of
Europe. Yesterday it was rumoured that Baron de
Bourqueney had asked Count Bud to permit a
Paris Conference to settle the difference between
Austria and Sardinia. The report is probably un-
founded ; but if the French Ambassador did make
such a proposition, you may be sure that it was
peremptorily rejected.
The political excitement in the Danubian Princi-
palities increases from day to day, and it cannot he
doubted that the Wallachian Divan ad hoc will
pronounce in favour of the Union. The mem
bers of the Moldavian Divan are likely to display
somewhat less unanimity than their Wallachian
brethren, as many of them fear that J •ssy—the
present capital of Moldavia—would become a
mere provincial town, if the two Principalities
should be united. The newest electioneerinc
" dodge" in Wallachia is, that the more influential
men have cards with their names in the centre, and
the words " Union," " Hereditary Prince," " Re
presentative Government," and " Two Chambers,"
printed in the corners. The statement that the
Prussian Government is mediating between the
Western Powers and Naples is perfectly correct,
but well informed Austrians are not inclined to
believe that the mediation will be successful " as
it is a patent fact" that his Neapolitan Majesty is
resolved on making none but " seeming conces-
sions" (schein concessionen.) In order to oblige
Prussia, the Russian Government declared that
it considered the question relative to the
Holstein Lanenburg domains an exclusively Ger-
man matter; but it, at the same tithe, gave the
German ,Powers to understand that the Band
must proceed with great circumspection, as Rus
sia was not inclined to permit the sovereign rights
of the King of Denmark to be infringed on.
After the St. Petersburgh Cabinet had given ex-
pression to its opinion and views, the French
Government ceased to express a desire to bring
the Danish Holstein affair before the Europen
Areopagus. _

The Austrian military hierarchy is very wroth
with Count Weldensee, the Prussisn Minister of
War, for saying that 30,000 Austrian soldiers had
died in Gallicia in 1854 and 1855, "as a conse-
quence of the hardships to which
_they were ex-
posed." There is no reason to, supose that the
soldiers were in want of the necessaries of life, but
their quarters in the miserable huts of the peasants
were in the highest degree insa!ubrius. The men
were also exposed to all the vicissitudes' of the
weather, as they were daily employed in construct-
ing the roilroad in the western part of Gallicia. The
complaint of which nine tenths of the 30,000 men
died was a most malignant typhus, which
assumed the character of an epidemic An emi-
gration fever is now raging in the Tyrol, and many
of the mountaineers have gone to Peru, because
the Ultramontane keepers of their consciences
have told them that no good Catholics
ought to pitch their tents in countries which, like
America, are principally inhabited by Protes
tants. The increasing desire to emigrate is
said to give serious annoyance to this' Govern.
ment. The fire and flame sermons of the Jesuit
missionaries have turned the brains of two
girls, a servant and seamstress. The poor crea-
tures who have become monomaniacs, talk of
nothing but the loss of their immortal souls, and
of the hell to which they are doomed. About a fort-
night since the proprietress of one of the first
hotels in the suburb Leopoldstadt died suddenly
of apoplexy, and the priest who had been sent
for expressed his indignation that he had been
called from his bed to attend a corpse. A•
day or two afterwards a Jesuit missionary,
in the Church of St. John, began to preach
at the relatives of the deceased, who bad
been renowned for their kindness to the poor, but
such a murmur of indignation arose that the
revered gentleman was obliged to change his
theme. About a year ago fifty or sixty sectarians,
calling themselves "Brethren of St". John," were
arrested and sent to Klosterneuburg, where they
were deliverered over to the Cisterian brethen, who
were charged to convince them of the error of their
ways. Most of the people were soon dismissed,
but a couple of them are still in confinement, as
they turned the tables on the clergy, and attempted
to make proselytes in the convent.
The Atilic Counsellor, M. von Lackenbacher,
who was with Count Francis Thun in Italy, left
last night for Constantinople. It is related that'
M. von Laekenbacher, who is an excellent nego-
tiator, has been sent by the Minister of Finances
to the Turkish capital. The State balance sheet
for 1856 has not yet been published, but it is
credibly related that the deficit is about
125,000,0006. Lombardo Venetian Railroad Com-
pany offers 70,000,000f1. for the Vienna Trieste
Railroad, but the State demands 10,000,0001 more.
The outlay for the line when completed—it will be
opened next August—will be about 120,000,000 fl
According to the Agrain Zeitung the Montene
grin Senate has pronouncod sentence of banish-
ment and confiscation of property against Messrs.
George, Mason, and Vuko Petrovitch. Their well
built house at C3ttinye is to be demolished, and
a price of 100 sequins (about £480) has been set
on their heads.

SPAIN.

MADRID, APRIL 4.

The Mexican question continues to be the most
prominent and important of those at present upon
the lapis, but it has made no visible progress since
I wrote to you concerning it on the 31st ultimo.
ft appears that Senor La Fragua hesitates to
come to Madrid unless he be received here in
his official 'capacity, and that the English
Government, which desires to see the quarrel
made up, is endeavouring to overcome his scruples.
As he has been assured that a friendly reception
awaits him, that the Spanish Government is
well disposed and even desirous to settle the
matter amicably ; and, as he is doubtless
aware that such settlement is most likely to be
brought about by his presence in Madrid, it is
not to be supposed that he will allow a point of
etiquette, or a merely personal feeling, to stand in
the way of the accomplishment of his important
mission. If ho did so, he would certainly be
rendering an ill service to his country; and it is
difficult to believe that he would be acting in the
spirit of his instructions. Spain has strong grounds
of complaint; her subjects have been robbed, ill
treated, Rnd even murdered ; and 'it would be in
bad taste for the 'representative of the country
where those outrages have been perpetrated to put
punctilious and unnecessary obstacles in the way
of the reconciliation for which she shows herself
willing.
The expectation continues strong that Senores
Bravo Murillo and Beltran de Lis will, before
long, head a new government, whose policy will, of
course, be retrograde, if it be not completely and
avowedly Absolutist. Such a ministry would pro-
bably Muster a pretty strong pkrty in the Congress.
The Absolutist newspaper Rigeneracion yesterday
reckoned up sixty two members whom it believes
will vote together in the Chamber and support
what it calls religious monarchial principles. At
the head of these stand Bravo Morillo, Beltran
do List and Canga Arguellas (the younger), and to
them may be added, as the Viscusion today remarks,
the Waverers_those goderados who are discon-
tented with the present government, and the Polaco
band of Sartorius. If it appears evident that the
present Government is weak, and cannot last, we
may expect to see R;;,
ranks dqfections from the
ranks of its present sworters.
Some of the persons (and these are not few)
who permit themselves to discuss and speculate
upon the chances of a change of dynasty in Spain,

have begun, as I aminformed, to indulge a
belief—begotten, probably, by their wishes—that
England and France would witness such a change
without repugnance or opposition. This is, doubt-
less an erroneous idea. To say nothing of the
difficulties attending the selection of the uew line,
there eau. be no doubt that it is the desire and in-
tention of both France and England to maintain
the throne of Isabella so long as they can do so
within certain limits of interference. Ad regards
England, especially, it is not to he supposed that
Lot dPalmerston would stultify himself by favour-
ing the destruction of that which he so long and
earnestly laboured to construct. He may possibly
now feel that he made a mistake, when, in conjunc-
tion with Louis Philippe ( whose selfiSh dynastic
views in the affair were subsequently so completely
unveiled), he thrust upon this country an infant
Sovereign and a form of government for which it
has proved itself wholly unfitted. But, neverthe-
less, it is to be expected that he will support that
situation which he powerfully assisted to create.
If what now exists were done away with, there are
but two candidatures that would find serious
support in Spain ; and, both to Carlos and to
Pedro, England or France, or both, would have
grave objections to urge.
Same of the newspaper organs of the Spanish
Government say that the anticipated Carlist move-
ment. the expectation of which has lately occasioned
movements of troops, and other precautions, has no
reality as regards the Carlists themselves, but that
some of the principal of these declare that they
i►ave been urged by the democratic party to repair to
the northern and eastern provinces of Spain, and
they would find arms, money, and men ready to
support the cause of Montemolin, There is every
rerson to believe that these statements are utterly
devoid of truth, and their appearance in Minis-
Lariat journals tenda to confirm the belief enter-
tained by many, that the alarm has been propagated.
and the proposed rising instigated, by the govern-
ment itself.

Gon. Roncali, Count of Alcoy, who was President
of the Council in 1853, died suddenly yesterday
afternoon of apoplexy. He was about fifty years
of age.

PIEDMONT.

TURIN, APRIL 4

I have already made you aware of the very great
interest the people of Piedmont take in the
English elections. Nothing, however, has given
them so much pleasure as the success of Lord
John Russell in the City. This is a very great
change ; for until lately his name was never
listened to with patience, on account of his speech,
delivered some years ago, in which he spoke
of the humanity of the Austrian govern-
ment and the impatience of the Italians under
their rule, However, his lordship on the hustings
has more than redeemed himself in the eyes of the
Italian, and he is now looked upon as the cham-
pion of Italian liberty. In the last parliament
Lord John promised to bring before the housr fl,^
atrocities committed at Bologna under the cloak
of the law; but now the Austrians use no subter-
fuge, but openly try and condemn Italians not
their subjects by Austrian courts-martial. Depend
upon it, the Italians expect that Lord John
won't forget his promise, and I am sure he
would not if he hear 3 the expressions of plea-
sure uttered by the Piedmontese when they
learned the manner the English people received
the announcement that intervention by England
would be justified if Austria attempted to attack
Sardinia.

The papers also refer to what was said on the
Westminster and Southwark hustings. Great
regret is expressed that Messrs. Cobden and
Bright are not in parliament, but nevertheless it
is remarked that they have brought it upon them-
selves by their "peace at any price" speeches.
The greatest disappointment is expressed at
Mr. Layard not being returned ; and fervent
hopes are entertained that the Scotch won't
return Mr. Baillie Cochrane, the patron of the King
of the Cap of Silence. Reports are rife that the
King of Naples is to receive from the Argentine
republic a certain sum per head for the men he
exports to America. Surely our cruisers are
entitled on the high seas to liberate these Neapo-
litans, on the same principle as they liberate the
African negro. Although the. Neapolitans are not
of so dark a colour, the King of Naples is about to
sell his subjects the same as any African chief. I
see that some of the papers allude to the exertions
of France and England to heal the breach between
the governments of Sardinia and Austria The
diplomatists are now too late. France and England
encouraged in April, 1856, what is now in full
vigour in April, 1857 ; and such a breach cannot
be healed until Austria gives to the Italians in
her pretended dominions the same privileges and
liberties as are enjoyed b% the Piedmontese.
Nothing can be more significant of the times
than the robbery of ammunition from the
Austrian powder magazine in Venice. tell
you frankly, the publication of Count Rayneval's
confidential despatch has been next to a death
blow to Italian faith in diplomacy. But
the Italians wish to give "the devil his due."
Some of the lower clergy, who suffer such tyranny
from the higher, says that Louis Napoleon is in
favour of Italy, and that the confidential despatch
is a concoction of Walewski and Rayneval, and was
kept secret from their Imperial master. How long
is this Count Walewski to rule the destinies of a
great part of Europe? When one knows his ante-
cedents and thinks of them, his position is even
more extraordinary than that of Napoleon 111. But
I am sceptical as to this clerical report, and put
greater faith in one which came yesterday from Lom-
bardy—that the French Emperor has, with his own
hand, written a cordial and congratulatory letter
to the Archduke Maximilian, on his being
appointed civil governer of the Lombard and
Venetian States. General Giulay, the commander
in chief of the Austrian army iu these states, is a
Frenchman.

While the government here are acting with
calmness and dignity in their foreign affairs, they
are by no means neglecting internal improvements
Besides the modification of the penal code (a
great blow to the other states in Italy), they have
been passing some very liberal measures as to
the Jews ; and Baron Rothschild, however
much he may be joined by his railways to Austria,
should not forget that government which has done
so much, for his nation. The Chambers yesterday
passed a bill for three new professorships in the
University of Turin—for French literature, general
statistics, and the philosophy of history. Here
we have actual proof of what an Italian
State may become if blessed with that style
of Government which Count Rayneval de-
clares they are incapable of appreciating or of
understanding. The agitation on this subject is
very grest at present in Bologna, and I understand
that some explanatory notes are about to be pub-
lished from that city which will make a terrible
exposure of Cardinal Antonelli.

Some months since I wrote to you of the, great
exertions the Austrians were making at cola, the
SebastOpol of the Adriatic, the effects of which will
be felt by all Europe if the canal of the Isthmus of
Suez be carried through, The have tripled their
navy since 1848, and they have now on the stocks
the Imperador of 90 guns and 800 horse power, a
screw frigate, and two corvettes. If this canal be
finished, and if Italy be properly governed, she
will again become a great commercial country, and
the Italian peninsula, from its proximity, be far
more valuable to British merchants than distant
Whine.

•
A Spanish gentleman inside had also promised
t i stand by us, but we were suprised most
suddenly by the well-known Spanish cry of
'Alto tali; and before a minute could elapse four
carbines were pointing through the window, one at
my heart. I had a revolver pistol beside me, but
it would have been madness under the circum•
stances to have made use of it, even if I could have
done so. I therefore gave it up, and, watching my
opportunity, I slipped my watch and chain behind
me to your mother, who did not see it, but it was
promptly seized ancir'Secreted by --. They com
menced rifling our persons, taking from me and
others all we had about us of any value that they
could get at, and afterwards the captain of the
band ordered the luggage to be taken
down, • and methodically directed some of his
party to open and.the others to receive. Though
they had taken my keys, our luggage happened not
to be the first opened, and at this moment F--
who had had her eyeglass and chain torn from her
neck, slipped round to my side and said, " Papa,
the arms are still on- the roof." I was
,under the
impression the rascals had possessed themselves of
them : however, I was dot long in profiting by
F--'s hints, and getting up unperceived I found
my servant had hid them under cloaks, &c. He
begged and entreated me not to use them, declaring
that we should all be murdered. However, my
rifle was at my shoulder, and my finger on the
trigger, and I let fly at the chief. I could
have sworn I hit him, but he did not fall. My
old servant Oriope, notwithstanding his former
entreaties, faithfully followed my example. Such
a waking up among the gentlemen of the road was
hardly ever seen. They thought we were done,
and they had nothing to do but the work of
spoliation. In a moment all was terror and con-
fusion among them. The chief, however, turned
round and fired his carbine at me as I knelt
on the top of the diligence, but, by the great
mercy of God, it missed me : then, one of the party
being severely wounded, they tnrned and fled,
bearing him off as best they could ; but before they
had gone 200 yards he was seen by your mother
and A-- rolling in the dust and his horse loose.
,We have saved our baggage, and, much more,
saved also our lives and persons from further
outrage, and went on our way rejoicing, and deeply
grateful to Him in whose band are the issues of
life and death." Major. Ferrell was attacked by a
large gang on the same road some three years ago,
on which occasion he shot two, and but narrowly
escaped with his life.

AUSTRALIA.

SOUTHAMPTON, THURSDAY,

The European and Australian Company's
steamer Jura, Captain Moodie, has just arrived in
the river, with the Simla's Australian mails.
She left Alexandria March 28th, and Malta
April the Ist.
The Jura brings 29 passengers, 21 packages of
specie, value 84,7171.; one package of gold coin,
vcdrte 1,1001.; 50 parcels and 630 bales of cotton,
wool, &I

On the 31st of March, in lat. 35 35, long. 16,
the Jura spoke the barque Circassian; and on the
7th of April, in lat. 44.25, long. 8.42, the steamer
Albania.

Among her passengers, is Mr. Westgarth a dis-
tinguished Austrian colonist.
The mails were despatched by special train, at
ten a m.

The Simla, which brought the mails to Suez, met
with extraordinary fine weather between Melbourne
and Point de Galle. She had an easterly wind
through Bass's straits, 'which is very unusual ;
from King George's Sound to Point de Galle she
had a fine north west wind. Although she took in
bad coals at Sydney, she had fuel to spare when she
reached Point de Galle. The reason why she did
not bring more gold from Australia was owing to
so many favourite clipper ships being about to
start for England at the time she left, and to the
recent departure of the. Oneida.
The European. which brings home the next
overland mail, will, it is expected, bring a large
quantity of gold.
The Oneida started from Australia with a large
quantity of coal on board. She must have
experienced favourable weather. It is probable
that she broke down, and as she has a large three
fanned screw, which cannot be disconnected with
the engine, she will be unable to sail well, and she
may be some weeks in the Indian Ocean.

When the Simla left Melbourne, trade was quiet.
The town of Melbourne is vastly improving in
appearance, and the gold diggers are becoming
more civilised in appearance and manners.
It was believed that Sir Henry Barkly, the new
governor, would not have many difficulties to
contend with

The expenditure of a largo sum of money on
railway materials, by government, without the dis-
tinct authority of the legislature, had given dissatis
faction, and had caused a debate in the Legislative
Assembly. In the Assembly a bill had passed
through committee for the establishment of ax.
emigration department in England to manage
the funds provided by the colony for emigration
purposes—funds which have hitherto been admin-
istered by the commissioners appointed in England.
The bill for abolishing the property qualification of
members of the Legislative Assembly has passed
through the Chamber and been read a second time
in the Council.

It has been proposed to establish a new colony
between the rivers Murray and Murrorabidgee.
Sir Alfred Stephen, the chief justice of New
South Wales, has resigned, and Mr. Hubert Plun-
kett has succeeded him.

Trade in general is healthy in New South Wales.

NA VA 1; AND MILITARY.

The Scorpion, 6, surveying vessel, Cammander J. Par-
sons, arrived at Chatham, from the West Indies, on Wed-
nesday night.
The steamship Lebanon has arrived at Woolwich to
embark four companies of artillery and a provision of war
stores for Canada and Halifax. In consequence of the
paucity of hands reserved in the military store department
of Woolwich arsenal, according to the limited arrangement
provided by the estimates granted for the ensuing year, the
work of shipping stores is naturally progressing slowly,
notwithstanding the most active exertions, even beyond
office hours.

Captain Leopold Grimston Paget, with the officers and
gunners composing the R field battery of instruction,
recently formed at A ldershott, arrived on Wednesday night
at head quarters, Woolwich, and joined their battalion to
be prepared for foreign service.
The Hastings, 60, is commissioned by Captain H. B.
Mends, for coastguard service.

Captain Powell is appointed Flag Captain to Rear Admiral
the Hon. Sir F. W. (trey, K.C.8., for the Cape and Coast
of Africa command.

Some important experiments with signal lights for
ships in distress were exhibited at Portsmouth on Monday
and Tuesday nights, by order of the Lords of the Admiralty.
They are patent detonating and luminous signals, the
invention of Messrs. Langford and WildPr, of Birming-
ham. They differ from those in use in the fleet in the
brilliancy of their light, and the expense of manufacture.
The light showed itself so brilliant, and diffused at the
distance of five or six miles from the point of observation,
that it presented the illusion of a ship on fire. Another
trial took place on the glacis of Southsea Castle, on `Fu
day night, when the great light burned equally effectively ;
but the metal tubing drops as the flame burns, and being in
in a molten state, presents a '"difficulty," as it is liable to
burn the dca-. of a ship, or be blown into the inflammable
rigging, and thus cause as much distress as it is intended
to afford succour. This, however, the experimentalists
state can be prevented.
NAVAL A PPOINTMENTS.—Lieutenant s : Walter H.
Grubbe, to the Cormorant ; A M Norman, to the Cordelia.
Assistant Paymasters John B Swann, and William T.
Dixon, to the Castor; Charles Fidel], to the Blenheim;
Charles Shapcote, to the Ajax. Chaplains : Rev W H
Holman, to the Hastings; Rev John P Oliver, to the
Cumberland. Naval Inspector : Charles J E R Arch
deacon, to the Cumberland. resistant Surgeon: Randal
M'Donnell, to the Indu,ttry. Clerk : W H Haswell, to
the Hastings.

Lieutenant-General the Hon. T. Ashburnham, C.E.,
Commander-in Chief of the military force about to be
despatched to China, left town on Saturday evening for
Alexandria, on his way to Hong Kong to aysume tiffs
command, Her Majesty's steam troop ship Transit
embarked yesterday, at Portsmouth, with 193 of the
Medical Staff Corps, 30 of the Royal Engineers, 286 of the
90th foot, and 119 of the 59th regiment, for chiva,