Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-12-17 00:00:00

THE DAY'S NEWS.

There appear to be still some hitches in the
preparatory arrangements of the Congress. First,
supposing that the envoys and plenipotentiaries
are fixed upon, the gentlemen cannot agree-among
themselves as to the order of their sitting at the
Council table. The I')C.pe's envoy, it is said,
claims the first place ;_which, as the weakest'
may 'possibly be conceded to him, though such a
contradiction would impart all but an air of

burlesque to the assembly. Secondly-, it is
rumoured that Prince Gortschakoff refuses to take
any part in its &liberations, unless England be
represented. by a special envoy ; and, lastly, as
might be expected from , all these elements
of . uncertainty, the probable date of meet-
ing, fixed by rumour as the_ sth _proximo,
is again by rumour -postponed. La Presse
remarks that the meeting of. Congress will
be tantamount to a proof that all the Powers will
have accepted the principle of non-intervention.
That they will have accepted, it pendente lite, no
doubt—but not otherwise. We perceive a Cabinet
Council was held late yesterday afternoon, where
it may be presumed this subject would occupy an
important place in the deliberations of Ministers.
War is already beginning to tell upon the
finances of Spain. The Madrid Government, it
is said, are on the point of borrowing 25,000,000
francs to meet the extra drain.

There is a report afloat in Paris that the Em-
peror Napoleon positively refused permission to
Marshal M'Mahon to accept what is called
the Irish sword of honour." There can be
no objection to the Irish feeling proud of
their countryman; and even doing him all due
honour as an Irishman, notwithstanding his
employment in the military service of France.
But we are to look to the circumstances under
which such presentation as that proposed was io
take place. An idea has been prevalent, we
.believe, among the more ignorant of the Irish
people, that so great a general as the Marshal
would be the very man to come and raise
amongst them the French Standard in the name
of Mother Church ; and that as they were
infatuated enough to suppose he would be backed
by so great a potentate as Louis Napoleon, their
country would be rescued from British dominion.
They would be objects of great pity, were-such a
consummation to be accomplished. But the idea
is altogether too preposterous to dwell upon.
The French. Emperor, no doubt, saw what was
concealed under the proposed hon Our to his
heroic Marshal; and has shewn his good sense, as
well as good feeling, in, positively prohibiting it.
The Suez Canal is to bet proceeded with, it
appears, without any further opposition from the
English Government. Taking this circumstance
in connection with the efforts which the French

Government are making, to acquire influence in
:the Red Saa, our prospects would not seem to be
very satisfactory in that quarter.

The commissioners appointed to inquire into
the charges against the Rev. James Bonwell,
prosecuted their inquiries yesterday ,to a close in
'the' meantime. At the conclusion of the evidence
and the address on behalf of the defendant, the Rev.
Dr T --ris delivered the ()Pinion of the com-

r. fravis Twiss de► Cpl
mission to the effect that there are prima facie
grounds for instituting further proceedings against