The Sun.
London, England, 1864-03-07 00:00:00

AUSTRIA AND GALICIA.

A letter dated Vienna, March 1, says :—Yesterday morn-
ing the state of siege was proclaimed in Galicia and Cracow,
and at the same time Count Mensdorf pub'ished ordinances
to the following effect. The civil authorities are subordi-
nated to the military commander of the kingdom of Galicis.
The courts-martial have to administer justice on the basis
of the civil laws whenever they are in accordance with the
military laws and with the military mother] of procedure in
criminal cases. Thus persons guilty of high treason mispri-
sion of treason, offences against members of the Imperial
family, rebellion, sedition, murder, or disturbance of the
public peace will be punished according to laws contained in
certain paragraphs of tho civil code. The military authorities
are also charged to proceed against all persons who may
offend against the laws for tho regulation of the
public press. Tho commander of the forces in
Galicia is empowered to commute punishment, or
even to grant a full pardon, if the persen convicted
be not sentenced to mire than ono year's im-
prisonment. Ho has also the power temporarily to suspend
the appearance of periodical papers, or altogether to sup-
press them. The new laws relative to the personal liberty
of the subject and to the inviolability of his domicile aro
suspended. In the ecurtse of the day—yesterday—an order
was issued for a general delivering up of arms to the police
authorities in Galicia within a fortnight, and that under
pain of heavy fines and imprisonment. Persons attempting
to conceal weapons of war (Eriegswafen) and ammunition
are to pay a fine of 1,00011., or to be closely imprisoned for
one year. Government of eials and persons wearing the
national (Polish) costume will be allowed to retain their
side-arms. All foreigners sojourning in Galicia are to pre-
sent themselves to the police authorities within 48 hours,
and to obtain permission to remain in the country.
Tho Ministerial General Correspondence assures the
lieges that the majority of the inhabitants of Galicia will
rejoice that the "state of siege" has been proclaimed, but
the independent organs of the press seem to think that the
measure will afford satisfaction to no one but the
Russians and their friends and the coadjutors in Prussia.
The assurance has repeatedly been given me that the rela-
tions between Austria and Russia have undergone no
change, but now and then I have misgivings on the sub-
ject. Two days ago a certain Count Bludoff came here,
and after having had interviews with Count Rechberg and
with Baron von Manteuffel, he left for Berlin. On the
28th of February troops were sent by special train from
Cracow to Tarnow and Czarna, from which places they will
proceed to Jaslo and Ducla. The last montionod town is
close to the Hungarian frontier, but it is not probable that
there is a secret understanding between the revolutionists
in Galicia and the Ultras in Hungary. The character of
the Poles and of the Hungarians is so dissimilar that they
never have been able to get on well together. Both nation-
alities are very brave,but I believe courage to be almost the
only quality which they havo fn common. Almost all the
Austrian troops have gradually been withdrawn from the
Russo-Galician frontier and sent south, that is towards
Hungary. A cones". ondent of ono of the Vienna papers
attributes the falling back of the Austrians to the advance
tf the Russians, who now have 125,000 men on the Galician
frontier. Tho Polish chief Jezioranski, who distinguished
himself at the beginning of the revolution in Poland, has
been sent by the Austrians to Kulstein, a fortress in the
Tyrol.

Baron von Manteuffel is still here, and here he is likely
to remain for some time, as his mission is one of the highest
importance. It appears that Prussia is much afraid of
France, and wishes to be prepared for all contingencies.
Baron Manteuffel is exceedingly reserved to the diplomatic
world, but still some of its members profess to show that
King William offers to guarantee to the Emperor his
Italian possessions if he will promise to render assistance
to Prussia should she be attacked on the Rhine. Baron
Manteuffel is also trying to persuade Count Rechberg to
go in boldly for Schleswig, as the minor German States
would readily co-operate with tho two great Powers, if
tho latter were to insist on the total separation
of both duchies (Holstein and Schleswig) from Denmark.
Men in office still ray that Austria requires no more from
Denmark than her consent to a personal union with the
duchies, and I believe they speak the truth, for it is evident
that a Power which has been obliged to place three of its
moat important provinces under martial law must wish to
put an end to a war from which it cannot possibly derive
benefit. Of the Hungarians we hear little, but it is known
to me that the personal union theory, as upheld by the Aus-
trian Government, is by no means unacceptable to them.
Great distress prevails in all parts of Hungary, and the
tillers of the soil are well nigh starved, because the Govern-
ment distributes the money voted by the lteichsrath with
such a sparing hand. A few days ago M. von Plener sent
another million of florins to the Imperial authorities at
Pesth; but so small a sum can bring no lasting alleviation
to the sufferings of the distressed peasants. In some parts
of the Banat people have died of starvation, in the strict
sense of the word,

The minor German Governments are recovering from
their political intoxication, and even Baron von lieust is
more manageable than he was a few days ago. Hanover
openly goes with the great Powers, and Hesse Darmstadt
is beginning to display an inclination to follow her example.
Dr. Schuselka, the proprietor and editor of the weekly
paper called the Reform, has lost his scat in the Lower
Austrian Diet, as ho was sentenced to a week's imprison-
ment for allowing an article which was displeasing to the
prosecutor for the Crown to be inserted in his paper. Schu-
selka, who is a Liberal, was yesterday re-elected, but ho will
not be allowed to sit in the Diet, because he "having been
punished for offence against the law of the land," has for-
feited his civil rights. Tho public is highly indignant at
the conduct of the Government, and accuses it of having got
rid of its talented opponent in a "cowardly" way.
Lieutenant-General von Gablens is sorely afflicted with
the cacoelltes scribendt, and 1 yesterday heard it remarked
by one of his superiors that ho would do well to use his pen
more sparingly. About 100 of the soldiers wounded in
Schleswig arrived hero yesterday, and the majority of them
have to-day been sent on to Styria.

PRICE OF BREAD.—The prices of wheaten broad
in the metropolis are from 6id to 7d; of household ditto.
sfd to 6d. S3lllO bakers are selling at from 4id to 6cl per 41b
loaf weighed on delivery.

SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY, Ex ETER-HALL.—
Handers "Judas Maccabous" will bo performed on Friday
next, March llth—lsladamo Ituclersdorff, Miss Banks, Miss
Julia Elton, Mr. Sims Reeves, Mr. Cummings, and Mr.
sundry, principal vocalists.
NATIONAL LIFEBOAT INSTITIITION.—Mrs. M. A.
Hopkins and Miss Hopkins, the widow and daughter of
the lato Mr. it. W. Hopkins, of Pieston, have presented to
this institution £250 to station a lifeboat at Blackpool, Lan•
cashire, in perpetuation of the memory of deceased.

TUE POPE AND HIS VISITOns.—A correspondent
of the Tops gives the following details respeoting the cere-
monial at audiences granted by the Pope:—" After passing
through the ante-chambers you aro introduced to the Pope's
presence. His Holiness sits at the end of the room, under a
canopy, on a small throne, raised one stop from the floor,
in an arm chair of velvet and gold, with a writing-table be-
fore him. You kneel at the door, again in the middle of the
room, and a third time just before you reach the throne.
Tho Pope presents his foot and you kiss the white *slipper,
where a gold cross is placed. You remain kneeling until his
Holiness motions you to rise. Tu men of the world the sign
is made instantly, and the conversation takes place stand-
ing. To religious persons, monks, and oven secondary
prelates, the sign to rise is frequently not made at all,
and they speak while still kneeling. Some high per-
sonagee also speak with the Pope while kneeling; M. de
!anode always does, though so intimate with Pius IX.
There is nothing extraordinary in this here, for I have
seen nuns kneeling before their confessor for a whole half
hour. It is an Oriental usage, which is common in the reli-
gious world at Rome and seems to shock nobody. Some-
times, indeed, persons squat down familiarly on their heels.
Cardinals and bishops kiss the L'ope's hand, and sit on a gilt
stool. Some French bishops insist on kissing his foot. No
lady is admitted to an audience, except Queens and Prin-
cesses, with their Ladies of llonour. As to other ladies, the
Pope meets them in the gallery or gardens, not in the apart •
ments. The toilet for ladies, of whatever rank, is black with
a veil. Mon take off their gloves. The lope remains seated
withcardinals and bishops. He rises to receive princes and
princesses. For Kings he advances to the middle ot tho room
and receives them there. For Emperors he goes as far as the
ante. chamber, When the Pope returns the visit of Kings
or Emperors etiquette requires them to come down to his
carriage and open the door. It is a tradition that Popes are
charming in their audiences, Everything is prepared to
astonish and disconcert the visitor. One would say that the
secretaries and chamberlains guard the majesty of God,
The result is a mtrasting cfloct ; at the first smile of this
venerable Divinity one's heart is deeply moved. Christina
of Sweden could not refrain from tears in the presence of
Alexander VII. rue famous Alexander VI. (B3rgia) was
literally captivating. Ile had a frankness which was moat
charming. He gave a public audience every Thursday.
was very handsome for an old man. Gregory XV 1.,
though of morose memory, was enchanting. As for Pius
IX., everybody on retiring from the audience exclaims,
He is an angel I' Never was there a Pope of a more amiable
disposition."

The standard for recruits for the infantry has
boon lowered by an inch, namely, sft. sin, from 17 to 25.
The standard for the Marines remains as at present, at sft.
5i in. for lads from 18 to 20, and at sft. 7in. for thoeo above
20 years of ago.

The accounts from the manufacturing districts
for the past week have been of a rather less satis•
factory character. At Manchester only limited
transactions have been reported in both cloth and
yarns, although symptoms of improvement have
been generally apparent. In tho woollen districts,
viz., at Leeds, Bradford, Halifax, and Huddersfield,
the operations have been limited, and confined
almost exclusively to spring fabrics. At Leicester
and Nottingham there has been rather more aotivity
in the hosiery departments, while in the hardware
districts of Birmingham, Sheffield, and Wolver-
hampton there has been little change of impor-
%no.