The Sun.
London, England, 1854-01-04 00:00:00

SPAIN.

Accounts from Madrid, Dec. 27, state :—The
Ministers still continue to do nothing ; but it is
reported that this negative policy does not meet
with the approval of all the members of the Cabinet
and may even, if persisted in much longer, lead to
its dissolution. It is evident that the Government,
having placed themselves in an exceptional state
by the sudden and indefinite suspension of the
Cortes, without even obtaining an authorization
to collect the taxes for the year which is about to
commence, can only preserve any hold over public
opinion by making use of the dictatorial powers
which they have virtually assumed, to carry into
effect measures of such general interest and. such
admitted importance that the public at large would
accept them with joy, and, in the benefits conferred
by them, might forget their unconstitutional origin.
But if the Cortes are to be closed, and legislative
action supplied by no other means, it is impossible
for a Ministry which has almost all the notabilities
of the country opposed to it, and which has but
little prestige with the public, to continue long in
so anomalous a state ; and some members of the
Cabinet are said to be already sensible of this, and
to have given expression to that feeling.
M. de Turgot's state still continues a precarious
one ; he passed a restless night, but is reported this
morning to have experienced some alleviation in
his sufferings. The inflammation has extended
from the right leg (where the ball was received)
to the left leg, which is an unfavourable

symptom.
The question as to whether the projected Nort
of Spain railway to Irun should go to Valladolid
by Segovia, or Avila, was -subnaitted to a junta of
eight Spanish engineers. The more direct line is
by Segovia, but t was thought that the difficulties
incident to crossing the Guadarrama mountains
would make it impracticable ; and the roundabout
way of carrying by Avila, and avoiding the sierra,
was preferred in consequence ; but it appears that
six out of the eight engineers applied to have given
it as their opinion that it is perfectly practicable,
and more advantageous to carry the line by Segovia,
piercing the Sierra de Gaudarrama ; and that thef
Government are disposed to let the resolution o
the question depend on the opinion of scientific
men. ,
It is stated that the questions in dispute between
Senor Salamanca, and Senor Alvarez, first con-
cessioner of the Ciudad Real Railway, have been
adjusted, and that the former remains with the line,
and has given bills to the latter for the expenses
incurred by him, to the amount of from 5 to 6
millions of reals.
The Bevista Militar states that the foot artillery
is to be increased, and a different organisation given
to it. Instead of regiments, it is to be organised
in battalions of 6 batteries each, with a lieutenant-
colonel and a commander ; and some batteries of
horse artillery are also to be added to that force.
Manila letters, of the 18th Oct., state that the
governor of the province of Zamboanga, Colonel
Oscariz, was about to lead an expedition intended
to occupy the Isle of Zulayan, situated in front of
Golo, and two miles distant from it, the principal
object being to afford the protection of the Spanish
flag to nearly 8,000 captives whom the Moors have
there. It was expected that they would be glad
to submit to Spanish authority, and to colonize the
said island, which was to be fortified.
The medical report issued on December 28, re-
specting M. de Turgot, is not satisfactory. The
inflammation is complicated with gout, and he has
passed another sleepless night. It is reported that
he received on the 29th, by telegraph, a despatch
from Paris, stating that the Emperor approved of
his conduct.
A Malaga letter, of the 23d, states that a sad
disaster occurred there at three a.m. There had
been continued heavy rains for many days, which
had doubtless loosened the foundations of the bar-
rack of La Mercid, a great part of which fell down ;
they were occupied by two companies of the Savoy
regiment. 36 dead bodies, and 22 wounded men,
mostly severely so, had been taken out of the
ruins.
The following are the prices of Stocks :—Three
per Cents., 43i ; ditto Deferred, 27k, 15-16 ; Re-
deemable ebt, first class, 8 9-16 ; ditto, second
ditto, 4i- ; Coupon Certificates, 34. Exchange on
London, 51 75.