The Sun.
London, England, 1848-04-25 00:00:00

SWITZERLAND.

The Swiss Directory has just received a communi-
cation from the Apostolical Nuncio, accredited to the
Confederation, declaratory of the intention of the
Holy See to aid, by every means in its power, the
social reforms now in progress, not only in Switzer-
land, but throughout the world. The advance in
civilization, it says, has called for a corresponding
change in the views of the Church, which, though
infallible in points of doctrine, deems it proper to
consent to alterations in rules of worlcily conduct, to
suit the present times. It then proposes the follow-
ing bases of a general arrangement between the Holy
See and the Confederation on matters which have of
late come under discussion :

" 1. A definitive solution of the diffiulties relating to
the convents, attention being paid to the necessities of
the present times, and to the particular circumstances
of each canton.

" 2. Rectifications in the circumscriptions of the epis-
copal jurisdiction, wherever the wants of the 'ovulation
seem to demand them.

" 3. To examine if there is not occasion to modify
the mode of nominating bishops and other church dig-
nitaries, so as that the position of the inferior clergy
may be improved, and unworthy men kept out of the
church.

" 4. To establish rules to regulate the immunities,
property, and income of the clergy, in those cantons
where difficulties have arisen on the subject.
" 5. The maintenance or foundation of establishments
of education, to form amongst the inhabitants of the
country a moral and well-educated Catholic clergy.
" 6. To introduce fitting modifications in the dis-
cipline now in force relative to mixed marriages,
fetes, &c.

" If, as I hope (says the Nuncio in conclusion), these
different points should be successfully regulated in an
amicable manner between the two authorities, spiritual
and temporal, religious peace will find itself establish( d
on the most firm and honourable bases throughout the
Confederation. For my part, I have to express my
ardent wish that this idea may be realised by our com-
mon efforts."

CRACOW.

CRACOW, APRIL 16 —This morning the deputa•

tion returned from Vienna. Great joy was caused
by the intelligence which it brought, that the EM-
PEROR is not disinclined to permit the re-organisation
of Galicia, under circumstances which are favour-
able to the Poles. Our National Guard is already
completely organised. We number about 6,000
armed burghers, among whom are 1,600 Jews.
Our Commander is Count MOSINSKI, a very
popular and liberal man. He is assisted by
three aides-de-camp, one of whom is a Jew.
We have an immense stock of weapons,
although it is not a fortnight since we had the pros-
pect of being able to arm the National Guard.
Several companies of Austrian military have left, and
Polish, or rather Galician, military have arrived. The
emigrants from France and Belgium, who have no
families in Posen, meet with a ready welcome here,
even if they are parties of the Grand Duchy ; and as
the chief part of them are capital soldiers, they are of
great service to our National Guards. The best un-
derstanding prevails here among the Poles and the
Germans, although Baron Von KRIEG is still the
Imperial Commissioner here.

ITALY.

LOMBARDY AND VENICE.

We are still without any authentic intelligence as
to whether or not Peschiera has fallen. The Aus-
trians have evacuated Villa Franca, the centre point
between Peschiera, Verona, and Mantua, and are en-
camped at a short distance from the town. The com-
munications between Mantua and Verona have been
cut off. The Governor of Mantua has made a razzia
into the surrounding country, and driven off 2,000 head
of cattle, besides seizing a large quantity of provisions.
He has opened the sluices, so that Mantua is now
situated in the midst of a lake formed by the waters
of the Mincio. The place consists of a citadel, two
faubourgs, and the Isola Cerese or Te, all strongly
fortified, and connected with the town by bridges.
At some distance from the town, in the marshes,
there is the out-fort of Pradella, a distinct fort of
itself. Mantua is reported one of the strongert for-
tresses in Italy, and has a population of 25,000 souls,
exclusive of the Austrian garrison.
The official Gazette of Milan, of the 171 h, publishes.
a bulletin of the Provisional, Government, which
states that an official report from the Commander of
the corps francs announced that a skirmish had taken
place at the bridge of the Sarca (Tyrol), between a
body of 600 Austrians and the column under AR-
CIONI. The former were repulsed with the loss of
six men, and retired to the fort of Toblino, where,
lin consequence of a combined movement of the
column under LONGHENA, he is surrounded, without
any chance of receiving succours from Trent, where
it is thought necessary to retain the troops, in conss-
quence of some symptom of disaffection among the
inhabitants. The Lombard troops had only one
man killed and four wounded. Vicenza is garrisoned
by a corps of 3,000 volunteers. Great exertions were
making to strengthen the fortifications of the latter
town. On the 14th, the Piedmontese General DELLA
MARMORA arrived in that city. At Verona, the
Italian troops having shown symptoms of revolt are
watched by the Austrian troops, and at Campagnola
the Italian Grenadiers are surrounded by cannon.
A. letter received from the quErters of General DE
GUA.STELLA states that the first division of the Tuscan
troops, amounting to about 2,000 men, passed the
Po at Brescello, on the 17th, to join the right wing
of the Piedmontese army under the orders of General
BAVA, by way of Viadama, Sabbronnella, Gazzola,
and Marcaria.

The King of SARDINIA has taken the command o
the Tuscan troops and the Neapolitan auxiliaries.

The Concordia does not confirm the report of the
surrender of Peschiera, but states that it is block-
aded, and that the attack was to be resumed on the
arrival of the heavy artillery, -which was hourly ex-
pected. The Austrian troops encamped near Verona,
the garrison of the forts not in eluded, are calculated
at 35,000 men. A large quantity of salt, destined
for Mantua, was captured by the volunteers on the
14th. It is said that 12,000 Swiss corps francs, under
General DUFOUR, are on the point of entering Italy
from the Voralberg.
The Alba of Florence, of the 17th, announces the
arrival there of the Polish jet MIKIEWITZ, at the
head of a Polish battalion coi ding from Rome, and Gs
their way to the seat of war. They bear the Papal
banner, conjointly with the Polish one, which has
received the blessing of the PONTIFF. On the 16th
the GRAND DUKE gave audience to M. Connor,'
Buss', the Papal envoy; M. Puzzom, agent from
the Provisional Government of Milan, accredited to
the Tuscan Government; z Ind M. CuAlsrY, the
French envoy.