The Sun.
London, England, 1859-03-28 00:00:00

THE STATE OF EUROPE.

The Earl of CLARENDON said he had formally given
notice of his intention to ask his noble friend the Secretary
for Foreign Affairs whether he was prepared to give to the
house, and through it to the country, some information
with respect to the state of affairs in Europe, and
the result of Lord Cowley's mission. In asking
for the information, he was not impelled by idle
curiosity, neither did he wish the noble earl to make
any communication prejudicial to the public service
at the same time he must state that the public opinion of
Europe had unanimously expressed in opposition to the idea
of war, and he felt • convinced that if war occurred it would
not be confined to one spot, but would spread throughout
Europe. He did not think Lord Cowley would have been
despatched to Vienna, if her Majesty's Ministers had not
had reason to believe that his intercession would prove suc-
cessful. From his knowledge of the sagacity of Lord Cowley
he thought the continuance of peace would be preserved.
Reports had been current for some time in the newspapers
there were some points upon which Austria and France
were unable to agree, and others upon which it was pro-
bable they could be advised to agree. It was also said that
the Emperor of Austria had expressed a desire to come to a
friendly understanding with the French G overnment, and had
declared in the most frank manner that there was no inten-
tion of invading Piedmont. He trusted, under the circum-
stances, the noble earl would give the house all the infor-
mation he was able to do, and allay to some extent the
anxiety which existed in the country on the question.
(Hear, hear.)
The Earl of MALMESBURY said he had to thank his
noble friend for the discretion he had shown in putting the
question. He should feel happy in giving all the informa-
tion he could without treating upon subjects which
it would at present be advisible not to disclose.
Early last month Lord Cowley left Paris to
proeeed to Vienna, but before he left he made himself per-
fectly acquainted with all the points of the Italian ques-
tion. Before proceeding he came to London, but received no
opposite instructions from her Majesty's Government, they
only being anxious to ascertain to what extent it could render
assistance in arranging the differences which existed be-
tween France and Austria, and in restoring the friendly
feeling between the two Governments. On the 18th of the
present month a communication was received from the Rus-
sian Government, proposing a congress of the Five Powers,
for the purpose of settling the affairs of Italy. Her Majesty's
Government immediately despatched an answer to the Rus-
sian Government, stating the conditions under which they
were willing to take part in such congress, and a despatch
was subsequently received from Baron Brunnow, signifying
that his Government were willing to accede to the condi-
tions transmitted. The other powers had all signified
their willingness to take part in the Congress, but the
basis of the subjects to be discussed had not yet
been fixed upon. In a question so intimately bound
up with Italian States, it would be thought mide-
irable to allow every State an opportunity of stating
their views on a subject so peculiarly interesting to
theM. It would be some satisfaction to their
lordships to know that both Austria and Piedmont
had formally declared that they would not attack one an-
other, and he was of opinion that the country might rest
perfectly satisfied, that unless some very unforeseen occur-
rence was to take place, there was no lilkelihood that
the peace of Europe would be : broken. As the
conference was to assemble early next month, it was to
be hoped that that which all desired, namely, peace, would
be maintained. (Hear, hear.)

'VEXATIOUS 'INDICTMENTS BILL.
This bill passed through committee.
[LEFT SITTING.]

HOUSE OF COMMONS—(Tuts EVENING).
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The following bills were read a third time and passed :
Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire Junction Railway;
and Whitehaven Harbour and Town.
The following bills were considered and ordered for third
reading :—Carmarthen and Cardigan Railway ; Glasgow
Public Parks and Galleries of Art ; Kingstown Water ;
Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway (Station
at Manchester) ; Poole and Bournemouth Water ; Travel-
lers and Marine Insurance and Accidental Death Insurance
Companies Amalgamation (No. '2) ; and York Improvement.
The Swansea Harbour Trust Bill and Tottenham and
Edmonton Gas Bill were read a second time and ordered to
b 3 committed.
On the motion of Mr. C. FORSTER, the order of the Bth
limiting the time of the second read-
day of February las t,
ing of privatebillswas suspended in the case of the Swansea
Harbour Trust Bill.

PETITIONS, .
Several petitions were presented in .favour of the Local
Rates Exemption Act; from various dissenting bodies for
the same benefits as those enjoyed by members of the
Church of England in regard to endowed churches ; in
favour of Parliamentary Reform ; for the exemption of
hospitals from local rates; against the Government Reform
Bill • in favour of the Superannuation Bill, &c. &c.
THE UNIVERSITY OF LONDON.
Sir J. GRAHAM presented a petition from the chancel-
lor and members of the congregation of the University of
London praying that they might be representod in Par-
liament. The prayer of the petition stated that the
graduates already amounted to 1,000, and were increasing
at the rate of 100 annually, and that at the time of thefoundation of the university it was stated by her Majesty's
advisers that the institution would be placed on the same
footing as the other universities of the country.
The petition was ordered to lie on the table.
VOTE OF CENSURE ON THE GOVERNMENT.
Mr. W. 0. STANLEY said that in consequence of the
very explicit statement of the Attorney-General for Ireland,
to the effect that an adverse vote on the Government bill
would be considered by her Majesty's Ministers as a vote
of censure, he would withdraw his motion on the subject.