The Sun.
London, England, 1857-01-10 00:00:00

AUSTRIA.

VIENNA, Jan. 7.—The following information,
which has been acquired at various authentic
sources, will enable your readers to form a correct
idea of what has recently been done and is now
doing in the Neuchatel question. As you are aware,
the French Government a few days since made a
second attempt to mediate between Prussia and Swit-
zerland. The Berlin Cabinet approved of the French
project, and it was not unacceptable to the Swiss
Confederation, but the latter recollecting that its
political independence was not guaranteed by
France alone, thought it desirable that the plan of
mediation proposed by the Emperor of the French
should be seconded or rather adopted by some
other great Power or Powers. It occurred to the
Federal Council that the first Napoleon arrogated
to himself the title of " Mediateur de la Confedera-
tion Suisse," and, as the third Napoleon not long
ago employed language very like that used by his
illustrious uncle, the Swiss Government re-
solved to express its gratitude to the French Go-
vernment for its bons offices,and at the same time
to hint that it might perhaps be well if England,
the good friend and ally of France,would consent to
take a share in the proposed mediation. What
subsequently took place between the French and
British Governments is not exactly known here,
but certain it is that they have during the last few
days been working together in the Neuchatel
affair, and with such success, that it can no
longer be the question of a war between
Prussia and Switzerland. Austria, as the professed
supporter of the prerogatives and legitimate rights
•f sovereigns, could not openly take part with
Switzerland against Prussia ; but she has so ma-
naged, that not a Prussian soldier can be sent to
the frontiers of Switzerland until a formal applica-
tion has been made by the Berlin Government to
the German Confederation. At first the sovereigns
of Bavaria, Wurtemberg, and Baden were inclined
to permit Prussian troops to march through
their territories ; but their resolutions were made
to he broken. Wurtemberg was the first to make
a retrograde movement ; Bavaria followed her ex-
ample ; and a couple of days since B ►dea brought
up the rear. The wrath of Prussia against Austria
is already great—as is seen by the Berlin papers—
but it will be still greater when it learns that the
Imperial Government is so well satisfied with the
recent conduct of the Federal Council that it no
longer wishes to see a change made in the Con-
stitution of 1848. In a word, the moderation, tact,
and firmness displayed by the Swiss Government
towards all parties has produced a very favourable
impression on Austrian statesmen, and they appear
to have come to the conclusion that the most com-
manding military position in Europe could not
be in better or safer hands. The information
contained in my telegraphic despatch of Monday
last was correct, and the Ministers for Foreign
Affairs, of the Interior, and of Finances, will
leave Vienna for Milan to-morrow (Thursday)
evening. Many persons are of opinion that the
Emperor, being hard pressed by the military Envoy
of the King of Prussia, requires the counsel of his
Ministers, but you may be sure that their journey
to Milan is in no way connected with the Neu-
chatel question. Austria is resolved not to interfere
actively between Prussia and Switzerland, and she
will keep in the background until the Neuchatel
question is brought before a Conference which will
be formed of the parties to the London protocol of
May, 1852, and Switzerland.

A Cabinet Council was held yesterday afternoon at
the official residence of the First Lord of the Treasury,
in Downing-street. The Ministers present were—the
Lord Chancellor, Earl Granville, Sir George Grey, Earl
of Clarendon, Mr. Secretary Labouchere, Sir Charles
Wood, the Right Hon. R. Vernon Smith, Lord Stanley
of Alderley, and the Right Hon. M. T. Baines.
The French Ambassador and the Austrian Minister
returned to London on Thursday from Broadlands,
Hants, the seat of Viscount Palmerston.
A deputation from the Eastern Archipelago Company,
consisting of Mr. H. H. Lindsay (chairman), Sir Henry
Barnard, 8.C.8. (director), Mr. Strick (mineral agent),
and Mr. Grant (secretary), had an interview with Mr.
Secretary Labouchere yesterday at the Colonial-office.
Lord Queensberry's eldest son, John Sholto Douglas,
wVI not assume the title of Viscount Drumlanrig, but
that of Baton Douglas of Hawick and Tibbers.
The last call of 4/. is to be paid on the shares of the
Graissessac and Beziers Railway by the 31st inst.
At the meeting of the Commercial Dock Company
yesterday, a half-yearly dividend at the rate of 5 per
cent, per annum was declared, free of income tax.
The Metropolitan Chapter of Paris decided yesterday
that the funeral of the Archbishop of Paris shall take
place on the 10th (this day), instead of the 13th, which
was the day at first proposed.
An extraordinary meeting of the New Brunswick and
Canada Railway and Land Company took place yesterday
day, at which a resolution was passed for reducing the
capital from 800,0001. to 400,0001.
Some idea of the dreadful state of the weather in the
Channel during the last few days may be formed from
the fact that the steamer which left Dover on Tuesday
night was twelve hours in making the passage.
DIVISION OFFICERS' PETITION TO THE TREASURY.—
A petition for an increase of salary was forwarded by the
Division Officers of the Suffolk Collection on the 20th
Dec.—Civil Service Gazette.
The acts runts presented at the half-yearly meeting
of the East and West India Dock Company yesterday
showed a surplus over expenditure of 68,0001., out of
which the directors declared a dividend for the half-year
at the rate of 6 per cent, per annum, free of income tax.
The purchase of a Brussels paper—La Presse Belge—
by one of the great capitalists of Paris, was announced
a few days since. The new owner is the gentleman who
some time ago purchased the Paris Presse from M. Emile
de Girardin.
NEW CHURCH IN THE ISLE OF DOGS.—The Bishop of
London intends consecrating the new and handsome
church in the Isle of Dogs, opposite Greenwich, on
Monday next. It is a spacious edifice, built at the sole
expense of Alderman Cubitt, who has extensive works
and property in the vicinity.
EUPHRATES VALLEY RAILWAY COMPANY. Mr.
Andrew, the chairman of this company, has received a
telegraphic despatch from General Chesney, dated Pera,
Jan. 8, stating that the concession for the Euphrates
Valley Railway with its guarantee passed the Council
of Ministers on the sth inst.
FUNERAL OF MR. J. BROTHERTON, M.P.—The funeral
of Mr. Brotherton has been fixed for Wednesday next.
At a meeting of the Salford Town Council on Thursday
it was agreed that the corporation should attend the
obsequies, and a meeting of the Manchester Town
Council is to be held to-day, at which no doubt a similar
resolution will no doubt be agreed to.
NEW " SPIRITUAL PEERS. "—Next session Dr.
Baring, Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol, will take his
seat in the House of Lords and read prayers daily to
their lordships. The Bishop of Ripon will not have a
seat until a vacancy shall occur in some other seat than
London, Durham, and Winchester, according to the
Bishopric of Manchester Act passed in- 1847.
REPRESENTATION OF WEST KENT.—We understand
that Charles Wykeharn Martin, Esq., of Leeds Castle,
nsar Maidstone' father of P. W. Martin, Esq., the
Liberal member for Rochester, will be brought forward
by the Liberal party with every prospect of suczess, as
the Liberals have been paying unremitting attention to
the register for the last four years.
The works lately the property of C. J. Mare and Co.
are about to be carried on, under the Limited Liability
Act, by a joint.stock company, to be called the Thames
Iron and Ship-building Company. The shares are to
be of 5,0001. each, to be paid up in cash within a
month, and the entire amount has been subscribed by
14 persons of good commercial standing in London.
The property was purchased of the estate of Mare and
Co. by Mr. Peter Rolt.
LORD STAMFORD'S BIRTHDAY.—REJOICINGS AT ASH-
TON-UNDER-LYNE.—On Wednesday upwards of 300 of
the principal agricultural tenants in the manor of Ash-
ton-under•Lyne and township of Staley and Tintwistle
were provided with an excellent dinner by the Earl of
Stamford and Warrington, in commemoration of his
lordship's birthday. About 1,000 school children and
Sunday-school teachers were also regaled with tea and
other refreshments, and the church bells rang merrily at
intervals throughout the whole day.
THE BLOWING-UP OF A NEAPOLITAN WAR STEAMER.—
This terrible accident, which we have already briefly
announced, is rather differently told in a despatch from
Marseilles of Wednesday's date, which says :—" We
learn from Naples that on the night of the 4th January the
Carlo 111., a Neapolitan steamer frigate, was blown up
by the explosion of the gunpowder that was kept on
board. This frigate was about to leave the port for
Sicily, to convey to that island a number of discharged
soldiers. The victims of the explosion were very nu-
merous ; some persons were saved, however, being
picked up by an English cruiser."
The monster Christmas pie, for which St. John's
The King, upon the occTa
College, Cambridge, is famous, weighed. this year up-
wards of 601b5., and its contents
various
sled of grouseosith r inhabitant,
s the Chambers this day, pronounced a speech,' in
pheasants, turkeys, geese, and
which he reminded them of the glorious participa-
the festival of St. the DoNpEeBnDi An
o f
of earth and air. Saturday being
trop of Piedmont in the Eastern war. His Majesty
John there was what is
kterme Ngfaiasrtaroat the ancient
and declared that the Sardinian troops, having emu-
otherscollege ; Lord B.ardwic e, Mr. V _
listed in •
courage and in vigour the most renowned
being among the guests at dinner. In the. even-
ing there was a soiree, and the monster pie with the armies in the world, had deserved' well of their
boar's head were introduced for supper. The attendance country.
in the combination room was very large, including many " The
townsmen.—Stanford Mercury. Congress of Paris (added the King) con.
, whilst towneen.—Stownsmen.—Stanford Mercury. firmed our al
HER MAJESTY'S TWELFTHCAKE.—The Royal t %yenta- at the same time it re-established our old
cake, which was served on a dish of gold, in the drawing
friendship
room, after her Majesty's dinner, on the Gtb, weighed is with Russia. The interests of Italy were
vindicated Italian Power, for the first time,
y
about thirty pounds, and its decorations afforded the • ban
Congress ; and while she has
shown the necessity, Royal confectioner a favourable opportunity of display. In an EnropeansityC, on
hog his taste and skill in this department. Around the
bas© are four divisions of Chinese drawings, and betweenfor the sake of all par. of
ameliorating the situation of Italy, Sardinia has
each division are some beautiful medallions, on a doe
gained, in passing through this controversy, a just
blue ground, with enamelled border, figures, and flowerii. prudence, political moderation, and
p reputation for
The top of the cake represents a scene in the late war, I civil courage-
g
where the colonel of the Zouaves, after receivin a mor•- gc The Government, relying upon the national
tal wound, is supported by the surgeon of the regiment, sentiment which prec ails, will pursue with con-
and telling the vivandiere to " bear this cross
to my i stancy the same policy in which it has assumed
mother, with my last breath." At the back of the dying : the initiative.
Zouave stands a private of the regiment, holding the rein 6, The budget shows that the ordinary expendi-
of the colonel's steed, apparently affrighted at the explo- tures and revenues are completely balanced ; seve-
, sion of a shell ; and about the figures are lying broken ral internal reforms remain for us now to accom.
muskets, swords, balls, and other emblems indicative of puish.
the horrors of a battle field. The design, colouring, and "The institutions which were granted to the
figures are by M. J. Le Bond, who had the honour ofl
country by King Charles Albert have been consoli-
being highly complimented by her Majesty and his Royal country
by time, and have. been rendered more fruit-
Highness Prince Albert on this display of his skill and
ful by the intimate union which has existed between I
ingenuity.