Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-07-15

lngs and thoughts are al work IN Lisbon. Many
arrests have lately taken place Of parties known 10
be hostile to the existing Government, political
earthquake may be nearer in Lisbon than is gene
rally expected. All commerce is stagnant and every
thing in state Of collapse.
| said very little about the bombardment and de-
struction of the city Of PRAGUE in my last because
was unwilling to believe such horrid catastrophe
except on the fullest confirmation. Unfortunately
it has been too fully confirmed. All the horrid de-
tails are too well established. This solves the
question as to the union of the Germans and the
Sclayonians, or Of the Austrians and Bohemians.
The CzEcHs will never forgive the bombardment of
Prague; il will be as deeply imprinted on their
memories as the burning OF John Huss. Other ci-
ties and towns in Bohemia have Jared little better
than Prague. So much for the boased progress of
civilization, which, sometimes indulge my optiaist
disposition in talking about.
Great difficulties exist in Prussia in respect to
the formation of Ministry adequate TO the exigen-
cies of the period. late Berlin paper says, Ger
tain information has been received that large Rus-
sian army will march into Prussia within the next
few days. Pontons have been forwarded to the
banks Of the river Prosna TO enable the troops to
effect crossing This rumor is repeated from
various quarters but the Prussian Minister pro
tenn, M. CAMPHAusES, has declared that there is no
uull WHATEVER III ut IcpOIts we CdIinOl utclue ),
we have both hopes and fears upon the subject; the
former at present largely preponderate.
There is no doubt but that the Emperor Of Aus
is rather seriously indisposed at Inspruck, so
much SO that he cannot open the Diet at Vienna in
person. We doubt whether under any circum-
stances he would have done So but when his Ma
jesy bitterly regrets that the state of his health
will not allow him to undertake the iourney,' we
are bound to infer that but for his indspositon he
would have undertaken it. He adds, /" that, with
the advice and acquiescence of his minister's he has
nominated his uncle, the Archduke JOHN, to open
the Diet in his stead' He could not have delega-
ted the business to any person more acceptable to
the people. There is nothing of consequence from
the Assembly al Frankfort, excepting an indication
that it is more likely to side with the Ausrians in
Bohemia than with the Sclavonians, and that lead
ing men in the Assembly have declared for central
lzng the executive authority in United Germany
in one person; very broad illusions have been
made to the House of HAPsBuRc and the Archduke
John.
In HOLLAND all is peaceable, and we hope pros
porous. In BELGIUM the Kings speech at the
opening of the Chambers gives assurance that the
country remains "calm, confiding, and strong"
: BY happy union she has been enabled to recon-
,ile stability with progress, and order with the en-
oyment of liberty in every shape" His Majes-
y speaks OF financial prosperity, peaceable rea-
ions with all other nations, an enlargement of po-
ical rights, economical reforms, and internal unon
peace, and contentment.
The affairs of the NORTHERN Powers and PRUs-
IA IN relation TO the Duchies remain as last report
I'd, excepting respects the invasion of Prussia by
! Russian army, as already alluded TO.
With respect TO ITALY we have report TO which
good deal OF belief is attached, that Austria has
accepted the mediation OF England for the settle
nent of the Italian question. The terms to be pro-
posed are the cesson of Lombardy TO Sardinia on
he one hand, and, on the other the paymen, of part
of the public debt of Austria by Sardinia. RA-
DETsKY it is said has been ordered to conclude an
lrmistce. II is rumored that Venice has asked the
aid of France. 4
Nothing new from Rome, Naples, or Sicily, nor
rom Greece or Turkey.
Last, but not least in our remembrance" comes
ENGLAND. And here, fortunately, during the last |
week, the most belgerent display has been in Par
lament. We have read reports Of language and
personalities in the House Of Lords between Lords
GREY and STANLEY, and in the Commons between
Messrs. HUME and HUDSON, and between Lords ].
RUSSELL and g. BENrINcK, and Mr.. HAYES, TO say
nothing of Mr.. WAsoS's application to the Speaker
or protection, whichgo very nearly to the upsetting
of all notions of dignity and decorum as re-
'Pects the proceedings OF delberative body. In
some of these cases, we think, the force Of lam
yuage could mo further co. We most deeply
ament this departure from good manners, and from |
hat courtesy Of demeanor which generally charac-
erizes the British Parliament. The House OF
Lords has had another dsagreeable duty to perform
n ordering Lord ARBURTHNoT into the custody Of
he Sergeant-at-Arms, true bill having been found
against his Lordship for forgery. Lord A. is
Scottish peer.
The great question now before the House of Com
mons is that relating to relief to the West India sugar
planters. Upon this question there is the greatest
possible conflict Of opinions. One says that the |
complaint is species Of malade imaginaire,
brought on by too much pettng and nursing an
,iher, that the whole grievance arises from want
,f labor another that it is the want Of capital to
pay for labor: other causes are found in unseason-
lbe weather, drough inferiority Of soil is another
alleged cause the want OF effort is another Co.
gernment does too much, says one party it does
rot do half enough, says the other. In the midst of
III this hubbub, probably little or nothing will be
lone. The public really care very little about the
natter, provided they can get cheap sugar. The
'reat rival of the West India sugar planters is nei
her Cuba nor Brazil, nor Siam, nor the Maurtus.
I is the settlements on the western coast of the
Malay peninsula. The clearest evidence has been
,iven upon this point before the sugar and coffee
committee. The average yield under the skiIful
of the Chinese laborers is from $500
Q 5000 pounds of sugar per acre whilst labor is
4 C II