The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-01
EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE.
additional Intelligence by the Asia


A Black PrimA Donna.
The Tribune translates from the Presse the fol-
lowing description OF new musical celebrity at
| Paris:
"People have often spoken of black Malibran,
and her existence has been considered as theatre
cal humbug. But a thing need only be often said
in order to be realized, the was false before,
but il is now true. The black Malibran is no ic-
ton we have heard her Madame Marie Marti-
nez, born at Havana, is the fret chamber singer to
her catholic majesty the Queen of Spain In going
from Madrid 70 London, she has decided 10 remain
| at Paris.
'sAt what theatre will she present herself to the
curiosity of the public? Or even will she make her
appearance at all? We unable to say. All
that we know is, she has magnificent soprano
voice, whose notes, vibrating and peary when
| high, soft and velvety in the medium, have in the
low tones the masculine ring Of the contralto.
There is something strange and savage in these
| extreme sounds, which have never been heard from
our European throats. Madame Martinez accom-
panies herself the guitar, which, in her skiful
hands, is completely Transformed; the instrument
is no longer grinding or monotonous; sometimes it
is sweet and delicious harmony of flutes or
hautboys; then 1t lets fall a torrent OF passionate
notes rolling like drum. All this is poetical and
charming: But what will surprise our dilettant
will be TO hear her vocalize like Madame Persiani
and also to draw out such fine tones as If she had
practsed ten years with class of the conservatory
under Rubin or Duprez."
| ItnIy-Attempt to convert the Pope.
| Rome, May 2.-One of the most interesting &C.
| currences OF last week was the interview OF Rev.
| Dr. Townsend, Canon of Durham, with the Pope
! mentioned in previous letter that the Rev. Dr.
object to endeavor to induce his holiness to do
| away with the chickering's, animosities and poemi-
| cal discords which keep the various denominations
of Christians separate and at enmty, and, by call
ing general council, to establish the basis of
| universal creed 1t certainly a bold attempt
for Protestant Clergyman to convert the Pope
| himself, but the doctor resolved to beard the
| hon in his den, and on Friday last he went to the
encounter in full dress canonicals. After having
| knelt to kiss the Pope's hand, DIR. Townsend was
invited by his holiness TO take chair, and an ami
| mated conversation commenced III Latin a hit Ian
guage for controversy, and one in which the dis
putants might be presumed to be a match Tor each
other. The Pope was, upon the whole, very toler-
ant, may be imagined from his having not only
listened with calmness to DIR. Townsend's argu-
mcnts in favor of releasing the Catholic clergy
| from their of cclibacy, but also assured him
that he entertained serious ideas of adopting such
plan in the early part of his reign, especially af-
ter having received pressing letters upon the sub
ject from Germany, but that in the present state of
| Italy, and indeed Of the whole continent any inno-
walton ON his part would be dangerous, even if he
had the power to act freely, which he had not, be-
ing by no means the free agent that he was on his
| first accession to the throne. The same object
would prevent him from calling general council,
attempting to unite the greata divided family
OF Christians, although he fully admitted the gran
deur Of the scheme, protesting his own desire for
| peace and harmony, and wept at DIR. Townsends
enthusiastic picture of England recognising in Pho
Nino the head of Universal church. After three
took his leave, placing in the hands of his holiness
a document containing the principle heads of his
| argument, which appears to have made some inn
preston on the pontiff's mind, judging from the
fact Of his having sent to the Doctors residence
Sunday last, only two days after the interview, re-
questing to be made acquainted with the period of
DIR. Townsend's return, Che has just gone to Ma
plcs,) he should then like to have
versation with him.
Germany-The Prussian Federation.
,faxl,ta .,tt
ing the Princess Regent of Waldcck and the hered-
itary Grand Duke of Strelitz, representing his ia
thcr, with the three representatives of the Hanse
Towns, in all twenty one, who have answered the
Prussian summons, held short preparatory and
confidential convention on the 9th instant at the
palace at Berlin, Immediately after divine service.
IL was then agreed, on the proposition of his Prus-
sian majesty, that the first business conference
should be postponed until Saturday, and that in the
mean time the united responsible ministers of at
tending princes should hold a conference with the
Prussan ministers, including nj de Radowitz. The
princes held another confidential sitting the 18th
instant.
The representatives of Prussia then declared that
the government considered the proposals. of the Err
furt Parliament as improvements in the constitu-
ton, but that the PRONUNCIATION of the constitution
with these improvements required the consent OF
| the soveregns belonging to the union. The major
ty of the plenipotcntiaries and ministers at once
| declared the consent of their governments to the
| proposals. Baden and Lippe- Schaumburg reserved
their consent, they had not yet received the doc
| uments from the Verwaltungs- Rath. Mecklenburg
| considered the proposed alterations improvements,
but desired still further alteration. With regard
to the Hessan principalities, it seems clear that
they will withdraw from the union. Herr Won Le-
pei, the pcnipotentiary of the Grand Duchy OF
Hesse, has not taken any part in the recent pro-
ceedings OF the Verwaltungs Rath, step which Is
held 10 be tantamount TO withdrawal; while the
elector Of Hesse, according 70 the report, was the
only Of the princes in the congress who opposed
the otherwise unanimous resolution of maintaining
unaltered and through all dangers, the narrower
| in IA
that the eector of Hesse desires play the part of
mediator between the union and the Munchen Four
Kings League.
Revision Of the Tariff.
A conference of importance and interest TO COM
merce is being held, at this moment, at Berlin.
The thirty-two Prussan delegates (iour from each
province) convokcd 10 deliberate upon the prelimi-
nary measures for the revision of the Zolvercin
tariff, have met under the presidency Of the Minis
| ter of Commerce, and will continue to hold two sit
tngs daily. The Stadts AnzeigT has a semi Off
cial article upon this subject, wherein il appears
that the principal objects proposed for the delibcra
ton of the delegates are-l. The best means Of re-
ducing the import duties upon the most necessary
articles of food, such breadstuffs, peas beans,
| &c, butter, rice, and cattle. 2. To admit, duty
free, all the articles for manufactures in so far
this admission does not prejudice home productions
or the national revenue. 3. To augment the tariff
woollen and cotton yarns and twists, and worst
| ed yarns, on the footing recommended by Prussia
| in l545, with increased drawback on the ex-
ported articles manufactured therefrom. 4. To
modify and class the import duties on wove ar
cles, and also to reduce considerably the greater
part Of the transit and export duties, and 10 dimn
| ish one half of the river tolls.
| A memoir on these subjects was brought before
| the delegates by the minister. summary Of such
parts likely TO interest British traders shall
be forwarded as soon as possible. The minister Of
commerce has also appointed and convened board,
consisting Of five members-Nlessrs. Kupfcr of
| Berlin, Gutikc Of Stettin, Gibson Of Dantzic,
Mde of Breslau and Holterof of Cologne, all
eminent merchants, or members Of their respective
provincial chambers of commercc-to deliberate
and decide upon the revision of the commercial leg
islation. The board had met several times, and
will continue its sttings until its labors are com
pleted, when the results will be published in the
form of project, subject to the assent of the cham
| bcrs
| A telegraphic despatch in the Cologne GGasffe,
dated Berlin, 18th instant states that in the confer
cnce held on the llth, Baden and Lippc Schaumburg
withdrew the conditions they had advanced, but
q rafi