The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-03-29
FOREIGN ITEMS.

ton rumors except the statement that Mr. Mason
has returned to London, with reference to, 1t 10
supposed, and in connection with, the alleged re-
eognition negotiations.
Private adyices state that the Confederate ship
Rappahannock left France privately on the zotn
of February, armed with six guns and picked
crew, who had been paid three months in advance
Her crossings, it is reported, Will be the Equator
and China.
i The Paris correspondent of the New York Times
saws the French Government has been officially
notified that it will be held responsible for all
damage the Rappahannock may do to American
fcommerce. "
The Archduke Macmillan arrived at Paris on
the 9th. 1t is reported that he will embark for
Mexico, on the 18th, all difficulties having been
settled.
The Danish war has not proceeded any further
The remonstrances OF France to Prussia against
the advance of the Prussian troops into Jutland
is said to be far less foreible than Engands, but
the tone of the documents is considered indicative
that Napoleon fully what he says. Neus
tadt in Hostein, Isl blockaded, and it is asserted
that the Prussians have notified England of in
tended early attack on Frederick.
The King of Belgium had arrived in England
to attend at the baptism Of the son of the Prince
of Wales.
The London Times says sThe German and
| New York packet steamers heavily insur-
| ed against war risks they are ALL however, very
fast, aud will probably be able to avoid the Danish
men-of.war."
! A private letter from HAVANA, dated March l.
received in Baltimore, states that the Yankee gun
boat De Soto was in the dry dock there. The
! blockade runners aud secessonists in Havana had
threatened to burn the vessel and also threatened
| the officers with violence. The Spanish authori-
ties, however, had given the officers of the De So
to permission to wear their sde-arms, and they
now visit the city fully armed.
QUEEN VIcToRIA's ABDIcAT1 oN.-The Men,
oria Diplomstiqne makes itself responsible for the
extraordinary statement that at recent Cabinet
council, on the Danish question, Queen Victoria
! to no decision without consulting with Prince AL
bert, retired into her closet, and, on emerging, an
nounced that the Prince was hostile to any act Of
war by England.
This unmistakeable proof of mental alteration
is said to have determined Lord Palnerston to
urge the abdication Of the Queen; ami the fact
that instead of joining his mother at Osborne the
Prince OF Wales has gone with his princess to St.
Leonards, is interpreted as an indication that Ed
ward VII is preparing to mount the throne and
to inausurate new policy in the affairs Of Great
! Britain.
! 1t Is certain that the present attitude of the
English Government cannot long be maintained if
England is to keep her place as power of the
first rank, and if the abdication Of Victoria is
necessary preliminary to vigorous and honorable
action the part of Great Britain, that abdica-
ton is likely to be insisted upon and accomplished
with no unnecessary delay.
WHAT THE JAPANESE THINK OF Us.-The ia
| panese ambassadors have published at Yedo their
impressions of America and Europe. They say
"Of the women, some are very handsome-for
example, the Empress. They are, however, in
general, less so than in America. Their noses are
sometimes higher than those of the hen. They
walk like men, taking long steps look men in the
| face, and laugh great DEAL sometimes very loud.
! In order to make themselves look taller they make
their bonnets stick up above their heads. Even
the modest women dance great deal They hook
on to the arms of the men, and there days
when every man has woman hanging on to his
arm. Are they their own wives? We think so.
| La general, the women enjoy great liberty What
we say of the women OF France applies to those of
all Europe The latter, with the exception of the
Dutch, are inferior to the French. We will not
speak Of their costume. 1t is impossible to under
stand it in the evenings it is not always decent.
The men stiff, and a little proud or rough.
| The shopkeepers are naughty, and saluted only
in very middling degree. They did not like US to
derange the articles in their shops much, and
doubtless reckoned on our buying great deal
| from tneM we were extremely dlSguSteQ at
| Paris and elsewhere &C beef and mutton, still
bloody, exposed in the most public shops. To eat
beef is often incidentally useful, but why present
it to the eyes Of all the world 1t was truly
shocking to several of our party. The dress OF
the men appears al first sight ridiculou. and cur
tailed however it must be convenient and econo-
mical. In Paris, in London, every one walks
very fast, with when there is fire. Their
houses are so high that they must fall the first
earthquake"
| HEAVY RoBBERY.-Joel T. johnson, member
| of Co. |, 18th Georgia Reg iment, robbed ut
Camp Lee, Richmond night last week,
! OF about $4,000 in money. johnson is one Of
the Confederate prisoners who returned on parole
on the last flag Of truce boat from the North
While prisoner he was made ward master in the
Prisoner Of war Camp Hospital at Point Look out,
Md, and being member in high standing of the
Masonic and Odd Fellows traternites was entrust-
ed with largo amount of money BY our prisoners
who died there belonging to those orders. Many
Catholics who died entrusted him with all the
! money in their possession, with instructions to
hand to the Bishops of this diocese, whenever
be was released sufficient SUN to secure the
prayers of that denomination Tor their souls, and
that which was left to be given to St Joseph's
Orphan Asylum On Thursday, Mr.. Johnson at
tended to the religious feature Of bis Instructions
| which occupied too much Of the day to permit him
to dispose Of all business, and after returning to