Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-08-22
From London.

FROM L0nuou.
Special Correspondence PUBLIC LEDGER.l
inp alid ~ LONDON, August /, 1868.
The political state Of affairs in Europe
is an ever-fruitful field for speculation
among politicians, even in times of com.
parative dullness, as at present. Great
Britain has thus far succeeded in keep
ing aloof from the questions which ngi-
tate the Continent, and her isolated geo.
graphical position enables her to pursue
that policy more steadily than the Con.
tinental powers. Besides, the interests
of Great Britain do not lie in her Euro
peau policy and the support of large
army for the protection of the territory,
as much as in the integrity of her colo
nial possessions and the protection OF
her commerce and navigation in foreign
harbors and on the high seas. There are
those who call the British Empire an
Eastern power at this present day. and
not without fair show of reason; for the
Indian Empire is still one Of the main
sources from which this government de-
rives its wealth and prosperity. British
home manufactures are another such
source; but do not two-thirds at least go
to. new European countries? and why
should Great Britain implicate herself in
Continental qusrrels, by which she would
be anything but benefted2
As it. is, European politics are lying
dormant, to awake perhaps with the first
crash of the thunderstorm, from which
the Old World is never secure. Spain is
in insurrection, and the Spanish ques-
.tion, of succession to the throne in the
event of Queen Isabella's death, is alone
sufficient to disturb the equilibrium OF
the Ibernian peninsula, without the re-
Gently discovered conspiracy against the
existing government. France is q vast
military camp, and it's inmates have to
be ready at an instsnt's warning to march
against whoever their august master may
think ft to lead France has also an
additional small debt Of over four hun
dred millions of francs on her shoulders,
in form of new loan. France grum-
bles, but she has to subside before the
words of command from the lips of His
Imperial Msjesty, Napoleon iii.
As for Austria, she amuses herself
during the present Schutzenfest at Wen.
ns, but she makes rapid progress in the
path of reform under the able leadership
of her Chancellor, Baron Won Beust The
Holy Father in Rome will vainly offer
resistance to the new laws and the aboli-
ton of the Concordat. The tide of civil
ization and the spirit Of the age are
against him, and the wisest course the
Pope can pursue is, gracefully to submit
to what he cannot help. Hungary will
soon have her own army, commanded by
Hungarian officers; and the liberality
which the Government of Austria has
evinced in its relations with the Magyars
is highly creditable to the leaders of the
Vienna Cabinet, who have brought about
what was only short time ago consid-
cred to be almost an impossibility. The
interests of Austria and Hungary seemed
to be so antagonistic that an understand
ing between the Ministers of the two
countries looked like nothing short of an
impossibility. -s r a
Bismarck is enjoying q siesta in his
Pomeranian country seat, to be ready
again for action when the country will
require his services. There has been
considerable talk about an intended en-
fente cordidle between Prussia and Ans
tria, but no reliable news to that effect
has reached these shores. The establish
ment Of q new International law, provi-
ding for the better protection of emf
grants, is contemplated by Bismarck with
tue Oullcu Otttco uuu utucf iOfcaeu Fo"
ers. 1t is very desirable that this plan
should mature at any early date, and be
put into practical execution in such
manner as really to benefit the emigrant
Italy, with her King Victor Emanuel
at the head, is passive; the latter attends
to hunting parties and tolerates the pres
ence Of French troops in Rome. The
Sultan Of Turkey, with all his brayado
about reforms. allows his Pashas in
Gambia and on the coast of Syria to haug
aud otherwise msltreat his Christian sub
jecss; snd the Gar at ST. Petersburg
looks at all these proceedings with a GER
tain amount Of satisfaction. for be knows
that the tine will come when these
wrongs viii be avenged, and be has no
objection TO playing the part Of the
aEsngsr, provided be can hereby increase
bis power sud appropriate for himself as
big slice Of territory as possible.
ID NJ II