Iforeign anti Oolonfal.

Gsax.unr.—At the sitting of the Germanic Diet, in Frankfort, on the 17th June, a resolution on the incorporation of Cracow was adopted. The Courts of Berlin and Vienna had sent in a declaration of the grounds on which they professed to act in the affair. The representatives of the twee ral states declared the views of their Sovereigns separately; and then the collective note subjoined was unanimously affirmed- " The Germanic Confederation has received with gratitude from the Courts of Austria and Prussia, the declaration of the principles of religiously observing treaties which those two courts regard as the unalterable rule of their conduct; and expresses its full assent to that declaration, with so much the more satisfac- tion that these principles are in perfect conformity with those on which the Con- federation itself reposes."

Fitaxce.—The affair of the Goulienans salt-mines seems doomed to re- main a mystery. M. Pellapra, ono of the accused, absconded (or had been removed) from Paris on Tuesday, and was believed to have left the country. General Cnbieres confesses to entertaining an idea of trying to corrupt M. Teste, but denies any positive attempt on the Ex-Minister's virtue. That idea, he says, was in his mind, in consequence of some con- versations he had had with M. Pellapra; who wished him to do it, and had taken all the shares to himself. With M. Pellapra's disappearance the whole case falls to the ground.. On Saturday, the Deputies received very favourably a petition fiora Jerome Bonaparte, ci-devant King of Westphalia, to be allowed to return to France. It was unanimously referred to the President of the Council.

The Chamber of Deputies has passed a bill, by an immense majority, for raising a loan of 25,000,000 of francs by the city of Paris: the ad- vance is rendered necessary by the enormous outlay to keep down the price of bread.

Some portion of Tuesday's sitting was occupied in listening to a state- ment by M. Falloux on behalf of the Marquis and Marchioness De Haute- ville, who complained of the illegal arrest of the Marchioness, and of a domiciliary visit made at the Marquis's chateau near Mayence. The Marquis belongs to the Legitimist party. The district had been disturbed on account of the corn scarcity, and M. De Hanteville had been accused of buying up wheat with a view to create disaffection to the Government. The authorities were obliged to interfere for his protection. The Mar- chioness was out walking; her passport was demanded by a brigadier of gendarmerie near her own residence; she could not produce it, and the man took her to the Maine; she was, however, immediately released. A complaint was lodged against the officer, and he was punished; but the lady, not satisfied, tried to procure the dismissal of the Procureur du Roi. In this she failed. Afterwards there was a domiciliary visit, which was imputed by her to "revenge." M. Hebert explained that the domiciliary visit had nothing to do with the other matter, being rendered necessary by political considerations. That there was no ill-will against the Marquis, was proved by the readiness with which protection had been afforded to him; for which, indeed, he had written to thank the authorities. The conduct of the Procureur du Roi was found to be irreproachable, and he had been maintained in his post.

A very grand fete chanmetre and, ball were given on Monday at the Chateau of Vincennes, by the Duke and Dutcheas of Montponsier: the guests numbered 3,000. The King, Queen, and Dutchess of Orleans, staid away; but the rest of the Royal Family were present, as well as Queen Christina and her husband, General Narvaez, and a number of Spaniards. The chateau and park were brilliantly illuminated, and the whole affair was of the most gorgeous description.

SPAM—A new charge has been brought against Don Francisco de Paula, of being engaged in a conspiracy to assassinate the Queen, his niece. For some time past the Infants and his daughter have occupied a portion of the Palace, between which and the Queen's apartment a private com- munication had been opened, for greater facility of intercourse. The story is that the conspirators were to use this passage for obtaining access to the Queen's person. It was reserved for Don Francisco to strike the third blow, in his capacity as "Regicide No. 3." The honour was more than the Don could bear, and he let his secret escape. He was arrested, inter- rogated, and made a full confession. Such is the tale; which bears a very fabulous aspect. Two facts, however, appear certain —namely, that the secret passage has been closed up; and the Infante arid his daughter have been ordered off to the frontier, to enjoy the baths of St. Sebastian. The belief is pretty general that the story has been concocted amongst those in the French interest to frighten the Queen, and force her to get rid of those who by their constant presence were felt to be in the way. The poor Queen is now left quite alone.

PoaTucier..—At length the struggle in Portugal has been brought to a close; though even the final settlement has been characterized by the same "slowness" which has marked the progress of the civil war. On the 25th June SaManha's forces commenced an attack on Villa Nova; but, as usual, without gaining anything. The affair lasted for twelve hours. General Concha invested the city on the following day with the Spanish regiments; and this step appears to have been viewed as decisive. The Spanish General was entreated by the Junta to abstain from assaulting the city, as they had accepted the four articles. A conference to settle the terms for the admission of the Spanish troops was held at Granido on Sun- day the 27th: Colonel Wylde, the French Consul, Marshal Saldanha, the Marquis de Louie, General Concha, and Colonel Buenaga, were present. The sitting broke up, however, without coming to any final decision; a question having arisen whether Des Antes and Se da Bandeira were in- cluded in the amnesty. The Marquis de Louie refused to submit while that point was in doubt; the representatives of England and Spain con- tending that the Junta were not in a condition to make terms, but to obey. After more conferences and deliberations, the matter was at last arranged;

and on the 30th JULIO the Spanish troops marched into Oporto; the British occupying the Castle of Foz, and its late inmate, Terceira, being made Gover- nor of Oporto.

Throughout the Southern provinces the pacification has been rapid and decided, and numbers of the captured soldiers and sailors have entered the Queen's service.

Ix.m.v.—There are accounts from Rome to the 27th of June. On the 22d, a proclamation was issued by Cardinal Gizzi; in which, after enume- rating some of the reforms introduced by the Pope, he declares it to be the Holy Father's intention to persevere in the same course, with wisdom and prudence: but he has seen with great grief the attempts made by realm minds to establish doctrines ankideas at variance with his maxims, and to excite desires and hopes of reform beyond the limits of practicability— His Holiness is grieved to see, that, under the pretext of a scarcity of corn as- semblages have been convened subversive of public order. These meetings are not confounded with those which have taken place for the manifestation of grati- tude; but there have been enough even of these to pain the paternal heart; and the Pope asks a proof of the praiseworthy sentiments avowed by his people- " This proof must consist in the cessation of all unusual popular meetings, on whatever occasion, and all extraordinary manifestations, except those for which, anterior to the present notification, permission had been received from the compe- tent authorities."

The publication of this edict created a profound impression. According to some accounts, the Pope met with a cold reception from the people two days afterwards, when, to celebrate the festivity of St. John, he repaired in pomp to the church of San Giovanni di Lateran°. The crowd was im- mense, but a dead silence was maintained. It was the same on the 27th, when the Holy Father went to the church of St. Ignatius.

The correspondent of the Daily News explains, that the necessity for the edict arose from the conduct of one Ciceroacchio, under whose guidance the mob have begun to show symptoms of unmanageable wilfulness: "Hence the mingled command and entreaty of the Pontiff in his edict of the 22d instant, deprecating assemblies of the people for the future. The mock Cicero above mentioned, whom I knew for years as a cart-driver in town, of formidable temper, is a fellow very capable of mischief "—a sort of 1Vat Tyler. There seems no doubt as to the unpopularity of the procla- mation.

Cardinal Gizzi had been obliged to refuse permission to a distinguished committee for a monster concert in celebration of the amnesty. He re- quired a detailed programme of the words, as well as of the music and sin- gers. The committee memorialized the Pope; who replied in the following dry note-

" A Monsignor Governatore, 27 Glum), 1847.

" Conosciati i spartiti e lette le parole, che si soppongano moderate—come mo- derato nella gran' massa è il lodevolissimo popolo Romano--pennetta.

Pro, PAPA, IX."

MEXIC0.—By the West India mail, intelligence has been received from Mexico to the 29th of May; not later than that received by way of the United States. It confirms the representations as to the untoward state of affairs; even the victorious Americans having no cloudless prospect. Santa Anna was dispossessed of power; Herrera was supposed to contemplate a peace; the native residents were all leaving the capital in anticipation of General Scott's arrival; and he was threatened with an endless guerilla warfare.

CAPE or GOOD HOPE.—The accounts brought by the Conway from the Cape of Good Hope come down to the 9th May; from Graham's Town to the 1st. They represent a continuance of the same unsettled condition of the border. A constant succession of cattle thefts by the Kafirs, and re- capturing expeditions on the part of the settlers form the staple of the news. Sir Henry Pottinger was still at Fort Peddle. Much satisfaction had been given by the reappointment of Sir Andries Stockenstrom to the command of the Burgher forces, which were once more called out.

Sir Henry Young had entered upon the duties of his office as Lieutenant- Governor. In a proclamation lie declares his government "distinct and separate." Up to the 12th April, the state of matters at Natal was satisfactory. A cotton company had been formed there.

WESTERN AFRICA.—Mr. Robert Jamieson of Liverpool has made a report "to the subscribers to the fund in support of an experimental trial to open commerce with Central Africa." The trial has been abruptly stopped by unforeseen disasters, having no connexion with the real diffi- culties of penetrating into Africa, but being in that respect purely for- tuitous. Our readers already know that the steamer Ethiope sustained a damage to its machinery: two other disasters were, a quarrel between the sailing-master and the engineer of the steamer, which led to a serious delay, and the total loss of a vessel carrying out stores and supplies for the expedition. "In consequence of this most distressing sequence of disasters—such as per- haps never before overtook a commercial enterprise—one ascent only of the Niger has been accomplished; while, as will be seen by the accounts of the enterprise generally, a statement of which will very shortly be submitted to you, expenses adequate to have covered all the three originally contemplated, and the explora- tion of the Congo also, have been incurred. These accounts will likewise show, that on this one ascent, though totally unlooked for by the Natives, produce to a respectable amount under the circumstances was obtained; and on reference to Dr. King's narrative it will be observed, that a very considerable additional quan- tity of ivory might have been purchased had that gentleman been lass fastidious in his ideas of its commercial value. I had impressed him too strongly, as it ap- pears, with the importance of buying at cheap rates, because of the heavy expenses attending a steamer, by which class of vessels only the trade could be continued, and likewise because of the danger of forming a precedent against ourselves in future transactions, by paying too much on the first. On a second ascent he would have had more experience as a trader; and I feel confident that had this been made, the call on your subscriptions would have been comparatively trifling. "Unfortunate as the mission has been, I think there may nevertheless be gathered from it proofs of the possibility of forming a remunerative commercial intercourse with Central Africa by the Niger. We now know that that river continues free and open as high as Itabbah, a distance of about 500 miles from the coast; there are no duties leviable, no demurs or barriers in passing along from one territory to another; chiefs and people at all points are friendly, and desirous for a continuance of intercourse, seemingly aware of the benefits they themselves would derive therefrom; and there is every reason to suppose that

the same feeling would be found to prevail higher up the river. • * •

"According to Mr. Arrowsmith's computation as laid down in the map, the distance from Bouaaah to the far-famed Tombuctoo is in a straight line 740 miles- it must be very much more, however, by the river to Kabra, the port of Tomlinctoo. It is well known that Mungo Park in a small schooner which he built at Sansanding, a town near to the sources Of the Niger, sailed down from thence to Bousaah, and in doing so of necessity passed Kabra; and you are aware that in 1840 Captain Recroft ascended from the sea as high as Lever. Now, be- tween these two towns the distance is not more than forty miles; and this is the onl y part of the river that remains to be explored in order to ascertain the prac- ticability of opening commercial intercourse with the mysterious Tombactoo and the whole of the Upper Niger. This exploration might be made simultaneously with trade upon the river, by the employment of steamers such as Captain Be- croft recommends,—namely, vessels of a less draught of water and more power than the Ethiope, by which not only the Niger but its Te.haddah branch might be navigated at almost all seasons of the year. "With such vessels running from the island of Fernando Po, it is my firm belief that a free communication and lasting commerce might be for, with Central Africa and which alight very soon be conducted with not more than two, or at most three Europeans, in any one steamer. Vessels of this class would re- quire to be made of iron and sent out in compartments, to be put together and have their engines fitted at Fernando Po. But perhaps it might be well in the first instance further to prepare the way by two or three ascents of the river with vessels of the Ethiope's class; in the course of which the nature of the river between Lever and Boussah might possibly be ascertained."

Appended to the report is a narrative by Dr. King, the medical officer and trading manager of the expedition. He shows how little is wanting to complete the knowledge of the Niger navigation and that there is abun- dance of produce to repay trading enterprise. His narrative is full of geo- graphical information and interest. For example-

Laddeh, we may remark before takipg leave of itt, is a large town, distant from Si-wah some fifteen to twenty miles, and having a population, we should say, of nearly 20,000 inhabitants. It is situated partly in a picturesque valley, formed by two undulating hills, and partly upon the acclivity of one of these, and is fenced by a high wall, loopholed all round. The large square before spoken of occupies the centre of the town; and the mosque, in the North-east corner of it, is the place of worship to which Massabah and the Sullikin Yakeh repaired when they left us as has been mentioned, to go to prayers. This mosque is the only building two stories that we saw anywhere, and is rectan- gular; a few of the buildings in Massabah's enclosure are also rectangular; but, with these exceptions, the houses of Laddeh are like those of Central Africa in general, round, and of one story, with conical roofs, thatched with straw, and having openings in their walls to serve the double purpose of doors and windows. They are built of a kind of rounded brick, manufactured with a mixture of straw, from the ferruginous sandy and earthy substances which compose the sub-soil generally of the country, cemented together with mortar made of the same ma- terials. They have no chimnies, as fires are not needed except for cooking; and such are either lighted in the open air, or on the floor of some open room set apart for the purposes of a kitchen. After our return from Laddeh we remained at Si-wah eight days, purchasing vegetable tallow and peppers, of which we collected several tons. The former is called by the Natives moquateli, and is prepared by them from the fruit of a tree belonging to the natural order of sapotacem of botanists. The nuts have much the appearance and the exact colour of the horse-chestnut, but are a little larger. Freed from their shells, the kernels are first coarsely crushed, then boiled; and a fatty matter, which is thereupon thrown to the surface, is skimmed off, and put into earthen pots the manufacture of the country. It soon hardens into a solid mass, when it has all the appearance of animal tallow. The Natives use it prin- cipally for culinary purposes; but the uses to which it is applied by them are very various. By combining it with wood-ashes they make a soap of it, with which the women in particular may be seen lathering themselves all over, morn- ing and evening, when washing in the river. It is much used by them also in dressing ulcers; and, made into an ointment in combination with other materials, we have ourselves tried it upon some of our own people with the most beneficial results. It is much extolled in the country for the cure of rheumatic and other pains, when applied as warm as the individual is able to bear it."