14 JANUARY 1854, Page 6

Itutgu nub tulatial.

Fakircr.—The note of warlike preparation sounds throughout France, although not loudly. On Saturday last the Honiteur contained a decree calling into active service all the young soldiers (80,000) available under the second portion of the contingent of the class 1852. The ten new bat- talions of riflemen, to be formed out of draughts from the infantry, are about to be armed and organized, and are expected to be ready for service in a few weeks. An addition to the artillery is talked of; and it is said that more conscript sailors will be called out. M. Ducos, the Minister of Marine, is extremely active ; and the probability of the formation of a reserve squadron is among the current gossip.

A great deal of attention has been drawn to the visit which the Prince de Chimay has paid to the Emperor of the French this week, to present to him a private letter from King Leopold. Of course speculation imme- diately connected the mission with the Eastern question. It was said that the Prince de Chimay was bearer of pacific propositions from. the Emperor Nicholas. The more probable story, however, seems to- be, that the French Government have taken offence at M. Rogier, the present Belgian Minister, and that the Prince de Chimay, a member of what is called the French party in Belgium, has been sent, not exactly to super.

Bede the Minister, but on a spedalmission. Another reportsays that the letter bore upon commercial relations.

M. Armand Bertin, distinguished as chief editor of the .Tournal: des Ddbats, was struck by apoplexy, on Thursday, and died. immediately, The Colonel commanding at Belfort marched his whole regiment to mass on Christmas Day ; General Reibell,, a Protestant, who commands the division of the army of Lyons, of which the Belfort garrison forms a. part, put the Colonel under arrest for eight days, for parading the troops to march them in a body to a place of worship. The Colonel has appealed' to the Minister of War.

TIIIIICKY.—This week brings war intelligence both from the Danube and the Caucasus. It would also appear certain that the combined fleets, or a portion of them, obeying the latest instructions from their Govern- ments, entered the Black Sea on the 3d instant. A Russian squadron is said to have been seen four miles off the Bosphorus on the 26th Deem. ber ; but it has been since stated that the Russian ships in the Black Sea have been ordered" to return to" Sebastopol, or—for there are two read- ings of the telegraphic despatch—" to assemble at" Sebastopol.

The report from the Danube is that the Russians were defeated near Kalafat, with great loss, on the 6th instant. The reports have come is from all quarters, but the latest is from Belgrade, the 10th January. The scene of the encounter is called Citale situated some miles above Kalafat on the Danube. The story is, that ihe Russians were intrencha at Citale in considerable numbers ; and that 15,000 Turks, with fifteen pieces of cannon, took the position by storm. The Russians lost 2500 men ; and a reinforcement of 18,000, marching from Karaul, was forced back with loss. It also asserted that the Russians have retired behind the Aluta. The Turks have long been in possession of Turns', opposite. Nicopoli. It is said they have taken KarakaL That some important events have occurred on the Danube, there is little reason. to doubt ; in deed, it seems probable that Omar Pacha has operated with some success upon the whole line of the river, from Isaatschi to Widin : but we have no clear and authentic intelligence.

With respect to the Russians, they are again described as being rapidly reinforced ; and Osten Sacken, who has been so long coming, is now said to be in the Principalities with 40,000 men. A division of the Polish army is marching South. It seems certain that the peasants of Lesser Wallachia are in revolt against the Russians.

In the Caucasus, Schamyl has succeeded in obtaining the arms and ammunition sent from Constantinople ; which he has made good use of by this time. The Turkish army was defeated at Akiska and Gumri, and . thrust back upon Kars, chiefly owing to the incompetence of Abdi Pasha.. Now, however, a more daring spirit is at the head of that army—Kur- schid Pacha, otherwise General Guyon, the Englishman who wrote his name so legibly on the Hungarian campaign. A convoy with a rein- forcement of 15,000 men left Constantinople for Batoum on the 3d instant,

The newest new note—officially presented to the Divan by the Four Powers, on the 15th December—is published this week, as follows. " The undersigned, —. in accord with the representatives of —, has the honour to make known to the Sublime Porte that their Governments, having still reason to believe that the Emperor of Russia does not regard the thread of the negotiations as broken by the declaration of war and the facts which have been the consequence of it, and knowing, morever, from the declarations of his. Imperial Majesty, that he only desires to see secured a perfect equality of rights and immu. allies granted by the Sultan and his ancestors to the Christian communities, subjects of'the Sublime Porte ; and on its side the Sublime Porte, replying to that declaration by the declaration that it regards it as being for its honour to continue to maintain the said rights and immunities, and that it is constantly disposed to put an end to the differences which have arisen between the two empires ; the negotiation to be followed shall be based, " 1st. on the evacuation of the Principalities as promptly as possible; 2d, on the renewal of the old treaties ; 3d, on the communication of the firmans relative to the spiritual advantages granted by the Sublime Porte to all its non-Mussulman sub- jects—a communication which, when made to the Powers, shall be accompanied by suitable assurances given to each of them. The arrangement already made to com- plete the accord relative to the Holy Places and to the religious establishments at Jerusalem shall be definitively adopted. The Porte shall declare to the represents. tires of the four Powers that it is ready to name a plenipotentiary, to establish ar- mistices, and to negotiate on the bases above mentioned, with the concurrence of the Powers, and in a neutral city, which shall be suitable to them. " The declarations made in the preamble of the 13th of July 1841 shall be solemnly confirmed by the same Powers in the interest of the independence and the integrity of the Ottoman empire and that of the European concert ; and the Sublime Porte on its side shall declare, in the same interest, its firm resolution to more efficaciously develop its administrative system, and the internal ameliorations which may satisfy the wants and the just expectations of its subjects of all classes. " S. us REDCLIFFE.

BARAGUAT D'Hittrrau., L. DR Watnennaccir..

" Pere, Dec. 12, 1853. Ds Baum." The Paris Moniteur announces that " all the propositions " have been agreed to by the Divan.

General Prim set outfrom Constantinople on the 25th December. Before he started, he had an audience of the Sultan, and spoke in- the highest terms of " the brilliant qualities of the Ottoman soldier," and of his com- mander.

SWEDEN.—The Folkes Bast, a Stockholm journal, positively states that among the documents recently laid by King Oscar before the secret com- mittee of the Diet, were some containing offensive demands made by Russia on Sweden, but that the King resisted those demands in the most precise terms. It is also stated that England, France, and Prussia, stipu- lated that when Sweden declared her neutrality she should have at com- mand a force sufficient to make it respected.

SPAIN.—On Monday, the telegraph told of the birth of a daughterof the Queen of Spain; and on Thursday, by the same means, we hear of the death of the infant. The child was born at ten o'clock on the morn- ing of the 5th instant, and was duly presented to the great officers and diplomatic agents awaiting the event. It is singular that England and France should have both been represented by Secretaries of Legation. The death of Lord Howden's mother prevented his attendance, and.Mt. Loftus Otway took his place ; the Marquis de Turgot was laid u9. with the wound received,in the duel with Mr. Soule, and sent the Baron Mon- therot. The child died on the 8th instant.

Porrrnost.—The King-Regent opened the Cortes on the 2d instant. He was accompanied by the Infante, Don Lu.' . The speech contains lie paragraph of general interest except one on food. Portugal is described as "prosperous" ; "agriculture has increased, and is visibly increasing, in all the provinces." The harvest, though not very abundant, excite9 no dread of a want of the necessaries of life. The progress of the disease in the vines; especially in Madeira, is. lamented ; but it is remarked tint

the exportations from-the Douro have-been highly beneficial to the milli? vators, and. that prices have everywhere.risen.

ITariv.—The Parliament of Piedmont would appear to have some tough work in prospect ; but the public confidence. in dount devour is great, and the strength of• the Ministry in the Lower Chamber substantial. There are 120 Ministerialists, 13 members of the Right, 45 of the Left, and 26 doubtfill. In the last Parliament, the Ministerialists mustered 90, the Right 13, the Left 60, the independent members 41. The great question of the day is the relation of Church and State. There are in Piedmont 6 archbishops, 34 bishops, 312 beneficed canons, 69 collegiate churches, 741 collegiate canons, and 7000' priests; possessing property estimated at 350,000,000 francs, yielding an income of 12,000,000 franca, with an augmentation of 1,000,000 supplied by the State. While some dignitaries are in the receipt of bigh salaries, the mass of the priesthood receive a mere pittance—about 33& a year. Besides the Church esta- blishments, there are 488 convents, 170 of which are dependent on beg- ging. The monks. amount to 6000, the nuns to 2600. It is said the Moderate majority in. the country demand a reduction in the number of canonries and bishoprics, the equalization of the stipends of canons, the suppression of the mendicant orders, an investigation into-titles of church property, and a more equal distribution of all revenues.

Pio Nono delivered, an "allocution" to the Sacred Consistory on the 19th December. It is chiefly remarkable for a tone of complaint through- out—with one exception, the success of the Pope in accomplishing, "to a great extent," the reunion of the Orientals of the Greek rite with the Holy See in Transylvania. A "just tribute of praise" is awarded "to our very dear son in Christ Francis Joseph, Emperor of Austria, Aposto- lic Bing of Hungary and Bohemia," and to the Archbishop of Gran. "Logos, in the Banat of Temesch," and "Armienstadt, in Transylvania," have been erected into episcopal sees of the Greek rite. The allocution alludes W the "cruel misfortunes" of the Church in Northern countries, and applauds the "invincible constancy and strength of mind of. almost. the whole clergy, of the whole bishops, and especially of the Archbishop of Freiburg." The Church in the East Indies, where the seditious seek to draw "the Catholic people from obedience to their legitimate pastors," ems the Pope "no less concern." Another grief is the failure of the Bishop sent to Hayti. The Prince [Soulouque] could "not submit to be recalled to a manner of life more strict," and the Bishop was obliged "to shake the dustoff his feet and leave the country." With respect to Sar- dinia, the Pope states that the negotiations with that Government are at present suspended ; but a diminution of the number of holydays has been granted, to prove to the Sardinian Government the "long suffering" of the Pope, and. to dispose it to make reparation for what it has done against the Apostolic See.

UxrrEn STATES.—The Asia arrived at Liverpool on Monday, with advices from New York to the 28th December.

M. Bedini, the Pope's Nuncio, has been mobbed at Pittsburg and Cincinnati. It is alleged that he betrayed the popular cause in Italy in 1848. Hearing that he was on a visit to Archbishop Purcell, of Cin- cinnati, a body of Germans and others assembled and marched upon the house of the Archbishop. They were attacked by the police ; a conflict ensued ; shots were fired, and the rioters were routed—one was killed, fourteen were wounded, and sixty taken prisoners. The inhabitants of Vancouver's Island have signed a petition to the British Government praying to be taken under their charge as soon as the period for which the island was granted to the Hudson's Bay Com- pany shall expire.

INDIA AND Caiics.—The overland mail arrived in London on Wed- nesday, with advices from Bombay to the 14th December, and from Hongkong to the 27th November.

The reports from Burraah are both vague and contradictory. It is stated that sundry bands of deceits are still stockaded at various points ; and also that they are disappearing. Meng-dat-Meng, brother of' the King of Ave, and known. as the "fighting prince," is said to be in com- munication with the deceits, and to contemplate an inroad into the British territories at the head of 100,000 men. This report is not credited either at Calcutta or Bombay.

The operations in the Kohat Pass had' involved us in actual hostilities. The Affredees resisted our attempts to build a fort ; several conflicts en- sued; the troops were out a whole day, fighting among the rough craggy hills. Both ends of the pass were blocked up ; four villages were burnt, and the Affredees. starved into submission. There were 60,000 fighting men in the Punjaub ; 13,260 of whom, with 48 guns, were at Peshawur. From a report on the administration of the Punjaub, published by the Bengal Government, it appears that in 1849-'60 the Punjaub yielded a revenue of 1,348,0001., while the civil expenditure was 828,0001.; in 1850-'51 the revenue was 1,519,0001., the expenditure 872,0N/.

Lord Falkland had attempted to damage the character of Colonel Outram in-the estimation of the Governor-General, by raking up some exploded charges of duplicity against that officer, arising out of the Ba- wds affair. Lord Dalhousie had severely reprimanded Lord Falkland, and expressed himself perfectly satisfied with the character of Colonel Outram. Lord Falkland was to leave Bombay on the 28th December. The military camp at Poonah, under Lord Frederick Fitzclarence, had been a perfect success. He has instituted military schools for officers and men, offered prizes for firing atm mark, and has ordered the examination of officers on their promotion to each grade.

The railway.was attracting many. Native chiefs from the interior to Bombay. Among others, the young Hollow had teen there, and a Raj- Poet said to be descended from the Porus of classic story.

The news from China relates the capture of Amoy by the Imperialists ; Whoipoerpetrated horrible atrocities methe non-combatants and inoffensive nei it is said that 1000 were slaughtered be cold blood. The army of aeping,Wang waa last heard of abaut two hundred miles from Pekin. ltwas rumoured that a force. of 270,990 Mogul. Tartars had entered China, and that 70,000 of them had penetrated nearly to Nankin.

AnsTaams.—By the Water Hood, advices have been received from Sydney to the 8th and from Melbourne to.the 1st October. The gold-fields of both colonies continued to pour forth the usual sup- gest The Governor of New South Wales has doubled the sum (50001.) recommended by the Gold Committee as a reward to the gold-disooverer, Mr. Hargraves. The licence-fee had been fixed at ten shillings a month, --a step rendered necessary by the precipitate policy of Mr. Latrobe. A Survey of the Murray by a small steamer, the Lady Augusta, was going, on; and such reports as had arrived were extremely favourable. Long and broad reaches of water had been discovered, with fertile banks. Tbo, eight members who formed the minority of the Legislative Councilagainat. the Constitution Bill had been entertained by the leading merchants, ma- gistrates, and professional men of Sydney, at dinner ; and several publics meetings, animated by a similar spirit, had been held during the month. The Sydney Corporation had been suppressed, for its mismanagement of, local matters.

The Legislative Council of Victoria had rejected the. Convict Preven- tion Act as modified according to the suggestions of the Duke of New- castle ; and the Council had declared that it would adhere to its former measure. The feeling against permitting the admission of convicts into the colony had been increased by a report that the establishment at Nor- folk Island was to be broken up and the convicts removed to Hobart Town.

In both colonies, the complaints respecting postal irregularities were loud and general ; and the Chambers of Commerce of Sydney and Mel- bourne had joined their efforts to obtain a regular mail both with Eng- land and America. There were only six mails in the year that could be relied on; and the effect of this rarity and irregularity is that " the most careful and legitimate operations of commerce are converted into ha- zardous speculations."

The Legislative Council of Van Diemen's Land agreed to a set of reso- lutions, on the 27th September, condemning the proposed, removal of the convicts at Norfolk Island to Hobart Town; and a petition to the Queen, founded on the resolutions, was also adopted.

WESTERN APRICA.—The Forerunner, from the West coast of Africa, arrived at Plymouth on Sunday. The Forerunner left Lagos on the 6th December. New troubles had broken out. The chief Kossoko was threatening Lagos with a force of 10,000 men. The Abbeakuta chiefs had joined King Docemo ; and Admiral Bruce, with a large force, was off the town to chastise Kossoke and restore commerce. The crew of the ship Heroine had been murdered off Grand Taboo, by the natives ; and in return the Penelope had destroyed the village with shot and shell. The master of the Queen's ship Myrmidon had been murdered while spearing fish. Admiral Bruce sent a force to punish the natives,

In a message to his Parliament, delivered on the 6th December, Mr. Roberts, President of. Liberia, had given assurance of the support of France and England. Louis Napoleon had sent 1000 stand of arms and accoutrements for a militia.