15 MAY 1858, Page 7

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'num.—The Legislative Body closed its sittings on Saturday. Its last feat was to vote by 180 to 45 the Paris Improvement Bill. The Body has passed 161 out of 165 bills presented.

Before the sittings ended there was a smart discussion upon the bill making the assumption of titles penal. No fewer than five deputies spoke against it as a retrograde measure—a repudiation of that demo- cratic principle to which the Empire owes its existence, an attempt in vio- lation of the principles of 1789, to revive hereditary titles as a resusci- tation of nobility in France. The opposition speakers quoted the

works of Napoleon III. in support ofa their arguments. On the other hand it was contended that the bill would put an end to a scandal, and

would not introduce an hereditary nobility, but would protect the right of the Emperor to confer titles, and the patrimony of existing families. The bill passed by 221 to 23.

The Opposition have carried their candidate, M. Picard, at the second election by a majority of 1349 votes. The numbers polled were, Picard 10,323, Ech 8976. More than one-third of the registered electors did not vote.

The Paris correspondent of the Morning Post says that "the French fleet will be reviewed by the Emperor at Cherbourg during the summer.

It is possible that her Majesty Queen Victoria may pay a marine visit to the Emperor and Empress on that occasion without landing in France." .

The Turks have sent a reinforcement of 3700 troops to operate against Montenegro, and the Moniteur of Wednesday gave a long exposition of

the views of the French Government on the Montenegrin question. It expresses astonishment that while the Powers are endeavouring to carry out the Treaty of Paris "Turkey should assume an attitude towards

Montenegro that may give rise to new complications." The Porte has no suzerain rights over Montenegro, never having obtained them by conquest or treaty. It is to be regretted that, after the sacrifices certain

Powers have made to maintain its integrity and independence, Turkey "should allow itself to be misled to attack the national existence of a small state which, in its weakness, appealed to the different Powers of Europe." At the Congress of Paris the representative of the Porte ex- pressed reserves in favour of the suzerainty of the Sultan, and Prince Daniel appealed to the Powers. After that Prince Daniel visited the Emperor at Paris, contrary to the wish of the Emperor.

"The Emperor received in a cordial manner the chief of a small state who invoked his right to place himself under the protection of the great Powers. Doubtless, the existence of Montenegro is of little consequence to the balance of power in Europe ; but when the weak invoke a right at

would be very undignified and very ungenerous not to hear them, and his Majesty, listening with interest to the tale of the miseries endured by a Christian people, and of the sufferings so long endured by them to main- tain their religion and their nationality, deigned to grant his support in so much as it was compatible with respective rights."

The French Ambassador at Constantinople was instructed to urge the Porte to make even a temporary line of demarcation between the two countries, and other Powers supported him. But disturbances breaking out, the Porte sent troops to be concentrated round Montenegro ; an act that might lead to a collision. The Emperor asked -other Powers to concert measures to prevent a conflict ; and England proposed that com- missioners should be sent to draw up a territorial settlement, .haying for basis the status quo existing at the time of the Congress of Paris. There is reason to hope that all the Governments will agree to so moderate a proposal.

antrittgru.—A telegraphic despatch from Vienna says that "there has been a battle at Grahovo between the Turks on one side and the Montenegrins and the Herzegovine rayahs on the other. The latter had 50 men killed and 70 wounded. The loss of the Turks is not known. Grahovo was burnt by its inhabitants."

Si Ill4.—The telegraph caused some misunderstanding at Turin last -week. A telegraphic despatch received at Turin on Wednesday evening said, " Fitzgerald announces a despatch from Count Cavour, received on the 4th, in which he declares that Sardinia accepts the propositions of Lord Malmesbury. A reconciliation is no longer doubtful." Signor Buffs, shocked to think that Count Cavour had placed the honour and in- terests of the country in the hands of another power, asked for explana- tions. In reply Count Cavour said that the doubt was natural; that the despatch had made the same impression upon him, and that this sort of thing was one of the inconveniences which had to be set against the many advantages of the telegraphic system. The transmission by telegraph sometimes generates a confusion of ideas. He had written immediately to London for explanations. He would at once give to the Chamber such an explanation as was compatible with an affair that was still pending. Subsequently to a previous question of Signor Buffa's the Sardinian Minister in London sent the despatch which has been published, and to -which no reply came. The English Cabinet, however, through its Min- ister resident in Turin, had manifested to the Sardinian Government its sympathy and its goodwill. For this Count Cavour had returned thanks, adding, however, that it would be impossible to come to a definitive re- solution if the Marquis d'Azeglio's note were not replied to. Lord Malmesbury then sent a despatch to Sir James Hudson, with directions to hand a copy of it to the Sardinian Minister for Foreign Affairs.

" From the whole tenour of the diplomatic despatches and of the com- munications which, by direction of the English Ministry, have been made to me by Sir James Itudson, I have been able to understand that that Go- vernment was satisfied with the despatch communicated to it by the Marquis d'Azeglio, and that it manifested the intention of acting in concert with the Sardinian Cabinet also in the last phases of the affair of the Cagliari."

Signor Buffa thanked Count Cavour for his explanations, from which it would appear that it was not Piedmont that had accepted propositions from England, but England from Piedmont, which completely altered the ease. Count Cavour replied that the Sardinian Government had accepted the theoretical advice, the abstract counsels, so to say, of the 'English Cabinet, and had availed itself of them to suggest a practical line of conduct. It appeared that the English Government was disposed to act in conformity with one of the Sardinian propositions.

The Archduke Governor-General of Lombardo-Venetia is now at Vienna ; and the rumour has been revived that he is seeking to obtain an extension of his powers.

i11.—Brief telegraphic summaries of Indian news arrived early in the week. The latest date from Calcutta is April 9. One summary says-

" On the 8th of April a strong force marched for Bareilly. A hot weather campaign in Behilcund is considered inevitable.

"The 13th Regiment sent to relieve Azimghur, had a severe fight, in which twenty-five casualties occurred. Seaton had encountered and beaten the rebels on the 7th, taking three guns. " Lucknow is perfectly tranquil ; not a single armed man to be seen. " The 4th Bengal Light Cavalry, 160 strong, has been brought to a court- martial at Umballah, 60 sentenced to be hanged, the remainder transported for life."

A second simply reports as follows- " Rohilcund is in possession of the rebels, who are said to be 100,000 strong. An amnesty is offered in Oude to all those who return to their al- legiance—mutineers excepted."

Further telegraphic summaries were received yesterday, with advices from Bombay to the 24th April. From these it appears that no part of the army had moved into Rohilcund ; but that Sir Colin Campbell had returned from Allahabad, where he had seen the Governor-General, and that he intended to march with Walpole's column for Bareilly on the 20th April. The rebels were in force along the left bank of the Ganges above Benares. The Nepaulese were on the march for their own country. f3ir Edward Lugard had not reached Azimghur. Sir Hugh Rose re- mained at Jhansi, looking for rebels moving from the eastward upon his communications. General Whitlock had not moved from Bangor. General Roberts remained at Kotab. Lord Canning was to leave Alla- habad for Calcutta.

Jinll .—The news from Hongkong is to March 30. It states that " all continued quiet in China. Lord Elgin had reached Ningpo. Admiral Seymour left Hongkong on the 21st of March, it is believed for Shang- hai. General Straubenzee has returned to Canton."

"Alit tit Stahl.—The Arago arrived at Southampton on Thursday with advices from New York to the 1st May.

The chief news is the settlement of the Kansas question for the pre- sent. Both Houses of Congress, by small majorities, have adopted a compromise offered by a conference committee. It refers to the votes of the people o f Kansas a question not relating to slavery or no slavery, but to the disposal of public lands in the territory. If the proposition made by Congress is rejected, then a convention will be called to frame a new constitution : but if it is accepted, then the Lecompton constitution will be the law of the land.