furtigu nn Culunial.

,raurp.—In all likelihood, the Paris Conference will have got some Ivey into their deliberations before the end of next week. Some of the

Plenipotentiaries—Baron Brunow, M. de Bourqueney, and Count Buol have arrived in Paris ' • Lord Clarendon was to start this morning Count Cavour was to be at Paris yesterday ; and Count Orloff on Monday or Tuesday. The Morning Post says that "it is not at all unlikely that the conferences may open on Monday next. It is also quite possible, if a good disposition be shown on all hands, that a preliminary treaty may be dispensed with, and negotiations may at once be commenced upon a general and definitive treaty of peace." [The latest rumour fixes Thurs- day for the opening of the Conference.] A good deal of festivity is anticipated—dinners, concerts, and so on— "more or less lively as the conferences proceed harmoniously or other- s:vise."

Lord Cowley left Paris on Sunday, and arrived in London the same day. [For consultation, of course.] The Emperor has summoned his Senate and Legislative Body to meet on the 3d of March. Somehow or other, the Senate does not answer the expectations of its Imperial founder. A short time ago, the Moniteur contained a severe reproach on that body for the want of initiative which it displays ; and this week M. Billault is permitted to point out to the Senators that they will find excellent material for legislation in the re- ports of the deliberations of the Councils-General of the Departments. Some of the Senators have talked of resigning. The Moniteur of Tuesday contains a decree, fixing the number of men to be called on to recruit the army in 1856. It is precisely that of last

year; showing that France, whilst willing to negotiate for peace, keeps up her material for war. • The decree fixes the number of men tobe fur- nished by each department to make up the 140,000 called out in 1856 of the class of 1855.

Prince Czartoryski and General Count Zamoyeki had a private audi- ence of the Emperor on Monday. General Zamoyski is going to Con- stantinople, to take the command of a regiment of Turkish Cossacks.

frritt a II g.—Count Rechberg, the Austrian Minister at Frankfort, has subthitted the Austrian propositions to the German Diet, and formally notified to that body the fact of their acceptance by Russia. The Diet referred the matter to the Political Committee and the Committees on tho Eastern question. It is supposed that the motion made by Count Rech- berg is that the Diet should declare its adhesion to the five points, and its willingness to back Austria in case Russia should prevent the conclu- sion of a peace.

The Prussian Government organ the Zeit, published on the 9th, says "it is still uncertain whether Prussia will, or will not, take part in the conferences which are to open at Paris on the 21st of this month. Prussia hesitates to accept the five propositions, with all the obligations they en- tail, lest she should become bound by them in case of the failure of ne- gotiations. At the same time, it is certain that no peace will be finally concluded to which Prussia is not a party."

A despatch from Baron Manteuffel to Count Arnim, dated the 3d Fe- bruary, intimates, however, that Prussia is ready to adopt the basis of negotiations ; and to adopt it in a manner that will " not admit of any further adjournment or compromise, by signing the preliminaries, and by participating in the negotiations connected therewith, if invited thereto by the Powers interested." Prussia will therefore support Austria at Frankfort; and she presumes that her German allies are also ready to adopt the basis.

111155i 11.—The ,Tournal des Dgats gives a sketch of a recent despatch from Count Nesselrode to the Russian Minister at Vienna. Insisting on the gravity of the conditions, M. Nesselrode "insinuates that the Empe- ror cannot go any further; that it must not be attempted to take advan- tage of the reserves contained in the fifth article to demand of Russia the abandonment of any other territories than that which results from the rectification of the frontiers separating Moldavia from Bessarabia; not to drmarid of Russia an indemnity for the expenses of the war. This despatch having been communicated to M. de Buol by Prince Gortsclies koffi the Austrian Minister asked if the declaration of M. Nesselrode were to be understood in the sense that Russia peremptorily refused to engage not to fortify the Aland Isles, nor to rebuild the fortifications of Bomarsund. To this Prince Gortschakoff replied, that, not wishing to run the risk of going beyond the Emperor's intentions, he would refer back on the subject to M. Nesselrode. The exchange of these observa- tions presented no obstacle to the signature of the protocol." General Prince Gortschakoff has been formally appointed Commander- in-chief of the Armies of the West and Centre, and Imperial Lieutenant of the Kingdom of Poland, with all the rights and prerogatives of that office.

According to letters from Odessa, the news of the acceptance of the Austrian propositions there caused a general illumination, with the con- sent of the authorities. A large transparency over the Exchange bore the words—" Long life to Alexander II ! He enjoys the affection and gratitude of his people!" In other parts of Southern Russia the news was received with manifestations of delight. It is stated that at the winter fair of Alesehi, near Cherson, one of the most important in the country, and which usually lasts three days, the moment the event be, came known, provisions of every description, which the day before found no buyers, were eagerly inquired after, and the market closed at a rise of 30 per cent on the opening prices.

The Northern Bee states, that " if God grants peace to Russia," Rus- sia will make railways for herself in abundance—if the landed proprie- tors and merchants will purchase shares. " The good North Americans will cordially assist us with a supply of skilful engineers and ma- chinists."

O IP trimra.—The chief intelligence from the seat of war reaches the public by the telegraph. It is stated that the news of the Russian

acceptance had put an end to some preparations on the Russian side for an attack upon the French in the Baidar Valley, and the English at Kertch ; that the fire from the North side had ceased, and that the troops near Eupatoria had fallen back to Toulat. The telegraph also states, what was previously known, that the blowing up of the docks had been completed. It is also stated that five English regiments were preparing to return to England ; but this requires confirmation.

On the night of the 29th, six boats, well-manned,put off from the florin sin , Zp"!rentiv with the view of landing in Sebastopol. The Allies opened fire on them ; sunk one, and drove the rest h wn.inf>f the whole of the Russian batteries began and continued a furious cannon- ade that startled the whole camp ; and the French vigorously replied. The loss on the aide of the French was one man wounded. "The heavy fire of this cannonade," says the Daily Hews correspondent, "attracted many from the camps to the ridges above, overlooking the har- bour and North side. The spectacle from these points of view was very fine. Eachigun, as it was fired, threw a momentary glare over its immediate ebb urhood, and lit up the surface of the roadstead. The prominent bbuildinogs of the town, the surrounding hills, the assembled groups, appeared and disappeared each instant. Flash followed flash in rapid succession— more rapidly than the eye could turn from one end of the North heights to the other, to observe the work from which itproceeded. Shells from the summit of Fort Constantine, and from all the forts and batteries close up to Inkermann, hurried through the air. Occasionally, as many as eight or ten of fiery these fie meteors were flying forward at the same instant, all converging to- wards the same focus. No sooner did a bright flash appear, than, the moment after, the spot from whence it issued lapsed into complete dariness, and so it remained until another flash equally vivid illuminated the spot. The distance caused the sound of the successive discharges to reach the ear long after the flames which had accompanied them had passed from the sight. To the usual uproar of the artillery, and the ordinary whizzing rush of the shot, increasing in force the nearer they approached, there were added the peculiar crashing noises of falling masonry echoing through the empty streets of the town and suburb, and every now and then, the dull heavy thump of the shot as they struck the water in the harbour. Turning from the scene of the bombardment, everything around was in impenetrable dark- ness and obscurity, one spot alone excepted. This was in the direction of

the Balaklava valley, where either a burning but or a watch-fire larger than usual cast a red glare into the sky." The health of the army was excellent. In the week ending 26th January, out of 53,000 men, there were only 18 deaths.

Sonic fanatical Englishman had been distributing Italian Bibles to the Sardinian soldiers. General La Marmora had complained to Sir William Codrington ' • and Sir William told him to deal with the person in ques- tion, should he be caught repeating the offence, according to the Sar- dinian law and regulation.

inrittq.—An event in the Ottoman history. On the 1st of this month, the Sultan was present at a masked ball given by Lord Stratford de Redcliffe—the first instance of the kind on record. He was es- corted thither by British cavalry, and received by a body of Guards and Highlanders. He partook of refreshment in public, and leant on the arm of Lord Stratford when he retired. Lady Stratford has also intro- duced a novelty at Pera—a children's fancy dress ball ; whereat some two hundred little masqueraders in Turkish, Frankish, Albanian, Greek, and Armenian costumes, were present.

The Grand Council assembled on the 26th January to receive the scheme of reform agreed upon at the conferences between the representa- tives of England, France, and Austria, and the chief members of the Turkish Cabinet : the scheme was received in the most cordial manner, and all the principles embodied in its articles were adopted. But the Council, remarking that some of the expressions used in the plan might be deemed offensive to the dignity of the Sultan, directed the Grand Vizier to submit them again to the consideration of the Ambassadors. This was done at a sitting on the 29th, which lasted from three in the afternoon till two next morning ; when the required alterations were made, without any sacrifice of principle.

There is now at Constantinople a reserve of British troops, and troops in British pay, amounting to 15,000. There are also strong garrisons and reserved depOts in the Mediterranean. If the war continue, these will be nearly all available in. the spring.

S it i ft.—The overland mail arrived in London on Wednesday, with advices from Calcutta to the 8th January, and Bombay to the 16th. The ultimate fate of the kingdom of Oude had not been made public; and it was thought that the Indian Government contemplated going beyond the mere sequestration of the kingdom. Generally speaking, the people of Gude are said to rejoice in the change of masters ; but, with the view of anticipating opposition, troops were quietly moving up to Cawnpore. At length the newspapers definitively announce that the Sontal insur- rection is suppressed, and that the troops have been recalled. From Calcutta we learn, that Mr. Grant had introduced into the Le- gislative Council a sweeping reform of the law of sale. At present, whenever an estate is sold, all the leases held under the Zemindar in- stantly cease and determine. The law is used in this way. The Ze- mindars lease the lands to wealthy tenants, suffer them to raise the value of the property, fail to pay the quit-rent, and at the consequent sale buy in their own estates, under a false name, clear of all encumbrances. The threat of such a proceeding has actually been employed in one in- stance to extort money from the manager of a great indigo concern. Under these circumstances, improvement is impossible. Mr. Grant's proposition is, that every permanent leaseholder " shall have the right to call in a Government surveyor. If this official on examination reports that the rent paid under the lease is sufficient to pay the Government rent, he is secured for ever. Whatever becomes of the estate, his lease cannot be touched or his rent raised. He is of course bound by his lease to pay the rent agreed on with his landlord to his landlord; but the Zemindar can no longer by fraud annul his own agreements, nor can he

by folly cause the ruin of every one under him. Two-thirds of the land users—not landowners—of Bengal thus exchange tenancy-at-will for a leasehold right. They have always contracted and paid for the latter form of tenure ; but hitherto, from the defect of the law, have been un- able to secure it."

It is stated that great mines of iron, copper, and coal, have been found in Cuttack and Assam.

A fire at Rangoon, on the 10th December' destroyed property to the value of 200,0001., Chiefly belonging to the Mogul merchants. Water could not be procured in sufficient quantities to be useful, and the people displayed no interest in the matter.

Ruitrh $fitir5.—The Baltic arrived at Liverpool on Wednesday, with advices from New York to the 2d instant.

The House of Representatives was still without a Speaker. On the 1st, a resolution was presented declaring Mr. Aiken, of South Carolina, Speaker. A member caused great excitement by announcing that he was informed his vote would settle the election, and that he would therefore change from " Nay " to "Yea." When the vote wa he "ever. it was found that the proposition was negatived by 110 to 103.

The President had communicated to the Senate a letter from Lord John Russell to Mr. Crampton, dated 19th January 1853, suggesting a mode of terminating one of the vexed questions of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty—the protectorate of Mosquitia. Lord John proposed that Grey- town should be made a free port, connected with Mosquito by terms of friendship and alliance ; that the Mosquitians should be indemnified for the loss of Greytown ; and that Great Britain and the United States should always hold themselves in readiness to defend Groytown against any attack. When the letter had been read, Mr. Clayton moving that it should be printed, made a speech on the usurpations of England, and the " tor- tuous, monstrous, and disgraceful" character of her diplomacy. Mr. Mason said that England showed a " total disregard of treaty stipula- tions with the United States." Mr. Cass moved that the consideration of the subject should be deferred. This was agreed to ; and at the latest dates the debate had begun and was proceeding. The House of Representatives, although still without a Speaker, had adopted a remarkable resolution by a majority of one. It was, that "any agitation of the Slavery question is unwise and unjust to a portion of the American people, and injurious to every section, and ought not to be countenanced."

Mr. Dallas, it is reported, will succeed Mr. Buchanan, as Minister from Washington to London. The American journals seem confident that Mr. Buchanan, whose time has long expired, will quit England this week, even if his successor be not appointed, The Washington Union declares, in very emphatic language, that all reports stating that the President would send a special message to the Senate on the relations between England and America, and that Mr. Buchanan would be recalled from London, are mischievous inventions, and entirely without foundation.

The President has sent a message to the Senate on the state of-Kansas. After reviewing the facts, he takes ground with the Missouri Pro-Slavery Government and against the Free State constitution, which he calls re- volutionary and treasonable. He announces his purpose of enforcing his views with the Federal troops, if necessary ; and recommends the passing of a law to organize a new convention under the direction of Congress to frame a constitution for the admission of Kansas as a State. He also asks the appropriation of money to enable him to enforce the law.

Mr. Horace Greely, doing double duty at Washington. as Member of Congress and correspondent of his own journal the New York Tribune, made some reflections on the conduct of Mr. Rust, Member for Arkansas Rust met him in the street, and asked him if he was a non-combatant ? "That," replied Greely, "is according to circumstances." Whereupon Rust beat Greely over the head. Passers-by interfered, and Rust walked away. When they met again, Rust renewed the assault with a heavy cane ; and as Greely was about to close with his assailant, per- sons rushed between them. Greely declines to carry arms, but avows his intention not to run, but to defend himself so far as he is able.

Mr. Secretary Marcy has instructed Mr. Wheeler, the American Minister at Nicaragua, not to have any official relations with Walker's gang; but he hints at the possibility of their becoming a de facto Go- vernment, " should the people be unable or unwilling" to repel the usurpation of these marauders.