Foreign affairs demand but a cursory glance. King Louis Philippe
has opened the French Chambers, after the general election of Deputies, with a speech that says nothing ; and the Legislature is to do nothing but constitute itself, to be ready for the next session at the ordinary time.
The Queen of Spain's marriage has been written up into a state of revived interest by the press. The Times began, a week or two ago ; insisting that the choice of a husband ought to be indepen- dently and freely exercised by the parties most immediately con- cerned ; and denouncing the presumed attempt of France to force a Bourbon upon the Spanish people. The Journal des Debats angrily disclaims the imputed intrigue, and in turn hints that England favours a Coburg ; ascribing the intervention of the Times to Lord Clarendon! The Times rejoins, that its own writing has created disturbance in " aroyal breast," to wit, Louis Philippe s ; and presumes the declarations of the Debats to be official. The agitation spreads to Madrid ; where the Clamor Public° denounces - certain "traitors" as ready to surrender the young Queen to a foreigner at the dictation of France. Meanwhile, poor Isabella's fate is pitiable, with divers hungry young Princes— cousins, Italiah and Spanish—the all-marrying Orleans family—the pro- fessional matrimonialists of Coburg—competing to devour her, and fomenting agitation in Spain with their pretensions. In Rome, Pius the Ninth continues his surprising career of temperate reform; which -appears to have excited the sympathy of the Sicilian King, and the increased mistrust of the Austrian Government.
Don Miguel has issued a new proclamation, of himself, in Por- tugal, or somebody else has done it for him ; but the silly affair excites scarcely any interest.
At our own colony in Southern Africa, there has been some sharp fighting between the British troops and the Kafirs ; the savages being worsted. It remains to be seen how far the spirit raised in them by previous impunity may withstand adversity, and how far their mere vis inertia of numbers may render it difficult to sweep them off the British territory.
Previous page
