22 JUNE 1861, Page 3

518,14.—The French papers repeat that the Imperial Government intends immediately

to renew diplomatic relations with Turin. " The

renewal, however," says La Patrie, "would not imply, on the of -France, as regards the policy of the Italian Kingdom, any judgment on the past, or any responsibility for the future. It would show that the de facto Government of this new State is sufficiently established for it to be possible to entertain international relations with it, which the interest of the two countries imperiously demand.

" France, by her new attitude, would not pretend to interfere in any manner in the internal or external affairs of the Italian kingdom, which remains sole judge of its conduct, as it is master of its future and of its destinies. It would act towards it as one day the great European Powers will act in the American question, by recognizing the new republic of the Southern States when that republic shall have constituted a Government on a basis which will allow inter- national relations to be entertained with it of advantage to general interests.'

This article has been received with great exultation in Rome, where it appears to be believed that the Roman question will ulti- mately be settled by a European congress, a few dissentients only declaring that no sovereign of France will ever give up the control of the Papacy.

The Italians are still occupied with the death of Cavour, the Neapolitans alone considering that the death of the great statesman opens the way to a freer, i.e. a less Piedmontized policy. The key- note of Italian politics at the present moment is contained in the speech with which Ricasoli opened his administration: " We hesitate not to affirm, .gentlemen, tbat with the immense calamity -which hasjust befallen us, there is none of us who has bent so low under the -weight of this grief as to entertain any doubt of the destinies of his native land. The vast conception of that illustrious statesman whom we deplore has not died with him, but already, when he has descended to the tomb, it has become the life and soul of this entire nation. (Cheers.) It shall now be our task to con- tinue that undertaking, which by him, with a wise audacity, had been brought -so nearly to its conclusion. In the face of Europe we ought to maintain and to contend for the right which Italy has to form and constitute herself. (Cheers.) The force of public opinion, growing stronger every day ; the wisdom of govern- ments and a perception of their own interests; the necessity which is generally felt of putting an end now to a state of things that is injurious to all and even dangerous to many ; the benevolent assistance of allied powers, to whom it is clear that a strong and united Italy is most necessary,—these considerations make us confidently believe that Europe will not delay the final recognition of our rights. But whatever confidence of this sort we may cherish in our hearts, we feel that Italy ought to be prepared for any event, and to hold herself ready on all occasions. (Loud applause.) The first care of the Government, therefore—or rather its first obligation—will be to continue with unwearied alacrity thepreparation of the national armament. (year, hear.) The outlay requisite for military equip- ments, and that which is requisite for the completion of those great public works to develop the economical resources of the nation, cannot be provided for by taxa- tion. You will therefore be invited to pass a bill authorizing the Government to contract a loan by which to meet the present emergencies. But whilst we thus have recourse to the public credit, we cannot and ought not to forget that it should be our aim to provide the means of restoring an equilibrium between revenue and expenditure, for such equilibrium is the chief basis of the credit of a state. This object may be attained in different ways. It may be done by intro- ducing prudent and gradual measures of economy into the divers branches of the public administration ; yet the effect of such measures cannot be immediately perceptible, since they must be dependent on the accompanying measures by which Parliament shall think fit to arrange the new administration of the king- dom. It would also be conducive to this object if you imposed a certain amount of increased taxation, distributing the public burdens more equitably over the country. The public revenue will indeed show a progressive increase, thanks to the effect of our new institutions and to those wise measures which' have been adopted, and which Parliament will go on adopting, on the proposal of Government. We shall wish to proceed as rapidly as possible with the govern- mental unification of Italy. Its legislative unification must be the work of Par- liament itself. The administrative decentralization of the country must be chiefly carried out by establishing its communal and provincial franchises. But the late ministry agreed with the select committee to whom was confided the examination of the projected administrative system, that it would not be pos- sible, at this late period of the session, to vote upon those bills; it was, however, determined that some provisions of urgent necessity should be presented to the Chamber, on whose discretion the Government relies to make them acceptable, for the interest of the populations concerned. I would say, finally, that it is to our constitution and in its crowning statuets that the Government will always look for the soundest safeguard of public order; and it will find, I am sure, the most solid foundation of its own authority in devotion to the con- stitution and in respect for the laws. (Cheers.) }or indeed it is by the laws, defining as they do the respective limits of governmental authority and of popu- lar liberties, that we are assured of both ; and hence we know that the rightful exercise of the former and the full development of the latter are equally useful and necessary for the happiness of the State. (Cheers.) The Government will therefore maintain order, not as the negation of liberty, but as the guarantee of liberty, as the condition and reconcilement of all sorts of liberties ; and this it will do with a firm and vigorous hand. (Much cheering.) Gentlemen, these are the principal intentions of' the ministry, and its conduct will be guided by these views. Faithful to those great principles which you on so many solemn occasions have approved, we trust in your continued support of them, without -which support, in a free state like this, it would be impossible to hold the Government with a safe mind. We trust in the good sense and patriotism of all the Italians ; and we trust to them for that civil concord by which in perilous and decisive moments the fortunes of a nation are preserved." (Cordial applause from the Chamber, and likewise, contrary to the strict rule and custom here, from the public galleries.)

Conflicting rumours as to the health of the Pope have been current for some days, but the only thing certain is that his Holiness is in ill- health, and borne down by ceaseless anxiety.