The intenseness of the cold has been greater than has
been experienced for many years, the thermometer having fallen to 8° of Fahrenheit, or 240 below the freezing point. In France and Spain the weather has been equally severe; and at Madrid several of the sentinels on duty at the public offices have been frozen to death. The cold weather has extended even to the genial climate of Italy, the thermometer at Florence having fallen below the freezing point on the 21st of December. The Arno is filled with floating ice; and at Bologna the river is frozen over, an event that has not occurred in the memory of the oldest inhabitant.
The Paris papers of Monday were brought over by a boat, the French steam packet being frozen up in Calais harbour. The French papers talk of a projected canal between Rouen and Paris, of which the expense is estimated at sixty millions of francs. It is intended for the pas- sage of vessels of 200 tons.
The Flanders papers mention that the plague still rages at Odessa. There had been a fire at the same place caused by the explosion of a provision magazine, but it did little injury.
The town of Ismail has been thrown into confusion by the explosion of a Turkish'ship, laden with ammunition. Four vessels that lay near were blown to pieces, and many others seriously damaged. The blazing fragments were scattered over the town, and did incalculable mischief. Two magazines were destroyed, and whole streets unroofed. About fifty people were killed and wounded.
The Pelham packet has arrived at Falmouth from Mexico, and has brought re- mittances to the amount of 110,0001. sterling in silver, for account of merchants. From the Government it has brought no remittance, nor is any to be expected under present circumstances.
Private letters from India state that Lord William Bentinck has prohibited Suttees, and that the Brahmins have not offered any opposition to the procla- mation.
New York papers to the 12th ult. have arrived. The only fact worth notice is, that the Spanish Government seems at last to concur with the United States and this country, in a determination to suppress piracy. Hitherto the freebooters in the West India seas have found refuge and protection in the ports of Cuba and Porto Rico ; but it seems that the sentence of the law has been carried into effect on seven of these delinquents, who have been tried :and condemned at Porto Rico.
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