inrrign nia Culnuial.
FRANCE.—The political excitement on the question of revising the- Constitution increases as the period approaches when Parliamentary tac- tics with that object must be set in practical activity. The great political clubs are successively taking their side ready for the coming battle. The party of Order, as the Conservatives call themselves, the Legitimists, and, the Fusionist" branch of the Orleanists—a branch now little to be dis- tinguished from the overt Legitimists—have all resolved to vote for the revision of the Constitution. The followers of M. Thiess, who are the really stanch portion of the " Orleanists," remain neutral ; intending, it is said, to declare at the latest juncture in favour of the most probable winners. On the other hand, the Republicans of all shades unite against the proposed revision. The most remarkable feature of these declarations is, that the Legitimists now make, under the advice of the veteran Berryer, a frank avowal of their hope that the nation will use the revision for the direct and immediate restoration of the Legitimate Monarchy and the en- thronement of the Count de Chambord.
In addition, there are symptoms that the President of the Republic is increasingly disinclined to maintain the restrictive and disfranchising law of the 31st May ; and that M. Leon Faucher may have to leave the Cabi., net in consequence of his stout adherence to that law.
PORTIICIAL.—There is no additional news from Portugal, giving any idea bow the revolutionary crisis advances or recedes. In lieu of news there has appeared in the papers a letter from Count Thomar to the Duke of Saldanha, which he indited at Vigo, and has now published as a pamphlet in this country. Its interest is of a wholly .personal nature;
serving at the utmost to convict his successful political rival of political chicanery, and not throwing any light on the broader features of the movement which has cast himself a political fugitive on our shores.
Bni-oress.—The Ministry, opposed by a majority in the Chamber of
i Representatives, resigned on the 17th instant. They proposed to raise three millions of francs for the Treasury from "property which under the existing law of succession is free from taxation," but the majority op- posed a principal enactment of the law : the Ministers made concession, but did not conciliate the majority as they hoped. The financial mea- sures being, in the opinion of Ministers, "essentially necessary for the interests of the country," the Ministry resigned en masse.
GERMANY. —The conferences at Dresden terminated, without any formality, on the 14th instant. At a morning sitting protocols of the proceedings were finally agreed on, and in an afternoon sitting these protocols were duly attested. The plenipotentiaries then " separated." Tile event was marked by diplomatic banquets in the evening. The King of Prussia has gone on a visit to the Emperor of Russia in Warsaw ; embracing the opportunity of an Imperial progress through Poland, to pay a personal attention that very likely veils political pro- jects. The two crowned heads met on the 18th instant, at Skierniwice, and went in company to the Polish capital.
AUSTRALIA. —Recent arrivals from Adelaide and Melbourne describe the steady progress of anti-convict organization. At a meeting in Ade- laide, on the 8th February, the grievance to the " unpolluted ' colonies, of continually filling to overflew the penal colony of Van Diemen's Land, was earnestly insisted on. Indeed, opinions were expressed that indirect transportation to the other colonies, through the migration of the expirees, is more injurious than direct transportation from the mother-country. A speaker from Van Diemen's Land—once an official, sent out by Lord John Russell's Government nine years ago, stated that almost every schoolmaster in Hobart Town, now, is a convicted criminal. A meeting of delegates at Melbourne had pledged itself by resolutions not to employ convict labour, and to have no dealings with any who do employ such labour.
Bongo.—The Spanish Government of Manilla has performed a notable feat in the total destruction of the forts of the celebrated pirate Sultan of Suloo. The Governor-General had demanded reparation for several pira- tical attacks on merchant-traders, and got no redress : some months since he went with a small naval force to urge his demand more seriously ; and while at anchor before Suloo under a flag of truce, he was fired upon by the whole forts. He hastened to his capital, and returned with two war- steamers and two corvettes, carrying about three thousand soldiers. The attack was made on the 28th. The forces were landed on both sides of the town. The Governor-General in person led the first division. The Suloos came on with reckless passion, but were coolly repulsed; and the forts were carried by storm, after a contest of extraordinary obstinacy. A priest, Father Pascual Ibanez, planted the victorious standard, but was killed on the spot. The Spaniards of this division lost thirty-three killed, and had eighty-four wounded : the slaughtered Suloos were counted by hundreds. The Sultan himself narrowly escaped. He sallied out against the division which attacked the other side of the town ; the Spanish of- ficers of that division acted with cowardice; and he got off into the jun- gles. The Governor-General arrested the officers, and would try them as Bastards before a court-martial.
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