29 OCTOBER 1853, Page 5

farrigu ub tulanial.

Faawcts.—The Aconiteur of Thursday contained, in its non-official por- tion, an article on the Eastern question. The writer takes notice of the "new phase" of the question—the negotiations broken off, and the de- claration of war; and says "there is no reason to hope that a conflict can be prevented." The question has had an universal interest from the beginning ; and while England and France have cooperated in mari- time demonstrations, Austria and Prussia have lent their assistance. But the Conference at Vienna failed to maintain the rights of the Sultan- " the only certain basis of the independence of the Ottoman Porte, and, consequently, of the equilibrium of Europe" : and as the Porte decided for war, "the Government of the Emperor could not swerve from the course of action it had traced out for itself from the commencement." Its views met those of the British Government, and the fleets were or- dered to pass the Dardanelles.

The article observes, that when the Emperor ascended the throne, he gave a solemn promise to assist in maintaining peace ; but peace would want its essential condition if it ceased to be based on that equilibrium necessary to secure the rights of all. These considerations have guided the Government on sending the fleet to its new destination ; and the Emperor will not lose sight of them until peace be established, on the only secure foundations. "Such an enterprise was worthy to unite the flags of the two great countries of the West, and thus to create the beautiful spectacle of a perfect understanding in action as well as in negotiations." As to the two Powers who have not joined in the maritime demonstra- tions, the writer thinks the interest they have shown in the question is evidence that their neutrality will not become indifference ; and while France and England approach the theatre of action, "the cooperation of the other two Cabinets will not be wanting to the negotiations which will tend to facilitate the settlement of the quarrel."

The Emperor and Empress returned to Paris on Thursday. During their stay at Compiegne, there was a grand stag-hunt, attended with more than one accident. A large company bad assembled, and the stag was found ; but he could not be made to run. At length he started, and al- most immediately turned and stood at bay. The horse of M. Fould, Minister of State, was knocked down ; the head keeper shared a similar fate ; but neither of the gentlemen was much hurt. The stag then gored the horse of Madame Thayer; the lady was thrown, and her leg fractured. Itseas a sad day for the Imperial chivalry : the sculptor Count de Nieu- tienkerke, and Count d'Albe, cousin of the Empress, were both thrown. After this, the frightened and infuriated animal ran for a stable, "almost touching," says the reporter, the horses of the Emperor and Empress.

The dramatic scene was fitly closed by M. Edgar Ney, who, " in his qua- lity of Grand Huntsman, rushed in and killed the stag with a hunting knife."

There has also been a dramatic incident at Chalons imr Marne ; but this time it was tragedy in earnest. Captain de Laporte, one of the aides-de-camp of the General in command there, Count de Neuilly, had formed a connexion too intimate with the General's wife : some officious person resolved to inform upon the pair • and the General went to the lodgings of his subordinate, certain of finding his wife there. He knocked loudly at the door ; and heard his wife say, " It is he, it is he ! we are lost !" " Open, open ! " cried the General, " or I will break in." Cap- tain de Laporte opened the door, a pistol in each hand ; then ensued a fierce dispute, ended by the firing of both pistols. The General fell, and rolled down the stairs into the street. Some persons ran up; and Count de Neuilly died, exclaiming, " The coward, the wretch, he has assas- sinated me !" Captain de Laporte surrendered. The journals scarcely ventured to do more than allude to the recent arrests ; and yet the editors of two of them, the &eels and the Preue' were summoned to the Ministry of the Interior and admonished. The Prase had published a paragraph briefly announcing that M. Goudebaux had been arrested without any sufficient cause. The Government ordered M. Emile de Girardin to contradict this : it is said that M. de Girardin not only refused, but justified his refusal. He mentioned several persons who had been arrested and never tried, and others who had been immediately set at liberty ; and it was fair to infer that those persons had been arrested unwarrantably. The interview seems to have had no practical result ; M. de Girardin maintaining his determination with spirit. He was told that unless he complied, the Frau would be officially warned ; but to this he re- joined that the Prase might be warned and suspended—nothing should induce him to give way.

TURKEL—The latest intelligence from Constantinople, by telegraph, is dated the 17th instant ; and informs us of the arrival of the combined fleets in the Sea of Marmom. The latest intelligence, by letter, leaches to the 13th October. At that date the fleets were expected from Besika. A division of the Turkish fleet was cruising in the Black Sea ; probably intended to protect Batoum, an Asiatic port of great importance and much coveted by the Russians. The excitement in Constantinople had sub- sided with the publication of the manifesto of war ; but the military en- thusiasm was as great as ever. Bodies of troops were ever arriving and departing ; some of them "wild-looking men, swarthy turbaned Turks, with pistol and yataghan." Through the German papers—not a trustworthy l source—we are in- formed that "the army of Omer Peas, which could be kept back no longer, has passed the Danube, and beaten the Russians near Oltenitza. The Russian vessels on the Danube have fallen into the hands of the Turks."

A letter from Galatz, written by a gentleman who bad descended the Danube from Pestb, gives a lively picture of what he saw. Ho found the Russians posted in force at Guirgevo, opposite the Turkish fortress at Rutschuck. This fort was well armed ; and around it lay the army, in green tents. The brink of the river was defended by a series of low bat- teries.

"It appears that the Turks protect themselves on the Bulgarian bank, and keep watch with great vigilance. All along the bank there are posts and sentinels, or videttes; with near them a pole, from fifteen to eighteen feet high, surrounded with straw or rushes steeped in tar, and destined to be set on fire in case of alarm. The fires would be lighted in the event of a move- ment of the Russians, and the signal would spread rapidly on all the line. The videttes shelter themselves under a covering of branches, holding their horses by the bridle, and with their lances stuck up before them ; they have also poles by which to give an alarm. All these videttes belong to the regu- lar cavalry. Besides the posts and the videttes of the bank, there are others on the road, having also signals prepared. This system of vigilance is very well regulated ; and things appear to be on a very good footing at Routs- chouk."

It has been stated that Klapka has received a command ; but it ap- pears that he cannot yet have reached Constantinople. Dembinsky has left Paris for Malta.

The Turkish army intended to cooperate with the Cireassians will be commanded by Guyon, the Englishman who won a name in Hungary. Sefer Bey, a Circassian chief, long detained at Adrianople, has been sent back to his mountains. Much is expected from Schamyl in the Caucasus. He will be supplied with arms and ammunition.

Rvsste.—Advices from St. Petersburg, to the 17th instant, state that the Minister of Finance had, by command of the Emperor, assured the British firms that British property -would be protected, notwithstanding the untoward aspect of the Eastern question' provided, of course, that Russian property be equally respected by the British Government. The same protection will be extended to British ships and British subjects.

The tone of the letters would lead to the conclusion that the Emperor will not yield, now that war has been declared by Turkey ; but that there is no popular enthusiasm for war, Imperial manifestoes and "official poetry" notwithstanding. Letters from Bucharest, of the 11th, state that a party of Russian en- gineers, while sounding the Danube, bad approached near the Turkish bank. A flag of truce was sent to warn them off; they paid no attention to the warning; a cannon was fired on them, and a major was killed.

GERMANY.—The Emperor of Austria has been staying with his bride elect, incognito, at Possenhoffen in Bavaria. When he visited Munich, however, on the 16th instant, his appearance was necessarily public. At a grand parade in the Marsfield, King Maximilian kd the troops past the Emperor ; who, in return for the courtesy, placed himself at the head of two battalions, which he nominally commands, and led them past the King. The Princess Elizabeth was present.

ITALY.—The King of Naples, like other kings, has held autumnal re- views of his army. In compliment to him, the Emperor of the French sent the Duke de Lespane' an aide-de-camp of Marshal St. Arnaud, to assist at the show : when the Duke arrived, however, he was not allowed to land, but was ordered into quarantine. Finding that the reviews would terminate before the quarantine expired, the Duke instantly re- turned to France. As a consequence, it is reported that the Emperor has recalled the French Ambassador from Naples.

There have been bread riots at Turin. The house of Count Cavour was beset by a mob, and some windows were broken ; but a few policemen drove off the rioters, and arrested several. It is described as a "trumpery row," brought about by the Priest party.

Searn.—It is stated that the people of Madrid are showing symptoms of indignation at the Court. On the 18th, the Queen went late to the opera, and the performanoe was stopped to- -play the-Royal March. As usual on the entry of the Queen, the audience stood up; but a majority cried out, "Que continue is opera ; basta, baste!" This demand was complied with and the opera resumed. The King turned pale; but the Queen did not show any emotion ; and on leaving the house she bowed to the audience. This IB a most unusual occurrence: Spanish etiquette does not permit even applause when the Sovereign is present. The meaning of this incident is, that there is a-Court "favourite," who is hated. A second symptom of public feeling is -more, decided: on some of the coins, "a word only applied to the most worthless" is stamped across the royal effigy!

UNITED STATES.—The Baltic reached Liverpool on Wednesday, bring- ing adviees from New York to the 15th instant.

Mr. John Mason, Senator of Virginia, has been appointed to the post of Ambassador at Paris.

For some time past Mexican troops in considerable numbers have been concentrated in the Rio Grande. and reports were circulated through the Union that Santa Anna intended to proclaim himself Emperor, and make war on the United States. General Almonte, the Mexican Minister at Washington, has thought fit to publish a letter stating distinctly that the troops had been assembled to protect the Mexican frontier from inroads made by " armed bands of men from the American side' and to hold in check the Indians ; a duty which the United States, by the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, had stipulated, but had failed to perform. "The force," he adds "is neither intended by his Excellency General Santa Anna to be used as an engine wherewith to oppress his fellow citizens, nor one with which to make war upon a friendly power."

CAPE or GOOD llora—The Calcutta, touching at the Cape on her voyage from India, brings news from Cape Town to the 23d September.

The intelligence is less satisfactory than that reported by the preceding mail. Some alarm was felt at a rumour that four regiments occupying the Arnatolas have been ordered to be withdrawn from the colony. No hostile feeling has been manifested by the Caffres, but they are said to be discontented. The Cape Town Nail of the 23d says-

" About three weeks since at a meeting which his Excellency held with them, Macomo, on behalf of the other chiefs, declared that the land given them was too small. 'It a as all stones ; they could not till its and there was no Lush for firewood. They wanted the Amatolas.' This General Cath- cart decidedly refused ; giving them to understand that their possession of that locality would certainly involve another war : and the Caffres, it is stated, left the meeting not at all satisfied with the result.' " Two copies of the Friend of the Sovereignty have reached us ; and both exclaim against the proposed abandonment of the territory, which, it ap- pears, Sir George Clerk has been sent out to effect. On the 13th August, a public meeting had been held at Illoem Fontein. Resolutions were adopted expressing the "utmost concern and dismay" of the inhabitants at the determination of the Imperial Government ; declaring that British honour is implicated ; predicting incalculable evil to religion and mo- rality; and protesting against the injustice of the act. A deputation waited on Sir George Clerk with an address. In his reply, Sir George said that "the Imperial Government has to consider the interests of all; and has thus been led to determine to relinquish the dominion over this territory." Upon this the Friend of the Sovereignty remarks- -" The great argument of Sir George Clerk, who is to be considered the -spokesman of the Queen's Ministers, is, 'The good of all has .to be con- sidered in dealing with this question.' Truly ; but is it for the good of all that Hougkong was taken ? Was it from such a motive that a slice of the Burmese empire was taken in,' the other day ? Was it for the good of all that a company of shopkeepers have become territorial princes ? "

Sir George Clerk intimates that Government are "prepared to give due -consideration to claims founded on the abandonment of property acquired under encouragement held out by former authorities." He had called a meeting of delegates for the 5th September, and at the latest dates the proceedings had not terminated. General Prwtorius, the notable chief of the Trans-Veal Republic, died about the latter end of August. It is stated that before his death he ex- horted his friends to cultivate the friendship of the British nation.

The road through the mountain-range between Cape Town and the corn-growing regions of Worcester had just been completed, at a cost of 50,0001., with the labour of colonial convicts. The road had been opened, amid great rejoicings. The Lieutenant-Governor was too unwell to attend.

WESTENN Arawm—The screw-steamer Hope arrived at Portsmouth -on Sunday, bringing advices from Lagos, where there had been more fighting. It will be recollected that he stronghold of the slave- trade, was attacked and taken by the blockading squadron in December 1851. Kossoko, the slave-dealer and usurper, was expelled; and Akatoi, the rightful ruler, was installed, But some of his dusky subjects, retain- ing a lingering fondness for the slave-trade, kept up a correspondence with Kossoko, and in August last broke out into open rebellion. After some fighting and palavering, Kossoko joined the insurgents with a num- ber of canoes carrying guns and 800 men. They fired on the house of the English Consul, and he hoisted a red flag. Fortunately, Admiral Bruce arrived in the Penelope, and Kossoko fled. Then the troops of King Akatoi began to plunder and burn all within their reach. On the 3d September Akatoi died. He was a man of no authority, and addicted to drink. Kossoko now sent a message to the English Consul, to say that he should come and take possession of the town ; at the same time he stopped all communication with the town. Hereupon, Commander Phillips, apparently by order of the Consul, sent a force to join, the troops of the new King, Docemo ; and Kossoko was again put to flight. Lieu- tenant Strickland of the Polyphemus was left to build a wall for the de- fence of Lagos.

AUSTBALLA.—The Constitutional Committee of the Sydney. Legislative Council bas recommended the establishment of an Upper Chamber on the nominee system. Resolutions embodying the thanks of the Council for the " Constitu- • tion despatches" have been agreed to by a select committee, and recom- mended for the adoption of the Council itself. The despatches are de- . scribed as "the commencement-4f a new and auspiciormeera.ig the go-

vernment of her Majesty's Australian Colonies., e

The estimates for the current year were proposed by the Auditor-Gene- raisin the 224 June.. He estimated that there weal be .a surplus re- venua.of. 52,2671. at. the close of 1353. A balance of 48,0001. would be derived from the gold-leceuces. A large revenues is also dexived from the increased import of ardent spirits and tobacco. liefetring„ to tha pros- perity of Victoria, the Auditor-General saw no reason why New South Wales should. be thought meanly of in comparison.. "Although they.bad notgold coming iç by tons a.ndimmimints lending by thousands, yet they saw their harbour filled with vessels, of almost all the commerciainations of the world ; they saw their streets hemming thronged like the large commercial towns. of the Mother-country; they-sew large, substential„and ornamentalbuildinge, rising -in 'every- direction; and there was a steady-tide of immigration- flowing in. At the same tithe, the public revenue was increasing in proportion to-their increasing req,uiremente; the ordinary pursuits of industry were-being carried on with almost as little in- terruption ae if gold had never. been discovered; profits of those pursuits had, enormously. inereatied, every class of the, community was thriving, and quietness and good order prevailed throughout. the- country. With, these signs of prospersty'around,, he, saw no reason- to envy-Victoria ; and he liked the progress here-all the better because it was gradual. In the,minerie resources of the,celony he had the utmost confidence-; and there was:even, a_real benefit in its tardy developmeneaa the community was thus spared that feverish excitement and. disturbance of an industrial system which must have ensued had there been suddenly_opened up in the neigh- bourhood of this city such vast treasures as were found at Mount Alexander or Ballarat."

The news from Melbourne mainly refers to -theatate- of 'trade. It would appear that the importations have not been- excessive.; but that for want of warehouse room goods cannot be sold -at the :proper time. Transactions cannot be effected unless the goods are ready:to be delivered, as the cost of getting them up-from the bay affects prices considerably. Corn and flour were declining ; East India rice would not fetch prime cost and freight ; grooeries, ale beer, and-wine were-going down; not so spirits ; and winter clothing, boots, shoes, and hosiery, had 'fallen. It was thought that the depression was temporary. The gold-escort from the MacIvor Diggings had' been- waylaid by bushrangers and- robbed : all the escort except a sergeant and superin- tendent were wounded. The robbers lay in ambush, and fired a deadly volley into the unsuspecting troopers.