2 MARCH 1861, Page 2

111 intelligence hitherto received from Austria has been 'nullified by

the publication of a Constitution. -This -document, which was published on the 26th of February, is thus summarized for the tele- graph by.the correspondent of the limes :

"The representation of the empire williretain the name of Bsichsrath. The Reichsrath will consist of two (*embus.

"The Upper House will be campedl if hereditary members, and of other persons nominated for life.

"The Lower House will coasiet of We members, who will be elected by Provineial Die*.

"The Reichsrath will have the right of legislation and of initiative. "its sittings will be public. "A Bill becomes law when it has passed both Houses and has been sanctioned du the Emperor. "The Reichsrath is to fix the amount of the Budget, to legislate in all matters of taxation, to manage public loans and the National Debt, to audit the State Balance-sheet, and superintend the affairs of the Bank. "The restoration of the former Constitutions of Hungary, Croatia, Slavonia, and Transylvania within the limits Of the diploma of the 20th of October, 1860, is decreed.

"For the other provinces, liberal statutes, with representation of the interests of the people, will be given. '" To towns the representation will be at the rate of five per cent, of the popu.. lation. Just:zeal districts it will be below five per cent.

"-The !Provincial Diets are to legislate for their respective provinces, to have autonomy, the right of initiative,' and publicity.

" The Provincial Diets are to meet on the 6th, and the Reichsrath On the 29th of April."

The Constitution is analyzed in another place, but we -may mention here that the diploma .cif the 20th of October, 1860, does not con- cede to Hungary-a separate Ministry, or the right of voting-taxes, or the-power to interfere-with the consumption. These points, like the foreign policy-of the kingdom, are reserved to the Central Govern- ment. Of course this revolution completely -neutralizes all the ru- mours of the state of siege in iiungary, .and insurrections in the Polish provinces. Everything HUM depends on the reception the provinces may accord to the new scheme, or rather, perhaps, to the idea the provinces may entertain of the honesty of its 'framers.

The German States, it is said, are occupied with the questions of unity and Holstein. Several of the Chambers have passed votes in favour of unity to 'be achieved by a stronger federal organisation. Nothing of great -importance can, however, be accomplished until Prussia moves, and as yet her only action is iby preparation for war with Denmark. The Court of Copenhagen, aware that the decree of the Diet will be carried out, have made a final offer to the people of Holstein. It is nothing 'less than absolute independence, under the King-Duke, but with a free Parliament, and total separation from the monarchy. The condition is that Germany shall consent to the absorption of Schleswig into Denmark. The Holsteiners, it is sup- posed, will be willing to accept -this alternative, but the Government of Denmark stands pledged, not -only to Holstein, but to Germany. It is the Diet which must Ultimately sanction such an arrange- ment.