4 JANUARY 1868, Page 7

We publish elsewhere an account, derived from sources which have

never yet failed us on Italian affairs, of the present position of parties and statesmen in the Peninsula. The writer traces the weakness of the Government to the self-will of the King, who will not tolerate any Minister who follows a policy of his own. We question, however, whether the statesmen are as right as he thinks in submitting to anything to shield the King. The House of Savoy may be essential to Italy, but Victor Emanuel is not the only member of that House, and he is destroying the very foundation of authority, confidence iu the wisdom of the Executive.