goreign anb 412olonfal.

FiteNee.—On Saturday the Chamber of Deputies elected their officers. The vote for the office of President was as follows—For M. Sauzet, 223 Votes; Odilon Barrot, 98; Dupin, 9; Dupont de l'Eure, 4; De Lamartine, 2.

A question which has given rise to spirited discussions in the press was decided by the Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday. The validity of the election of M. Drault for the arrondissement of Poitiers was challenged, on the ground that he had entered into an illegal contract to secure votes. This is the contract- " The partisans of the Legitimist candidate will vote for M. Drault, if he will aosept the following pledges, that he will support-1. Electoral reform, founded on the formal recognition of the principle that taxes ought to be voted by all those who pay them; 2. Parliamentary reform, which shall exclude public functionaries from the Chamber; 3. Liberty of education, without any preventive measure; 4. The suppression of all sinecures and useless expenses; 6. The refusal of all dotation; 6. The reestablishment of the honour and dignity of France."

This document was signed by several electors, and the following note was appended to it—

"On the approbation of my political friends, I accept the present mandate, and pledge myself to support it in the present Legislature. DRAULT." The Bureau to which the petition against M. Drault's return was refer- red recommended that the election be annulled, on the ground that " the engagement between M. Drault and the Legitimist party not having been known by the whole of his political friends, there was surprise, and the election was not sincere."

Ultimately, the question was submitted to a division: 151 voted fur the atmullation of' the return, and 134 for sanctioning it. M. Drault's election therefore was declared void.

The Court of Peers pronounced, on Thursday evening, the following sentence on Joseph Henry-

" Whereas Joseph Henry is proved to have attempted to kill the King, on the evening of the 29th of July last, a crime provided for by articles 86 and 88 of the Penal Code; and whereas the punishment is to be graduated in proportion to the circumstances and nature of the crime, according. to articles 7, 18, and 30, of the Penal Code, which declares the peines allietires et tnfamantes to be—lst, death; 2d, hard labour at the hulks for life; 3d, banishment; and 4th, solitary con- finenient—the Court condemns Joseph Henry to hard labour for life."

The Journal des Debate says, that when the judgment was read by the Registrar of the Court to Joseph Henry, he appeared confounded and de- jected. " That was not what I expected," said he, after a moment of si- lence: " I wished for a capital conviction; and I implored to be put to death, as a favour and as an act of grace." In consequence of the positive declaration of Henry that he never in- tended to kill the King, and that proof of this fact could be found in a spot ythich he should point out, a Commissary of Police, appointed by the 9hoissellor of the Chamber of Peers, went on Friday evening to the prisoner's residence in the Rue de Limoges. On his arrival, he was con- ducted into the cellar by Henry's son • and in a spot which had been indi- cated to the latter by his father, the floor was dug up to the depth of eighteen inches, and there was found there a copper tube of about a foot long, closed at each end with a piece of wood. The tube was immediately sealed up, without being opened, and conveyed to the Chancellor. Henry still continues at the prison of the Luxembourg, waiting the result of his application to the King. The Association of Libre Echangistes held its inauguration meeting on Friday, in the Salle Montesquieu; the Duke d'Harcourt, Peer of France, President of the society, in the chair. From 700 to 800 persons were present. The Chamber, the press, and the commerce of the country, were represented at the meeting. The President addressed the company, de- monstrating the advantages to be derived from the abolition of high pro- tective duties and the introduction of liberal free-trade measures- " Our plans," he said, "are simple and natural; the sincere friends of the country cannot do otherwise than go with us: after the conquest of our civil and religious liberties, we claim another, that of labour. We wish labour to be free, to be no longer loaded with those shackles which prevent it from developing it- self, and from arriving at those results which should be expected from it. France I. rich, strong, and wise enough, to bear such emancipation without any danger of her being led away by it." The Chairman concluded by stating that subscriptions were about to be opened to carry out the objects of the Association; and that the funds so raised would be used in a manner best suited to advance its principles.

Most deplorable accounts are multiplying as to the prospect of food for the French people. The price of bread continues to rise; and is now fixed, for the first fortnight of September, at 39 centimes per kilogramme for the best, and 32 centimes for the second quality. Other provisions are be- coming proportionately dear. " Fish," says the correspondent of the Times, "appears not in the market. Meat is extravagantly high. The finest piece (filet d'aloyati, the ' Sunday side' of the sirloin) costs 36 sous (18d.) the pound; good veal, 22 sous. Bread is rising; vegetables beyond prim ; the best potatoes, for example, are three francs (half-a-crown) the boisseeu or stone of 14 pounds; eggs, 14d. the dozen; everything else in proportion. And bear in mind, that we are yet only at the commencement of September." The Presse indulges in yet more gloomy forebodings. We are about to enter on one of those calamitous years in which the ordinary resources are not sufficient for the food of the people. The crop of 1845 is entirely exhausted, and that of 1846 has produced less than a fair average. The rye harvest has an completely failed throughout France, that it will scarcely produce sufficient for seed for the ensuing year. Some farmers have not thrashed their crop, as they found it would not pay the expense. Wheat is in general of good quality; but, contrary to the san- guine expectation of the farmers, the produce is less than that of the year 1845. The oats have been scorched by the sun in several departments. They are inferior in quantity and quality everywhere, but particularly in the departments where they serve for the food of the

inhabitants. Dry vegetables, such as peas, beans, and lentils, will not produce a sufficient supply for the ensuing winter. Cabbages ;nd carrots are exceedingly scarce. Potatoes have been attacked with the prevailing disease in twelve departments, and cause serious apprehensions for the future." The Presse enters into a long calculation to show that France will need a month's supply, or 6,000,000 hectolitres of grain. " In 1832 we imported food for twenty-one days, amounting to 4,767,796 hectolitres of corn, weighing 32,563,000 metrical quintals. There were 3,575 ships, of at least 100 tons each, employed to convey this grain. This year we must import one-third more; and we may add that this immense enterprise will require a capital of 120,000,000 francs, and that the consumers must support a surplus of expense to the amount of 30,000,000 francs." All Europe, however, never had in her stores more than 14,000,000 hectolitres for sale; and what country will now be able to spare corn for France? " Let us examine the prospect in foreign countries. In Belgium, there are no complaints of the harvest, but it will not produce any overplus for exportation. In Holland, no decline in the price of provisions is expected. It is further said, that at the open- ing of the States-General the Government will demand an extension of the bill passed last year to encourage the importation of foreign grain. Portu- gal is menaced with an approaching famine, and Spain is too poor to assist her neighbours. Switzerland will be compelled to seek provisions from abroad. Amongst the countries which commonly export corn, Pomerania has no wheat to spare. Mayeuce cannot suffice for the demands of Swit- zerland and of Alsace. Alexandria and Odessa have no wheat in their stores; and the prices were generally rising even before the failure of the potato crop in Ireland was known. It may therefore be asserted as a general proposition, that Europe is placed in a difficult position with re- spect to the supply of her population."

Seam—Madrid letters of the 28th instant announce that the question of Queen Isabella's marriage had been actually settled: her Majesty had been betrothed on the previous night, in her own palace, to Don Francisco de Assiz. The ceremony is said to have been performed "in the most my?, terious manner, not more than four or five persons being present "; audit is asserted that Senor Caneja, the Minister of Grace and Justice, was actually called out of his bed at two o'clock in the morning of the 28th, to attend a council of Ministers on business connected with the betrothal.

A late bull-fight at Santander terminated in a riot and loss of life. The Chiclanero refused to fight with the miserable horses provided for the use of his troop; but the Political Chief proved inexorable, and com- manded him to proceed. The fight went on without accident till the sixth and last bull came to be encountered. The Chiclanero made the usual preparations; but ere they were completed, the bull with one desperate bound cleared the barriers, and made his escape by a door which had been incautiously left open. The greatest dismay prevailed; but at length the animal was shot down. Exasperated at what occurred, the Political Chief ordered the leader and his troop to be committed to prison; but the inhabitants assembled in thousands and demanded their libeses tion. The authorities endeavoured to disperse the multitude but not 13IIC- ceeding, the military commandant ordered the troops to fire: two Men were killed, and six or seven dangerously wounded. Next morning the Political Chief fined the Chiclanero 6,000 reels, liberated him and his troop, and compelled them to leave Santander on the same day for Mara Roue.—The Nuremberg Correspondent adds to the budget of political anecdotes from Rome, quoting a letter dated the 15th August—

"A

subscription having recently been opened at Rome for the benefit of suchof the amnestied prisoners as were without the means of subsistence, and for which considerable sums had been collected, the Pope sent for M. Marini, the Governor of the city, and anxiously inquired from him as to the object of it. M. Marini replied, that he attributed a dangerous political motive to the subscribers; but that he would not venture to give his advice on the subject. The Pope, after some moments' reflection, desired the list to be handed to him, and inscribed the name of his own family for 100 scudi [dollarsj, and that of M. Marini for 10 scudi; and ordered the list to be sent to all the principal houses in Rome. It is by such traits of delicacy that his Holiness wins every heart."

For some years past, and particularly since the completion of the railroads, the population of Cologne has augmented so rapidly, and rent has so much increased, that several rich capitalists and bankers have formed a company to build a new faubourg, to contain a number of large houses, divided into small apartments, suitable to the wants of the working classes.

The Semaphore de Marseilles quotes a letter from Rome, of the 21st ultimo, which states that the Pope had decreed the establishment in La Sapienza of professorships of natural philosophy, mechanics, and political economy. The celebrated Dr. Orioli, who is on his way to Rome, will, it is said, occupy the chair of political economy. The same journal states- " Piedmont has just given a noble example to the other Italian states, by addressing to the Pope its congratulations on the work of regeneration he has undertaken. Amongst the Prelates acting as provincial governors, who actively concur in the system of Pius IX., must be distinguished Mon- signor Ricci, the Legate of Civita Vecchia, a son of the celebrated poet Ricci, formerly pupil to the children of Murat. Eighty individuals who were confined in the bagne at Civita Vecchia, on mere suspicion of being connected with political affairs, have been liberated through his active solicitude. Cardinal Gizzi, not wishing that the generous wish of his Sovereign should be imperfectly carried into effect, has just addressed. a circular to the authorities, recommending them to practise kind treatment towards the liberated political offenders, and in no case to allow their past conduct to prejudice them in the honest life they may now wish to folio*:

Connected with Bona, and every part of Algeria, is the most interesting and important amnesty just published by the Papal Government; and seve- ral Roman emigrants, after dragging out a most miserable existence for years on this inhospitable shore—though for them hospitable—are now pre- paring to return to their "Bella Italia." The joy of these poor people is excessive; and it is impossible to listen to their exaggerated expressions'of satisfaction and delight without being touched to the heart..—Bona Corre- spondent of Me Times.

Poserm.—A letter from the frontiers of Gallicia, dated the 18th Au- gust, states that the peasants of Walga, near Dembetza, to the number of two hundred, under the leadership of an "Israelite emissary," had attacked and plundered the Castle of Walga. It was with considerable difficulty that the lord of the manor effected his escape by a back staircase. Mili- tary were sent for, and the peasants dispersed on its approach; but the judge who headed the party and twenty-six peasants were captured. The principal leader escaped. This event Dread such a terror amongst the wo- laity, that they all abandoned their country residences and sought refuge in the towns.

On the 17th, however, confidence was so far restored, that some of the nobles had ventured to spend the day at their chateaux, returning to Tar now in the evening.

The following is an extract of a letter from Warsaw, of the 27th Au- ust g Yesterday the Warsaw Courier published a new ukase from the Emperor, which states that all persons condemned to hard labour for life in the kingdom of Poland, and even all those condemned to hard labour and to imprisonment for stated periods, if their punishment has yet five years to ran, shall be sent to Si- beria. The first-named shall be employed for twenty years in the mines, and shall be colonists for the rest of their days. The others shall be employed in mines or at fortifications for the half of the time which their punishment would have lasted in Poland; bat they are also to remain for the rest of their lives in Siberia.

Dammut.—A letter from Copenhagen, of the 24th August, mentions that the King of Denmark, in accepting the resignation of the Duke of Sleswig- Holstein-Sonnenburg-Augustenburg, as Military Commandant of the Dutchies, had continued to him the emoluments of his former post, as a pension, amounting to 55,000 francs a year.

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.—Cape Town papers to the 8th June reached London early this week. The accounts, so far as they go, are favourable. Colonel Somerset's advance to the relief of Fort Peddle, with a force of 1,500 men, was disputed by the Kafirs on the morning Of the 31st May; but the attack failed. The following details are given in a postscript to the South African Commercial Advertiser of the 2d June- " Colonel Somerset moved from Commaty's Drift, with the force under his com- mand, at daylight on the 31st May; and by ten o'clock had all the waggons across the Fish river, and formed in order about half a mile beyond. The waggons were divided into several divisions, with companies of troops between, and strong flanking-parties thrown out. About four miles from the river, at a steep ascent, the advance-guard was sharply attacked, and the fire returned by Cape Mounted Rifles, under Captain Napier. The whole continued to advance under a continual fire for nearly two miles; the guns being well up to the front, and opportunity being found occasionally of using them with effect. The ammunition-waggons which were in front were got through the pass, and halted on the opposite height, With a grin in position, by two o'clock. The rest of the waggons followed; and by five p.m. the whole tintin, eighty-two in number, was safely formed into a camp on the height. Daring the advance the cavalry were dismounted, and, with the

ry infant, returned the enemy's fire well and effectually. Several of the oxen in the waggons were shot; but by active exertions were quickly replaced from other wag- gons. The loss of the troops was three killed and six wounded. The latter are believed to be doing well. Six horses were shot; amongst which were three of Major Gibson's and Lieutenant SWIM'S."

UNITED STATES AND MEXIC0.—By the Great Western steam-ship, which arrived at Liverpool on Thursday night, New York papers to the 20th August have been received. Nothing of interest or importance is com- municated. It is reported that the army invading Mexico had found greater difficulties in advancing through the country than were antici- pated. In some places the troops had refused to go forward, but were encouraged to persevere by the example of their officers. On the 26th July, General Taylor gave up the command of Matamoros to Colonel Clarke, as military Governor. An officer of the Kentucky volunteers had been shot by a sentinel; not having answered the challenge.

The American squadron continue the blockade of Tampico and Vera Cruz; but the bombardment of St. Juan de Ulla% had not taken place— the squadron waiting orders from Washington. The yellow fever had broken out on board the squadron: the Endymion had several cases of fever on board.

Since our last number, additional particulars relative to the defeat of the President's proposal to have two millions of dollars placed at his dis- posal, to be applied in facilitating the restoration of peace with Mexico, have transpired. The appropriation was assented to by the House of Representatives, but with the following important proviso—" That, as an express and fundamental condition to the acquisition of any terri-- tory from the Republic of Mexico by the United States, by virtue of any treaty which may be negotiated between them, and to the use, by the Executive, of the monies herein appropriated, neither slavery nor invo/un- eery servitude shall ever exist in any part of said territory, except for crime, whereof the party shall first be duly convicted." It is surmised by some newspaper correspondents, that this anti-slavery stipulation was the cause of the resistance offered to the bill by Mr. Davis of Massachusetts, and which proved fatal to its progress.

The correspondent of the Morning Chronicle mentions an interesting incident. " The widow of Captain Page, who died of his wounds received in the battle of Palo Alto, lately returned two thousand miles to the East, from the scene of his death. She was franked the entire distance in ho- telo and steam-boats, and upon railroads and stage-routes, and treated with -the profoundest respect and sympathy. This speaks well for the chivalric impressibility of the people."

CANADA.—The Montreal correspondent of the Morning Chronicle, writing on the 15th of August, makes an elaborate retrospect off affairs in the colony during the administration of Lord Metcalfe, by way of intro- ducing an account of the present position of politics. Since the dissolution of Mr. Baldwin's Cabinet, he says, " the Government has never been in a state of complete and efficient organization." " On taking office, Mr. Draper and such colleagues as he could get around him did lip homage to the principle of responsible government. He and they would hold power no longer than they found themselves supported by the popular voice, as indicated through the action of the popular branch of the Legislature. A (Resolution took place, a general election ensued, and both parties conceived themselves equally strong on opening the session. At first the new Cabinet found itself, by means which its opponents denounced as reprehensible in the last degree, sustained by small majorities. It then became bold enough to venture upon the ticklish ground of Cabinet questions. The University Bill was one of them, and on its fate was to depend the existence of the Ministry. It was read a first time, as a matter of course; and a second time on the understanding that it would not be further pressed that session. It was evident that the Cabinet would have to abandon the bill, or press it and be defeated. The abandonment was virtual defeat. Next session no- thing was heard of it, until a supporter of the Government in the House, holding no post in the Government, one of the rank and file of the party, moved the identical bill introduced at the previous session by Mr. Draper himself. The Government supported it, but no longer as a Cabinet question. It was declared an open question, the issue of which was no longer to affect the stability of the Cabinet. A member of the Government, a scion of the Family Compact, who had resigned his post when the University Bill was made a Cabinet question, has since returned to the Cabinet, now that the University Bill is an open question." Such conduct, of course, could not insure popular respect: yet, in spite of repeated defeats, Ministers still stuck to office; and, at the date of the letter, they were making another effort to complete their Cabinet, in order that they might again meet the local Parliament. " Their success is doubtful. With a Government in state of virtual dismemberment, the affairs of the province cannot be, as they are not, in a very promising condition. The Government remains in power without a party on which to rest. Its avowed object is so to con- struct the Cabinet as to have the French Canadians and the British popu- lation properly represented in it. But the French Canadian party are by no means ready to give their confidence to Mr. Draper, or to cooperate for the maintenance of a Cabinet which is chiefly supported by the old Tory party in Upper Canada, and that from no love of the Cabinet itself, but is order to keep the Liberals out. It is for this purpose that the Compact, in the persons of Messrs. Cayley and Robinson, have suffered themselves to be represented in it. For Mr. Draper they have a thorough contempt. The slender foundation on which he originally constructed his Cabinet fit being removed from beneath it; and the Toronto Globe, a paper in op- position, was able the other day to quote several columns of paragraphs extracted from about thirty quondam Ministerial papers, all condemnatory of the Government, and visiting it with the most undisguised contempt. Still, however, Mr. Draper clings to his post; and the public are patiently awaiting the upshot. The present state of things is a very anomalons one; it cannot much longer continue. Everything seems to indicate the speedy accession of the Liberals to power. With prudent management, they can, on attaining it, secure it in their hands for many years. Their principles are fast gaining ground in the province; and the circumstances of the last two years have materially aided their cause."