5 SEPTEMBER 1868, Page 1

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

A N idea that Napoleon is intriguing at Brussels and the Hague

is disturbing the Continental chancelleries. The notion is that he has a secret understanding of some kind with the Dutch Court, —as shown in the readiness of the King to sell Luxemburg,—that Belgium is to be coaxed by great commercial advantages into a commercial Union with France, and that the expected resistance of Prussia will be quoted to Frenchmen as proof positive that Berlin claims to dictate the policy of France on non-German ground. Readers of daily papers will have noticed a sudden cropping-up of small stories and little telegrams about a "French Zollverein," and this is said to be their interpretation. We do not vouch for a moment for its accuracy, but simply report it as an explanation which men who are not credulous think worthy of consideration.