NEWS OF THE W EEK.
THE Spanish Republicans, like the Portuguese, are greatly excited by the news from Brazil, and the heads of three Liberal fractions in the Chamber have withdrawn their support from Seflor Sagasta. Two of them want a protective tariff, and one a tax on the coupons of the Interior Debt, while all are disinclined to adopt universal suffrage, as Senor Sagasta pro- poses. The Premier has therefore resigned, but it is supposed that he will return to power with a modified Cabinet, and -conduct affairs until a dissolution is convenient. The interest of the crisis in Madrid has, however, been overlaid by the severe illness of the little King, now three and a half years old. His life has been threatened by an internal inflammation, and up to Friday afternoon the gravest fears were enter- tained for his safety. His death would be a vast misfortune for Spain, for it would almost paralyse the Queen Regent, and the succession would devolve on her daughter, the Infanta Mercedes, Princess of the Asturias. The Spaniards distrust female Sovereigns, and both the Republicans and the Carlists would receive new accessions of strength.
