The Government are apparently spreading the publication of the Danish
correspondence over as long a period as possible. The Government printers cannot gratify the interest of the public under three weeks, but Lord Palmerston expresses the hope that small instalments may come out from day to day, which, says the Prime Minister, will have the advantage of obliging honourable members to read the first despatches before they read the last ones. As a comment on his remark the first paper issued contained the final despatches of the whole series, viz., the "identical notes" of 31st January from Austria and Prussia, explaining that those Powers occupy Schleswig to secure the rights given them by the agreement of 1852, but that if the sacrifices of the war should be so great
e as to compel them to reconsider the subject, then they would re- consider it, and take England into their counsels. In other words, so soon as they have lost a decent number of soldiers they will confide to ua that they cannot possibly give back Schleswig, but must claim it for Germany by way of compensation. And Lord Palmerston, we suppose, in reply, will offer them the assurance of his distinguished consideration.
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