NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE struggle for ascendancy which is now waging on the Con- tinent between Liberal and Despotic principles, is as evident as if
cannon and dragoons were employed to decide it. The Despotic Sovereigns cannot but feel, that in spite of their Congresses, is spite of their mature experience in the most approved plans of Crushing the spirit of Liberty, that spirit is still progressive. The history of Europe since the fall of' NAPOLEON has demon- strated, that, in these days, restrictions on the freedom of speech and the press are unavailing to compel a quiet submission to tyranny. These methods having failed, only one other remains to be tried—the use of the sword; and it is believed by many that the
recent successes of Russia in Poland and in Turkey have en- couraged her to hope, that, with the aid of Prussia and Austria, France may be occupied, by the troops of another Holy Alli- ance, and, for a long period at least, the Liberals of Europe be forced to crouch to its mandates. - To brood over the feasibility of, such schemes as this, is said to be the object of the Congress of-
Troppau, to which the late meeting at Tfiplitz was only prelimi- nary. The Austrian and Prussian Monarchs were only waiting I for the presence of the Czar,—whose arrival from Cronstadt when the last accounts were received was daily expected, having iteen delayed probably by adver;e weather,--to hold this long threatened
meeting. What the result tlit4 deliberations may be, is of course only matter of conjecture ; but it cannot be otherwise than deeply interestingi;-nOt only to the nations who own their sway, but to England, France, Belgium, Portugal, and every corner of Europe where the least spark of liberty exists. Ac- eordingly we find, that the rulers of the two great free nations
have not closed their eyes to the proceedings of their despotic
brethren. It is not believed that Lord DURHAM s late visit to Cher- bourg was accidental, or unconnected with. more serious matters
than those of compliment merely. It would not be the first time that his Lordship was deputed to represent the British Cabinet ; and we feel assured that the present Foreign policy of that Cabinet Must be manly, and accordant with the national feeling, or such a man as Lord DURHAM would not be chosen as its organ. The alliance between England and France, it is most gratifying to perceive, is drawing closer every day. The two nations have at length had wisdom to discern their true interests; and as long as this continues, be the policy and measures of the Despots pacific or warlike, the cause of Liberty is safe, though its extended tri- umph may be yet delayed for a season. Meanwhile, the usual efforts are making on the part of MET- TERNICH andhis coadjutors to prevent any thing like an amicable settlement of the Belgian question, and to foment the distur- bances, in Switzerland. The King of HOLLAND has been invited to take part in the Congress at Troppau. Prince ALBERT of Prus- sia arrived at the Hague on the 4th instant, with despatches from the Court of Berlin ; to which city he returned in haste, after a few hours' conference with the King. The next day, the Prince
of ORANGE left the Hague, and proceeded to Troppau. We need not wonder, with these facts before us, that the negotiations for settling the disputes between Holland and Belgium are broken off, and that the Dutch Ambassador has been recalled.
The rebellious dispositions of the aristocracy of the Swiss Can- tons, Basle and Neufchatel, were some time since attributed to -the intrigues of Prussia,--without any direct •evidence, however, -of the fact of her interference. A late preceeding of the Neuf-
chatel malecontents has confirmed the above suspicion; for they have actually petitioned the King of PRUSSIA to take the Canton -under his expresi protection, anti mike it a direct dependeace on his crown. It is well known, 'that the chiefs of the insurrection in the Canton of Basle are in Close communication, and entertain a friendly feeling with the ditaffeeted in Neufchatel ;. and henCe as it is remarked by the correipondent of the Times at Paris, whet; thise-Ropeedings asp closely watched, "there iii grOund'enetigh
for the supposition that Prussian dominion was the object of the leaders of the riots." Whatever may be the object of the Swiss insurgents, it is clear that, should any attack on France be medi- tated by the Holy Alliance, it would be highly advantageous to have a friendly party in Switzerland. The same policy which induces the Absolute Sovereigns to en- courage the King of Holland in his obstinacy, and to keep the flame of civil discord alive in Switzerland, is visible in their
endeavours to protect MIGUEL in Portugal. The "-Emperor of RUSSIA. may or may not have declared that he will recognize no
other Sovereign of that country than the perjured Usurper; but it needed no such declaration to prove that lie wishes him to triumph in the present struggle, and only withholds from him ef- fectual assistance because he dares not, or cannot afford it. The Times ridicules the idea of the Emperor NICHOLAS having ex- posed himself by saying what is attributed to him by the French Journals. It is certainly absurd to attach any great importance to his recognition of, or refusal to recognize, Donna MARIA as Queen ; but his absolute prohibition of the French Ambassador from appearing at his court, and his insolent attempt at justifying
his breach of the treaty of Vienna,. showthat he would not be re- strained by a sense of decency, or regard to consistency, from
making any public declaration which he thought might in any
degree, however trifling, aid the cause of which he considers MIGUEL a champion. -Fortunately, however, for the Portuguese
Constitutionalists and their young Queen, the breadth of Europe lies between them and their gigantic enemy ; and they have sin- cere and powerful friends nearer home. The recognition of France
has followed that of England; although (in consequence, it is said, of a foolish and unworthy pique at the Queen s preference of the Duke of LEUCHTENBERG to the Duke of NEmonas), it was rather tardily and coldly given. Donna MARIA. was not re- ceived with regal honours, or treated at all like a- Queen, at Havre, whence she sailed last week for England.
In this country she met with a far different greeting, upon her arrival at Portsmouth on Sunday last. The King had given orders that she should be received with royal honours, and des-
patched a member of his household to attend upon her on the journey to Windsor. Accordingly, the yards 0' all' vessels in;
port were manned, and she entered amidst loud cheers and dig ;
charger,.::Tillery. Sir JAMES GRAHAM, Sir THOMAS HARDY, and Admiral DUNDAS, attended the Port-Admiral, Sir THOMAS WILLIAMS; who waited to receive her, and conducted her to his
residence. On Monday morning. the Mayor .anti Corporation pre- sented addresses to the Queen, and her stepmother, the Ditchetis
of BRAGANZA. In short, minute attention was paid to the; Ministerial mandate, to receive them " with every honour and attention due to the rank of crowned heads."
The King of SWEDEN, through his Ambassador at London, has formally recognized Donna MARIA; an intimation probably of the course which that Monarch is prepared to take should his powerful neighbours determine to draw the sword.
The news from the seat of war in Portugal is not of a decisive nature. PEDRO continues indefatigable in his exertions to fortify Lisbon. SALDANHA. had arrived there, with about a thousand men, a portion of the garrison of Oporto. Part of the Miguelite forces had reached Torres Vedras, which is only twenty-eight miles from Lisbon; the advanced guard of the main army was at Sam; tarem, and BOURMONT was marching towards the South with the bulk of his troops. Rumours have been prevalent of the partial defeat of the latter by VILLA FLOR ; but they want confirmation. The crisis therefore seems really at hand; and although there is good reason to anticipate the defeat of the Miguelite army, which is said to be badly fed and clothed, and by no means ardent in its master's cause, still the Usurper has unquestionably a nume- rical superiority of troops, under a very able commander; and the chances of war may replace him in Lisbon after ail. It is impos- sible, under these circumstances, not to await the result with some anxiety.
