fortigu riu/1 Coluutal.

raltra.—The meeting of a conference to deliberate on the double election of Colonel Comm is said to be fixed for the beginning of March. "All the Powers," we are told, have agreed to this meeting. Some per- sons imagine that an occasion will be made to discuss Italian matters. The Moniteur has removed all doubt by announcing the proximate meeting of the conference.

For a few hours much attention was excited in Paris by the pamphlet of M. Emile de Girardin, entitled "La Guerre," but the pamphlet has entirely dissipated any interest. It is either a satire too fine to be ap- aa,prehended or it is the most elaborate nonsense which London or Paris is or many a year, and that is saying a great deal. Let us have • no war, says M. Girardin, or if we do, let France and Russia share the old world, admitting Russia to the Mediterranean, France to the Rhine, while depriving England of every post which commands a strait, as the means of securing the freedom of the seas ; for England, says the able French writer, may betake herself becomingly to trade. Of course as soon as this bavardage was read, the solo interest in the pamphlet be- came of a biographical kind, people wondering what had become of M. Emile de Girardin's wits. Here is his conclusion.

In the meantime bruits of war aro as plentiful as ever. Emile de Gi- rardin has published a pamphlet entitled " La Guerre," in which he ridi- cules a small war for the mere emancipation of Lombardy, and calls for a great war in which as Allies against England and Germany, France may win the Empire of the West and Russia the Empire of the East ! Here is the conclusion-

" If the object be to interfere in the affairs of the Romans, to place the Lombards under the Piedmontcse government, in spite of the remembrance of the assembly of Lugano in 1848, and to have an Italian confederation pre- sided over by the Pope, we shall say, Peace ! If it be wished to take re- venge for Waterloo, to restore the left bank of the Rhine to France, to realize; in fact, the programme of St. Helena and of Ham, and to found the great huropean association, we then say, War ! Either war with its con- quests or peace with its progress."

The Presse, which had been growing ultra warlike, has received the check of a warning. On the other hand the troops which recently left Algeria bade good bye to their comrades on shore with cries of "au re- coil- a Milan ! " The Marseilles journals have been "invited" to pub- lish nothing respecting armaments. The Paris correspondent of the Morning Post says- " It is the duty of all who desire to avoid war to keep in mind three dis- tinct facts—viz., 1. Austria continues to prepare for hostilities ; 2. Pied- mont continues her war preparations ; 3. France is constantly occupied in making arrangements to throw 100,000 men into Italy within a few hours It is of the utmost importance, if we are to hope for peace, that the Great Powers should at once make a last attempt to remove Aus- trian influence from Italy with the peaceful action of diplomacy. Delay

involves danger. . . . But as far as I can learn, Austria will not ap- pear at the diplomatic board if the Italian question is to be discussed. On the other hand, the Cabinet of Vienna may promise to endeavour to satisfy the views of England and France by diplomatic action which it would not be prudent to make public."

It is understood that the Governments of France and England are each to appoint two Commissioners to investigate the subject of the fishery of Newfoundland, and that the negotiations upon it are to be resumed.

Silt 1 IL—The principal information in the Italian news is gtill that which relates to the debate on the loan. Some further particulars will help to complete the picture of parties by affording traits of the minority. Count Solar della Margherita threw the blame of the war agitation upon Sardinia, who in the eyes of the world is the aggressor. The Marquis Costa de Beauregard, a Savoyard deputy, described Count Cavour as wishing for war and doing his utmost to provoke it. An Italian war is unpopular in Savoy. He spoke for Savoy, and hinted at the probable separation of Savoy from Piedmont as a consequence of war. This re- ference to Savoy was regarded as unparliamentary by Michelini, the next speaker. A deputy should speak in the name of the whole country. In his eloquent speech Count Cavour was extremely anxious to show that ho had always preferred the English alliance. Lord Derby had spoken in fitting terms of Sardinia, though when speaking of the speech from the throne, he used an adjective perhaps not sufficiently appro- priate. "I do not deny that there has been a modification of opinion on the part of many English statesmen with respect to this country since 1856. The English people have many great virtues, among the first of which patriot- ism is prominent. The Englishman considers all questions from the na- tional point of view ; and when he judges that the interests of England are at stake other considerations lose much of their weight. Unfortunately, after 1856 England thought it necessary for the interests of her policy to draw towards Austria; she thought to find in that Power, which had given her no support on the battle-field, but which had assisted her on the field of diplomacy, a sure ally in the Eastern question. This rapprochement some- what modified her opinion and her tendencies in the Italian question. She maintained and maintains them as regards Southern and Central Italy, but has modified them with respect to Northern Italy. She judges the Neapo- litan and Roman Governments now as she did three years ago, but has seen in the regimen of the other provinces on the left of the Po a transformation which we who are nearer to them have been unable to discover." At the end of the debate, M. de Wiry, a Savoyard, raised a storm in the chamber by saying that sacrifices were to be imposed upon Savoy in particular. They would never make Savoy an Italian province. During the hurricane of disapprobation it was thought that De Viry said the constitution was a fiction. " Mat !" cried Cavour, energetically and

in French, (the language in which De -Wiry and the Savoy Deputies usually, speak,) " the statuto a fiction ? It is a reality !" De Wiry ex- plained that he referred to the duty of a Deputy and not to the constitu- tion, and that Deputies were daily beard supporting the interests of the districts they represented. President Rattazzi, however, would not al- low him to continue in that strain. The row in the house was some- thing prodigious, galleries and Deputies all vociferating and gesticulating

together. I declare," cried Do " that if I voted this law today, tomorrow I would send my resignation to my constituents." " You would do well," retorted Cavour ; " send that of Councillor, also, if the statute be a fiction." Before the vote could be taken, the sitting had to be suspended that the tumult might be stilled.

A letter from Florence of the 10th, in the Messager du Midi, says that "the question of deciding what the attitude of Tuscany ought to be under existing circumstances has been discussed in the council of the Grand Duke. On this point the opinion of M. Baldasseroni has pre- vailed, and strict neutrality has been definitively resolved on." The Manorial Diplomatigue contradicts a rumour that the Archduke Maximilian will retire from Milan and give up Lombardy to an exclu- sive military rule.

Print tt g.—In an article published by the Austrian Correspondence, suggested by the French Emperor's speech, occurs the following passage The words uttered by the Emperor Napoleon on the 7th instant, in fa- vour of peace, and the expression of his resolve to strengthen the alliance of France with England, must be considered another moral guarantee for the maintenance of the present territorial arrangements (der steatliehen ord- nung) and of peace. On the basis which is formed by the accordance of the sentiments of the two Western Powers can, and will be, diplomatically dis- cussed that question relative to the temporary occupation of Central Italy, of which mention is made in the speech of his Majesty the Emperor Napo- leon ; and a general understanding will, as we hope, be brought about.

" We also sincerely regret that during the discussion of some questions differences have arisen between France and the Imperial Royal Ca- binet As the whole world has heard with sincere satisfaction the pacific language of the Emperor of the French, and has placed implicit con- fidence in it, so, as a natural consequence of that language, and with equal confidence, it may expect the news of the cessation of the armaments of France, armaments which have contributed to give political importance to the excitement which has arisen from the apprehension of imminent danger." It is stated in high military circles at Vienna, that Marshal Prince Windischgratz is going on a mission to Berlin. The New .Prussian Gazette thinks itself " justified in affirming, that the Austrian Ambassador at this Court has informed his Government that the Prussian Cabinet eagerly desired to see Count de Buol lend himself to negotiations, the ob- ject of which would be to ren4er possible the removal of the Austrian and French troops from the Papal States." On the 12th instant, Baron von der Pfordten informed the Bavarian Chamber that the States belonging to the Zollverein had not resolved to prohibit the export of horses. The Minister added, "that in conse- quence of the pacific declarations of the great Powers, the danger of a war, which would find the whole of Germany united, was no longer so imminent."

In the sitting of the Berlin Chamber of Deputies, on Thursday, a Ministerial project of law relating to civil marriage was brought in. The project proposes the abolition of certain obstacles to marriage and the introduction of certain grounds of divorce. According to this project, civil marriage will not be obligatory, nor will it be longer a necessity, but optional only.

SlIllifl.—Mr. Gladstone went in state on the 5th to the Ionian Cham- ber of Deputies, and communicated to them the answer of the Queen to their petition for union with Greece. Her Majesty declares that-

" Invested as she is by the treaty of Paris with the exclusive protectorate of the Ionian state, and constituted the sole organ of that state in the coun- cils of Europe, she can neither consent to abandon the obligations she has un- dertaken, nor can convey, nor permit, any application to any other power in furtherance of any similar design." Her Majesty does not desire to im- pose new fetters on opinion, but she will enforce the sacred duty of obedience to the laws.

Having read this document, Mr. Gladstone proceeded, using the Italian language, to unfold his plan of the reform tendered in the name of the Queen to the Ionians.

Her Majesty desires to improve Ionian institutions up to their highest capability. There are two ways of doing this; first, by contracting British and extending Ionian agency; secondly, by rearranging the Ionian ma- chinery and establishing guarantees. Thus it is proposed to divest the Senate of its executive and initiative offices, :and vest their powers in a re- sponsible Ministry, removeable by an address from both Chambers. The President of the Council of Ministers will be the head of the executive power. The President can never be dismissed by the Lord High Commis- sioner. All acts now performed by the Lord High Commissioner, except those ind.spensable to the protectorate, will require the counter signature of a Minister. The acts he now performs in conjunction with the Senate will be performed by the Ministers alone. In all future laws, the approval of the Lord High Commissioner will not be recited in the body of the law, but they will be valid if he attach to them his " visa." " The power of relega- tion is abolished," and an exceptional state of law shall cease when order is restored.

" I he Lord High Commissioner must of necessity be irresponsible to Ionian authority ; but her Majesty deems it fitting to make further provi- sion for his responsibility to herself. This may be effected in a manner known to the practice of England, by which any complaint ef grave malver- sation of office, proceeding from an authoritative source, would, instead of passing into the routine of administrative business, be brought by the Se- cretary of State to a judicial hearing before the highest authorities; I pro- pose to you, therefore, that when either Chamber shall have presented any such complaint against the Lord High Commissioner, it shall have power to send an agent to England to support it, and to order payment of his reason- able charges." The Senate will consist of a majority, elected by a consti- tuency to be indicated, a minority nominated by the Commissioner, and will exist for a longer term than a single parliament. All these points are " essential " ; they must be accepted or rejected in block. There are also various subsidiary proposals intended to complete the scheme. Mr. Glad- stone recommends a revision of expenditure, consolidation of local govern-

ments, diminution of the payment to members, revision of tariff; reduction of employes. He thus desenbes the scope of his proposals. " They are intended to secure to you, in the management of your inter- nal affairs, the full advantage of a constitutional and a stable Government, better guarantees for public rights, better adjustment of the influence of the respective classes of society, a more free career in political life for the 'bility with which the country abounds. They do not tend to complicate,

± to simplify, your relations with the Protecting Power. They create no new bond between the two countries, except it be a new bond of good will. England proposes to you a law, and not a contract. She asks from you no-

thing. Not a single point is added to her powers Her Majesty has now done her part, and the rest, Mr. President, and gentlemen, is in your hands. I entreat you to contradict, by the testimony of facts, the imputa- tions of those who declare that in these islands the spirit of restless dema- goguism on the one hand, and the inveterate traffic in place on the other, render good and free Government impracticable."

The propositions in a formal shape were submitted to the assembly, and through its secretary that body acknowledged the receipt, compli- mented Mr. Gladstone as "a personage so renowned and Philhellenic," and postponed its reply.

The telegraph forwards a statement that "a large majority of the Members of the Ionian Parliament appear determined to refuse the dis- cusion of the reforms proposed by Mr. Gladstone, and it is expected that should the Parliament be dissolved the present Members will be reelected."

rWEYIIIH.—The Skuptchina was dissolved on the 12th by Prince Mi- losch. A Committee, composed of thirty-four members of the Skupt- china, is to complete the labours of that Assembly. M. Wuesitsch has been sent to prison, and is to be tried on a charge of having appropriated to his own use certain large sums, the property of the State. He is eighty-two years of age.

Sarkl11.—The journal de Constantinople of the 9th February con- firms a statement that the Porte has protested against the election of Colonel Couza, and has appealed to the Conference of the Powers. Letters express doubts whether the Sultan will receive the Moldavian deputation. It is stated that 15,000 Turkish troops are stationed along the banks of the Danube. The attitude of the Rouman population is resolute. Frequent conferences have taken place between Sir Henry Bulwer, Baron Prokesch, and the Porte.

Colonel Couza, according to the telegraph, seems disposed to spoil the fine game he had in his hands. It is stated, that after his entry into Bucharest he issued an edict, decreeing the union of the Principalities, with one National Assembly for the two, which Assembly is to hold its sitting at Fokschani.

The Porte is sending an army to the Danube.

Seri IL—Telegraphic despatches from Bombay to the 25th January were received in London on Wednesday night. The campaign in Oude is said to have been terminated on the 8th. Lord Clyde had returned to Luelatow. The Begum and Nana Sahib had fled to Nepaul. Ten leaders, including the Nawab of Furruckabad, had sur- rendered. In; an effort to break across the Sardah into Rohilcund, Nir- put Singh, and "Benee Singh," were killed, and their force driven into the Terrai.

In Rajpootana, Brigadier Showers, marching ninety-four miles in three days, overtook Tantia Topee and Feroze Shah on the 16th January, defeated their troops, and killed 300, but did not capture the leaders.

There had been serious fighting with Rohillas and Arabs in the Dec- can, with some loss of officers on our aide. In Rewah, Captain Osborne, our agent, has been slightly wounded in a skirmish with rebels. The Murree tribes on the Scinde frontier are said to be causing trouble.

A despatch from Mr. Edmonstone on behalf of Lord Canning, to the chief Commissioner in Oude, has been published. It relates to doubts which have been raised on points in the Royal proclamation. Thus who are "British subjects?" They are both Europeans and Natives ; but since many Natives must have been murdered in consequence of family feuds, and from other causes, Lord Canning thinks a distinction should be drawn between the two cases, and that rebels only suspected of mur- der, unless it were cold-blooded and deliberate, should have the benefit of the amnesty. It would be most unadvisable to pursue each case of murder committed upon a native. Then the accused must be proved to have "directly" taken part in murder-

" Something more should be proved against him than the fact of his hav- ing been present in the ranks at the time of the murder. His Excellency thinks it should be shown that the Sepoy took an active part in aiding and abetting the murder. The spirit of the term `directly' being in all cases carefully kept in view, in order that mercy may not be stinted." Lord Canning thinks that villages should not be fined for offences com- mitted during the rebellion—lest the innocent should suffer with the guilty ; but it is just and reasonable that a village or town should be re- quired to restore public buildings which were destroyed by the inhabit- ants, and that a fine should be levied from them for this purpose. This would be not so much a penal fine as a bare restitution. The amnesty extends to mutineers and rebels in our hands when the amnesty was issued, provided they do not belong to the excepted classes. The new Oude Police have been organized on the basis of the Scinde Police, a very efficient corps. This is a great improvement.

gnitrit gilitE3.—The Europa arrived at Liverpool from New York on Tuesday, with dates to the 2d February.

In the House of Representatives, a preamble and resolutions were read, setting forth that there is strong reason to apprehend that the laws for the suppression of the African slave trade are to be set at defiance, and their violation openly countenanced and encouraged by the citizens of a portion of the states; that the existing laws against the slave traffic should remain unchanged; and that the President should at all times be sustained in enforcing such laws. A motion made to suspend the rules to permit of their being introduced. The motion was defeated by a vote of 84 "yeas," to 115 "nays."

The tariff question was exciting attention among all parties, and great divergence of opinion. A meeting of democratic senators had resolved that it is not expedient to change the tariff this session. Lord and Lady Napier were to be entertained before their departure at a public ball in Washington—" the most magnificent affair ever pro- jected in the United States." Lord Lyons was expected to arrive in time. Commodore Paulding, by whom General Walker and his freebooting companions were removed from Nicaragua, and the last marauding ex- pedition in that quarter broken up, has been sued by several of these precious patriots for bringing them back to a land of gaols and grand j untie.

CO &h.—The Governor-General opened the Canadian Parliament at Toronto on the 29th January. In his speech he states that he regards the act of the Parliament, in referring the choice of a capital to the Queen and her decision as binding, [an opinion expressed by Sir Edward Lytton in a despatch] and further that it will be the duty of the executive Go- vernment " to carry out the undersanding which existed at the time when the reference was made, by which the government will be trans- ferred to Quebec for a fixed period, until the necessary arrangements shall have been completed." " The possibility of uniting, by some tie of a federal character, the Bri- tish colonies in North America has formed the subject of correspondence, which will be placed in your hands. I will also cause to be submitted to you despatches from her .Majesty's Secretary of State in relation to ques- tions affecting the Hudson's Bay Company and on the subject of the inter- colonial railway."

The revision of the statutes was nearly completed, and Parliament would be soon asked to pass a measure of consolidation.

Tllf51 7 dir5.—Advices from the West India Islands to the 31st January were received early in the week. The weather had been " genial" in Jamaica ; favourable to the sugar crop in Trinidad and Granada. The last-named island was in a highly satisfactory condition, and had a surplus in its exchequer. In Trinidad, " the supply of labour seemed to be nearly up to immediate wants." Indeed, there would ap- pear to have been a surplus, for the Court of Policy in Demerara had been informed that a greater number of coolies had been sent to the island than the Government could dispose of, and had immediatply affirm'

to take the surplus from Trinidad. The prospects of Demerl.:11"— '448

but

garde immigration were cheering. ^nee ltnil-