Foreign rt0 Calautal.

Iraurr.—The Paris elections on Monday passed off very quietly. Little more than one-half of the electors on the register went to the poll. The contest in the third circumscription was decided in favour of the Go- vernment. General Perrot, the official candidate, polled 10,111 votes to 7410 given to his opponent, M. Lionville, batonnier of the Paris bar. In the filth circumscription there was a different result. M. Eck, Govern-. ment nominee, polled 8774; his rival, M. Picard, polled 8590. As Eck's majority is insufficient, this contest will have to be fought over again. In the sixth circumscription Jules Fevre, the advocate of Orsini and friend of Ledru Rollin, carried the day. The numbers were Fevre, 11 303 ; Perret, Government man, 10,166. It seems that M. Renee of the Canstitutionnel has not been dismissed for his impertinence apropos of the Bernard acquittal. He has made mani- fest that he is still at the head of affairs by publishing this neat little in- dication of vitality..

"The English Government is right not to proceed any further with the prosecution against Bernard. After his acquittal upon the capital charge, what matters a few months' imprisonment, or a tine of a few hundred francs ? To have condemned him for a misdemeanour after having absolved him from a crime, would have been a mockery."

The Times correspondent furnishes some figures on French finance—a summary of the budget-

" The revenue of the empire is derived from direct taxes amounting to 18,344,499/., and indirect taxes to 43„270,3204, besides other sources, not

necessary to v 5,941,1601.; giving a total of 67,555,979/. as the ordi-

nary of the State. If to this total we add the 3,320,000/. due to the 8inking Fund, the result will be 70,875,9791. by taking in the portions pre- viously neglected. But to this must be made a further addition of 53,334/. for extraordinary receipts, and we shall then have the grand total of revenue at 70,929,313/. For the first time for several years it is now sought to establish an equilibrium, which, although partial, is still very satisfac- tory, between income and expenditure, by withdrawing a portion of pay- ments due to the Sinking Fund from their appropriation to current expenses of the State, and restoring them to their original purpose. The amount due to the Sinking Fund upon the budget appears to be 4,920,0001., of which 1,600,000/. are to be applied to that object, leaving the remainder, 3,320,000/. to meet the payment of the excess of expenditure over receipts.

"he ordinary expenditure is classed under the following heads—Interest on Consolidated Debt, 16,278,6661.; Canal Loans, 379,6651.; Reimbursable Advances, 1,709,953/. Life Annuities, 2,850,663/. Dotation (Civil List), 1,600,435/. Home Office for the Departments, 4,221,060/. ; Public Educa- tion, 237,000/. • Repayments on account of Direct Taxes and Shares of Pines, &c., 3,374,7314 ; Export bounties, 1,140,000!.; discounts on duties, 82,6401. ' • Ministry of State, 411,5764 ; Justice, 1,135,9311.; Foreign Affairs, 418,8244; Home, 1,803,8921. • Treasury, 793,0001.; War, 11,161,680!.; Navy, 5,621,9411.; Public Instruction and Worship, 2,484,637!.; Agricul- ture, Commerce and Public Works, 2,809,045/. ; Direct Taxes, 686,1584 ; Stamps, 533,531/. ; Forests, 301,648!.; Customs and Indirect Taxes, 4,709,314!.; Post Office, 1,707,3611. These different items of ordinary ex- penditure, though some have been greatly increased, give a total (including fractions omitted in items) of 69,453,3574, to which must be added 1,214,933/. for extraordinary, works—making the total expenditure 70,668,290/. It has been already stated that the total income was estimated at 70,929,3134—consequently there will be a presumed balance on the right aide, or a surplus, of 261,023/. To complete this financial summary it may be observed that the annual interest on the National Debt (funded at 4-1, 4, and 3 per cent) which has been given above in exact figures, but which, for the sake of convenience, may be called in round numbers 16,260,000/., is, or least should be, divided into the following proportions-11,320,000l. among the public fundholders, and the remainder, nearly 5,000,000/. sterling, ap- propriated to the dotation and interest due to the Sinking Fund. The in- terest on the Floating Debt amounts to 1,200,000/., and that on Caution- money to 300,000/."

"The increase of the national liabilities since the Revolution of 1848 is represented by an increase in the amount of dividends paid equal to 5,520,0001. yearly, of which 2,640,000/. has arisen from debts contracted by the Revolutionary Government, and 2,880,000/. by the Empire. The total amount of increased dividends has, however, been reduced by a sum of 720,0001. through the conversion of the Five per Cents into Four-and-a- half. If we suppose the whole of this money to have been borrowed at 5 per cent, the successive Governments of France will have received in the course of the last ten years 112,400,0001. by way of loans over and above the annual revenue. It would .consequently appear that France is add- ing to her National Debt at the average rate of 11,240,0001. sterling every year."

The trade returns for the first quarter of the present year compared with those of the corresponding quarter last year, show a decrease in the imports in almost every item, especially in cattle, wines, spirits, corn, cotton, coals, iron, and lead. There has been an increase on wool, flax, steel, copper, salt, sugar, silver, and gold. More silver and less gold has been exported. The result Of the movements of the precious metals, in export and import, is that the country has increased its stock of gold by about 5,250,000/. sterling.

The state of trade at the present moment shows no signs of improve- ment.

The Ifoniteur states that "the Plenipotentiaries of Austria, France, Great Britain, Prussia, Russia, Sardinia, and Turkey met on Thursday in conference at the hotel of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to take cognizance of the final act signed at Constantinople on the 5th of December last, for the purpose of consecrating the result of the labours of the Commission created by the 30th article in the Treaty of Paris for the definition of the Russian and Turkish frontiers in Asia. The Conference formally acknowledges to the Plenipotentiaries of those two Powers the receipt of their communication."

ilf a 55i 11.—The session of the Prussian Chambers has just been closed by a speech from Baron Manteuffel casting a retrospective glance at the last four years, but containing nothing of general interest.

Itussia.—The following curious ukase has been published in Russia. It will be seen that the doctrines of free trade have not made much pro- gress in that country.

" I. Whereas the construction of railways in Russia renders necessary the temporary erection of certain establishments on the frontiers, for in- stance, storehouses for import and export goods, and buildings for the works of improvement in the ports, we deem it equitable, according to a report of the Minister of Finance, examined by the Council of the empire to make foreign commerce pay the expenses of such establishments, as also other incurred curred in the interest of that commerce. We have ordained-

" 1. To levy, with that view, on and after the let July 1858, on all merchandise of import or export of the commerce of Europe, with the exception of raw and re- fined suer, 5 copccs on every touble of duty. " 2. '10 subject to this tax all merchandise which on the 1st April 1858 shall no have paid up the customs-dues. " 3. To keep in the Custom-houses a separate account of this tax."

Slat i telegraphic despatch from Consul Green to the Foreign Office was received yesterday, with news from India to the 2d of Awn. It will be seen that this despatch contains some important items of in- telligence. " On the 24th March, the bulk of the army before Lucknow was proceed- ing northward to Bareilly, commanded by Brigadier Walpole. A heavy column, under Sir E. Lugard, started on the 27th for Anmghur, and the remainder continued at Lucknow .[qy. under] Sir Hope Grant. '4Sir Hugh Rose reached Diann on the 22d, and invested the place. The bombardment commenced on the 25th. On the 1st of April, 25,000 rebels, with eighteen guns, called the Army of Peishwa endeavoured to raise the siege, and were defeated, with the slaughter of 1500 men. On the 2d of April the town fortifications weie captured. On the 5th the garrison escaped from the fortress during the night, and, by last account, were being cut to pieces in their flight ; about 3000 having fallen. Six British officers killed.

" The Rajpootana field force, under General Roberts, reached Kotah on the 20th ; the town and fortress were captured on the 30th, with very little loss on one side.

" Near Agingseur (?), on the south-east frontier of Oude, a detachment of the 37th, under Colonel Milman, had been compelled to retire with loss of baggage, ancton the 24th March was shut up at Azimghur. Strong detach- ments for its relief were on their way from Lucknow. The country opposite Benares, and to the north-eastward, continued much disturbed. The North- ern Provinces are being disarmed without resistance."

The news casts into the shade the confused details brought by the overland mail earlier in the week. Some facts, however, connected with the capture of Lucknow are still of interest. It is reported that there were some "sixty miles" of carefully prepared loopholes in the defences; every wall, hcuse, and earthwork being loopholed. But as there were no traverses in the batteries, and as no precautions had been taken to frus- trate a flank movement, the rebels found these defences nearly useless. Sir Colin Campbell expended powder and ball in great plenty, but he was chary of lives. In storming the Begum's palace our troops had to enter a breach so low and narrow that only one man could enter at a time. Some of our officers and men dashed through the bricked up windows right among the Sepoys. One of these was Brigadier Adrian Hope, an- other Colonel Leith Hay. The enemy, as usual, fled at the sight of cold steel. They stood the heavy fire of shells and round shot, but they could not stand even the glancing of the bayonet. In some of the rooms of the splendid palaces were found much ammunition • rich shawls and magni- ficent furniture ; and heaps of slain, some half burned. The Kaiserbagh, it seems, that key of Lucknow, was taken by one of those accidents which prove the mettle of soldiers. Our troops were ordered to attack the lesser Imaunbarrah ; they took it, the enemy fled, our soldiers pur- sued, and carried the Kaiserbagh with a rush. Here it was the bayonet again. But our detailed accounts only come down to the 17th March, and we lack the despatches of the Commander-in-chief. During the thick of the operations, however, Sir Colin Campbell found time to receive and wait on Jung Bahadoor and to invest Sir Archdale Wilson with the in- signia of the Bath.

An amnesty was to be granted to the rebels of Gude, but not to the mutinous Sepoys, nor to a few persons named as heinous criminals.

Thibugh the Secret Committee, as we learn from a Parliamentary re- turn, Lord Ellenborough has instructed the Governor-General in the course he is to pursue. Acts which have exceeded the licence of legiti- mate hostilities are not to be forgiven. Districts are to be disarmed be- fore an amnesty is proclaimed. Native gentlemen, whose feelings of honour would be affected by being deprived of their arms, are to retain them. The possession of arms to be punished with some infliction less than death. "Death has of late been too-common a punishment." "While we may be unable to forget the insanity which during the last ten months has pervaded the army and a large portion of the people, we should at the same time remember the previous fidelity of a hundred years' and so conduct ourselves towards those who have erred as to remove theirdelusions and their fears, and ree:stablisb, if we can, that confidence which was so long the foundation of our power."

4ill a .—Intelligence from Hongkong to the 15th March of consider- able interest was brought by the overland mail. Lord Elgin had departed for Shanghai. Baron Gros was at Hongkong. No one seemed to know whither the Russian and American Ministers had gone. After Lord El- gin had departed important missives arrived from Pekin, stately edicts from the Emperor, showing the light in which he regarded the Canton business. They were as follows-

" Imperial Edict.

"Mur-ki-tenar and Peh-kwei, in a joint memorial forwarded by expren have reported to us that the Barbarians have rushed into their provincial

city, &e., &e.

"Holding the office of Imperial Commissioner for the direction of the affairs of the Barbarians, Yeh Ming-ching ought to have devised means to keep in check the said Barbarians if their demands were indeed so unreason- able and extravagant that they could not be granted, also he ought to have conferred with the commandant, the governor, and other officers of the city, so that measures for soothing and controlling them might have been season- ably adopted. "But while the said Barbarians did twice address communications to the commandant (' Tartar General ') the governor (Peh-kwei) and the major- generals of Canton, the said Governor-General Yeh Ming-Ching never once associated them with himself in council or in action; nay, many things that were contained in the communications (from the Barbarians) he kept secret, and would not divulge. Thus, day after clay, for a long time, he dallied with and put off the Barbarians, till, excited to wrath, they suddenly entered the provincial city.

"So very self-sufficient and obstinate was he, perverse and reckless, Mr terly disregarding the duties of his high commission. "Let Yeh Ming-ching, therefore, be immediately degraded from office.

"To the other provincial officers of Canton—Muh-ki-tenar the command- ant, Peh-kwei the governor, Chwangki and Chwangling major-gene Hangki the commissioner of customs, Kiang Kwohlin the commissioner 0 finance, and Chan Kipin the commissioner of justice—though all more or less guilty of a dereliction of their duties in affording protection, (to the city) yet, inasmuch as they were not in the council of the said Governor- General some indulgence may be shown. Therefore to all these let our fa- vour be shown ; and, instead of dealing with them rigorously, according to the full measure of their guilt, as they have requested, let them be delivered over to the board of punishment. This is from the Emperor."

"Imperial Edict. "Let the Governor-Generalships of Kwangtung and Kwangsi be given to Hwang Tsunghan, and let him proceed immediately by express to perform the duties of that station ; also let him receive and hold the seals of Impe- rial Commissioner, so that he may manage the affairs of the Barbarians. "Until he shall have reached and entered on the duties of that station, let whatever appertains to the office of the Imperial Commissioner and to that of the Governor-General of Kwangtung and Kwangsi be taken charge of by Peh-kwei ; and let the office of Governor of Kwangtung be temporarily filled by Kiang Kwohlin. This is from the Emperor. "Dated 12th moon, 14th day (January 28, 1858)." Peh-kwei was eager to negotiate before he was superseded, but Lord Elgin had gone. He therefore set up on the gates and other public places of new and old Canton the following remarkable proclamation- " Peh, Commissioner of the Tai Tsing (dynasty) and Great Minister, exercising the Governor-Generalship over the two Kwang, makes plain his commands concerning the business referred to below. "Whereas the two great nations, England and France, with our country were well at pease; when Yeh, the Governor-General of the two Kwang, by misgoverning, produced disturbances. On the 18th day of the 12th moon of Heinfung's seventh year the imperial decree was received, specially ap- pointing Wang Chung-han as Imperial Commissioner, Great Minister, and Governor-General of the two Kwang, to quietly consult in the regulating and settling of the present disturbed state of affairs.

"Wang Chung-han not having arrived to take office, the presentincumbent Peh-qui was put forward to occupy as Governor-General, pro tern.; and, with consultation, set things in order. Fearing that the various classes of soldiers and citizens may not be able fully to understand, therefore are these commands issued for your instruction, who ought to look up with acquiescence to the holy design of the Emperor, who purposes that natives and foreigners shall be one family; that those and these shall be cordial friends, establishing a durable and firm peace for ever, being mutually quiet ; not, for certain, entertaining doubts and fears in the heart, and confusedly moving away. Rather give no opportunity to thievish scamps to take advantage of your confusion to plunder, after which repentance cannot be obtained. Each should tremblingly obey, and not oppose this special proclamation.

"lien Fung, 8th year, first month, 22d day (March 7th)."

At present very little trade is done in Canton. The " braves " are still encamped shoat ten miles from the city. The new High Commissioner is very well spoken of by the British officers with whom he came in contact in our last brush with the flowery people.

;Unfit 6h/ft—The Hammonia arrived at Southampton on Tues- day with advices from New York to the 15th instant.

The Kansas question has advanced another stage. When it was re- ported to the Senate that the House adhered to the Crittenden substitute, Mr. Green moved and carried by a majority of six a motion requesting the House to appoint a committee of conference. The Senate nominated Mr. Green, Mr. Hunter, and Mr. Seward to represent the Senate. A motion to appoint the committee was made in the House. On a division there were 108 for and 108 against the motion. The Speaker, a South- erner, gave his casting-vote for the motion. The House nominated Mr. English,Mr. Stephens, and Mr. Giddings as the committee. olonel Benton, once well known as "Old Bullion" from his inveter- ate hostility to paper, died on the 10th instant. Members of both Houses attended his funeral.