France boasts a reaction in Algeria—General Lamoriciere has had some
successes against the troops under Abd-el-Kader, who is said to have fled before the French. It was in a mountainous pass ; and the more probable conjecture is, that the Emir had merely retreated, however abruptly, because the ground was un- suited to the cavalry which he commanded. His reputation for indomitable courage is not of a kind to be undone by one equi- vocal action. A large portion of Algeria has once more revolted against the French yoke ; the hopes of the Arab leader must ne-
CesBarfly be stronger than they were lately ; and therefore, while there must be every encouragement, there must be also every' reason for discretion. Abd-el-Kader is used to a flying- war ; and so well has he waged it, that the French, hopeless of mastering him at a blow, talk of postponing their great measures of final Conquest till next spring.
Some curious things are observable in Italy. The Emperor of Russia was present act a review of troops in Milan ; and, by acci- dent, ball-cartridges were served out to the soldiers in place of blank-cartridges. Naples raises a cry, that there is "yellow fever" or " plague" in Malta and Ionia, with scarcely a shadow of pretext ; and it is supposed that her sole object is to cut off Communication with the British dependencies' lest Italian refu- gees should enter Naples, and news leave it that some of her towns are in a state of insurrection a disagreeable fact, which She would fain hush up. No troubles are so harassing as the Concealed troubles of despotism afraid to expose its weakness. While some politicians here are speculating on the best way of propitiating the United States so as to obtain a reduction of the tariff, there is a talk of Mr. Polk's taking his stand on the 20 per cent ad valorern duties of the Compromise Act. This is a subject which should be borne in mind while we are discussing the Corn- laws ; for their repeal would be the surest and quickest opening to the American ports.
