20 JANUARY 1872, Page 2

The Austrian Reichsrath, in its address in reply to the

speech from the Throne, recommends direct elections instead of elec- tions through the Diets ; declares that there can be no constitu- tional compromise with the Bohemian demand; advocates economy; assents to an increase in the salaries of the lower clergy, provided ecclesiastical property is taxed to supply the money ; advises that the education of the clergy should be radically reformed ; and requests the Emperor to assume a much greater share of the clerical patronage. The Liberals are possibly going too fast, and their policy of separating the Curds from the Church has failed in every country ; but it is satisfactory to see that they are willing in this direction to strengthen the authority of the State, and are not mere destructives.