furttgit sub tolutual, frfilltf.—The gathering at Biarritz has attracted much

attention, but no authentic information has been published of the doings of the two potentates and the diplomatists assembled there. It is remarked that as soon as King Leopold arrived at the mansion prepared for him, the French Emperor drove to call on him. The Prince of Chimay received Napoleon at the bottom, and Leopold received him at the top of the staircase. Leopold bowed on seeing his visitor, and Napoleon stepping forward, " took the King by the hand and shook it heartily." They then retired into one of the rooms, and talked togetkes for an hour and a half. Both monarchs left the house together and drove to the Villa Eugenie, where the King called upon the Empress. The telegraph states that " the result of the visit has been entirely successful." Prince Richard Metternich has been to Biarritz. Count Cavour and the Duke of Malakoff were expected there, and gossip has two or three times sent Lord Cowley and Count Walewski to the same rendezvous.

The reported arrangement discussed at Biarritz is this : Tuscany is to be handed over to the Count of Flanders, and Parma and Modena to the Archduke Maximillian—a report that strongly "requires confirmation."

In connexion with this meeting an article in the Constitutionnel must be noticed. It is on the English alliance in relation to the Italian ques- tion. It is intended to explain away a report that misunderstandings exist betweeen London and Paris on the Italian question. The writer says that a few months ago it was almost denied in England that there was an Italian question. The disinterestedness of France was dis- credited ; but now the gravity of the question is admitted, and France is reproached for not doing enough. Whose the fault ? Without reverting to the "painful" causes that made the Emperor stop, would England quietly have seen a rival naval power bombard the city of the Doges ? If France took umbrage at the menacing attitude of Germany, and yet rejected war, it was not because she was weak. Never was she better organized. But the result of this heroic struggle would have upset the balance of power in Europe ; a victory on either side would have de- stroyed the balance ; and the Emperor did not feel justified in playing such a stake. He respected the independence of Europe. The writer then refers to the preliminaries of Villafranea.

"These preliminaries, it is objected, leave Italy in a position still more precarious and more intolerable than before. In a more precarious po- sition? What ! Lombardy, with her population and her riches, has just brought to Piedmont a new accession of strength and influence,—and is that nothing ? Venetia, with a government, army, and national laws, is con- nected to the great country,—and is that nothing ? The confederation of Italy is accepted in principle by Austria ; her independence is henceforth proclaimed,—and is all this nothing ? However, it is only with extreme reserve that we wish to complain of these urgent objections of the new friends of Italy. Their sympathies come somewhat late, it is true ; but the more exacting they are at the present moment, with the more reason may we be justified in supposing that they will not remain sterile in the future. England is of the opinion that we have not done enough ; granted ! Let her, then, help us to do the rest. But before we set to work together, let us come to a distinct understanding." A compliment is paid to Piedmont. She has won a glorious position ; she is the sword of Italy ; she must be strong to defend, but not to absorb. "France declared, and still declares, that she will neither forcibly interfere herself nor permit any one else to interfere in the Duchies. At the same time we would suggest that the votes of the annexationists, of which so much has been said, have not perhaps so much value as is attributed to them.

" Florence, Parma, and Modena will submit with difficulty, in spite of what is said to the contrary, to become nothing more than the chief towns of a kingdom, of which Turin would be the capital ; and the Princes who are expelled today would be, perhaps, regretted at some future time more or less near. Who can say whether the exiles of today would not on the morrow become the representatives of local independence ? " But this is not all. Would not Naples be jealous, and would not a quarrel between her and Piedmont render a federation impossible. "Assuredly, England must be now counted in the member of those real friends, and this is what leads

us to hope that, better informed, she will add her counsels to ours. United on the bank of the Pei-ho to chastise, arms in hand, a common injury, let

then the two great Western Powers unite also their diplomatic efforts to overcome the last difficulties of the Italian crisis, and bring, if requisite, to the conditions of peace, the modifications reconcileable with the interests and with the honour of the parties concerned. Thanks to such union, the Peninsula will be free from the Alps to the Adriatic." I3y the side of this " coaxing " appeal to England as it has been termed, take the following extract from a letter from Vienna, September 17, addressed to the Ilavas agency. "It is believed that the sovereigns of France and Austria are now agreed upon two essential points : to prevent by all the means in their power the proclamation of a collective republic in the Duchies, or of a separate re- public in any one of them, and to oppose their annexation to the Kingdom of Piedmont. Both these eventualities may be considered as positively out of the question, in consequence of the understanding to which we have alluded. Austria cannot but be most grateful for the important service which France has rendered her in this grave affair." The Opinions Nationale, commenting upon the above sinister intelli- gence, says :

"The correspondent is right ; Austria would indeed have reason to be grateful if France had made any such concessions to her, but we trust that the understanding between the two Powers does not involve any such con- clusion."

The French navy continues to attract attention. It is unquestionably undergoing further augmentation ; but to what extent is a matter of some doubt. The Paris correspondent of the Times reports as follows- " There have lately been various reports in the newspapers concerning French naval armaments, frigates that were ordered to be built, and others that were to be blindees, or provided with the steel protective plating. Without examining how far these reports were consistent with the truth, exaggerations, or repetitions of each other' I will confine myself to in- formation that has reached me from purely French sources, and on which I cannot but rely. All the better if it should be proved that I am mis- informed. I am assured that these are now building, or under orders to be built, in the French dockyards twenty ships-of-the-line, ten of the very largest size, the other ten of au inferior calibre. The Magenta, of which I the other day informed you that the keel had been laid down at Brest, and which will be the largest vessel in the French navy, is one of the former class, and is to have a companion ship, to be called the Solferino. The hulls of four of these vessels are nearly or quite completed ; others are in various stages of forwardness ; some are not yet commenced, but only planned or ordered ; but it is estimated that the whole of them will as- suredly be completed (barring counter-orders) within eighteen months from this time. All these ships are strictly vaisseaux de combat, fighting ships, steel-plated, and provided with iron beaks or prows. The vast establish- ment of Creuzot (forges, cannon foundries, and great iron-works), in the department of the Same et Loire, and that of Guerigny, in the department of the Nievre, are hard at work, executing, I understand (especially the latter), immense orders for the blindage, or steel plates, and other ironwork required for this formidable fleet, now in embryo, but which, owing to the ra id o orations of modern science, will so soon be fit to take the sea."

he current in France that some modification would take place in the press Taw have been refuted by the publication of two documents in the Moniteur. One-an article in that paper, the other a circular from the Minister of the Interior to the Prefects. The paragraph in the Moni- fair is as follows- " Several journals have announced the approaching publication of a decree modifying the legislation of 1852 on the press. This news is en- tirely unfounded. The press in France is free to discuss all the acts of the Government, and thus to enlighten public opinion. Certain journals, making themselves, unwittingly, the organs of hostile parties, demand a greater liberty, which would have no other end but to facilitate in them attacks against the Constitution and against the fundamental laws of social order. The Government of the Emperor will not depart from a system which, leaving a sufficiently vast field to the spirit of discussion, of contro- versy, and of analysis, prevents the disastrous effects of falsehood, calumny, and error."

Tho circular of the Duke of Padua is an amplification of this para- graph ; but it contains a curious theory of the press well worth preserving.

" The right of displaying and publishing their opinions, which belongs to all Frenchmen, is a conquest of 1789, which cannot be taken away from apeople so enlightened as that of France ; but this right must not be con- founded with the exercise of the liberty of the press by means of periodical journals. Journals are collective agencies organized within the State, and they have under every regime been subjected to special regulations. The State has then its rights and its duties as to exceptional measures of precau- tion and surveillance for journals, and when it reserves to itself the power of directly repressing their excesses by administrative interposition, it does not restrict liberty of thought, but only employs a method of protecting the interests of society. The employment of this method of protection, which incontestably belongs to it, implies a spirit of great justice, moderation, and firmness. 1 will add that in the matter of administrative jurisdiction over the press, a due measure is especially. necessary ; and I cannot dwell too much upon this point. Because it is the will and the duty of Government not to let the principle of its authority be weakened in its hands, it cannot therefore bring to bear upon liberty of discussion any restrictions except those which are enjoined by respect for the constitution, and by the interests of order, public morality, and religion. The Government will thus, far from imposing a servile approbation of its acts, always tolerate serious con- tradictions; it will allow the right of revision, not confounding it with systematic opposition and calculating malevolence. The Government asks no better than to have its authority enlightened by discussion, but it will never permit society to be troubled by guilty incitements and hostile passions."

The journals, and notably the Presse, have published pretty free criti- cisms on this circular and the paragraph in the Moniteur. "If we spoke in the name of the Government,'d writes M. Peyrat, "we would not represent it as thus at the mercy of a few strokes of a pen ; but that mis- sion is not ours, and the Moniteur is the best judge of what it says and what it means to say."

The Iohrnal des Debati has an amusing article exposing a singular identity of criticism in two of its provincial contemporaries writing in the interest of the Government. The subject of their lucubration was the recent article of the Dibats on the extension of the liberty of the press. That article was the subject of general comment, and, among others, the Independant de la Moselle and the Massager de Bayonne, the former at Metz, and the latter at Bayonne, published each, on the same day, re- marks on the article of the Deists. M. Prevost Paradol is struck at finding the articles of his two provincial cotemporaries, simultaneously published at two extremities of France, absolutely word for word the same. Of course the article must have issued from one factory. In some instances, at least, it is manifest that as the Duke of Padua says, "journals are collective agencies, organized within the state." Messieurs Blanqui and Boichot have arrived at Marseilles, stating their intention to avail themselves of the general amnesty. A struggle is going on in Morocco between rival pretenders to the crown. Some frontier tribes have taken advantage of the anarchy to at- tack the French outposts and fire the frontier villages. General Ester- hazy has driven them within their border.

lantr.—Some little life has been imparted to the members of the Zurich Conference. On Monday a French courier arrived in Zurich, and immediately afterwards "the Plenipotentiaries of France and Aus- tria held a conference lasting three hours." The next day, the Sar- dinian Minister had a consultation with M. de Bourqueney, "after which a courier was immediately despatched to Turin. ' Advices re- ceived at Berne from Zurich "announce the arrival of a courier from Vienna with instructions to draw up the instrument for the treaty of peace, and the documents for the cession of Lombardy to Sardinia. No allusion is made to the Duchies. It is hoped that the treaty of peace will be signed in a few days," adds the reporter in the city of the Bear.

5 la Victor Emmanuel has gone on a tour in his Lombard

province, visiting Pavia, Creme, Lodi, Cremona, and finally halting at Monza, where he will hunt, and receive a deputation from Bologna. This deputation, nominated by the National Assembly, is composed of Count Bentivoglio, Count Gazzadini, Marquis Tanari, Count Salvoni, M. Laderchi, M. Scarabelli, Vice-President, and M. Marescotti, Secretary to the National Assembly. They are to be received today.

A telegram from Rome of the 17th states that the Pope has recovered from his late illness. The Papal Government has expressed its satisfac- tion with the article on Italian affairs published in the Moniteur of the 9th instant. Conferences between Cardinal Antonelli and the French Ambassador continue to be held. It is said that the functions of the Council of State and the financial Consulta are to be extended.

From Florence it is announced that the Government had, on the 19th, "notified to the Plenipotentiaries of the Grand Duke to evacuate the Palace within three days, and in case of noncompliance the property of the Grand Duke is to be sequestered."

The Venetians are so depressed, and so little inclined to seek amuse- ment, that the shareholders of the Fenice have resolved not to open that theatre this winter. The authorities are inclined to believe that the resolution taken by the shareholders is a political demonstration.

tr'vr1tSfill.—The Vienna Gazette of the 20th contained an Imperial decree raising the state of siege in Venice. However, " some slight re- gulations will continue provisionally in force for certain cases,"

The South German Courts are not yet at rest. Baron von Beust, Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Interior of Saxony, and Baron von Hiigel, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Wurtemberg, arrived at Munich on the 20th, to hold conferences, it is supposed, with the Bavarian Minister for Foreign Affairs.

At the close of an article on the Italian Duchies the National Gazette

of Berlin thus appeals to the neutral Powers— • " The neutral Powers now have to say whether they intend that France alone shall decide the fate of Italy, or whether they will take part in the creation of a new state of things, the old having become absolutely inad-

missible. If they had been inclined to support legitimacy before every- thing, they ought to have taken their measures six months ago. Meanwhile,

conquests have been made in Italy, and if at the close of the wars of the empire the Powers did not hesitate to make what territorial changes they thought necessary in Italy, they cannot refuse to acknowledge that the war of 1859 has modified the situation. In satisfying the wishes of the Duchies, none of the neutral Powers would injure their own interests. By continuing to remain passive they would only serve those of France."

1155i S.—The capture of Schamyl is confirmed. The Invalide _Busse publishes a supplement stating that, according to a verbal report of Lieu- tenant-Colonel Grabbe, a victorious assault had been made on Ghounib, and five cannons had been taken by the Russians. Schamyl was taken prisoner, and his sons and family were captured or killed. The Russian loss did not exceed 100 men. The St. Petersburg Gazette publishes the report made by Prince Bariatinski on the fall of Ghounib and the cap- ture of Schamyl. It adds these remarks-

" Schamyl, who is now sixty-two years of age, was born in the Aoul of Himry, on the Kassobou territory, where his predecessor, Ghazi- liouhammed or Kasi-Moullah was also born, and fell when the fortress was taken on the 18th of October, 1832. It is needless to point out the im- portance of the victory which has placed in the hands of Prince Bariatinski the last bulwark behind which the power of the Imaum of the Caucasus found a refuge. The detailed report of these events will shortly, doubtless, enable us to form an exact appreciation of the material and moral result which the capture of Schamyl will have caused among the native popula- tions."

Vullault.—The King of Holland opened the Legislative Session of the Chambers of his kingdom on the 19th September. The Royal Speech, after stating that the Government of his Majesty entertains the most friendly relations with all countries, is exclusively occupied with internal questions of improvement. Among the projects announced the most important is the construction of a line of railways throughout the country, and of a new canal from Amsterdam to the sea. The execution of these great works would render it necessary to observe prudence in employing the considerable excess over the expenses of the state, and would not admit of any reduction of taxes. The sinking-fund would continue to act. The project of law for the emancipation of the slaves in the Dutch West Indian colonies not having been adopted last session, a modified project would be presented to the Chambers.

Surkni.—A telegram direct from Constantinople, whither the electric wire now extends, and bearing date September 18, shows that the Sultan has been in some peril.

"A conspiracy to assassinate the Sultan has been discovered. Two hun- dred persons have been arrested here ; among them Djafer Dem, Pasha of Albania, who was apparently the chief. Some of the troops are suspected of participation. The affair originated with a fanatical party." Another telegram, dated the 19th, reports that " a special tribunal has been created to try the forty or fifty persons, principally Circassians and Kurds, who were arrested on a charge of seditiously conspiring together. Zach moment's information tends to deprive the senseless scheme of these men of its gravity, as it had no ramification ; and, so far as has been as- certained, no other persons than those now under arrest are implicated."

g Uhl a.—The Bombay mail with advices to the 20th August arrived on Wednesday. The actual news affecting India is scanty, the papers being much occupied. with Chinese affairs. From them we learn that Mr. Bruce had applied to the Governor-General for troops, and the journals ask where they are to come from, since 10,000 soldiers have just accepted their discharge ? The force in India they say is inadequate to its requirements, and they suggest no means of furnishing a contingent for China.

The: rebels in the north of Oude frontier continued to be opposed. Rebel leaders were falling into our heads, and as usual the papers are enraged at what they call the clemency of a Government which does not take life.

A memorial to Lord Stanley from a Native Association in Madras, praying for complete neutrality on the part of the Government in reli- gious matters, with minutes thereon from Sir Charles Trevelyan and other officers, has been published. Sir Charles, and Mr. Arbuthnot, the director of public instruction, strongly back the prayer of the memorial, while the Honourable Walter Elliot sees in it only the expiring cry of a Tarty which dreads innovations. Sir Charles Trevelyan, however, ex- pressly states that " the document ought in its main scope and tendency to be accepted as a genuine expression of the native mind." •

A Bill had been introduced into the Legislative Council to tax all professions and trades in India ; cultivators of land to be exempted. The Special Disarming Act passed during the mutiny is to become per- manent. The House of Dethi has been deprived of all titular distinc- tions and privileges for ever. The French admiral commanding in Cochin China has concluded a treaty with the Anamese, and will probably start with his fleet to China. 7IL IIitE1 StiffP5.—The City of Washington arrived at Liverpool on Thursday with advices from New York to the 10th September. A " difficulty " of long standing but hitherto of little prominence had arisen in the North-West. American troops, under the orders of General Harney, had occupied the Island of San Juan which lies between Van- couver's Island and the main ; and issued the following order. " Military Post, San Juan Island, W. T., July 27.

"1. In compliance with orders and instructions from the General Com- manding, a military post will be established on this island, on whatever site the commanding, officer may select. "2. All the inhabitants of the island are requested to report at once to the commanding officer, in case of any incursion of the northern Indians, so that he may take such steps as he may deem necessary to prevent any future occurrence of the same.

" 3. This being United States territory, no laws other than those of the United States, nor Courts except such as are held by virtue of said laws, will be recognized or allowed in this island.

"By order of Captain PICKET'. "James W. Forsyth, Second Lieutenant 9th Infantry, Post Adjutant."

Mr. Douglas; Governor of Vancouver's Island, had thereupon forwarded an address to the Legislature of the colony in which he described the act as discourteous and unwarrantable, and, assuming that it had been done without the authority of the federal government, he informed the Legis- lature that the officers of her Majesty's ships had been directed to land a force on the island to protect the lives and property of British subjects and maintain the honour and dignity of the Queen, but to do nothing that might unnecessarily involve the suspension of the amicable relations sub- sisting between Great Britain and the United States. He says-

" Though the right of Great Britain to all the islands situated to the westward of Vancouver or Rosario Straits is to our minds clearly established by the first article of the treaty of 1846, and though those islands have, since the foundation of this colony, been considered as a dependency of Vancouver's Island, it is well known to you, gentlemen, that out of respect to the construction that has been put upon that treaty by the Government of the United States, we have abstained from exercising exclusive sove- reignty over them. Convinced that any assumption on either side of exclusive right to the disputed territory would simply be a fruitless and mischievous waste of energy, neither detracting from nor adding force to the claims of either nation, wise and considerate policy enjoins upon us the part of leaving so important a national question for settlement by the proper authorities, and of avoiding complications foreign to the views and wishes of, and probably embarrassing to, both Governments."

Report says that the Americans had refused to permit our soldiers to land and had reinforced their post. It is added that blood had been shed, but this is not believed.

The contest arises out of an ambiguous word in the treaty, and the nature of it is explained in the following extract from a report made last year by Mr. Nugent, American Commissioner at Fraser River.

"The treaty of June 15, 1846, stipulates as follows :—'Article 1. From the point of the 49th parallel of north latitude, where the boundary laid down in existing treaties and conventions between Great Britain and the United States terminates, the line of boundary between the territories of her Britannic Majesty and those of the United States shall be continued westward along the 49th parallel of north latitude to the middle of the channel which separates the continent from Vancouver's Island, and thence southerly through the middle of the said channel and of Fuca Straits to the Pacific Ocean. Provided, however, that the navigation of the said channel and straits south of the 49th parallel of north latitude remain free and open to both parties.' There are two channels between the continent and Van- couver's Island, both leading out into the Straits of Fuca—the Strait of Rosario, a narrow channel nearest the mainland, and the Canal de Hare, which, besides being the beaten track, is much wider, has greater average depth of water, and is nearer to Vancouver's Island. It is claimed on the part of Great Britain that the Strait of Rosario, being the channel nearest the mainland, is that contemplated by the treaty; but a very slight con- sideration of the circumstances under which the line was run, as well as of the wording of the article above quoted, will show that this position is wholly untenable. In the first place, the only reason why the boundary line was caused to deflect from the 49th parallel before it reached the Pacific Ocean was to avoid the southern end of Vancouver's Island, on which there was then a British settlement. The intendment of the article was merely to save Great Britain the Island of Vancouver, and consequently the nearest channel to Vancouver was undoubtedly that through the middle of whichthe treaty contemplated the line should run. Again, the islands bordering on the- continent belong to the continent, unless otherwise stipulated; but there is no stipulation except as to Vancouver's Island, neither was there any reason existing at that time why there should be,I as none of the islands in dispute were then occupied by subjects of Great Britain."

The Washington correspondent of the New York _Herald says that "General Harney sent troops to. San Juan to protect the white settlers from the savages, who were committing most atrocious murders. No- thing inimical to the British Government was intended by such a move- ment. The jealousy of Governor Douglass was needlessly excited." At San Juan there were three British and four American men-of-war.