NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE general aspect of affairs is more peaceful. Count Schouva- loff has returned, the Queen has retired to her summer retreat in a remote corner of the Scotch Highlands, and one of those inde- finable impressions which are so often accurate has got abroad that " there is- to be peace." This means, of course, that the two Czars, Alexander and Benjamin, have come to an agreement, but of the terms of that agreement nothing whatever has been revealed, and probably nothing is known, except to themselves, Count Schouvaloff, Prince Bismarck, Lord Odo Russell, Lord Salisbury, and possibly, though not certainly, Sir Stafford North- cote. When that group have quite settled affairs, the world will be permitted to hear what is to happen, which may not be precisely whatis expected, and then the English people, which only five years ago was sell-governing, will be courteously entreated to pay the bill. We say " courteously," because that part of the function of Government will be entrusted to Sir Stafford Northcote, the oilman of the Government, who will explain in the smoothest manner why Parliament must vote what he wants, without questions which would indicate want of confidence in her Majesty's Ministry, and want of interest in "the Empire on which the sun never sets," but which cannot get along without the aid of Nepaulese Sepoys.
