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FRANCE.—A report has been revived, with increasing confidence, that Marshal Soult has expressed a determined intention to retire from office.

These reports have been contradicted: it is said that the King, after accepting the resignation, had persuaded Marshal Soult to remain in office offering to relieve him of official duties by giving the department of war to some one else, and retaining the Marshal only as President of the Coun- cil. The War-office is intended eventually for Marshal Bugeaud; but it has been offered ad interim to half-a-dozen officers, among whom are Generals Schramm, Dode de la Brunnerie, Schneider, and Cubieres: they respec- tively objected to accepting a temporary office. The correspondent of the Times mentions one circumstance "that would precipitate the nomination of Marshal Bugeaud to the Ministry of War, and that is the cessation of Marshal Soult to occupy himself in any way with business. His strength of body at least is gone. His head sinks on his chest; his features are decomposed. He is seriously indisposed. In the words of a French friend, who knows him well and sees him constantly, C'est un homme tout-a- fait use: il est fini comme tut allumette.' " The National gives the substance of a note which it represents Marshal Bugeaud as having addressed to the Cabinet, on the subject of his letter to the Prefect of the Dordogne. His explanation is not less haughty than the original note.

"Some days ago, the Journal des Debate published an article in which it was stated that the Emir must be seized at any cost, even should it be necessary to pursue him within the territory of Morocco. The Journal des Debate did no- thing more than give a summary of the instructions addressed to the Due D'Isly. The latter, however, who has found them quite comical, begins by de- claring that the pacification of the rebel tribes will not be an affair of a day. * " The pacification will be a long task ; for the insurrection has been almost ge- neral, and such that apprehensions have even been entertained for the safety of the province of Algeria. As for capturing Abd-el-Kader, Marshal Bugeaud acknowledges that so important a capture would create in France a prodigious sensation; that it would confer great weight on the Cabinet, and enable it victo- riously to answer such as will reproach it with the deplorable consequences of the treaty of Tangiers: but to dream at this moment of capturing Abd-el-Kader, and of an expedition into Morocco until he be overtaken and destroyed, one must never have set one's foot in Algeria, and not have the slightest notion of the country. Marshal Bugeand therefore exhorts the Cabinet to give up the hope of making Abd-el-Kader attend, as a prisoner, the approaching opening of the Chambers, and to search elsewhere means of salvation, if they dread an attack and know not how to defend themselves.

"Marshal Bugeaud has, it is said, displayed the utmost verve and the utmost irony in this part of his despatches. In communicating it to the Council, M. Gnizot maintained all his composure; but M. Cnnin-Gridaine. whose indiscretion has disclosed the details we have just published, said that the hearing of the Marshal's letter read made him sweat. In short, M. Bugeaud has treated the Ministry with sovereign contempt; and far from having extenuated his confidential

capade, he has aggravated it by a manifestation more private, it is true, but far Mere direct and more disdainful."

The Moniteur of Wednesday contained a Royal ordinance calling into service the 14,000 conscripts of the class of 1844 who had been allowed to remain at their homes.

The Post-office steamer has conveyed ninety-nine refugees concerned in the late outbreak in the Roman States, from Leghorn to Marseilles. They were at once taken in charge by the Police, and lodged in the town-prison and barracks. It was understood that in a few days they would be sent as prisoners to towns in the interior of France.

ALGERIA—There are no accounts of any fresh contests; but up to the g instant, General Cavaignae had not yet been able to communicate ivith Djenuna-Gharaonat, which place the Arabs still surrounded. The Inhabitants of Nedrome had applied to the French for suceour, declaring

that although provided with some pieces of ordnance, they must surrender to Abd-el-Kader sinless promptly reinforced.

SWITZERLAND.—A letter from Berne, of the 17th instant, mention several circumstances which do not indicate the continuance of a very pacific disposition in the public-

" The seven Jesuits appointed to the charge of the educational coarse in the seminary of Lucerne have arrived in that town. They have already published a programme of their plan of study; and the theological lectures, which are placed entirely under their direction and control, are to be opened on the 20th.

',A rich merchant of Lucerne, of the name of Rodolph Corraggioni, has been arrested here, as being the chief instigator of the murder of M. Lou. M. Cor- raggioni was formerly in the Army, in which he held the rank of Captain. He has long been a distinguished member of the Liberal party in the Canton; and it is suspected that the charge brought against him proceeds rather from revenge for the part he has taken in politics than any good evidence of his being impli cated in the murder. At all events, he is at present kept a close prisoner; and all intercourse with him, even on the part of his family and legal advisers, has been interdicted.

" The Canton of Zurich is conferring favours and honours upon every one who took a part in the escape of Dr. Steiger. The gendarmes who assisted him have had the rights of citizenship conferred on them by three of the Communes."

GEnwassr.—The Algemeine Zeitung publishes an authentic version of the reply given by the King of Prussia to an address by the " Regency" or Municipality of Berlin' on the religious movement in Germany. The Municipality had sent an address to the King, claiming recognition of the Neo- Catholic sect, or new Reformation, and complaining of some into- lerance exhibited towards that sect. The King returned the address, for reasons which he states in the beginning of his reply- " I have left to the Municipality of Berlin an interval of time sufficient for re- flection on the course it has adopted. I have determined to accept the address only on condition of its being presented to me and read by the Magistrate himself. I flattered myself with the hope that the Regency would alter its opinion on this proceeding; and that it would at length become sensible of the singularity of coming to read in my presence, and face to face with me, a long theological dis- sertation. Such, however, is your wish, gentlemen; and I accede to that wish. I feel pleasure in granting to the Magistracy of my good native city a favour which I should refuse to others." The King reminds the Regency, that the Sy- nods of the Church, created by his father' discountenanced by the late Minister, but restored by the present Minister, are the organs through which the opinions of the Church ought to be expressed: on the first manifestation by which they might call for a reorganization of the Church, he would willingly assist in the work. " With reference to the question of right, I must deny the competency of the Regency to interfere in any manner whatever, either indirectly or actively, in the national Protestant Church: but I would recognize its possession of a moral competency, had it in a remarkable manner fulfilled its duties as patron of the Church—if, under other circumstances, it had shown the same interest for eccle- siastical atibirs—if, finally, it had regarded as holy and sacred the bond of Evan- gelic fraternity. But, gentlemen, it is truly impossible for me with my hand on my heart to grant to the Regency such moral competency. Direct your attention to the state of the churches of your own city. In no city, great or small, of our country, is the care of souls more practicable than here. There is a circumstance particularly worthy of remark—a circumstance almost ineredible, but real. In the time of King Frederick William I., when the population of the city was not more than from 50,000 to 70,000, the number of pastors was not only proportion- ally but numerically more considerable than now, when the city contains 400,000 inhabitants." He rebukes the Regency for having so far forgotten itself as to de- nounce as the representative of a party, Professor Hengstenberg, editor of the Ecclesiastical Evangelical Gazette, and leader of the Pietists—a party not re- proachable with more serious error than too great zeal in the discharge of their duties. "But you denounce these persons before me at a time when our Chinch is insulted and harassed by men who have taken the same oaths as the former on the symbol of our faith, and that voluntarily and without being required to do so, at the altar of God; and yet, with the responsibility of those oaths on their con- sciences, they preach apostacy, using for that purpose illegal means, exciting the people and convening popular aSsernblies. You do not cite the names of any of those men in your address; it does not contain a word of indignation at their re- prehensible proceedings. The eyes of all Europe are fixed on us and on the move- ment which has manifested itself in our Church. What can be thought of its condition, by the most impartial men of our confession, when they see you de- nounce so harshly to your Sovereign those who are too faithful, whilst you utter not a word of complaint against others who give evidence of all that constitutes a party, and a very dangerous party? All this deeply distresses me. I deplore it as a misfortune; and I must declare to you, gentlemen, that I disapprove it from the bottom of my heart."

HOLLASPD.—The King of Holland opened tho session of the Dutch States-General on Monday last. His speech described the state of the kingdom and its trade as satisfactory. He made a complimentary allusion to this country-

" The visit which I have paid to her Majesty the Queen of England will con- tribute, I hope, to consolidate the good understanding which exists between the two countries and their Governments. For my part, I shall retain the most agreeable impression of the welcome which I received on that visit."

After alluding to several projects of law which would be laid before their High Mightinesses, the King adverted to the question of constitutional reform-

" Speaking of the fundamental law, and reflecting on what has passed, I can- not refrain from again expressing my opinion, that the revisal of the fundamental law as prescribed by itself is essentially subordinate to a deep conviction of its necessity. Hitherto no such conviction has been required: but I repeat the as- surance, that as soon as it shall be impressed on my mind, I shall not hesitate to prove it by a proposal to your High Mightinesses. " There is another point on which I would dwell for a moment. From a cir- cumstance which it is not necessary to recall, the speech with which I opened the last session (contrary to the usage hitherto adopted) was not followed by an ad- dress in answer to it. I would not consider this silence as a motive for refraining from coining among you; but this event has led mete make reflections, the result of which, I think, I ought to communicate to you. The fundamental law says that the session shall be opened by the Wing in person, or by Isis Commissioners. It does not say that the States-General shall return an answer to the speech de- livered on this occasion. Custom alone has hitherto served as a rule.

"I will not examine whether this rule is really in harmony with the principles of our constitution. Neither need I add the assurance, that I highly value the expression of the sentiments of the representatives of the nation. But my con- viction tells me that it would be better that the speech from the throne should not have an answer. The project of an address in answer to the speech is accom- p.anied with difficulties inherent in the nature of the subject itseff. The discus- sion, as experience has proved, may give rise without necessity. to a diversity of opinion, which it is difficult wholly to efface, at the very beginning of the session; the examination of the address leads to debate, which consumes much valuable time, and at the same Vane has an unhappy influence on the further course of the session. "You must, however, fully understand toy thoughts. By what I have Mid, I

do not mean in any way to restrict or impede the competency or even the expres- sion of the desire of your High Miglainesses. I have no other intention than to communicate to you my way of thinking, and to assure your assembly that year silence will not only meet with no unfavourable interpretation on my part, but, on the contrary, will be fully appretiated by me."

RUSSIA.—Accounts from St. Petersburg state that an ukase is about to be published which will do away with the last remaining boundary be- tween Russia and Poland, and incorporate the latter entirely in the Russian empire. The customhouses between Russia and Poland are to be put down on the 1st January 1846; so that the produce of the two countries will circulate freely. "There is no doubt," observes the Morning Chronicle," that the measure will tend much to the advantage of both countries, and especially to that of Poland; and although it is probably in contravention of the treaty of Vienna, we cannot help thinking that if Poland and Russia are to continue under the same Government, i the measure s a wise one. It is said that the Emperor has resolved to make a branch line to Warsaw from the great railway which is to join St. Petersburg and Moscow, and prolong the main line to Odessa."

Istais.—The over-land mail brings intelligence from Calcutta to the 8th September, from Bombay to the 15th. It possesses very little inte- rest; adding scarcely anything to that previously received.

The Punjaub was in a state of continued disorder. Peshora Singh still held the fort of Attock, around which the contest waxed fiercer; the num- ber of the Prince's adherents increasing as well as that of his opponents. The Sikh soldiers, however, were in an unsettled and discontented state, and still wished to be led against the British.

From Scinde we learn that the expedition under Major Corsellis, to chastise some Sikhs at Kusmore, for violating the frontier, had been not reinforced, but recalled, without result. It is said that the order issued by Sir Charles Napier for its reinforcement had been suddenly revoked; which is imputed to the intervention of some "higher authority."

Sir Charles Napier was very angry at Colonel Outram's published cor respondence on the Conquest of Scinde, and had demanded a court-martial on the Colonel or himself ; but Sir Henry Hardinge had discreetly waived either alternative.

The cholera in India and the North-western Provinces was declining. Much distress had been created to the West of Calcutta by extensive floods: the indigo-crop had suffered severely.

The gentlemen concerned in the fatal duel, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Fenwick, and Mr. Blunt, were tried at Calcutta, for the murder of Lieutenant Tul- loch; and all were acquitted.

CHIN-I.—The accounts from Hong-kong, to the 10th July, are barren. Mr. Montgomery Martin had resigned his post of Colonial Treasurer, and had set out for England, to urge negotiations for the retention of dusan by the British.

CAPE or Goon HoPE.—Papers to the 24th of August state that Natal is at last to be formally annexed to the Government of the Cape; and to carry out the plan, several appointments bad already been made. The Dutch Boers were gradually leaving the settlement and entering upon their usual wandering life: many were only waiting the favourable sale of their farms and stock to take their departure.

NEW &ALAIN-D.—The Tryphane has arrived at Liverpool, with advices from Auckland to the 17th of May, a fortnight later than the previous intelligence. It was then known that a fresh engagement had taken place between the British troops and the Natives under Held. We now learn that the soldiers had been "partially successful," and were on their return to Auckland. The loss of the troops was eleven killed and thirty-seven wounded ; and it is computed that two hundred of Heki's men were killed.

Commander Robertson, of' the Queen's ship Hazard, had left the colony in the North Star, for Sydney, on his way to England. He was rapidly recovering from his wounds, and was followed by the eagerly-expressed good wishes of the colonists.

TALI-frt.—Intelligence has been received from Tahiti by rather a cir- cuitous route, vitt New York and Havre. Captain Brunt had issued a proclamation, dated on the 15th April, in which be preferred several charges against Queen Pomare: she had called around her the principal chiefs of the Windward Islands, accompanied by armed men; had incited Natives arrayed against French authority to remain in arms ; had "given a proof of contemptuous disdain for the monarch who had vouchsafed to her his protection," in refusing to receive letters and presents sent by the Ring of the French; and the flag of the Protectorate had been pulled down in the island of Raiatea, where the Queen resided: therefore that island was declared to be in a state of blockade. The United States Con- sul at Papeiti had been told that the blockade would not interfere with American whaling-ships; and he was assured that in the absence of Ame- rican cruisers, the merchants of his nation might rely upon the protection of France. The Flotte, a Paris paper, professes to have received intelli- gence from Tahiti, that the English Admiral on the station had agreed, in a conference with the French Admiral, to illustrate the entente cordiale by saluting the flag of the Protectorate.

RIO DE LA PLATA.—A vessel which sailed from Buenos Ayres on the 23d August arrived at Falmouth on Monday. Matters remained as before. A portion of the British and French fleets were blockading Colonia, Mal- donado, Buseo, and the other ports occupied by Oribe. A French and a British ship of war had gone up the Uruguay. Oribe remained before Monte Video inactive. All the marines were landed from the British and French squadrons; and notice was sent to Oribe from the Plenipotentiaries that Monte Video was under the protection of their Governments: but he still refused to withdraw. He had declared a free port on Lagoa Mirrim, Whence he expected to draw his supplies at a cheaper rate than before.

In Buenos Ayres itself, it was reported that the Sala had expressed an intention of proposing to declare the treaty with Great Britain null and void, as the British had often violated it.

Trade in Buenos Ayres was completely at a stand. The merchants anticipated some desperate measures on the part of Roses, should the French and British Governments approve of what their Ministers had done ; and they looked forward to incurring large commercial losses.