The text of the reply of Count Cavour to the
Austrian ultimatum has been published. It is brief, dignified, and courteous. The chief pas- sage is as follows-
" The question of the disarmament of Sardinia, which constitutes the essence of the demand addressed to me by your Excellency, has been the object of numerous negotiations between the Great Powers and his Majesty't Government. These negotiations have eventuated in a proposition drawn up by England,. to which France, Prussia and Russia have adhered. Sar- dinia, in a spirit of conciliation, ims accepted it without reserve or arriare- pensee. As your Excellency cannot be uninformed either of the proposition of England or of the reply of Sardinia, I can add nothing with a view to make known to you the intentions of the King's Government with regard to the difficulties which opposed the assembling of the Congress.
"The conduct of Sardinia in this circumstance has been appreciated by Europe. Whatever may be the consequences which shall ensue from its the King my august master is convinced that the responsibility belonging to them will devolve upon those who have been the first to arm, who have refused the propositions drawn up by one Great Power, and recognized as just and reasonable by the others, and who now substitute for them a menacing summons."
With regard to the mediation proposed by the British Government, the Constitutionnel remarks that it " concerns a great number of Powers, that 'it would be somewhat irregular, and that, being made by England alone, it would be a species of affront to Prussia and Bussia. The ques- tion of the day is of too stormy a nature to be treated effectually by a semi-official Plenipotentiary and an Austrian Minister." In Paris, on Thursday, it seemed to be believed that France had accepted the media- tion. The Government bad " all day assured its friends that there was still a ray of hope." A report was current in Paris in the evening that all was arranged, and that the Moniteur of yesterday would confirm " the good news." The Moniteut, however, did nothing of the kind. However, the Emperor has not left his capital, and his journey to Lyons is deferred until Monday.
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