BiortlInutung.

Three despatches which passed between Sir James Hudson and Lord John Russell in the latter days of June throw some light onthe opinions of the Government touching the Duchies. On the 22d of June, Lord John Russell wrote to Sir James Hudson touching the proceedings of the Sardinian authorities in Lombardy, Parma, Modena, and the Legations, remarking that what had been done must be regarded as provisional. Sir James answered on the 26th, by giving an explanation of the machinery applied by Sardinia to the annexed and protected States. Lord John answered on the 28th. The following passage contains the main positions he laid down. "Her Majesty's Government readily admit the expediency of uniting the efforts of those engaged in war with Austria, either by the regular. • action of the respective sovereigns or the spontaneous movement of the in- habitants, under one common direction. But with regard to the permanent annexation to Sardinia of States hitherto obeying their separate sovereigns, her Majesty's Government have adopted a line of conduct which they be- lieve to be in conformity with the law of nations. Her Majesty's Govern- ment, as I stated to you in my despatch of the 22d instant, consider that everything done at present must be considered as provisional; and that although it may be. necessary to make arrangements for the tem- porary maintenance of order in countries where the previous Go- vernment has been withdrawn, or has been overthrown, yet the will of the people, the fortune of war, and finally a European treaty, must, in the last resort, settle the territorial arrangements and rights of sovereignty in Northern and Central Italy. Her Majesty's Government are happy to find that the view they have taken of this matter is shared by the Government of the Emperor of the French, and confirmed by the declaration in the Moultour of the 24th instant, announcing that it has been erroneously in- ferred from the fact of the dictatorship having been offered to the King of Sardinia from all quarters of Italy, that Sardinia, without consulting either the wishes of the people or the great Powers, reckons, by the support of the arms of France, on uniting the whole of Italy in a single State; but that such dictatorship 18 a purely temporary power, which, while uniting under a single authority the common forces, has the advantage of in no wise prejudging future combination. From the language of Baron Brunnow I infer that such is likewise the view taken of the matter by the Russian Government."

[This would seem to point to a final European treaty for the regulation of those Italian States disturbed by the war, in framing which regard must be had to the wishes of the people as well as the fortune of war. It would be difficult to conceive how these views could be carried out without a Congress.]

The Prussian Government has published a series of documents illus- trative of its diplomatic action previous to and during the war. It would seem that Prussia was ready to assent to all the proceedings tending to thy mobilisation of the Federal forces and even to their advance to the Rhine, but she objected to an Austrian corps d'armee advancing to that frontier, on the ground that such a step would lead to a collision between Germany and France. As regards Austria in Italy Prussia was willing to come forward as mediator on the basis of Austria retaining all her pos- sessions in Italy, but with some modifications of the late regime, coupled with the abolition of the special Austrian treaties with the smaller Italian powers. Austria asked for a copy of the despatch containing this Prus- sian recognition of Austrian rights in Italy, but the Prussian minister declined as "that would be to guarantee Lombardy." As the war ad- vanced Prussia seemed to come nearer to the time for action. She for- warded to Russia and England a project of mediation shadowing forth the above scheme and intended, it is said, even without their concurrence o come forward as an armed mediator to propose this plan to the belli- gerents, and to enter on the war if necessary in support of it. At this juncture the peace of Villafemea was suddenly made, and all these good intentions fell to the ground.

The distribution of the contents of the late Lord Northwick's gallery at Thurlestane House has attracted many visitors, and the prices have ranged very high. We shall shortly notice the entire collection in de- tail, as the earlier purchases include Italian pictures of the highest merit.

The collection of original designs by Raffaelle and Michael Angelo, which were purchased some years ago for the University of Oxford, at a cost of 70001., are now at South Kensington, having been lent by the heads of the University for exhibition to the public ; permission being also given to photograph a selection from them. They will be placed in the rooms that have been prepared for the Vernon and Turner paintings. These celebrated drawings, in number upwards of 230, include some valuable studies by Michael Angelo, and many unquestioned and ad- mirable designs by Raffaelle, such as have been an enjoyment to men like Della Vite, Reynolds, Ottley, and others who have at various times possessed some of them. There are a few careful silver-point studies, and many in chalk, pencil, and pen—suggestions, some of them, for his great works, as, for example, one of his sybiLs, a sketch in red chalk—and several portions of his frescoes in the Vatican ; others the hasty notes of his passing thoughts. In order that Raffaelle may be more fully illus- trated, other valuable drawings from private collections have been lent, and a large aeries of photographs of his designs will be shown : these in- clude the collection of his drawings in the Louvre, and in many other public and private galleries. The series of the photographs of the car- toons are also placed with them.

The commission composed of Professors Faraday, Hofmann, and Tyn- dall, It. Redgrave, R.A., and Captain Fowke' RE., of the Department of Science and Art, pronounce that no ill effects arise from lighting picture galleries with gas. There is gas adequately free from sulphuretted hy- drogen, and if means for carrying off the sulphurous acid and other dele- terious activities generated by combustion are provided, no ill effect will ensue : the Sheepshanks' Gallery is cited as a case in point. A longer and more extensive trial, considered as a "painter's experiment," is however recommended.

Mr. G. Scott's designs for the Foreign and India Office are to be seen in the Library and Reading-room of the Houses of Parliament, and as an additional illustration of their character, by their side a very neat model by Mr. Salter renders the intention of the architect more clearly to the uninitiated eye.

We are requested to state, on authority, that the proposal made by Eton College to the Cambridge University Commissioners more than two years since, That the sons of all British subjects otherwise duly qua- lified be admissible as candidates for Eton Scholarships," has, within these few days, received the sanction of the Commissioners, and has now become a part of the Statutes of Etm College.—Tintes.

We may call the attention of those interested in illustrations of ce- ramic art to the Montflomnd Collection of Italian Fayence, which is cer- tainly one of the most complete arrays of specimens of Majolica ware. It numbers nearly 600 pieces, and there are two Scriptural curiosities of the Luca della Roble style, which are priced at perhaps about 1200/. The Venetian Majolica, so rare in England, is represented in some deli- cate plates. Mr. Parkins, of Hanway Street, has charge of the whole display, at 19, Brook Street, Grosvenor Square.

Galignani reports that the Pope has permitted the Russian Government to purchase for 50,000f. (20001.) the statue of the Marine Venus, ex- cavated lately from the Gardens of Julius Ccesar, not far from the Portese Gate, Professor Guaccerini is charged with the restoration and cleaning of the statue.

Theo is a loud complaint among the master builders that certain quarry owners of the Isle of Portland mark the blocks exported, in excess of their actual weight ; and, in some instances, this deficiency reaches as high a figure as ten per cent.

The Queen has appointed James William Cusack, M.D., Fellow of the i Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, to be Surgeon, n Ireland, in Ordinary to her Majesty.

Her Majesty has also granted the dignity of a Knight of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland unto Mr. John Thomas, Speaker of the House of Assembly of Barbadoes.

The King of the Belgians on Monday received at a solemn audience at Brussels the Marquis d'Antonini, minister of the Two Sicilies, who presented his credentials from the present king, accrediting him anew in that capacity.

M. Pourtales, the Prussian Minister, has returned to Paris.

Count Walewski received on Monday Chevalier Peruzzi and the Marquis Lejatico, both on a special mission at Paris from Italy.

The Emperor, it is said, will go to the Pyrenees ere long, and later join the Empress at Plombieres.

The Ambassador of France has left Albert Gate House for Paris; the Countess de Persigny has left on a visit to Lord and Lady Palmerston at Brocket Hall, Herts,

The Nord, remarking that "various explanations have been given of the nomination of the Duke of Malakoff as Grand Chancellor of the Legion of Honour," says "the truth is, that since his marriage the Marshal has de- sired repose and residence in Paris, hence he wished for that appointment:,

M. Thouvenel, French Ambassador at Constantinople, embarked on Mon- day at Marseilles, in the Danube, on his return to his post.

Sir James Brooke, K.C.B., Rajah of Sarawak, who has been sojourning at the Seymour Hotel, Totnes, for the benefit of his health, has returned to town much restored.

A. letter from Baden-Baden announces the arrival there of the King of Wurtembnrg, under the name of Count de Teck.;

Previously to her Majesty's leaving London for Osborne, Sir George Hayter,.the Principal Painter in Ordinary to the Queen had the honour of submitting to her Majesty and his Royal Highness the Prince Consort one of the two State Portraits of her Majesty, which he had been commanded to paint for China and Constantinople.—tore lemma& A graceful tribute has just been paid by her Majesty the Queen to the memory of the officers and crew who perished on board the Birkenhead troop ship. Her Majesty, desirous of recording her admiration of the heroic con- sistency mil unbroken discipline shown on board that vessel, has caused to be placed on the colonnade at Chelsea Hospital a tablet in commemoration of the event. A tablet has also been erected, be command of her Majesty, to the memory of Lieutenant-Colonel Willoughby Moore, who perished ou board the Europa. These tablets are from the works of Mr. Field, of Par- liament Street, a gentleman who has had much to do with the statuary at the New Palace at Westminster, and redound much to his credit.

Dr. Henry David Erskine, Dean of Ripon, an amiable and public-spirited man, a great promoter of education, died on Wednesday, in his seventy- third year, greatly to the grief of his family and the public throughout the West Riding.

The German journals contain melancholy news concerning Professor Karl Simrock, of Bonn, the eminent translator and interpreter of the materpieces of old German poetical literature. His mind has been deranged by an ex- cess Of fear and anxiety, it is asserted, in consequence of the late political events, and his friends have removed him accordingly to a private asylum near Stuttgart, where, we sincerely hope, a judicious treatment may soon give him back to health, to his family, and to his so suddenly and so sadly interrupted labours.

The Honourable Rufus Choate, of Massachusetts, died at Halifax, H.S., on the 13th, while en route for England. Mr. Choate was one of the most distinguished members of the American bar, and had held many high offices, including that of the attorney-generalship of the United States.

Generals Dieu and Ladmirault, who were wounded at Solfcrino, are now considered convalescent.

Marshal Baraguay d'Hilliers has quitted his command, and has gone to a watering-place for the benefit of his health ; General Forey has conse- quently taken provisionally the command of the 1st corps d'armec in Italy.

Letters from Vienna announce that the Southern Railway has again begun to carry passengers, and that goods-trains will soon run. M. Mancel, who, at the beginning of the war, resigned his office as director-general of the Austrian company's railways, is about to resume his functions. General James, an American, has invented a gun that is to rival that of Mr. Armstrong. According to the reports, which, however, are not very distinct, the new weapon has thrown a 12-pound projectile four miles, with a charge of one pound and a quarter of powder. The mode of rifling adopted by James will, it is said, enable him to rifle at little cost all the bronze guns of the United States.

A new statue of General Napier is to be placed in St. Paul's. The figure is represented in repose, leaning on a sword. It stands eight feet high, on a plinth of six inches. Mr. Adams is the sculptor.

The weekly return of births and deaths in London, issued by authority of the Registrar-General, states that :—The returns for the week that ended last Saturday show a further and rather formidable increase of the deaths in London. The weekly number was below a thousand in June, till near the end of the month it then rose above a thousand ; in the first week of July it was 1226, in the following week the number was 1400, and last week it rose to 1605. In the ten years 1849-58, the average number of deaths in the weeks corresponding with last week was 1064; but as the deaths included in the present return occurred in a population which has increased, they can only be compared with the average raised in proportion to the increase, namely, with 1170. The result of the comparison is un- usually unfavourable as regards the present time, for the 1606 deaths of last week exceeded by 435 the number which the average rate of mortality would have produced. On referring to the causes of death the increase is found under diarrhcea, the deaths from which rose last week to 415, a number which is much greater than that of any week in previous years.

Lord Manners was in treaty for the purchase of a horse from Earl Vane. On Friday week he rode the animal in order to decide whether he should buy him or not. As soon as Lord Manners mounted, the horse ran away with him and threw him in Hyde Park. Lord Manners was much hurt, but he is now out of danger. The horse was caught and killed.

A portion of the crew of her Majesty's sloop, Heron' lost on the 9th of May 'last, on her way to Sierra Leone, has been rescued, consisting of forty men, mostly Europeans—amongst them, Mr. Blair, the mate of the sloop. "They are," says the report to the Admiralty of the Cape mail-packet Athens, just arrived, "believed to be now on board her Majesty's ship Vesuvius."

The female hippopotamus in the Jardin des Plantes at Paris, has been guilty of a second infanticide. After the birth of her second offspring last week she first seemed to treat it with maternal tenderness, but in a sudden rage she seized it in her jaws and killed it outright.