NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE Congress of European Powers is to be held ; the invitations have been despatched from Paris, and have by this time been received in all the European capitals. The Austrian invitation has not been so promptly circulated ; but we presume that it will not be long delayed.
The place of meeting is to be. Paris. There was, indeed, a report circulated on. a certain kind of authority that Brussels would be the place of meeting. The idea was, at one time, that some neutral town would be best, since France has been so active a party to the transactions which the Congress is to reconsider. In point of fact, however, we believe we are correct in, saying that none of the Powers at present feels any jealousy of France; or entertains the slightest objection to the assembling of the Congress in the French capital. Russia certainly does not do so, since that Power, at a very early stage, took the initiative in proposing that the Congress should be assembled in that very place. Austria is scarcely in a position to make any such objee- lion ; and we believe that the Austrian invitation will speeifi-, sally point to the French capital. For our own Government Paris is peculiarly convenient, since it affords the most direct. and speedy communication at all times between the representa- tive of this country and Downing Street.
No intimation has yet been given of the Plenipotentiaries who will be nominated to attend the Congress on behalf of the several Powers. The Times has examined the claims of the English statesmen, and has suggested that no man would do the work so effectually as Lord Palmerston himself.
Paris is already preparing for an enormous concourse of visitors and for splendid gaieties as the collateral attendants of the diplomatic gathering.
