The German Chancellor has sustained another heavy defeat. Herr Windthorst,
leader of the Centre, on Wednesday moved the repeal of the last relic of the Falk Laws, the Act authorising the Government to intern priests guilty of " unlawfully exercising ecclesiastical functions," that is, in practice, of making disagree- able allusions in sermons. Prince Bismarck resisted stoutly, declaring that the law was never employed in Prussia; and that it was indispensable in Poland, where there was Separatist as well as Catholic feeling. He added that he was glad to find Herr Windthorst against Parliamentarygovernment ; and that for him- self, he thought if the Ministry resigned and the Opposition formed a Government out of parties so heterogeneous, the new Cabinet would be just like Mr. Gladstone's. The House, unde- terred by this terrible prediction, and anxious to conciliate the Centre, accepted the motion by 217 to 93,—a number remarkable because it shows a majority against the Government, without counting the Catholics. The vote is, of course, a mere protest, as Prince Bismarck has still a majority in the Federal Council which will support the Act.
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