OUR HOME LETTER.

Evening Star, Issue 3841, 16 June 1875, Page 3

OUR HOME LETTER.

Mr Plimsoll’s exertions on behalf of our merchant seamen have continued unre* mitting, and appear likely to be crowned with success. A meeting has just been held in Exeter Hall, where the following resolution was moved by Mr Morley—“ That, having regard to the dreadful and preventable destruction of human life at sea, this meeting strongly insists upon the duty of the Government to secure an efficient and compulsory survey of all unclassed ships, and also a load-line to prevent overloading.” After this had been carried by acclamation, Mr Plimsoll, who was enthusiastically cheered, came forward and announced that he had good news to communicate. It was not true, as had been alleged, that the Government intended to withdraw their Bill, neither would they allow it to be burked by being referred to a select committee. This authoritative assurance of the intentions of Government was the result of an interview that afternoon with Mr Adderley, who was also understood to say that the only difference between the Government and | Mr Plimsoll was as to the most practical method of accomplishing the object they had both at heart. From Italy we have the rather pleasant news of a visit paid Victor Emmanuel by the Emperor of Austria. The meeting of the two sovereigns took place at Venice, and may be regarded as a pledge of friendship and the frank and final acceptance by Austria of the present state of affairs in Italy. One may imagine tbatsuch a place would occasion both monarchs a little embarrassment. Everything, however, passed off well. Festivities were on a scale of great magnificence, and the enthusiasm of the people unbounded. At a grand State dinner Victor Em many el proposed the healt of his guest, saying—“I drink the j health of his Majesty the vfemperor of Austria and Kiog of Hungary, my illustrious guest, brother, and friend—to the

happiness and anion of the two States for ever.” The Emperor replied—“lt ia with feelings of the deepest gratitude for the cordial reception I have met with here that I drink to the health of his Majesty the King of Italy, my brother, and dear friend, to the health of the Royal Family, and to the well-being and prosperity of Italy ” The general feeling elicited by the accounts of this visit is one of warm congratulation towards Italy. Ever since the achievement of her-unification she has been compelled to keep an obseivant eye up m the attitudes of Austria and France, and the necessity of so doing was not only a s urce of anxiety, but involved her in sacrifices disproportionate to her means. A good understandingjwith both powers is a priceless advantage to Italy; and there now appears fair reason for believing that she may devote herself to internal development without apprehension of foreign complications. In Germany the Government punues its course against the refractory bishops with relentless determination. A Bill has just passed both houses for withholding State grants to the functionaries of such religious bodies as would not promise unreserved obedience to the laws. In view of the pro bability of the Bill receiving the royal assent a petition has been addressed to the Emperor by the Roman Catholic bishops, praying him to withhold his sanction. His Majesty’s answer, communicated th ough the_ ministry, was a severe reproof. The petitioners were reminded that the Bill was introduced by his Majesty’s consent, and, in regard to the prayer of tin petition, the bishops were told that the state grants would not originally have been made, if there had been any idea that the loyalty to the State was of a qualified or conditional nature. From Spain we get any amount of news, but it is impossible to know how much of it to believe. Alternately we receive accounts of the Car-list cause drooping and looking up. Cabrera, an old Carlist partisan, has given in his adhesion to Alphouso, and there are reports of his example having been followed by otherofficers; hut it is almost impossible!© know whatdegreeof dependence to place on such rumors, and, in regard to a termination of the war, it may perhaps be doubtful-whether such a consummation ia very earnestly desired by those most competent to bring it to an end.