FIFTEEN DAYS' LATER NEWS FROM ENGLAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 382, 2 July 1856, Page 7

FIFTEEN DAYS' LATER NEWS FROM ENGLAND.

We have received, via Sydney and Wellington, the mails of the "Champion of the Seas," Australian mail packer, to the 6th of March. The Sydney papers contain news from England of three days' later date by the " Victoria,'* colonial war steamer; of which the only important item is the birth of an heir to the throne of France, on the Bth of March. This news, contained in a private letter of later date than any paper, and therefore not otherwise authenticated, may, it is stated by the " Empire," be perfectly relied upon. The following summary is from the " Home News":— '.' The conferences in Paris opened on the 25th of February. A. very proper understanding was entered into amongst the members that the proceedings should be strictly secret. Substantive acts have, of course, transpired ; and whenever any definitive result shall be arrived af, we presume it will be made public.through authentic channels. Two material steps have been already taken. An armistice extending to the 31st of March, but applying only to the laud forces, has been agreed to; and the preliminaries of peace have been signed. With respect to these preliminaries, it is necessary to observe that they do hoc possess the specific force of a preliminary treaty, and that no speculations as to the future can be raised upon them. They consist of nothing more than a general ratification to the Austrian propositions, which have been at once adopted to save time, and to enable the Plenipotentiaries to proceed without delay to the consideration of details."

"Count Walewski inaugurated the opening by a short speech, drawing attention generally to the business of the meeting ; and Count Orloff is said to have made some remarks in r«ply which have strengthened the hopes of peace. Strangely enough, however, the funds have not responded to these expectations, prices on the Bourse having slightly declined. "The shortness of the armistice appears to have created a feeling of disappointment iv Prussia, where the prolongation of the ' situation ' has been all throughout the one thing most desired. As it has hitherto suited the inexplicable policy of Prussia to vacillate, so it would now suit her to procrastinate until the season for military operations had passed over, and Europe should he once more flung into a diplomatic chaos. But it is clearly not the intention of the allies to suffer an hour's delay that can be avoided in the settlement of the question—peace or war. " At present, appearances are in favour of peace. But we must not calculate too confi-' dently on the issue. The speech of the Emperor of the French on the opening of the session of the Corps Legislatif portrays the exact state of things with accuracy and firmness. It avows the determination of France and Englaud to resume the sword if necessary, and their willingness to extend the haud of friendship to those with whom they have honourably fought. We gather from the clear terms of this significant address that if we are to have a peace, it will be one which will cement the alliance in a community of glory, and afford unimpeachuhle guarantees for the future security of Europe."