FRANCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VII, Issue 435, 3 January 1857, Page 5

FRANCE.

Count Walewski has just received from Queen Victoria, as a souvenir of the treaty of the 30th March, a splendid gold snuff-box enriched with diamonds, and bearing a medallion representing the portrait of her Majesty. M. de Billing, Chef cfu Cabinet, has also received a very handsome writing desk, and M. Benedetti an equally handsome token of remembrance.

On Monday, the Bth instant, the anniversary of the talcing of Sebastopol, the Duke of Malakhoff and a large number of general and other officers attended a solemn mass at the Madeleine, in commemoration of the officers of the staff who died in the East.

By a decree of the Minister of Public Instruction, the functions of director of the Irish Religious institution established in France have been united to those of the head of the Irish College. The Abbe Miles has been named director.

As soon as the Emperor Napoleon returns from Biarritz, he will sign the contract of marriage between the youngest daughter of Prince Lucien Buonaparte and the son of M. de Cambaceres. The bridegroom, who bears a name so closely connected with the First Empire, is at present Auditor of the Council of State.

The ' Times' Paris correspondent writes that although the ' Moniteur' has not announced it, there is no doubt that the Empir>r Napoleon has sent the Grand Cordon to Marshal O'JDonnell. The same writer says that the difficulty about Bolgrad is not settled. The Russians are thought not to have acted with good faith in the matter, and it is deemed probable that the non-settlemeut of this boundary question may

lead to a prolongation of the Austrian occupation of the Principalities. The monthly returns of the Bank of France show a decline in the stock of bullion. The amount advanced on public security and railway share is less for this than for the previous month, and the amount of bank notes in circulation has decreased. During the month, £60,000 was paid as premium on purchases of gold and silver. It appears to be the common opinion in Paris that the French and English Cabinets are at issue on several points, though no one supposes these differences can essentially effect the alliance. The investment of O'Donnell with the Grand Cordon of the Legion of Honour, and the marked attention paid to Count Morny by the Emperor of Russia, are not likely to please the English Government. The French Cabinet is said to have abandoned the project of an expedition against the Riff pirates, on account of Prussia displaying too strong a desire for the t co-operation of England in an Anglo-Prussian expedition.-' -The English Cabinet takes the same side as Turkey and Austria on the question of uniting the Danubian Principalities. The French Government is still undecided on this point.

The 'Moniteur' of the 12th says that upon the Bth, being the anniversary of the capture of Sebastopol, the Emperor invited the 35th regiment of the line, which is stationed at Biarritz, to a dinner. The privates and subaltern officers were entertained in front of the barracks, and the Emperor and Empress, who carried in her arms the Imperial Prince, came suddenly among them. The officers afterwards dined with their Majesties.