GENERAL SUMMARY. London, Feb. 26.

North Otago Times, Volume I, Issue 10, 28 April 1864, Page 1 (Supplement)

GENERAL SUMMARY. London, Feb. 26.

The Australian December mails were delivered in London on the 12th and 18th February. The Queen is at Windsor. Her medical advisers prohibit her appearing at public ceremonials, which causes univei^al regret. The Prince and Princes*, of Wales have arrived in London for the season. Parliament was opened by Uoyal Commission on February 4. The only item of importance in the Royal Speech related to the Danish question, the English Government announcing that England would not endanger the maintenance of the peace of Europe by rushing into war in defence of Denmark, but would endeavour to bring about a pacific solution of the Duchies quebtion. Austria and Prussia have agreed to the conference (without an armistice) proposed by England, to be held in London. France and llussia have also agreed to it. The English Government do not admit the right of American cruizers to seize British merchant ships in neutral waters. Sir George Grey has brought in a bill to amend the penal servitude acts. In doing so, he referred to the alarm in the eastern colonies of Australia at the prospect of continued transportation, which feeling he censured as unreasonable. lie protested against the right of the eastern colonies to dictate to Her Majesty on the subject, especially as the Western Australians petitioned for more convicts. The grand jury and magistrates of Worcsetershire have presented a petition praying for increased transportation to Australia. The" final decision given by Lord Westbury, in the Essays and Reviews ease, has caused a great sensation. The Privy Council Committee, through the Lord Chancellor, have established a rule that a clergyman may say that, though the Bible contains the Word of God, all that is in the book is not inspired, or even true ; and also that he may be permitted to hope that there will be no everlasting punishment. Her Majesty has appointed a new commission for revising the various forms of subscription and declaration required of the clergy of the Church of England A mass of correspondence has been published between Earl liussell and the American Minister, in reference to the Alabama. The Federal Government demand compensation for all losses sustained through the Alabama's having been built

and manned by Englishmen. Earl Rusj sell declines absolutely to acknowledge any responsibility. In the Palmevston divorce case, the petitioner has declined to proceed with the suit. It is rumored that a compromise was effected. The judge declared that no stain rested on Lord Palmerston's fame. Great cheering 1 and enthusiasm were displayed on his entrance into the House of Commons afterwards. At a mass meeting, convened by the priests, in Dublin, to protect against the corporation granting a bite in College Green for a statue of the late Prince Consort, 5000 persons Avcre present. There was a disgraceful scene, and a general fight ended the proceedings. Trade throughout Europe is satisfactory. The distress in the cotton districts is greatly diminished, but fevers and scarlatina are very prevalent. Five pirates of the ship Flowery Laud | have been executed at Newgate. 40,000 people were present. Major-General Cameron is appointed K.CB. The Great Eastern has been sold by auction for £80,000. It is reported that she will probably be chartered to lay down the Atlantic cable. A new scheme has been started for connecting England with the Continent by a j railway. The London Shakspeaiian Committee is close on dissolution. Obituary. — Rev. Sir Charles Harding, Bart., Lady Louisa Lygon, Lucy Aiken, Miss Proctor, Mr. Dyce, R.A , Mr. Wm. Hunt, Dean Newman, D.D., Lady Louisa Stuart, Hon. P. Pierrepoint, Baroness Ruthven, Duchess of Gordon, lion. R. Petre, Lady Keating, Sir B Hickens, Mr Puller, M.P, Dowager Viscountess of Hereford. The appeal case, Dill ver.-nts Murphy and another, was heard and dismissed on the 2nd February. In the appeal case, liobcitson versus Dumaresque (New South AVnles), the committee confirmed the decision of the Court below, \\ ith costs.