NEWS OF THE WEEK.

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 635, 15 May 1852, Page 4

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

[Fioin the " Spectator," December 27 1 " Loid Palmerston has ceased to be a member of Ilei Majesty's Government." Fur this announcement the public were in some measuiu piepared by the lumoins of dissensions in the Cabinet that have been cinrent for n few weeks. There is no gieat mystery about the rupture. The story which would fasten it upon the personal animosity oi the Colonial Secieiaiy meets with little credence. What with the broken health of the Home Secrefaiy, the proved incompetence of the Chancellor of the Exch quer, and the unpopular waywardness of the Earl himself, the Gieys luve enough to do to keep then own giound. The cause of quanel has this explanation. The Foreign Secretary had come to indulge his peculiarities to such an extent that his colleagues could no longer get on with him. Loid Palmerstou has always been one of those men who engage in politics, as sportsmen follow the fox, more fur the excitement of the chase than from an earnest desire to attain the object in pursuit. As Foreign Minister, be delighted in keeping contioversies open, gratifying himself with the exercise and display of his own adroitness and resources. lie had an un lucky turn for making Ins disputes with foreign ministers personal quarrels. Though it is not desiiable that the country should bo entangled in alliances with despotic powers, our necessaiy intercourse with all foreign governments should at least be civil, and free ftotn insult. Lord Palmerston sometimes forgot this jule. He repelled or discoursed any inteiference oi his colleagues in his particular department; he refused to submithis policy to the discussion of the Cabinet, and enforced the vaunted secrecy of diplomacy almost as rigidly against the statesmen with whom lie was acting as the general public. To be Ik Id r. sponsible for every eccentiicity of the Foreign Secretary— to be obliged to approve and defend measures respecting which they had neither been forewarned nor consulted — was more than could be reasonably expected from his associates. Bad habits gain strength proverbially as men advance in years ; and the complaint of colleagues, that Lord Palmerston's wilfulness had become of late quite ungovernable, has at least asemblance of probability. The secession of the Foreign Secretary from office cannot fail, however, to be pioductive of grave consequences. With respect to domestic affairs, it is scarcely credible that the changes in the Administration can stop there. Lord Valmerston is not the man to acquiesce quietly in a relagation to private life. Ife is eminently qualified to act the part of a Parliamentaiy frondeur. There is no reason to believe that he has the powers required to strike out a useful line of policy, combine a patty for its support, and form a strong Government ; but lie has formidable abilities for nttacking and annoying an incompact Ministry. As a watchful, acute, and relentless critic, his familiarity with the practical details of business will render bun a dangerous occupant of the Opposition benches. His antecedents, when last out of place, warrant the belief that he will not be sciupulous with regard to the weapons he employs. The unpatriotic eagerness with which he sought to thwart or embarrass the negotiations by which Lord Ashburton brought to a close that hurtful and protracted controversy with the United States, which Lord Palmerston himself had found so extremely complicated and threatening, and which he rendered still woise is well remembered : the neverending disparagement — the " Ashburton capitulation" and niimlar epithets of abuse — with which lie assailed it ; to crown all, the unprecedented identification of himself with those attacks by attending a dinner of the contiibutors to the newspaper which was for the time his obedient organ. Nor is Lord Paloierston likely to lack followers. His pleasing manners, and bis adroitness in leading men to believe him zealous in a cause without committing himself by definite pledges, fit him to become the rallying point of the most dissimilar and incongruous discontents. He is exactly the man to " ride in the whirlwind and direct the storm" of aimless agitation. With respect to foreign affairs, their pvosent critical aspect is sufficient to cause uneasiness on account of the uncertainty which must necessarily prevail respecting the competence and the tendencies of bis successor, even to those who are well enough pleased to have got rid of Lord Palmeraton. The comparatively little that is known of Lord Granville is favouiableand promisiug. The misgivings expressed on account of his political inexperience, and his newness to the foreign department, are not without some countervailing suggestions. It Las been too much the custom to talk and think of diplomacy as a mystery, a trick of trade, that can only be understood by the initiated. At the commencement of the Amencan war of independence, the Deanses and Carmicbaels, who were selected from among their fellow-citizens to negotiate with the powers of Europe, showed that common sense, distinct notions of what they would be at, and an earnest determination to accomplish their sincere aims, were quite euough fo enable them to cope with the most veteran diplomatists. Indeed it may be suspected, that the intimate acquaintance with the tracasseriea and petty household intrigues of foreign states, which tempts to interference in their domestic affiuis, is the reverse of a qualification fora good Foreign Minister. If the appointment of a statesman rather deficient in this biauch of knowledge — more curious then useful — could have the effect of bringing our meddling with shabby foreign squabbles within narrower limits, the consummation would be one devoutly to be wisLed. Still, the extended sway of military despotism in Europe, and the natural and avowed jealously with which England, as an asylum for political refugees of all opinions, is regarded by the groat Continental powers, " crave wary watching." The Foreign Offioe requires at this time a Minister of rare singleness of purpose and cautious firmness; for, however sound in theory the doctrine that a Piemier ought to assert a preponderating voice in all departments of government, the personal disposition and habits of Loid John Russell will hardly warrant a sauguine expectation that he will do so. Even in these Christmas trues, tbe members of the Law Amendment Society seem too much in earnest to allow themselves a holiday. Or perhaps it would be more strictly correct to say, that, wiih a prudent economy of time, they have contiived to combine pleasure with business. '1 he speeches at an entertainment which they gave on Saturday to the American Law-reformer, Mr. Dudley Field, were agreeably characterized by an increasing catholicity of spirit. The views of the speakers appear to grow more decided and broad, and their tone is becoming more popular. Mi. Field's accounts of the results of " codification" in the State of New York was highly instructive and encouraging; and Mr. Lowes remaiks on the amalgamation of Law nnd Equity, illustrated and enforced by appeals to the example of Lord Mansfield, evinced a happy combination of the practical precision of the Benthamite, with the more comprehensive and philosophical spnit of the historical school of jurisprudence, free from what is merely mechanical in the former, and from the indolent laissez faire in the latter. The proceedings at the Society's a meeting on Monday show that the sentiments expressed at the social board were not a mere efletvescence of a vague though generous enthusiasm. The large majority by which the French people have consented to their Piesident's application for a ten 3 ears' lease of power completes the succe&s of the coup d' etut. Intimidation nnd manoeuvring 4 , undoubtedly, have helped to swell the majoiity; but it could not have been so laige had there been any serious intention in the body of the nation to resist M. Bonaparte. This is not much to be wondered at. The philosopher of old de« cliritul to argue with a prince at the head of an army; much more may private citizens decline to vote against a man who has nearly half a million of soldiers at his disposal. The question submitted to the French people was, '' Will jou have this one man, or will you have anarchy and civil war?" It would have required very clear views of the true nature and importance of civil liberty, aiid very great couiage, both moral and physical, to refuse a man who asked their submission in such teiras. People at a distance can easily see that Esau has sold his birtbiight for <i mess of pottage, but it was not so easy for hungiy Esau to take the bame correct view ol the consequences of his conduct. It would bo waste of time to canvass the probability or merits of the policy which the new dictator or lawgiver of France is said to contemplate. lie is about to promulgate a constitution ; but w hat is the worth oi" constitutions in a country where they aie allowed to exist only so long as their authois can uphold them by the strong hand? Or who believes that M. Bonapaite will show more respect for a constitution of his own maLinir than he has shown for the one he swore to maintain, but which he has destroyed 1 He is master of Fiance, and he will act towards the conquered countiy exactly as his debuts dictate ai d his power enables him to do. At jiresint he is busy buying as many supporters as he can , be is dealing ou t promotions and gratuities to the army ; be is cutting out work for railway pi ojectors and speculator.*; he (oi the Bank of France for him) is unorchng increased accommodation to manulacturers and traders; he is devising employment for artists. r Jo giatify as many individuals as possible, is hia foremost care ; his general policy in matters of finance, legislation, and admin iterative gcTeinineiil, are kept in a discieot obscunty.

'1 he vote of the Fi oik h electors, however obtained, entitles IU. Jlonapaite to .1 toleiance and recognition on the putt of fotei^n governments, to which foi the pre»ions tbiee weeks he had no claim. But it is impossible that oven those despotic poweis, to whom be must appear to be milling common cause with them, can do otherwise than watch the new government of France v ith suspicion Much more must this be the ense with governments based upon the very puuciples which he has trodden under hi-, font.to establish autocracy. Whatever piofessions mHy be made by the government of France, however specious the couise it may at first pursue, its head has shown that no engagements, bowever solemn, can bind him a day longer than he deems it his peisonal interest to observe them. The opinions which the well- watched newspapers of Austria are allowed to express lespecting the Napoleonist coiipd" tint imply an inclination in the councils at Vienna to countenance the French ruler. The Prussian view of him appears to be more largely mingled with distrust and apprehension. This was to be expected. Prussia is essentially and entirely German; Austria is a compound of many nationalities. Prussia is in immediate contact with France ; Austtia is at a safe distance. Austua sees in the success of " Prince" Louis Napoleon the defeat of Democracy ; Prussia remembers the Confederation of the Rhine, and the claims of France to have that river for a boundary. Austria is favourably influenced by the adhesion, which the Ultramontane Romanist clergy have given to the French President; Prussia has not forgotten the annoyance she received from the iiitiigues of the Romish hierarchy in Westphalia. All the tbiee governments have, apparently, a common cause as against free institutions; but Piussia and France have livalries and incompatible aims, while Austria and Fiance can only have the more remote prospect of a possible collision in Italy. But even Austria, though less disposed than Prussia to be mistrustful of the French Government, s^ems reluctant to place implicit confidence in i's intentions. Strenuous effoits are made both at Vienna and Berlin to fill up the musters and perfect the discipline of their leepective armies. At Mayence, which is <?airisoned by the troops of both, the work of reciuiting is prosecuted with great activity, and drills and reviews are the order of the day from dawn to sunset.

The reception of Kossutb in the United States of America bas, in point of opopular display, been as cordial as it was in England. But bis welcome by tbe " constituted nutborities" bas been ratber cool. After sending a steam-frigate to convey him to their shores, they seem fit a loss how to behave to him now they have got him The President tries to delegate to tbe Senate the exercise of national hospitality, and tbe Senate appears to have more than ball' a mind to return tbe task on the President's bands. At this Kossutb naturally ffels considerably disappointed : to bis admirers in Philadelphia he has frankly declared, that if he bad looked for such a reception from the Government, ho would not b<ive gone to America. Party rivahies may have something to do with this cooling of enthusiasm in high quarters. Tlip interchango of amenities between Kosjulb and air. Walker at Southampton maj r be supposed hkely to influence the lesults of the Presidential election.

The "Waidmote elections passed off on Monday with little contest or excitement. In most cases the sitting Councillors were re-elected. Lesis interest was manifested in the new municipal reform than was expected. The Wards of Bishopsate and Farringdon. Without were the only ones weie a marked anxiety on behalf of tho new measure was displayed. The constituency of Bishopgate resolved, on the motion of Mr Bateman, that the Corporation measure is a wise and necessary reform, but that the Aldeimen ought to be elected only for three years, nnd that " the corporate establishments, legislative, magisterial, and financial, are cumbrous and profuse;" and that "a thorough revision is necessaiy, with a view to effecting large reductions in municipal j taxation and expenditure." The constituency of Far-ringdon-Without requested the Common Council to watch over the Bill in Parliament, "and see that it be earned out to the fullest extent, and not frittered away by amendments, but rather, if possible, made more beneficial by allotting a fair and equitable proportion of representatives to each ward according to the population of such ward." The Wardmote of FarnngdonWithout passed unanimously a resolution that the Councillors and Aldeiman of their ward do give their support to Mr. Charles Pearson's plan of a central lailway down the valley of the Fleet into Farringdonatreet.

The scores of thousands of "destitute and infirm poor," who even in this year of comparative prosperity still crowd the union houses of the great metropolis, had their holyday of pleasure and good Christmas larp on Thursday. Last year we could state that the paupers of London were 30,000 fewer than those of the year before ; this year there is a still further diminution of their numbers, giving evidence of diminished poveity, suffering', and, it is hoped, crime. So far as the returns go, it appears that the out-door paupers were fewer by about 530, and the indoor paupers by about 700— giving a total decrease of about lH'iO. Nevertheless, there were 80,000 poor people indebted to state charity for a dinner on the Christmas day of this yenr.