AFFAIRS OF EUROPE. [From the European Tunes, February 11.]

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 644, 16 June 1852, Page 3

AFFAIRS OF EUROPE. [From the European Tunes, February 11.]

M.M. Fould, Morny, and Rouhcr, having resigned, Ihe following is the official list of Ihe new French Ministry as definitely constituted . — M. Abatucci, Keeper of the Seals and JNlinisfer of Justice ; M. de Persigny, Interior, Agriculture and Commerce ; M. Jlineau, Finance ; General St. Arnaud, War ; M. Dueos, Marine ; M. Turgot, Foreign Affairs; M. Foiloul, Public Instruction and Worship; M Lefebvre Duruflc, Public Works ; M. Maupas, Police; andM.de Casabianca, Minister ot Slate. If we were to recite simply (he substance of (he numerous decrees which succeed each other from the Tuilleries, ye would greatly exceed our allotted space. We need only say (hat the organic decrees for (he constitution of the Council of Stale have been promulgated., and (he .salaries of (he members are ti\ed. M. Ilaiochc is appointed Vice-President, with a salary of 80,000 francs; M. M. Maillard, Rouher, Uelangle, DcParicu, Magnc, and Le Blanc, Presidents of Sections, with a salary of 55,000 francs ; (he Councillors will each receive 25,000 francs, and the subordinate officers corresponding salaries. A decree has also issued from the Tuilleries abrogating the laws oi 18-iS, which abolished lilies of nobility. But the public has not iccovcred the shock which (he confiscation of the Orleans piopeity occasioned all over Euiopc. The various members of tiic Orleans family in Spain, iieUuum, Naples, and Bra/.ils, are prepaiing to make protests against this violation of (lie law and the rights of properly. The effect of (he decree will be lo deprive (he children of (he King of the Belgians of an income of 400,000 francs. M. Monlalembeil, a religious fanatic, who had become au fUllieivnf '>!" I ntiir; iVapofcon, pmcly out of Jesuitical enthusiasm, has scornfully renounced him, and refused to become a member of the- Consultative Commission. Even (he truckling M. Dupjn, the e\- president of the Legislative Assembly, could not sand ion the spoliation of Ihe properly of which he is an executor, so he has also resigned his post of Procmvur- General to the Court of Cassation; and (hose examples will no doubt be followed by oilier honorable men. In fact, the depression of Ihe Funds in Paris, consequent upon this act of robbery, and Ihe retirement of the rich M. Fould from (he Administration^ is said to have produced such an effect upon Louis Napoleon, thai a report was circulated lhal he inlended (o submit Ibis decree to Ihe Senate for reconsideration ; lml (his has been officially contradicted. It is, indeed, ''terrible retreating." The soldiery mus! be paid by donatives, or they will break out in(o rebellion. Money must be had, and it is this una\oidable requirement which suggests war in every statesman's mind as the only means- whereby funds are to be obtained. The fanatical Jesuils coolly piopose that a French army of 50,000 men should be immediately sent to Syria, to excite the Roman Catholics to arms, and then to lake advantage of the (roubles thus created in Turkey to revolutionise and plunder that rich country, seize Egypt, cut off our communications with India, whilst the credulous, short-sighted London editors are urging the recall of (be Mediterranean fleet. The whole plan is put forth with a precision of detail which shows that il has been ' well-considered. Another scheme is, for France (o bargain with Russia for the cession ol the left bank of the Rhine, as an equivalent for the occupation of Constantinople by Russia : and, some journals of Paiis have the effrontery to stale (hat the Emperor of Russia would gladly accede to such a nefarious scheme. These politicians merely express (heir wishes, without having an} correct knowledge ol the real views of Russia or Ihe great powers, in any change which may be impending. The Marquis of Xormanby having lound his position very irksome at Paris, has resigned his post of Ambassador, and will not return lo France in an official character. The ahum respecting some encroachmeal or insult against England, in revenge for the unqualified condemnation which our vixue Press has. passed upon Ihe acts of the tyrant, is increasing, and Ihe public mind is quite prepared for a vigorous demonstration, in order lo defei Louis Napoleon from striking the first h' o\v 0 \v against England. Everybody is prepaicd lor a rupture of some sort, now (hat M. Persigny is au oflicinl chiei in Ihe French Cabinet, which it is notorious he has for a long lime secretly influenced (o a pernicious exleiil. The Piesidenl has given a grand ball at the Tuilleries, which was numerously attended ; but whilst Ihese gailies lake place, (he public mind is painfully excited. To such an extent has this proceeded, that the Monifeiir has been compelled lo announce officially (hat no fuilher acls of severity are intended: but in what way can the President maintain himself but by sinking continual (error into (he minds ol Jus numerous enemies. Large bodies of Parisian workmen aie making preparations to emigrate. These men perceive all the horrors of (he conscription at a distance, and Ihey are ready logo, m mailer whilher, so long as (hey can live under something like self-government. Whether Louis Napoleon now pc-icehes th il his- decrees for Ihe confiscation oi (he Orleans piopcrty have alieualed all classes (loin him, and thai it is policy (o pause in bis caieer, ceilaiu it is that his moie recent acls are inaiked by somo (ouch of clemencj. M. Dupin and his co-executors published a solemn piotest in a Relgian journal against the spoliaiion of ihe Oi leans piopeity, which thry deinonslialed in (lie deaiesl manner was a violalioit ot Ihe law •>\' Fiance lu.il of loiiminn houextv The l)uk> 1

de Nemours and Hie Piince de Joinville, in ackmnvleduing (he reception of lliis solemn document, express (heir concurrence in Uie defence in (he Law Com Is, of their case, which they icgard as (lie cause of Ilio whole sociely of France. They '■ay they are happy for the honor of France Ihal Iliese shameful decrees have only dared lo appear in a state of siege ; and Ihe best answer they can give against Hie calumnious preamble lo the decree it. silence. "Siuxrr is Ihe only decorous answer which can he «i\en (o slanders pailiculaily odious when directed against the memory of Louis Philippe — a King who had ghen France eighteen years of prosperity — by a man who twice experienced Ins magnanimity, and whose family ne\er rccchcd fiom him aught but benefits." The question of (lie legality of (he confiscation will he brought, it is said, before the Tribunals' by the testamentary executors, 'demanding three j ears' arrears of rent from the Theatre Fraucaise. The lessees will, no doubt, refuse to pay to the executors, in lace of Ihe decree, which will thus he brought coxim jiulice. The Journal ties !h ! l>nf» \ has been threatened with suppicssion for having published an article defending the reputation of Louis Philippe. The ex-Queen Amelia has written to A!. Dupin, counselling calmness to the adherents of (he Orleans family. 'iheAichhishop of Parts and the Hishops of Orleans and llennes, and otheis, ha>e 1 enounced, on the part of the poor cleigy, all share assigned by the decree in Ihe spoil of the House of Orleans. The Ministers of Louis Napoleon have influenced him lo sel at liberty a number of prisoners accused of having been implicated in the late disturbances. M. Persiguy has issued a circular desiiing the Prefects to liberate " the misled insurgents" who tilled all Ihe pi isons of France ; 4*2 of those at Brest, who were going to Cayenne, lune been set at liberty. The military commissions lia\e also been superseded throughout France, and (hey arc replaced by a mixed commission, consisting of the Prefect, Military Commandant, and Procureur-Geneial, which will shortly decide on (he fate of the accused. These are, ol course, arbitrary tribunals under another name, which furnish not (he slightest guarantee for personal libei (y. An elaborate decree has appeared promulgating the new electoral law; it is dhided into five chapters. The first relates io the mode of election of the Legislate c body ; Ihe second defines Iho conditions of Ihe franchise ; the third determines the conditions of eligibility ; the fourth recites (he penal enactments; and the fifth adds some general arrangements. The suffiage is diiecl and universal ; the scrutiny secret. Algeiia and Hie colonies are wholly disfranchised. All Frenchmen of 21 jears old are electors ; and, in fact, the admirers of Chartism will find all the points of (he Charter realised — and alter all, when carried into effect, there will be a Legislative Chamber without power, influence, authority, or respect. The whole will be a mere mockery of representation, wherein neither publicity nor the right of initiating any law exists. What little power there may he will reside in the paid Senate, who will be the mere instruments of Louis Napoleon. It is difficult lo judge accurately of the internal stale of France. It cannot be concealed, however, that numerous arrests continue lobe made in all paifsoi the country. We hear daily of the .apprehension or deportation of a great number of persons, but the ultimate fate of those arrested scarcely ever comes to light from the dark recesses of the dungeon. M. Cabel, Ihe famous lcarian chief, has been sent away by the police to England. In Ihe higher circles of Paris the most disgraceful system of espionage seems to pi .nail. Reports of the interference of the Prefect of Police with Ihe amusements and e\en conversation of the frequenters of the Parisian salons, develop a slate of social servitude and degradation more humiliating than even that which existed in the days of the infamous Fouche. With regard to the foreign relations of Fiance, we need only say that Spain has been threatened, and ;v demand made lor. payment of Ihe debt due for Ihe w<.r of 1827>. Uelgmm is overawed, and its honorable -minded King has been forced reluctantly to interfere with the Press, and otherwise lo do the bidding of Ihe ruler of France. The Bulletin Francis lias been seized.

ft becomes e\ cry day more apparent thai whale\er lorm of logical ion may ho adopted in France in \irlueof (lie mock constilulion, it is the resolution of Louis Napoleon to keep the absolute i)ov/er in his own hands. lie reserves to himseli the right of naming the special committees in the Council of Slale ; and as the question ol the Legality of Ihe conlijicalion of (lie Orleans properly will he ul(imalel) referred to that bod), Louis Napoleon, h> his last decree, constitutes himself the real judge in (he case. In consequence of the disaffection of Ihe ollirers at Versailles, (he President has Usifed (hat garlison, and addressed (hem A large body were threatened to be placed on half-pay on account of (heir OrleanM tendencies ; and indeed (he coarse way in which (hey were invited (o participate in (he spoil of (he Oileanisl piopeitj h,is excited uimersal disgusl. lie) oiul a meie rumour (here is nothing at present which leads us to believe (hat a parliamen(ai) opposition in (he legislative body will be organised. Indeed, if a do/en men meet together to confer upon politics, the police are sure to disctner if, in spile of the precautions taken to secure secrecy. The ttonapardsl organs plainly intimate (hat no soil of opposition will be tolerated. Therefore, when we are lold lhat Proudhon, Carnol, Chanas, Ca\aignae, Dufaure, and sc\eral others, are iniended to he brought forward as Candidates, it can scarcely be credited, since no possibility of anything like concert can exist undei Ihe despoli&m which prevails. The public is amused with stories of the vast designs of beneficence which are " rolling in the head" of the President, the chief of which seems (o be (hat he will take especial cue of himself, and (hat a civil list of half-a -million sterling will be appropriated lo enable him (o play the rule of Emperor. The new Legislalhe Chamber will not be permitted to examine (he details of expenses — bul, as we said several months ago, the members will be leijuircd (o'pass such \o(es in a lump as may be submitted to (hem ; and if (hey are refractory, and meddle in any way wilh political questions, (hey will he dispersed at (he point of (he hayone(,and peihaps transported lo Cayenne. Under such circumstances no respectable mini would filler such an assembly, unless tiom a high sen.se of patriotic, duty (o incur all risks. Al. de Lamarline has publicly slated his intention lo lefuse any imitation to offer himself as a candidatejlor Ihe Legislative body. The piisons ol France having been so incon\eniVn(ly (died, and (lv; diHk till ies of sending large bodies of men anoss (he Atlantic in ships of war haung pio\ed insiinuouutable, IhePiesideul has been compelled lo libeiafe a large number of persons; bu( the dHails aie all so shrouded in mjslificilion (li<it Ihe I.Jle ol most ol (lie prisoners* captured Hiwe Ihe 2nd of December will ne\er be (oircclly l.nown Wo a it* lold, how over, that AI.M. Alaic, Dufiai'-'.o, and (irejmo, ex-re|)io^ent,ai\es, who wore .sentenced to be trans) oj led lo Ca)enne, ha\e had their sculence commuled (o perpelual banishment fiom France. 11 is Aery e\id(>nl that an immense amount of puhlicaud i:uli\ tdiwiL misery and discontent pre>ail in (he iuo\incs. A( hry, near Paiis, (wo -iitonspls a( ,jv..)v l: .a- i lion lint; been eomnulU'<l on th** sentinels on dM> b } ,\ musl.et -ho!, i.ul (he 'fai'nl }ja\;ii"

ill o 1 on Ihe second occasion in (he direction of the allack, an innocent man vas shot in the lei,'. It is said Ihal t«oine due (o .1 plol has been diseo\eie<l, ha\ ing for its object Iho .assassination of soldiers, when iiiel in sm.ill p.nlies or ;ilone. Sonic reports are circulated in Paris Ihal iM. de Morny and M. Ac'nillo Foultl are aboul to resume their twiner .seats in (he Cabinet, and Ihal ftl. do Persian) would lake the foreign yorlc feu'dle, l)iil they are not ciedited. It will be remembered thai we announced some lime a»o the arrest, al Hendshuig, of Patarki, (he lhm»aii«!n, who was charged wilh attempting to seduce .some Hungarian regiments fiom their allegiance to (he Emperor, and wilh being an auenl ol Kossiilh and A!a//ini. AYe now leant thai Palacki \\\\r, been tried by court martial and was executed on Ilie . r i!h ins(. A person lamed Goslar was execuled lor hii>h tieason on the same day, by conspiring to bring aboul a revolution. The long-contested question respecting the Dncliies seems now to be finally settled, in (he only way i( could be, by the reversion of the supreme authority over the Duchies by Denmark. Prussia has been compelled (o yield up all claims. JJy (lie battle of Jdsledt the Danes reconquered Schlcswiu, and peaceful ncgociadons have restored Holstein to her. It is now believed thai the Piussian and Austrian troops a\ill immediately withdraw from llolslein, and it is to be hoped Ihal Hamburg will be relieved of the de(esled Ausdiau gatrison. She is, however, much to blame for ha\ing pro\oked, by her conduct, this occupation ol her territory. Now thai the details of the attempt al assassination of (he Queen of Spain have become more accurately know n, (his frightful deed has excited I lie deepest sjmpathy throughout Europe. It appeals that a Jesuit monk, named Merino, approached her Majesty as she was proceeding along (lie gallery of (he Chapel Royal, whore she had jusl heard mass, and presented a memorial Whilst the Queen was taking it, the assassin struck her wilh a long knife in the hip. The peiitoncum was pierced to I lie extent of three or four inches. The Queen shrieked violently ; and Ihe assassin was prevented from repeating the blow bj Ihe interference of Count Pino Hermozo, who closed wilh him, and who almost lost his fingers in the struggle for the knife. The attendants seem (o Innc lest (heir senses ; Ihe Countess de Porar let Ihe royal infant fall, and il was altcrwards picked up by an halberdier. Kor sonic dajs very great alarm existed lest (he wound should piove mortal. — Even mililary precaution was taken (o preserve the j i. tee of Ihe capital and the kingdom —as e\er\ body look il tor granted (hat, in the event of the Queen's demise, a Carlist civil war would break out immediately. We base (he satisfaction to add, that by Ihe latest accounts, Ihe prc\ious unia\ out able sjmptoms had disappeaicd, and her Majesty was supposed to be out of danger. The legicide haying been secured, was handed over to (he ordinary tribunals for dial. Some attempt was made by disappointed advocates to defend him on Ihe ground of insanity, but Ihe judges o>enulcd Ihe plea, and he was condemned. The superior tribunal confirmed Ihe judgment, and on the ."(Ji instant he underwent Ihe first pail of his sentence—ci\il degradation. The Bishrip of AJ.ijorea, in presence of an immense- multitude, si lipped Ihe ciiminal of. his clciieal \estmcnts and removed his tonsure. The judge (hen told him thai he might consider himself en r/ipillu. This iiTe\ocahle decree, the certain prelude lo death, shook the serenity of the assassin, who had previous]} exhibited (he utmost insolence, h<rviiu; tluous;houl gloried in his (feed. On Ihe 7lh instant be was executed outside (he gale of Toledo, by the garotte, Ihe vilest punishment known in Spain. The multitude assembled was immense, and but one expression of abhoirence ol the crime prevailed (hioughoul. II is said that Austria and France have concluded a seciel treaty, fixing (he eventualities which shall cause Ihe occupation of Switzerland by France or Austria. AI Berlin this treaty has excilcd a sensation, as Prussia has nol been consulled in a mailer iv which she is so deeply interested . When the Bulletin Fretneeds was seized in Brussels, as we announced last week, it appears that 'io,ooo copies of previous numbers were seized, together with the list of subscribers.

The CeiNsoksihp ok the Pkkss.—There is established in ttie department of the censorship of the Press, in France, a particular bureau for (he examination of English newspapers, and expeit lawyers are employed lo read the London journals, wilh Ihe object of discovering calumnious news, upon which a trial for libel may be instituted before Ihe British courts of law. The same may be said of the Belgian, Piedmonlese, Swiss, and Portuguese papers. Jiul the dillerence between (he treatment of (he latter and the English papers is, that in Ihe Belgian and others (he lending articles will furnish subjects of representation to Ihe respective governments, and procure, if they all.ick Louis Napoleon, (he suppression of the paper.—Observer.

British and Amluican Cliitlus.—We have much ple<isu'e in recording another instance of the superionty of a Biitish vessel in a sailing contest in the Channel with one of the finest ami fastest ships belong,ug to the United States. The vessels alluded to ate i lie Biitish brig Magician, Captain Steele, of 216 tons • .inden, and the United States clipper parket-shii> Staffordshire, Captain Brown, of 1,800 tons. The following is Captain Steele's account:—" Monday, December <\2. At noon Bardsey Island N.E. £ E., distant 21 miles; strong gales from N. £ W.; standing in shoie under double-ieefed topsails, whole courses jib and and single-reefed trysail. At 1 p.m., wind Y. by E. \ E.. ticked to N. W.; a heavy head sen; hauled down fon topmast staysail, and eased a little of ,tb sheet, ship heading N.W., and log showing 5£ knots; a biig bearing N.N.E., distant 6 miles. At 345 the ship Slaffordbhiie crossed 3 miles a head carrying ihree close-reefrd topsails, reefed mainsail, whole foresail and spanker, inner jib, and staysail. At 4 p.m. pussed close to leeward of the biig, closeteofidthr fojetopsail and furled iho mainsail, the brig under very low sail; and the Staffordshire took in her ju>. At 6 p.m. wore to the eastward ;at 10 p.m. wore to northwestward. At 2 a.m. on the 23rd, the Staffordshire crossed under our stein ;at 7 a.m. wore easterly ;at 9 a.m. Staffoidshire E.S.E. 7 miles, winds light and brfiling ; at noon nearly calm. At * 30 p.m. wind sprang up at S.E. ; at 4 30, wind S.S W. f Staffoidshire gaining rapidly; at 6, wind S.E. bj S. brisk bieeze ; 9 p.m. strong breeze. At midnight Holyhead S.S.W ; Skenies, E.N.E. On the 24th, it 1 30 a.m., hauled round the Skerries, wind S, ; at 5 ,i.m. Point L)nas S. by E, distant 4} miles; at i) a.m. SuiFoidthire N. by W., distant 3£ miles; at 11 StafFordshiie N. by W. hull down. About this time it became thick. At 3 fp.m. N.W. Lightship &.8.E.. 1\ miles,, toolc steam-tug Uncle Sam ; and at 7 30 p.m. anchoied off Pnnce's Pierhead. I merely give these particulars irom seeing a paragiaph in the jiapeis showing the Staffoidshire as something surprisingly fast. She may be but I can point out more than one that beat hci on a bowline, and that without any exlia exertion*. The Staffordshire arrived in the iivn on lhu.rsd.iy, at 10 Album.

n.m."—Liverpool Mijcld Marrugis — The Evening Mad slates that an edict similar to that which has cieated so much domestic, and sociul unhappiness in Belgium, was promulgated on Sunday, in the Roman Catholic places of worship against mixedlman iages.interdicting honceforwai d the mter- mai - nage of Romanists with heretics, and accompanied by a stnet injunction to those Roman Catholics who aio now so united to employ every possible means to gain over their paitners to the same faith —never to intermit the most sneinious exertions for (hat purpose—and on no nee ount to ngiee, or abide by any piovious contiact binding them to consent to tlio bunging up of any one of (licitchildien out ol the p.ilo of tlie llou'.an Cliuich. 'I tm cnmniaiid is accompanied with dtuuniiat.ons of heavy peiiiillh'S upon the disobedient