New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. – Saturday, July 29, 1848.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 313, 29 July 1848, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. - Saturday, July 29, 1848.

From a recently received Launceston Examiner, we have obtained further intelligence relating to the Revolution in France of a

highly important nature. We allude parti • cularly to the Decree of the Provisional Government regulating the election of Members to the National Assembly which is to dictate the Constitution and determine the future Government of France, which establishes Democracy in its widest and most extended form. Universal suffrage, vote by ballot, and the absence of all property qualification either in the Electors or the Elected ! — these elements are so contrary to all former recognized and established principles among the governments of Europe, and the results will be fraught with consequences so momentous, not only to France, but to the surrounding Monarchies, — to the world— that this attempt can hardly fail to be regarded as an ezperimenlum cruets in the science of Government. It is difficult to conjecture how long the peace of Europe will be preserved among so many jarring elements, and the intervals of suspense which occur between each arrival, — until peace is fully and firmly established, — will be full of painful interest. If France, by her moderation and care to avoid those excesses which result from the liberty that degenerates in licentiousness, shall prove to the World her capacity for enjoying freedom, she will give the best guarantee to the other continental nations for their freedom, and the ultimate spread of liberal institutions.

We find our statement, — that no Auckland mail was brought by the Maid of the Mill, — has been called in question. We repeat, that the Maid of the Mill brought no Auckland mail for Wellington ; the mail landed from that vessel at Waikanae, and forwarded to Wellington by Major Durie, was from Taranaki.

Mechanics' Institute. — A meeting of the acting Committee of the Mechanics' Institution was held at the Rooms of the Institute, on Wednesday evening last, when the following donations were announced :—: — The Philosophical Transactions, II vols. 4t0., fiom the Rev. James Watkin, James's Expedition to the Rocky Mountains, 3 tols., Porter's Progress of the Nation, Fyfes Anatomy, Gordon on the Structure of the Brain, Letters on Entomology, Leeah on the Senses, from the Rev. S. Ironside, 3 Numbers of the Athenaaum, from Mr. „ Strang, And 12 Pamphlets on New Zealand, from Mr. R. J. Duncan. The Treasurer stated that fifty- seven members had enrolled and paid their subscriptions ; it was then agreed to postpone the general meeting for a week or two so as to allow all who were desirous of becoming members an opportunity of doing so.