GENERAL SUMMARY.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 306, 25 September 1860, Page 3

GENERAL SUMMARY.

Notwithstanding'the mass of work to be done, and the desire to do it speedily, Parliament, somehow, flags and drags its slow length along very tediously. Of its laboriousness there can be no doubt. It is always sitting. It is always talking. It is always asking questions, and coming to divisions, and redividing, and resuming, and counting out without breaking up, and putting notices of motions on the books, and taking them, off again, and getting up small colaterai discussions, and "ventilating" obscure questions, and, in short, busying itself about.every thing in the world, without bringing anything to a satisfactory result. Upwards of-a week ago, the Chancellor of the Exchequer explained the modus opemndi by which he proposes to raise the money for paying the. expenses of the China war. It wai the leading question of the moment.

It 6iij)^ectsd the' Gollislon and th& jteforhi Bill. ■ Eveii ttie gfeat grouse question1 was insignificant in comparison. The versatility of Mr. Gladstone, not only as regards opinions, but facts, was never displayed more characterisiticaily than in. his speech upon this subject. He admitted sundry former errors, or miscalculations. The surplus he' had originally relied upon has melted down to nothing, like fairy money, upon being tested practically; and if it "were not for the prudence of the Lords, in the matter of the Paper Duty, we should now be within a shade of bringing our income and expenditure to a dead level. The China war furnishes another instance of that sanguine temperament which is biilliant on holidays, but droops sadly in bad weather. He never dreamt of having to fight the Chinese. AH he thought we should be called upon to provide for was a pompous menace. He prepared tor an ex-, pedition to frighten the Chinese; not for an armament to invade them. Hence, after having made his arrangements for an outlay under this head of 12,500,000, he now finds it necessary to increase that amonnt to £5,850,000. The difference, that is to say, £3,350,000, may therefore -be taken to mark the relative cost of the two enterprises. Fortunately, a portion of this lar.ge ; amount has been already paid; and, what with anticipated malt duties and unexpected payments of old debts from Spain, and the windlall of paper duties from the House of Lords, we are in a position to provide for a further portion of it, reducing the actual sum to be levied just now to £2,330,000. No confidence, of course, is to be placed in this estimate. Next session it may be doubled; and all that can now be said about it is, that Mr. Gladstone does not yet see any necessity to draw any higher amount from the public pprse. His method of getting this sum is simple enough. He raises a million by increasing the spirit duties, and borrows the rest from the Exchequer. There is a little inconsistency in imposing fresh burthens on spirits, remembering that one of the features of the French treaty, which Mr. Gladstone dwelt upon with particular eulogy, was the advantage the people of this country would derive, from cheap brandy; but times had altered since then, and the war, with a new policy, brings a new seat of political morals. The plan has the merit of being extremely easy; but that is its principal merit. Few people will object to an additional impost on spirits but the resort to the Exchequer balances is of doubtful sagacity. "It is like a tradesi man who makes up his: books as well as he can," says the Times, " and pays the balance by instalments out of the till as the receipts come in." The analogy does not run on all-fours; but it will serve to .indicate the character of a measure, which flies to current resources, as a refuge against an extraordinary pressure. The House had hardly become accustomed to the contemplation of this tremendous outlay, than Lord Palmerston came forward with another proposition still more startling, and likely to involve a still larger outlay. This was the proposal for the immediate erection of fortifications, founded on the recent report of the National Defence Commission. The speech introducing the proposal was oitnnious of European difficulties. There was no attempt to disguise the fact that a tempest is brooding over Europe, and that no man can forsee where or when it may burst. But the reference to France, with her vast army of 600,000 bayonets, which could be put in motion in a fortnight, and a navy nearly as powerful as our own, was frank and explicit. Lord Palmerston. did not affect to throw a veil over the danger, but stood plainly and avowedly on the ground that" when such formidable preparations were going" on close to us, the Government was bound to provide for any contingency that might arise; he repeated, at the same time, the observation which has now passed into a national axiom, that (he best way to preserve peace is to be ready for war. The speech produced a profound sensation, not only by the extraordinary importance of its matter, but by the openness and candor of its statements.: The defence of the dockyards and arsenals is all that is intended in the present year, and for this purpose a sum of two millions will be required to be charged oh the Consolidated Fund, Government being empowered to raise that amount by terminable annuities fot 30 years. Lord Palmerston desired to obtain the vote on the same evening on which he proposed it; but, yielding to the general feeling, he consented to postpone the further consideration of the subject till next week. ,

No very material fact has been added to our Italian budget since the date of our last paper. . But the seed which had been sown previously* has been growing since! with • remarkable rapidity. Affairs inNaples are- galloping onward to a crisis.-" The Commander de Martino having returned from his mission to Paris, and still finding the King obstinate, appears to have abandoned all hope of forming a ministry. Next came a communication from Paris, upon which the Council met to deliberate. The nature of the communication may be inferred from the result. The Council agreed that a new Ministry was indispensible, that a constitution was necessary» that the national flag should be adopted, a full and free amnesty granted, and an alliance entered into with Piedmont. While these;proposals were taking,shape in the Council, the King was getting ill; and by the time they were completed, his Majesty was very ill, indeed. At first he hesitated, if he did not actually refuse, to accede to them; but at last he consented. A proclamation of the reforms was immediately issued ; the1 Commander Spinelli undertook j the formation of a hew Ministry, which was completed on the 28th June; the tricolor was hoisted; and in the evening Naples was illuminated. ' <•. In any other place these deeds of re-

pentahde atid to the popular" will would, in all probability^ have bedn generously received | but in Naples they are at once regarded as a new phase of the old treachery and hypodrisy. Who could trust a Bourbon ?r*rNpbody. Who in : Italy would take the word of a Bourbon body. Nothing but the extirpation of the dynasty by the roots could, or indeed ought to,'satisfy the people. Naples, accordingly, instead of being rejoiced at the auspicious change, broke out into greater discontent than ever. The hour of deliverance seemed to be at hand, and the Neapolitans were determined to take advantage of it. Appeals to the patriotism of the country were circulated in the newspapers; and the' streets exhibited evidences of unusual agitation. In the midst of this doubtful state of things the reactionary party, maddened by the approaching, advent of liberal institutions, fell upon the French ambassador, who jiad advised the adoption of reforms, and very nearly succeeded in assassinating him. The tumults rose to so alarming a height, that Naples was at last declared in a state of siege. A change however has since set in. The troops, after committing the most wanton excesses, were compelled to swear to the new constitution, and were subsequently sent out of Naples. The state of sieee was raised, and something .like tranquillity restored. : In the meanwhile all eyes were turned towards Sicily, where skirmishes have taken place between the vanguard of the patriot army : and the Neapolitan troops in the neighborhood of Messina; no movement of importance however being effected on either side. Garibaldi is preparing either for the consolidation of the position he has gained, or for a further extension of the sphere of operations. ■> He has purcha&ed several vessels of war built in England, and is daily receiving fresh accessions of men, stores, gunboats and steamers. He is evidently getting up a flotilla, either to defend the coast of Sicily or to drop upon the coast of Calabria. It is stated that the King of Sardinia has sent him ah autograph letter, requesting that he will not attempt a descent upon the mainland; but we learn by the same post that Garibaldi has already embarked, but whether for Naples or Messina nobody knows probably but himself. Another report is that the King of Naples is about to evacuate Sicily, and to concentrate his strength on his own territory; and we hear also that, should Garibaldi attempt Naples, the King of Sardinia is ready to abandon the more moderate counsels of Cavour, and support his victorious general.

The massacre of Christians in Syria is beginning to absorb much grave consideration, and is not unlikely to assume still more formidable proportions hereafter. Austria, following the example of France and England, has sent out two.men-of-war to the coast; but all such precautions are useless. In the face of the vessels collected there, and notwithstanding the presence of Turkish soldiers, whose help, by the way, cannot be relied on, outrages of the most barbarous kin.4, have been inflicted on the Christian population, and the fanatical butchers make public rejoicings with impunity over the heroes of the carnage. It is to be feared that these circumstances will seriously embarrass the eastern question, and that the old plea of Russia for her demands upon Turkey will be renewed; this time with a validity which the Western Powers will not be able to dispute so successfully as of old. , Nor is this the worst. France is sending out troops to Syria to protect the Christians with the consent of Austria and Prussia. The urgency is great, and France is the only power that can provide in this way at once for the emergency; but it is impossible to suppress the apprehensions which regard this expedition as a preliminary step to Egypt.

(From the Sydney Herald's' Correspondents.) Fbo»i 30th June to 26th July.

London, Saturday, June 30. The King of Naples bows to circumstances. On the recommendation of a Council of State he has consented to grant a constitution, a general amnesty, a total change of Ministry, an offensive and defensive alliance with Piedmont, the adoption of the Italian tricolor flag with the arms of Naples, analogous institutions for Sicily, with a Royal Prince for Viceroy. On the ?sth instant the King, following up these resolutions, signed the preliminary Act granting constitutional representative institutions, on national and Italian principles, to the whole kingdom of Naples. The constitutional Neapolitan tricolor flag has been hoisted at Fort St. Elmo, and saluted by the whole of the artillery of the. forts, and the city illuminated-in honor of the event. The two captured vessels are to be restored. The Government have ordered reinforcements to leave for Messina* France is said to have signified to the Neapolitan envby that she will not recognise the annexation of Sicily to Piedmont any more than Tuscany and the Romagna. The municipality of Palermo has addressed Garibaldi in favor of an immediate annexation to Piedmont. To this the Dictator replied that such annexation was his wish; that he believed it,, would be effected by,'and with his Majesty Victor. Emmanuel; but that at present it was not advisable, and he would be under the necessity of retiring. . : Austria is said, by accounts from Venice, to be! making great preparations for war, in provision for what may arise from the state of affairs in Sicily and Naples. 70,000 men are in an intrenched camp' at Peschiera, and 40,000 in position on the frontiers or the Papal states. Russia has signified to Piedmont that if the Sardinian Government does .not prevent the depart ture of the bands of revolutionists for Sicily, she will withdraw her Minister from Turin with the whole, personnel of Legation.;:;': . Don Juan de Bourbon has addressed the Spanish Cortesj protesting against the exclusion: of his family from the throne: The Count de Montemolin and Don Fernando have, under the advice of their legal counsellors, cancelled the renunciations of their pretentious signed by them at" Tor* tosa. •'•■■' ■'"■■'" !' .' ' ■ : ■ ' ' Spain has also remonstrated with Piedmont against allowing the departure of resolutionists, to Sicily, arid threatens to withdraw her legation from Turin.- :•■■ , ■■ ;.: .. ■ ■ ..■•■•••■■ - . England has abandoned her sovereignty over the Bay Islands and Honduras. ; General Harney appears resolved to bring on a serious collision between the United States and English Government about San JuanJ, He. has issued instructions enforcing the sovereignty, of America, and declares that an attempt to ignore the same " will be attended with deplorable consequences."

A feurious} eifcpernriehi; id ajjdtifi to.-tie fried at Toulon. 'Jf hd steel-plated friga^.Gloire,is to be impelled by steam to see if she" cannot cut down the Montebello, a ship of the line with her bronze bow. If successful large steam vessels of a similar kind will be built. • In consequence of the continuance of the riots at St. George's in the Erist, the parishioners have held a public meeting, when ah address to the Bishop of London was unanimously adopted, calling upon him to put a stop to the Popish practises which prevail in the parish church aud two district chapels. Saturday, July 7th. The New Zealand Bill has passed the second reading in the Lords. Its object is to establish a Native Council under the authority of the Crown, to' which all disputes with reference to land may be referred, under the belief that such a proceeding will put an end to all disputes on the subject. The bill has received the approval of the colonial Governor. . Lord John Russell announced to the Commons, on Thursday, that the President of the United States, had, in consequence of ths' violent proceedings of General Harney, on the Island of San Juan, ordered his recall, and matters to be restored to the state General Scott left them. . The revenue returns shew an increase of £5727 XOs. 4d. on the year, and an .increase of £326,918 in the quarter. The customs show a decrease in the quarter of £375,641. ; The estimated sum required to be voted for the Chinese war is £3,800,000. : The Prince Jerome was buried in the Chapel of the Invalids, near the Emperpv Nappleon 1. The Emperor is said to be in favor o£..the Pope of Rome retiring to the Island of Sardinia. The treaty to arrange the boundaries between France and Sardinia has been signed at Paris. The French Government has signified to the Powers its readiness to accept one of three modes of settling its differences with Switzerland. England and Russia have signified their adhesion to a conference, and the same has been duly notified to Switzerland, with an intimation of the firm intention of England to support the right of Switzerland to new guarantees for the mintenance of her neutrality. The constitution of 1848 has been proclaimed at Naples, with the re-establishni«nt of the law of the Press of 1848-9; the Convocation of the Chambers for the Ist September; the promise of the constitution of 1812 for Sicily, with a separate government: the raising of the state of siege declared on the 26th ultimo, and the provisional re-establish-ment of the National Guard. The state of Naples, however, is such as to threaten anarchy and conflicts between the lazzaroni and the middle classes. On the evening of the 26th, the people shouted Garibaldi for ever—annexation for ever—death to the police. A panic. took place on the following day. The police were maltreated. On the 28th, all the police stations were pillaged, and forty of the agents surprised, either killed or wounded. The new Ministry has been formed the fundamental principle of war action is the formation of an Italian confederation as recommended by the Emperor of the French. A skirmish has taken place near Messina, between a detachment of Garibaldeans and the royal troops. The question of annexation to Piedmont is to be taken by universal suffrage, in Sicily, of the people and army. . . Advices from Syria announce that the Christians, to the number of 1000, at Bahli have been massacred by Kurds and Bedouins. The Japanese Embassy has arrived at New York. TSie Emperor of Morocco has paid one instalment of the indemnity to Spain. There has been a crash in the leather trade. Several failures took place last Saturday, and this followed by Streatfield, Laurence, and Mortimore, one of the largest houses, and several others which produced a panic, and in town aud country something like fifty are done up. A corrupt system of trade has been discovered—accommodation paper and trading upon no capital, &c, being the leading features. The liabilities are ia some cases heavy; but the principal amount is £1,000,000 in the case of Streatfield and Co., the rest total up about a similar sum. Other houses must follow. The grand rifle match of the volunteers commenced on Monday last. The Queen hit the bulls-eye, and scored three. She used a Whitworth ; the practice continued daily all the week. The winner of the Queen's prize was a* youth of the name of Mr. Ross a Scotchman. There is to be a sham fight of the Volunteers at Cainden Park, Bromley on Saturday next. Saturday July 14. Her Majesty's Government have ordered the Mediterranean fleet to the coast of Syria for the protection of Christians, and have been in communication with the Governments of France, Austria, Prussia, Russia, and Turkey, as to the necessary measures to be taken. It is the wish of both France arid England that Turkey should be left to repres these "disorders" (massacres) herself. In the meantime thousands of persons may be murdered. - The commons have voted £3,356,104 for the China war. The total cost is estimated at nearly £6,000,000. . The Prince of Wales sailed from Plymouth on Tuesday for Canada, on board the Hero. The European conference for the settlement of the Savoy question will meet at Paris in October the members whereof will be the ordinary Ambassadors of the .several Powers. Austria protests against Piedmont being represented. The Emperor of the French has informed the Porte that France feels bound to take measures to put a stop to the horrible massacres of the Christians in Syria. "The Turkish authorities not being capable of protecting the Sultan's own subjects, France will concert with the other Powers the most efficacious means for preventing the bloody scenes of which Syria has become the theatre." Orders have been sent to the French Mediterranean fleet j for two steamer a to proceed to Beyrout. ■ A perfect understanding exists between the Government of France and England on this subject, but it will be seen that France acts promptly. The accounts from Syria state that the Christians of Zahleh, Hapebaya, Rachaia, and Der-el-Kamar have been massacred, with the connivance of the Turkish authorities, and the co-operation of Moslems, Metwallos, and\ Druses. The latter place was sacked, burnt, and every male Christian ' put to the sword by the, Druses. The ..Governor and children escaped to the mouth of the Damoor River. 16,000 families in one place and another are houseless/ wandering on the mountains, and the greater number are likely to be starved. At Damascus, Aleppo, Jerusalem, and other places, the greatest agitation prevails; while- at Beyrout there was a panic, and nearly the whole Christian population had sought refuge on board the English, French, and Russian men-of-war. Ismail Pasha had however, at latest date, arrived at Constantinople with 2500 men to put a stop to the massacres. ; : The Turkish Government has sent Fuad Pacha' to Beyrout with full powers and reinforcements, which will make 16,000 troops under arms. Many of the Neapolitan forces "are going over to Garibaldi, including the steam corvette Veloce, of 6 guns. . The Austrian Government is undertaking gigantic works in order to render the Quadrilateral perfectly, impregnable. There is an entire regiment of Engineers at work at Verona, which, with Venice and Mantua, lias received a large addition of heavy guns and heavy artillery. New gunboats have been placed on the Po and the Lake of Garda. : The Neapolitan army at Messina is weakened by desertions. Colonel Medici, Garibaldi's lieutenant, has reconnoitered the heights of Messina and Melatzzo, and waits for reinforcements. The Emperor of the French has authorised the formation of a national rifle association similar to that of England. The Emperor of Russia is bent on important

reforms. For the future, nirigisteiwl Invhtigstioti in illl the foKy.fuur-Governnients of tliu empire will no longer be conducted .by the police, but transferred to,the Ministry of Justice. The accounts from America report the .departure of tno Japanese Ambassadors on tho 30th ultimo, in the United States frigate Niagara. Mr. Douglas had formally accepted his nomination-for the Presidentship. The Great Eastern arrived on 2Hth June, after a passage often and a half days, an immense crowd assembled to see her, and great enthusiasm was exhibited. The greatest distance run on one day was 333 miles, the shortest 254 miles, and the greatest speed attained fourteen and a half knots per hour. The Government has calmed the apprehensions entertained on the receipt of news of the native insurrection at New Zealand. There have been fresh failures in the leather trads—in all about thirty large houses, with liabilities ranging from £20,000 to £200,000, besides Streatfields of £1,000,000, with eighty or ninety •small people in town and country,. The total aggregate liabilities, are - estimated at nearly £3,000,000. The presentation of the National Rifle Association prizes took place at the Crystal Palace. The people are flocking down to Chiselhurst today to witness the volunteer sham fight. The Rev. Bryan King has signified his intention to exchange his living of St. George's-in-the-East for one near Colchester, which will put an end to the riots in the parish. The price of butchers' meat has become so high that the laboring classes in town and country are holding meetings and pledging themselves to abstain from butchers' meat until the price is reduced to a reasonable limit. The mortality among sheep and.cat tie has been very great, and fodder of all lands is scarce and very dear. Saturday, July 21st. The principal topics in the Parliamentary debate this week have been:—• In the Lords, the Marquis of Clanricarde, in moving for papers referring to the frontiers of Savoy, said that the international law of Europe had been violated by the annexation of Savoy to France. Lord Wodehouse, in reply, said, "it was the intention of Government, at the approaching Conference, to support the independence of Switzerland, —that it would not be expedient to call upon France to disclaim further aggression." The additional votes in aid of the expenditure for the Chinese war is. ,£2,236,000, which has been voted, and will be provided by an addition to the spirit duty of Is. lid. per gallon, and the balance from out of the Exchequer. The news now to hand from Syria comfirms the worst fears. The Druses attacked the Christians of Damascus on the 9th, and put 500 men to the sword, and carried off the women for their harems. They burnt down all but the British Consulate. The Dutch Consul was murdered, and the American wounded. The French, Russian, and Greek Consuls took refuge in the house of Abd-el-Kader. The Christians were to leave the whole of Syria for the coasts, in order to be under the protection of the European men-of-war, and 32,000 had already arrived at Beyrout and Haidee. France has despatched ships and troops to Syria, and purposes a military intervention, and has made the strongest representations to England and the other Powers. The Gonstitutionnel has an article this week of much signification. It states that there are treacherous parties of the old regime plotting against the Emperor, who are endeavoring to sow mistrust between France and England, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, and Italy, by attributing false designs to the Emperor. At the same time appears a pamphlet, entitled ■" La Politique Anglaise," the object of which is to shew that if the policy of England, from hatred to France, inclines her to rely on Germany, she commits a grievous error, and considers it a piece of folly for England to be always dreaming of invasion from France. Lord Elphinstone died on Thursday. He had recently returned to England from India. The. eclipse of the sun, on Wednesday, was plainly visible in London with the naked eye. Thursday July 26. There has been some differences in the Cabinet, and Mr. Gladstone, and probably Lord John Russell, was fully expected to go out. The questions on which a difference of opinion has prevailed were the repeal of the paper duty, the national defences. I am enabled to state that these matters have been arranged. There is a report that England impedes the policy of France in the matter of Syria. This is not true. Fiance and England are in accord anft concur upon this matter. Affairs have arrived at a crisis when the interference of the Great Power's in the East has become absolutely necessary. Russia only a very short time back took the initiative, and drew the attention of the other powers to the state of affairs, shewing that the Turkish Government had failed in its promises and duties, and pointing out the expediency of interference. France now takes the initiative by arrangement lest it might appear that Russia was about to resume her policy, and take advantage of the opportunity. In the House of Commons, on Monday, Lord Palmerston, on the subject of the National Fortifications, said that the Government purposed slightly modifying the proposition of the Commissioners, and that the amount devoted for the purpose would be £9,000,000, be instead of nearly £12,000,000. The great point of his Lordship's speech was an allusion to the attitude of France, withitsarmyof upwardsof6oo,ooomen. "Anarmy far greater than required for purposes ot defence.' 1 The enormous development of the French naval force, is not required foi her defence. lie pointed out the dangers of an attack from France, and how ill prepared we are. His speech is remarkable. Garibaldi has left Sicily with 8000 to 10,000 men, but his destination was unknown. It is supposed he meditates a landing on the continent, when a general rising of the Neapolitans will take place. The King of Naples, in order to avoid a civil war, has ordered the evacuation of Messina, and it is now being carried out. The Princess Frederick William (the English Princess Royal) has been delivered of a daughter. A general meeting of the proprietors of the Australian Royal Mail Steam Navigation. Company was held 29th June, when a formal resolution dissolving the company was passed, and out of the remaining assets ss. 9d. per share will be returned to them. ■ "