EUROPEAN NEWS

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 315, 26 October 1860, Page 2

EUROPEAN NEWS

TO 27th AUGUST.

GENERAL SUMMARY.

[From the Home News.) The New Zealand Bill, after having been carried through the House of Lords, and after having passed a stage in the House of Commons, has been withdrawn by Government. This step has met with general approval here. The bill was stoutly opposed by Sir John Pakington and those of the Conservative party who took an interest in the matter; and it was known also to be disliked by many Liberals aud even by several members of the Government, whilst to the Radical section it was offensive in the highest degree. A strong argument for not proceeding with the bill was, that the colony which it concerned had hadno opportunity of expressing an opinion on it.' colonists who are at present in this country almost unanimously condemn the measure ; and there is, therefore, reason to believe that if it had passed into law, attempts would have b«en made in the colony to defeat its operation. Mr. J. E. Fitzgerald, in a letter which he recently addressed to- the 'Times' on this subject, predicted an energetic local opposition. In support of his statement, he refers to the Bourcefrom which She bill tookits origin. "The bill," he says, " was suggested to the Governor by a small party in the colony, generally obnoxious to the colonists—men once all powerful in the local Government, but whose influence was destroyed by the free constitution. They have now proposed this piece of machinery for reinstating themselves in power as nominees of the Crown." We cannot answer for the amount of truth which there may be in this assertion ; but it is obvious that the most satisfactory refutation of it, if it is false, will be furnished by this expression of opinion in New Zealand itself. The Italian imbroglio deepens. The revolution having completely triumphed in the Island off Sicily, Garibaldi's next Btep has been, as every one wns assured it would be, to invade the mainland. For a week or two we heard of ceaseless preparations for the attack and of all kinds of mysterious manoeuvres; and now, within the last few days, we have received authentic intelligence that a decisive coup has been excuted in the great Italian leader's most daring style. We refer to another column for the facts, so far as are yet known, of this marvellous achievement. Calabria is in open revolt; and the fall of Naples may be considered as imminent. The King is prepared for the worst, and has an armed vessel riding in the harbour, ready to receive him when his capital can no longer be defended. It is supposed that the Neapolitan troop 3 will either go over to Garibaldi, or refuse to fight against him; in which case it may be hoped that victory will be secured without any waste of blood. But, Naples freed, what follows ? That is the most difficult problem of all. ■ Austria has hitherto acted very wisely in reference to the Italian Struggle. She has leftPiedmont, Sicily, and Naples to settle their affairs amougst themselves. But it would be unreasonable to expect that when the storm approaches her own territory, she should preserve the same imperturbable attitude. Closely as Garibaldi veils his designs, it has become known, - or, perhaps, only suspected, that, having annexed Naples and Calabria to the Sardinian kingdom* he will next direct his attention to the liberation of Venetia. Whether this be really his intention, or not, there are no present means of determining ; but the Emperor of Austria, resolving, to be in advance of the danger, declares that, whenever Garibaldi shall be in a situation to attempt such a design, he will not wait for the offensive, but attack his troops wherever they may be found. What will come of this dilemma, it is impossible to foresee. Ooe thing aloue is certain, that such a conflict would place the Italian question in greater difficulties than it has yet fallen into, with all the obstacles and cross^pur^ poses that have impeded it. So long as Italy fights on her own soil for her own freedom, Europe will, at least, escape the risk of a general war; but the moment other Powers, on any pretence, are drawn into the quarrel, and arms or diplomacy are permitted to intervene between the Italian people and the expiring tyrannies of Naples and Rome, the chances of a satisfactory or secure settlement will be at an end. At no moment in his career has Garibaldi required the exercise of so much caution and statemanship, as in that moment which will place Rome and Naples at his disposal

The Convention between the great Powers, concerning intervention in Syria,, has been finally settled. The most important point it contains is, that the intervention is to last only so long as the Sultan shall permit it. He alone is to judge as to its policy or necessity; to that the integrity of his sovereignty is recognised as the fundamental principle of the movement. The Sultan's representative at Paris may, at any moment, announce that information has been received which renders interfereenc unnecessary. This right is reserved, but of course it will not be exercised. French troops to the number of 6000, are now on their way to Beyrout, if they have not already arrived there. - Two protocols were agreed to at the Conference which was held at Paris on the question. One regulates the details of the intervention, the duration of which is limited to six months, and limits the land expedition to 12,000 men, one-balf to be supplied by France immediately. Should more be required, diplomatic communications will be opened with the Porte as to what Powers are to furnish them. The naval contingents are to be undertaken by all the Powers, except Prussia. The other protocol contains the engagements into which the Powers have entered, bindiug themselves not to seek territorial aggrandisement, exclusive influence, or commercial advantages. Indeed, whatever is done under this Convention must be done in concert, and by a joint action, it being even provided that no military operations shall take place without previous agreement, a stipulation which must, we apprehend, be submitted practically to a large and liberal interpretation. The second protocol betrays an attempt on the part of Russia to get rid of the pledges about terri« lorial, commercial, and exclusive advantages, which the Turkish and English representatives adroitly foiled. Baron Kisseleff, the Russian representative, insisted upon introducing a clause warning the Sultan of the necessity of •observing his promises, as embodied in the treaty of 1856; and also another passage designating the undertaking about commercial advatttfges as being wholly superfluous. The Turkish minister neutralised the warning by putting upon record a declaration that the Sultan bad observed his promises, and meant to continue to observe them; and Lord Cowley parried the intended blow aghast fc«ft trade bjf

addingfto the clause prohibiting stipulations for commercial advantages, a proviso that they shall be permitted if they are not exclusive. ■ The condition of Turkey is becoming, meanwhile, more and more alarming. News of fresh massacres of Christians have reached us. We now learn that when the disturbances first broke out the Turkish government had an effective force of regular troops in Syria amounting altogether to 4450, independently of about 3000 irregulars, and 2500 regular troops which arrived from Constantinople, under Ishmael Pacha, on the 23rd of June. What is to be said of a government that with such a force as this at its disposal cannot preserve order ? What is to be done with such a governmeut ? Nothing but the disastrous effects which would inevitably follow, in reference to other interests, prevents the immediate dismemberment of Turkey, a catastrophe which seems to be ultimately inevitable. Lord Stratford de Redcliffe has made some strenuous efforts in Parliament to save Turkey, in accordance with the policy he consistently supported during the long term of his residence at Constantinople; but unless the Sultan be prepared to second the armed intervention of the European Powers by decisive measures of retributive justice, and by placing his administration of the affairs of the Ottoman empire upon a strong and liberal basis, no English Minister can long avert the doom that is obviously impending over the "sick man." The assassination of Prince Danielo is an event from which grave consequences may be apprehended, although it has hardly excited more thaD a shrug of the shoulders in England. No time has been lost in supplying his place, his nephew, who is in course of beiog educated in. Paris having been proclaimed his successor, as Boon as the fact of his death was known.

The meeting at T«plitz between the Emperor of Austria and the Prince Regent of Prussia has been productive of salutary results throughout the whole of Germany. The apprehensions which recent events had produced have been happily dissipated by the good understanding which this timely interview has establised between the two great German Powers. Some doubt of the firmness of the Prince regent seems to have been entertained by a portion ef the Liberal party; but his subsequent conduct has dispelled all distrust on that ground. In reply to an address which was presented to him after his interview with the Emperor, he emphatically repeated his determination never to deviate from the constitutional policy he had originally laid down, a declaration which has given unbounded satisfaction to the large populations it was intended to reassure. Whatever happens from without, therefore, it is tolerably certain that Germany will be found united within.

While the public mind was yet pondering on the question of the fortifications, an incident occurred which was possibly intended to exercise an effect upon the votes of wavering members of the House of Commons. The first intimation we had of this circumstance was a mysterious article in large, leaded type, in the Morning Post, announcing, in terms suggestive of alaborate visions of political Paradises, that a private letter had been received in London from a certain quarter, intending to reassure the confidence of the English people, whose reliance on the maintenance of peace had[been;, moat unnecessarily disturbed, and setting forth that France bad never contemplated any objects of aggrandisement, that her existing forces, military and naval, had been greatly exaggerated, and that the paramount ambition of the Emperor was to maintain the strictest alliance with England, and, in fact, to do nothing without her consent and'co-operation. This statement, which bore the unmistokeable impress of official inspiration, produced a fertile crop of speculations at the clubs throughout the day, and at night Lord John Bufisel was anxiously questioned as to what he knew about it. His explanation only served to give a keener zest to curiosity. A private letter had been addressed by the Emperor to his ambassador in London, M. Persigny, and that letter had been shown to Lord John Russe), and by Lord John Russel to bis colleagues, and then returned; but, being private, his lordship could not, of course, communicate its contents. The disappointment occasioned by this answer was Dot of long duration, as an authentic translation of the letter appeared the next morning in all he journals, being evidently communicated by M. Persigny himself, acting under the instructions of his master. We commend our readers to the perusal of this remarkable document, which will be found in extenso in another page. The first thing that will strike the reader is the novelty of the style in a missive nominally addressed to M. Persigny, but really to the whole of Europe and the East. The frankness and familiarity with which the imperial correspondent throws off the suspicious his vast preparations have awakened, the cordial way in which he speaks of England, and the air of honesty and good sense he carries bo naturally throughout, are as curious under, the circum- i stances, as they wore certainly unexpected. The j only question one aska oneself is, can we believe the professions of our agreeable friend ? When he tells us he has only 400,000 bayonets, are we to infer that he never contemplates calling upon the reserve, amounting to 200,000 more at least, which he could bring into the field at a fortnight's notice ? Perhaps, the wise courae is to express, as we ought to do, our sincere gratification at receiving such very satisfactory assurances from a neighbor whose movements were avowedly giving us some uneasiness; and then to go on in our own way, just as if no such satisfactory assurances had ever been proffered. This is, exactly, the line which the House of Commons has taken on the fortification debate, ■which, after sundry delays and postponements, had been again adjourned. It is well known that some members of what are called "advanced" constituencies were placed in a difficulty by this question. They were conscious of a dim necessity for providing for the security of the country, but they were aware, at the same time, that their constituents were not •willing to spend any more money. What were they to do in this strait ? The letter of the French Emperor just came in time to help them out of the dilemma. It furnished an argument against going to any further expenditure, of which the doubtful members might be glad to avail themselves. Whether it really caught any votes is pot certain; but as only thirty-nine Xnembers voted against the fortificatious, the success of the experiment was evidently not very considerable. Mr. Lindsay's amendment brought the whole question to a very simple issue— Forts or Navy. The Commons, by a majority of 229, in a House of 307 members, decided in favor of Lord Palmej'ston's proposal to defend our dockyards and arsenals, which is the most dictct awl permanent mode af strengthening our

navy, of which they are the nurseries. The success of the Fortifications Bill has been as great in the Upper as in the Lower House.

Ministers ate their whitebait dinner at Greenwich on the 22nd of August; and Parliament will be prorogned to-morrow.

It will be seen from our Parlimentary report that the proceedings of the mouth have been enlivened by one great party struggle. The fate of the Ministry was to be decided by the debate on Mr. Gladstone's resolutions for equalising the import and excise duty on paper; and the debate took place on the 6th of August. On that morning, Lord Paltnerston,§ feeling the importance of the crisis, assembled all the members of the Liberal parly that could be got together, and impressed upon them the necessity of supporting the Government on the question of reducing the import duty on paper, a question which involved two important considerations: 1, keeping fa^th with France in reference to the treaty; and, 2, carrying out,the principle of free trade. Upon these points the meeting was unanimous. Everybody was in favour of supporting the Government on this occasion; but several members took care to let Government understand that they held themselves free on all other questions, indicating in some instances certain questions on which it was their intention to oppose Government, wheu the proper time came.

The unanimity that prevailed at this gathering was a favourable omen of the coming tournament ; and Ministers accordingly went down to the Hous9 in the evening in a condition of unusual animation. Lord Palmerston was in exuberant spirits, and Mr. Gladstone exhibited even more liveliness and confidence than is customary with him. There had been a laborious whip on both sides. Hardly a man was missing who could be got at; and, what between pairs and actual voters present, the House was probably as full as ever it was on any occasion so latein the session. The discussion was finished at a single sitting, for a good reason — nobody wanted to stay an hour in town longer than ho could help; and both parties having mustered their whole available resources, and having them immediately in hand, were equally unwilling to risk a second gathering of the clans. Accordingly, with bated breath they proceeded to the vote, when the Ministerial resolutions were carried by a majority of thirty-three, in a House of four hundred and ninety-niue members; a majority quite large enough to float the present Adminstration into another session, when they must devise n«w means of strengthening their influence.

Spa-water aud white wines, Trente el quarante and brass bands, are not the only entertainments offered for the amusements of loungers on the Continent just now. The volunteer mania—if tnat be the proper word to apply to a movement of self-defence, which the menacing attitude of France has rendered unavoidable—is spreading in Germany, and has shown itself with special energy in Belgium, where it is carried on under the direct sanction of the Government. Lying close on the frontier of France, exposed to danger at many points, intrinsically week in companion with her formidable neighbour, and unwilling to provoke open hostility by any great increase of her standing army, the voluntary enrolment of troops for the mere purpose of protection, a measure taken by the citizens themselves at their own cost and for their own security, is dearly the most prudent, and least objectionable, step Belgium could adopt in the present state of Europe. All over Germany rifle-shooting is in course of cultivation with much more than ordinary zeal ; and a great international rifle match is announced to take place at Cologue in two or three weeks. The newspapers are crowded with details of the grand things that are to be done on this occasion, and of the prizes that are to be awarded to the successful competitors; the first prize being au actual castle, in through repair, on the Rhine, bearing the appropriate name of Schuetzeuburg, loosely translated " Marksman's castle," with the ususl mediaeval paraphernalia of towers, battlements, and drawbridges, capacious vineyards, glorious scenery, and free shooting over 6000 acres. The fortunate man who hits the bull's eye at the great match may be congratulated ob his good fortune.

Australian Postal Service.—Mr. Hennessey, in the House of Commons, referring to the answer of the Secretary to the Treasury on the 22nd, that he was not aware there had beeD auy intention on the part of the Colonial - office to advertise for tenders for an Australian postal service via Panama, directed his attention to the following notification, conspicuously appended to the Colonial-office advertisement for tender for the overland Australian route, viz.:—" N.B. Ifc is to be observed that so soon 83 arrangements are completed, ifc is the intention of the Government to call for tenders for a monthly steam communication with Australia via Panama, in addition to the service via Suez.' And asked whether any and what steps had been or would be taken to redeem the promise thus held out, on the part of the Imperial Government, to the Australian colonies, aud to the various commercial interests at home connected with this subject. Mr. Laing had, on a former occasion, misunderstood the question of the hon. member. He thought it referred to. the present intentions of the Government, and the answer he gave was that there^was no intention of doing anything in the way of contracting for a postal service by way of Panama. He found, however, on adverting to the question the hon. gentleman had now put, that he referred to a circumstance which occurred more that a year ago, when the late Government was in office. It was true that there was an intention on the part of the late Government to call for tenders for a monthly communication with Australia by way of Panama; but the present Government thought that the system of subsidies for mail communication to the colonies had been carried quite far enough at the expense of the mother country. (Hear.) It could not be held that the mere intentions of the late Government should bind*either the present Governmeat or the House to a proposition of this kind. (Hear, hear.")

(From the Sydney Morning Herald, October 15.) By the Salsette we have received our correspondents letters from London and Paris, which will be found below. [from our city correspondent.] London, Saturday, August 4. The "great event" of the day is the publication of a letter addressed by the Emperor to Count Pcisigny, the French ambassador in London, but which is to be taken in the light of an address or letter to the people of England. It is a most remarkable letter in many respects. It is plain, '• open, candid, and English in tone. Its intent is to ; disabuse the pttbliQ wind with, wapect to the at*

leged intentions of the Emperor. It expresses his Majesty's desire for the continuance of the' English alliance in a manner so unmistakeable, that from first to last it commands attention, respect, and confidence. [The letter will be found in our last page.—Ed. Col.] Little effect has been produced by this letter. The terms of the intervention in the affairs of Syria have been definitely arranged—the result being that the" foreign troops are to act in unison with those of Turkey, and to remain only so long as the Porte deems it advisable.

The massacres at Damascus ceased on the 17th July, after from 3000 or 4000 persons had been killed. The massacres lasted eighty hours: 6000 houses of Christians had been destroyed, and the Jewish quarter burnt, and the Turkish houses in which Christian women sought refuge were burned and the soldiers drove the Christians into the flames, of the burning houses. Agitation had spread in Bulgaria, and an organised conspiracy to massacre the Christians has been discovered, and in Constantinople ''Christians had been subjected to such outrages that military measures had been necessary, to prevent greater outbreaks.

M. Thouvenel has addressed a despatch to the five Great Powers, demanding the admission of Spain to their councils as one of the great Powers of Europe. This is Spanish arrogance with a vengeance, the attempt of the frog to puff herself out to the size of the bull. Our Government will not sanction such a thing.

The Prussian Official Gazette says, that the late meeting of. the two sovereigns at Toplitz has had the desired result, that by it Europe will obtain fresh guarantees for the maintenance of public peace, and the respect of the equilibrium. Garabaldi is now preparing 300 vessels at Messina to transport troops to the mainland; while it is said that the Neapolitans are demoralised, and refuse to fight. An insurrection has broken out at Avellino, near Naples, when the "foreign troops'' fired on the people, and plundered several houses, and they are to be disbanded. A Naples paper has appeared under the title of Garibaldi, and the whole Neapolitan press is bold and fearless in tone. Bills have been posted about Home announcing the approach of a revolution. Subscriptions for the sufferers by the Syrian massacres are being got up in all the countries of Europe. The visit of the Japanese ambassadors to America has cost a large 3um; their ten days visit at New York cost that city £20,000 ; their hotel bill alone being £14,000. Honduras was to take formal possession of the Bay of Islands on the 30th June last, when the people intended to oppose the transfer by force of arms. The Prince of Wales arrived at St. John's, Newfoundland, 23rd July. Lord Dufferin proceeds as the British commissioner to Syria. There is to be appropriated for the national defences, between Ist August, 1860, and Ist August, 1861, a sum of £4,960,000. The whole of the steam vessels of war now lying in harbor at.the Royal Dockyards are to be fitted for steam reserve ordinary, to be ready in case any sudden emergency should arise for their immediate use.

London, Saturday, August 11. The representatives of the Great Powers and that of Turkey have signed a protocol to the effect that 12,000 European tvoop9 shall proceed to Syria, of which France is to furnish one-half of the number, and the remainder by the other Powers; and when required, their stay in Syria not to exceed six months. The Great Powers declare that they have no desire or intention to seek for any territorial advantage, the object of the expedition being the pacification of Syria.

Ahmet Pacha, the Governor-General of the province of Damascus, has been degraded and sent to Constantinople for trial, along with 400 other persons, implicated in the massacres. If found guilty, they are at onoo to be exeouted. It appears that 3000 Christian women . have been sold at 25 piastres each for the harems of the Mahomedans.

A conspiracy against the life of the Grand Vizier has been discovered, and a general and great panic prevails throughout Turkey among the Christians. Damascus is quiet in the city, but murders are still committed in the country. The first division ofthe French troops sailed on Thursday from Toulon fov Constantinople. Garibaldi has been invited to Naples by the Garibaldian committee of that city, to assume the direction of the Government. Two of the King's troops at Naples had revolted and desertions were frequent. The King it is reported is about to enact that any Italian shall be able to sit in Parliament, if eligible. There is great agitation in Rome. Prince Gortschakoff has addressed a circular to the Russian diplomatic corps abroad on the subject of Turkey, to the effect that the Russian Government thinks matters in Turkey have come to such a state as to endanger the repose of the East, the existence of the Ottoman Government, and the general interests of Europe, and, therefore by order of the Emperor, he has proposed to the representatives of England, Austria, France and Prussia, at St. Petersburg, that the five great Powers shall at once issue a declaration that they can no longer tolerate existing affairs, and call upon Turkey to give substantial guarantees calculated to satisfy the complaints of the Christian Provinces of the Porte. France ha 9 issued a decree allowing of the importation of wool through any customs stations in France. At the Review by the Queen of the Scotch Volunteers in Holyrood Park, on Tuesday last, 21,514 men were under arms. London, Saturday, August 18. As soon as tranquility is effectually restored in Syria, it is the intention of the Great Powers to take measures for effecting the necessary administrative reforms in the Government of Turkey. There is to be an Indian loan of £3,000,000. Naples has been declared in a state of seige. Garibaldi, with 8000 men, is reported to have disembarked near Reggio on the 10th instant; but this is believed to be untrue. Garibaldi was in Naples on the 4th instant, and had a conference with the principal inhabitants as to his proceedings on" the main land. It was decided to await the assembling of Parliament, the election for which was to take place on the 19th. The refugees are the persons preferred as candidates by the electors, and they openly declare themselves for the annexation of Naples to Piedmont. The Count of Syracuse, the uncle of the king, has openly declared himself in favour of annexation to Piedmont, and expressed his readiness to declare himself the first subject of the King of Sardinia. The Count of Aquila, another uncle ofthe king, an advocate for I liberal-institutions, has been exiled by the Government.

There is also a report that Garibaldi intends to attack Austria on the Crotia coast, and that he will provoke a revolution in Crotian and Hungary before he attacks Venetia. I have reason to believe that all this is mere idle gossip. The embarkation of French troops for Syria is proceeding with all despatch at Toulon. Lord Dufferin, the English Commissioner left Marseilles on Saturday last for Beyrire. Portugal is about to revise her commercial tariff by liberal reduction in the duties. The King and Queen of Norway were crowned at Drsutheim on sth instant. Prussia is said to. have refused her consent to Spam being admitted as one of the great Powers of Europe unless Sweden be admitted also. The following engagements are declared to hive been entered into between the Prince of Pryssia and the Ernpeifrr ef Austria at their conference at Toplitz:— / "1. The Pr nee Eegent and the Emperor undertake to firmly hold together on the Eastern question, on tile ground of the Treaty of Paris; to prevent everything that can affect the integrity of the Otteman empire, and to confer on this subject with, the Cabinet of London. 2. In the home question of Gpnaaoy* Austria makes some im«

portant military concessions, and engaged to make no opposition to the liberal reforms identified with-Prussian policy in the internal questions of Germany. 3. With regard to Italian affairs, the Prince of Prussia recognises the possession of Venetia as of real importance to the Austrian empire ; but declines all engagement on this head a. a 4°.nS aa tne Italian movement is restricted to the Italians themselves. If, on the other hand a toreign Povver takes part in it, the Prince Regent undertakes to,ignd'Austria the support of the Russian forcesN 4 . The p rince R t undertakes to employe u i ß good offices and personal influence with the F, mperor Alexander, to bring about a reconciliation between Russia and Austria.

The Emperor of Austria has sanctioned the formation of the Society for the re-estai)lkv nen( . o f the Christian Orthodox Faith in the Caucasus.

There is still much excitement in the Turkish dominions, with rumours of various conspiracies. About 800 persons have been arrested in Syria, complicated in the late massacres, including the principal civil and military functionaries. Prince Daniel of Montenegro has been assassinated by a native.

The visitors to the Great Eastern at New York were most numerous, and about £20,000 is said to have been taken; but in an excursion to Cape May the stewards got drunk, the passengers were not attended to, and were so badly treated, that an indignation meeting was held on board, and the affair denounced as a gigantic swindle; and the excitement about her had subsided.

The Prince of Wales arrived at Halifax 80th July, and was received with the most enthusiastic demonstrations of loyalty.

The Irish volunteers for the Pope's Brigade are returning in numbers from Rome, in consequence of the severe hardships they endured. The Grand Duchess Anne of Russia, sister of the Duchess of Kent, and aunt of the Queen of England, died ou the 15th instant in Switzerland.

. London, Saturday, August 25. The present King of Dahomey is about, according to national custom, to sacrifice 2000 human beings in memory of his father, the blood of whom is to be drained into a tank until a boat can be rowed in it. About 5000 persons of hostile tribes have been seized, and the old persons are to be bled to death. This is true. Lord Palmerston, in reference to the affair, said that Government had made endeavors to persuade the King of Dahomey to abandon his inhuman intention, but the great obstacle to success in theso endeavors was the slave trade carried on by by civilised countries. All the young men and women and children of the above 5000 not slaughtered, are to be sold as slaves.

As regards the Syrian massacres, Lord Palmerston said that Lord Dufferin will take steps to procure the liberation of the Christian women confined in the harems, and would, in concert with his colleagues, suggest what system of Government would conduce to the happiness of the people, and prevent the recurrence of these frightful massacres. That the Turkish Empire could not be partitioned without an European conflict, or without endowing other states with territory to the prejudice of Great Britain. The Red Sea telegraph is a failure. Lord Palmerston stated that the Pasha of Egypt has been induced to take a great number of shares in the Suez canal scheme—one of the greatest delusions of modern times. The Ministerial white-bait dinner took place on Wednesday last, at the Trafalgar Hotel, Greenwich. Parliament will be prorogued on Tuesday next, by Royal Commission, her Majesty being at Balmoral. The Emperor and Empress of the French left St. Cloud on Thursday on a visit to the new departments of Savoy and Nice. The Count of Aquila, uncle of the King of Naples, has arrived at Marseilles, en route for Paris, having been exiled in consequence of a conspiracy to dethrone. hi.s_nephew and obtain the crown, under a constitution of a liberal character.

The French Government are about to decree the importation of corn and flour until 30th September, 1861, free of duty, and the vessels laden to be free ot duty, in consequence of the prospects of the harvest, which from heavy and continuous rain for months, and absence of sunshine, are endangered. The London millers have forced up the price of town mUtde flour this week no less than 75., and our harvests are in jeopardy from the same cause. A. monetary panic and a commercial crisis threatens us. Money is firm at 4 per cent., and although gold has been going into the Bank this week, it previously in four weeks lost nearly one million, and must inevitably decrease, as extensive orders for corn and flour have been sent to America, Spain, &c. Matters m this respect look sericus indeed.

Considerable embezzlements have been discovered in different Government offices of Spain; but nothing of-a character equal to those of Austria sometime since.

The youngest sister, aged 16 years, of the King of Portugal, l:as been married to the Prince Leopeld of Holenzollern Symaringen, brother of the late Queen of Portugal. Accounts haTe just come from Switzerland that three Englishmen have been lost on Mont Blanc.

A committee of twenty-one members of the Council of the Empire of Austria have adopted, by a majority of eighteen to three, the political programme ofthe Hungarian members, for all the provinces of tfe Austrian empire. This indicates the spread of Iberal institutions. The Austrian Government are making preparations for the reception of the King and Queen of Naples, in the ;vent of their being fbliged to leave their kingdom. An Austrian flotilla has been sent to Naples for tieir disposal. The REvoLffiorr in Italy.—Garibaldi landed in Calabria 19ti instant, with a force of 3800 men; at Melito, twelve miles off Reggio. Another body of 6000 landei at Capedelle Arose; and another body, in 130 Sicilian vessels, landed at Bagnara. They united aid attacked Reggio, and cut the telegraph betwien that place and Parma. A revolutionary movement has commenced in the Provinces of Basiliata, and a provisional government established at Poienza. Two battallions of the Dragoons, andseveral artillerymen at Foggia, have joined the inargents. The Neapolitan army is concentrated at j Montelione, and a s general battle is considered inminent.

* Sir Henry Eulvver has made representations to the Sultan respecting the dangers which threaten the Turkish Empire, and great reforms are talked of, and, as usuil, will only be taked about. Fanatical emissaries are traversing the Turkish Provinces, calling on the faithful to risa in defence of the Crescenl, and represent the Sultan as a degenerate Prince making common sense with the Giaouis. \At Balkek the ferocious mountaineers have agtfn attacked the Christians.

It is und/rstood that Government intends to purchase ah Estate for Lord Clyde, in consideration of his sarvic&s in the Crimea and India; that of Harvea'on aiidjDastle Campbell is the one selected. Of course it is m Scotland.

London, Monday, August 27. Tie intelligence received to-day regarding Gaiibaldi's movements is to the effect that he had on the 21st instant gained another victory over the Neapolitan troops. General Cosenz with a consiierable force had crossed the Straits at Fuimicio. 7ne port of Reggio capitulated on the same day, md the garrison was to leave with muskets and personal baggage, and the Villa San Giovanni had been occupied. Two Neapolitan Brigades have surrendered to General Cosenz, and the Garibaldians are masters of their artillery, arms, &c, and of the Fort del Pizzo.

His Majesty the Emperor of the French, in reply to an address from the Chamber of Commerce at Lyons, said—" I thank yor for the manner in which you appreciate my efforts to augment the prosperity of France. Solely occupied with the general interests of the country, I scorn all that can offer an obstacle to their development. Therefore, the unjust distrust excited beyond the frontiers, as well as the exaggerated alarms of selfish interests at home, find, me insensible. Nothing

will make me deviate from the path of moderation and justice which I have to this day pursued, and which maintains France at that degree of grandeur and prosperity which Providence has assigned her in the \yorld. Give yourselves up, therefore, with confidence to works of peace. Our destinies are in our hands. France gives to Europe the impulse of all great and generous ideas. She bows not before the influence of evil ones but when she is degenerating, and believe that, with God's assistance, she shall not degenerate under my dynasty." The weather is fine to-day, and was so yesterday ; but on Saturday it rained heavHy, as usual, and the corn market is again up to-day. If the weather keeps fine the harvest will be good, but not otherwise. - We fear that heavy rain will continue, and prevent its ripening. Flour has risen 7s. per sack since Monday last. The great questions of the day are the probable harvest, with all its accompanying effects and results,^,} the probable success of Garibaldi. If he continue victorious, he will make his way to Naples, and thVfcj ng vvi n beco Qfi a fWi tive . The chances are grean y in fdvor of his 6 Buccessful career, as the royal tiw 8 are becoming dispirited, and are genera ly declare^ be waver f ng £ nd ia l i clined to join the insurgents. 1.. j

As an indication of the state of Popular f ee ling in Naples, and the sentiments of tho p eO pl e appears that the king, in order to gain soh»J^popularity, paraded the streets on horseback, and the view of raising the cry of " Vive le Rei," threw a large coin of gold to one of the lowest grades of beggars, and who, in reply, cried out as desired, and in return; the king saw him destroyed..-by> the people for so doing. The star of the king is surely setting.

AH the weak parts of Italy will assuredly proclaim their independence, but Austria will not sanction Venetia's following suit, nor allow any attempt to be made without a fight; this she has declared, and it is questionable if Garibaldi will do more than conquer the Neapolitan dominions and those of Rome—when they will proclaim in favor of annexation to Piedmont, which will then become a powerful and first-rate State; and finally, no doubt, will come in collision with Austria for Venetia.

From the state of affairs in the East, it appears very plain that with a man like the present Sultan on the throne, nothing else than the dismemberment of the State can be expected ; but as it will not be accomplished without much opposition and support by rival interests, a fearful war is likely to ensue for the settlement.

The trade of the country is extremely dull; and, with the present aspect of Continental affairs, the Emperor still not being trusted—the weather, and the prospects of the harvest, there is not likely to be any change for the better. Consols are flat at 92-f to §

[The following is from the Sydney Herald's Paris correspondent.]

. Paris, August 16. The interview between Francis Joseph and the Prince Regent of Prussia at Toplitz is believed to have resulted in a treaty of alliance in virtue of which these powers mutually guarantee the integrity of their German territories. No such stipulation Jias been made with regard to Venetia; but it is believed that Prussia has engaged, in case that province should be threatened, to occupy Hungary and Bohemia, and thus leaving Austria free to devote her energies to the defence of that portion of her dominions. This thorny point of Italian affairs stands fatally in the way of the cordial union between the German Powers and England, *vhich would be so valuable a safeguard against the possible designs of France; for no amount of concession on the part of Austria will now suffice to retain Venice a willing member of the Austrian Empire; and as it may be safely assumed that nothing will induce Garibaldi to depart from his plan of rescuing that portion of Italy from the claws of the Black Eagle, it must be confessed that the probability of a mere local settlement of .Italian affairs grows fainter and fainter.

It is supposed that the Emperor will grant large concessions to Hungary, and it is confidently stated in that country that he will ere long come to Pesth, and there be crowned with the old diadem of St. Stephen, according to the terms of the pact by which Hungary freely united herself to the House of Hapsburg. The recent meeting in Paris between Kossuth and General Turr, and the belief that Garibaldi having driven Austria from Venice will next proceed to organise the revolution of Hungary,^ have doubtless had their share in deciding the Emperor to grant such a measure of reform as may serve to dispel the impending storm. But the difficulties in the way of Austria are great; the greatest of all being the serious conviction of the Emperor that it is his duty to transmit intact to his successors the powers and privileges to which he has succeeded.

The sovereigns of Germany are having interviews and holding conferences with a persistence which would be amusing were it not for the conviction now so general throughout Europe that this unwonted cordiality of the kings and kinglets of the " Vaterland" has been brought about by their conviction of the imminence of a common danger. All of them are increasing their armies, and pledging themselves to stand by one another in the hour of danger.

The proposition of the Emperor Napoleon to admit the effete kingdom of Spain into the circle of the " Great Powers'' has met with general disapproval. The uneasiness with which Europe has seen the eagerness of France to interfere in Syria, together with the drawing together of the German princes, have also probably shown the Emperor Napoleon that it will not be an easy matter for him to carry out the various " ideas'' on which he is believed to have set his heart. With this belief is associated the conviction, now generally entertained here, that the Emperor is bent on leaguing together the so-called " Latin nations "^ and opposing them to the " Germanic nations." With what intention, and to what end ? may well be asked in view of such a project; the evident sterility of such an enterprise, even could it be put into execution, suggesting a doubt whether a head so shrewd as that of his Imperial Majesty can seriously harbor any such intention. Not only are the 6000 troops whom France has been empowered by the late conference to send to Syria already on their way, but a considerable addition to their number is believad to have been decided on. by the inscrutable sovereign who keeps his neighbors in a chronic state of defiance, which is getting to be regarded by them as a very decided "nuisance." As to the pacific assurances contained in the Emperor's letter to' the English people, through M. de Persigny, it is scarcely too much to say that no one regards it as proving anything beyond a desire on the part of the writer not to break with England at this present time, and the project attributed to him of forming Syria and Arabia into an empire under Abd-el-Kader, is looked on as only one of the numerous " beneficial " changes which he holds in store for an unappreciating world. The enemies of Louis Napoleon and of England—making up between them the great bulk of the French people—have alike declared for the last ten years that the wrestling of India from Great Britain in one of his most cherished "ideas." The activity of French intrigue in Egypt, the new " colony " being established on the African shore of the Red Sea, the projected cutting of the Isthmus, and the bestowal of Arabia upon the liberal Algerian Chieftain, are regarded here as so many steps towards obtaining command of the highroad to India by France. The position of Russia.with regard to the Emperor Napoleon is a problem which public curiosity has not yet succeeded in solving. The Russians are greatly excited against the Turks, and loudly demand that the Syrian massacres shall be avenged. But Russia, though delaying to shew her colors, appears to be as busy with military preparations as her neighbors. A corps of 30,000 men are said to be already concentrated on the frontiers of Bessarabia ; 50,000 more are ready to enter that province shortly, when there will be an army of 80,000 on the Pruth, ready for coming eventualities, under the command of General Luders. . For what purpose is this army assembled ? Is there a secret understanding; between them, by which the

restless, jinbition of the " parvenu " of the TuileVies, and the traditional aim of the ice-bound auwofat ejthe Neva are to be mutually useful in the qiangestoow looming on the European horizon? .Cjr is/ Russia also being drawn into tie " :oalition,'' against the " nephew of hk unce," which England is believed to be devoting, ha- energies to setting-up? However thii ma^ be, Russia has just taken a step which will be [earned With satisfaction by the friends of progress, in extending to all foreigners— Jews excep't^d—lthe right to live, trade, travel, hold and transmit property, and make contracts, on the same terms as Russian subjects. The rights of Jews We to be regulated by certain legal provisionsaliteady existing; but it is to be regretted that the scope of the new arrangement should be limited,\by the narrowing influence of antiquated prejudice. It is thought that several of the German sovereigns will be present at the approaching interview which is to take place between, the Emperoiis of Russia and Austria at Warsaw, the announcement of which has somewhat shaken the confidence of those who assert the existence of an understanding between France and Russia. The assassination of Prince Uanelo, shot in his carriage by a common soldier, and the troubles which have broken out in Bosnia, where the Christians have risen upon the Turks, are additional elements of trouble in a " situation" already sufficiently full of difficulty. It seems probable that the Prince has fallen a victim to the vengeance of the Turks, enraged at the recent execution of t^ty of their fellow-believers, guilty of deeds of committed against the Montenegrins. '1 he Wads of the newly-created society, got-upl here by the clerical party, presided over by archbishops and Mshops, and called the " Archiconfrerie de Saint Pierre," which has its seat at Lyons, and under pretext of collecting "Peter's pence" for Rome was assuming the proportions of a formidable secret organisation pledged to implicit obedience to a foreign Power, have just been warned by a circular from M. Rouland, Minister of the Interior, that their organisation is contrary to the Constitution, and it. will not be tolerated by the Emperor's Government. The clerical party is furious against Louis Napoleon, regarding him as an enemy all the more dangerous for the appearance of devotion to the Church which he has hitherto chosen to assume. It is a singular, though easily explicable fact,that the Emperor Napoleon seems destined to inspire the liveliest distrust in the minds o£ those whose confidence he has taken the pains to wih.