1243 
On questioning the young ruffian, however, it appeared that 
hie object was to revenge what he considered a personal in- 
sult in having been rejected several times as a military sub- 
stitute. 
Reduction op French Postage. — A new postal treaty 
has been entered into with France, the effect of which will 
be the reduction of the postage on prepaid letters weighing 
not more than .Joz. to 4d., instead of 8d. or 10d., as hereto- 
fore. This reduced postago will carry the letter from any 
part of the United Kingdom to any part of France or Algeria. 
If the letter bo posted unpaid the charge will be double. 
The postage on letters passing through England and France 
will also in many cases be reduced. The new treaty will 
come into operation on the 1st of January. 
AUSTRIA . 
The Austrian Army. — The light cavalry regiments now 
consist of 1,749 horses, and the heavy ones of 1,138 
horses ; but when the Oriental crisis began they 
were not half so' strong. An officer of rank, who was 
speaking on the probable issue of a war with Russia, thus 
expressed himself : — “ If we had been obliged, to go to war 
with the Russians at the beginning of this year, their cavalry 
would have given us a vast deal of trouble, but now we are 
fully equal to them. As to our infantry aud artillery, it is 
superior to theirs.” . The whole strength of the 15 or 16 
heavy, and the 23 or 24 Austrian light cavalry regi- 
ments is estimated at 67,000 men, with 67,500 horses. It is 
generally thought in Vienna, that if the St. Petersburg 
Cabinet unreservedly accepts the preliminary points, the 
Imperial Cabinet will refuse to join the Western Powers iu a 
demand for material guarantees ; but others express surprise 
that people can suppose that Austria, “ the Power which is 
sure to be most exposed to the chicanery and vengeance of 
Russia,” will require less security for the future than the 
Western Powers. 
The Four Points. — The Paris papers publish a letter, 
from Berlin, alleging that the Cabinet of Vienna has formerly 
informed Prussia that it was disposed to accede to the pro- 
posal which she had made, to have the four points discussed 
in common at Vienna by plenipotentiaries, and to have a 
positive understanding come to as to their precise meaning. 
It is believed that conferences will be immediately opened at 
Vienna. The Prussian Cabinet has made an application to 
that effect at London and at Paris. 
PRUSSIA. 
In Prussia the whole population, with the exception of 
the peasantry in localities where there is little or no inter- 
communication of thought or knowledge, and the numerically 
insignificant Krtuz Zcltung party, is pervaded with an in- 
tense aversion to Russia. The animosity that has been 
bred iu the people by the conduct of the Russians when co- 
operating with Prussia in 1813-15, as friends, has been thrown 
into the shade by the many indignities, humiliations, aud 
injuries that Prussia has had to suffer from her neighbour 
since then. 
Under these circumstances, the present would seem a 
favourable moment to establish a northern league in Europe 
against Russia. By the treaty of December 2nd, Austria 
formally interred the Holy Alliance, whose death-knell she 
rang when she sent her congratulations on the battle of the 
Alma to London and Paris. Prussia is perfectly satisfied 
with this step taken by Austria, although highly indignant 
at the manner in which it was taken. She has now a security 
that if she should co-operate with the Western Powers 
she would have nothing to fear on the part of Austria. 
SPAIN'. 
On the 19th M. Luzurriaga, Minister of Foreign Affairs, 
read the programme of the Cabinet to the Spanish Cortes. 
Its substance is as follows : — lt Sovereign liberty of the 
Cortes to decree the bases of the constitution ; a constitu- 
•fcional throne ; royal sanction for the ordinary laws ; indivi- 
dual safety, with no limit save that required for the safety 
of the public ; right of petition ; religious unity in what- 
ever may have an interior character, without trespassing on 
the respect due to other forms of belief; strong parlia- 
mentary power, that the regal power may not be destroyed ; 
organisation of parliament in both houses ; the right of re- 
fusing taxes not voted by the Cortes ; ministerial responsi- 
bility ; a national guard ; enlightened decentralisation ; 
peace and friendship with all nations ; assimilation of the 
colonies to the peninsula ; general system of railways ; civil 
equality for obtaining public situations ; special instruction 
iu arts and sciences ; free press with trial by jury." Marshal 
Espartero demanded a compact majority and a good consti- 
tution. If any one should attempt to make the nation re- 
trograde he would put himself at the head of the National 
Guard and army, iu order to protect the laws. On the 20th 
the Queen gave a grand ball to celebrate the birthday of the 
Prinoess of the Asturias, dancing with General Espartero, 
M. Madoz, President of the Cortes, and General San Miguel. 
Her Majesty showed marked courtesy to General Espartero, 
and the King danced with the Duchess de la Victoria. In 
the Cortes, on the same day, bills were “ presented” enacting 
that the deficit of 1855 shall not be reckoned in the budget 
of 1856 ; to abolish the sinking fund, to sell by auction the 
property of charitable establishments. The debate on the 
address was resumed, and concluded favourably on the 21st. 
M. Sould was present at the discussion which took place in 
the Chamber relative to the sale of Cuba. 
The number of National Guards in Spain is 205,000, aud 
of them 56.000 are armed. 
The Madrid journals of the 22nd contain no intelligence 
of importance. It is stated that on the 16th a small Carlist 
band of thirty men had appeared in the small town of Villa 
de Mold, and proclaimed Charles VI. King of Spain. The 
band then left, aud a company of infantry was sent in pur- 
suit of it. Another still smaller band of Car lists had made 
its appearance for a moment iu the environs of Talcel. In 
the Cortes, on the 22ud, General O’Donnell was attacked by 
the opposition for having neglected to arm the National 
Guard. He replied that he had already given out 92,330 
muskets. M. Labrador made a motion, calling for modifi- 
cations iu the organisation of the army. It was rejected. 
The Queen distributed colours to the national militia. Her 
Majesty was received with enthusiasm. 
On the 23rd the Cortes voted the bill fixing the effective 
force of the army at 70,000 men. 
DENMARK. 
Copenhagen, Dec. 20. — The programme of the new 
Ministry, laid before the Chambers by Messrs. Baug and 
Hall, 1ms been received with great satisfaction, which appeal's 
to be shared in by the press and the public. The Govern- 
THE FIELD. 
ment freely and fully accept, as the basis of the institutions 
to bo given to the monarchy aud the duchies, the principle 
of a complete seixiratiou of special aud ordinary affairs, and 
the replacing of the present Danish Diet by nn assembly in- 
vested with complete legislative powers, and in which larger 
functions will be given to the national representation. As 
to foreign policy, the Ministry declare that no change will 
take place. Nevertheless, it is generally thought that if the 
new Cabinet continues to observe neutrality, it will be doue 
in a more extended manner than by the preceding adminis- 
tration. 
ROME. 
Financial Embarrassments. — A commercial and financial 
crisis threatens Rome. The ambiguity of the Government’s 
conduct towards the state bank has loft everybody uncertain 
as to whether the bank paper ia obligatory or not, aud the 
squabbles on the exchange have been bo great that it has 
been found necessary to establish two rates of exchange, 
there being about two per cent, difference between uotes 
aud silver. Meanwhile the bank's discount operations hav- 
ing been suspended throughout the state, the consternation 
of mercantile men, who had hoped for a renewal of then- 
bills, is at the utmost. The seoret of the whole crisis may 
be told in a few words. Cardinal Antonelli and his brother 
(who is governor of the bank) had fully intended and ex- 
pected that the silver currency would not have been re- 
established, and consequently had extended the bank 
operations enormously, but the Pope’s immoveable resolution 
to extirpate the forced paper currency by the end of the 
year produced a run on the bank which would have been 
lata l without the Dius intertit mediation of the Secretary of 
State. 
NAPLES. 
A curious quarrel has lately broken out between the 
Neapolitan Government and the Jesuits in Naples. The 
latter had been in the habit of teaching that the Pope was 
superior to all the other sovereigns of the earth, and the 
former has thought proper to regard this not very novel doc- 
trine among Roman Catholics as highly revolutionary iu its 
tendency. The consequence was, that M. Maz/a, the 
Director of Police, sent for Padre Giuseppe, the chief of the 
Jesuits, the other day, and told him tliut they must discon- 
tinue this practice, and should recollect that in 1848 
they were sent^out of the country iu carriages ; “ but if these 
thiugs continue," said the worthy Minister, “ the Government 
will kick you out of the kingdom.” The reverend father, 
much distressed at the result of his interview, hastened back 
to his convent, and lost no time in compiling a protest, which 
was published at Naples a day or two after. 
INDIA AND CHINA. 
By the arrival of the steamer Bombay at Trieste, on the 
24th, we learn that Dost Mahomed has opened a friendly 
correspondence with the Governor-General ; and a treaty 
had been made with the Khan of Khelat, to protect our 
frontier from Kurachee to Candahar. Nepaul was increasing 
her military forces. The Burmese Envoy from Ava was 
expected at Calcutta. Capital was abundant aud almost 
reduudant. At Bombay trade was bad. In the north of 
China the Imperialists had gained some advantages over the 
insurgents, and they expected shortly to recover Shanghai. 
The stock of teas at Canton was very trifling. 
Despatches in anticipation of the Overlaud Mail arrived 
on Thursday. The following is from the Bombay Times of 
the 28th November : — 
“ The intelligence from Cabul states that Dost Mahomed, 
finding himself advancing in years, is anxious to make ar- 
rangements for the succession of his son Amongst a high- 
spirited but factious people like the Affglians, the succession 
will be determined by the sword, by which the Dost himself 
cut his way to supremacy. The Soodazye dynasty ia extinct, 
but the Barukzayes have no claim to dominion save the 
power to maintain it ; aud as Goolam Hyder Khan, destined 
for the succession, is neither the oldest nor most energetic 
of the Ameer’s sons, a contest is sure to ensue, when 
British intervention is likely to be asked for. Dost’s 
brothers of Candahar, with whom he has for twenty 
years been at feud, have taken the alarm, aud applied 
to Persia to assist them in extinguishing the supremacy of 
English influence. The Russians are said to be fostering 
these animosities, and to be promising supplies of men aud 
money. Our north-west frontier altogether seems so 
satisfactory that even alarmists have ceased to prate of 
danger. The commander-in-chief of the Indian navy, Sir 
Henry Leake, proceeds to Calcutta, by order of the Governor- 
General, to make arrangements for the reconstruction of the 
Indian navy, the head quarters of which will hereafter be in 
Bengal. An action has been lately decided before the Supreme 
Court in Bombay, to the effect that the Shop aud Stall 
Tax, which yields from £5,000 to £6,000 a year to the 
Municipal Fund, is illegal. Out of from ten to fifteen 
thousand people who pay the tax, Mr. Connou, Editor of the 
Bombay Gaze'te, was the only man who had the spirit to 
resist aud carry the matter into court, where he was trium- 
phant. On the 24th aud 25th of September, aud again on 
the 6th of October, violent hurricanes prevailed in the Chiua 
Seas. A furious rain aud thunderstorm occurred in the 
desert, betwixt Cairo and Suez, on the 20th of October, 
and rain was experienced all down the Red Sea in the 
eud of the month, two inches having been measured 
at Aden, these regions being in general rainless. On the 
7th day of November a second storm of some severity 
occurred iu the lower part of the Red Sea ; and after 
several days of intensely dry weather, with every appear- 
ance of continuing fan 1 , Bombay was on the afternoon of the 
26th visited with a heavy fall of rain. A brilliant display of 
meteors occurred at Kurmchee at daybreak on the 14th No- 
vember; they first made their appearance about 4 a.m., 
and for the next two hours they continued to shoot, without 
intermission, across the firmament, until, indeed, daylight 
obscured them. The Legislative Council of India have agreed 
to throw open their meetings to the public. The Council 
itself, it is said, is working indifferently, and the Chief Jus- 
tice, Sir Lawrence Peel, will, it is affirmed, on his return to 
England, make disclosures on the subject that will astonish 
the community. The new Council is in mechanism a misera- 
ble botcli, compared to the Legislative Councils for the 
three presidencies, proposed by the Queen's Judge, in 
1831, published iu the Blue Books of the time ; but then it 
provides valuable Civil Service appointments, and that is 
quite enough to make the best of measures be transformed 
to the worst. — The embassy at Ava had not, at our latest 
dates, reached Calcutta. — The Governor-General is at Calcutta, 
and tlie Governors of Madras aud Bombay at their respective 
seats of authority. Sir Henry Somerset arrived at Bombay 
on Thursday the 16th instant, aud immediately assumed 
the command of the army ; he has gone to Poona on duty. A 
magnmciont launch took place at Bombay on the 21at the 
steamer Punjaub, 1,800 tons and 600 home power, the con- 
sort of the Assaye, a ship of similar burthen launched in 
March The two were intended for the packet line to Suez 
when the Court of Directors resisted all entreaties to abandon 
the mad contract. They will ( now that i t has been conferred 
on the 1 . k O. Company), it is supposed be employed on the 
Bengal side, and the head quarters of the Indian Navy be 
transferred to Calcutta.— Trade is dull, and there is a greater 
stringency in the money market than at the date of our lost 
summary. 
Russian Policy in Central Asia.— The Delhi GazeiU as- 
serts that there is evidence, hardly now to be gainsaid, that 
Russia is becoming possessed of the whole Doab of the 
Joxartes and the Oxus, a country which for ten centuries of 
Instory aud twenty more of tradition has supplied India with 
invaders. The head quarters of a Russian force— how large 
or how small that force is of little moment — are now estab- 
lished within 500 miles of our north-west frontier. The 
Friend of China says — “About a month since an envoy 
from Kokan, named Shahzada Sultan Mahomed Suddozye, 
came into Peshawur on a mission to the chief commissioner. 
He had been six months on the road, and was fvdl of the 
Russian approach towards his own province. He was fol- 
lowed by a more important embassy. Dost Mahomed is 
really frightened ; his cause of alarm is really a Russian ad- 
vance, and he has really despatched an embassy to the 
British Government. About the 12th October Meerza Kas- 
sim Khan, mohurburdar or keeper of the great seal to Dost 
Mahomed, arrived at Peshawur as envoy from the Ameer. 
Major Edwordes was iu the Hazara, and thither the envoy 
proceeded with his credentials. Of course his master's views 
as yet remain a secret ; but it is thoroughly understood that 
the Ameer is anxious for assistance. 
Hie following is from the Cabul correspondent of the 
Delhi Gazette : — “ The King of Bokhara, who has always 
been sore on the possession of Bulkli by the Affglians, has 
sent a friendly mission to the Russian general near the 
Kokan country, which, if not now subject to Russia, must 
soouer or later become its dependent The Russians have 
taken a place called Taj Gung. Those statements are not 
only sent to Dost Mahomed by his sou the ruler or Bulkb, 
but they are confirmed by reports which have since arrived 
here. The Sirdar (who is very anxious to know the result 
of the negotiations at Peshawur) further informs his father 
that 2,000 Persian troops are quartered at Hecrat, that 
Zaheer-ooldowlah does nothing without consulting their 
commander, and has become a more creature of Persia. A 
report, says the Sirdar, has also reached mo to the effect 
that Meer Wales and certain other cx-Oosbeg chiefs, expelled 
from the country by Dost Mahomed, have been urging the 
King of Bokhara to cross the Oxus with his umiy and turn 
me out of my government. If the King of Bokhara dcei not 
take this step, the Oosbeg chiefs say that they will lay their 
honour (muig) at the feet of the Russians, and enter into 
the service of the Russian general at Kokan. The King of 
Bokhara has asked them, in reply, to await the report of liia 
mission which he has sent to the Russian general.” 
The Rebellion in China.— By letters from Hong Kong 
of November 11, wc learn that the rebellion holds its ground, 
although unable to make headway, and the Imperialists do 
little more than act on the defensive, beyond buying up the 
insurgent chiefs at whatever rates demanded, and iu this 
way the Mandarins hope to effect a quick and complete re- 
organisation. Europeans think otherwise. The rebellion is 
everywhere popular, notwithstanding the weakness of the in- 
surgents, arising from the want of arms and ammunition. 
Shanghai still holds out ; it is, however, generally believed 
that the city will shortly succumb, not to the valour 
of the Imperial force, but the seducing influence of 
the sycee, and the demoralisation and weakness inci- 
dental to the altered cirou instances of the rebels, 
some of whom are from the dregs of the population, 
although now sitting aud acting os men of authority. Such 
are the prospects iu the north. Towards the south the rebel 
cause is not less unfavourable. The Imperialists have had 
two or three successful encounters with the insurgents, and 
on every occasion the latter were routed with severe loss. 
Canton not only remains in the hands of the Imperial authori- 
ties, but is likely to continue so ; the better class of people 
within the city have agreed to pay 10,000 soldiers to pro- 
tect the place, and carrying on offensive operations against 
the rebels. The excessive demands for contributions on the 
part of the rebels have made their cause desperate, if not 
hopeless, in the south. Recently, the rebels succeeded in 
capturing twenty-one chops <>f tea whilst in transit from the 
interior to Canton. Some of the tea has reached Hong Kong, 
and 1,460 chests were seized by the police. An investigation 
is going on at the police-office, which will probably impli- 
cate some of our native trading population as beiug mixed 
up in the affair. 
Singapore —the Borneo Inquiry. — The commissioners 
have, as they think, completed their task, and the investiga- 
tion has ceased. They do uot'procced to Labuun or Borneo, 
but terminate their proceedings, and make their report to 
her Majesty’s Government. That it will be favourable to 
Sir James Brooke, the commissioners have not concealed. 
Commercial Intelligence.— Iu Bombay the stringency 
of the money market had increased, and an advance of one 
per cent had taken place on the discount of several banks. 
The goods market, on the whole, is depressed. Freights 
have declined. In Calcutta, trade is dull, the rice aud hide 
markets beiug the only exception. 
AMERICA. 
The Africa arrived at Liverpool, on the 24th, with advices 
from New York, to the 13th. She brings no specie. The 
Pacific arrived out on the 13th. In the House of Representa- 
tives a motion was made requesting the President to tender 
his mediation in the war with Russia. It was refused. A 
run had commenced on the savings-banks. The papers 
state that the President will use every means in his power 
to accomplish a modification of the present tariff Blodgett 
and Co., of Boston, had suspended — liabilities, $2,000,006. 
Taylor and Cassidy, of New Orleans, hud also failed. Several 
other houses were likewise named- Lord Elgin was to 
leave for England about the end of the mouth. The Nova 
Scotia Legislature passed the Reciprocity Bill on the lltli. 
Advices from Mexico to the 6th report an engagement on 
the 24th of November, iu which the rebels were routed with 
loss. The commander of the Government forces was killed. 
The cities of Mexico and Vera Cruz had voted, almost 
unanimously in favour of continuing Santa Anna as Presi- 
dent. The plague was raging in the interior. Five civ il 
judges had bevn suspended for making disrespectful allusions 
