Carnarvon and Denbigh Herald and North and South Wales Independent

GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. The estimates for tim year, for which provision has 1101 i/een made by the late Parliament, will immediately be laid before you, together with such supplementary estimates as present circumstances render indispensably necessary for the publio service.

MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, I have directed a bill to be prepared forgiving effeot, so far as the aid of Parliament may be required, to certain suggestions of the Commissioners whom I had appointed to inquire into the best mode of efficiently manning the Royal Navy, and I recommend this im- portant subjeot to your immediate attention, Measures of legal and social improvement, the pro gress of which In the late Parliament was necessarily interrupted by the dissolution, will again be brought under your consideration. I should with pleasure give my sanction to any well considered measure for the amendment of the laws which regulate the representa- tion of my people in Parliament; and should you be of opinion that the necessity of giving your immediate attention to measures of urgency relating to the defence and financial condition of the country will not leave you sufficient time for legislating with due deliberation, during the present session, on a subject at once so difficult and so extensive, I trust that at the commence- ment of the next session your earnest attention, will be given to a question, of which an early and satis- factory settlement would be greatly to the public ad- vantage. I feel assured that you will enter with zeal and dili- gence on the discharge of your parliamentary duties, and I pray that the result of your deliberations may tend to secure to the country the continuance of peace abroad and progressive improvement at home. At the termination of the speeoh the Queen retired with the us )a) formalities, and the house adjourned during pleasure. The house resumed at five o'olock. The Duke of MARLBOROUGH said it was his inten- tion at an early d: y to move for a committee to enquire into the assessment and levying of Church Rates. Her Majesty's Speech was then read, and The Earl of Powis moved an humble address in reply. He said he would not discuss the question as to the effeot which the recent dissolution had upon the strength of parties in the House of Commons, as it was a question which solely affected the other House of Parliament, and he entirely approved of that ancient constitutional usage by which their lordships always re- frained from discussing questions concerning the dignity of action of the'House of Commons. With regard to the war which was now devastating the plains of Italy, he believed that the policy of neutrality pursued by Government met with the entire approval of the country generally. We required no territorial aggrandisement for ourselves, but we were in a position to enable us to step in at any moment as mediators between the belli- gerent powers in any negotiation for peace. At the same time he was glad to find that the naval and mili- tary defences of the country were not likely to be ne- glected, and that Government had giveirtheir sanction to the formation throughout the country of Volunteer Rifle Corps. After alluding to various other questions, the nohle lord conoluded by moving an address in answer to the speech from the throne. —„ Lord LlFFORD seconded the address. Eaii GRANVILLE depreclI ted the proceedings of Go- vernment, both in their home and foreign policy, but would not move an amendment. The Earl of MALMESBURY said he was perfeotly prepared to defend his conduct and the policy which he had pursued, but it would be impossible to do so until the order was laid upon the table, which would be done in the course of a few days., Lord HOWDEN believed that if the French system of government was to be introduced into Italy, we must soonefar later be involved in war. He believed that neither Austria nor France were to be trusted, but that the government of Italy should be in the hands of the Italian people themselves. The Marquis of NORMANBY condemned the amend- ment, which wxs intended to be moved in the House of Commons, and deeply regretted that in the present State of publio affairs, it should have been resorted to by the party with whom he had always acted. He trus'ed that as regards the war so unhappfty raging in Italy this country would continue to evince a spirit of strict neutrality, but he wished to remind the Govern- ment that in maintftining that neutrality it was neces- sary they should be careful that they did not show any sympathy for either of the parties concerned (hear, hear). He did not concur with Lord Parlmerston in thinking that Italy could be benefited by French inter- cession, and he wished to call the attention of their lordships to the significant fact, that in all the procla- mntiona recently issued to the Italians, the words Freedom and independence" had been studiausly omitted (hear, hear), He was very glad that no amendment to the address was to be proposed in their Lordships' House, because he thought it would not affect nny good object to displace the Government at the present moment, and it would have given him great pai,u. on makings his first appearance before their loru- ships for many year s, ti- nuve oven compelled TOto i- opposition to those with whom ,he generally had the pleasure of aotiugr. 0 After some observations from the BartofCARi.isLi! in reference to the coalition between the extreme Pro- testants and Roman Catholics in the. recent Irish elec- tions, The Earl of EGLINTON said he had both heard as- serted and read in the public papers that he had formed a coalition with Cardinal Wiseman, but he had not thought it worth while taking any notice of the charge. It, however, afforded him great pleasure to hear the charge openly repudiated in their Lordships* House. It afforded him an opportunity of giving it a denial in the most emphatic manner. There had not been on the part of himaetforon the part of any other member of the executive in Ireland, the slightest compact, ar. rangement, or understanding of any sort or kind what- ever. Nay more, he had not the slightest communica- tion, directly or indirectly, with any one single Roman Cutholio before, during, or after the late general elec- tion (ministerial cheers). He had been rebuked for having spent a Few pounds in a Roman Catholic bazaar, but it was only after he had ascertained that the insti- tution was not of a proselytising character, and in visit- ing the bazaar b" had only followed the example of his predecessors in offiee (cheers). Lord BROUGHAM warmly denounced the war, ridi- culing th6 notion that it was entered into for the pur- pose of liberating the Italian people and placing them in a position of freedom and independence. No one was more desirous than himself to see the Austrian is)- fluehoerenfoved from Italy, but he could not see what good could arise fromla- mere change of masters. At the same time, the policy for England to pursue was one of neutrality; but while adhering to a policy of neutrality, he trusted the Government would pay due attention to the national defences, so that we might be prepared for any emergency that might arise. The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH thought it was of the utmost importance in the present crisis that there should be a strong Government in power. The recent dissolution had to a great extent equalised the,strength of parties, and in so doing had thrown baok the hopes of a strong Government; but nothing could be more of a strong Government; but nothing could be more calculated to weaken the strength of a. Government than such an amendment as that which he understood had been moved in the House of Commons. He deeply deplored the course which had been taken in the other House of Parliament, and he did not believe it possible, if it should be carried, that the present Government could be replaced by one more powerful and united.. The Duke of ARGVLE expressed a want of confi- dence in the ability of the Government to conduct the affairs of the country in a satisfactory manner; but denied that since they had been in power they had received any factious-vopposition from the Liberal party.. The Earl of DERBY characterised the debate as one of a very discursive character in which no reference had been made to the Royal Speech itself Having vindicated the Government against the charges pre- ferred against them of having entered into any com- pact with Cardinal Wiseman as the representatives of the Roman Catholics, save in so far as their support had been rendered from the strict justice dealt out to them by the Government, he proceeded to dilate generally on; the absertce of any prbspept of forming a strong Government of the very discordant materials which existed in the so-Called Liberal party. With regard to the war, he was satisfied that although the Government did not possess .an absolute mpjority in the House of Commons, they would receive' such support as would'fully convince any foreign nation that they could expect no advantage from any internal dissensions in the country. He denounced the war as "undertaken under false pretences, and not for se- curing the liberty and independence of Italy. Neither on the one side nor the other had there been sufficient grounds for incurring all the-horrors of war,-if there had been a real desire to maintaiji peace. The Go. vernment themselves had no sympathy for either of the powers engaged in the conflict, but wou!d,observe a sttict ami- impartial neutrality (cheers). At 'the same time the country would be placed in a position of ample security so far as its defences went: and.heJsad no doubt that any measure which the Government required would1 be readily supplied by Parliament. .'Without bringing any charge against his predecessors in office, he was bound to §'ay Vnat when lie f-ucceeded ttl power >- ,oun,j nJlVy in a state of decrepitude disgraceful to this great, country. It was now, how- ever, in a much more satisfactory condition. After a few words from "Lord BROUGHAM, the adf dress was agreed to. Their lordships then adjourned, at II 25 p.m. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—There was a very h\rgõe at- tendance of members. At 20 minutes past 2 o'clock the House was summoned to the House of Lords, to hear her Majesty's speech read. The Speaker, ac- companied by a considerable number of members, aooordingly obeyed. On their return the House adjourned until a quarter to 4. The House resumed at 4 o'olock. Mr. HORSMAN gave notice that this day fortnight he should move a resolution to the effeot that the foreign policy of the country was at varianoe with the spirit of the constitution, and injurious to the national in- terests and that with the view of more effectually securing the neutrality of this country in any war that may arise out of the affairs of Italy, it is expedient that the House should be informed of the exact state of the relations of the country with the leading powers of Europe, and to move an address to her Majesty praying that there be la d before the House all the communi- oations that have taken place between her Majesty's Government and the Governments of France, Russia, Austria, and Sardinia. Sir J. TRELAWNEY gave notice that on Thursday week he should move for leave to bring in a Bill for the Abolition of Ohureh-rates. The Royal Speeoh having been read from the Chair, The Hon. A. EGERTON moved the address in reply to it. He strongly defended the foreign policy of the Government, alleging that the oountry, having so un- mistakably deolared for neutrality, no other policy could have been pursued without a great loss of honour and dignity. The sympathies of this country were naturally with Italy, and he did not intend to defend the policy of Austria in that country, although great consideration was to be made for her position; and, under all the circumstances of the case, he hoped that this oountry would be able to maintain her neutrality. He utterly repudiated the charge made against her Majesty's ministers, of entertaining Austrian sympa- thies-there was not the slightest foundation for it, but if they were divested of office the neutrality of the country would be in far greater danger from the Italian sympathies of some of their successors. Government deserved great credit for the vigour with which they had strengthened the naval forces, and any other Cabinet must persevere in the same policy. With respect to reform, the country desired a moderate measure, and suoh an one could only be expected from the present Government. Having called on the House, during the short time now be ore it, to discard factious motives, and address itself to the business of the country, he concluded by moving the address. The Marquis of IIARTINGTON roee to move an amend- ment, by way of an addition to the address. In doing so, he said he was acting under the advice of older and more experienced members than himself. He would take up the issue submitted by Lord Derby himself to f the country. The Liberal party, if they were defeated on this occasion, would cheerfully how to the result and also they would not aspire to office. He concluded by moving an addition to the address, that it was essential Government should possess the confidence of ¡ Parliament, which was not reposed in the present Government. Mr. HAKBURY seconded the amendment. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER then rose amidst loud cheers from his supporters. He found no fault with the course taken by the noble lord who had moved the amendmeut, but 'he could not admit the precedent of 1841. He had risen at onoe to me t the issue raised, for it was one that ought to be decided without the delay of a day. He then, in sarcastic terms, alluded to the statement of Sir James Graham at Carlisle, which at first he attributed to his near re- lative, who certainly was a chio of the old block, but he could not have supposed that a man who had held high office should have made such utterly unfounded statements, which he must have known were incorrect. The public had been told, on the eve of the election, that the Minister of War had raised the billetin" al- lowance, but he must have known that was arranged by the late government. These statements had been answered except by Lord Derby, who treated with oontempt the charge that he had given 20,0001. for election purposes, but which he (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) unequivocally stated was an impudent fa, brication. What was this, however, to the compact with the Pope? The Roman Catholics had, in the exercise of their judgment, supported government, but without condition and without communication. The conduct of foreign negociiitions was said to be a justification for the amendment, because a war had broken out. Was success a criterion ? If so, let them look to the success of. those distinguished statesmen whose negotiations ended in the war with Russia. But, apait from this, he was about to lay the papers upon the table, and he called upon the house to consider them, and then form its opinion upon them. Without having donu SO it was impossible to come at anjr know- ledge of the facts of the case, or pretend to found an impartial judgment of the policy and negotiations of go- vernment. He could not recognise the principle that the question or jiiuiiamcia., .r. C h part ana pnrocrwr iruj lh- hear) He could not admit the sole right of the educational section of the Whig party to deal with this question, for he felt the Conservative party could deal with it more fairljr and advantogeously. He was perfectly content to have his efforts on behalf orPitrliilmentsry Reform oompared with those of the noble Lord (J. Russell). He contended that government were no more bound by their bill of last session, than was the noble lord by the propositions which he had at various times laid before the house. They were bound to introduce into a bill the reoognised requirements of a Reform Bill, and they should be prepared to do this in a large, liberal, and conclusive manner. He trusted that the house would not agree to an amendment founded upon such frail and flimsy grounds as the present. It was, how- ever, of vital importance that the decision of the. house should not, if possible, be delayed twenty-four hours. If the house agreed to the amendment, the present government woufd give their patriotio support to the governmont which might succeed them. But if, on the contrary; they decided that the amendment was uncalled for and unjust, then the present ministry would not shrink from the grave and awful respon- sibility which would devolve upon them in conducting the government during the present critioal state of affairs on the Continent (loud cheers).- Lord Bury, Mr. Mellor, Sir C. Napier, and Mr. J. Wilson followed, all speaking against the government. The house then adjourned. WEDNESDAY". HOUSE OP COMMONS.—The House of Commons met at twelve o'clock, when a few more newly-returned members were sworn in. Mr. DTLLWYN obtained leave fo bring in. a bill to amend the law relating to endowed schools. Leave was given to Mr. DUNLOP to introduce a bill amending the act at present in force allowing verdicts on trials by jury in civil causes in Sootland to be received although the jury were not unanimous. Both bills were brought in, and read a first time. The house then adjourned at 20 minutes past one o'clock. THURSDAY. HOUSE OF LORDS -Roman Catholic Colleges.—The Earl of SHAFTESBURY asked if the Government in- tended to grant a charter to the Roman Catholic Col- legel: St. Stepben's-green, and if there were any nego- tiations pending in connection with the subjeot 1 The Earl of DERBY bad no difficulty in answering the question. As at present advised it was not the in- tention of the Government to recommend the granting of a charter to the college in question. L.qw (f Debtor and, Creditor, and Consolidation of Jomt-Sfock ^i.-The LORD CHANCELLOR brought in two bills, which it was of .importance shou!d be passed as speedily as possible. The first was the Debtor and Creditor Bill,«nd the othei was a bill to consolidate the law with respect to the wiuding-ap of Joint-stook Companies. He proposed that the bills should be read a first time that evening, a second time and oommitted to-morrow, and a third time on Thursday next. Law of Property Trustees Relief Bill.-On the mo- tioa of Lord ST. LEONARDS this bill was read a second time. The National Gallery.—The Earl of SHREWSBURY moved for a copy of the correspondence between the trustees of the Na'ional Ga'lery and the Counoil of the Sooiety for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, with reference to the opening of the Vernon and Turner Galleries of pictures at South Ken- sington of an evening. v Militia Commission. — The Duke of NEWCASTLE asked when the report of the commission appointed to inquire into the state of the militia would be pro- duced? The Marquis of SALISBURY said the commission would meet for the last time on Monday next, after which the report would be laid before Parliament at the earliest possible moment. Their lordships then ndjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS, Penalties ivjtiqtcd on the Poor:—Mr. T. DUNCOJXBE directed the attention of the Secretary of State for the Home Department to return ;No. 192, of the last session, relative to oonvictions and penalties inflated on the poor, under the act 29 Charles II., by the magistrates of the county of Southampton, for selling fruits or sweets under the tS value of ohe penny; and asked whether it wou)d not be expedient to have the law repealed, or impartially ad- ministered throughout the country. The hon. member mentioned sevg^l cases in which fines were inflicted on persons ?QS selling a pennyworth of some artioles Oil Sunday/ Mr. S*. EsTCOt bT said that if a proposal were made to repeal the act in question, he would give it his most serious consideration. 'Churè;¿ Rates .4.bolÏfion,Sir J TRELAWNY at,i?ined leave to bring in a bill to Itboliah Churoh-ratea. The War in XtoXy.—Mr. T. DUNCOMBE moved an address for copy of the instructions given to each onger jent by the British Government to the ,cC MW?—■W—MWu.w.j |Wr———pi nMHIhl || the armies in Italy of Austria, Sardinia, and France, j together with any correspondence that has passed be- I tween the Government of England and those countries relative to such mission. Agreed to. The Navy.—Mr. HUTT moved for a return of all ships of the Royal Navy not in active service, with the name and olass of each distinguishing ships lying in ordinary from those otherwise laid up in harbour, and stating the date when eaoh ship was last actively em- ployed.. Agreed to. The Army.-ColoneI SYKES moved an address for return of the number of officers and men, distinguish- ing eaoh arm of the service, oavalry, infantry, horse and foot artillery, and engineers, annually, from 1800 to 1858, both years inclusive stating the numbers serving at home, in the colonies, and in India the enrolled pensioners, and embodied militia and volunteers; and the amount annually voted for these services, dis- tinguishing effective and non-effective services. Agreed to.

The Conference of the Liberal Party. The result of the meeting on Monday is communi- cated in a leading article of the Daily News,' which says that it has more than realised the hopes that were entertained regarding it. There were only two or thiee dissentients from the policy of the amendment to be moved on Tuesday in the House of Commons on the address, and which will declare that the present advisers of the Crown do not possess the confidence of the country. As to the administration which is to succeed Lord Derby's, both Lord Palmerston and Lord John Russell admitted that unless the different shades I of opinion in the party were fairly represented in the administration, it would be vain to assert any claim of pre-eminence over their Couservative rivals. On this point, says tile I Daily News,' Mr. Bright did good service by disclaiming ma-.fully any desire to impose upon the more moderate section extreme opinions for which they were not prepared. The duty of a cabinet professing to carry out fairly the ideas and opinions of the party in general was to show equal respect and re- gard for all; but, in its proposal for legislation, to em- body what he called the average sentiments of the party. He insisted, however, on demanding publicly from Lord John Russell whether it was to be under- stood that he meant to adhere fully to the propositions for electoral reform stated by him at the close of the last parliament. It is almost superfluous to say that the reply was in the amrmative. Lord Paimerston's explanations referred' chiefly to foreign policy. He professed himself to be sincerely anxious to preserve the neutrality of England in the present war, and to be unable to foresee any reasonable probability or jus- tification for this course being departed from. He added, however, that if any danger existed, it lay in the direction of a possible misunderstanding with France. To avert such a calamity he had long anxi- ously striven, and whether in offi;e or in opposition he should always do so. He deolared his sympathy to be on the side of Italian freedom in the impendino- stiuggle, though he felt it was neither the duty nor the policy of England to interpose by arms. Mr. Sidney Herbert expressed the opinion that it were better to ♦ail than not to answr-r the challenge thrown out by Lord Derby to the country at all.—Mr. Roebuck de- olared that he felt no confidence in the sudden change whioh had taken place in the relations between Lord Palmerston and Lord John Russell; he reminded the meeting that this country had both commenced and ended the war with Russia at the instigation of Prance, and declared his absolute want of confidence in Lord Palmerston, who had already, he said, forfeited the confidence of the country by truckling to that power. Mr. Sergeant Deasy repudiated on the part of the ma- jority of Catholio members any disposition to turn Tory. After some remarks by Mr. Coningham and Mr. Horsman, the former of whom deprecated any tone of hostility towards France, while the latter ques. tioned the policy of the movement which had been recommended by the leaders of the party, Mr Eilioe impressed upon the meeting the necessity of imme- diate action, which, he said, was not to be regarded as an act of aggression against the government, but simply as an acceptance of the challenge which had been given them by Lord Derby. Mr. Lindsay de- clined to pledge himself with regard to the amendment. It was ultimately decided to support the amendment The Daily News' says the meeting was as nearly of one mind apparently as any assembly of the kind within recollection. The 4 Morning Herald' says it was a noticeable fea- ture of the meeting, and one which was much com- mented upon, that scarcely one, if one, of the inde- pendent Irish members was present. Great doubts are vision. snme îrJlfeY Ÿ1tYil will aqpRi,,RR, tl\I!H: ItlfTuocd 16. iftrwbcro --3' the ballot.

Opinions of the Press. THE RELATIONS OF ENGLAND WITH FRANCE. (From the Economist.) All our wars came from the side of England. The Emperor respected the English people, and would have made any sacrifice to secure peace, except such as would have compromised his honour." Thus said'the present Emperor of the French in the little book in which he defended, in 1839, the" Napoleonio ideas" of his uncle; and however little truth there may he in' that assertion, it is assuredly true that it was our first foolish and irritating crusade against the French revo- lution, in which England, in spite of the strong protests of her Liberal statesmen, joined, that stamped op our relations with France that hostile and irritating tone which sowed the seeds of the later wars with Napoleon. And we fear there is not a little tendency to revive at the present day the same irritating temper. The foolish war-cries of Germany tHe echoed in England without grave rebuke as a sign of the Times;" the achievements of the French soldiers, stlftrcely yd under arms, are contrasted disparagingly with those of Sardinia, who are fighting for their native land the morbid desire for conquest and plunder which, in the mind of a Frenchman, means annexation of Italy, and in the mind of a Sardinian means the annexation of Lombardy," is brought before us from day to day, without any corresponding exposition of what the same desire means in the mind of an Austrian. And soon the time may oome, unless we are speedily relieved of the present administration, when the Minister whose last offioe it was to hymn the ,U dign;fied oonoiliation" of Austria, will lead on these reactionary views another step, and give a national expression to what the Germans call our covert hatred against Napoleonic Franoe." It is strange that we have not yet learnt the lesson, that for the popular organs of a neutral nation to im- pute intentional fraud to one of the combatants, and to represent that view as the accepted conviction in Eng- land, is the very policy which has so often ensured the commission of the crimes prophesied. Once prepared for every emergency, it is clearly the policy of a neutral nation to give each party credit for its professions of good intentiong, and to do all in its power to hold them to those intentions. We may irritate France into as- suming afresh the attitude of hostility to Europe which she Rssomed under the Republic, and re-as3umed under the Conautateand the Empire; and we cannot think of anything so likely to force her into that attitude as the couviotion that the English are disposed to join the Germans in anticipating the apprehended designs of the Emperor. It is a most fatal mistake to suppose that there is any foresight or wise sagacity in preparing national expectation for a hostile act; in preparing the resources of a nation there maybe; in preparing the mind of the nation for anger there is, on the other hand, the very greatest mis hief. It too often causes the oalamity instead of averting any fraction of its evil results. If there be one reason more than another why we desire the return of a liberal government to office, it is that we may give France every motive which a friendly relation with the English Government can give for redeeming her pledges to Italy. A frank and cordial bearing on the part of England, so long as France adheres to her pledges, will render it far mc,: a difficult for her to break through them, than a line of policy which should take for granted that she has already made up her mind to break through them-- while it wit) tiot leave England in a weaker but in a far stronger position for resisting openly any attempt of that nature. A Power that is s"speoted and and that finds itself the objeet of hostile combinations before it has done anything to deserve them, can be held in check only by its own good principles all thivt it h)M to fear in case of bad faith has been brov,g'nt against it already it has incurred all the odium and secured none of the advantages of selfish a^grep.sion. A government, on the other handv that is trustsj»'j both by friends and neutrals, a government whiofy knows Veil what are the conditions of the neutYality of the neutrals, has every motive to keep faith, ;.f it values either publio respect or its OWl) pe^oe. We are neutral and France well knov,-g this-only because we understand the object of the war to be the redemption of Italy from foreign tyran ny, and beoause, while disapproving of the method taV.en by France in carrying out her purpssp, we cannot pretend to dis- approve of the object \>roposed. Russia is neutral for the same reason. Prussia avo ws herself of the same i mind. But occe let France "break faith with Europe, m o by attempting; to put her o'vii power in the place of Austria, and tin these o'.utrals might, and probably would, combine againsf her, while Italy would revolt, > and Napoleon's prestige, even in France itself, would reoeive. w new sbooli. It is no easy thiog to set at ii- fiance in this way the half of Europe, even if the Emperor were himself in secret disposed to find an excuse for so doing. But once let us give, him the fXeus",—MM let the English press persuade the English people, as it is now using every effort to persuade them, that the die is cast, and that if we want to prevent the "annexation of Italy" we must join at once in the effort to break the Emperor's power, and the Emperor will be placed in a totally different posi- tion towards Europe. The pressure of public opinion on him will be removed the injury of anticipating the fraud of their ruler will have lashed the French people into fury; the Emperor and his army will be as it were at bay; military success will be their only ohanoe against Europe; and if all the mischiefs of the old empire return, we shall have bad no small share in causing them. We are profoundly convinced that if there be any mode of bringing down the dangers an- ticipated by leading organs of the English press upon Europe, the line they are taking in assuming the bad faith of France, and discussing every question of foreign policy on that hypothesis, is that mode. It will not increase our power to avert evil, if the danger in- sisted on is actually incurred it does increase almost indefinitely the danger itself. THE RUSSO-FHENCH TREATY. (From tlie Daily News )' The first feeling of every Englishman when he read of the treaty of offensive and defensive alliance be- tween France and Russia," was indignation at as-ound- ing treachery his first thought, that the fruits of the Crimean campaign, purohased at so many saoiifices, were in a moment lost, and that we might have to H.rht the war over again at tremendou-i odds. The fact is that the proposals made by the French government to that of Russia—proposals which, accepted, form the agree- ment between the two Powers, relate entirely to the west of Europe, and refer only to this Italian war, limited as it has been by the disclaimers of the Emperor of the French, repudiating territorial and dynastic ag- grandisements. Attenuated and slight as the agree- ment is at best, it would altogether fail were the Empe- ror of the French to pursue the grasping policy which is so often ascribed to him. As to the East of Europe, not only were partitions and spoliations excluded from the agreement or understanding between France and Russia, but it was.expressly notified to the Cabinet of St. Petersburg that the policy of France as regards Turkey remained, and must remain, unchanged that it was now what it had been in the Crimean war; and that the alliance with England, in which that polinv had been manifested, subsisted in all its force. Once more, the proposals of France were such its might be niide to any government ready to acknowledge the fair- ness of the war which France was preparing against Austria, and desiring to prevent its extension. Aecord- ingly they were made to the English government before they were made to the government of Russia, and it was only when the English government bad declined to ac- cept them that France, as a matter of defensive pre- caution, sought a limited and conditional support in another quarter. Our readers will give us credit for not making these statements inconsiderately, or upon any authority short of the highest. They agree with all that has taken place publicly since the outbreak of war, and their chief value in our eyes is, that they show that the French Emperor, while he employs the mate- ria! forces of Franoe, is under a real responsibility to European public opinion. Russia, a juror in the great oourt of Europe, has not found, if she ever sought, a purchaser for her vote. She. is in a position of free- dom, and has' moreover, every motive to scrutinise the acts of the French Emperor, and to avert in its develop- ment any tendency to transgress the limits of the pro- gramme which that potentate has laid before Europe. We trust, also, that we shall not be diminishing the security of the country if we express an opinion that in this busiuffs of the agreement with Russia, Louis Na- poleon has not forfeited the reputation for fidelity which we were all asoribing to him three years ago. It was an ill compliment paid to this countrv when he was represented as selling his faith to the Czar. The alliance of England must always be of far more impor- tance to the Emperor of France than that of any other power. Why should Englishmen be the last ill the world to see this ?

Lord Ellenboroug-b on the War In Italy. Two public meetings were held in Cheltenham on Thursday, for the purpose of forming a volunteer rifle corps, on" taking place in the afternoon and the other in the evening. The latter was called in favour of those tradesmen, shop assistants, and others who could not be present ia the middle of the day. The Earl of Eilen.borousrh presided and the meetings being large tory character. The Earl of Ellenborough, who was loudly cheered, expressed his satisfaction at being able to oomply with the request made to him to preside that evening, and at the same time he was pleased to obse: ve so large an attendance. If there were tradesmen present, and he supposed there were, they, of all others, in bis opinion, were especially interested in preventing an enemy landing on these shores, as being likely to suflvr most from such an occurrence. All monetary transactions of the country would be altogether impaired and in- jured from the very instant it was known an enemy had landed. What would be the effect of that panic occasioned by the approach of an enemy to London, and what could he the mode of conducting monetary transactions with the means of communication inter- fered with ? And what must we do? It was not I enough to feel satisfied that if the enemy landed we should be enabled to repel him we must be so strong as to deter him from attempting invasion (cheers). 1 They might depend upon it that the mere aot of inva- sion, if the enemy were but a week in the country, j and if it terminated by his expulsion or the destruction of all his forces, that single week of invasion would produce an injury to the material interes's of this of all his forces, that single week of invasion would produce an injury to the material interes's of this country which a hundred, years would hardly recover (hear, hear). He dared say there were a good many I amongst them who thought it possible to avoid all these misfortunes bypreserving a strict neutrality. There could be no one more desirous than himeelf that we should not be involved in war (hear, hear). But li, ¡ would tell them this, that neutrality, although it put off war, did not prevent it (hear, hear). On the con- trary, it might ultimately bring upon us a war infi- nitely more dangerous than that in whioh we refuse to engage before. While two great nations were contend- ing against each other, if we engaged in a war, at It ast, we should have one of these nations with us; if we waited till one of these nations was trampled upon and beaten by the other, and had deprived it of strength to contend in the field, and then we were disposed to con- tend against the conqueror, we should contend à!01Je against a power which had matured its forces, against a force disciplined in the field, and therefore to our dis- advantage. He knew not that it was necessary for him, if he were to speak at all, to sty anything-of the nature and character of the present- war. But there was one point connected with it, about which he hoped they were under no delusion. He trusted they did not suppose it was really a war for the independence of Italy (cheers). If he could think it were so, no one would rejoice in its success more than he should (re- newed cheers). lie had been earnestly desirous of see- ing a great and really independent State in Italy fioni the"earlifst period of his life (hear, bear). No event would more strongly condues to the security of Austria I herself than the creation of ft. great and independent power in Italy (hear, hear). He had not the smallest hope of any such result from any interference on the part of France. The object of France was to transfer ) to herself that supremacy in Italy whioh bad been ? possessed by Austria sirc-ae 1S14J (hear, hear). Austria had held it for defensive purposes; Franoa would hold it for the purposes af offence, and in her hands it would be an important step towards making the Medi- terranean a French lake (hear, hear). If they looked back to past times, and thewar8 of the French re- volution, they would see with what gallantry Austria came forward, and what advantage we derived from her actions. In 1805, Auatiia, at her own. great risk, rushed forward and prevented the invasion oi this country (cheers). In 1-809 she again moved -forward, she again sufft-red great defeats, but she facilitated by bar movement the advanoe )of the Duke of Wellington OJ1 Madrid, and laid the foundation of the liberation ot Spain. Notwithstanding all these defeats of 1805 and 1809, and her weakness, Austria again, in 1813, joined the Allie3, and gave into her hajids her territory in Bohrmia, for the purpose of enabling them to. ttot against the French, and mainly contributed iu Ger- many, and afterwards in France, to the liberation of E'jrope (cheers^. We must not, therefore, allow our- selves to be diverted from the recolleotion of past times, in dealing with the present. ne wou'd act go into another point of great importance, and well worthy the attentiou of the public; he meant the understand- ing which evidently existed between Russia and France (hear, hear), an understanding existing between two great despotio military powers with reference to what (hear, hear), an understanding existing between two great despotio military powers with reference to what their conduct shall be in supporting the independence and freedom of Italy. There was reason, he believed, to suspect the purity of the motives of both parties (hear, hear), but this they might observe, while Russia (hear, hear), but this they might observe, while Russia by bringing 150,000 men on the frontiers of Poland, praotJcally paralysed Germany, we, Kkewiae, in the movements of our fleet, were already if not paralysed yet greatly checked and controlled by the presence of a Russian fleat of thirtv sail of the line, which bad been largely increased since the commencement of this war, for we could not venture to send the whole of our force to the Mediterranean, knowiDS if we did that that f!eet might anchor at Spithead. Yet we were told that Russia had assured the English government that there was nothing whatever existing between France and herself contrary to our interests and they accepted that explanation If the government was not afraid of an understanding between Russia and France, it more behoved the people of this country to be afraid, and to take their own course for their deliverance (loud cheering). His Lordship resumed his seat, amid loud cheering; and a vote of thanks was given by acclamation.

.Lord Elg-ia on Zndia and ChinA. On Friday the Lord Mayor entertained her Majesty's Judges Among the guests were the Earl and Countess of Elgin and Sir John and Lady Lawrence The health of Lord Elgin was irirpn, and receiv>d with marked erthusiasm. His lordship, after expressing his teelings at the cordin] reception he had met with, re- ferred is follows to the p esence of Sir John Lawrence "You can well imagine how gratifying it must be to a servant of the public who has been encased for a con- siderable period of time in a distant part of the globein thedischargpofdtiti.sof a peculiar —and, perhaps, without exaggeration I may be permitted to say of a somewhat arduous nature, to be greeted on his return home with a welcome such as has been aooorded me to- night by a company presided over by the chief magis- trate of the chief city in the world, and comprising among other distinguished tMiesfs that illustrious man on whom the freedom of the city has this day been con- ferred, aud who is one of that noble band of heroes who, combining qualities the most dissimilar-the sagacity, the calmness, and the prudence of the statesman with the fortitude, the quickiifss of vision, and the energy of the soldier —have contributed to replace more securely than ever on its foundations that mighty empire of Eng- land in the East which for one moment, and for one mo- ment only, seemed to he tottering (cheers) Ah! my Lord Mayor, I remember that moment. It was my task, in pursuance of what I htlieved to be my duty, to proceed to Calcutta at the ori'ical period of August, 1857 and I shall n^ver forget to my dying day—for the hour was a dai k one, and there was hardly a ooun- tensnoe in Calcutta, save that of the Governor-Gmeral, Lord Canning, which was not blanched with fear—I shall never forget the che',rs with which the Shannon, the vessel which had bi-en assigned to me as my floating mansion, and which I was then hastening to plaoe at the disposal of the Government of India, was ffret-ted as she sailed up the river, pouring forth her salute from those 08 pounders which the gallant but iamented Sir W Pee! sent up to Allahabad, and from those 24- pounders which, according to Lord Clyde, made way across the country in a manner neverbefore witnessed (cheers). I hope I may be pardoned if I own at this moment to a certain fee.'ine of exultation, tempered, I trust, with a devout sentiment of gratitude to Almighty Providence, when I am reminded, by the vicinity in which I have the good fortune to find myself to-night, that it was from the force destined for China, and by a stretch of authority on my own part which was perhaps unprecedented, that the two regiments which were then holding Bengal against the rebels, and which were pant- ing, under the coram m 1 of the dauntless Havelock, to proceed to the relief of Luckriow, and of that brave war- rior Colo'iel Inglis, with his noble wife, the sharer not of his danger alone, but also of his courage and forti- tude, were re inforcod and enabled to achieve the pro- digies of valour which had i-enilered them illustrious (cheers). I have, my Lord Mayor, aocepted your in- t'itaiooonthis occasion with grpat gratification. It has been my lot to live for some time in a country boasting of laws and or usages some of wlrch are not wholly unworthy of our rmitation, to/ether with a mo- rality which, to jud.-e. from the precepts contained in i's books, should be of a pure and elevated character. In that land, however one thing is wanting: and this defect neutralizes all the merits of its system. The in- tegrily of the administrators of its laws in dispensing what, by a little touch of irony, is sometimes denomi- nated justice—(a lau-rh)—is certainly not above suspi- cion. Thus, a moral gangrene eats into the heart of the social system, introducing a wide-spread corruption and decay. The wandering Englishman—and I am sorry to say I belong to that category — when he returns home, after an absence however protracted, finds that not only in respect of disinterestedness and impartiality, but of wisdom, learning, and independence, the judges of this country hold as high a position as they ev' r did; and whatever may have been the case with public men in other spheres of activity, the 1udicial bench, at least, have lost nothing in the estimation of their fel- low-citizens (cheers). But if I have passed a somewhat severe sentence on China, I must say it possesses some securities against mal-ailministration which ought, ac- cording to received opinions, to prove highly effica- cious. In tlie first place, all its public functionaries of UTtrnj ftW £ jv>As.reDt atedlv through that ordeal which infallible test, not only of capacity, but of every'otner qualification, namely, through a competitive examina- tion (laughter). 1 think it is a matter of custom rather than of positive enactment, but the practice in China is for every official of hiirh rank, placei in a position of great difficulty, to accept it with the comfortable assu- rance that if he fail to extricate himself creditably from his embarrassments, he is perfectly certain sooner or later to terminate his career by decapitation (laughter). That is a system no doubt attended with some inconve- niences. It presses sometimes rather hardly on indivi- duals. But it provides vacancies, and operates in that way unquestionably as a powerful enoouragemfnt to enterprising young men desirous of entering the publio service (renewed laughter). Still,if that practice were introduced into this country, I can't hplp thinking it would create considerable perturbation among the heads of departmpnts. At any rate, it would have a strong tendency to reduce that plethora of Prime Mi- nifters and thnt kind of determination of blood to the head which now appears to be the disease from which England is likely to suffer (laughter). The result of my experience in the East is, that competitive examina- tion, even when supplemented by decnpitation, is not an adequate substitute for that manly morality which is the product of our free constitution and of the charac- teristic training of cur countrymen (cheers). The late Parliament, which died an unnatural death, although it w:is elected for the exp ess purpose of looking after affairs in China, nevertheless observed during the whole of its existence so discreet a silence on that sub- jeot as neither to have asked for nor received any com- munication whatever with respect to our proceedings in that quarter of the world (a laugh). The consequence is that if, in obedience to your invitation, I were now to begin to opfnm f heart on the question of onr diplo- matic relations with China, I miiht unwarily and un- wittingly betray some seerets of state, and, after dining so luxuriantly under your lordship's auspices, I might breakfast to-morrow mn -h more frugally under the aus- pices of the Constable of the Tower (a laugh). lam anxious, however, that over-sanguine expectations should not be raised respecting the issue 01 recent events in China and Japan. on a former occasion, after a much more partial opening of China, it was stated' that Manchester would- not be able to provide enough o-.oods for one provinre of that country; and those in whom these hopes were excited were subsequently dis- appointed. I am anxious that the error should not be repeated. Yet, wbyu we ?nlk of 400,000,000 of people, it is really difficult to avoid statements that seem to savour of exaggeration, x have been told that the best way to calculate the future extension of Qur commerce in these regions is to reckon how much cotton it would take to provide niahtsaps for these •iOOi.OOO.OOO of Chi- nese, and then send an order to Manchester accord- ingly. Now, really, my acquaintance with the Chinese and Japanese does not enable me to say whether they wear nightcaps or not; but, it they do, certainly the quantity of cottcn that would be required to pack up their long tails would be something enormous (laugh- ter). I know, however, that tHeso 400,000,000 souls wear blue cotton blouses, and that they dress in other garments of the same material; aud though in China tbti ladies are habitHl exaotly like their lords, I have never heard that the practico attended with the do- mestic inconvenience supposed, in EnglnnJ to fipw from such a oircumptance (laughter). But, to speak serious- ly, China and Japan are now open to British enter- prise. The barrier which separated 400,0,)0,1100 of ¡"uman beings from their fsllow-men has, as far as inter- national engagements can effect such a result, now been broken down. I have never exaggerated the part which diplomacy has to play in these matters. I said a year ago, at Shanghai, wkeu the treaty was concluded, that after force and negotiation had finished their woik the labour of establishing our commercial intercourse with China on a proper footing had only begun. I, hold that our manufacturers must task their ingenuity to the ut- moat if they would supplant the native fabrics produced in the leisure ho-irs 01 an agricultural and industrious people. But, though the great work commenced by tbe feeble hand of diplomacy has to be completed by the V gorous brain and stalwart aim of the British manufac- turer, we have no reason far despondency. n ee am confident that the enterprise now begun wul lead to a vast'developmentof the commerce of England, and in- troduce a new era of prosperity ai;d oration a large portion of the human faoe." (The nobla Earl concluded amid loud cheers.)

"PEMBROKE. — Ou Tuesday a j:reat number of the members of the Order of Ivorites held a festival at Curew Castle, where a good repast was spread beneath the shade of flags. When all were seated, grace was s-ud, followed by a response from tbe clouds in a α- voice of thunder. The rain fell in torrents, driving the regalers-plates in hand-to seek more boa-* pitable ^shelter beneath the ruir# of the auoiea* fortress.