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FRANCE.—We are enabled this week to form some conclusion on the probable issue, or rather settlement, of the differences between England and France. In a word, we think, that at present we shall have no war. We rejoice that we are enabled to think so and the spirit of peace which is breathed throughout the French Journals of the last week, with scarcely a sin- gle exception, and the private correspondence of the London J-ournalists, all embodying simi- lar peaceful sentiments, combine to inspire us with the hope that, for the present at least, the energies and resources of these two great nations will be drawn out or developed, in a more beneficial manner, than by endeavouring to rival each other in the art of wholesale murder—for this, it cannot be denied, is meant by the "art of war." We glean from the Lon- don Papers, that King Leopold, of Belgium, has been unremitting in his exertions to effect a pacific settlement of the dispute between the neighbouring Countries and, indeed, that it is owing, in a chief degree, to His exertions that matters have taken a favorable turn. Our ministerial papers compliment the" good sense" ofthe French, while the opposition prints attribute the preservation of peace to the forbearance of the French people." Although we may be allowed to indulge the hope that the warlike preparations lately made by the two Countries, will turn out to have been un- necessary, it would appear that our Govern- ment are not at all relaxing in their work of preparation, the best preventative, perhaps, of any untoward event: hence we find that a numerous list of appointments and changes has been made at the Admiralty; and that the several Dock Yards are manifesting the greatest activity. The troops intended for the Mediterranean, are despatched with the great- est speed, without waiting the opportunity of Admiralty vessels proceeding to the same destination. On the relative strength of our wooden walls, compared with the French Navy, we find our Contemporaries, the Times and the Standard differing with the Globe, which may, perhaps, be considered to possess official information on the subject. The Globe has therefore lately put forth the following com- parative statement of the English and French Ships of the Line in commission, as well as of those in preparation for each Country, and of the relative steam force of France and England, classed under their respective heads, in order to shew that the discrepancy between the two naval forces is not so great as has been alleged. "Ships of the Line, English. Guns Princess Charlotte. 104 Powerful 84 Thunderer- 84 A Ria 84 Bellerophon 80 Ganges 84 Revenge 76 Cambi-idge 78 Benboiv i2 Edinburgh 72 Implacable- 74 Hastings i2 Total Ships, 12. Ships of the Line, French. Guns. MontebeUo- -120 llercule 100 Ocean- 12:) Jena. 90 Jupiter 86 Sante Petri 86 Neptune 86 stitti-en 90 Alger 80 Genereux 80 Trident 80 Marengo 80 Inflexible -90 Total Ships, 13. The following vessels of both countries are in different states of preparation, as augmentations, or reliefs, or dis- posable English. Guns. The Vanguard (ready for se a) 80 The Rodney (ditto) 92 The Donegal (at Lisbon) 78 The Belleisle (on her way home) 72 Total Ships, 4. French. Guns. The Triton (ready for sea) TheScipion (not manned) S2 Souveram (fitting) do. 120 Ville de M arseille( fitting) ditto- 82 Inflexible (ditto) do. 90 Diademe, (reiftting) do. 82 Total Ships, 6. The steam force of France consists of vessels of 160 horse power, having only one of 220-horse power, in the Mediter- ranean. The steam force of England consists of two of 300- horse power, and none less than 220-horse power, on that sta- tion. We have stated the utmost present force of France. We will now state her reserve in ordinary and building:— In ordinary. Guns. The Nestor- 82 Couronne S2 Friedland 120 Jemappe 100 Algesiras (in bad condi- tioii 86 Total ships, 5. 011 the stocks, bnildiiig. On the stocks, bnilding. First-rates 2 Second-rates- 8 Third-rates 3 13 Making a total of 14 ships of the line, first and second rates, fully manned; five in preparation, corresponding with our demonstration ships; five in ordinary, and thirteen building, which might be afloat in eighteen months or two years, making a total of 37 first and second rates. Of the 14 at sea, several have been some time in commission, and will require to be re-fitted and re-placed by others, so that we cannot see how they can keep more than 18 or 19 sail at sea for twelve months: but even supposing them to have 30 sail of the line fully manned and equipped, is it a force to boast of, compared to the force that England can equip ? Even if the statement of the Times and Standard had been correct, and that the proportions had been as nine to eighteen in the Mediterranean, this is more than compensated by the skill, experience, and gallantry of British tars." The United Service Gazette denies the cor- rectness of the above account given in the Globe, and pledges itself for the correctness of the following statement. "Ve have 76 sail of the line available for service afloat, of which 22 are in commission. Of the re- maining 54, one third at least require extensive repairs before they can be equipped for service, leaving about 36 for future supply-a force, suppos- ing it to be fully equipped, little stronger than that of the Russian fleet in the Baltic." We learn from the Brighton Gazette, that at Portsmouth, Very active efforts are making to procnre men for the navy, and if necessity should arise, the out- pensioners of Greenwich Hospital will be called on and surveyed for service." At Plymouth, too, several ships are order- ed for commission. r SPAIN.-Tlie Times correspondent, speaking of Spain, says "Both parties are desirous for the departure of the Queen the Modcrados and Progressistas are more than ever divided in their views and interests. The ayuntamiento law-the apple of discord between them-will become shortly after the arrival of the Queen Regent in Madrid, the signal of an obstinate struggle, of which the events of Barcelona were the mere prelude. The army will act the principal part in this new civil war, which may bring about a terrible revolution. The real friends of Spain, who recollect the occur- cnces of 1823, are seriously alarmed. The transac- tion proposed by the Regent may soothe the Moder- ados, but will never satisfy their adversaries. It is thought, however, that the Queen will not consent to any further concession calculated to endanger the cause of Royalty. Ministers have taken posses- sion of their respective offices, but they do not govern." THE EAST.—THE PERSECUTED JEWS AT DAMASCUS. The following is a copy of the speech which Sir Moses Montefiore, one of the recent Deputation from London to the Court at Alexandria, delivered to the Paslia, Mehemet Ali, and which we learn is to be translated into Turkish. Having heard in Europe of the tortures to which several Israelites (subjects of your Highness) have been subjected, for the purpose of extorting involun- tary confessions, and because the shedding of blood is prohibited in the Jewish religion, we have come in behalf of those of our religion in England, France, and all Europe, to seek for justice at the hands of your highness, and that the affair may be submitted to enquiry. We are aware that as soon as your Highness was informed of the unheard of horrors that were being committed at Damascus, your High- ness immediately gave orders for their discontinuance. We invoke the fame which your Highness has acquired at the cost of so much courage with the whole civilized world. We have come calmly and without hatred to request of your Highness a firman, which will empower us freely to examine the trans- action. That the firman be registered here, in the archives, and officially despatched to the Governor General, who will publish it in the Streets of Damas- cus. That we be permitted to see the accused as often as we may require." CHINA.—The Aden, Captain Ponsonby, has arrived at Plymouth. The private advices state that "The British ships were loading teas under the Danish flag. Freights ranged from £6 to £8 per ton; in some instances £9 had been paid. The exports of tea from China to Great Britain during the year, were variously estimated at from 25,000, OOOlfes. to 30,000,0001bs." FRANCE.—The Presse, in a late number, publishes the following defence of the Sover- eign, We know that M. Thiers has for some days past been endeavouring to throw the responsibility of his policy upon the King. Europe has no confidence in M. Thiers, and will not see in him the personification of France therefore an effort is made to transform, in the eyes of Europe, the King, the most elevated and the most durable representative of the country, into a sort of double of M. Thiers. Let the King be made to use towards Foreign Ambassadors language which M. Thiers would be ashamed to write-let him cover with contempt the Governments which they re- present, and call the Ministers of those Governments cerveawa brides, and then, perhaps, no person in Europe will inspire more respect than M. Thiers, and we must put up with him, bon gre mal gre. Such, doubtlessly, is the mode of reasoning of the audacious empires in whose hands at this moment the destines of the country are placed. Never did a more guilty calculation enter into the head of a dictator at his last gasp."