r fortign au t Culatrial.

FBANCE.—Simultaneously with the proceedings in England, the cora- mencement of war was announced to the French Chambers. After the transaction of private business on Monday, M. Fould, the Minister of State., was introduced to the Legislative Body to deliver a message from the Emperor, simply announcing that Russia, having refused to reply to the summons of France and England, was thereby placed with respect to France in a state of war, the whole responsibility of which appertains to Russia. The members loudly cheered the Minister of State ; and M. Billault, in the name of the Body, said—" The Emperor may reckon on the unanimous cooperation of the Legislative Body, as on that of the whole of France." A similar communication was also made to the Senate, and received in the same way ; the President expressing full con- fidence in the Emperor.

The following declaration was published in the Moniteur of Tuesday- " Article 1. Six weeks from the present date are granted to Russian ships of commerce to quit the ports of France. Those Russian ships which are not actually in our ports, or which may have left the ports of Russia previously to the declaration of war, may enter into the French ports and remain there for the completion of their cargoes until the 9th of May inclusive. "Article 2. Those vessels which shall be captured by French cruisers, after haring left the Russian ports, shall be released, if they can establish, by the ship's papers, that they were proceeding direct to the place of destina- tion, and had not yet arrived there."

The American Minister had assured M. Drouyn de Lhuys that letters of marque will not be granted in the United States.

Declarations similar to the three Orders in Council issued by the British Government have been published. Russian subjects residing in France will not be molested so long as they obey the law.

The loan has been amazingly successful. No less than 467,000,000 francs has been subscribed ; of which 250,000,000 have been subscribed in the departments, and 214,000,000 in Paris. The number of subscribers for 50 francs of rente is upwards of 60,000, and the loan is subscribed by 98,000 persons. The Moniteur states that 4000 French troops, sent to the East, were to have reached Gallipoli on Monday last ; and that altogether 15,000 troops have left France and Algiers. The remainder of the army, 50,000 strong, would be assembled in Turkey by the 1st of May. It is added that mea- sures have been taken to reinforce this army to any extent which cir- cumstances may require.

TURKEY.—The campaign on the Danube has been fairly opened by the Russians. Of the exact nature of their successes, or defeats, or even of their positions, no trustworthy information has been received. What would appear to be certain is, that a large body of troops has been thrown over the Lower Danube and that they have succeeded in establishing themselves in the Dobrudscha, a swampy strip of land lying between the Danube and the sea. From a recent letter by Omar Pasha, published in the Journal de Constantinople, it appears that Mustapha Pasha had strongly fortified Chatal Boumou, between Isaatska and 'foultza, and Potbaski, situate below Matchin. It is asserted that 8000 Russians under Prince Gortschakoff captured Toultza on the 23d March, with a loss to the Turks of 11 guns and 150 prisoners ; that General Lfiders had crossed the river with 60,000 men, and had invested Matchin ; and that a second strong column of Russians had crossed the river at Oltenitza, and, although re- pulsed with a loss of 3000 men, according to a Turkish despatch, yet they had established themselves on the right bank, the Turks retiring to their intrenchments. This last engagement also is said to have taken place on the 23d. It had been previously stated that Prince Gortschakoff had endeavoured to possess himself of an island opposite Turtukai, on the 15th, by throwing a bridge across ; and that the bridge was destroyed by the Turkish guns, with a loss to the Russians of 2000 killed and drowned. Whatever truth there may be in the details of these despatches, it is ad- mitted that the Russians have, at least, occupied the Dobrudscha, and menaced Turtukai. Before they can bring their left forward upon Sills- tria, one of the supposed objects of the movement, they will have to en- counter at least 40,000 Turkish troops with 48 guns, somewhere about pie remains of the Wall of Trajan.

No information of the Turkish movements is given, except a projected attack by the Kalafat garrison, now 30,000 strong, upon Pojana, the Rus- sian head-quarters. It is stated that the Ottoman chiefs at Kalafat have been directed to accept the guidance of the French Colonel Dieu in framing the plan of campaign. Omar Pasha says that the Russians could not render him a greater service than by crossing the river. The service has been rendered.

The allied fleets, at the date of the latest advices, were still at Beicos. It was reported that the Russian fleet had left Sebastopol, but there is reason to doubt that statement.

The progress of the insurrection in Albania still remains a matter of mystery. Whether it extends or not, whether the insurgents have de- feated the Turks or the Turks the insurgents, is quite uncertain ; but from the absence of intelligence of insurgent victories from Athens, it may be inferred that the insurrection is not flourishing.

The Gomer and two English steamers have been at Athens to support the energetic policy of the allies. King Otho has been told that he must choose between the good-will of France and England and a blockade of his ports. It is quite certain that the Government indirectly favour the insurgents. The 'Turkish Minister has left Athens.

lento; Isoaxns.—The Ionian Parliament was prorogued by the Lord High Commissioner on the 18th, for one month. The reason for this step was that the Legislative Assembly were considering an address contain- ing allusions to foreign politics, with which they had no right to interfere. Sir Henry Ward says that if he received the address in silence, he would be said to concur in it ; if he opposed, he could only reiterate oft-repeated advice against any participation in the movements of Epirus, with the assurance that her Majesty will exert her influence to secure a stable and satisfactory position for the Christian subjects of the Porte.

GERMANY.—The exact position occupied by the German Powers is still extremely obscure. Negotiations go on between Prussia and Austria, but for what we are not informed, except that it is for a perfect under- standing relative to future policy. There is also a talk of continuing a Secret treaty, ratified some years back, under which Prussia engages to assist Austria in the event of an insurrectionary movement in Lom- bardy.

The King of Prussia is suffering from the effects of an accident, politely traced to his shortsightedness. As he was walking in the garden of the palace at Charlottenberg, he struck his forehead against a branch of a tree, and hurt an eye. The latest accounts say that he is ill of a low fever ; that his face is swollen ; that the wound has suppurated, and that erysipelas has ensued.

ITALY.—The Duke of Panne was stabbed in the streets of Turin on Sunday ; he lingered until Monday, and then died. The assassin escaped. The Duke was young in years, thirty-one, but old in tyranny. Since 1848 his duchy has been in a state of siege ; the schools and colleges all closed ; the public money used at will ; and the government in the hands of a Yorkshire groom, whom he had elevated to the title of Baron Ward. In 1845 he married the sister of the Count de Chambord ; and he leaves four children—the eldest boy, Robert, now Duke of Parma, was

born on the 9th July 1848. The Duchess assumed the regency, dissolved the Parmesan Ministry of Ward, and ordered that worthy to quit the duchy and never return to it.

The Austrian Government has shown its want of consideration for the' Government of Piedmont by nominating M. de Weikbecker, late Consul•

at Smyrna, notorious for his share in the kidnapping of Kossta, as Coned' at Genoa. As Piedmont has recently declined to -receive M. Foeesti, the United States Consul, on the ground of his connexion with the revo- lutionary party, so they have remonstrated with the Austrian Govern- ment against the appointment of an agent detested by the Liberals, and likely to cause a breach of public order.

DENMARK.—The Danish Chambers were prorogued on the 24t1r March. Notwithstanding the recent great majorities against the Mi- nisters, they still remain in office, to the delight of the Russian party.

UNITED STATES.-.-By the Arctic, which arrived at Liverpool on Wed:

nesday, we have advices from New York to the 18th March. - Great excitement. existed in the Union on account of the seizure of the steam-ship Black Warrior by the Cuban authorities at Havannah. The story is, that the Black Warrior, laden with cotton at Mobile; and bound_ for New York, touched at Havannah ; and that there she was seized for an alleged infringement of the revenue-laws, namely having cotton on board not included in the manifest. The schooner John S. Gettings was also seized. It is asserted that no portion of the cotton was shipped for Havannah.

Roused by this act, President Pierce has sent a message to Congress, intimating that the outrage is clearly made out, and that he shall expect full indemnity from the Spanish Government. If the demands be re- jected, the President states that he will not fail to WM the authority and means at his disposal to insure the observance of just rights and to vin- dicate the honour of the American flag ; and he suggests that Congress. should make immediate provision for any emergency that may arise. The President dwells on the fact that Cuba is clime at band r; that similar outrages have been previously inflicted ; and that instead of having th seek redress at Madrid, there should be some means of redressing com- plaints in Cuba.

Among the passengers of the Arctic was a messenger who bears in- structions to Mr. Soule at Madrid, directing him to press for immediate satisfaction for the outrage.

Walker, the "President of the Republic of Sonora," 18 the pirate styles himself, is still flourishing. The report of his rliseomfiture was prema- ture. At the date of the latest advices from San Francine, he had sent his army against the dreaded Apache Indians; ameasure likely to conci- liate the Mexicans and induce them to give their support to the Walker Government. There had been a mutiny, and the President had exiled: about forty-five of his adherents.

INDIA AND CHINA.—The intelligence brought by the overland mail extends to the 28th February from Bombay, and the litlx from Hong- kong.

From Burmah we learn that Bassein is disturbed, and that a large body of Burmese troops were encamped sixty miles above Meaday. The French Captain d'Orgeni, the instructor of the Burmese at Ava in mili- tary matters, has been summoned by the Governor-General of the'French settlements to give an account of his proceedings. The King of Ave. gave him a splendid farewell audience. It is stated that he has advised the Burmese not to oppose the English in the field, nor in stockades, but to organize a guerilla warfare, to entrap the troops in the jungle, and pick off the officers.

The defenceless state of the harbour at Bombay was attracting a good deal of attention. At present the batteries are so placed that a ship could enter the harbour out of the range of the guns, burn all the shipping, and escape scot-free. There are only batteries on one shore, and the batteries on the sea face of the town are masked by houses and shipping.

The news from China adds nothing to what was previously known. Shanghai had not been recaptured by the Imperialists; and Canton was quiet. The increase of the export of tea to Great Britain, over that of last year, is estimated at 12,400,000 pounds.

AUSTRALIA.—By the overland mail, advices have arrived from Mel- bourne to the 30th and Sydney to the 25th January.

The Committee of the Legislative Council of Victoria had presented a report on the constitution, and 's bill had been brought in. It proposes that there should be two Houses, both elective : the Upper House, or Legislative Council, to be composed of twenty-five members, elected. from among persons possessed of a freehold worth 10,0004 or 10001. per' annum ; the constituency to consist of persons having a freehold to the value of10004 or 1001. per annum, a leasehold paying 3001. annually,. squatters holding 8000 sheep or 1000 head of cattle, graduates of British' universities barristers, solicitors, medieal practitioner, and ministers of religion. The members to retire in rotation ; the Crown to have no power of dissolving the House; no addition to be made to the number of its members.

The House of Assembly is to be chosen from persons possessing free- holds worth 10001. or 1004 a year; and the electors are to be persons having freeholds worth 1001. or 104 a year, or leaseholds paying 101. a year, or holding a licence to occupy Crown-land for twelve months. The' House to endure for three years. Thus diggers, les such, will have no votes. Two members of the Executive will represent the Government in each House ; the Governor will have a veto -on all legislation • and he will have the state patronage. The Governor's salary to be 10,0001. a year, with 60001. for household expenses. It is -proposed to set apart 50,0001. a year for the support of public worship ; and a civil list is ifl-. eluded as a sine qua non. Such are the general provisions of the mea- sure.

It would seem that the French navy in the South Seas exoeeds both the English and American together. The colonists were apprehensive ot, buccaneers bearing French or Russian flags. The proposal for an Upper House nominated for life by the'Crown, in New South Wales, has been modified to one of five years. The act was read a third time on the 21st December, and on the following day the Council was prorogued till the 7th Febriutry. Mr. Deas Thompson and Mr. Wentworth had left Sydney for England, authorized by the Council to support the Constitution BilL