foreign anb Colonial.

Fnescs.—The threatened debate on the sale of an office in the Finance Department took place in the Chamber of Deputies on Friday. The sub- ject was introduced by M. Odilon Barrot- Early in November 1841, M. Bertin de Vane called on M. Petit, and offered to procure for him the place of Referendary of the second class in the Court of Ac- counts, on condition that he should purchase the resignation of a Referendary of the first class, of which appointment the Government stood in need, to satisfy a promise made by M. Gnizot to M. Passy. In a few days, M. Petit brought the resignation of M. Heront to M. Gnizot, having paid for it a sum of 30,000 francs. In 1844, the same M. Petit was again employed in a similar affair by M. Genie, private secretary to M. Gnizot, to negotiate a resignation in the same court, which M. Gnizot wanted for a friend of M. Lacave Laplagne. M. Petit was to be ap- pointed Collector of Taxes at Corbel, in exchange for the resignation of the office of Referendary of the second class, which he was to procure. The matter was arranged; and on the 12th, agreeably to M. Genie's promise, the Royal ordinances, appointing the friend of AL Lacave-Laplagne Referendary in the Court of Ac- counts, and M. Petit Collector at Corbeil, were signed. That resignation had cost M. Petit a sum of 15,000 francs, and an engagement to pay the person who resigned that office a pension of 6,000 franca per annum, one-half of which was to revert to his wife.

The negotiation, M. Odilon Barret declared, took place in the cabinet of the Minister. He had verified the statements contained in a memorial published by M. Petit that the document addressed by M. Petit existed; and found that the facts were supported by authentic acts.

M. Gnizot treated the subject lightly-

" Some of the statements were falsts-nd others very insignificant. It was perhaps thought that to cover one abuse he should reveal others, and makeit discussion of proper names; but he should do nothing of the kind. But the practice complained of was of old standing. In 1845 the Court of Bordeaux even declared it to be legal; and although he should never regret to see old abuses put an end to—to find the public conscience more sensitive and inclined to impose on the Administration new duties and more elevated sentiments of delicacy—it was necessary to be just towards the past and present. Government had, how- ever, taken steps in the matter: for the last two years the abuse had ceased, the practice having been forbidden; it was proposed to substitute a formal law for a doubtful and uncertain system, and a bill had been prepared. The Conservative party ought, no doubt, to show itself watchful over public morality; but it must be remembered that they had received a very mingled inheritance from the past.

A host of Ex-Ministers then rose, amidst much confusion, to deny their participation in any such practices as M. Guizot had acknowledged, daring their tenure of office. M. Dupin, M. Thiers, bf. Dufaure, M. Billault, each in his turn, expressed abhorrence of such practices; and even M. Lacave- Laplagne himself, the late colleague of M. Guizot, declared that he not only did not know that such things were done, but that he would have de- nounced them if he had been aware of them. After a great deal of re- crimination on all sides, M. Lherbette rose to propose this resolution- " The Chamber, without approving of the explanations given by the President of the Council, and reserving the rights which result from the Ministerial responsibility, passes to the order of the day." M. Gnizot at once declared, that if such a motion were carried he would resign. Whereupon, M. de Peyramont proposed the following as an amendment-

" The Chamber, relying on the wish expressed by the Government, and on the efficacy of the measures to be taken to put an end to a long-standing and ob- jectionable abuse, passes to the order of the day." M. Darblay then proposed the following resolution- " The Chamber, afflicted, and dissatisfied, closes the debate on the incident, and passes to the order of the day." M. Lherbette having agreed to withdraw his amendment, the Chamber divided on M. Darblay's; when the numbers were—For the amendment, 146; against it, 225; majority 79: this amendment was consequently re- jected. M. de Peyramont's was then adopted by a show of hands. The general debate on the address was concluded on Saturday, and on Monday the discussion of the paragraphs began. It turned upon the finan cial position of the country; M. de Lasteyrie attacking Government for profuse expenditure. M. Damon replied; maintaining that the position of the country was satisfactory, and that the ordinary revenue and expendi- ture would balance in 1849. On that text 51. Thiers spoke, on Tuesday. He denied the promised balancing of accounts, with an immense array of figures. The yearly expenditure shown by the ordinary and extraordinary bud- gets amounts to not less than 1,600 millions of francs (64,000,0001.) The ordi- nary budget for 1849 is 1,382 millions of francs; which cannot he met by the ordinary resources. To meet the extraordinary expenditure of that year, there is nothing except the public credit: but the Minister has been drawing upon the credit in every possible form. There is already an amount of 2,500 millions to be provided, for public works not yet executed: indeed, the State has been bor- rowing for public works at the rate of 150 millions a year, and the companies at the like rate; so that 300 millions a year are withdrawn, for that purpose alone, from the savings of the people. The floating debt is continually increasing, and by the end of 1848 it will amount to 800 millions. In conclusion, M. Thiers said- " The Minister of Finance has the fullest confidence in the future: but I want to know what would be our resources should any unforeseen event arise to disturb the repose of Europe. His answer will perhaps be, ' We are the Ministers of peace, and events are in our own hands.' If events are in your hands, it is you who have ruled those which have taken place during the last year: but I must be al- lowed to doubt that you have such a control over events. The crisis commenced the day after you adopted the policy of the Spanish marriages. From that day you were no longer the Ministers of peace, more than you were the Ministers of public prosperity. From the Spanish marriages date all your embarrassments, as well as those which you find in Italy, in Switzerland, and indeed on every aide. If what you have told us is all that you can bring forward to inspire us with con- fidence, I must say that I quit the tribune under strong feelings of alarm." M. Duchatel and M. Damon replied to this speech; both contending that the floating debt could not increase beyond the sum which they had previously stated, namely, 620 millions; and that the immense resources of the country would suffice to meet its demands.

The debate was continued on Wednesday. The Queen of the French recommenced her public receptions on Mon- day, and the King was present: he looked in tolerable condition, though not free from cough.

The Prince and Princess de Joinville are going to Algiers; the health of the Princess demanding a winter climate more like that of Brazil. The Minister of Commerce has just created a special commission of phy- sicians, charged to report on questions affecting the public health, on the measures to be taken against the invasion of the cholera, and on the organi- zation of the quarantine rSgime against the plague.

The French Government has given orders that one of its largest steam- frigates shall immediately proceed to Naples, to watch the safety of the Royal Family.

SWITZERLAND.—The three Powers, France, Austria, and Prussia, have presented their note to the President of the Diet. We have already given the terms incorporated in that document: the publication of the note itself confirms the previous statement.

The Berlin correspondent of the Cologne Gazette, evidently a well- informed person; states the position of Russia in the Swiss question as follows- " I can inform you from good authority, that Russia accepted the principle of mediation or intervention, but added that it desiderated something serious. Cal- culating all the consequences of the step proposed, it declared that the intervening powers mast be prepared to have recourse to armed intervention, if necessary. It was willing to lend its name and support to the cause, but did not wish to com- promise itself unnecessarily. This is why Russia refused to take any part in the note of the 4th November."

DENsteau.—Despatches have been received at the Danish Embassy, announcing the death of King Christian the Eighth, on the night of the 20th instant. The Crown Prince, his son and successor, was immediately proclaimed King, as Frederick the Seventh. The deceased Monarch, who was also Duke of Schleswig-Holstein and Lattell- burg, was born on the 18th September 1786; and succeeded to the throne on the 3d December 1839. He was first married, in 1806, to the Princess Charlotte Frederika of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, from whom he was divorced in 1812; and afterwards to the Princess Caroline of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderbarg-Augus- tenburg. The Crown Prince, Frederick Charles Christian, was born on the 6th October 1808. His first wife was the Princess Wilhelmina Mary of Denmark, from whom he was divorced in 1837; and his second the Princess Caroline of Meeklenburg- Strelitz, from whom he was also divorced in 1846. - The Crown Prince had no issue by either wife.

Speculating on this change, the Hamburg correspondent of the Morning Chronicle remarks-

" The death of the King of Denmark in ordinary times and under ordinary cir- cumstances would be regarded as an event of little consequence; but it gathers importance from the well-known dissensions between the Danish kingdom and her German provinces, and the peculiar habits, opinions, and character of the late King's son. The present King is understood to be Danish to the backbone. He is somewhat of a determined character, and of ungovernable temper; and instead of efforts to conciliate his German subjects, it is feared he may adopt steps to coerce them."

ITemes—Sicily is in a state of open and general rebellion. Reports of a rebellions disturbance at Messina, on the 4th instant, are partially con- firmed; but the great movement began at Palermo on the 12th, and was successfully followed up by the inhabitants of Trapani, Catania, Siracusa, and Mellazzo. At present the details are very imperfect, and they relate principally to Palermo.

Great disgust seems to have been caused by the arbitrary arrest of several persons of influence and rank, including Prince Fiorenza, the Chancellor Arnari and his brothers, and Signor Francesco Ferrari. Much disappointment also was felt at there being no announcement of Reform measures on the King's birthday, the 12th. But it is evident that the revolt must have been planned for some time. Early on the 12th, the people, roused by the salvoes of artillery announcing the anniversary of the King's birthday, spread themselves over the city, and formed barricades at different points. The numbers and organization having overawed the police, the troops attacked the masses' but were quickly obliged to retreat, with the loss of sixty dead. One account mentions that ladies threw boiling water and furniture from the windows upon the dragoons who were charging the people. The infantry had refused to act.

The Nouvelliste of Marseilles gives accounts to the 16th. "The Royal troops, which at the date of our last, correspondence occupied the foot of the Monte-Pelle- grino, had returned to their barracks; where they had to sustain the attacks of the people, who fought with fury. These engagements, although very sangui- nary, had been without decisive results. The troops in the barracks and forts replied to the fire of the assailants; but they were closely,blockaded up to the 16th. The troops fought with resignation; but it was easy to perceive that they fluctuated between a sense of military duty and their feelings as citizens. The people had formed a Provisional Government. • * * The greatest enthu- siasm and most perfect accord reigns among the people. Men, women, and chil- dren, have all combined in raising the barricades and cutting the trenches. No excess tending to compromise the patriotic cause has occurred to tarnish their proceedings. " The troops sent over into Sicily did not amount to more than 5,000 men, and were considered to be totally inadequate to stifle the rebellion. Count d'Aquila has returned to Naples, to inform the Government of the gravity of the state of things, and of the impotence of the reinforcement he had taken with him into Sicily to effect any serious change.

" As to Messina, we can affirm, in the most positive manner, that all the po- pulation are in arms, and that the Royal troops, too weak to put down the general movement, have been compelled to retire to the fort; where they. were preparing to bombard the town. At this movement, however, a British frigate, the Thetis, commanded by Captain Codrington, which had quitted Naples on the first news of this event, to take under her protection the English residents at Messina, anchored under the fort. The Captain, in concert with the English and French Consuls, gave notice to the military Governor not to commence is fire until the subjects of the two countries should be safely on board. But Captain Codrington, doubting the promise to this effect of the Neapolitan Governor, resorted to the following stratagem: he placed the Thetis as in as possible to the fort, and in the direction of his guns, and placed his sails n such a position that a shot could not be fired without touching one of them; which was by far too serious a thing for the Governor to attempt to do." And thus matters remained at the date of the latest accounts.

• On the arrival of this news at Naples, the Funds fell 3 per cent. The King was reported to be so moved by the intelligence that he was seized with apoplexy, and obliged to be bled. According to another account, he was hooted at the theatre. •A large body of troops, the numbers of which are variously stated, was sent off without delay to Sicily. Up to the 14th instant, perfect quiet had been restored at Leghorn. Up- wards of forty persons had been arrested, and the Marquis Rodolfi had re- turned to Florence. It is said that papers found in the possession of the principal chiefs tended to compromise the Prince of Canino. The Civic Guard had supported the measure of Government; and the students of the University of Pisa had voted, by acclamation, an address to that body on their conduct during the disturbances. A letter from Turin, of the 20th, announces that, in consequence of the events at Leghorn, the Advocates Pellegrini, Leghorn, (?) and Bisio, have been arrested at Genoa. The papers seized at their residences prove, it is said, that they acted in concert with the Advocate Gnerrazzi, promoter of the late disturbances at Leghorn, and with the chiefs of the Young Italy party in foreign countries.

The Roman correspondent of the Daily News mentions an imposing scene which occurred at Rome on the 12th instant. The idea became general among the people of honouring by a religious ceremony the me- mory of the men who recently fell in the streets of Milan. The people crowded, as with one mind, towards the church of the Milanese saint, San Carlo Borromeo. At least 5,000 persons gained admittance, as many re- maining outside. Monsignor Borromeo, Canon Reaidentiary and Chaplain to the Pope, was called on to officiate: which he did, after obtaining the Pope's permission.

The subjoined letter is communicated by a correspondent of the Times, writing at Vienna on the 17th instant-

" The ominous situation of Italy exclusively occupies the public mind at this moment. The upper aristocracy, the eminent officers of the army, as well as the persons attached to the Chancery of State, have their attention fixed on that dangerous country; which in all probability will inflict the first blow on this old monarchy, menaced already on every side by the increasing discontent of its pro- vinces at its perseverance in a system of immobility and hatred for modern re- forms. The Supreme Council of State met six times during the last week: a fact which is held to indicate serious apprehensions on the part of our rulers.

"I learned from an unquestionable source, that the debates in the last sittings were more animated than ever; and that Prince Metternich, whose calm counte- nance seldom betrays an emotion, reentered his apartments in a state of great agitation. For the first time he experienced some opposition in the Council of State. The Prince would hear of no concession being made to the Lombards, and proposed that instructions to that effect be forthwith forwarded to the Arch- duke Rainer at Milan. He even recommended that the old Viceroy be relieved from the burthens of the government, if he felt unable to bear them. All con- cessions would, in his opinion, be regarded as a sign of weakness, and must lead to insurrection. Those sentiments of Prince Metternich did not meet the entire approbation of his colleague and rival Count de Kolowrat, and were strenuously opposed by Archduke Louis. The latter supported the proposition to increase to 100,000 men the effective force of the army in Lombardy, and to employ severe measures against the disturbers of the public peace; but voted in favoar of certain concessions relative to the right of petition enjoyed by the Central Congre- gation of the provinces of Lombardy, and acceded to the suggestions of Archduke Rainer respecting changes in the Administration. The Arch- duke Louis combated in the warmest terms the opinion of Prince Met- ternich respecting the removal of the Viceroy, and the appointment in his place of the young Duke Albert, who was possessed of more energy, but had neither the prudence nor the talent of Archduke Rainer. The Supreme Council, after a long deliberation, resolved to send Captain Mayer to Milan, with despatches for the Viceroy, recommending him to display more energy towards the leaders in the last movements, and sanctioning the propositions of` the Archduke that certain changes be introduced into the administration of the country. The number of German functionaries at Milan is to be reduced, and the Provincial Congregations of Lombardy are to be permitted to address their grievances directly to the Em- peror. The young Archduke Albert has been sent to Venice, and not to Milan, as Prince Metternich recommended. This result is regarded as a check for the Chan- cellor of State, who has been so long accustomed to command in the Supreme Council. The importance of the events in Italy has greatly contributed to allay the warlike ardour of the Austrian Government towards Switzerland.

"Count de Kolowrat, who completed today the fiftieth year of his public life, received a most flattering letter from the Emperor, conferring on him the Grand Cross of the Order of St. Stephen."

SPAIN.—Advices from Madrid dwell on the unsatisfactory state of the Queen's health. In addition to the fainting-fits of which mention has al- ready been made, her Majesty has a bad cough, and has become pale and thin. She, however, persists in her old habits of turning night into day; riding out at the most unwholesome hours, and hunting on the bleakest days. A consultation of sixteen physicians has been called. They have advised change of air; which has placed Ministers in a difficulty. On the one hand, the extreme suspicion with which the people, dreading plots against her welfare, would view the Queen's disappearance from the capital, renders the Cabinet averse from the measure; while, on the other hand, a very grave responsibility attaches to their keeping Isabella in Madrid in the teeth of her physicians' recommendation.

The influenza was raging in Madrid. The deaths were 122 per day. Narvaez, the Duke of Sotomayor, Beltran de Lis, and Sartorius, were all ill of the epidemic.

INDIA AND CHINA.—The usual Marseilles express has brought letters from Calcutta to the 8th, and from Bombay to the 15th December. The accounts are destitute of political importance; the interest centreing in the commercial news. At Calcutta, the firma of Luke Harnniill and Co., Hughesdon, Brothers, and Co., and Ewing, Aird, and Anderson, had been added to the previous list of failures. The house of Smith, Cowell, and Co. suspended payment for a short time; but, after a meeting of creditors, they resumed business under inspection. Thus far the disasters conse- quent on the terrible news from England had been limited to the failure of nine firms. Fortunately, there was no severe pressure on the money- market; and trade, though not active, was in a healthy condition. The crisis seemed to have passed at Bombay, and commerce had resumed its tranquil course. The Governor-General quitted Lucknow on the 22d November, having spent five days as a guest to the King of Oade; with whom at the last moment Lord Hardinge had a private conference that lasted nearly an hour.

The only indication of hostilities is in Goomsoor: active measures are about to be taken against Urgool Rajah, a powerful chief, who is ascer- tained to be indirectly abetting the Goomsoor disturbances. The Rajah is to be summoned to deliver up a fort of considerable strength, to disband his troops, and to appear before a British Commissioner at Cuttack, in token of submission.

The accounts from China are on the whole tranquil. An unpleasant affair, however, was causing excitement at Hong-kung. A charge of drunkenness bad been privately brought by Sir John Davis against Mr. Chief Justice Hulme; and, by direction of Earl Grey, it was undergoing investigation before the Executive Council. The result of the inquiry was not known; but great sympathy was felt for the Judge, who was believed to be innocent.

CAPE OF Goon Hors.—The latest papers from Cape Town report the massacre of five British officers, by the Kafirs. Major Baker, Lieutenant Faunt, Ensign Burnop, Dr. Campbell, and Assistant-Surgeon Loch, had formed a party to visit a remarkable rock, distant about seven miles from head-quarters on the Kourga. The party originally consisted of six-' but one who had a severe cold, after riding a few miles with his comrades, turned back. The party not returning in due course, search was made for them by parties of troops; and the bodies of the unfortunate gentlemen were found, dead, stripped, and horribly mutilated. The dead bodies of two Kafirs lay at some distance. The remains were collected and buried; and the country was scoured by troops, who killed 25 Kafirs, and cap- tured 300 head of cattle.