liscellantotts.

To make amends for M. Guizot's scanty supply of information on Swiss affair' to the French Chambers, Lord Palmerston has provided for our Parliament a blue book of 300 pages, to be presented to both Houses, by her Majesty's command. From that opportune volume, which has been issued this week, we learn the actual position of the British Government far more truly than in the French version.

A despatch of instructions from Lord Palmerston to Sir Stratford Canning, dated the 27th November 1847, sets out by stating, that the British Government has come to an agreement with the Governments of Austria, France, Prussia, and Russia, to proffer the joint mediation of the Five Powers with a view to the ami- cable settlement of the differences between the contending parties in Switzerland; and Sir Stratford is appointed to act for Great Britain. Should the Sonderbund be dissolved before his arrival, his instructions are—"You will, during year stay in Switzerland, use your utmost endeavours to inculcate moderation to all parties, to urge the conquerors not to abuse their victory, and to exhort the conquered to forgive their defeat. You will also most especially remind the leading members of the party of the Diet, that the Federal Compact is a bond of alliance among a number of sovereign states; and that this compact being of the nature of a treaty, cannot rightfully be altered without the consent of all the contracting parties thereto; and that consequently if a majority in the Diet were to endeavour, by the employment of force, to compel the minority to submit to changes in the articles of the compact to which that minority night not be disposed willingly to agree, any such employment of force would be an unjustifiable aggression upon sovereign rights, and might lead to serious and extensive consequences."

In a despatch of the 1st December, written after the arrival of the news of the dissolution of the Sonderbund, Lord Palmerston assumes that the proposed me- diation of the Five Powers must fall to the ground; and he proceeds to sketch the line of conduct which ought to be pursued by the Diet. " It is of the utmost importance that the Diet should use its victory with temperance; and that it should not, in regard to Federal rights, now change places with the Sonderbund, and become itself an infringer of the Federal Compact. That compact is a treaty which has been formed between a number of separately sovereign states, and by virtue of which their Federal union has been established; and such a treaty among sovereign states cannot legally be altered without the unanimous consent of all contracting parties. It is generally understood that the leading men of the party of the Diet are desirous of effecting some changes in the Federal Com- pact. It is very probable that there may be alterations which might be made therein with general advantage; but it would be a great misfortune if the party which has now triumphed in the civil war were to attempt to impose such alterations by the employment of force, upon any dissenting members of the Confederation; and it would be far wiser for them to continue to bear the inconveniences, what- ever they may be, which result from the present stipulations of the Compact, rather than to expose Switzerland to the evils which might attend an attempt to impose such alterations by force of arms upon a dissenting minority. * • * Her Majesty's Government, therefore, would most earnestly entreat the leaders of the party of the Diet, not to push too far any plans which they may have for improving the internal arrangements of the Confederation; to allow those plans to make their way gradually, by the power of reason and argument; and, above all things, implicitly to respect the principle of the separate sovereignty of the Confederated Cantons—a principle which forms the basis not only of the Federal Compact, but of the engagements contracted towards Switzerland by the Powers of Europe, and which could not'be violated by the Swiss without leading to con- sequences fraught with deep and lasting injury to the best, interests of their country. Your Excellency will take care to suggest these topics as matters for prudential consideration, and without giving them in any degree the character of a threat; and you will carefully explain, that you are not in this matter speak- ing as the mouthpiece of any other Power, but simply and solely as the organ of a Government which takes a lively and disinterested concern in the welfare of the Swiss nation."

The instructions from Lord Palmerston to Lord Minto, when be left this country in September last, are precisely to the same effect.

In a note addressed to Count Jarnac, dated the 30th December, [a fortnight before M. Guizot's statement to the Chamber of Peers, that upon the question of Cantonal independence he had in vain made sacrifices to secure the concurrence of England,] Lord Palmerston writes—" Her Majesty's Government entirely concur with the Government of France in considering the separate sovereignty of the Confederated Cantons as being the fundamental principle upon which the Federal Compact is based, inasmuch as that compact must be considered in the light of a treaty of alliance, formed by a certain number of sovereign states." Sir St. otford Canning, on the 12th December, communicates to Lord Palmer- ston the progress of his mission. He describes the demeanour of President Och- senbein. When urged to exert himself, now that the contest was over, to discard all re.se Ifni recollections, M. Ochsenbein declared his accordance with the con dilatory views of the British Government, and expressed a hope that ultimately most of what might seem harsh at present would soften down into a milder and more conciliatory form. Sir Stratford goes on to commend " the moderation, sense, and good feeling " evinced by M. Ochsenbein. He drew a line between the atti- tude assumed by England and by the other Powers; but manifested " a certain degree of excitement, which kindled into vehement indignation," when referring to the invitation given to Austria by the Sonderband to support them with an auxiliary force. Following out his instructions, however, Sir Stratford did his best to soften the President's feelings.

In another despatch, dated the 21st December, Sir Stratford describes his last conversation with the President as more satisfactory. He inferred from its tenour that the Diet world not finally separate without recommending a general amnesty, and the disbanding of the army.

Sir Stratford Canning himself informed M. Guizot and the representatives of the Northern Powers in Paris of the position of the British Government. " In dropping the mediation, in consequence of events which had rendered it impos- sible, her Majesty's Government, far from entertaining any change of opinion, had instructed me to hold, in my communications with the Swiss authorities, lan- guage which was in strict accordance with the principle of Cantonal sovereignty, and calculated, if there be any force in truth and disinterested benevolence, to re- strain the violence of the successful and to protect the fair interests of the de- feated party."

We understand it is not at all unlikely that Lord Morpeth will shortly be sum- moned by writ to the House of Peers, as a colleague of Earl Grey, on the Mini- sterial side of the House. It appears that the Prime Minister is of opinion that the more active duties of the leadership are too mach for the advanced age of the Marquis of Lansdowne, and that he has pressed the adoption of the course on the noble Viscount very earnestly. It is also stated, at one of the leading clubs, that the noble Viscount has received an autograph letter from the Queen, conveying her Majesty's pleasure to the same effect.—Morning Post.

A paragraph has been going the round of the newspaper to the effect that his Majesty the King of Prussia was about to visit this country during the ensuing season. We are enabled to state that the announcement is altogether without foundation.—Morning Post.

Mr. William Law, one of the clerks in the Treasury, has been appointed to act as private Secretary to Lord John Russell, during the absence of Mr. Charles Grey from England.

Mr. Arthur Bailey is appointed Surveyor-General at the Falkland Islands.

Mr. John Scott is to be Surveyor-General to the new settlement of Labuan.

The new Consul, Mr. Plowden, who is appointed for the purpose of extending our relations with Abyssinia, will reside at Massoab, a port on the Red Sea, de- pendent on the Ottoman empire.

The Royal bounty of 1001. has been bestowed on Mrs. Glasscock, widow of Cap- tain Glasscock, R.N., recently deceased. The sisters of the late Lieutenant Wade, of her Majesty's ship Dido, who was killed in an action with the pirates of Borneo in 1844, have been also presented with 1001. from the same fund.

The Queen Dowager has forwarded a donation of 1001. towards the relief of the distressed Spitalfields weavers.

M. Granier, banker in Montpellier, as well as Mayor and Deputy for that city, has just resigned his seat in the Chamber, on the ground of insolvency: his lia- bilities are said to equal 1,000,0001. sterling.

A Toulon correspondent of the Times recounts some interesting facts respect- ing Abd-el-Kader. 'I have seen the Emir. It is quite a mistake that his eyes are black; they are of a decided gray, shaded by very long black eyelashes. He speaks very, fluently; which is a proof of high distinction among the Arabs. Whatever may be the reputation of Abd-el-Kader as a soldier, politician, or Ma- hometan priest, it is much greater as a literary man. He is said to be as learned as an Arab can be. Two leather trunks containing his library have always ac- companied him, even during the last months that preceded his submission; they also made part of his personal baggage on board. But every one is ignorant of the real amp of his submission; which was love. He is another Antony. After having endeavoured with heroic courage to make a passage throngh the Moorish camp, he succeeded, with a considerable number of his followers, in sufficiently disengaging himself to be able to gain the desert; but at the moment he was about to profit by the liberty this last coup de main gave him, he heard the firing which had reached his deira. Then, like the lion of the desert who sees his lioness entrapped and his cubs carried away, he retraced his steps and fell upon the Moors, with the rest of his faithful followers; whilst the cries of his wives, whose tents the enemy- had commenced pillaging, exalted his courage. Twice the Emir was rolled to the ground with his horse wounded under him; twice surrounded and seized, he released himself by his extraordinary agility, and gained a victory by hard fighting in the midst of a victorious retreat." agility, • * At last, aban- doning his deira, which enclosed all his affections, to our generosity, he departed, in order to regain the South. After two ni_ghts' march, though certain of saving himself, his heart softened at the idea of his isolation, and, preferring captivity with his friends, he returned to treat with us." * • * "The Emir is still confined in his sad prison. He reads the Koran to his faithful followers. During the prayers, they open the windows and make a large fire in the middle of the room. His mother cries, his wives sob, and he is almost broken-hearted. It is said, the only thing which emotes him is that the unfaithfulness of his enemy aggravates his misfortune."

It having been found nere.eary to suspend the steam-packet service between Havre and New York for a time, notice has been received from the Director- General of the French Post-office, that no letters will be transmitted by that channel until farther notice.

The Bavarian Minister of the Interior has issued a circular to the Police author- ities, ordering them not to permit the Jesuits, who have arrived in Bavaria from Switzerland, to remain more than two or three days in the country, except in the case of illness.

At a recent general meeting of professors in the University of Konigsberg, it. was resolved, by a majority of 22 against 7, that Jews as well as Catholics should in future be admitted to the professorial chair of that university.

The Correctional Tribunal of Orleans has made two awards of compensation for accidents on the Orleans Railway. To a woman who had suffered violent con- tusions the company are to pay 1,000 francs (420; 15,000 francs (6251.) are to be paid to form a fund for the widow and children of a man who died from his wounds.

Papers brought by the India overland mail mention, that the crew of her Ma- jesty'S brig Snake, wrecked on Santiago's Reef; near Mozambique, on the night of the 29th August, have been conveyed in safety to the Mauritius, by the French brig-of-war Voltigeur. On arriving there, the Captain and officers of the Snake gave a splendid dinner to their rescuers, at which expressions of the greatest good-will were interchanged.

One or two circumstances relating to the unfortunate Avenger have come to our notice, which for their interesting nature, and the testimony which they bear to the manly character of her officers, deserve to be made known. Shortly before the Avenger left Lisbon to proceed to the Mediterranean, a boy fell overboard, and as he was unable to swim, and was evidently sinking, Lieutenant Marryat humanely plunged into the water with the hope of saving him. On Mr. Marryat's reaching the water, the boy clasped him round the neck with both arms, and so completely paralyzed his exertions that Lieutenant Marryat was compelled to call out for assistance. Upon this the First Lieutenant (Hugh Kinsman) threw himself overboard, and succeeded in bringing his brother officer and the boyr= ce alongside the ship. But the circumstance which renders this anecdote rem is, that the boy, who could not swim, is one of the few who out of the whole crew of the Avenger were saved by the cutter, which left her on the night of the wreck, and landed on the coast of Africa.—dialta Times.

A prisoner in Coldbath Fields House of Correction has lost his life by swallow- ing two shillings, in order to hide them. Utterers of base coin are in the habit of swallowing counterfeit money to escape conviction: Mr. Smyles, the surgeon of the prison, says they may expect, sooner or later, the same fate as this man; the metal producing internal disease. A gentleman has prosecuted the North British Railway Company, in the She- riff's Small Debts Court at Edinburgh, for damages: a train on the line did not atop at Portobello station to take up passengers, as it had been advertised to do; and the gentleman walked to Edinburgh. The Judge gave two guineas damaged, and one guinea expenses.

The marvellous announcement that a white deer had been seen at Ardishlake some time ago reached the ears of the sporting gentlemen at Applecross, who shortly afterwards started in pursuit of the prodigy. It was captured, after a laborious search; and proved to be an albino, a hind almost purely white.—Ia- verness Courier.

A new description of manure has been received in this country, which is likely to become as important to the agricultural interest as guano. The article is called " Tremoco" or " Lnpens "; and it is said to be the richest vegetable manure dis- covered.--Stanckird.

The following is an estimate of the number of chargeable letters delivered in the United Kingdom in each year from 1839 to 1847.

Annual Increase.

Year.

18394

Number of Letters.

76,000,000f

Number of Letters. Percentage reckoned Olt the number for LW.

— 93,000,000

-

123 per cent. 1840 169,000,000 1841 196,500,000 27,500,000 86 „ 1842 207,000,000 10,500,000 14 „ 1843 220,500,000 18,500,000 18 „ 1844 242,000,000 21,500,000

28 IP

1845 271,500,000 29,500,000 39 „ 1846

299,500,000 28,000,000

87 „ 1847 822,000,000 22,500,000 80 „

* The estimate for 1939 is founded on the ascertained number of letters for one week in the month of November ; and strictly speaking it is for the year ending December 5, at which time 4d. was made the maximum rate. The estimate for each subsequent year is founded on the ascertained number of letters for one week in each calendar month. (Tide Return to the House of Commons, No. 586, 1847.)

1' This is exclusive of about 6,500 000 of franks.

Results of the Registrar-General's return of mortality in the Metropolis for the week ending on Saturday last—

Number of Winter deaths. average.

Zymotic Diseases 379 .. . Rit Dropsy, Cancer, and other diseases of uncertain or variable seat 36 .... 59 Tubercular Diseases 199 .... 198 Diseases of the Brain, Spinal Marrow, Nerves, and Senses 138 ... 138 Diseases of the Heart and Blood-vessels . 39 Diseases of the Lungs, and of the other Organs of Respiration 343 225 Diseases of the Stomach, Liver, and other Organs of Digestion 67 62 Diseases of the Kidneys, Sc. 20 5 Childbirth, diseases of the Uterus, Se. 9 13 Rheumatism, diseases of the Bones, Joints, Sc 3 8

Diseases of the Skin, Cellular Tissue, 8te. 1

Violence. Privation, Cold, and Lutemperanee 26 31 Malformations 4 15 Atrophy 31 3

Premature Birth 27 23

Sudden 6 15

-Old Age -.-- 78 To

— —

Total (including unspeethed causes) 1401 1107

The temperature of the thermometer ranged from 46.5° in the sun to 16.5° in the shade; the mean temperature by day being colder than the average mean temperature by 2.9°. The direction of the wind for the first three days of the week was variable, and the mean direction for the last four was North-north-east.