Artign nut to lunial.

Irattrf.—The Emperor opened the Legislative Session on Thursday, and delivered the following speech to the Senate and Legislative Body :— "Messieurs lea Senateurs, Messieurs lee Deputes—On the opening. of last session, relying upon the patriotism of France, I endeavoured to fortify

your minds in advance against the exaggerated apprehensions of a probable war. Today I have at heart to reassure you against the anxiety caused by peace itself. That peace I desire sincerely, and shall neglect nothing to maintain it. "I have only to congratulate myself on my friendly relations with all the Powers of Europe. The only points of the globe where our arms are

still engaged are in the extreme East; but the courage of our sailors and of our soldiers, aided by the hearty assistance of Spain will doubtless soon lead to a treaty of peace with Cochin-China. As regards China, a serious expedition' combined with the forces of Great Britain, will inflict on her the chastisement of her perfidy. "In Europe difficulties approach, as I trust, their termination, and Italy is on the eve of constituting herself free. Without referring to the protracted negotiations which have been dragging along for so many months, I shall confine myself to a few principal points.

"The dominant idea of the Treaty of Villafranca was to obtain the almost complete independence of Venetia at the price of the restoration of the Archdukes. That transaction having failed, despite my most earnest endeavours, I have expressed my regret thereat at "Vienna as well as at Turin, for the situation by being prolonged threatened to lead to no issue. While it was the object of frank explanations between may Government and that of Austria, it suggested to England, to Prussia, to Russia, measures the whole of which clearly prove on the part of the Great Powers their desire to obtain a reconciliation of all the interests.

"To second these dispositions, it was necessary for France to present that combination the adoption of which would have the greatest chance of being accepted by Europe. Guaranteeing Italy by my army against foreign intervention, I had the right to cosign the limits of that guarantee. Therefore I did not hesitate to declare to the King of Sardinia that, while

leaving him full liberty of action, I could not fellow him in a policy which

had the fault of appearing in the eyes of Europe a desire to absorb all the States of Italy, and which threatened new conflagrations. I counselled him to reply favourably to the wishes of the provinces which should offer themselves to him, but to maintain the independence of Tuscany, and to respect in principle the rights of the Holy See. If this arrangement does not satisfy everybody, it has the advantage of reserving principles, of calming apprehensions, and makes Piedmont a kingdom of more than 9,000,000 souls. "Looking to this transformation of Northern Italy, which gives to a powerful State all the passes of the Alps, it was may duty, for the security of our frontiers, to claim the French slopes of the mountains. This reasser- tion of a claim to a territory of small extent has nothing in it of a nature to alarm Europe and give a denial to the policy of disinterestedness which I have proclaimed more than once, for France does not wish to proceed to this aggrandizement, however small it may be either by military occupation, or by provoked insurrection, or by underhand manoeuvres, but by frankly ex- plaining the question to the Great Powers. They will doubtless under- stand in their equity, as France would certainly understand it for each of them under similar circumstances, that the important territorial rearrange- ment which is about to take place gives us a tight to a guarantee indicated by nature herself. ,

I cannot pass over in silence the emotion of a portion of the Catholic worldS it has given way suddenly to such inconsiderate impressions ; it has given itself up to such passionate alarms. The past, which ought to be a guarantee for the future, has been so much overlooked, the services ren- dered so much forgotten, that I needed a very deep conviction and nonfi- dence—an absolute confidence in public common sense—to establieh, in the midst of the agitations endeavoured to be excited, that calm which alone maintains us in a proper path.

"Pacts, however, speak loudly for themselves. For the last eleven years, I have sustained alone at Rome the power of the Holy Father, 'without having ceased a single day to revere in him the sacred character of the chief of our religion. On another side the population of the Romagna, abandoned all at once to themselves, have experienced a natural excitement, and sought during the war to make common cause with us. Ought I to forget them in making peace, and to hand them over anew for an indefinite time to the chances of a foreign occupation ? My first efforts have been to reconcile them to their Sovereign, and, not having succeeded, I have tried at least to uphold in the revolted provinces the principle of the temporal power of the Pope.

" After what has been already said, you see, if all is not yet over, how it is still permitted to hope for a speedy solution. The moment seems, then, to have arrived to put an end to these anxieties, which have lasted too long, and to seek for the means of inaugurating with boldness a new era of peace in France. Already has the army been reduced by 150,000 men ; and this reduction would have been more considerable but for the Chinese war and the occupation of Rome and of Lombardy. My Government will immediately present to you a series of measures, the object of which is to facilitate production ; to increase, by affording the means of living cheaply, the prosperity of those who labour, and to multiply our commercial rela- tions. The first step to be taken in this path was to fix the period for the suppression of those impassable barriers which, under the name of prohibi- tions, have shut out from our markets many productions of foreign industry, and constrained other nations to adopt an annoying reciprocity with regard to us.

"But something still more difficult still impeded us. It was the little inclination for a commercial treaty with England. I have, therefore, taken resolutely upon myself the responsibility of this great measure. A very simple reflection proves its advantages for both countries. Neither the one nor the other assuredly would have failed within a few years to take, each in its own interest, the initiative of the measures proposed ; but then, the lowering of tariffs not being simultaneous, they would have taken place on one side and on the other without immediate compensation. The treaty has done nothing more, then, than to anticipate the period of salutary mo- difications, and to give to indispensable reforms the character of reciprocal concessions, destined to strengthen the alliance of two great peoples. In order that this treaty may produce its best effects, I invoke your most ener- getic cooperation for the adoption of the laws which will facilitate its prac- tical adoption. "I call your attention, before all things, to the means of internal commu- nication, which by their development can alone permit us to compete with foreign industry; but, as periods of transition are always those of suffering, and as it is our duty to put a stop to a state of uncertainty so hurtful to our interests, I appeal to your patriotism for the prompt examination of the laws which will be submitted to you. By liberating raw materials from all duties and reducing those which weigh on articles of common consumption, the re- sources of the Treasury will find themselves severally diminished ; never- theless, the receipts and disbursements of the year 1861 will be balanced without any need of an appeal to credits or a recourse to new taxes. In sketching out to you a faithful picture of our political and commercial posi- tion, I have wished to inspire you with full confidence in our future pros- perity, and to associate you in the accomplishment of a work fruitful in great results.

"The protection of Providence, so manifestly on our side during the war, will not fail to a peaceful enterprise whose object is the improvement of the lot of the:greatest number. Let us continue, then, firmly our path to progress without allowing ourselves to be arrested either by the menaces of selfish- ness, or by the clamours of parties, or by unjust suspicions. France menaces no one ; she desires to develop in peace, in the plentitude of her independence, those boundless resources which Heaven has given her, and she will not awaken gloomy susceptibilities, since out of the state of civilization in which we are that truth springs day by day with greater force which con- soles and reassures hurnamty—that the more a State is rich and prosperous the more she contributes to the riches and prosperity of others." The telegraph has been busy all the week with the designs of France. The reports must be read by the light of the speech. It is said that M. Thouvenel, on the 25th of February, intimated that France would not object to the selection of the Duke of Genoa as the ruler of Tuscany ; that Modena and Parma might be annexed, that the Romagnese question must be reserved, but that probably the Romagna might stand in the same relation to the Pope as the Danubian Principalities do to the Sultan. It is added that if Piedmont does not agree, French troops are to be withdrawn.

The Paris correspondent of the Times states that Count Cavour has accepted the proposition, "but with the addition that the various popu- lations—Tuscans, Modenese, Parmesans, Savoyards, and Nisards, shall be consulted by means of universal suffrage—but universal suffrage loyally and truly carried out. The Constitutionnel has published a despatch of M Thouvenel to the French Ambassador at Vienna, dated the 31st of January. It consists of a review of the stipulations agreed to at Villafranea and Zurich and he subsequent events which have prevented those stipulations from being strictly fulfilled. The object is to show that to fulfil his promises the Emperor did not hesitate to compromise his popularity by sending Count de Raiset and Prince Poniatowski to Central Italy to give counsels and exhortations. Austria knows better than any other Power how perseveringly France has endeavoured to fulfil her engagements. But be points out that Austria could not have restored the Grand Dukes without annihilating the result of the war, and France could not do violence to the populations without violating her principles. Moreover, order has prevailed in Central Italy-4' a new fact"—and has called forth the sympathy of Europe "with a force which cannot be dis- regarded." M. Thouvenel confesses that France has morally cooperated to restore the dynasties, but has utterly failed, and that her regret is "sincere and profound." Remarking that further resistance might lead to revolution, M. Thouvenel points out that the key of the situation is the rivalry of France and Austria, and he proposes mutual concessions, and such arrangements as will preclude each power from interfering. M. Thouvenel sees no other solution than that involved in the British proposals.

Silalt--The Electoral Colleges have been convoked for the 25th of March, and on the 2d of April the Italian Parliament, for so we may call it, meets at Turin. No other political movements appear on the surface. Milan and Turin have been wholly occupied with the festivities of the carnival ; the Milanese especially, gladdened by the presence of their King, have surpassed themselves in gaiety. Governor Farina has been making an almost royal progress through the Romagna, and he has everywhere been received with n sustained •enthusiasm. Bat while free Italy is thus jubilant Venice is gloomy and sad ; her sons and daughters are in prison, and she has no heart to keep festivals. Moreover, the Go- vernor has ordered all suspected persons to be enrolled in the army, and announced that no exemption will be allowed on the score of physical in. firmity ! Count Toggenburg has succeeded Count Bissing.en. The King of Naples has ordered all officers to join their regiments, and has even mobilized part of the municipal guard.

During the stay of King Victor Emmanuel at Turin, despatches arrived from various powers. Russia, it is said, strongly counsels the avoidance of any step towards annexation. The English and French Governments have recommended the King to await the result of negotiations ; so that the final act is postponed. _ The Pope has paid a visit to the Roman University, and has delivered a foolish speech there, of which the following is a " faithful report :"

'4.1 gladly accept, gentlemen, the feelings which I feel (sic) expressed in your address—both those which refer to your duties as instructors of youth, and those which you express towards our person. As to the former. I ad- vise you to abide with firmness by your resolutions ; for the others, I thank you. Certainly our position is at this present moment exceptional. The present disposition of our youth gives us great cause to fear, as they are, indeed, too prone to seduction. Those who venture upon this are not many, it is true—but they are free and bold (sic), and by their evil arts they lead the inexperienced into their own way. I have no more to tell yon--nay (sic) will tell you that I have read in a certain paper a sentence which has attracted my attention and has pleased me much ; this is it,--that the poli- tical funerals of the Popes breathe an air of life. Yea, certainly, instructed by the history of our predecessors, I have found out that this sentence is true. I add, that that spirit of prayer which is so universally aroused among the Catholics is also the work of God, and we may therefore confi- dently trust that no greater evils will oppress us. What has occurred in this place (alluding to the riot among the students) is an event which I do not wish to recall to mind—nay, I will not speak of it. I wish, however, to tell you, that before leavieg home (sic) I have received some information which has greatly consoled me. In a second-rate Italian town which has gone asunder from the Pontifical dominions, and where a high school exists —you understand me, Bologna—some good priests have celebrated a mass according to the intention (mark wall!) of the Holy Father. The fact being brought to the knowledge of those young men (the students), they have clubbed their money to have other masses said to this same holy pur- pose. I do not say this to induce you to follow their example, oh no ! I say it only to ten you of my great satisfaction, since prayer is what we must principally rely upon ; and I am certain that the prayers of so many Catholics throughout the world will not be unfruitful before the Lord, whose blessing I invoke upon you. Benedictus, &c." Several professors refused to sign an address to the Pope. Among them Perugini. In presence of them all, he read it, and then said-

" Gentlemen,—I profess before you all that this address contains false, absurd, and heretical propositions—viz., that the temporal dominion is assumed as divinitus datum. It is now full time that every formula should be reduced to its proper terms ; this formula is false and condemned by the Church, and I, as a professor of canon law, must oppose it with all energy, and enter my public protest against it. I also protest against any com- pulsion that may be resorted to, to obtain my signature to such a document, as one of the professors."

attempt of the Moors to obtain a peace has failed. Accounts from Madrid state that on the 23rd of February" two messengers from Muley Abbas presented themselves at General O'Donnell's quarters to inform him that Miley Abbas, accompanied by El lletib (Minister of Foreign Affairs), was waiting for him on the Tangier road. The inter- view took place. It commenced by the discussion of the question of the occupation of Tetuan. As the Moors obstinately objected to such occupation, General O'Donnell was on the point of breaking up the conference. Muley Abbas earnestly entreated him to renew the dis- cussion, but it led to no result. The Moors requested a further delay, which General O'Donnell refused to grant. The armistice was declared at an end. The General-in-chief returned to Tetuan, and immediately issued orders to Bustillos, who commands the naval squadron, to concert active operations." The Spanish terms proved too exorbitant. The Spanish squadron has bombarded Laroche and Arzilla. On the 28th, the squadron was driven into Algesiras by rough weather. Marshal O'Don- nell was to march on Rabat.

iall5518.—A letter from St. Petersburg states that the _situation of Turkey engrosses the attention of the Russian Government. They have news that 'Herzegovina and Bosnia are in a state of ferment ; that Prince Daniel of Montenegro meditates an extension of territory ; that Milosch refusesobedience to the Sultan ; and that Couza aims at independence. We have been accustomed before to rumours of this kind.

"If the Eastern question is really to occupy the first rank in the councils of the European Cabinets, it is believed here that the crisis will be caused by unexpected circumstances, or rather by the tendencies of the new French policy, which are here considered both mysterious and inexplicable."

Fell ME rk.—The new Danish Ministry formed by Bishop Moored is composed of these persons : M. Hall, President of the Council and ad in- terim Minister for Foreign Affairs ; Bishop Molina, Minister for Public Worship, and ad interim Minister of the Interior ; M. Cass°, Minister of Justice ; If. Thestrup, Minister of War ; M. Bile, Minister of Marine ; Wolfhagen, Minister for Schleswig; M. Raesloef, Minister for Hol- stein.

AT k fk.—News from Constantinople to the 15th states that Prince Miksch being seriously ill, his son has requested the Sultan to recognize him as hereditary successor. This demand was supported by Russia. Fears were entertained that in case of refusal an insurrection of the Sla- vonian.s in Turkey might break out. A new Ministry has been formed at Belgrade thus :—Minister of Justice, Philipovitz ; Minister of the In- terior, Tschoschitz ; Director of the War Department, Schujevitz; Min- ister of Police, Stanisitz. Said Pasha had written a letter to the Sultan, expressing his desire to come to some arrangement on the question of the Suez Canal. El Hama Pasha, son-in-law of the Sultan, had been sent to Egypt on a special mission. It has been incorrectly stated that the Porte had ordered a loan of 6,000,000/. sterling to be negotiated in London.

31 ?X itli .—The accounts from Mexico exhibit a frightful state of anarchy in that country. lifiramon was expected to reach Vera Cruz on the 1st of March. The city was well fortified. Miramon was without artillery. The entire foreign population of Chihuahua had been forced to quit the country. The Americans left a million dollars' worth of pro- perty behind. A desperate battle had been fought, in which the Liberals suffered a disastrous defeat. juilthbilli21.—Advices from New York to the 19th have been received.

The Senate was in full working order, and the Post-office Appropria- tion Bill had passed through. It was said that the English Government proposed to settle the San Juan difficulty by the creation of a new chan- nel, abandoning Rosario and the Hero, Great Britain retaining the San Juan Island, and the United States the remaining territory. Mr. Sherman has been appointed Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means ; he is a Protectionist. Mr. Corwin is Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Mr. Hickman is Chairman of the Judiciary Committee.