The Week.

should any cnange be deemed politic the matter will be dealt ivith by the Legislative Body . FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE . —The Emperor of the French on New Year ' s Day received the diplomatic and legislative bodies , according to custom , on the opening of the neAv year . In addressing the diplomatic body , the Emperor adverted generally to the events of the past year , which have more or less affected

European Governments , and alluded to the many losses which have been felt by the royal families of Europe . Lord Cowley was nofc present , but Count Kisseleff spoke in the name of the diplomatic body . Some attention has been excited in Paris by the Patrie ' s publication of an article , conjectured to be inspired by M . de la Guerrouniere , which advocates the introduction of changes that would so far alter the imperial constitution as to establish something

resembling parliamentary government . The French Court of Cassation has cancelled the judgment pronounced against Mires and Count Simeon , and decided that the case must be tried again . The members oi the Paris bar have given a grand banquet to the venerable and celebrated orator , M . Berryer , on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of his enrolment among the body . The health of the guest was proposed by AI . Jules FaA-re . Berryer was so affected AA'hen he came to reply , that the

grand old orator fairly broke down , and could only stammer out his gratitude in a feiv agitated sentences . The French Government have refused to give any satisfaction to Switzerland in reference to the affair of the valley of the Dappes , on the ground that no violation of the territory has taken place . A telegram from Rome states that Cardinal Antonelli has replied in strong terms to the note of the Marquis de Lavalette , urging the departure of Francis II . from Rome . The Pope has prophesied the ruin of tbe enemies of the Papacy , and the triumph of the Holy See . A despatch from Lisbon announces that Prince John is dead , and that the result of a post-mortem examination

of his corpse , made Avith a view to allay the suspicions of the Lisbon populace , has been a medical certificate that his death was caused by typhoid fever , the malady ivhich has been so fatal to the Portuguese royal family . The new King , in compliance with the popular demand , has quitted the royal palace , anel taken I up his abode for the present in a country palace ; and a medical commission has been appointed by the Cortes to inquire into the sanitary condition of the royal mansions . The excitement has been

so great in Lisbon that the streets were patrolled by detachments of troops . According to letters from AVarsaw , there is no amelioration in the state of affairs in Poland . An open war existed between the State and Church . M . Kube , the new Minister of Public Worship , had ordered the heads of monasteries and the priests to open their respective churches Avithin tAventy-four hours , or he ivould have them all arrested and sent to the citadel . To this menace the clergy had unanimously resolved to send a

negative answer . These letters allude to the discontent and disorganisation that are gaining ground in the Russian army , and the instances he gives of them are very strikimg . The Journal of St . Petersburgh publishes a note by Prince Gortschakoff , addressed to the Austrian representative , complaining of the recent intervention of Austrian troops in the Suttorina , and declaring that Austria has created a precedent which is likely to weaken the principles necessary , not merely to the security

of Turkey , but to the peace of Europe . Prince Gortsehakoff maintains that Austria has violated the principles agreed on between the Great Powers by her isolated interference in Turkey . Meanwhile it is stated that the insurgents , who appear to be once more springing into vigour , have again raised the batteries on the military road Avhich Austria claimed the right to destroy ; and the latter power will , therefore , hai-e the dilemma presented to her either to abandon the right she had just , claimed and enforced , or to enforce ifc once again , and in face of the protest made by Russia .

AMERICA . —Although the Africa , which arrived at Queen ' stown on AVednesday morning , does not bring the anSAver of the AVashington Government , it brings news confirmatory of the feeling toivards conciliation and concession , mentioned hy the preceeing mail . When the Africa left New York , on the 20 th December , the despatch of the English Government had not been yet communicated to Mr . Seivard , the Queen ' s messenger having arrived in AA ashington only at midnight of the 18 fch .

The general purport of the demand , however , and the news of the warlike preparations in England , were knoivn in NBAV York and AVashington three days earlier , having been telegraphed at once on the arrival of the JSnropa at Halifax on the 15 th . The

The Week.

feeling during those three days is described as running strong towards peace . There was no expression of defiance ; no announced determination not to surrender Mason and Slidell in any ease : on the contrary , ifc AA-as said that , if the demand of the English Government were found to he couched in moderate language , it would be conceded and the captives surrendered . The House of Representatives had refused to take any resolution on the subject until it had been considered

by its Committee on Foreign Affairs—a fact of undoubtedly good omen . Air . Secretary Chase , too , the Finance Minister , had declaied that this question is susceptible of , and will receive a peaceful solution ; these words heing uttered with a full knoAvledge of what the English demand was . TAA- Federal regiments had landed on Ship Island , off the mouth ofthe Mississippi : and their commander , General Phelps , had published a proclamation declaring that the conduct of his troops

ivould he governed hy a belief that all Slave States admitted into the Union since the adoption of the Federal Constitution had been illegally admitted . This proclamation had , it is said , caused dissatisfaction among the Federal forces ; and it was doubted whether General Phelps had been authorised to issue it . The statement that a great fire had occurred in Charleston is confirmed ; and it is asserted that a large portion ofthe city , including the principal public buildings , ivas destroyed .

WEST INDIES . —The AA est India and Pacific mails have arrived . In Trinidad , preparations were being made to receive Prince Alfred . His Royal Highness does not yet know of the calamity AA'ith ivhich he has been visited . CHINA AND INDIA . —The news from China represents Prince Kimg as still using his influence to promote a good understanding between the Chinese authorities and fche foreign

representatives . The rebels ivere becoming exceedingly troublesome . They had gathered in the vicinity of Ningpo , from which city the inhabitants were flying , to take refuge in Shanghae , where fche recent- alarm had subsided . The rebels are also reported to have invested Hangchou , At Hangkow the braves have been attacking the foreigners , and issuing threats to exterminate them . There is no change in the state of affairs in Japan . English men of war were cruising among the islands for the protection of British subjects . A telegram from Calcutta , dated November 29 , announces that the Indian Council Act has been proclaimed .

To Correspondents.

TO CORRESPONDENTS .

To SUBSCRIBERS AITD OTHERS . —All remittances by cheque , post office orders , & c , are to be made payable , to the Proprietor , Mr . AVILLIAM SMITH , C . E ., 19 , Salisbury-street , Strand . COMMUNICATIONS for the EDITOR to be addressed to H . G . AA ^ ARREN Esq ., 19 , Salisbury-street , Strand . ALL ORDERS or Communications with respect to the

publishing department to be addressed to the Publisher , 19 , Salisbury-street , Strand . J . R . —A Master cannot close his lodge at will n-ithoiifc going through the usual forms . Q . P . —In establishing a lodge of instruction it is not necessary to petition the AV . AI . A resolution of the parent lodge is sufficient , and it is not usual to charge any fees for the

permission to open it . A Past Officer of Grand Lodge does not lose his rank by ceasing to subscribe to a , private lodge . AI . J . —The words , " No returns , " in our Remembrancer mean that the lodge has not answered our circular , and informed us of the particulars relating to their meetings—without which we do not publish them .

P . M . 624 . —The letter arrived too . latefor this week . ALL . —AA e have mislaid your letter . We do not consider ifc degrading to have been initiated without the payment of fees if the "Constitutions " ofthe country allow ifc ; those of England do not , excepting for serving brethren . .