The Week.

mote the continuance of tho Avar betAveen the Federal and Confederate States , and extend its mischief ' s . As to the character of that AA-ar , he said that " whatever may have been the proximate cause of the contest , its continuance is the result of a national A'anity Avithout example and without bounds . "

FoEEiG-s" INTELLIGENCE . —On Jlonday , as we learn from Corfu , the Ionian Parliament passed resolutions accepting the proposal for the annexation of the Septinsular Republic to Greece , and thanking the British Government for making it . The Austrian Minister of Finance has submitted to the Reichsrath a proposal for " a complete reform of the system of

taxation . " It appears , liOAvever , that " extraordinary taxes " ivill be imposed for the purpose of defraying " extraordinary expenditure . " The Paris journals have been singularly disconcerted and embarrassed by Earl Russell's speech at Blairgowrie , ancl his explicit declaration that England ivill not go to Avar on behalf of the Poles . They endeavour , however , to draw such

comfort as they may from his incidental observation that the Russian title to Poland cannot be regarded as complete if the stipulations of the treaties of A ienna are not observed by the Emperor Alexander ; and one journal even ventures on the improbable assertion that England and France have agreed to notify to the Russian Cabinet that " they consider the treaties

of A ienna as no longer in force , and consequently have ceased to guarantee the possession of Poland to Russia . " The Europe of Frankfort asserts that Earl Russell has proposed to Count Rechberg , that a note by the three Powers be dispatched to Russia , in reference to the Polish question . The German Diet has almost unanimously approved the proposal made by its

Committees , that "Federal execution" shall be ordered in Holstein . The almost certain consequence ivill be a Avar between Germany and Denmark , unless Prussia and Austria , prompted by their own prudence , or by England and France , shall restrain their Ger nan confederates . In a note which is dated

the 19 th July , the Swedish Cabinet declares to the British and French governments that a "Federal execution" in Ilolstein will probably and justifiably be regarded by Denmark as a declaration of war on the part of the Gorman Diet . A Avar may ensue if the Western Powers do not protect Denmark ; and Sweden " may , perhaps , in such an eventuality , be compelled

to take an active part , inasmuch as the subjugation of Denmark would endanger the interests of Sweden . " The Jlexican deputation having waited on" the Archduke Maximilian to oiler him the Crown of Jlexico voted to him by the notables , the Duke expressed his ivillingness to accept it if it was offered him by the vote of the AA'hole nation , and

guarantees for support were received from other nations . The Globe , in speaking of the " guarantees" which the Archduke Maximilian requires , observes that " it is for the Powers Avhose support is invited to consider the matter Avith a view to their own future . We are all anxious to see Jlexico prosperous , AVO are to some extent directly interested in her prosperity , and ive

doubt not that every reasonable moral encouragement ivill be given by England to anything that gives a fair prospect of bringing it about . But guarantees should not be given lightly ; they may be the germ of serious consequences and of serious trouble to those who give them . The inducements to undertake such grave responsibilities must in some measure depend

upon the extent of the co-operation afforded by other nations , by such a general share in the responsibility as to render improbable the necessity of active measures to carry them out . Upon this question , ive have no doubt the Great Powers ivill give the most friendly consideration to the interests of Jlexico . " According to intelligence from Japan , conveyed to us by

The Week.

way of San Francisco and Neiv York , the British fleet , under Admiral Kuper , had sailed from Kanagan-a for the West Coast , with the purpose of punishing tbe refractory Daimios who were hostile to foreigners . AJIEEICA . —By the arrival of . he Scotia important news Avasreceived from America . General Roseeranz had been defeated

and compelled to retreat to Chattanooga , after two clays' fighting . On the morning of the 19 th , the Confederates attacked the general ; a fierce engagement ensued , lasting till two iu the afternoon , Avhen the Federal centre was broken , and a retreat commenced , the Confederates pursuing , but subsequently being checked and driven back . General Davis ' s ( Federal ) division

Avas also driven back with great slaughter . The Federal loss in killed , wounded , and prisoners is estimated at 12 , 000 . The siege of Charleston ivas proceeding slowly . The Confederates iverereported to be repairing Fort Sumter . General Lee ' s and Meade's armies ivere confronting each other on the Rapidan . The New iortc Herald starts an important rumour—that

Vice-President Stephens has gone to Europe with an offer to cede Texas to France in return for French assistance to the Confederate Government . The Etna brings news under date of New York to the 26 th ult . General Roseeranz reports that the Confederates are in his front in force , and it is thought that if Burnside attempts to reinforce him he ivill be cut off ; and a Confederate column has started to intercept Burnside . The

last statement with respect to Rosecranz's defeat is to the effect that he therein lost 10 , 000 men , killed , wounded , aud missing , besides a large amount of material . Among otheritems more or less favourable to the Confederates ive learn that they are threatening the Federal lines in North Carolina ; and that 2000 of Burnside ' s troops have been repulsed in an attack

on Zollicoffer in Tennessee . A mail steamer ivhieh arrived at Plymouth has brought some neivs of the Confederate steamer Alabama . She has been cruising together with her consort the Georgia and her armed prize the Conrad , IIOAV named the Tuscaloosa , in the neighbourhood of the Cape of Good Hope . She had captured the Federal barque Sea Bride , in the sight of

thousands of spectators , Avhile running into Table Bay . The capture ivas alleged by tho Federal Consul to have been made within British jurisdiction , ivhieh he considered to extend to the distance of " an Armstrong cannon shot" from the shore ; and he consequently protested . His protest ivas , hoivever , disallowed by the Governor , who likewise rejected this demand

that the Tuscaloosa— -which he maintained to be an uncondemnecl prize , ancl consequently excluded by the Queen ' s proclamation from British ports—should be delivered up to him for he . r owners . The Confederate vessels were allowed to make some repairs in the Cape harbours , and it was thought that they might probably cruise very successfully for Federal vessels bound to or from the East Indies and C hina .

To Correspondents.

TO CORRESPONDENTS .

S . L . —We have not seen the publication alluded to . B . B . —It is a question for the Board of General Purposes . AV . JI . —The system of voting just adopted for tho Boys' School has been long in operation iu the Royal St . Ann's Asylum , and other public institutions . A . B . —In applying for a Avarrant for a new Chapter you must

have tho consent of the Lodge to which it is attached . It does not require any recommendation from another Chapter . AVe believe that the St . Mark ' s Lodge of JIark JIasters ( S . C . ) Avill shortly be reopened .