The Week.

North Sea was intended to prevent a Danish blockade of the Elbe . Lord Ellenborough had no faith in the declarations of Austria , and trusted the Government would state their intentions before the Easter recess . Lord Grey had read the Danish papers " with feelings of humiliation ; " while Lord Harrowby suggested that the two Houses of Parliament should strengthen

the hands of the Government by " an expression of opinion . " Lord Russell told Lord Grey that he might , if he chose , move a vote of censure . The Government were perfectly free to att in concert with other powers , or even to act alone if the paramount interests of England demanded such a step . They would not , however , rush into war if the integrity of Denmark

could be otherwise secured . With regard to Lord Shaftesbury's remarks , the noble earl said the Channel squadron was within easy distance , and could he at once dispatched to the Baltic if such a measure were considered necessary . " He should not expect that any fleet of Austria or Prussia would venture to encounter the squadron of her Majesty . "—Iu answer to a

question from Lord Truro , Lord Stanley of Alderley said illhealth was the cause of Sir Rowland Hill ' s resignation . In the HOUSE OT COMMONS on Thursday , tho llth inst ., Col . Sykes and Mr . Yansittart called attention to a question which is exciting much interest in commercial circles at the present moment—the desirableness of establishing a gold currency in

India . Sir C . Wood said he could not favour the suggestion to re-introduce the gold mohur or to introduce five or ten rupee pieces , but , on the other hand , he should like very much to see the English and Australian sovereigns adopted in India . —In reply to a question from Lord Robert Montagu , the Attorney-General said the Government had so far received from America no information as to the grounds ou which the ship Saxon was seized by the Federals at Angra Pecraena . —Mr . F . Peel in reply

to a eniestion from Mr . Hopwood , said that the Post-office authorities were not prepared to sanction the despatch on Sunday of letters posted at the head office in London on that day . —Ou the motion for going into Committee of Supply on tbe Army Estimates , Mr . Henry Baillie strongly denounced the reduction of our military establishment at the present moment . Another member of the Opposition—Colonel Edwards—moved

a resolution condemning the proposal of the Government not to call the yeomanry out this year for drill . Sir M . Ridley , Gen . Peel , and Sir W . Miles—all Conservatives—supported the motion of the member for Beverley , while it was explained on behalf of the Government that , iu consequence of the pressure caused by tbe New Zealand war , and other exceptional

contingencies , it was necessary to economise wherever retrenchment was possible . A division took place , and the Government was saved from defeat only by a majority of one in a House of 315 . —In reply to a question from Mr . Roebuck , Sir George Grey said instructions had been sent to the authorities in counties and boroughs prohiljiting the employment of the police in ferreting

out information for private inquiry agents and societies . The right lion , baronet expressed a strong opinion against the abominable form of espionage , and said he trusted that the measures which had been taken would prove effectual in putting an end to such practices . —Mr . B . Ferrand managed to get up a " scene"bycharging Admiral Robinson , the comptroller of the navy , with

having taken an active part in the election for Devonport , in 1859 . Sir Baldwin Walker , Admiral Robinson , and the Duke of Somerset were , ho said , the accusers of the late Mr . Augustus Stafford , and yet they had been themselves guilty of far worse conduct than Lord Derby's unfortunate Secretary to the Admiralty . Sir John Hay read a letter from Admiral Robinson , stating that lie had no recollection of the conduct attributed to him , and the other persons included in the

indictment also found defenders . Lord Clarence Paget defended Sir B . Walker , and said he would rather take that officer ' s word than the " oath of the hon . member . " The noble lord subsequently withdrew this strong expression ; and , after some discussion , the subject dropped . —The Marquis of Hartington then proceeded with the first vote of the Army Estimates . The noble marquis explained that the total amount of the estimates

for the coming year was £ 14 , 844 , 883 , or £ 215 , 000 below the amount last year . A discussion , followed , in -which . Genera . Peel , Mr . G . P . Bentinek , and other members took part , and the estimates were proceeded with . On Friday Sir William Miles asked whether the Government intended to recognise the services of Captain Speke , the African explorer . Lord

Pahnerston did justice to the gallantry and endurance of Captain Speke , but said that as much , if not more , had been accomplished by other travellers , and he saw no reason why the discoverer of the sources of the Nile should be taken out of " tho ordinary category " of successful explorers . —In reply to a question from Mr . Baxter , Mr . F . Peel confirmed the report that

the Galway Company has fairly broken down , and had applied to the Government to have their contract suspended until June , when " parties" with whom negotiations have been opened would be able to resume the service . —A resolution , proposed by Mr . Darby Griffith , in favour of reducing the stamp on proxy voting papers , was withdrawn on an assurance from Mr .

Gladstone that this claim for relief would be fully considered before the Budget is brought in . —Colonel Sykes called attention to the Imperialist atrocities at Soochow , and Lord Palmerston was no less severe than the member for Aberdeen in denouncing the conduct of the Chinese authorities . Tho noble Lord explained that it -was thought some benefit might be secured to our commercial interests if British subjects were allowed to asssist the

Government of Pekin in their efforts to tranquillise the country ; ancl hence the orders in Council under which Captain Sherard Osborn and Mr . Lay had been authorised to organise an Anglo-Chinese squadron . The object had , however , been atfeated , and the orders had been rescinded . —Mr . Shaw Lefevre raised a discussion on the fitting out of Confederate ships of war in English ports . The hon . gentleman contended that these

vessels were really British vessels , and that , if the Alabama and her consorts continued their present career of destruction , the Government ought to pursue and seize them . He admitted that the Government had honestly endeavoured to act up to the provisions of the Foreign Enlistment Act , but that act had been found imperfect and demanded immediate amendment . The

Solicitor General denied that the Southern cruisers could be called English vessels , anel , with regard to the proposal that they should be chased and captured by British men of war , he reminded the House that once a ship was put in commission , it was impossible to go back to her antecedents . On the otherhand , it was open to her Majesty ' s Government to exclude them

from British ports ; ancl an effort would be made to communicate with the Confederate Government on the subject of the Alabama , G-eorgia , and other vessels fitted out in this country . On Monday Mr . Disraeli , like his chief in tbe Upper House , gave notice of a question respecting the Danish papers ; and Lord Robert Cecil promised to call attention on Friday to " certain

omissions " in the published correspondence . —Mr . Disraeli asked Lord Palmerston whether he could give any authentic information respecting the invasion of Jutland , and also whether ho would state the views of her Majesty's Government on that step . Lord Palmerston said the Government had received such contradictory information on the subject that he was at a loss how to answer the question ; but he thought the object of the allies was to obtain possession of Fredericia , a point which the