The Week.

have offered to purchase Trent and the other territory which now they require , but that Austria does not receive the proposal favourably . There is little fear , however , that an agreement of some kind will be como to . The Prussian papers are beginning to discuss the manner in which the annexed States are to be governed . A semi-official Berlin paper suggests that it would be well as far as possible to allow the laws by which these

countries have hitherto been governed to remain in force . The King of the Belgians , who is a man of naturally delicate constitution , is suffering from a slight attack of illness . ¦ The Porte ancl the new Roumanian Hospodar appear to have made up their differences . The Turkish troops are being drawn back , and Prince Charles of Hohenzolleru is going to

Constantinople . All this is believed to indicate that the Sultan means to recognise the new Hospodar . The rebellion in Cochin China has been suppressed , ancl order restored . Prance has demanded of Prussia the cession of the Rhenish Provinces . This demand , so fraught with peril to the peace of Europe unless it is the result of an

understanding between the Emperor ancl Count Bismark , has been embodied in two notes addressed to the Prussian Government . The Steele of the 10 th inst ., says that Pcirssia has not yet thought fit to entertain tho French propositions . That Prussia should appear to hesitate docs not necessarily imply the non-existence of an understanding ; for if German

territory lias been bartered away by previous arrangement , the transaction of course would not be made too palpable . In any case Prussia must have her answer ready , as she could not fail to be prepared for such an eventuality as that which has now arisen . The Turks have some more trouble on their hands . Reform having been refused , the Christians of Candia have risen in insurrection against them .

The fact that Prance is in treaty for the Rhenish Provinces is beyond all doubt ; but we are yet in the dark as to tho extent of the demand , and tbe manner in ivhich it has been received . If the telegram first to hand described correctly what has been asked for , then it would seem that Prance wants some of the provinces of Belgium , as well as some of those which have hitherto been under the rule of Prussia . This we cannot believe .

All that has passed ivould seem to indicate that at the interviews which took place between Count Bismarck and the Emperor Napoleon just after the Gastein Convention had been agreed upon , it was arranged that if Prussia was successful in gaining the position in Germany to which she aspired , France should receive an addition of territory . The Emperor ' s letter

to his Foreign Minister just before the war broke out foreshadowed that which has happened , ancl there is no special reason to believe that the request now made to Prussia is an aggressive act on the part of France . ISTo doubt the German papers representing , we believe , the German people , have declared that any cession of territory to Prance is out of the

question-A semi-official paper at Berlin repeats this statement now , and , we doubt not , in the best faith . But the real thing to be considered is the decision of Count Bismarck . Has he promised the Emperor Napoleon the possession of the Rhine Provinces ? If he has , then those provinces will be annexed beyond all doubt . It is to be noticed that a Paris paper—the

Standardsays the negotiations between France and Prussia are being conducted in the most cordial manner . This would seem to strengthen the opinion that the whole business is a matter of prior arrangement . If it be not , and France persist in her demand , then there will be war . Austria ancl Italy have come to an agreement . An armistice has been signed for four weeks , and to be continued unless notice to the contrary is given .

The Week.

The difficulty has been the line of demarcation beyond whicli the Italian troops should not go . An arrangement has been made by which the Italians occupy simply Lombardo-Venetia , and do not come within certain fixed distances of tbe forts . A Brussels paper gives currency to a statement that there is great discontent in Vienna , It is stated that many arrests

have been made , and that the Emperor , when he went into the streets , was mot with the cries of " Abdicate . " There is little doubt that tho people of Vienna are much dissatisfied with the manner in which the war had been conducted . That some

difficulties exist is certain from the fact that a change of Ministry has just taken place . A Vienna telegram says that news has arrived there of a battle in the Gulf of Mexico between a Prussian corvette and the Austsian corvette Dandolo . The victory , it adds , was with the latter . The Conslilutionnel is instructed to calm the fears of those who imagine that the negotiations between France and Prussia

for a " rectification" of the frontiers of the former country are likely to lead to war . Nothing , we are assured , is further from the thoughts of the two Governments than going to Avar . They are conducting their negotiations in the most friendly spirit . This gives increased strength to the opinion that the Emperor Napoleon and Count Bismark understand each other .

A correspondent of the Steele , describing in true Gascon fashion a parting interview between himself and Count Bismark , says that statesman assured him France and Prussia would remain

fast friends . The German people are not consulted it seems . They , at any rate , do not regard the proposed cession favourably ; but Count Bismark will decide . The health of the Emperor Napoleon appears to be in a very critical state . He took cold at Vichy , ancl an attack of intermittent fever supervened . He has been unable to preside at two or three Cabinet Councils ;

and great alarm is felt in Paris respecting him . No new light has yet been shed on the French demand for an extension of her frontier . Our Berlin correspondent expresses the opinion of best-informed politicians when he says that a war between France and Prussia on a question of this kind might still further unite Germany . It seems to be taken for granted that Prussia will steadily refuse—if she has not already done so—to give

an inch of territory . Yet upon good authority it is stated that what France requires is likely to be granted , and that it will be snips of land—part taken from Belgium , part from Holland , part from Prussia , and part from Bavaria . How far this will be approved by those who are concerned remains to be seen . But there is very little doubt that in making the proposition for an extension of French frontiers the Emperor was simply giving effect to a prior arrangement . There is not much fear of any difficulty arising . Count Bismarck can manage the Germans , and the Emperor will have scant consideration for others who may be affected .

To Correspondents.

TO CORRESPONDENTS .

* * All communications to be addressed to 19 , Salisbury-street ' Strand , London , W . C . K . T . ( " Indian Freemason ' s Friend , " )—We are obliged to you for your letter . We had noticed the remarks to ivhich you draw attention . We agree with you ; we think , however , it is best to let the subject drop . If our contemporary chooses to amuse himself by throwing mud , he is at liberty

to do so . We shall not follow his example . P M . —The Dep . Prov . G . M , would not be justified in appointing and investing other officers than those named by the Prov . G . M ., ivith whom the appointment of the Prov . G . Officers ( excepting the Treasurer ) rests . I . P . M . —Yes ; the Grand Lodge dues having been paid , he ivould be entitled to vote . G . A . SWENEY ( Colaba ) . —You had better ascertain through whom you receive your copy of the MAGAZIlfE ; it is not supplied from here .