Masonic Festivities.

informed Austria that she will remain neutral , should war break out , unless the German possessions of Austria are attacked . It is stated in high military circles that Marshal Prince AVindischgratz is going on a mission to Berlin . A telegram from Milan , of Saturday , says that trade there is completely stagnant ; that many Austrian deserters had crossed the frontier into Piedmont ; ancl that the Grancl Duke of Tuscany intends to grant his subjects a liberal constitution . Great activity is perceptible in the bureaux of the different sections of the Prussian

waroffice , the object of which is to place the army iu an efficient state , to be prepared for any emergency . It was expected that a general amnesty would bo granted for all political offenders on the occasion of the recent addition to the royal family ; events have induced the Regent to postpone its execution . A Berlin letter states that during a recent shooting excursion , in the neighbourhood of Sans Souci , the Prince Regent of Prussia had a narrow escape for his life . The gun of an officer , who was of the party , accidentally went off , and the charge passed close to the

Prince . The Madrid Gazette contains a series of addresses to the Queen from the authorities and public bodies of Cuba , expressing indignation at the proposition to purchase the island made by the President of the United States , and protesting fidelity to the Queen . The Queen has issued a royal order , in which she thankfully acknowledges these assurances of fidelity . AVith regard to the health of the King of Naples , little is positively known , except that his malady , whatever it was and is , must have been much more severe than was at first imagined . He is

still at Bari , ancl it is unlikely that he will leave it before the end of tho month . A medical opinion is that the malady of the king is water round the heart , a disease of which his father died , and to whicli the royal family are subject . Great anxiety is felt about the health of his Majesty by those around him . No British vessel of war has visited Naples for now three weeks or a month , and so few vessels are there on the Mediterranean station that the admiral Is not in a position , to send one up there . In . the meantime the French and Russian squadrons are being augmented . The proposition made in the Hanoverian upper chamber to restrain the exportation of horses gave rise to a warm debate , in the course of which it-was

contended that any French attack on the Po and Rhine would be a casus belli . Prussia ' s dilatory policy was denounced as anti-German . The proposition was unanimously agreed to . A letter from Rome , speaking of the Prince of Wales ' s audience of the Pope , says his tutor ancl the British diplomatic agent accompanied him ; the Pope addressed the Prince in the most courteous terms ; the heir to the throne of the British Empire was respectful , and appeared much gratified by the Holy Father ' s urbanity . The Prince is frequently seen in the streets and in the public buildings . His object appears to be to acquire as much information as

possible . A special service has been performed in the churches at St . Petersburg to return the thanks of the nation for the recovery of the empress dowager . By the 13 th January the nobility committees of six provinces had finished and sent in their preparatory labours on the serfdom abolition question . The number of male serfs living in these districts amounted to as much as a million and a half . Letters express doubts whether the Sultan will receive the Moldavian deputation , 15 , 000 Turkish troops are stationed along the banks of the Danube . Frequent

conferences have taken place between Sir Henry Bulwer , Baron Prokesch , ancl the Porte . Reports of ministerial changes continue current . Hussein Pacha has been named Governor of Candia , in the room of Sami Pacha , who will be sent as ambassador to Paris . M . Musurus will probably be appointed representative of the Porte at the Paris conferences . In Sardinia , the ministerial measure was carried by an overwhelming majority , ancl it is believed that the amount of the loan ( £ 2 , 000 , 000 ) will be subscribed in a great measure by Italians , if not in Italy . The apartments of

the late Queen of Sardinia are being prepared for the reception of a new inmate . The Russian marriage of the King is believed to bo decided upon . The A venir oi Nice says that the entire Russian Mediterranean squadron is expected there in the month of March -The Wiirtzburg Gazette says that the Bavarian minister of war has sent orders to the various commanders of troops to adopt the necessary measures for placing the army on the footing of preparing for the eventualities of war . It appears from all reports that the popular excitement in Bavaria is as great as in any part of Germany in favour of Austria . A return of French despotism is dreaded as the worst calamity that could happen , The death of the hereditary Grand Duchess