The Week.

Faucigny , and Prussia having agreed to this proposal , it appears certain that the conference will assemble at Paris . _ As regards the powers who will be represented , France raises no objection to the admission of Switzerland , with the eight Powers who signed the final act of Vienna , on condition that Piedmont should be admitted upon an equal footing . The Conference -would , therefore , be composed of the ten following Powers : —Austria , Spain , France , Great Britain , Portugal , Prussia , Russia SardiniaSwedenand Switzerland . —•— -The abortive attempt

. , at a revolution in Spain , in favour of a Pretender whom nobody loves , against a government and a sovereign equally despised and hated , has come to a speedy and bloody termination . Ortega has been shot , and some details concerning the Count of Montemolin ' s capture have been received . It seems that the two princes , thou"h refusing to open the door of the house in which they were concealed , offered no resistance when the entry was forced . Public

opinion in Spain is divided about what is to be done with them . Some of the Madrid journals recommend that they should be tried by a common court-martial , which would lead to their death ; others are in favour of the Senate dealing with the conspiracy as a whole . It is believed that General O'Donnell's return is expected before a decisive step is resolved upon .- The Correspondanela Antografa says that Marshall O'Donnetf having ordered the embarkation of a portion of the army in Africa proves that peace is firmly established . The King of

Sardinia , under the influence of Napoleon , we are told , has , for the present abandoned the idea of taking the title of the King of Italy . The Court of the Tuileries represented that such a change of title would only complicate the existing international difficulties without giving any practical advantage to Piedmont . By telegraph from Genoa we learn that Messina was in open revolt on the 11 th . Firing was heard and tricoloured flags seen by an English steamer passing . Count Cavour has written to the King of Naples ,

requesting that the arms of Tuscany , Modena , and Parma be immediately removed from the legations at Naples , as continuing to display them is an insult to Sardinia , He professes , on the part of the King , the greatest desire for a friendly alliance with the country , but says such a state of things cannot exist if Ferdinand perseveres in his present system . Great events are thought to be on the eve of accomplishment in Austria ; it is said ( aud we trust with truth ) that their stolen constitution is to be restored to the great Hungarian people ; if this be so , Francis Joseph has taken effectual means to strengthen his tottering empire . The reestablishment of the Hungarian constitution , probably under the

disguise of measures of reform , introduced by degrees , is not meant to remain an isolated fact in the Austrian empire . Similar constitutions , each on its own national foundation , will , so it is said , be granted to all the provinces of the empire , which in this way -would be transformed into , or rather reconstructed as a kind of federal state , with a monarchical centre . The latest Vienna despatches add the most significant point to what has before been reported concerning tho plan resolved upon for gaining back the affections of Hungary . The Emperor of Austria wishes

to be crowned King of Hungary . That evidently means that he is resolved to swear the oath to maintain the constitution when reestablished . The trusted Finance Minister , Baron Von Bruck , has died suddenly of apoplexy , brought on by intense anxiety . The reply of Austria , dated the 18 th inst ., to the note of the Federal Council of Switzerland , of the 5 th inst ., refers the Council to the Austrian Government ' s note of the 8 th inst ., and adds , that should the preliminary points of the conference be determined Austriaon her sidewill fully recognize the riht

upon , , , g of Switzerland to take part in its deliberations as a claiming party , and as being principally interested in the ijwestion . The Arabia has arrived with dates from New York to the 11 th inst . The Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives had reported in favour of the right of the House to appoint a committee for the purpose of inquiring into the allegations made against the President , and entirely dissented from the views expressed by his excellency iu the communication he addressed to the House , to the effect that they had no power to

inquire into his conduct except by impeachment . American difficulties with Mexico appeared to bo getting into a still more complicated state . The officers and crew of the Japanese corvette Candinma / rrah , which arrived at S . Francisco from Japan on the 17 th ult ., were being lionised by the citizens , and salutes , dinners , & c , were the order of the day . The Japanese were a little surprised at the lack of ostentation in their reception . It was stated that the Japanese corvette was a present from the Emperor of Japan to the President . The Japanese ambassadors , in

tho steamer Povjhattan , were hourly expected at San Francisco . —•—The dates from Vera Cruz are to the 1 st instant . The city was quiet , and it was reported that Miramon had left for the capital . The estimated loss by the bombardment of Vera Cruz was as hi gh as 5 , 000 , 000 dollars , but this was supposed to be an exaggeration . Miramon ' s retreat commenced on the 21 st of March . The Juarez forces were so nearby out of powder , that it was believed had Miramon remained longer he would , have succeeded in capturing the city . A decree , banishing Americans , and confiscating their property , had been published at the Mexican capital .

INDIA ; CHINA ; AND JAPAN . —Telegrams have been received , dated Calcutta , March 23 , which states that disturbances are reported to have broken out in Cabul . From Shanghae , March S , we learn that it is rumoured that the four European vessels which proceeded to Pech . dee River carried an ultimatum to the Chinese Government , —— -The ivbel

The Week.

disturbances are increasing throughout China . The state of affairs in Japan has become worse . The foreign community are living in great apprehension , two Dutch captains having been murdered in the street of Jokukama without giving any offence to the Japanese .

ROYAL DRAMATIC COLLEGE . THE first stone of this institution was , on Monday , laid with becomingsolemnity , and under the most favourable auspices by its Master , Bro . Benjamin AA'ebster , assisted by several of the officials connected with the commendable aud nourishing project . As has been already recorded , the site is at Maybury , near the AAfoking station of the South AA ostern Railway , and at twelve o ' clock a number of gentlemen of the dramatic profession , and of visitors interested in the proceedings of the day ,

assembled to witness the impressive ceremonial . Amongst those present were Sir AAllliam de Bathe , Colonel de Bathe , Mr . T . P . Cooko , Mr . A . AAlgan , Mr . Robson , Mr . Emden , Mr . Nelson Lee , Mr . Churchill , Dr . Borlase Childs , Mr . B . AVebster , jun ., B . A ., Mr . AY . S . AA' ebster , Mr . Stainton , Mr . AA ebb , Mr . Ffetcher , Mr . Stirling Coyne , Bro . F . Ledger , and many other gentlemen connected locally with the establishment and feeling an active sympathy with its many excellent purposes . After the stone had been embedded in concreteand christened in the

, approved fashion with champagne , Bro . B . AA'ebster addressed tho company as follows : — " Gentlemen , I cannot adequately express my feelings of pride , as Master of the Royal Dramatic College , in laying tho first stone of the noble institution , the houses of which are to afford tho comforts of home and freedom from the cares of the world to deserving

aged and infirm members of the histrionic profession . By a fortuitous circumstance , which I sincerely hope will prove a happy omen , this event occurs on the anniversary of the birth of that most mighty genius Shakspeare , whose writings were not for an age , but for all time—not for a nation , but the wdiole world . In his words I bid you ' Conic unto the yellow sands , and then take hands , ' linked in the cause of charity , and soon you will be enabled to accomplish the good work in hand , and say to houseless poverty , 'Friendship will lend you shelter ' gainst tho

tempest , and so there repose . ' The erection of this building is the most powerful argument in opposition to the puny cries of the enemies of the drama , and will in the end substantially show that the love of the enlightened people of this great country is strongly in favour of their dramatic lore and of its exponents , and will , I trust , be a lasting monument of the beneficent reign of her gracious Majesty , of the glory of Shakspeare , and of the respect in which my profession is held by high and low . May God prosper the good work . " Bro . AVebster ' s remarks

were received with the greatest enthusiasm , and nine cheers were given for the college , after which the company adjourned to lunch . Tho presence of several ladies , who took a marked interest in the proceedings , imparted to them a more than ordinary degree of attraction ; aud amidst earliest congratulation aud speeches of an appropriate and graceful character , the ceremony was brought to a highly satisfactory conclusion .

Public Amusements.

PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS .

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA , COVENT GARDEN . —This week has been distinguished by the reappearance of Madame Grisi , who is announced for only twelve nights this season . The opera chosen was " La Favorita , " and the great actress was successful as ever in exciting the emotion of the audience , while the work of time upon her magnificent voice was scarcely perceptible ; indeed , only those critics who can distinctly recollect this queen of song in her full charm of power have any right to draw comparisons as to its present condition . Her reception was most

enthusiastic , and travel where she may , Grisi must at length have discovered that- her warmest friends are to be found in old England . The last act of the opera was one continued round of applause from beginning to end . Signor Mario played Fernando , and was equally well received , singing with great care and spirit , but the present abominable spring winter , which has made every one ill , has not exempted the great tenor , and his voice showed the effect of this terrible climate . His celebrated " Angiol d'amore" was encored and given in truly magnificent style notwithstanding . The scenery was new and particularly beautiful , ( he last scene—a moonlight view—being especially effective .

To Correspondents.

TO CORRESPONDENTS .

" J . P . ' '—AA e do not know the clothing of Prov . G . Lodges of Mark Masters . " L . L . "—Repeat your question in another form ; we do not u nderstand it . "Senex . " —We never recollect receiving such a communication . "P . P . "—In 1814 .

" JAY . "—The letter is libellous and unsuited to our columns , " N . AAV—Any tyro of Masonry will answer your question . It is too ridiculous for you TO expect a serious answer from us .