The Week.

to home affairs , assumed the form of constant interference in the affairs of foreign nations . The hon . gentleman then passed in review the leading foreign questions of the day , remarking svith reference to the American war that he never had believed—" and believed less now than ever "—that he cr any of those who heard him would "ever live to see two

separate nations within the confines of the present United States . " The greater part of Mr . Blight ' s speech was devoted to the question of parliamentary reform . Sir John Pakington and Air . Horsman have addressed a meeting of representatives of Alechanics' Institutes at Stroud . Mr . Horsman spoke of the marvellous changes which the spread of

education among the working classes had produced , and cited as an illustration the calm fortitude with which an intelligent appreciation of the origin of their misfortunes had inspired tho operatives of Lancashire . The trustees anel managers of the Birmingham Savings Banks have determined , by a majority of two , to transfer the deposits helel by them ( amounting to

upwards of half a million ) to tho Post-office Savings Bank . This step appears to have been taken iu consequence of the increased responsibility imposed upon trustees by Sir II . AVilloughby's Savings Bank Act . Sir William Armstrong ' s huge GOO-poundev gun has been submitted to a preliminary test at Shoeburyness , with—as we are assured by the

Timesthe most satisfactory results . It is stated that , after a series of experiments , the Russian Government will adopt Capt . Blakeley ' s " principle" in the construction of guns of heavy calibre . There appears now to be no doubt that her Afajosty ' s Government have decided to stop tho steamship Pampero , at present lying in the Clyde . The " owners" of the vessel ' alleg-j , it is said , that she differs "little , if at all , " from the numerous merchant ships regularly built and fitted out in tlie Clyde ; but the

authorities , not satisfied with this declaration , have rendered the escape of the Pampero impossible by mooring a gunboat close -to her . -Earl Powis has been installed as High Steward of the University of Cambridge , with all clue formalities . The ceremony took place at his lordship ' s mansion in Berkeleysquare . Guildford was the scene of another disgraceful riot on Saturday night last . Taking advantage of the withdrawal

of the soldiers who have for some time past been stationed in the town for the purpose of maintaining order , a mob collected and took entire possession of the place . The authorities were perfectly helpless , and the rioters were allowed to complete their work of destruction without any serious opposition . A policeman , while looking

quietly on , was maltreated to such an extent that on Sunday night he was not expected to recover . The colliers of the Wigan district have decided to demand an increase of wages to the extent of 10 per cent . Fourteen days notice will be given to the employers on Thursday ; and , in the event of the men ' s demand not being complied withthe union

, will proceed to " call out one colliery at a time . " The farmers on the Yorkshire wolds have of late been startled by a series of destructive fires , which are supposed to have been the work of an incendiary . A few weeks ago , a great amount of damage was done in a stackyard at a place called Timing , and on Wednesday week no fewer than three farmsteads , all in the

neighbourhood of Thwing . were fired , apparently at the same time . Altogether , it is estimated some 700 quarters of grain were destroyed , with a large quantity of straw—an article which possesses a special value on tho wolds . A man is in custody on suspicion . Some additional light has been thrown on the cab tragedy by the publication of some letters addressed by the ¦ murdered wife to her sister , from which appears ; that the poor woman was very cruelly treated many months before her

terrible end . It is curious that her letters make no reference to her children , nor though repeatedly struck did it ever seem to occur to her to ask the protection of a magistrate from her husband's violence . The City of London have applied through Sir Fitzroy Kelly to the Court of Queen ' s Bench to obtain a rule calling on the governors of St . Bartholomew ' s Hospital to show cause why

they did not elect Lord Mayor Rose to the office of governor of that institution . After some discussion the Court granted a rule nisi . The right of the Jockey Club to warn persons -off Newmarket Heath , disputed in the case of the sporting correspondent of the Morning Post , has been argued in the Court of Queen ' s Bench . The Court refused to admit the

defendant ' s plea , that all persons had a right to be on the heath while races were run . There are , however , other pleas in the case that remain to be disposed of . The argument in the case of the Alexandra has been concluded . The Court reserved its judgment . The court-martial on Colonel Crawley relative to the affair at Alhow is still proceeding .

The Court of Queen ' s Bench h . ts granted a rule calling upon the Leigh Justices who some time ago convicted a farmer , named Clepworth , of haymaking on Sunday , to show cause why a certiorari should not issue for the purpose of bringing up and quashing the conviction . The rule was moved for by the Solicitor General , who stated that the question to be decided was ,

whether or not the act upon which the Justices based thair decision embraced " farmers . " The learned gentleman submitted that it did not , and the Lord Chief Justice said the point was one that ought to he considered . A terrible accident happened on Thursday , which we fear will prove fatal to more than one of the injured persons . A well-known public-house at Islington , which was being rebuilt , fell , burying several persons in

the rains . Among the wholesale schemes of destruction and reconstruction which are just now contemplated , we regret to see that there is one for the abolition of Tooting Common , for the building scheme practically comes to that . It is a question in which all London is concerned . FOREIGN INTELIGENCE . —Several rumours respecting the proposed congress of European Sovereigns have been

transmitted from Paris . According to one , which the Patrie publishes under reserve , the Emperor has expressed au opinion that the congress should be chiefly occupied with considering the following subjects : —Poland , the German Duchies , Rome and A enice , and the reforms to be introduced into the united principalities of Roumania . According to another , M . Drouyn de

Lhuys has told Lord Cowley that , " without trenching upon the prerogatives of the congress , it is impossible for the Emperor to lay down the preliminaries , " but that when all the Sovereigns have sent their replies , the Emperor " will hasten to afford every explanation calculated to display his desire to combine the principles of justice and equity with respect for legitimate

rights . " It is said that the answers of fifteen Sovereigns have already been received in Paris , and that they are all favourable , or in other words , that none contain a positive and unconditional refusual . It is also asserted that the Sultan has even expressed his readiness to attend the congress in person . England has refused to take part in the Congress .

Throughout the whole of Germany a strong determination is exhibited to support the claims of the Prince Frederick of Augustenburg to the Duchies of Schleswig anel Holstein , in opposition to those of the King of Denmark . In the Prussian Chamber notice has been given of a motion that all the German states are bound to support the Prince's rights . At Gluckstadt thc officials of the Superior Court of Appeal for the whole of Holstein , in that city , have resolved to refuse the oath of alle-