EUROPEAN NEWS.

Auckland Examiner, Volume IV, Issue 230, 18 January 1860, Page 3

EUROPEAN NEWS.

From the Sydney Empire, Jail. Oth.

The arrival of the monthly telegram has filled every mind with solemn thought and painful feelings, by the melancholy tidings of the loss of the Royal Charter. And before attention ean begiven to other topics, the anxious expectation of many awaits an answer to the inquiries, “ who were on board ? and who has escaped the sad fate which overwhelmed so many ? ” We need scarcely say that we have presented as complete lists as our information has enabled us to do, and shall omit no means of procuring further intelligence in this matter. With those who are wracked bj’ the question, whether friends of their own were among those who were engulphed in a watery grave, and with those who are cast down by the sad certainty of their bereavement, public sym pathy mourns over this terrible calamity. But a few days befiire the wreck of the Royal Charter, the English Press was commenting on the rapid succession of fatal disasters which had, at that season come under public notice. Already the accumulation of calamities bad marked the time as unusually afflictive; and now we hear that the- loss of more than 400 lives by one wreck is added to the amount of desolations, ft adds much to the appalling character of this wreck, that the noble ship had just completed the passage from Australia to the British Isles ; and after touching at Queenstown, and leaving some passengers there, bad come within’a few hours of Liverpool, when an irresistible hurricane drove her upon the rocks near Bangor. How many glowing expectations were suddenly exchanged for the terrors of inevitaale death?’ How many houses in which the news from Queenstown had awakened happy anticipations of receiving expected friends, were suddenly filled with lamentation by the sad tidings from Bangor? ft does not appear that there was any blame to be ascribed to the capta'n or any of those in charge of the ship. Our telegram affirms “ all the chief officers have perished;” the coast is rock-bound and precipitous; the storm was fearfully destructive, and the officers whose management was probably instrumental in saving the lives of forty-one persons, lost their own. The brief’items of home and continental politics are very suggestive. A most important reform has been effected in the abolition of a degrading remnant of barbarism—flogging in the army. If there be men in the army whom a flogging an I noth ing else can briug to obedience, Britain is far better without such soldiers. But it will, doubtless, be found that the absence of the degrading spectacle has strenghthened the spirit of.allegiance and sense of honor which are the only true spring of military subo: dination. Reform tn the representation ofthe people in Parliament is promised by the Government. N'o outward commotions and alarms can long hinder the progressive spirit of British mind and. institutions..

The continental news is ominous. “ Pressure from Paris ” is felt in Piedmoht, and resistance to the menacing designs of Napoleon is the order of the day in central Italy. It is not likely that the high spirited King of Sardinia will long brook the dictation of the French Emperor. What would be the effect of collision between these two allies, it is impossible to conceive. Hitherto tlie Pope looked frowningly on- Victor Emanuel as a turbulent son ; but now that Napoleon is attempting to dictate both to the Pontiff and to the King, the relative sentiments of these two Italian powers may become quite cordial. The Pope’s promise of Re" form, and’Garibaldi’s retirement to Sardinia, indioate a mutual desire on’both 1 sides for a reconciliation and co-operation of these two potentates: If this is effected, the Emperor’s interference will ap<pear the more clearly unwarrantable ; bnd his unwillingness to retire from the demands he has already made may render it incumbent on England to interpose her influence against the dictation of Napoleon in Italy. And we conclude that' the peremptory and'encroaching spirit ofthe Emperor’s letter has awakened the expectation that such an interposition may become unavoidable, and thus caused the “apprehensions of war with France” which, according to the telegrams, l “ have revived within the past week.” On the whole, all th'e motives which were pressing on us to hasten all feasible preparations for self defence are enforced by this last intelligence.