London, February 10.

Press, Volume XVI, Issue 2166, 28 March 1870, Page 3

London, February 10.

Parliament was opened on the Bth of February by commission. The speech stated that the Queen regretted that owing to indieposition, she was prevented from opening Parliament personally. The present time was a period remarkable for public interest. The Crown cordially reciprocated the friendly sentiments expressed from all quarters. In England there is a growing disposition to resort to the good offices of her allies in cases of international differences, which encourages confidence in the maintenance of tranquility. The estimates were in a forward state. Diminished charges will be imposed. The Queen trusts that Parliament will complete the inquiry already commenced into tho mode of conducting both parliamentary and municipal elections, thus preparing material for useful legislation. The Ministry propose to amend the laws relating to occupation and acquisition of land in Ireland in a

manner adapted to the peculiar circumstances of the country, calculated to bring about improved relations between the several classes concerned. These provisions, matured by impartiality and wisdom of Parliament will tend to inspire a eteady confidence in law, and that deeire to render assistance in ite administration which marks Her Majesty's subjects generaliy. The following measures are announced: — A comprehensive enlargement of the means for National education; a Bill to elucidate religious tests ; the rating of Oxford University, and the transfer of land. The extension of agrarian crime in Ireland has filled the Queen with painful concern, but the Executive have freely adopted the means for the prevention of outrages. Her Majesty relies mainly on the permanent operation of wise and necessary changes in the law, and she will not hesitate to recommend the adoption of special provisions, should the paramount interest of peace and order require them. Lord Cairne severely criticised the speech. He chiefly condemned the proposed policy with regard to Ireland, which, he said, was

unsound, unsatisfactory, and calculated to ex* cite discontent and disorder. Mr Gladstone announced his intention to introduce a Bill having reference to the Irish land question. On the 10th Mr Disraeli declared that the Government was responsible for the recent agitation and excesses in Ireland. Mr Gladstone defended the policy of the Government. The House of Commons annulled Mr Donovan Koaea'e election by 301 votes to 8. John Bright was eeriously ill, but is now better. Mr Disraeli is indisposed. A conspiracy against the Emporor'e life has been discovered in Paris. The provisional committee of the Albert Assurance Company have proposed a plan for its re-construction ; viz, that the estimated deficiency be subscribed by the shareholders ; that the policy holders and annuitants aocept 87 \ per cent for cash, and that a capital of £250,000 be raised. The Government have taken over the telegraph lines. A slight disturbance in Paris is reported. M Ollivier, in replying to M Keratry, said that preparations were being made to rescue M. Rochefort. Eight berrioadea were erected, and a gunsmith's shop pillaged. Numbers had been injured, and two hundred man arrested. Thirty-five were arrested for plotting against the Government. The prospectus of a company is issued to

lay a cable from Calcutta to Singapore. The French Chambers negatived the proposal to abrogate the commercial treaty with England. France desired peace and friendship with England, and the Chambers would adopt the best means for its attainment. M. Leeseps telegraphs that the rock at Serrapeum is removed. The " Times " publishes a letter from the captain of the ship Petrel, stating that Dr. I Livingstone haa been killed and his body burned by the natives of a place ninety days I journey from the Congo river. Sir Roderick Murchison discredits the report. Sir Charles Darling, the late Governor of Victoria, is dead. Mr Forster has introduced his education scheme. The Bill, which divides England into districts, does not interfere where the education imparted ie sufficient. It proposes to make a Government grant to schools of all denominations, on the condition of their attaining a certain efficiency, and admitting the exercise of conscience on religious topics. A clause is inserted to allow for inspection. The districts are to be supplied with schools by local compulsion and taxation under local managements, and the funds are to be augmented by Government grants under central supervision. School fees are to be retained generally, free admission being granted to the destitute. The Bill empowers school boards to frame bye-laws compelling the attendance of children between the age of five and twelve years. The second reading is fixed for 14th March. The French Corpa Legielatiff rejected the motion deferring the arrest of Bochefort, refusing to surrender him. He was arrested while going to attend a public meeting. He made no resistance. The Bed Biver rebellion ie subsiding.

IA man named Dyer, who surrendered to the police on a self-accusation of murdering nil mate (Wileon) at the Loddon diggings in

1857 is believed to be disordered in his mind. He has been remanded pending the result of inquiries in Victoria. Martin, the Fenian candidate, was hopelesaly beaten in Longford county by Greville Nugent, the Liberal candidate, who polled 1487 votes to 440. The political {stagnation of the session is broken by speeches from Messrs Bright, Forster, Miall, Stansford, Dilke, and others. The Cabinet, secrete are well kept by ministerial speakers. Mr Bright is loudly censured for hie excessive reticence. No protracted opposition is anticipated to the Irish Land Bill. At a meeting on the subject of the Colonial Emigration question, letters were read from Measre Carlyle, Tennyson, and Froude, forwarding their signatures to the petition against the breaking up of the British empire. The (Ecumenical Council continues sitting. It is evidently a failure. The fathers are not so tractable as they were expected to be. The Council has not yet come to any definite conclusion on any question. A serious strike has taken place among the artisans of the great ironworks at Cruetot, instigated by an agent of the international association, which supplies funds from England and Switzerland. 3500 soldiers were sent for the protection of the town. New workmen were introduced, but the dispute

was amicably eettled, and the strike terminated. A collision occurred on the 24th of January, off Yokohama, between the Panama and Oriental steamer Bombay and the United States corvette Oneida, which was leaving Japan on her homeward voyage. The Oneida sank almost immediately, and only fifty-eix lives were saved out of 176. Captain Eyre, of the Bombay, was blamed for not rendering assistance, but an investigation ehowa that he was not aware, owing to the durkness of the night, of the extent of the harm done. A great fire took place at Yeddo on the 29th of January ; over 1000 houses were destroyed. The Great Eastern arrived at Bombay on the 27th of January. She is now engaged io laying the cable at Aden.

The Duke of Edinburgh visited Agra and Benares. Hβ ie now hunting up-country. The Duke's tent was robbed of 15,000 rupees. A severe cyclone visited the Bay of Bengal; one ship went down with all hands. The "Times" of the 2nd of February published a letter from Captain Cochrane, of the war-eteamer Petrel, dated the 9th of January, stating that Dγ Livingstone has been killed. The report says that the inhabitants of a native town, 90 days' journey from the Congo River, accused the Doctor of bewitching their King, who died three days after. But they pursued him, captured him, and burned him. The news was brought by some Portugese to Congo. The next day after the publication of the letter, Sir Roderick Murcheson wrote to the " Times " discrediting the report. London, February 18. Lord Carnarvon arraigned the colonial policy of the Government. He protested against the withdrawal of the British troops from the colonies. Earl Granvilie declared that there was no desire on the part of the Government to sever the connection between England and her colonies. The withdrawal of the troops was only intended to enable them to learn habite of self-defence. In the case of attack from without, England would defend them with her last man, her last ship, her last shilling. Arrived—Great Britain, as, from Melbourne. London, February 18. Mr Gladstone introduced the Irish Land

Bill into the House of Commons on the 15tb, the basis of which is the legalisation of usage. Hβ denounced the perpetuity of tenure, and proposed prompt sales between landlord and tenant, by giving power to the landlord to cell the fee simple ; to advance money to the tenant, such moneys to he repayable by annual instalments. Two courts are to be established for all arbitration in civil cases ; these courts are to settle differences. A landlord evicting a tenant without being able to justify the step, is to pay compensation varying from two to seven years' rent. The tenant may claim compensation for permanent improvements. Landlords granting leases for 31 years are to be exempted from claims for compensation. The second reading of the bill is fixed for the 7th of March. The Opposition have promised to deal with the measure in a conciliatory spirit. Mr Cardwell has introduced a bill io reorganise the War Office ; creating a new office (financial) under the Secretary. Mr Gladstone ie introducing a separate bill for the acquisition of land in Ireland ; suoh bill to bs applicable in England and Scotland. New Yoek, Feb. 3rd. The Senate has passed a law authorising the issue of fifteen millions additional currency.

The conference has adopted the report of the foreign committee upon the expediency of recognising the Cuban ineurgente as belligerents.