THE JANUARY ENGLISH MAIL.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 3, Issue 132, 31 March 1860, Page 5

THE JANUARY ENGLISH MAIL.

By the arrival of the . " "Wonga Wonga " from Wellington, and the " White Swan " from Auckland, both on Monday last, we were put in possession of the January English mail. The news, we are happy to say, is good, Confidence between the people of England and the Emperor of the French was being rapidly restored, and strong hopes are expressed that the Anglo-French alliance will continue intact. The activity of the volunteer movement was not, however, abated ; and it is not improbable that to the firm front displayed by Great Britain, the present peaceful aspect of affairs is in some measure to be ascribed. We annex the summary of the " English Mail" of January 18, — reserving general extracts for a future number. The son is always glad to hear of the prosperity of his parent. The community at the Antipodes, whose welfare is indissolubly bound up with our own, will rejoice to learn that the " Mail " carries (with tho exception of another lamentable shipwreck and the sudden decease of the lamented Lord Macaulay) not a single item of sinister intelligence. At first sight the fact might appear to be otherwise. When we last wrote, a Congress of the European Powers had been solemnly agreed ■upon. The blunt announcement that the proposal for a Congress has been blown to the winds may possibly have, for a moment, a startling effect, conjuring up visions of new dissension and renewed war. Yet this impression would be perfectly erroneous. Strange as it may sound, the indefinite postponement of the great Ooxmcil of peace has contributed powerfully to stimulate public confidence in the retention of that blessing. Let us take a hasty glance at the events of the month,', in so far as they affect the international relations between the great states of Europe. The Italian policy of the Emperor Napoleon the Third — whom some people affect to regard as an enlightened statesman, others as a complete ■wizard, and others, again (but these are in a minority), as a mere harlequin — has been variously read, and generally misjudged, as the event proves. According to one view, after vanquishing Austria, he detected elements of weakness in his own position, and truckled to her, thereby necessarily betraying Italy. Italy, apparently, was half inclined to entertain this opinion herself, for the name of her liberator, when heard in her public places, provoked muttered curses. Tet, with few exceptions, there was no open outburst of disappointment — not even when Venetia was seen writhing in fetters, rendered all the more intolerable, because for a moment she had fancied that they would be struck off. Others imagined they saw the heir of the great Napoleon sedulously applying himself to convert Austria into a friend, preparatory to a descent upon Prussia, through whose threatened hostility his arms had been checked in mid-career, or upon England, against whom his Majesty was supposed to nourish an hereditary grudge. Few men's minds were entirely free from impressions of this sombre nature. Yet subsequent events show that they were delusions. Napoleon has quietly left Italy to work out her own political regeneration ; and Italy has wisely and steadfastly availed herself of the opportunity afforded. The Central Italian States have remained banded together, presenting a bold front to Austria, to the expelled Dukes and their myrmidons, to the Pope, and even to their Imperial protector. The designs of the impetuous Garibaldi were rebuked ; all movements on the part of Austria were peremptorily forbidden. Austria, humbled and financially prostrated, could do nought but grind her teeth, and wait in hopes of better times. And so Central Italy improved daily in strength and organization, and continued to fashion her institutions, both civil and military, after the model of those of Piedmont, incessantly declaring that she would have no other ruler than Victor Emanuel. At last Napoleon broke silence. A pamphlet, universally attributed to direct Imperial inspiration, appeared at Paris towards the last week of the expired year, levelled against the temporal • power of the Pope. This remarkable state paper (as we are warranted in regarding it) declared that the intervention of Austria in Italy was for ever at an" end ; that the Pope must resign the idea of re-possessing himself of his revolted provinces, and that his true position ought to be merely that of P-rince of the City of Rome. The undisturbed possession of the Eternal City the great Catholic Powers would guarantee to him. Then followed an outburst of indignation from the clerical party, not merely in Home, but in France. A portion of the Eoinan Catholic population of England trad Ireland took up the cry of reprobation. The Emperor maintained his attitude, and sternly repressed some manifestations of clerical feeling within his dominions. A week or two elapsed, and he gave to the world a letter indited by himself to his Holiness. The author- | Bhip of the famous pamphlet now stands revealed. The Pope is not exactly desired in terms to sub-' side into the position of mere Prince of Some, but he is plainly advised and urged to abandon all claim to the territory of the Legations, which has thrown off its alliance. In consideration of this Napoleon offered to urge the Congress to guarantee the inviolability of the rest of the States of the Church. Hence the postponement, if not abandonment, of the proposed Congress. Neither Austria, nor

the Pope, nor Naples, was prepared to put the Beal to arrangements of this character. These powers may be said to retain a sullen attitude. But one great gain hus resulted from Napoleon's present policy. England and France have been Drought once more into accord. England is firmly opposed to all foreign intervention in Italy. The present proposals of France are, consequently, exactly in unison with her views. When England and France combine to pursue one common object, the whole world is mute. The spectacle now presented has, therefore, given a great stimulus to public confidence. "Within the last two or three days this hopeful impression has been immensely encouraged by the appearance of a letter addressed by the Emperor Napoleon to his Minister of State. His Majesty declares that a "pacific solution" of the still disputed questions of foreign policy may now " confidently be foreseen," and that the time has arrived when it is safe to give every possible developement to commerce. To the complete stupefaction of the Protectionist party in France, Napoleon avows himself a freetrader! The protective fetters upon industry are to be stricken off; duties upon articles of food and of use in manufactures are to be lowered ; great public works (not omitting churches and cathedrals) are to be vigorously promoted ; and the whole trade of the country, internal and external, is, in the Imperial words, to "take a fresh spring." A commercial treaty between England and France — couched, of course, in an enlightened and liberal sense, or our statesmen would not entertain it for a moment — is even now in course of arrangement. There is an universal belief that these manifestations inaugurate a new era of peace and commercial progress, and a feeling of profound satisfaction has been accordingly excited through the country. Something more, it is tone, is required from the Emperor than words ; but the seed of confidence is now germinating, *and its growth depends solely upon himself. The unison of the flags of England and France in the China expedition is another event of happy augury. Were France to manifest a disposition to reduce her large standing armaments, Europe would sink into profound repose. Eeverting to topics of more domestic interest, we find great cause for satisfaction. The political world is quiet. Parliament will meet on the 24th inst., and political gladiators are, of course, preparing their weapons, but of agitation there is little or none. Various measures, framed in accordance with the progressive spirit of the times, including a Eeform Bill, an Education Bill, and a Bankruptcy Reform Bill, are promised. The improvement of the National Defences proceeds steadily, without excitement, and without braggadocia. We neither wish to take nor to give offence, but, without imputing any evil designs to our neighbours, we have made up our minds to see to see to the safety of our house doors. The tramp of volunteer battalions is heard in nearly every parish in the kingdom. We have just finished our annual stock-taking, and made up our financial state ments for the last year. A good year it was, undoubtedly, to the great commercial interests of the kingdom, especially to rthe cotton and other manufacturers. The immense development acquired by trade with India, combined with active interchanges with most of the other markets of the world, has resul-, ted in a very large accumulation of profit. The prospects of trade for the year 1860, are even more promising.