ENGLISH NEWS to NOVEMBER 4.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 7, Issue 458, 23 January 1864, Page 4

ENGLISH NEWS to NOVEMBER 4.

LAfcE.R AMERICAN NEWS.

The arrival of the Queen has put us in possession of late European and American news, brought to Melbourne by theI.C.RM. Co.'s new steamer Otago to Melbourne ; 'that vessel having made the passage to Australia in fifty-one days. We subjoin the chief items, extracted from the Auckland papers; — < The "Prince Consort," one of the new iron clads, had nearly foundered in a gale in the channel. A marriage is said to be in contemplation between his Royal Highness Prince Alfred, and a Princess of the House of Oldenburg. The Crown Prince and Princess of Prussia had been, making a tour through the Highlands of Scotland, and were received with enthusiasm at all points of their route. A disastrous storm had occurred on the English coast. Many vessels which had managed to make their ports had narrow escapes from foundering, and the most serious apprehensions were entertained for those that had not yet come in. A serious collision had taken place on Great Eastern Railway between a goods' train and a passenger train. The engines of both trains were destroyed, aud the drivers and some of the passengers severely injured. The prospects of the cotton trade continue at present but indifferent, and it is feared that the spring must be well advanced before any very great improvement takes place. Even then the best calculations of the supply from all parts of the world, do not lead those who are skilled in such matters to anticipate more than four days' work in the week. A most astounding piece of news is that Lord Palmerston had been made co-res-pondent in a divorce suit in which the damages were laid at £20,000. The lady against whom the suit had been instituted was a Mrs. O'Kief, the wife of a clergyman. As may be imagined this scandal was creating an unprecedented sensation in every circle. The English news is interesting, particularly that portion of it which refers to the impending departure of more troops for service iv New Zealand. These include the Fourth Battalion of the Military Train Corps, aud they were to leave Woolwich in three transport vessels, fitted up for the purpose, a few days after the * Otago sailed. A large amount of war stores, packed and in readiness, were to be forwarded from the Royal arsenal. The state of Europe does not appear to be much altered. As regards Polaud, the iusurgeuts have gained advantages over their tyrants where they have had the opportunity of meeting them in conflict. The Russian police had discovered in Warsaw the printing-office of the National Government ; and as the documents obtained thereby are said to have compromised a great many persons, it will be uo mean triumph on the one hand, and discomfiture on the other. Lord Russell is said to have sent a "mild and conciliatory" despatch to St. Petersburg. The American news throws fresh light on the position of the combatants, but does not give us any ground to hope fora speedy termination of the war. The little river Rappahauuock seems destined for a long time to play the part of a military frontier. Neither party has at present -been able long to make their footing good ou their opponent's side of the river. It is said, however, that Lee. has fully made •up his mind to attack Washington* The threat to do so' may however be only a ieint designed to prevent the President from detaching any. considerable part of the .army of the Potomac to the aid of the army of the Cumberland. The Great Eastern is to be put in the Indian ojr Australian trade, and the shareholders have authorised the raising of a sum of £60,000 for that purpose. The Otago having called at the Cape of Good Hope, we have news from there to the 10th December. The Vanderbilt had put in there it was presumed in pursuit of the Alabama.- Great excitement had been caused by the former vessel having seized the barque Saxonon suspicion of her being a privateer in the .service of the Confederates. It is reported, but there seems to be a doubt on this point, that the mate of the Saxon was shot by . au officer of the "Vanderbilt. If so, it bears a serious political aspect,