The Lyttelton Times.

Lyttelton Times, Volume III, Issue 115, 19 March 1853, Page 6

The Lyttelton Times.

March 19,1853.

The " Tasmania" anchored in our har r hour on Tuesday evening, bringing dates from England to the 3rd of November. The " Tasmania" arrived at Otago on the 26th. ultimo, and we learn from the Witness that she put into Madiera for a supply of water, and that a serious mutiny occurred there, the crew refusing to proceed on the voyage or weigh anchor. The latter difficulty was overcome by the prompt assistance of the passengers, and the mutiny was quelled by the firm and determined conduct of Captain McMillan. Aftenvards everything proceeded smoothly, the barque runr ning from Madiera to Otago in 88 days. The " Royal Albert" arrived at Otago from England a feAv days prior to the '* Tasmania's" leaving for this port, and was bound for Wellington, Her dates are but a few days later, and in the absence of any papers, Aye infer that nothing of any moment had occurred between the sailing of the tAvo vessels,

Parliament \yas to meet on the 4th of November for the election of Speaker, and the opening speech of Her Majesty would be delivered on the 11th. Judging by the . Ministerial circular,, the late Speaker would be re-elected. Immense preparations were being made for the funeral of the Duke of -Wellington ; the 18th of November was the day fixed upon for the ceremony which was expected to attract a larger concourse of people than was ev^r Avitnessed in Lon-

don on any public occasion. Not the least attractive part of the funeral pageant would be the deputations of troops from the various countries of which the illustrious Dead was a Field-Marshal.

Louis Napoleon had returned to Paris from his tour in the Provinces. The adulation bordering on blasphemy which attended his steps we hope, for the credit of human nature, could not be witnessed out of France. He was everywhere hailed as the Saviour of France, and almost immortal attributes assigned to him. The Lord's Prayer was parodied to do him homage, and he was asked to give the people their daily bread. He has performed one act of grace in liberating from confinement the. celebrated African Chief Abd el-Kader, who has sworn on the Koran never to molest the French in Algeria. His future abode is Bfoussa, in Turkey. Once more Constantinople is the theatre of European intrigue, and France is endeavouring to pick a quarrel with the Ottomans. This combined with the great activity witnessed in her Arsenals and Dockyards, the unscrupulous character of her Ruler, and the yearning wish to realise the dream of the Emperor, and render the Mediterranean a French lake,—are signs which must open the eyes of those soft-minded folks who prognosticated that war was for ever buried in the late .Chrystal Palace. At any rate, the English Government are wide awake, and testify their appreciation of peace by increasing the maritime force of .the kingdom.

Much anxiety is felt respecting the .relations between Spain and the United States, and the impression. is that war is at hand. The Authorities of Cuba have resorted to measures tantamount to non-inter-course with the States ; not. only private ships are refused admittance into the Havannah, but an American mail-steamer, under the command of an officer in the United States Navy. This last proceeding has increased the irritation in the States, and the Government have sent a special Commissioner to demand an explanation. The Democratic Candidate for the Presidency, General Pierce, would, it was expected, be returned by an immense majority over his Whig Opponent, General Scott. In Mexico, the noted Santa Anna has been restored to power.