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Lyttelton Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1100, 27 May 1863, Page 5

TiiK news from England which will attract the first attention of British subjects is the marriage of the Prince of Wales. That it should have gone off so auspiciously is no small satisfaction to the nation, which sees in this event a happy prospect for the future of the heir to the English Crown. In such a monarchy as ours, limited as are its powers, the domestic relations of the Eoyal family are of an importance political as well as social. The English papers teem with accounts of gorgeous festivities on the occasion of the Royal marriage, and of the hearty welcome which greeted the Danish bride. The Poles have committed the grave error of engaging the Russians in a pitched battle; where, as might have been expected, the superior arms and discipline of the Czar's forces proved too much for the valour of. the . Hstily organised bands of insurgents marshalled by Langiewicz. In guerilla warfare the Poles had been almost uniformly successful, and they took, as soon as possible. the important step of asserting their nationality. Langiewicz, with the assent of the provisional Government, assumed the title of Military Dictator; and his proclamation on appearing as the risible head of the Polish nation, roused the whole country to take arms. He had already achieved a reputation for gallantry and devotion which will rank him with the heroes of his country. But he was unfortunately so elated by the answer made to his appeal to arms, and by his former successes, that he ventured to fight a pitched battle on the open plain. The Poles were utterly defeated and dispersed, and their leader took refuge across the Vistula in Galicia, where he was arrested by the Austrians and placed in the fortress of Cracow. The Austrian Government will not surrender him to the Russians. Langiewicz resigned the dictatorship, and the secret Provisional Government has resumed the reins. It is feared that the capture of Langiewicz is fatal to the revolution.

The war in America continues with unabated virulence. No important success has been achieved on either side, and it seems more and more evident to all unimpassioned spectators that the American States are drifting into a disruption far more complete than was at first imagined. Before the old ' Republican' Congress separated they did all in their power to increase the mischief which was begun under their auspices. President Lincoln has been made virtually absolute, with unlimited powers over person and property, and unlimited ' green backs' to carry on the war. As long as the green backs possess any value, so long his powers will last; but there are plenty of signs that the reign of a government supported by paper money must soon draw to a close. One of the last notable acts of the defunct Congress was to attempt an interference with the speculation in gold by legislation. The natural consequence was to raise the premium on the precious metal to 63, with every probability of a further rise to 80 or 90. In the Southern Confederacy gold is still more scarce. It is said that at Eichmond it commands a premium of 850 per cent! But the South will fight without money ; the North has shown no signs of a national feeling strong enough for such a sacrifice. It is to be hoped that the new Congress which was to meet in March will take'a more sensible view of the unhappy position of the Northern States; but for a time at any rate the tide has turned again in favor of the ultra warparty. Those who advocate peace, or even moderation, have been dubbed in the elegant phraseology of the day " copper heads," and are silenced as a minority is always silenced in the States by a majority for the time being. Ear] Russell declines to make any overtures for mediation. As events have proved, the British Government have acted wisely. The Americans are talking rather loud bunkum about declaring war against France on account of her offers to bring about a peace, and the Senate have reported that any attempt at mediation on the part of foreign powers would be regarded as an unfriendly act. The great Republic must be allowed to ruin itself without interference. Qiws Deus vult perdere, pmts dementat.