EUROPEAN SUMMARY.

New Zealander, Volume 3, Issue 131, 1 September 1847, Page 4

EUROPEAN SUMMARY.

The Turkish government had formally abolished the slave market at Constantinople, but we do not petcoive tint this enlightened measure has preceded any for the gradual abolition of slavery itself. A destructive fire br^ke out at Peru, on the evening of the 26th Januaiy, which destroyed the opera house, and about eighty other lar«e houses, with a large amount of property before it could be extinguished. The Autocrat of Russia has been lately issuing a series of arbitrary decrees against conversions from any other creed than the Graeco-Russian, and Catholic clergymen aie forbid to have persons of that creed in their service, under heavy pecuniary penalties. The increasing formidable power of Russia seems to excite strong; alarm among the British and Continental politicians. The recal of Lord Normanby, (British -Ambassador at Paris), seems not unlikely, as M. Guizot and he hive not been for some time upon the best of terms, and Ministers seem well disposed to Jibuis Phillipe. The late trial of ihe ' National ' Newspaper, for a libel on the King of the French, has terminated, it appears in a verdiU of acquittal. Spain and Portugal continue in the usual divided and distracted state. The Miguellite forces in the latter country are reported as being in the ascendancy. In Flanders, it is siid that the population has lately diminished in place of increasing as was supposed. The population of Ireland previous to the late famine, exceeded eight millions. The total area of the island is 19,146,500 statute acres. The number of persons holding land ■was 883,097, representing nearly four and ahalf millidns of souls. " From 1836 to 1843, there was a progressive yearly deficiency of British revenue, amounting for- the period to £10,188,657. Since then, there has been nearly as regular an increase, making the balance in the Exchequer at the close of the past year, 282. From 1836 to 1846, the gross total of repealed taxes has exceeded ten millions sterling, and of taxes imposed seven millions. The principal duties repealed, were those on sugar, paper, spirit licenses, newspaper stamps,' postages, and most articles of ordinanary consumption. The new taxes have been principally the income tax, five millions* and the increase of 5 per cent as proposed in 1840 by Mr. Baring. Dis'illation and brewing being now permitted from sugar, this with the temporary suspension of the Navigation act has caused a great demand for that article, and given a sttong impulse to Dutch and other foreign shipping. On the American side, the corn and carrying trade were never so brisk, The 'Sovereigns' of Leadenhall street have at last wisely decided on parting with the salt monopoly, which will open the ports of India to that article, and produce immense additions to the export of British manufac tures. Sir C. Napier has been appointed Lieut. General, on the staff of India. Sir T, M'Mahon continues in command at Bombay. The whole of the 17th and part of the 86th regiments have left Scinde, and reached Bombay. The former regiment was to leave for India. Cholera was lately prevalent ai Madras. At the Cape every thing now seems quiet —they are exporting to England, the skins ol zebras, tigers, and the rhinocerous, and enor mous quantities of bones and hoofs.