The Week.

be able to avoid the appearance of an aggressive policy if to prevent the now threatening attack of Austria she should be compelled to commence hostilities . Prussia may calm her apprehensions . Everybody believes now that the war is wholly of Count Bismarck ' s seeking , and should hostilities ensue they will assuredly be attributed to Prussia ' s aggressive policy . We have no further definite news from Germany as

to the Austro-Prassian quarrel . There are speculations in plenty , and these for the most part have a Avarlike tendency . The danger of a warlike solution of the difficulty is of course increased by every day ' s delay in the making of pacific overtures . But there is good reason to hope that war will be avoided . Neither nation has much to gain by war , and Austria ,

unless she can make some preliminary arrangement with Italy , will in case of war find herself in a very awkward position . There seems to be little doubt that Italy is carefully preparing to take advantage of a war between Austria and Prussia . A Paris telegram asserts that the disturbances in the Lebanon have been completely quelled . The news from Germany has a

warlike aspect . Prussia has replied to Count Karolyi ' s note . The new communication is eminently characteristic . Count von Bismarck declares that Prussia is in a state of great alarm , in consequence of the arming of Austria . The King of Prussia of course believes in the friendly feeling of the Emperor of Austria ; but why does not Austria appeal to

Article 11 of the Federal Constitution ? All this is very poor acting . It simply means that Bismarck intends to have a war , believing no doubt that in such an event Austria would be attacked in rear by Italy . As to that there can be little doubt he is right . Italy is making preparations , and unless Austria can make some satisfactory arrangement as to Venetia , war with Prussia would mean war with Italy also . In the

meantime it is repeated that the Emperor of Russia has Avritten to both Austria and Prussia , expressing a hope that peace Avill be maintained . He makes no offer of mediation , and , it is said , is much warmer in his expressions of esteem towards Prussia than towards Austria . The Ministers of the Interior and of Finance at Berlin have issued an order prohibiting the exportation of horses . It is said there are great diversities of opinion at the

conferences on the Danubiau Principalities question ; but that upon one question all are agreed , namely , the necessity of preserving the Turkish Empire in its integrity , and the sovereignty of the Sublime Porte over the principalities . The telegram from Brussels seems to show a more pacific tendency in the relations between Austria and Prussia . The Duke of

Saxe-Coburg is , after all , said to be engaged in making pacific overtures , .-uid in this work he is believed to have the best ¦ wishes of Queen Victoria . Russia , too , professes to be anxious that peace should be maintained , and for the first time we have tho mention of some terms upon which the difficulty might be got over . There is not much ,

however , to be hoped from this . The real danger has all along consisted in the fact that Count Bismarck desired war . He is still in office , and the danger grows stronger daily . Meantime it seems that at his suggestion a meeting of tho Federal Diet has been convened . The Japanese Government has agreed to a revision of its treaties with European Powers . There is

nothing new in the relations between Austria and Prussia . Austria indeed appears to be assuming a firmer stand than hitherto , and demands that Prussia shall cease from further arming . The private advices received here all speak of peace as likely to be maintained , but in Paris there is a general belief that war must ensue . It is not easy to see how the quarrel between Austria and Prussia can be solved without war . The two Powers are very much in the position of the two Irish

The Week.

chieftains , one of whom , addressing the other , said , "Youmust pay me tribute ; or else" ; to which the reply was , "I will pay no tribute ; and if" . Austria has called upon Prussia to cease from arming , or else ; Prussia says she will not , and if . Clearly , if diplomacy is to be of any avail here , it must get to work very soon . Both Powers are adding to their armaments , and lessening the chance of a pacific solution . AMEBICA . —The news brought by the Africa from New York Avould seem to allow that the breach between the President and

Congress is widening . The President has vetoed the Civil Rights Bill on the ground that it is unconstitutional , unnecessary , and anomalous in its character , and would override the rights of States as reserved in their legislatures and judicial tribunals . It is believed that the Senate Avill pass the bill over the veto , but that it will be lost in the House of Representatives . General Lee has been giving some interesting evidence

as to the feeling of the people of Virginia . He believes them to be saddened at the result of the war , but loyal . He adds that he believes Virginia Avould be much better off without negroes . A resolution had been passed by the House of Representatives , which seems to indicate a desire to lay differential duties on steamers subsidised by foreign Governments and on

their cargoes . The Fenian excitement in Canada is fairly at an end , and the volunteers are being mustered out . The Germania has arrived , bringing news from New York to the 31 st March . It is of no great interest . There is much curiosity as to the course which will be taken to settle the political differences between the President and Congress . The Fenian

leaders aro now working a new vein . Not having invaded Canada , or British Columbia , or Ireland , their deluded followers are apparently wanting to know what is to be done . The leaders , therefore , have now issued an order that there shall be no disclosure of their plan of operations . No doubt if their real plan , namely , to raise money , was fully disclosed to those Avhom they delude , their mission would speedily be at an end . Gold

was quoted at New York on the 31 st at 127 J . AUSTRALIA ASTD NEAV ZEALAND . —Melbourne telegrams to the 21-th February state that the elections had given a large majority to Ministers . The Governor , in opening Parliament , had announced that the Tariff Bill would be submitted immediately ; that colonial defences were to be begun and a mint established . The Bishop of Melbourne had prohibited the use of organs and the singing of hymns in the English churches ;

at least , so says the telegram , but the statement will not find ready credence . £ 70 , 000 in gold had been shipped during the month for England . New Zealand advices report that General Chute had made a most successful expedition to Taranaki , and that the country was much more settled .

To Correspondents.

TO CORRESPONDENTS .

* * - All communications to be addressed to 19 , Salisbury-street , Strand , London , AA ' . C . M . —Both forms of answer are in use . In tho best working lodge the first is preferred as being more correct . We shall be glad to see you when in London . Q . C . —The practice is most objectionable . 11 . — Address Hyde Pullen , Esq ., Hanover House , Ryde , Isle of

Wight . Ho will be able to supply the information . D . E . —Do not believe in such nonsense . Apply to any Masonic jeweller . P . D . S . —We never heard of the ritual in question . H , ^ . —Bro . G . W . Figg , of No . 6 , Denmark-street , Soho , is the proper officer to address upon the subject referred to in your letterbut as we do not remember your nameand you

; , have not furnished us with your address , we are unable and disinclined to act . P . M . ( Cardiff ) . —We do not agree with you . The conduct of the presiding officer towards the member of the lodge was not only un-Masonic and disgracefully irregular , but also uncourteous , uncalled-for , aud reprehensible .