The Week.

jesty then alluded to the various administrative' improvements , and concluded with au exhortation to persevere with him in endeavouring to promote the general welfare of the country . The official papers distributed among the members of the French Legislature state that , while the Emperor has abandoned the project of a joint mediation between the Northern and Southern States of America , in consequence of the refusal of England aud Russia to join with him in his overtures of conciliationHis Majesthas informed the Cabinet of Washington

, y that he is still readj' to mediate , provided the American Government desires that France should facilitate the task of peace , either alone or collectively , in whatever form may be pointed out to her . With regard to the French expedition to Mexico , these official papers also tell us that the Mexican question has entered an entire military phase , of which it will bo requisite to await the issue . " The Legislative Body , on Tuesday , entered on its duties , the Duke de Mory giving an inaugural addressand of course taking a

, very favourable view of affairs . A French blue book has just made its appearance , giving an exposition of the situation of the Empire . This official document , however , has the common fault of official papers—that of elaborating unimportant matters and slurring over those of which we are very anxious to hear the particulars . The British Government , it seems , has mads some very just complaints about the _ arming of Austrians and Bavarians in Rome to be despatched into the Neapolitan provinces . The French Government

promised to look into the matter ; but it seems almost superfluous to say that the French Ambassador in Rome reported that he had made inquiries and could not find out anything about the armaments . The stay and the conduct of Francis II . in Some have also been matter of diplomatic remonstrance from England to France ; but the French Government , while regretting that the ex-King should remain in Rome , declares ( not very unreasonably ) that it is unable to interfere directly in order to bring about his departure . The Upper

House of the Danish Rigsdag , or Parliament for the separate affairs of the kingdom proper , has resolved , by a majority of 32 to 1 , to present an address to the Crown , calling upon it to firmly resist the demands of Germany . The proposition was opposed by tho Minister cf the interior , upon the grounds—first , that it was not competent for the Rigsdag , a body charged only with pure provincial matters , to interfere in questions affecting the whole monarchy ; aud secondly , that it was equivalent to a declaration of want of confidence in the

Ministry . These views , however , found , as the division shows , but one supporter . A Greekjournal of the 1 st inst . gives a singular illustration of the tenacity with which the people of Greece cling to the hope that they may yet secure Prince Alfred as their King . On Mr . Elliot ' s arrival at Athens , he was waited upon by a deputati on

Irom a club , from which lie received an address . In acknowledging this compliment , he was obliged to tell them that they could not have Prince Alfred , and that they had better make up their minds to elect Dom Ferdinand of Portugal . Ho endeavoured to soothe their feelings by promising them the Ionian Islands , but the president of the club replied that while the proffered cession , was accepted with gratitude , " Greece is more in need—at all events just now—of au honourable and sincerely constitutional Prince than of an increase of territory . He addedthat he feared that this refusal to allow Prince

, Alfred to accept the throne would give rise to serious troubles , not only in Greece , but throughout the East . The Greeks , says the same journal , intend to maintain the candidature of the Prince , and , if it be deemed necessary , to send a deputation to Loudon to plead their cause . Dom Ferdinand of Portugal is said to have definitively rejected the proposal that he should become a candidate for the vacant throne of Greece . The inhabitants of the Ionian Islands , it seems , are not particularly pleased with the idea of being turned

over to Greece . The measure has pleased the opposition party , but the bulk of the population view with alarm the loss that will ensue on the withdrawal of the English fleet and garrison , the High Commissioner and the officials , besides many merchants , . proprietors of houses , and retailers , involving a money expenditure in the island of more than half a million sterling . At Corfu a proposed address thanking the English Government for their offer to cede the Ionian Islands to Greecehas been abandonedas opposed to the wishes of

, , the principal merchants of Corfu . AMERICA . —By the arrival of the Scotia and Etna we have news to the 3 rd inst . They bring President Lincoln ' s anxiously-awaited proclamation on the subject of slavery . This document proclaims Arkansas , Texas , Mississippi , Alabama , Georgia , Florida , the two Carolinas , and portions of Virginia and Louisiana to bo in rebellion , and the whole of the slaves in those states and parts of states are , thereforedeclared to be henceforth freeThe slaves are enjoined to

, . abstain from violence , " unless in necessary self-defence , " and it is ntimated that negroes of " suitable condition" will be . received into the armed service of the Federal Government . The President invokes " the considerate judgment of mankind and the favour of God " upon this measure , which lie believes to be " an act of justice warranted by the Constitution and by military necessity . " Governor Seymour , of New York had delivered his inaugural speech . Mr . Seymour has commenced his reiby ordering the Police Commissioners and the

gn Police Superintendent of New York to be put upon their trial on a charge of having permitted the use of the police stations for " the illegal detention of citizens . " The President has recognised the new State fo . mcd cut of Western Virginia . There was a report that Stonewall Jackson had afticked General Sigel's corps iu the neigh-

The Week.

bourhood of Stafford Court House , which ended in his drawing a portion of the corps into an ambuscade , and making many prisoners . The news of the movements in the South-west are very puzzling . It appears certain , however , that General Grant's advance on A'icksbarg has been stopped , and that he has been obliged to fall back , and as the Federal pickets at Memphis had been driven in , it is likely we shall hear of the capture of that city b 3 the Confederates . The Confederate General Morgan , after capturing Elizabeth Town iu Kentuckand cutting the railroad between Louisville and Nashville

y , , is reported to have been defeated near Bardstown , and to have moved eastward . A battle had been opened at Mufreesboro ' , Tenessee , and had been attended , so far , with enormous loss on both sides . The fighting seems to have extended over the 31 st of December , and the two first days of the new year , and , at the date of the latest advices , it was still going ou . Four Federal regiments are reported to have lost half their men , and the whole of their officers , while three of the Northern generals were wounded . The Confederate loss was still

greater , their killed including , it wss rumoured , two generals—the first and second in command . The Federal expedition against Vicksburg—a city built on a high bluff on the Mississippi—had , according to accounts from Richmond , proved a failure up to to the 29 th ult . The Federals are said to have thrice attempted to carry this commanding position , but to have been repulsed on each occasion with serious loss . The premium on gold had risen to the extraordinary fi of 34 JPresident Jefferson Davis had issued a proclamation

gure . , which , among other things , declares General Butler to be a felon aud au outlaw , and gives a horrid picture of the atrocities perpetrated by him . The Southern President also declares that Butter's officers shall be considered as robbers and outlaws , that the privates shall be regarded as mere instruments used for the commission of crimes , and that all negro slaves captured in arms shall bo delivered to the executive authorities of their respective states , to be dealt with according to the laws of those states .

INDIA AND CIIISA . —The news brought by the Overland Mail from Calcutta to the 8 th ult . is of no general importance , being nearly confined to commercial matters . Iu China , as usual of late , the proceedings of the rebels occupy a prominent position . A battle had taken place between them and Colonel Burgevme , ( AVard's successor ) , having under him a force of 1000 drilled Chinese . The , rebels were strongly entrenched at a place called Pao-Kong , not far from Kahding . Colonel Burgevine orders to storm the place

gave , which was gallantly done , and after an hour the rebels were driven out . The Chinese exhibited great bravery , which shows that under-English officers they will make good soldiers . Great preparations were being made ! by the Imperial Government for the capture of Nankin , The rebels were again in the neighbourhood of Slianghae .

To Correspondents.

TO CORRESPONDENTS .

GRAND LODGE PROPERTY . AVe have been requested to again publish the following : — The committee on Grand Lodge Property , with the desire to give every Brother an opportunity of expressing his rieirs on the important subject entrusted to them , will be perfectly ready to consider suggestions from any Brethren , whether in London or the Provinces , who may have interested themselves in the subject of the appropriation of Grand Lodge Property and are desirous of expressing their inion thereonIt willof coursebe understood that the Committee

op . , , do not , by this , invite suggestions as to details of plans or designs , because these will hereafter come legitimately within the province of architects , but suggestions as to the general principles to be borne in mind in considering the whole subject ; and especially—First . The nature and form of the buildings which shall include the accommodation requisite . a . For the Grand Lodge , the Grand Blaster , and the Executive generall

y . b . For Private Lodges and Chapters . c . For individual Members fit the Craft ; e . g . Library , Reading Rooms , Coffee Room , & c . d . For the Tavern purposes . Second . The maximum amount of cost which it would be prudent and justfiabla to incur , To these may , with advantage , be added any suggestions as to the best means of making the Maosnic and the Tavern portions as

separate and distinct as possible , and as to the returns for outlay which may rersonably be expected for the increased accomodation provided under the heads b , c , and d . All communications should be made in writing and addressed to the Grand Secretary , and as the work of the Committee is now actively progressing , it is most desirable that thej r should bo sent in on or before the 7 th February . K . S . —Must excuse us if we decline to ly until he gives us some

rep proof that he is a Mason . J . AV . — -You have no claim to office if , as you admit , you only attended your duties ouce during the past year . J . H . —AVe have not seen the work to which you allude . If it was worth anything , we have no doubt it would have been sent to us . P . M . —Should send the warrant to his lodge .