The Week.

considerable majority . A large number of other bills were advanced a stage . On Friday , Lord Stratford de Redcliffe made a remarkable speech on the subject of the rumoured revival . The noble Viscount declared his belief that there was " aplausible if not a real foundation" for the reported coalition between Russia , Austria , and Prussia , and that the Kissingen

interview , the avowed policy of the Three Powers , and the whole circumstances of the time justified the apprehensions ivhich had been aroused . He considered that the correspondence published in the Morning Post bore internal evidence of its authenticity , and he urged her Majesty's Government to take steps to meet this serious danger to the liberties of Europe , by

cultivating alliances with those nations which were interested in checking the designs of the despotic Powers , and especially with our " great and able neighbour , " France , which " had deserved well at our hands . " Lord Russell expressed his conviction that the correspondence in the Morning Fast was not genuine , and contended that the circumstances of Europe

were so changed , that , whatever the Holy Alliance might have been iii times past , its revival was impossible , and need excite no alarm . On Saturday one or two bills were advanced a stage . On Monday Lord Campbell re-opened the Dano-German question , hut , after a few words from Lord Granville and Lord Clanricarde the subject dropped .

—After some discussion the bill guaranteeing a loan to New Zealand was read a second time , as were also the Appropriation Bill and the Public AA orks Act Extension Bill . On Tuesday , after several bills had been advanced a stage—including the Appropriation Bill and the Public Acts extension Bill , which passed through Committee . —Lord Ellenborough reviewed tbe changes which had taken place in foreign affairs since Parliament met . He regretted that active assistance had not been

given to Denmark , and ' submitted that the policy which the Government had adopted , and which Parliament had sanctioned , ivould have been possible in no previous reign except that of James I . He regarded the Conference as a farce , and its result in transferring Schleswig to Germany destroyed the balance of power and gave fresh vigour to the doctrine that might is right .

He also saw in the aggressions of Germany a declaration of war against constitutional principles ; but , at the same time , he felt confident that a day of retribution must come . Lord Russell declined to go over the ground he traversed in the debate on Lord Mahnesbury's motion , but he pointed out the complicated nature of the dispute

between Denmark and Germany . " Denmark had for eleven years neglected to fulfil her pledges , and a feeling was excited in Germany which Austria and Prussia represented they could not control . Ho had already expressed his opinion of the course taken by the German Powers , but it was not for this country , when France and Russia stood aloof , to plunge

single-handed into war . He maintained that the honour of the country had noi been forfeited ; and he did not share in Lord Ellenborongh ' s apprehension that the constitutional progress of Germany had been endangered . Lord Stratford de Redcliffe thought Lord Russell was too hard upon Denmark , and while admitting the complicated character of the

Dauo-German question , he could not but feel that this country had suffered some discredit . The subject then dropped . On AVednesday , the Consolidated Fund Appropriation Bill , the New Zealand ( Guarantee of Loan ) Bill , and other measures were forwarded a stage . —The Poor Relief Metropolis Bill was read a second time after a short discussion , in the course of

• which Lord Redesdale inquired how it was that the measure had been delayed until the expiring days of the session . It seemed to him that all . the bills emanating from the Poor-law

Board were unnecessarily delayed . In the HOUSE OP COM - MONS , on Thursday , the 21 st , Mr . Arthur Mills gave notice that in the event of the war in New Zealand not having , on the re-assembling of Parliament next session , been brought to a close , he should move an address praying her Majesty to prohibit her naval and military forces from taking further

partin the hostilities . Iu reply to a question , Mr . Cardwell stated that according to his latest despatches it was believed at the Cape that all danger of a Caffre war had passed away . Sir C AVood made his annual statement with reference to the financial position of India . He had again to announce a surplus of £ 1 , 827 , 346 of revenue over expenditure , and this result had

been attained without any curtailment of outlay—retrenchment having been found impossible , owing to the necessity for pushing forward the public works and developing tho resources of the country . During the past two years debts to the amount of eight millions had been paid off , while the Treasury balances stood at the high figure of 19 millions . Referring to

the cultivation of cotton , he said there had been a gradual but steady increase in the development of that source of wealth , and he expressed a hope that the act passed for punishing those guilty of adulteration would have the effect of checking frauds of this description . Having described the progress made in the construction of railways and other public works , the right

hon . baronet concluded by moving a series of formal resolutions , which , after some discussion , were agreed to , and various measures were advanced a stage . On Friday the house held a morning sitting , and pushed forward a number of unopposed bills , including the Appropriation Bill , which was read a third time and passed . At tbe evening sitting , Mr . Bernal Osborne announced his intention of moving for leave to bring in a bill to repeal the Aberdeen Act , relating to the

Brazilian slave trade . —In reply to a question , Mr . Layard stated that the Spanish Government had intimated that they would restore the Chincha Islands as soon as their claims upon Peru were settled . —Mr . Cardwell stated that his further advices from the Cape confirmed the expectation that a Caffre war would be averted . —Mr . Cobden moved a resolution to the effect that the great extension of the Government manufacturing

establishments called for the attention of the house , and that it was expedient that steps should be taken to place each separate establishment as nearly as possible on the footing of a private ^ manufacturing concern or a public company , by taking a valuation of the fixed and floating capital employed , including the value of the land , and that upon this basis there

be an annual stock-taking ; when , after making all the customary deductions for depreciation of buildings , machinery , and plant , interest of capital , rates , and taxes , and other charges , such a price be charged to the Goverment departments for articles supplied as shall preserve the capital intact ; and that these accounts , with a balance sheet , be laid annually on the table of

this house . The hon . gentleman referred to the vast extension , which has taken place in the Government works , and contended that the reports issued for the purpose of showing that the Government could manufacture at a cheaper rate than private firms , were entirely fallacious . Colonel Barfcfcelofc seconded the motion , which was opposed by Mr . Monsell , and ultimately negatived .

On Monday , Mr . Lindsay asked if it was the intention of Her Majesty's Government , in concert with the other Powers of Europe , to use endeavours to bring about a suspension of hostilities in America . Lord Palmerston replied that the Government could not see that in the present state of things " there was any advantage to be gained by entering into negociations , in concert with the other Powers , for the purpose of offering mediation , or in any other way interfering between the