The Weeks

that but for the timely arrival of 2000 French , tho whole of them would have been killed or capture ;! . The French attacked ivith great vigour , and General Tapia was obliged to withdraw , with the loss of a flag , 1200 prisoners , 150 killed , and 250 wounded . The French then quietly entrenched themselves at Orizaba , ancl hacl succeeded in opening their communications with Vera Crux . Almonte is bitterly accused of deceiving the

French , who it is supposed will entirely cast him off . He has sent an agent to Paris to plead his cause . It is hoped that General Lareneez will be able to maintain himself at Orizaba till the month of October , when the sickly weather will havo passed , and the reinforcements now in readiness , can bo dispatched in safety , and vigorous operations recommenced In the Legislative body , JM . Billault explained and defended the Emperor

JNapoleon ' s policy in Mexico . He declared that it was impossible to treat with President Juarez , but that when tho French flag , floats over tbe city of Mexico , the Mexicans , like the Italians , will be summoned to " express their intentions . " There was no desire to impose any form of government on the Mexicans , ancl their choice would bo respected . About 1000 French Legitimists havo been present afc a gathering of the party convoked by the Count cle Chambordafc

, Lucerne . The Count continues to urge his adherents to refrain from attempting to enter the Legislative Body or the puhlie service under the present Government , described by him as " a monstrous system which seems to e . unteract the wants ancl instincts of France at its good pleasure , which substitutes cynicism for moral sentiments , electoral intimidation and servility of votes for liberty , the miserable shams of a lying

constitutionalism for the fruitful realities of a representative Government . " The recognition of t . 13 kingdom of Italy by Russia is now an accomplished fact . The Russian envoy , bearing the official recognition , has arrived in Turin . The Italian Government has suppressed a military training school for Polish refugees , which had been for some time in existence in Genoa ., Tbe suppression is believed to have heen made in consequence of a demand of the Russian Government , and as a

condition of the recognition of Italy by Russia . A letter from Signor Ratazzi to the director of tho school acknowledges that the suppression takes place in order to save the Government from political embarassment . The pupils of tho school accepted

the decree with great considerateness and good humour , admitting that they had always received much kindness from the Italian Government . Garibaldi , after a short visit to Caprera , has appeared ' suddenly in Sicily . His reception afc Palermo ivas a very enthusiastic one . He addressed tho people , advising concord between families and parties . He warned them to be on their guard against Muratism , Papal rule , and Bourhonism , which , ho said , were the three open wounds of Italy ; ancl

strongly denounced the late meeting of tho prelates at Rome . A letter from Rome announces the departure of the ex-Queen of Naples for Marseilles , on boarcl a Spanish vessel of war . The Pope has recovered from his late indisposition . The King of Portugal in person closed tho Cortes . His Majesty announced that his marriage would shortly take place , but , to the great disappointment of fche curious , did not announce the name of his intended consort . It is statedhoweverthat the

, , hand of the Princess Pia , daughter of the King of Italy , has been formally demanded for the King .- General Luders , Military Governor of Poland , who , ifc appears , is severely suffering from the effects of a pistol-shot wound he lately received at AVarsaw , has returned to St . Petersburg !! , and has been relieved of his command . The accounts received from Russia of the conflagrations are very distressing . Ther are described as

spreading throughout tiie provinces ; and in most of the chief towns numerous houses and churches have been destroyed . The greatest terror prevails , and the losses at St . Petersburg !! are estimated at many hundred millions of roubles . The Patrie announces that the ambassadors of the great poivers at Constantinople are about to assem ble in conference , with _ i view to settle the affairs of Servia . It is added that the accounts which have appeared of the shops of foreigners being plundered in

Belgrade and throughout Servia are altogether unfounded . In the meantime order bad fortunately been restored at Belgrade by the arrival of the Turkish Commissioner , who was commissioned to institute inquiries into the cause of the disturbances . Two more battles are reported between the Turks and Montenegrins , both of which wore in favour of the Turks . AMERICA . —The Persia , with news to the 18 th June , from New York , brought tbe intelligence that " all was quiet in front of Richmond ; " but that , on the 14-th instant , a large body of

The Weeks

Confederate cavalry ancl artillery " made a bold clash round the right flank of General M'Cleilan ' s array , cut the telegraph wires , damaged the railway from AA ' est Point , destroyed some tents ancl forage , ancl safely retired with a number of prisoners . There was a report that General Fremont's army was distressed for provisions , was " in a very dangerous position" in the Shenandoah A ' alley , and was retreating towards Mount Jackson , whence

ifc had so lately pursued the Confederate General Jackson . General Beauregard ' s army was said to be in the neighbourhood of Columbus and Alalona ; but the same time we are told that fi 5 , 000 Confederates , who must have formed part of his forces , were encamped at Grenada . There had been " several severe fights" in the neighbourhood of Baton Rouge , in Louisiana , and likewise on James Island , in front of Charleston ; but no detailed accounts of them had been received . Ifc was believed that

Congress would pass the bill authorising an additional issue of 150 , 000 , 000 dollars . The bill abolishing slavery in the territories of the United States had been passed by the House of Representatives , as well as by the Senate . The North Amelican brings news to the 21 sfc June : the Confederates afc Richmond continued to display great activity , ancl were daily assuming a more menacing attitude . Some serious skirmishing hacl taken place ; and a battle appeared so imminent that New York

was in a state of wild suspense , Snd agitated ivith clashing rumours of the success and defeat of the Federal forces . The last published report of General M'Clellan states that , his preparations arc progressing well , ancl that the Confederates had opened fire ii ith some heal'y guns . An engagement was also expected in the valley of the Shenandoah , as General Fremont was advancing to Newmarket . General Pope hacl relinquished his pursuit of Beauregard , ivho was at Okalona , with 80 , 000

men . The Confederates have been largely reinforced at Mobile , ancl were making great efforts to prevent the capture of that city . ' A telegram by tbe Georgia , dated New York , June 23 , announces that there had been a terrible battle before Charleston , with great loss on both sides . CHINA AXD IXDIA . —There is nothing of striking importance in the Calcutta journals to the 22 nd May , brought by the overland mail . Great regret was felt at the loss of the services of Mr . Laing , who comes over with the mail . The supposed Nana Sahib was at Calcutta , but as doubts still existed as to his

identity , ho was to bo sent to Cawupore , the scene of his atrocities . The news from China is merely limited to accounts of attacks on the rebels . The latter had been severely handled b j' our troops iu tho vicinity of Shanghae , and the country people were returning to their homes . At Ningpo all communication between tho foreign settlement ancl tho city had been cut off . The rebel chief was strongly inimical to foreigners , saying ifc was now time to eafc fcliem up , and had offered a

reward of 1000 cloilors for the head of Consul P . Harvey , and 100 dollars for every other European head . A blue book has just appeared , containing tho correspondence of the Secretary of State for India with the Indian Government , on the subject of the finance of that country . It turns out that Mr . Laing's view of the Indian revenue does not correspond with the realities of the case . Acting upon a too implicit reliance on these expectationsthe Government in India have reduced taxes and

, increased expenditure in such a way as if carried out wiU land the Government in a deficit next year of more than £ 800 , 000 . Sir Charles AA ' ood admits that they cannot reimpose the remitted taxes , but he expressly notices the increased expenditure , and enjoins a still more stringent economy in the existing expenses so as to lll . i .. '( . th .. two ( tiicls inocfx

To Correspondents.

TO CORRESPONDENTS .

HEJOIAX IT urns . —Your note has come to hand , and will receive proper attention . C . N . —If you require if , —yes ; hut you had better say nothing on the subject at pre . ent . DEATZES . —It is too nice a practice ; either way is legitimate .

* * . —Rose Croix , not Rosce Crucis ; the brother who informed you of the latter is incorrect . P . M . —We never heard of any such practice—nor do ive believe it ever existed in England .. H . H—In most countries all officers of Grand Lodges are elective ; England is the exception to the rule .