Monthly Record.

FOREIGN ITEMS.

AUSTRIA AND PRUSSIA.-We are happy to state, as we intimated in our last, that peace has been established between these two countries. Austria peremptorily demanded that Prussia should evacuate the Electorate of Hesse Cassel within forty-eight hours, or war would be declared. At the same time, a dispatch from Lord Palmerston arrived, intimating that, in case of hostilities, the other powers could not be neutral. This seemed to terrify both powers, and they thought it best to put their wits to work to make peace. A conference was held at Olmutz, and articles of agreement made.

All measures for the pacification of Germany were to be taken jointly by Austria and Prussia. These united powers were to send a battalion to occupy the Electorate of Hesse Cassel if the Elector could not come to terms with his subjects. Commissioners from both Austria and Prussia were to demand an immediate cessation of hostilities in the Duchies, and propose terms to Denmark. A new German constitution was to be formed at Dresden, the two powers having equal influence. The armies were to be reduced to the peace footing as soon as possible. This arrangement by the ministers of Austria and Prussia was ratified by the Sovereigns of the powers. In Prussia there was great opposition to this arrangement in the Chambers, and the ministers adjourned that body till Jan. 3, hoping that the excitement would be diminished. Austria also, without any reference to the Diet under which she formerly acted, proceeded to parcel out all the power between herself and Prussia, leaving out of the account entirely the smaller States. The latter fear for their independence. A part of them, with Austria at their head, had declared themselves the Diet. There are consequently three parties, Austria, Prussia, and the minor States, between which the Dresden Conference were to divide the spoils, while the people were opposed to the whole operations. The Conference was opened Dec. 23, and made an arrangement which we mentioned in our last. We doubt whether the affairs are yet permanently settled. The Austrian government is so arbitrary that great dissatisfaction exists among the people, which may lead to a speedy outbreak.

THE DUCHIES.-Papers of Jan. 18, state that the Holsteiners have made an unconditional surrender to the King of Denmark, through the instrumentality of the Austrian and Prussian commissioners. The army has been disbanded.

FRANCE.-Papers from Europe of Jan. 11, inform us that there was great excitement in Paris, in consequence of the resignation, en masse, of the ministry. This was caused by the great hostility existing between the President and Gen. Changarnier. The latter, contrary to the earnest protestations of the ministry, was allowed by a decided majority, to justify his conduct before the Assembly,

and was highly applauded. The ministry abruptly withdrew and resigned.The President found it difficult to select individuals for a new ministry, who would accept of the offices tendered to them.

By papers of Jan. 18:-Louis Napoleon appears to have gained, for the time being, a complete mastery over Gen. Changarnier and the National Assembly, and the General has been peremptorily dismissed.

ROME. It is confidently stated that, should any difficulty arise in France, the republican banner would be instantly unfurled in Rome, and the French soldiers stationed there would be obliged to leave the city or be captured. It is said that the Pope has signified his intention to sanction the Queen's colleges in Ireland, and that his concession upon this point will be made the basis of a satisfactory arrangement between the Roman and English Governments. The American Protestants are allowed to have a chapel for religious worship in the city of Rome, while the English are obliged to be content with having one without the walls.

ENGLAND-GROWTH OF LONDON.-London has, 300,000 houses, which cover an area of fourteen miles long and seven miles wide. Between the first of Jan. 1839, and Jan. 1850, 64,058 new houses were built, forming 1652 streets.

MEXICO RAVAGES OF THE CHOLERA.-It appears that there died of cholera in Vera Cruz, 989 persons; in Jalapa, 2,287; in Coatepec, 790; in Misantta, 457; in Orizaba, 2,811; in Cordova, 512; in Tuxtlas, 500; in Cosomaloapan, 300. Total, 8,646 All these places are in the State of Vera Cruz.

HER MINES. Of the gold, silver, quicksilver, copper and iron mines of Mexico, it appears that the annual product is over twenty-six millions of dollars; of which, however, the silver mines yielded about twenty-four millions, and gold a million. Real estate in the country is valued at 720 millions, divided into 1,300 estates. Real estate in the city, 635 millions. Total, 1,355 millions of dollars. The number of political and literary periodicals in the country is 54. CHILI-EARTHQUAKE.-Dec. 6, there was a violent earthquake at Valparaiso and other places, which lasted from fifteen to twenty seconds. It was the severest shock that had been experienced in Chili for many years. At Santiago it lasted sixty seconds. The dwelling houses were much injured. The decorations of the church of the "Compania" were defaced and broken. The palace of the Government was badly cracked in front. One person lost his life in the Plaza by a blow from a tile. An hour and a half afterwards another slighter shock was felt. The sound and the motion appeared to come from the North. The volcano of Portillo broke out in an eruption on the 5th of December—the day previous to the earthquake.

NICARAGUA. We announced in our last, that this country had declared herself independent. News received since has confirmed the statement. Nicaragua was formerly a Province of Spain; but the people revolted, and have carried on a revolution, like our forefathers in this country. Spain has finally been driven out and been obliged to acknowledge the independence of her colony. Quite a celebration took place at Leon, the capital, on the 2d of October last, on account

of the recognition of the independence of Nicaragua by the Spanish nation.Cannons were fired, bells rung, and Masses and Te Deums held in the churches all over the country.

GENERAL ITEMS.

CONGRESS.-We remarked in our last that a bill for reducing Postage had passed the House of Representatives. At the time of our going to press, it had not passed the Senate, but we hope it will before the Memorial for March shall have reached its patrons.

The bill provides that there shall be a uniform rate of three cents postage on single letters weighing not more than half an ounce. On printed matter, not weighing more than two ounces, one cent. Newspapers within the State or Territory where published, half a cent. Within the county, or within thirty miles, free to subscribers. Bound books, not weighing more than thirty ounces, to be considered mailable. Fifty per cent is to be deducted from the postage of magazines, when pre-paid. Three cent pieces are to be coined. The bill provides a million and a half dollars to meet any deficiency in the revenue.— Jan. 29, the Committee in the Senate reported amendments, fixing rates of prepaid letters at three cents for half an ounce, and five cents for half ounce letters not pre-paid. Postmasters' compensation not to exceed the amount of salary received for the year ending June 30, 1851. The provisions exempting newspapers from postage for thirty miles and reduction of fifty per cent of postage on magazines, if pre-paid, was stricken out.

A bill has passed for the relief of claimants seeking compensation for the French spoliations committed upon American commerce prior to 1800. The bill limits the compensation to five million dollars. When France assisted us in our revolutionary war, she did so on condition that we should assist her when in need. During her terrible wars under Napoleon with different States in Europe, she wished us to lend our assistance and interfere in European affairs; but the wise and noble Washington, then President of the United States, declined such interference, believing that we were not obligated by our agreement to aid France in her imperial struggles. Because we chose to be neutral, she took offence, and seized our ships wherever she could find them on the high Our government encouraged merchants to go on with their trade, and intimated that they should receive reparation for losses, and at the same time encouraged resisting the French when attacked. Thus a kind of war was actually carried on between the two countries, though not formally declared. France will not make good the injuries, because we resisted, and our govern ment feel that they are bound to make reparation as no one else will.

seas.

AUSTRIAN SMOKE.-The Austrian charge at Washington, Chevalier Hulsemann, has taken exception at remarks made in Congress, derogatory to his own government. It is well known that President Taylor dispatched A. D. Mann to Hungary, at the time of the late revolution in that country, to watch the progress of events, and in case Hungary should be successful, to acknowledge her independence, in the name of this Republic. When the communication con

taining his instructions was presented to the Senate, Mr. Hulsemann took exception to the epithet iron rule, the designation of Kossuth as an illustrious man, and disrespectful language used in respect to Russia, and entered a formal protest in the name of his Government, threatening the displeasure of Austria and Russia. Daniel Webster replied in a masterly manner, showing that Austria was instituting the same interference of which he complained, by taking ex, ception to communications made between our two houses of Congress. He intimated that our government were willing to abide the destiny awaiting us from the indignation of Austria, and closed with a most scorching irony, refering to the fact that our principles of freedom have been largely incorporated into the new Austrian constitution.

Loss OF THE ATLANTIC.-This noble steamship sailed from England the last of December, and had not, when we closed our number, been heard from.There can be but little doubt that she, with her rich and inconceivably precious cargo, has been buried in the mighty deep, and many immortal souls have thus suddenly been ushered into the presence of their Maker. A general gloom pervades this city on account of the disaster. Our readers will remember that the President, an English steamer, was lost several years ago, and has never been heard from. The Columbia, one of the Cunard line, was afterwards wrecked on the American coast, and the passengers and crew saved. The Viceroy was wrecked on her first return trip last summer. Collisions have occasionally occurred, causing considerable loss of life. How important that, at all times, we should be prepared for a sudden exit from time into eternity!

NUMBER OF INHABITANTS IN NEW-YORK.-By the late census the number of inhabitants in this city is 515,394; number of dwellings 37,730. Average number of persons to each dwelling 13 5-8. BROOKLYN.-Inhabitants, 96,850; dwellings, 10,197. Average number to each dwelling 9 1-2.

REV. WM. CROWELL.-This brother has left the church of which he has been pastor at Waterville, Me., and taken the editorial charge of the Western Watchman, which has heretofore been ably edited by Rev. J. M. Peck, at St. Louis, Mo. Bro. Crowell was editor of the Christian Watchman before its union with the Reflector, and distinguished himself as a talented and spirited writer. We welcome his return into the editorial fraternity.

VERMONT BAPTIST STATE CONVENTION.-We acknowledge the receipt of the Minutes of the 25th Anniversary of that body, held at Townsend, in Oct. last. Resolutions were passed strongly disapproving of the operations of the American Bible Union, and highly commendatory of the American and Foreign Bible Society. The utmost harmony prevailed in all of the deliberations of the Convention. Rev. E. Hutchinson, of Windsor, President, H. Fletcher and J. C. Foster, Clerks.

THE STEAMER ATLANTIC.-Since writing the above in reference to that vessel, we have received intelligence that she was seen Jan. 2nd, four days from Liverpool, by a vessel which passed her. The Atlantic was going ahead at a rapid rate, and apparently in good order. This news will not relieve the public anxiety in reference to her fate,

SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE.

PROF. FARADAY has discovered that Oxigen is magnetic, and that this property is affected by heat. He supposes that the variation of the needle is caused by the action of solar heat upon this constituent of the atmosphere.

VELOCITY OF THE ELECTRIC FLUID.-Prof. Loomis has shown that this fluid passes on the wires of the magnetic telegraph 19,000 miles in one second, passing around the globe in a little more than a second.

GAS FROM WATER.-Mr. Paine, of Massachusetts, it is well known, announced, some time since, that he had made the wonderful discovery of procuring an abundance of gas, at a very cheap rate, from water, by decomposition. Every chemist knows how easy it is to decompose water into its constituents, oxygen and hydrogen gas; but by the usual process, it is not procured in sufficient quantities for ordinary purposes. Paine has been the butt of ridicule; but his invention seems to be gaining credit. The announcement is indeed "gas” that the water is wholly converted into hydrogen or wholly into oxygen; but it is pretty clear that he procures hydrogen gas in large quantities, and at a trifling expense, from water, and that the gas, by passing through spirits of turpentine, acquires a highly illuminating power.

LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

GERMANY.-The literary activity of Germany may be learned from the Leipsic Book-Fair. The Easter Fair is the leading one for the sale of new books.— The titles of 5033 new works published in Germany since the Easter Fair appear in the Catalogue for the present Michaelmas Fair. At the Easter Fair the number was about 1,300 less. The average number of new books published in Germany is 175 weekly, or 9,100 per annum. Prof. Klincke, of Brunswick, has issued the life of Alexander von Humboldt, which creates considerable sensation. The third volume of "Cosmos," by Humboldt, is soon to appear, and a translation of it to be issued in England and America at the same time. We notice the death of Karl Aug. Espe, an industrious and thorough scholar. He was the editor of the 8th, 9th, and present editions of Brockhaus' Conversations-Lexicon, as well as author of several other works of merit.

ENGLAND.-The Life of Edward Williams, a Welsh pastor of the last century, has just been published in London, and has excited considerable interest. It describes a rencounter between the old bard and the eccentric Dr. Johnson.

FRANCE. The number of books, pamphlets, and printed works of every kind which have issued from the press in France during the year 1850, has been 7208. Among these must be reckoned 281 newspapers. 2697 engravings and lithographs are stated to have appeared during the year just expired; 122 maps and plans; 579 pieces of vocal music, and 625 pieces of instrumental music.

M. BERRYAT ST. PRIX has issued a work of great merit on the theory of Constitutional Law. The author draws a parallel between the new French Constitution and its immediate predecessor and that of the United States.