longing to him absolutely or by marriage. But no person can be an elector unless he has completed his twenty-fifth year, and is a Moldavian or Wallachian by birth or naturalization."

It was also provided that the voting for the election of deputies shall be secret; and that for the post of deputy any person is eligible, without distinction, in all the colleges, who, being a Moldavian or Wallachian by birth or naturalization, shall have completed his thirtieth year, and can prove himself possessed of an income of four hundred ducats at least.

The French Government had strongly insisted on the expediency of a complete union of the two Principalities, of making the office of Hospodar hereditary, and vesting it in a foreign prince; but these propositions were overruled, owing chiefly to the opposition of Austria, supported by Great Britain.

At the close of the Conference, Count Walewski addressed a circular letter to the French Ministers at foreign courts, explanatory of the views taken by the French Government on the question; and admitting that that view had not been fully adopted by the other contracting Powers, he endeavoured to show that, substantially, the policy insisted upon by France was involved in the decision at which the Conference had arrived. He said,

"The Government of the Emperor, as you know, declared itself in favour of the complete union of the two Principalities under the government of a foreign prince, who should be united to the Sultan by the link of

suzerainty. Our convictions on that point are unchanged. They have been strengthened, if possible, by the unanimous manifestation of the Moldo-Wallachian peoples, when called on to express their wishes. However, obliged to pay deference to the dissentient opinions of other Powers, and especially to that of the Suzerain Court, we were compelled to seek for means of conciliating these divergences as much as possible with the interests of the Principalities.

"I am pleased to think that our efforts have not been without success. In fact, though the complete union we desired is not sanctioned by the Convention of the 19th of August, I may yet say that document gives to the Principalities a denomination which is a sort of homage paid to the principle of union. It establishes, moreover, for both one and the same constitution, and an identical legislation, embracing all matters not having a special and purely local character. It establishes a common military organization, a high court of justice, and, above all, a permanent Council, belonging to either Principality, and having for its especial function to watch over the maintenance of the oneness of the legislation applicable to the two Principalities.

"These arrangements, which I but partly enter into, constitute a real union in substance. There is every reason, therefore, to believe that the Moldo-Wallachian peoples will be satisfied with them, and at the same time esteem them as a testimony of our solicitude in their favour.

"I should very imperfectly sig

nalize the essential character of the Convention of the 19th of August did I not add that the principles of 1789, the basis of our civil and public law, are reproduced therein in their fundamentals. An elective assembly voting the laws and controlling the budget; responsible ministers; equality before the law and the taxes; enjoyment of political rights given to all Christian creeds, and to be hereafter extended to all forms of worship; individual liberty guaranteed; the abolition of class privileges, the abuse of which had assumed a deplorable extension; the principle of irremovability introduced into the magistracy;-such are the principal constitutional arrangements brought into force in the Principalities."

PRUSSIA. On the 25th of January, Prince Frederick William, the eldest son of the Crown Prince of Prussia, the heir presumptive to the throne, was married to the Princess Royal of England, the eldest daughter of Queen Victoria.

At the close of the Session of the Prussian Chambers in April, the Prime Minister, Baron Manteuffel, in the course of a speech which he addressed to the Chambers, said :

"At the close of the present Session the fourth legislative period has also reached its term.

"If we cast a retrospective glance at that period, we find there reasons for gratitude for the protection and blessings our country has enjoyed, by God's grace, under the paternal rule of His Majesty the King. The threatening dangers of war have

been removed from our frontiers. Public prosperity has made visible progress, despite the obstacles thrown in its way by the dearness of provisions, which, after having lasted for some years, has now in a great measure disappeared, and despite the unexpected stagnation of foreign trade. By the confidence with which the Government and the Parliament have met each other and given each other mutual support at critical moments, we have powerfully contributed to the consolidation and union of our country.

"If, after this, our satisfaction is overshadowed by the sorrow we feel at the sufferings of His Majesty, which have not yet completely subsided, we may at least be allowed to entertain the wellfounded hope that the King our master may, with God's blessing, in consequence of the progress of his convalescence towards complete re-establishment, resume the reins of government with renewed strength, and to the joy of all his faithful subjects. At the same time all hearts are penetrated with the profound gratitude which His Majesty the King has expressed towards His Royal Highness the Prince of Prussia for the devotion and fidelity with which His Royal Highness accepted the delegation of the Royal powers, and has directed the regular march of the affairs of Government for the welfare of the country."

As the state of the King's health did not improve, and there was no near prospect of recovery, he on the 7th of October signed a decree appointing the Prince of Prussia Regent of the King

dom, "until the moment the King should be again able to fulfil the duties of his Royal functions." The Crown Prince accordingly assumed the Regency and convoked a meeting of the Prussian Chambers for the 20th of October, on which day they assembled, and he addressed them in the following speech:

"I come among you under a deep and painful emotion, but also with full confidence. The serious illness under which, for more than a year, the King, our gracious master, has been suffering, by the impenetrable will of the Almighty Arbitrator of our destinies, and despite the fervent prayers of his faithful people, has not yet ceased.

"Under these circumstances, and the physicians having deemed a prolonged sojourn abroad necessary, my Royal brother decided to invite me to assume the Regency until the day when the grace of God shall allow him again to exercise in person the Royal functions, which my prayers and desires-God is my witness -never cease to ask.

"I feel much gratified that the King, in his wisdom and in his solicitude for the welfare of his kingdom, has called upon me to assume the Regency. Conformably to the expression of that supreme will, and taking into consideration actual existing circumstances, and the prescriptions of the constitution, I have taken upon myself the heavy load and responsibility of the Regency, and I have the firm will to continue to perform what the constitution and the laws exact from

me.

"I expect no less from you,

gentlemen. Special messages will submit to you in the sitting of the two united Chambers the documents relating to the Re gency, and, on your request every explanation which may be useful will be given to you.

"Gentlemen, the more serious the times are, in consequence of the illness of our King, the higher must we exalt the flag of Prussia by the conscientious fulfilment of our duty, and by remaining united by a bond of mutual confidence.

"I conclude this solemn act by that shout which formerly so joyously resounded through this Chamber-Long live the King!"

The message

At the first sitting of the two Chambers, a message was received from the Regent, calling upon them "to recognize in a united sitting the necessity of the Regency." was immediately referred to a special Committee elected by the two Chambers jointly for that purpose, and the Committee agreed upon a report recommending the Chambers to declare the Regency necessary. This report was adopted without dissension in the Chambers, and on the 26th of October, the Regent, after thanking them for their unanimity, took the oath. required by the Constitution in the Weisse Saal (White Hall) of the Palace, in the presence of the members of both Houses.

The fall of the Manteuffel Ministry soon followed this change in the supreme direction of affairs. Prince Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen,-a nobleman related to the Royal family of Prussia and a Lieutenant-General in the

army, was called upon by the Regent to form a Cabinet, and it was ultimately composed of the following members :

President of the Conseil d'Etat. -The Prince of HohenzollernSigmaringen (without a portfolio). Minister of Foreign Affairs.Baron von Schleinitz.

Minister of War.-General von Bonin.

Minister of Ecclesiastical Affairs and Education.-BethmannHollweg.

Minister of Finance.-Patow.} Minister of the Interior.Flottwell.

Minister of the Household.Von Massow.

In the Cabinet, but without office or official position.-Von Auerswald.