l to intercept that on
board of which the conspirators were. The capture was effected. The
Sardinian captain and British engineers, although obviously innocent,
were subjected to cruel injuries and indignities. The Sardinian
government interposed, but was not in a condition to enforce its rights.
Lord Palmerston's cabinet neglected the claims of the British subjects
so injured, except by empty and futile remonstrances. When that cabinet
was thrown out for its timid policy towards France, on the refugee
question, the government of Lord Derby took the matter up with energy,
and Lord Malmesbury, then foreign secretary, adopted a tone as bold and
as English, as his conduct in the case of Mr. Mather, in Tuscany, some
years before, was incompetent and cowardly. The threat of force by the
English government secured the restoration of the unjustly imprisoned
English, and some measure of compensation. This circumstance gave weight
to the government of Lord Derby, both at home and abroad.

PRUSSIA.

On the 20th of January the Princess Royal of England was married to the
eldest son of the Crown Prince of Prussia. For a time this increased the
influence abroad both of England and Prussia, and the two nations seemed
to be very firmly allied. After a short time, Prussia relapsed into
her old pro-Russian sympathies, and lost all popularity in England. The
marriage of the heir-presumptive of the Prussian throne and the Princess
Royal of England caused great festivities, both in London and Berlin, in
January, and gave satisfaction to the freer nations of the Continent.

SPAIN.

During the years 1858-9 a feeling sprang up in Spain hostile to England.
This was partly attributable to France, which, in every direction,
professing alliance with England, endeavoured to foster jealousies and
enmities against her. Partly the feeling arose from the demands of the
English government for the payment of a debt due by that of Spain
ever since war between Don Carlos and Christina. Nearly half a million
sterling was then advanced by England to aid the cause of the Spanish
queen. The queen and her government, while indulging in the most
reckless extravagance, were unwilling to pay.

In 1859 Spain went to war with Morocco, on grounds which England did
not deem sufficient, and projects of territorial aggrandizement were
suspected as actuating the Spanish administration. England could not
allow Spain to erect a fortress opposite to Gibral