London, Aug. 11, 1848.

Dear Sir: Political events are following each other with such rapidity, that it is exceedingly difficult to keep up a knowledge of the actual state of affairs in the different countries of the continent.

The committee appointed by the National Assembly of France, to investigate the origin and causes of the late terrible insurrection have at last presented their report. Their examination has been very searching, and they have brought to light a great many interesting details. The whole of the report and all the documents connected with it, are now in the press and will be published in a few days.—Lamartine, I am happy to say, and as I all along believed, is found to be in no way implicated, although he is not much admired at present for political sagacity. Ledru Rollin is charged with abuse of power, and seems rather to have favored in some instances, the schemes of the enemies of order, but on the spur of the moment, just after the report was read, he delivered a very energetic defence, and the general opinion is that he is not very culpable. Louis Blanc, however, and Caussidiere, seem to be deeply implicated, and will have to undergo a regular trial, and probably be sent to join Albert, Barbes, and Blunqui, in their imprisonment. Louis Blanc is understood to be a very benevolent and well meaning man, but it is a misfortune attending all violent revolutions, that however much there may be to justify them at first, some of the actors in them, if once successful, never know when to stop; so that plot follows plot, till the country is involved in anarchy, which leads to despotism. No doubt the ultimate result of the last French Revolution will be good, and perhaps it was absolutely necessary that France should pass through this terrible ordeal; but in the mean time its liberties are curtailed. For instance, only the other day a Bill passed the National Assembly, compelling all parties establishing a newspaper, to deposit in the National Treasury 100,000 francs, as security for the payment of any Fines they might incur in consequence of political offences. Under Louis Philippe, the deposit was only 60,000 francs. The difference is, that the one was intended to be permanent and for the security of a dynasty, the other, is the measure of a temporary emergency, and for the safety of the Nation, and its own elected government. The state of France is very much dwelt upon here, as a lesson to all reformers not to resort to violent measures for the purpose of gaining their ends. It certainly teaches that, but it conveys also a solemn warning to all rulers, whether monarchs, parliaments, or electoral constituencies, not to bring upon themselves the awful responsibility of such calamities, by the refusal of equal political rights.

You will be sorry to hear that the Austrian army has gained several successes in Lombardy. Indeed, Marshal Radetzki is sweeping the country before him, and has driven Charles Albert from one post to another, until at length he has been compelled to fall back upon Milan. Rumors have arrived here to day that Milan itself has capitulated. These successes are the more to be deplored, as they involve an immense amount of cruelty and bloodshed without any possible result. To restore the Austrian Empire is happily an impossibility. In Vienna itself, the Austrian funds fell on receipt of the intelligence of the success of their own army, because it was feared that if successful in Lombardy, it would be used for the purpose of wresting from the Austrians themselves, their recently obtained liberties. One consequence which has already followed, is that the Pope has been compelled openly to declare war against Austria, and the other Italian States are vigorously arming in defence of he Lombards. Ambassadors have been sent from Venice and Milan, to Paris, to request the armed assistance of France. But as that would involve a European war, the French government has declined, but at the same time is actually engaged in conjunction with ours, in mediating between the parties.—English and French Envoys were sent off in all possible haste, to endeavor to induce Radetzki to pause in his victorious career, with the view of closing the war at once, on just terms, but he would consent to nothing less than the surrender of nearly all Lombardy in the mean time, which Charles Albert would not agree to. It is generally expected however, that by the mediation of France and Great Britain, the war will be brought to a close without much more fighting.

Intelligence was received here lately, that in consequence of the liberation of the negroes in the French West Indies, the Governor of the Danish Island of St. Croix, had been compelled for fear of a threatened insurrection, to emancipate them there also. So that I suppose the only States protesting civilization, which are now guilty of the revolting crime of Slaveholding, are the United States of North America, and the free and enlightened Monarchies of Spain and Portugal.

The Irish rebellion has been nipped in the bud. Immediately upon the suspension of the Habeas Corpus act, Lord Clarendon proceeded to disarm all the disaffected parts of the country. A great many arms have been taken, but it is supposed that large quantities are still concealed. The "Nation," and "Felon" newspapers have been suppressed, and all parties concerned in the editing and printing of them arrested. Smith O. Brien, Meagher, and the other leaders, went to the South of Ireland, for the purpose of raising the people to insurrection, and for a few days succeeded in keeping together some thousands of men. But the power of the government brought suddenly to bear upon them, was overwhelming. There are upwards of 40,000 troops in Ireland, under the command of Lord Hardinge, and a fleet off the coast, commanded by Sir. C. Napier. No actual battle took place, except at a small village called Boulagh, where a party of 60 policemen met Mr. O. Brien at the head of two or three thousand armed peasants. The policemen fired upon the people, and killed three, the rest retired without injuring the police, partly because of Mr. O. Brien's reluctance to be engaged in bloodshed. Proclamations were issued, offering £500 reward for the capture of O'Brien, and £300 each for the other leaders. All persons harboring them were declared guilty of high treason. Many arrests were made, the priests every where endeavored to dissuade the people from acts of revolt, and at last, the people were so discouraged and panic stricken, that the leaders were obliged to hide in the most retired places they could find. Mr. Smith OBrien, after sleeping under hedges three nights, came to the railway station at Thurles, a town full of troops, and asked for a second class ticket to Limerick. He was immediately recognized by one of the railway guards, and arrested and taken prisoner to Dublin. He is now in Kilmaniham Jail. The other leaders have not yet been taken, but it is understood that they have sent a Catholic priest to Lord Clarendon, offering to surrender if he will promise not to condemn them to execution. I hope and believe, that there will be no executions, but it is not likely that Lord Clarendon will make terms. A special commission has been opened at Dublin for the trial of the prisoners, and a true bill has been brought against C. Gavin Duffy, the editor of the "Nation," for felony.

The potato blight has appeared here again this year. Some weeks ago, great alarm was felt in consequence, but now it is generally believed that the potatoes are recovering, or that at all events, the disease is not very wide spread.

An immense number of people are emigrating at present to our Southern Colonies. The trade in wool with these colonies has been progressively encouraging, and South Australia sends us much wheat and other agricultural produce, beside being immensely rich in minerals. Earl Gray made some interesting statements with regard to the colonies last night. It appears that the population of them is now greater, and is increasing much more rapidly than that of our North American colonies were when they became independent. Our trade with them is also incomparably greater.

Mr. Berkely moved a resolution in the House of Commons in favor of vote by ballot in elections of members of Parliament. Notwithstanding the opposition of Lord John Russell, it was carried by a majority of 5—the number being 86 to 81. The House was small, but it consisted chiefly of those members who came for the purpose of seriously doing their duty.

Cholera is raging with great severity in Russia, and it is said that four cases have appeared at Berlin. It will probably come westward by and by, and the Government is making preparations to meet it, by the publication of directions in favor of cleanliness, &c. A kind of English cholera is very prevalent here just now, and is in some cases fatal, supposed to be occasioned by the dampness and changeableness of the weather.

Yours,

R.S.D.