The Press.
London, England, 1857-12-26 00:00:00

THE PRESS, DECEMBER 26, 1857.

have entered their prolific brain ; but thus much I
can state most positively, that when the article was
read in Paris it was scouted by all the leading men
of both parties. The refugees labour under a great
delusion, if they, for a moment, suppose that they
possess any political influence over the Republican
party in France. The fact isj this party is
now divided into different sections, each acting
independently and frequently in direct opposition
the one to the other; but, at the same time,
I firmly believe that they would all unite in re-
fusing a coalition with the Orleanists. That which,
perhaps, gave some hopes to the refugees that a
fusion might be effected, is the present good under-
standing between the Siecle and the Journal des
Debate; but that curious coincidence I will explain.
The Siècle is not a radical republican ripper,
but represents that class of society called in France
"la petite bourgeoise "--that is, the small shop.
keepers and small manufacturers, neither of whom
are radical republicans. The Siecle advocates a
Government such as that over which Cavaig-
nac presided, with a parliament, the liberty of
the press, ctc.; but even such a state of things it
would not accept, unless placed in the hands
of its friends having at their command a suffi-
cient military force to preserve order. In one word,
it advocates a monarchical government without a mo-
narch ! The Journal des Nbate is decidedly favour-
able to a representative government, but it has always
adopted this line with great prudence and great cau-
tion, and, although attached to the Orleans
family, it would never lend itself to any act
having a tendency to take up a hostile position
against the Imperial Government. It is there-
fore morally impossible that these two journals
would advocate a coalition between the Orleanists
and Republicans. Now, as to the Spectateur, the
ex-Assentblie Nationale, an avowed Orleanist paper,
it is using all its endeavours to effect a fusion with
the legitimist party, and to keep on good terms with
the Gazette de France and the Union. lts hatred to
the Republican party is known to everyone ; and this
is not to be wondered at, from the fact that M.
Guizot is one of its principal writers. We will now
take the two papers which represent the democratic
party—the Estafette and the Presse. It will suffice
to read the leading articles in these papers to be
convinced that they are decidedly hostile to both
branches of the Bourbon family, and, as such, would
never consent to coalesce with the Orleanists. In-
deed, both these journals carry their hatred so far
against the two fallen monarchs—Charles X. and
Louis Philippe—that they frequently reproach the
Imperial Government with being too lenient towards
the Bourbon partisans. I think I have said suffi-
cient to show the impossibility of an Orleanist-
Republican coalition, so far as one can judge from
the tone of their journals in Paris. The notion of
such a fusion is altogether ridiculous, and has
emanated solely from the refugees in London and
in Brussels. The Orleanists, as a body, are men
of the highest respectability and character.
They are the friends of order and tranquillity, and
would feel seriously hurt shJuld it for a moment be
supposed they were capable of forming an alliance
with turbulent republicans.
The great question of negro free labour has been
seriously examined by the Emperor ; and, if my
information is correct, his Majesty is convinced that,
due precautions being taken against a revival of
the slave trade, it would be most beneficial to the
French colonists. The Emperor will join in any
measure to prevent the traffic of slaves, whilst at the
same time encduraging the experiment of free
labour.

Several reports have been spread as to diplomatic
intercourse baying been resumed between M. de
Thouvenel and Redscliid Pacha. I believe this not
to be the fact. M. de Thouvenel has not changed
the line of politics lately taken up by him.
The two eldest sons of the Emperor of Russia, the
Grand Duke Nicholas, aged fifteen years, and the
Grand Duke Alexander, aged thirteen years, quitted
St. Petersburg on the 14th of December for Italy,
where it is probable they will pass the winter.
It appears from official sources that 10,238 persons
were attacked with the yellow fever during the late
epidemic at Lisbon, and that the deaths were 3,040.
The Medical Gazette of Lisbon gives as a fact that
all those persons who inhabited houses lit up with
gas were preserved from the epidemic.
It has not yet been decided whether or not the
Prince of Prussia will be present at the marriage of
his son with the Princess Royal. This will depend
on the state of the health of the King. A medical
report will be made on this subject in a few days.
The official Gazette of the Two Sicilies gives an
account of the terrible earthquake of the 10th and
17th. It appears that the shocks were felt at
Caserte, Nola, Averse, Pozzuoli, Salerne, Avelline,
Eboli, and C,mpagna. At Pavia the shock was felt,
but caused nn accident. Two persons were wounded
at Castellarnare ; three persons were killed at Sala.
At Alan% the prison, the barracks, and other public
buildings, were greatly injured; half of the private
houses had been destroyed. At Padula, the num-