The Press.
London, England, 1856-12-13 00:00:00

1178

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with marked attention by NAPOLEON, then at
the head of the State with the title of First
Consul. Mr. Fox deserved the admiration he
received. It was to his efforts that the peace
must mainlybe ascribed. It is charitable to
suppose that he was sincere in his views, and
that he believed a solid and sati*factory peace
might be concluded with the dazzling person-
age who had given such brilliant evidence of his
genius in arms and statesmanship. During his
stay in Paris, Mr. Fox received on every side
the most flattering expressions of admiration.
The archives of France were thrown open to
him that he might search them for materials
for the work on which he was engaged. But
in that novel scene it may well be supposed
that his mind was directed rather to the
polities of his own day than to those of the
reign of the Grand Monarque and the career
of the unfortunate JAMES 11.

- - Like Mr. Fox, the Leader of Opposition now
in Paris has consistently held that the general
interests of England point to a sincere and
cordial alliance with France. Mr. DISRAELI
was a member of Lord DERBY'S Administra-
tion, which established an alliance with
France under the rule of the present Empe-
ror on so just and sure a basis that it has
remained firm during a great crisis in Euro-
pean affairs. But here the parallel ends. The
Peace of Amiens was one of the shortest and
least satisfactory on record. NAPOLEON became
our ally for a few months, only to become again
our bitter opponent. Events did not justify
Mr. Fox's anticipations. There were circum-
stances in the constitution of the two Govern-
ments, and the position of the two countries,
which rendered their friendship at that time
impossible. Mr. Fox applauded the peace,
and condemned the renewal of the war.
Against the sentiment of his country, he leant
to the side of the man and the nation who
were considered to be our natural enemies ;
and his visit to Paris had no other result
than to show the high sense entertained of
his talents and influence by the First Consul.
Mr. DISRAELI visits Paris after the Emperor
of the FRENCH has proved, for the whole period
of his eight years' rule, that he is the firm, the
warm, and the consistant ally of England His
good faith has never wavered; he has made no
profession which he has not kept ; he has en-
tered into no engagement which he has not
strictly fulfilled. The flattering reception of Mr.
Fox by the First Consul might seem to mark
NAPOLEON'S conviction that, under any eircuin-
stances, he was secure of the support of a cu•
tain party in Parliament. The cordial recep-
tion of Mr. DISRAELI, by the Emperor of the
FRENCH, can only mark his grateful sense of
the conduct of Opposition during that trying
period in which the French and English Go-
vernments were engaged in contest with a
common foe.

In contrast to the state of affairs in 1802,
the alliance with France is now recognised as
part of our national policy. We perceive its
advantages, and we see that it may be main-
tained without the slightest sacrifice of dignity
or interest on either side. The Peace of
Amiens was but an experiment. In spite of
the support of the Opposition it did not an
ewer. The French Alliance of our day has
answered. It has had the good fortune to
meet with the support of both our Go-
vernment and our Opposition. It has
been directed to preserve the independence of
nations, and to curb misguided ambition. So
far as Mr. Disitaxtt's reception by the French
Emperor is of a political complexion, and par-
takes of a public character—which can be our
only reason for referring to it—it is a testi-
mony on the part of the head of the French
Gov to the loyalty with which the
-`'on fulfilled its duties during
if Mr. DISRAELI'S visit to
ised to have the slightest
itics, it must be viewed as
on the part of the Oppo
good faith which has
transaction of the
Int in its relations with


Government to the
English Opposition f
the war ; and again, i
Paris can be auppos
connection with politi
an acknowledgment o
onion of the signal
,Ep
acterised, ••-every
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