The Sun.
London, England, 1855-01-20 00:00:00

"faith" in himself, he bad "faith" in those by
whose voluntary choice—by whose unbiassed suf-
frages—delivered under the stringent test of
"the Ballot," he was elected to his exalted posi-
tion. He knew that he merited their love,
and he acted on that unhesitating belief ! !
And he also knew the energetic efforts
of which Frenchmen were capable, when thoroughly
aroused, and, as we have stated, the result has
surpassed even his most sanguine anticipations !
Last year ninety-eight thousand persons
came forward, entering their names for sums
amounting in the aggregate to no less than
FOUR HUNDRED AND SIXTY-SEVEN MILLIONS OF

FRANCS—equivalent to 18,680,0001. sterling. It
was, indeed, a striking demonstration—" a great
fact," that might well have awed any potentate
opposed to such a nation. The small sub-
scribers who obtained a priority on the wise and
sagacious principle of trying to extend as far as
practicable the number of those who had stakes
in the country—who had given " hostages to
fortune," and " material guarantees " for their
good behaviour, were sixty thousand in number,
and the sums for which they subscribed forty-
nine millions of francs, equivalent to 1,960,0001.
What was then achieved was regarded witji
astonishment. But what are we to think of what
now has been accomplished—that which throws
all former efforts into the shade, and stands forth
to the world as a singular instance alike of the
wealth and devotedness of the people ?
We learn from M. BARocHn (acting for the
Financial Minister) that the total sum of the
subscriptions amounts to ONE THOUSAND ONE
HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-FIVE MILLIONS OP FRANCS
(87,000,0001. sterling)—one hundred and seventy-
seven thousand persons having participated in the
subscription. Of these, one hundred and twenty-
six thousand persons same forward in the depart-
ments, and fifty-one thousand in the metro-
polis the former inscribing their names
for seven hundred and.. seventy-seven millions;
the latter for one thousand three hundred
and ninety-eight millions of francs. In the latter
are included all foreign subscriptions, amounting
to three hundred millions of francs, or 12,000,000/.
sterling, of which a moiety, or 6,000,0001., came
from England, and the remainder from various
continental nntions. The applicatious for sums
amounting to less than 500 francs of Rentes-20

of dividend—amounted to a capital of 836 mi:

lions, or 336 millions beyond the whole
amount to be distributed. These small
capitalists will have to reduce about 40
to 42 per cent. on their applications, while the
larger will get nothing I We are wrong : they
will profit largely by the security the illimitable
credit thus testified—a credit which has already
produced a premium of nearly 5 per cent. on the
New Loan. Well may France be proud of such a
demonstration—one that could not occur in any
other land, even in wealthy, prosperous, and
patriotic England itself.

We always receive instruction and profit from
the opinions and views of Mr. Mirzsran GIBSON.
Whether expressed in or out of Parliament they
are invariably worthy of mature and attentive
consideration. His addresses to his constituents
are peculiarly so—more especially those delivered
on the eve of the Parliamentary campaign.
Whether we concur or dissent from his
views we shall always treat them with re-
spect. Our time and space this day unfortunately
prevents us from referring to these matters as
they deserve, but we shall, take an early occasion
to notice his speech made at the soiree given by
the inhabitants of Manchester to their represen-
tatives.