The Sun.
London, England, 1852-03-23 00:00:00

colleagues to enjoy the salaries and the patronage of ►
office during the long vacation. It is quite mani-
fest that nothing of real utility will be effected
during the autumn session. The Ministers may be dis-
placed and others appointed in their place, but
no great progress can be made in the way of useful
reforms in the months of August or September. We
do not believe that the great principle of free trade
was ever in the slightest danger, or that there is any
prospect of the Ministers ever bringing forward any
measure far re-imposing a tax on corn. On the con-
trary, that they will feel that the policy
of 1846, as well as that of 1848, cannot be reversed.
But were it otherwise, and that the battle was indeed
to be fought de novo, the course pursued of forcing on
the conflict could only be injurious to the good
cause. It was for that reason that we deprecated it
when first ascertained, and that we now rejoice that
a wiser policy is to be pursued, by which each party
may bid for public support by showing the nature
and extent of the benefits they are willing to confer
upon the country.

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.

We have received the Paris journals of yesterday.
The Council General of the Bank of France has
advanced the credit on French public securities to a
hundred millions. _ _ .

The Comtesse DU CAYLA has just died, aged 70.
This lady, who was remarkable for her beauty, it
may be recollected, enjoyed considerable influence
during the reign of Louis XVLII.
M. JANVIER, Councillor of State, Member of the
Section of Legislation, was struck with apoplexy
during the sitting on Friday. Yesterday little hope
was entertained that his life would be spared.
M. EMILE DE GIRARDIN has returned to Paris.

The Patrie states that several ex-representatives,
who quitted Franco voluntarily after the coup d'etat,
have just returned. It adds that three ex-represen-
tatives of the Mountain have applied for letters of
natu.ralization in the United States.
The Moniteur contains the following account of
the distribution of the new medals yesterday by
Louis NAPOLEON :

" The President of the Republic yesterday passed in
review, in the court of the Tuileries, the Ist brigade of
the let division of the army of Paris, amounting to
about 6,000 men, and composed of the 3d and Bth bat-
talions of the Chasseurs of Vincennes, a company of
Engineers, the 15th Light Infantry, and the 72d Regi-
ment of the line. Outside the iron railing, on the Place
du Carrousel, two batteries of Artillery, and the Ist
and 7th Regiments of Lancers were drawn up in three
lines. The crowd was kept back by a party of the mounted
Municipal Guard. At twelve o'clock the President ar-
rived from the Elysge, in an open carriage. He
alighted at the Pavilion de I'Horloge, and immediately
mounted his horse. He was accompanied by Marshal
Excelmans, Grand Chancellor of the Legion of Honour;
the Minister of War; Generals Megnen, Canrobert,
Roguet, and Renault; his orderly officers, and a brilliant
staff of field officers. Amongst the persons in his suite
were to be seen an officer of the Body Guards of the
King of Prussia, in white uniform and silver helmet,
and an officer of the Horse Guards of England, in
scarlet. The President then passed through all the
ranks, in the midst of military music, and the
acclamations of the troops. He afterwards returned
to the Court of the Tuileries, and alighting from his
horse, prepared, his staff forming a circle round
him, to distribute a number of crosses of the Legion
of Honour, and medals, giving a right to a pension
for life of 100 f. The Prince himself wore on
the occasion one of the medals in question. After the
drums had beaten a salute the men who were to receive
the crosses and medals were called forward, being two
per regiment for the former and five per regiment for
the latter. The President then addressed, in the follow-
ing terms, the men thus summoned before him :
" Soldiers! in giving for the first time this medal, I
am anxious to explain to you the object for which I
have instituted it. When any one perceives, like me,
how much devotedness, abnegation, and patriotism are to
bo found in the ranks of the army, a feeling of regret
arises in his mind that the Government has at its disposal
such scanty meaue of acknowledging so great trials,
and rewarding such marked services. The admir-
able institution of the Legion of Honour would lose its
prestige were it not restricted within certain limits.
Yet, how often have I regretted to see soldiers and
officers return to their homes without a recompense, al-
though by their length of service, their wounds, and
by actions worthy of eulogium, they had merited a
testimony of satisfaction from their country. It is in
order to accerd them such a mark of approbation that I
have instituted this medal. It may be given to such
persons as have re-engaged themselves in the army,
after having previously conducted themselves well;
also to those who have made four campaigns; or to such
as have been wounded or specially named in the orders
of the day of the army. It ensures to them an annuity
of 100 f. for life. That sum is undoubtedly but small; but
what is great is the ribbon which you will wear on your
breast, and which will signify to your comrades, your
families, and your fellow citizens that he who wears it is
a brave man. This medal will not prevent you from
pretending to the cross of the Legion of Honour, should
you be worthy of receiving it. On the contrary, it will
be as a first step towards obtaining the cross, since it will
in advance point you out to the attention of your supe-
riors. You are not to receive at the same time two pe-
cuniary allocations, but you will bo able to wear at the
same time the two decorations, in the same way as a
non-commissioned officer, corporal, or soldier to whom
the cross of the Legion of Honour has been accorded,
may also, if he again happens to signalise himself, receive
the medal. Soldiers, this distinction, I repeat, is but a tri-
fling matter for the immense services which, both here
and in Africa, you render to France; but receive it as an
encouragement to maintain intact that high military feel-
ing which does you so much honour. Wear it as a
proof of my solicitude for your interests, and of my
affection for that great military family of which I am
proud to be the head, because you are its glorious chil-
dren.' This address was received with loud applause by
the persons standing near. The President then distri-
buted the crosses and medals to the men designated to
receive them, and, again mounting his horse, ordered
the troops to file off before him, which was done with
the greatest precision, and amidst loud shouts of Vive
Napoleon!' The Prince then returned to the Elysee on
horseback, surrounded by his brilliant staff, and was
greeted along his passage with every mark of sympathy
and respect."
Preparations have been commenced in the Salle des
Marechaux at the Tuileries for the ceremony previous
to the opening of the session of the Senate and the
Corps Legislatif, on the 29th.
Government Securities were firm at the Bourse, with
an advance on the prices of Saturday. Railway Shares
were feeble towards the close of business. The Five per
Cents. opened at 100 f. 20c., and closed at 100 f. 25c. for
the end of the month; the Three per Cents. closed at
70f. 50c.; Four-and-a-Half per Cents., 101 f.; Orleans
Railway Shares, 1,180 f.; Rouen, 707 f. 50c.; Havre,
285 f.; Great Northern, 653 f. 759.; Avignon, 275 f. 25c.;
Vierzon, 570 f.; Basle, 231 f. 25c.; Bordeaux, 563 f. 75c.;
Paris and Strasburg, 553 f. 75c.; Tours and Nantes,
347 f. 50e.; Paris and Lyons, 608 f. 750.

BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE
LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, MARCH 22.

Boulogne and Amiens, 13—Dutch Rhenish, 4%—East
Indian, 2l—Luxembourg, 3X—Namur and Liege, 63i
Northern of France, 21►,6—Orleans and Bordeaux, 1334—
Paris and Lyons, 10—Paris and Rouen, 27%—Rouen and
Havre, 11%—Sambre and Meuse, 4 W3—Tours and Nantes, 11.