The Sun.
London, England, 1865-02-15 00:00:00

OPENING OF THE FRENCH
CHAMBERS.

THE EMPEROR'S SPEECH.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAM.)

PARIS, FEB. 15.

The French Chambers were opened at 1 o'clock
to-day by the Emperor, who delivered the following

speech :

Messieurs les Senateurs,
Messieurs les Deputes,

At the time of your last assembling I hoped
to see smoothed away by a general Congress all the
difficulties which then menaced the repose of Europe.
The event, to my regret, has proved otherwise, for
the sword often severs questions instead of resolving
them, and the only basis of a durable peace is the
satisfaction given by the accord of the sovereigns in
the general interest of the peoples.
In the presence of the conflicts which surged up
on the shores of the Baltic my Government,
divided between its sympathies for Den-
mark its good wishes for Germany, has ob-
served throughout the strictest neutrality.
Summoned in a Conference to contribute its
advice, it is bound to maintain the principle of
nationalities and the right of populations to be
consulted as to.their fate. Our language conformable
to the reserved attitude which we purpose still to
maintain, has throughout been moderate and ami-
cable between the two parties.

In the South of Europe the action of France
was able to evidence itself more resolutely. I have
there been desirous to render possible the solution of a
difficult problem. The Convention of the 15th of
September, disembarassed from impassioned inter-
pretation, consecrates two great principles—the
consolidation of the new Italian kingdom, and the
independence of the Holy see. The provisional and
precarious situation which excited so many alarms
is about to disappear.

' It is not only the members of the Italian nation-
ality seeking to amass themselves by feeble bonds
into a little state, situate at the foot of the Alps ;
it is rather a great country, which, lifting its head
out of local prejudices, and despising ill-considered
exacerbation, boldly transports into the heart of the
Peninsula its capital, placing it therein the midst of
the Appenines as in an impregnable fortification. By
this act of patriotism Italy definitely establishes itself,
while reconciling itself at the same time with Catholi-
cism. It engages itself to respect the independ-
ence of the Holy See, and to protect the frontiers
of the Roman States, thereby enabling us at the
same time to withdraw our troops. The Pontifical
territory effectually guaranteed, finds itself placed
itself placed under the safeguard of a treaty which
solemnly binds the two Governments. The Con-
vention is not, therefore, a .weapon of war, but a
work of peace and conciliation.

In Mexico the throne consolidates itself, the
country becomes tranquilised, its immense re-
sources begin to envelope themselves all this has
been the happy effect of the valour of our soldiers,
of the good sense of the Mexican population, and of
the intelligence and energy of the Sovereign.
In Japan our navy, united to that of England
and that of Holland, as well as also to the United
States, has given a new proof of what it can do.
In Africa a sudden insurrection has come to dis-
turb the security of our possessions, and to show
how certain tribes are still ignorant of our strength
and of our benign intentions. It is at this very
moment, when, by a spirit of generous justice, France
secures the rights of the soil to the Arab .popula-
tion, while by liberal measures we are striving to
render comprensible to this ill-fated people ; but so
far from our wishing to oppress, we are desirous of
summoning them to partake of the benefits of civili-
sation. It is at this moment, I say, that infuriated
by religious fanaticism, the Arabs bordering
on the Desert have raised the standard of re-
volt. In spite of the difficulties of the country
and the rigour of the season, our army, conducted

with ability and rare discretion has gained the
mastery over the insurrection, and after the com-
bat no sanguinary repression, no useless severity
has saddened our victory. The zeal of the chief,
experimentally placed at the head of Algeria, the
unity of the command re-established, the consta-
tion of the generous designs of France, all
concur, as I hope to prevent the return of similar
disorders. Thus, all our expeditions drawing near
to their completion, our land arrangements have
evacuated China, the navy suffices to maintain our
establishments in Cochin China ; our army in
Africa is about to be diminished ; that of Mexico
returns already into France ; the troops on the
road will have returned very speedily ; and closing
the temple of war, we shall be able with
pride to inscribe on a new arch of triumph these
words—" To the glory of the French armies for
the victories achieved in Europe, in Asia, in Africa,
and in America."

Let us deliver ourselves up, without disquietude,
,o the labours of Peace.

The interval of the Sessions is employed, as usual,
in seeking out the means to inaugurate the moral
and material well-being of the people and every
useful and true idea is sure of being welcomed by
me and adopted by you.
Let us examine, therefore, together the measures
proper to increase the prosperity of the Empire.
Religion and Public Education are the objects of
my constant pre-occupation. All the worships
enjoy an equal liberty—the Catholic clergy exer-
cises within its own ministry a legitimate influence.
By the Law of Tnstruction it co-operates with

the education of youth—by the Electoral Law it is
empowered to enter into the public councils—by the
Constitution it occupies its place in the Senate.
But the more we surround it with evidences of con-
sideration and of deference, the more we rely upon
its respecting the fundamental laws of the State.

It is part of my duty to maintain intact the
rights of the civil power, which since St. Louis, no
Sovereign of France has ever abandoned. The
development of public instruction merits your soli-
citude; in this country of universal suffrage, every
citizen ought to know how to read and write.

A projet du loi will be presented to you, designed
to further more and more Primary Instruction.

I strive, year after year, to diminish the obstacles
which for so long a time have impeded in France

he free expansion of the individual indicative by
he law upon the

('We shall give the conclusion of the Empe'ror's
Speech in our next edition.)

The Courtier de l'Eure relates an extraordinary
hunt in the neighbourhoon of Neubourg. Count de Tre-
bons was following a hare, with a pack of 14 hounds,
when the dogs suddenly attacked an enormous wild boar
in the wood of Fenguerolles. The animal, forced from
his lair, started off, and an exciting chase through the
forests of Villetres, Canappeville, and Vernon ensued,
lasting two hours. The animal, at length being tired out,
turned at bay in a field near Ecquetot. The Count
had neither gun nor hunting sword, but fearing
that the struggle would cost the lives of some of his
dogs, he resolutely alighted from his horse, and
arming himself with his pocket-knife, went straight to
the beast, and plunged the blade into its eye. The animal,
mad with pain, rushed at its assailant, but the Count
buried the knife beneath the animal's shoulder, at the same
time avoiding the thrusts aimed at him by the boar with
its tusks. The beast at last fell exhausted, and expired
It was found to weigh 18 stone and a half.