The Sun.
London, England, 1862-01-27 00:00:00

OPENING

THE FRENCH CHAMBERS

THE EMPEROR'S SPEECH.

PARIS, MONDAY, 1 O'CLOCK.

The French Chambers were opened to day by
the Emperor in person, who delivered the follow-
ing speech:—

Gentlemen Senators,
Gentlemen Deputies,

The year which has just passed away has,notwith-
' standing certain misgivings, seen peace consoli-
dated. All the rumours designedly propagated, re-
specting imaginary pretensions, have disappeared of
themselves before the simple reality of facts.
My relations with foreign powers give me the
most entire satisfaction, and the visits of several
sovereigns have contributed again to draw closer
our bonds of friendship. The King of Prussia, in
coming to France, has been able to judge for himself
of our desire to unite ourselves still more to a Go-
vernment and a people who march on with a calm
and firm step towards progress.
I have recognised the Kingdom of Italy with the
firm intention of contributing by sympathetic and
disinterested counsels to conciliate two causes the
antagonism of which everywhere troubles men's
mind and consciences.

The civil war which desolates America has come
to compromise gravely our commercial interests.
However, as long as the rights of neutrals shall be
respected, we must confine ourselves to wishes that
these dissensions may speedily cease.

Our establishment in Cochin China has been
consolidated by the valour of our soldiers and
sailors. The Spaniards associated in our enter-
prize will find, I trust, in those countries, the
reward of their courageous assistance. The Anna-
mites feebly resist our dominions; and we should
not be in conflict with anyone, if in Mexico the
conduct of an unscrupulous Government had
not obliged us to unite with Spain and
England to protect our compatriots, and repress
attempts against humanity and the law of nations.
Nothing can arise out of this conflict of a nation
to diminish confidence in the future. Free from
exterior pre-occupations I have more specially
directed my attention to the state of our finances.
A candid exposition has made you acquainted with
their real condition. I shall only say a few words
on this subject. The public has been startled at the
amount of 963,000,000 f. which the floating debt
has reached ; but this debt, its further progress
being arrested, has in it nothing to alarm, for it
had already reached this amount before 1848, at a
time when the revenues of France were far from
approaching to what they are now. Besides,
if we subtract from this amount, first, the
652,000,000 f., which were incurred at an epoch
anterior to the Empire ; then the 78,000,000 f.
repaid to the fundholders at the period of the con-
version ; and finally, the 233,000,000 f. of uncovered
outlay in the last two financial statements, caused
by distant expeditions, and which it would have
been possible to cover by a loan, it will be seen
that since the establishment of the Empire—thanks,
it is true to the excessive consolidations effected—
the deficits have not increased in proportion to the
necessities which it was imperative to provide for,
and the advantages obtained during the last ten
years. _

In truth, gentlemen, it would be unjust to for-
get the increase of expenditure demanded by pay-
ment of the annual interest of debts contracted for
two wars which have not been without glory.
The 622 millions applied by the Treasury to the
great works of public utility, independently of the
three milliards devoted by the companies to the
completion of 6,553 kilometres of railway, the exe-
cution of the Telegraphic Act, the ameliora-
tion of the condition of nearly all the servants
of the State, the augmentation of the well-
being of the soldier, the effective of the army placed
in proportion with that which the dignity of France
requires in the time of peace; the transformation
the fleet and of all our material of artillery ; the
renewing and sustaining of our religious edifices
and of our public monuments.
This expenditure has given to all useful works
over the surface of the Empire a fruitful impulse.
Have we not seen our cities transform them-
selves, the country districts become enriched
by the progress of agriculture, and the com-
merce with foreign nations increase from
2,600,000,000 f. to 5,800,000,000 f. ? Finally, by
this increase of the public prosperity alone, the
revenues of the State have augmented by many
hundreds of millions.
This enumeration shows us in their fnll extent
the financial resources of France; and nevertheless,
whatever may have been the origin of the deficits,
and however legitimate the expenditure, it was pru-
dent not to increase them.
With this object I have proposed to the Senate a
radical measure, which confers on the Legislative
Body a greater facility of control, and associates it
more and more with my policy. But this measure
was not, as anyone may easily convince himseif, an
expedient to alleviate my respnsibility.
It was a spontaneous and earnest reform, calcu-
lated to compel us to economy. In renouncing the
right of opening supplementary and extraordinary
credits in the interval between the sessions, it was
at the same time essential to retain the power of
providing for unforeseen necessity.
The system of transfers (les virements) furnishes
the means, and it has the advantage of restricting
this faculty to wants that are really urgent and in-
dispensable.
The severe application of this new system will
enable us to establish our financial regime upon =-
shakeable bases. I reckon on your patriotism and
intelligence to second any efforts by an earnest as-
sistance. The budget will be laid before you imme-
diately on the opening of the session. It is not
without regret that I have decided to propose to
you the re-arrangement (remaniement) of several
taxes, but from the increase of our revenue, the
aggravation of those taxes, I am convinced, will be
only temporary.
You will be pleased to take up first the
projects de loi relative to the conversion of the
Four-and-a-Half per Cent. Rentes—a measure
the object of which is, in equitably conciliating
the interests of the Treasury and those of its
creditors, to prepare the unification "of the debt. I
have explained to you, gentlemen, frankly the state
of things.
You are aware that upon every occasion when a
reform of a useful character presented itself, I have
resolutely taken the initiative of its introduction.
At the same time, I will maintain not the less intact
the fundamental bases of the Constitution, which
tn aotflo
anl t el
wnh
oy eaarres
ioof
order and prosperity. The l
has already represented to theo
most laudable acts
power, as I am well aware, is to see their purbeustt
all
in-
tentions misunderstood, their
impotent when the ruler
spirit of party ;
neglects
This sentiment, which
misinterpreted by the
are
ece of the nation and
possesses clamorous o voices oci
confidence
ensfl
(Ise
i 5 m y most nothing to deserve it.
sien alln dcifrocrummsstmances,
y greatest strength.
Should s rength.
Should unforeseen events, such as the dearness
provisions and the falling offof
pre-
ciousm anifersetesoimts;einf ,
of
people to suffer want, employment,
the people ought
in justice to hold me responsible for their suf-
fering, when they know that all my thoughts, all
not
tse the
my actions, tend without cessation to ameliorate
their lot and to increase the prosperity of France.
Let us not form any illusions as to what remains
for us to accomplish, but at the same time let ns
felicitate ourselves upon having traversed 10 years
in the midst of the calm of contented populations,
and of the union of the great bodies of the State.
Let us persevere in our task with energy, and

place 'ourselves with confidence in the bands of
Providence, who has always given us visible signs
of His protection.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

The Lords of the Admiralty have this day made the fol-
lowing promotions for special service:—
Commander David Spain to be Captain, for zealous and
active aervice rendered by him in conveying to and dis-
embarldng troops in Canada.

- -
Cora wander Richard Vesey Hamilton to be Captain, for
zealous and active service rendered by him as senior officer
on the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, and after.
wards at Halifax.

Lieutenant Thomas Alexis de Wahl to be Commander,
for active, zealous, and gallant conduct in the suppression
of the slave trade on the coast of Africa.
The following appointments were made at the Admiralty
this evening :
Engineers—George Trevess (chief), George M. Dooley,
W. H. Wivil (first-class assistant), R. W. Meiklejahn
(acting first-class assistant), Joseph Bamford (acting
second-class ditto), to the Euryalus.

TATTERSALLS'-(THIS EVENING).

CHESTER CUP.
33 to 1 agst Umpire (taken and offered)
33 to 1 agst Agag (offered)
40 to 1 agst Vest colt (taken)
40 to 1 agst Zodiac (taken)
40 to 1 agst Brown Duchess (taken)
40 to 1 agst Sister to Stafford (taken)
50 to 1 agst Rubicon (taken)
50 to 1 agst Frailty (taken)

TILE DERBY.
17 to 2 agst Buckstone (taken)
10 to 1 agst Old Calabar (taken and offered)
13 to 1 agst Marquis (taken)
25 to 1 agst Typee colt (taken)
25 to 1 agst Wingrave (taken)
30 to 1 agst Athleta (taken)
40 to 1 apt Zetland (taken)
40 to 1 agst Neptunus (taken)
50 to 1 agst Star of the West (taken)

TWO THOUSAND.
4to 1 agst Old Calabar (taken)
sto 1 agst Marquis (offered)
13 to 1 agst Athleta (taken)
13 to 1 agst Caterer (taken)

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

BETTING AT MANCHESTER.—SATrItDAY.
There is little probability of any amount of business
being done on the Chester Cup until the acceptances ar•
published. Agag, without a great outlay of money, has
assumed the position of favourite, and small amounts are
occasionally invested on some others; but caution seems to
be the order of the day both with layers and backers. For
the 2,000 Guineas, Old Calabar is not so firm, 9 to 2 being
offered, but there are plenty of offers to take sto 1. The
Marquis is in great request both for this event (5 to 1.
being taken rather freely) and the Derby, for which ho had
friends at 12 to 1, but that price was offered at the close.
So little has been done on the Waterloo Cup, that the last
quotations would give as correct an idea of the business
doing as anything we could furnish. Closing prices :

TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS STAKES.
sto 1 agst Old Calabar (wanted)
5 to 1 agst The Marquis (taken)
THE DERBY.
8} to lon the field (offered)
12 to 1 agst The Marquis (taken and offered
25 to 1 agst Typee colt (offered)
300 to 10 agst Ace of Clubs (taken)
50 to 1 agst Vanguard (taken)
50 to 1 agst Zetland (taken)
50 to 1 agst Neptunus (wanted)
1000 to 15 agst Master Fenton (taken)
500 to 5 agst Alchymist taken)
500 to 5 agst Laughing Stock (taken)
CHESTER CUP.
30 to 1 agst Agag (taken)
40 to 1 agst Schism (taken)
40 to 1 agst Umpire (taken)
50 to 1 agst Sister to Stafford filly (taken)
50 to 1 agst Victrix (taken)
50 to 1 agst West End (taken)

ESSAYS AND EEVIEWS.

(From the Weekly Dispatch.)

The Morning Post is anxious not to bias the course of
justice by any untimely remarks upon the case not yet ad-
judged between the Pope of Salisbury and Dr. Williams;
but that journal considers it to be its duty just to let the
public know, as a piece of news, that the issue is " one of
unspeakable importance, for it involves the question whe-
ther the Bible is or is not inspired." Now we must have
our piece of news too, and that is, that it involves no such
thing. The question is, whether all and every part of the
Bible is equally inspired, the essential and the unessential ;
whether the list of names in a genealogy is as inspired as
the " two great commandments ;" whether, when two as-
sertions, narratives or principles, contradicting each other,
are read in different books, both are equally inspired, and
both must be equally held sacred; whether the Bible,
which, reasonably understood, contains in itself the most
consummate wisdom the world possesses, is to be the most
uncertain and harmful book in the world by being read with
a want of candour and allowance which it would be consi-
dered shameful to exhibit in the consideration of any other
work. This is the true issue, which, not polemically, but,
as plain matter of fact, we think it right to iterate in this
column. Moreover, the Morning Post assures us " that
the question now at issue is not wbether Baron Bunsen, or
still more his reviewer, were right or wrong absolutely ;
but, given certain formularies, given a commonly accepted
katerpretatiou of them, is Dr. Williams's view consistent
with the latitude always allowed in relation to them ?"
Well, this may turn out to be the issue decided. But sup-
pose this issue should be decided against Dr. Williams, and
the other issue whether he is right or wrong absolutely"
is given by the public in his favour, we put it to the Morn-
ing Post whether this will not altogether override the
minor question, and leave the Church and its Courts con-
demned by a somewhat higher authority than that by
which they may condemn Dr. Williams. We believe that
it is high time that they should be fully aware of this, and
humbly act upon the knowledge.

IRON SHIPBUILDING IN AMERICA.—The Ameri-
cans are resolved not to be behindhand in the race which
the Western Powers are running in iron shipbuilding, :as
we hear upon good authority that inquiries are now being
made on the part of the Federal Government in this coun-
try for plans of the most approved character ; and as the
Lords of the Admiralty have decided upon constructing a
vessel on Captain Coles's method, we believe that it is not
unlikely that this may also be adopted by our friends on the
other side of the Atlantic. We have heard 30 gunboats
mentioned as the number likely to be required by Mr. Lin-
coln.—Army and Navy Gazette.
WRECK IN CARMARTIIEN BAY.—FERRYSIDE,
iwwa nerreaecgkoanflla
ler Cefoi
of
ntr tFtoiuw, r
in fromdaateyl
fortunately
floatingCa
as aarvdoaeni
about
eo
uitonotf
Jan. 25.—The wreck that occurred in Carmarthen Bay
yesterday appearsta.ls. PiecesteT bhee crow
otfhtehDe
ttChhaeedirsizaonwwdinsthibnocaaoll directions. The
the heaviest ever experienced in Carmarthen Bay. The
crew of the lifeboat of the National Lifeboat Institution
speak in the highest terms of her qualities.
DISTRESSING SHIPWRECK IN CARDIGAN BAY.--
CARDIGAN, Sunday night.—Yesterday evening a most dis-
tressing shipwreck took place in Cardigan Bay. About
noon a brig was seen near the island with signals of distress
flying. As soon as possible the lifeboat of the National
Lifeboat Institution, manned by 12 men, proceeded off to
her assistance. In the meantime, however, seven out of
eight of the crew of the vessel had taken to their own boat,
which immediately capsized, and drowned the whole of
them. It had fortunately happened that the poor raanwho
had been left on board had missed the ship's boat when she
left the vessel. He was afterwards safely put on shore by
the Cardigan lifeboat. The brig, which was dismantled
and waterlogged, was the Pioneer, of Carnarvon, laden with
a cargo of wheat from Galitz. The Aberystwith new life •
boats also belonging to the National Lifeboat Institution
bad put off to tho wreck, but was unable, in the fury of the
hurricane, to fetch it.

JUMPING FROM AN EXPRESS TRAIN.—On Satur-
day, as the down express train, which reaches Taunton at
1.37, was passing Durston, a man of gentlemanly appear-
ance was observed to throw himself from the window of
one of the carriages on to the side of the line. Mr. Snow,
landlord of the Railway Inn, and some other persons, hur-
ried to the spot, expecting to find nothing but the lifeless
remains of the unfortunate man. They were, consequently,
sonsiderably astonished to find that boyond a few scratches
and bruises he was unhurt. He was brought on to Taunton
by the next train, and, in answer to the station-master,
said he could assign no reason for the rash act of which le
had been guilty, but supposed he must have gone to sleep
and jumped out of the window while dreaming.—Somerset
Gazette.

The Civil Tribunal of Havre has been recently
called on to decide in an action brought by the commune of
Roserville against M. Paul do Bois-Hebert and Mme. Per-
tuzon, to recover a piece of land planted with 500 apple-trees
on the ground that the property was common land, and had
been unduly appropriated about two centuries since by the
feudal lords of the domain of Orcher. During the trial it
was proved that the land in question formed part of an
estate which had been purchased, but not paid for, by the,
celebrated financier Law, and that on his fa boughts sold
by decree of the Government in 1723, and as
the
glad to stat
ancestors of the defendants, whose title must therefore be
considered indisputable. After hearing counsel on both
sides, the Tribunal decided that the Government decree
an advance et
h of six
constituted a valid title, and accordingly rejected the de.
mand of the commune with costs.
thatW tehe(
extraordinaryvrmr yofl anal
co Nhfiaeasl edy sanctionedallowance Gazette)
e troops lately
omrodnertehsd'to Canada.