The Sun.
London, England, 1853-05-18 00:00:00

THE FRENCH EMPIRE,

The Corps Legislatif held a short sitting in the
course of yesterday. A large number of private
bills were passed without any discussion. The bill
which provides that a reward, on the part of the
nation, shall be given to the heirs of Philippe de
Gerard, the inventor of the flax-spinning machines,
has also been passed by the Assembly.
General Perrodon, who commands the Artillery
in the 4th military division has been appointed
director of the service of gunpowder and saltpetre
at Paris, and has been replaced iu his former com-
mand by General Larchey.
The Constitutionnel says :—" The deep interest
which the Emperor takes in the execution of the
great works of public utility has just been again
revealed by the account which his Majesty has
caused to be given to him of the state of the opera-
tions going on for building embankments in the
Basso-Seine. We think we may state that these
works, which were for a moment' stopped in conse-
quence of a want of funds, will shortly be resumed
on the important part of the river comprised be-
tween Quilieheuf and La Beane. By order of his
Majesty, the Council of State hashad a propqsition
submitted to it, tending to the allotment of a suffi-
cient credit in order that these works, which are
indispensable for the navigation of the Seine, may
be continued and completed."
The consultative committmon railways has been
during the last few days occupied with the exami-
nation of the question relative to the concession of
the railway from Besangon to Mulhouse. It has
heard the grantees of the great lines, who are inte-
rested in the execution of this prolongation, and
these who have made fresh tenders, who have given
the most precise information as to the value of the
line. The solution of this affair may therefore be
regarded as likely to take place very shortly. The
concession, if it be made, will, it is said, be without
a subvention, and without any guarantee of inte-
rest by the State, and it is thought the government
will not be averse to concede other lines in order to
favour the combination which tends to unite the
Mediterranean to the Rhine. The concession from
Besangon to Mulhouse is eagerly sought for. There
are eight companies who have made application, all
of whom offer every necessary guarantee, and it
is therefore probable that a fusion may take place.

A still further decline occurred in the quotations
of Government securities yesterday, to the extent
of 40c. in the Three per Cents. for cash, and of 10c.
in the Four-and-a-Half per Cents. In both the
Three per Cents. and the Four-and-a-Half per
Cents., for the account, there was also a fall of 10c.
Bank of France Shares remained unchanged. The
final quotations were—For cash : Three per Cents.,
81f. 30c.; Four-and-a-Half per Cents., 103 f. 90c.
For the end of the month : Three per Cents., 81f.
40c. ; Four-and-a-Half per Cents., 104 f. The
Mortgage Bank shares remain without variation,
being still quoted at 880 f. 50c. In those of the
Societe Mobiliere there was a decline of 12f., closing
at 937 f. 75c. There was considerable dullness in
the Railway Share Market yesterday, and prices
ffenerally assumed a downward tendency towards
the conclusion of business. A decline of 15f. each
occurred in Lyons to the Mediterranean and Paris
and Orleans shares ; of 10f. in Paris and Rouen,
and of 2f. in those of the Bordeaux and Cette line.
In Paris and Lyons shares there was an advance of
sf. Those of the remaining principal lines ex-
perienced no variation. Closing prices :—Nor-
them, 927 f. 50c. ; Paris and Orleans, 1,105 f. ; Paris
and Strasbourg, 945 f.; Paris and Lyons, 972 f. 50c.;
Paris and Rouen, 1,155 f. ; Lyons to the Medi-
terranean, 842 f. 50c. ; Western of France, 790 f. ;
Rouen and Havre, 550 f.; Bordeaux and Cette,
670 f. 50c.