The Sun.
London, England, 1854-04-04 00:00:00

FRANCE.

There appears no improvement in the prospects
of the 'Turkish loan, and it is perhaps to bring the
fact under the consideration of the Ottoman Go-
vernment that the son of Namik Pasha, the ne-
gotiator, is now on his way back to Constantinople.
He arrived in Paris on Sunday from London. Tho
present state of the money market, the timidity of
capitalists, the general state of trade, and the fear
t tf -more failures, are more than sufficient to a-count
for the backwardness of the public in the matter. It
appears, however, that some hopes are entertained
that the Governments of England and France
will aid in the realisation of the loan by gua-
ranteeing the interest. It is said in Paris that
Lord Clarendon has been consulted on the matter,
and that his decision is shortly expected. Should
the English Government consent, no difficulty is
apprehended on the part of the French Govern-
ment.

The Bulletin de Lois publishes the following

decree :

Napoleon, Sze.—We have decreed and do decree
as follows :
" Our Minister Secretary of State of FinanCe is
authorised to make an advance of 10 millions to the
Ottoman Government.

" 'This advance will bear interest and will be repaid
either from the product: of the first loan which may be
contracted by the Ottoman Government, or in sup-
plies.' " •

The Belgian Chamber of Representatives on
Saturday approved of the two conventions of 1852,
and the treaty of the 27th of February last, for
the establishment of commercial relations, by 63
votes to 15.

On Saturday a great crowd assembled at the
Northern Railway in the expectation of receiving
the English dragoons with hearty welcome. The
day was magnificent, the people in high spirits, and
in glorious good humour. It turned out that some
facetious persons had been doing honour to All
Fools' Day, and fed the multitude with a poisson
ul'Avril. The joke was well taken, and will not in
the least be remembered against the gallant com-
rades of the French army on their arrival, which,
if the Constitutionnel be well informed, will not
take place before Tuesday.
The Emperor and the Empress visited on Satur-
day the works at the Palace of Industry. Their
Majesties were received with cries of " Viva
l'Empereur," " Vive l'lmperatrice ;" and on re-
tiring the Emperor left 2,000 f. to be distributed
amongst the workmen.
The Empress, wishing to encourage as much as
possible the lace trade, which employs a consider-
able number of workwomen, and being desirous of
seeing the French articles of that branch of ruanu-
f tcture appear in an advantageous manner at the
Universal Exhibition of 1855, has decided that a
public c mipetition shall take place between French
manufacturers for the best trimming of a dress in
the black lace called point d'Angleterre and the
best in point de Chantilly. The patterns of the
manufacturers who desire to compete are to be sent
in before the Ist of June, 1854, to the Duchess of
Bassano, lady of honour to her Majesty. A jury
will decide which specimen is most remarkable for
novelty, richness, and elegance. No one but
French manufacturers are to be allowed to com-
pete.
The Three per Cents. opened yesterday at 61f.
90c., fell to 61f. 35c., and closed at 61f. 60c., for
the end of the mouth ; the Four-and-a-Half per
Cents. closed at 88f. ; Orleans Railway Shares,
1,030 f. ; Rouen, 795 f. ; Havre' 400 f. ; Great
Northern, 700 f. ; Str IShurg, 677 f. 50c. ; New
Shares, 505 f. ; Lyons to Paris, 760 f. ; Lyons to
the Mediterranean, 625 f. ; Western of France,
545 f. ; Bordeaux and Cette, 480 f. ; Great Central
of France, 380 f. ; Lyons to Geneva, 420 f. 50c;
Bank of Credit Mubilier, 435 f.