The Sun.
London, England, 1871-01-13 00:00:00

HELP FOR FRANCE.

The Telegraph, referring to the recent appeal to Eng-
land for help, says:—To aid the destitute clients of the
Bishop in and near Versailles, sufficient sums will be
at once forwarded, furnishing, we trust, means of pre-:
sent assistance. But for those early and most dread-
ful days of necessity when Paris will be opened, a
grand and sustained effort is requisite ; and the
Committee must settle the right plan for compre-
hensive and ready action. Probably in the body
of French clergymen who signed the appeal, and
in those who can be added to their number from the
capital, will be found as suitable an agency, both for they
first and second part of the task, as could be desired. Our
last word for the present is to the English public, never
wanting to a noble and humane cause. We are in peace
and comfort—those who suffer outside and inside the
line of fire and death are in peril and anguish ; we
have spent a Christmas and New Year of hap-
piness and prosperity—our fellows beyond the
Channel Sea have passed by death, disease, and terrors
indescribable from year to year. Entirely foregoing sides
and policies, then, and leavkg judgment to " Him who
judgeth aright," we have thus one last opportunity of
shelving France that England has not watched with in-
difference the outpouring of so much innocent blood.
Let the moment be seized with ardour •by men
of all opinions in the brief interval while the
effort is possible and will be most prized. Let all who
feel for the beautiful city and her gay, courteous, hospi-
table people join to render this offering of national
friendship adequate and ample. It will save
very many lives ; it will avert, perchance, an
unparalleled catastrophe ; anti it will be a memory laden
with most gentle and fruitful influence for both nations
when the dire struggle shall have past, and when Paris
learns how. in the time of her extremity, generous hearts
in England grieved over her awful sufferings, and were
roused to send timely assistance.

~'i '

AIETROPOLITAN GOSSIP.-THuRSDAY.

It would not surprise me if the report that Mr. Glad
stone is ill should prove correct, nor if it should turn out that
his affliction is of the same kind as the one which troubles
Mr. Bright. The Premier has looked careworn at times lately,
and particularly during the last fortnight. To over-work
has been added the anxiety caused by the state of his
Ministry, which, it is no secret, is far from satisfactory
just at present. The loss of so many politicians who
represent advanced reforming creeds more or less is very
serious, and Mr. Gladstone is well aware that those who
have filled the vacant places are of quite a different stamp.
That the Premier does not underrate the importance of
keeping on goad terms with the advanced party is suffi-
dandy evidenced by his anxiety to get .and to keep Mr.
Bright ln.his Cal:duet, Buit the Whigs, Stpon.vhom Mr.
Gladstone has necessatily to rely en Much, take a different'
view of the dituation„ and regard the falling away of so.
many representative Olen—Bright, Otway, Trevelyan—
with little concern, so long as a few shadows belonging to
great houses are hoisted up. A more serious difficulty
still is the military question, and the position of the War
Secretary and the Commander-in-Chief.
The rumour is constantly spread that the gentle-
men who at present occupy these positions
are going, but they are never gone. The position is a
most embarrassing one. I am assured that Mr. Card-
well will remain in office to submit his scheme of
army reform, retiring if is should prove unsatisfactory.
Not only he, however, but the whole Government must
stand or fall by a measure of this class ; and yet there
• seems no chance of the adequate changes being made so
long as the Duke of Cambridge remains where he is. Ex-
perience has proved that the two things are incompa-
tible. In every circle the question is asked—has the Com-
mander-in-Chief resigned ? And as the wish is so often
father to the thought in these matters, the rumour is con-
stantly spread that he has resigned. But he has not, and
great.will be my astonishment if he does. There can be
no question as to public opinion on this matter. The
nation, wishing no harm to the royal duke, asks simply
for his withdrawal—nothing more, and certainly nothing

less.
Dark, indeed, are the prospects of that unfortunate Con,
ference. It may yet meet, but I consider the chances
greatly in favour of its postponement sine die. It
is almost impossible to secure anything like calm discus-
sion at this time of general excitement. Prussia is jealous
of France, and Austria eyes Russia with no favourable
glance. The two latter powers differ greatly in their views,
Austria being resolutely against allowing Russian war
ships to enter the Black Sea unless some compensation be
given, and Russia, of course, desiring to gain her end
without making any equivalent. It is more than doubtful,
too,'whether the French representative would not attempt
to bring the war under consideration ; and, if he did, then
the Prussian Ambassador would withdraw from the de-
liberations. In short, there is much danger, that the
conference, if it met, would degenerate into something
like a diplomatic free fight. To attempt to avert such a
result by obtaining a preliminary understanding before-
hand, and so doing the work of the Conference itself,
would be plainly absurd. It will be better to abandon the
meeting altogether than to bring about only a miserable
collapse ; and from all that I can hear the British Govern-
ment display not the slightest anxiety to press matters
forward.
Public interest in the war does not wane here. True,
the military situation is regarded with much less atten-
tion than formerly ; but to make amends the demonstra-
tions of sympathy with France are endless and most vehe-
ment in character. The feeling prevades all classes of
society. It is a state of enthusiasm almost bordering
upon frenzy. Mr. Carlyle, Mr. W. R. Greg, and a few
others yet remain to be converted, but the exceptions are
now few and far between. From the shaving-shop to the
aristocratic ciub, expressions of sorrow for the distress of
our neighbours, and devout wishes that hanging, blowing
up, or some other equally moderate fate may befal the
pious King, form the staple of conversation.
In public places people do not content them-
selves with mere applause when anything is said in
favour of France. They get into a state of delirium. They
jump on chairs, toss up their hats, wave handkerchiefs,
and roar with vociferous fury. In the theatres the Mar-
seillaise excites an extent of approbation which is never
accorded to the finest triumph of acting. This is not
merely the case at the notorious performances in
Leicester-square, but in the better class of houses, remote
from the districts in which a French population pre-
dominates. In one pantomime troops of children aro
dressed like French and Glerman soldiers, and a dis-
criminating public nightly visits the unhappy helmeted
urchins with bowie of execration..
The change ceatainly startling ; but I deem (he
sornmon explanation that all this sympathy is mere
sentiment, pity for the fallen, &c., a most mistaken one.
There is much more logic in the present attitude of the
English people than may appear on the surface. The
nation, or rather the Government which struck
the first blow, was so, far undoubtedly in
the wrong ; but there were certain circumstances
attendant upon the case which gave the Emperor's attack
a character differing materially from that of an aggressive
war pure and simple. These circumstances seem to be
generally forgotten—at least, I never find them alluded
to, though they have the most direct bearing upon
the subject. It is worth while to remember that
previously to 1866 the Emperor Napoleon and
Bismarck concluded an infamous bargain, by which
they were to enrich themselves at the expense
of their neighbours. The compact was so far
carried out that Bismarck got his share of the spoil ; but
when the other intriguer claimed a reward, a flat refusal
was the sole Prussian answer. In vain did the Emperor
plead that to go back empty-hauded to his indignant
people, after helping to build up Prussian greatness,
would be ruin to him. In vain did the poor man
offer to take anything, in order that it might not appear
that Bismarck was the sole gainer by these manoeuvres.
Not only was the same answer returned, but special care
was taken to expose the French sovereign's folly to all the
world. Such transactions were in their nature calculated to
lead to a war, and this is the war to which they have
led. The necessity of securing some support
to the tottering Imperial throne was the sole
determining influence. It is true that amongst the
French people there existed a hankering after the left
bank of the Rhine ; but during fifty years of peace this
desire had not taken a serious form, and there was
no reason to think it more dangerous than
many other national aspirations—the hunger ef Russia
after Constantinople, for example, and the hunger of
Prussia after things in general. It was Count Bismarck's
violation of his compact with the assistant conspirator
that made war inevitable. True, the German people
have a right to live in peace, and to defend
themselves; but can it be urged calmly and
deliberately that there was anything in this miserable
history to justify such sympathy for Germany as we have
felt at times for Italy, Poland, or Denmark ?
It is not incumbent upon us to assist Bismarck
in extracting profit from a situation which was in
great part of his own making. There is not the
slightest evidence to prove that he feared or regretted this
war, but very much to the hold of P
contrary—at he rather
courted it as a means of consolidating the russa
upon Germany. He is a much more clever man than
Napoleon, and so contrived not only to cheat, but
to cast the blame upon, the French ruler. Cleverness is
not, however, the sole measure of the difference between
right and wrong.
There is, of course, no prospect of peace at present, and
our political prophets have got into such lamentable
difficulties during this war that I shall not attempt to rival
them by predicting the time when au end of the struggle
may be looked for. Anything more wretched than the
figure cut by the Times, for example, in its divination
at divers epochs of this contest, it is not easy
to conceive. However, it is safe to say that the
Germans want peace. It is safe also to say that their
leaders are much disappointed at the long protraction of
the contest, and not at all anxious to go on longer than is
necessary to gain their demands—as is testified by the
semi-apologies on their behalf which are constantly ap-
pearing in the German papers having more or less inti-
mate relations with the Government. I have reason for
thinking too, than when Paris is taken an offer of peace
on " reduced terms " will be made by Count Bis-
marck in order to get well out of a most
disagreeable position. The discontent in Germany
is loud enough already. A spring campaign might
induced the suffering nation to prefer an irresistible
demand for peace. The Prussian Government has long
ceased to care whether it makes terms with the Republic
or any other Government so long as it gets Alsace. The
Emperor's cause never looked darker than it do
his
es
at present. That hard intriguing on
behalf is going on is beyond question. The

work of his agents lately became so vigorous that the
German authorities had to interfere to moderate it. lam
greatly misinformed, however, if much of this kind
of thing is going on in England. A gentleman
who has been the best friend of the Empress since
she came across the Channel tells me that political busi-
ness is quite in abeyance at Chislehurst. The Empress
does not believe in restoration by released prisoners. She
prefers to wait and see what the battle for power when
peace is concluded may bring forth.
I doubt if the appointment of General Shenck will do
so much to accelerate the settlement of the Alabama
claims as some writers seem to imagine. General
Schenck is a good representative, but then his coming
involves Mr. Motley's departure. The disgrace of the
historian's recall is felt by every class of politicians in
America. Mr. Motley is Mr. Sumner's friend; Mr.
Sarnner is on. b4a terms with President Grant ; therefore
Mr. Motley Is recalled to spite Mr, Sumner. Such is the
whole history of this business; and it is a history
which is little likely to prepossess the -Senate, where Mr.
Sumner has much influence, in favour of any settlement
of the Alabama claims, designed by General
Grant. I am assured by an Anglo - American
who keeps up constant communication with
political leaders across the Atlantic that the President
is laying up for himself a store of troubles which may
become as hopeless as those in which Mr. Johnson in-
volved himself during the latter part of his career.
The national school teachers are in high expectations
just now. Their emoluments have been at a rather
low ebb since the market became somewhat overstocked,
and since Mr. Lowe, arch enemy of the class, took
away some sources of income ; but now that a demand for
teachers may be expected, they hope to become
masters of the situation. People who are acquainted with
the history of the national system in its earlier stages
know that almost anybody could become a teacher
twenty years ago, for the quantity was so small that
quality was very little regarded. Are we likely
to be in the same difficulty now ? I hope not.
The Government would have acted most wisely had it
taken measures to secure a better supply of teachers—
demanding a higher qualification, and granting better
pay. The profession, or whatever it may be called, is in a
very bad way just at present. It has greatly declined in the
estimate of the working classes and small tradespeople,
who chiefly filled its ranks, and the additions of the last
few years have been of most inferior quality. Yet,
whilst so much useless talk has been poured out touching
he religious difficulty, nobody has paid any attention to
this important subject.
A horrible middle-aged barbarian of a friend tells me
that he saw his wife deeply meditating over the Times
newspaper this morning, Looking over her shoulder he
saw her finger mechanically placed upon a dire paragraph
in an obscure corner. The notification was to the effect
that the census would be held on April 3rd. " Evidently,"
said the monster,"she was considering what age she should
be." He was unfeeling enough to add that much study of
the same kind would be common throughout the country.
I do not believe him, of course ; but it may be just as well
to point out the date, so that nobody can have the excuse
of saying they were unprepared. If lam to believe this
hardened sinner, some remarkable cases occurred some
ten years ago, which chewed a lamentable lack of de-
liberation. There were ladies who must have been wives
at six and mothers at seven, and there was one remark-
able example of only thirty years of life proving sufficient
to attain the honourable position of grandmother. These
matters involve little difficulty when the position
is a simple one, but where the ideas of numerous
relatives have to be considered, great scope for
calculation and strategic skill presents itse. At the last
census there was a deadly quarrel betweenlf two insepar-
able sisters, one of whom would not come down to a
reasonable age. " They parted ne'er to meet again." The
other day one of the two died, leaving all her property to
charitable institutions, having no other relative than the
sister who refused to decently lower her term of

existence.
Amongst the newest of projects is a tramway to be laid
along the roads to the new Exhibition building, South
Kensington. The line will be permanently used by
visitors to the annual international displays, and it is
thought that the rails may be laid with American celerity
by May Ist. At Liverpool, last year, the American firm
laying down the tramways had their men working all day
and all night. Not an hour was lost from the com-
mencement of the undertaking till the cars were put on
the station.
Attention has been drawn by a contemporary to the
new pattern in coats to be seen everywhere in the London
streets this winter, but no mention has been made of the
reform in dress matters adopted by the ladies. The
appearance of the Ulster overcoats is of insignificant im-
portance compared with the sudden disappearance of high
heeled boots, and extravagant paniers. A walk along
Regent-street would probably tend to gratify the pro-
vincial tourist in respect of the fashions. The ladies,
whether in consequence of Mr. Worth's imprisonment or
not, eschew elaborateness of costume in toto. The
hats worn are those of last spring, high straw trimmed
for the most part with lavender velvet and feathers, with
flowers of many hues. The jackets are still small, but have
become most unpretending and neat, all thought of mili-
tary and naval braiding, or bugles, or bows being dis-
discarded. The rage for flounces has died away, and the
Hessian-patterned boots have been laid aside. Girls
appear the ordinary height all round, and exhibit a syrn-
metry that is natural. The present winter dresses, dark
velveteens, provide as suitable a garment as the most
fastidious person in the streets could desire. Altogether
the return to grace and sensibility is remarkable just at
present, and the old phrase "quiet English girls," even
applied in connection with such a capricious thing as
dress, may be once again brought from the dictionary
and made use of, without the liability of causing
laughter.
The art galleries in London, especially Christie's and
Colonel Stuart Wortley's exhibition of photographs, are
the most fashionable places of resort in this horribly
muddy season. Walks in the Parks and riding seem out
of the question, so one goes from art gallery to art
gallery, takes a stroll along the right-hand side
of Piccadilly, and goes home contented. There is a
, good deal of enjoyment to he had in the picture collections
though they contain nothing of very special moment
just now. Mr. Holman Hunt's sketch for the principal
group of the "Finding in the Temple " has been on
view during the week at Christie's. It will
probably be bought for the nation. It is to be
sold among other effects of the late Mr. Halliday, a well-
, known andlamented artist, to whom Mr. Hunt presented it.
I An annual art exhibition is to be held in Liverpool ; this
year it will take place in the Free Public Library—an
enormous building. The Society of Arts are taking up
the subject of music, and propose giving a series of con-
certs, in order to assist in the establishment of a National
Training Sohool for Music.

A. meettng of working men, in opposition to the
war policy advocated at the meeting in St. James's Hall,
on Tuesday last, is being convened by the Workmen's
National Peace Association.
In the report of the chief engineer, presented to
the executive committee of the Manchester Steam Users'
Association this week, it was stated that during the past
year there had been ten household boiler explosions, re-
sulting in the death of five persons, and the serious injury
of six others.
THE IRISH GRAND JURY LAWS.—The following
petition on the grand jury laws of Ireland, which have for
some years past more or less occupied the attention of
Irish farmers, was adopted a few days since at a meeting
of the Clonmel Farmers' Club—Mr. john Bagwell, D.L.,
M.P., in the chair :—" To the Knights and Burgesses of
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in
Parliament assembled. The humble petition of the
Clonmel Farmers' Club and others— Sheweth, that the
present grand jury laws' in Ireland are unjust in prin-
ciple ; that the largest amount of the oess is levied off
the occupying tenants, as in the South Riding of
Tipperary the tenant farmers pay £96 6s. Bd. of every
£lOO, and also pay rent for the land on which 1,200
miles of roads are made, for which originally
the fee simple was paid as damages equal to £6,000
a year : that in 1842 and 1845 two committees
recommended the elective system and barony boards ;
that the last select committee, which sat in 1868, chewed
on the evidence of very competent persons, that it cost
.E2l a head for pauper lunatics in the asylum, when a
similar class cost only £9 in the workhouse ; that the
tenant farmer has no control over the expenditure or in
the appointment of the officials ; tht the whole is a axa-
tion without representation, so thatry to the s t pirit of
the British Constitution, and that it is very humiliating
to the ratepayers to have frequently to beg by memorial
of the grand jury the redress of grievances connected with
the raising and expenditure of the county cess. Your
petitioners respectfully pray that with such a statement
of undeniable facts bearing on an Act of Parliament that
has permitted so many glaring abuses, your honourable
house will take their case into consideration, and make
such change in the grand jury laws as to you seem fit.—
JOHN BAGWELL, Chairman."
CAN I AFFORD IT ?—Pay your Stationer 6d. for a reply.
Map of the World gratis in all Letts's Office Diaries. Letts's
6d. and ls. Diaries give most value for your money. Letts's
Housekeepers' and Ladies' Diaries are much improved. Letts's
'invisible Ink for Postal Cards, Gd. per bottle.

HE SUN, LONDON, FRID AA, JANUARY 13,

--------
MAJOR-GENEIONRAL NORMAN ON THE CON-
DIT OF THE INDIAN ARMY.
At the anniversary dinner of the Scotchnaen resident
in Calcutta, held in the Town Hall of that city on St.
Andrew's Day, Major-General Norman, in replying to the
toast of " The Army and Navy," made the following re
marks :—" Of the excellence of the material of our army I
have no doubt whatever, but we must all have now
learned that great results are not attainable with small
means, and our standing, army is very small. It is true
that we have large bodies of militia and volunterse,
will
but
some system of organisation is wanted, and I hope
soon be devised, by which at any time we may be able to
make use of a large portion of the pick of our man-
hood, trained and armed at the shortest notice to
back up, and, if necessary, reinforce our active army.
Here in India we have an army which we may esti-
mate in round numbers at 180,000 men, of whom
about 60,000 are British, with rather
nor® than 409
ecollect
field guns. It is not a large army when we r
the great extent of country it has to occupy, and the
work that it may any day be called on to perform ; but it
is, I believe, in excellent order, and fit and ready and
anxious for service. There has been some delay in supply-
' hag the whole of the British troops in India with rifles,
owing in some degree to a doubt as to whether the Henry-
Martini rifle would not soon supersede the Snider ; but
there willbe no more delay. A considerable number of the
regiments abroad have the Snider ; others are about to
receive it, and I trust before the hot weather has set in
every British soldier in India—aye, and I hope every
Volunteer—will be armed with a Snider, while a con-
siderable portion of the Native Regiments have received
or will receive the Enfield rifle. In the artil-
lery, a new pattern bronze muzzle-loading rifled
gun has been adopted, said to be simple and
durable, with great range and much accuracy of
fire. Indeed, many competent jndges consider that
this gun is equal to, if not superior to, any field gun in
any of the armies of the world. It has also the advan-
tage of being capable of being manufactured out here,
as soon as the machinery arrives, and meanwhile we
have the satisfaction of believing that a large supply
of these guns will soon be on their way to us." The
usual toasts followed. Above one hundred guests were
present.
-------

WRECK OF
LIVE R TWO VESSELS NEAR
POOL.

THE WAR.

BY BALLOON MAIL.-

SUPPOSED LOSS OF EIGHT LIVES.
We regret to see that a serious disaster happened
off the Mersey on Wednesday night, when two outward
bound vessels struck on the bar. The barque
Crescent, 600 tons, bound for Havanna, and
the Greek brig Calliope, bound for Syra, both
laden with cools, left the port, proceeding in tow
to the bar. Shortly after being cast off a sudden change
of the wind occurred, just as the vessels were crossing the
bar ; the consequence was that both vessels struck vio-
lently ; the brig remained, but the barque beat over, and,
as a result of the injuries she had sustained by striking, sunk
in deep water. As soon as possible the lifeboat proceeded
out to render assistance, but on arriving at the scene of the
disaster it was ascertained that the crew of the brig had
been taken off, after great difficulty, by the tug Royal
Arch, which landed them at Liverpool. The crew of the
barque took to two of the boats, and the captain and
eight of the men were subsequently picked up by another
boat and landed there. The captain's wife, child, pilot,
and five seamen were still missing up to an early hour on
Thursday morning.

THE CASE OF LA.FTITTE AND CO.

- - -
The Master of the Rolls delivered judgment on the claim
of £150,000 made by Monsieur C. Lafitte against the
banking, financial, and general maritime agency of that
name, established under the auspices of the National
Bank in Paris and London, during that year of com-
mercial panic and disaster 1866. From a private
undertaking the concern was converted into a joint stock
company, but its financial operations were of such
a character that no remunerative bussiness was
transacted, and after a short existence it went into liqui-
dation, a very small proportion of the capital of three
millions having been realised. M. Lafitte now claimed
the 2150,000, which it was agreed to pay him for the
transfer of the business, but the claim was objected to by
the shareholders, on two grounds : first, that the original
prospectus contained representations which, it was alleged,
were grossly false ; and secondly, that the contract had
never been completed. The first objection
his lordship held to be fatal to the claim,
because instead of the consideration promised tr be paid
being in the ratio of the profits during a series of years, it
was obvious that the whole scheme was entered into
blindfold, and that scarcely a book was inspected. The
shareholders having been deceived by the prospectus,
were now exonerated from the payment of calls, and en-
titled to repudiate the shares standing in their names,
but at the same time he did not think M. Lafitte was
personally liable to great blame. Therefore while re-
jecting the claim, he would do so without costs'.

REFORM IN DRESS.
Ona of the most interesting circumstances in connec-
tion with the present eventful winter is the appearance of
several, persons in the streets in long great coats extending
from the neck to the heels, and giving the wearers the
appearance of what are generally known among
children as " Noah's Ark m in." These garments
are perhaps more comfortable than picturesque ;
but they are interesting to behold, inasmuch as they are a
symptom of courage in respect of dress which leads to
the hope that a mighty revolution is at hand productive
of convenience to all mankind. A man who is brave
enough to walk down Regent-street enveloped in a
wrapper so long, so ample, that spectators are obliged to
htrust to his honour that he has any clothes beneath it
surely would not be afraid to discard the uncomfortable
hat which has so long interfered with human
happiness and wear in its stead a wideawake or " billy-
cock." No man will be so deserving of admiration as he
who first has the courage to " throw his hat into the
ring"
naw ioimore
e and fight
tfitted
t hewtiihrt with
nt
thepla
place.
prejudicesouserAs
fg.
r‘ovrehai
tc hm existo
liunt
isfavour
s,
of this uncomfortable appendage. When the hat is fairly
gone probably the trousers will follow, and knicker-
bockers and gaiters, and some other coverings
also urgently required in what is called " evening dress"
for both men and women. Some costume, perhaps, will
one day be discovered enabling the wearer to be inde-
pendent of cabs and carriages. Society will really never
be comfortable until people can walk to it. At present
many estimable persons—unambitious chaperons and
attractive young ladies—are utterly debarred from London
society because of the difficulties as regards locomotion,
in the evening. They, or rather their husbands and
fathers, cannot afford to set up stables in London, and no
ladies dressed in gorgeous evening attire like to get into
muddy cabs, reeking with the smell of tobacco smoke,
which have perhaps just set down a patient at the
gates of the Smallpox Hospital. Ladies ought to
beable to walk to their balls and parties through-
orderly streets clothed in long wrappers something like
those which have covered the divine form of man this
winter, wearing overshoes, and, if need be, carrying um-
brellas over their heads. If her Majesty would hold one
drawing-room, to which everybody was requested
to walk in decent clothing, not only would
the street traffic be wonderfully relieved, but a
great boon would be bestowed on society in general. Nor
would the great dressmaking interests suffer in reality,
for people must wear some clothes, and there would be a
greater demand for useful garments of a less objectionable
nature as regards health and appearance than those now
generally worn. —Pall Mall Gazette.

The death is announced of Lady Parher, widow o
the late Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.8., Admiral o
the Fleet.
The Birmingham papers state that a private meet-
ing of the creditors of Mr. W. T. Adcock, late secretary
to the Stourbridge Railway Company, was held
Worcester County Court, before the Registrar. The
bankrupt did not surrender, nor was any statement of
accounts submitted. A trustee and a committee of
inspection. were appointed, and the public examina-
tion of the bankrupt was appointed for the 22nd of
February.
THE CAMPAIGN IN THE NORTII.—It appears that
the French Generals Faidherbe and Peletingeas planned
a joint enterprise for the recapture of Rouen. Thal e scheme
however failed, like many others. Whe Gener Faid-
herbe, after routing the great bulk of Manteuffel's army
was to march upon Rouen from the north-east, General.
Peletingeas, commanding the army of Havre, was to ap-
proach it from the west ; and General Roy, military
' commander of the departments of Eure and Calvados,
from the south. I don't think, says a correspondent, the
promised advance of General Faidherbe , f rom
Amiens was much believed in ; but the arrival of
General Peletingeas from Havre, and of General Roy
from the neighbourhood of Elbceuf, was, on the night of
the 3rd. confidently expected for the following morning.
It was known that General Manteuffel had come back to
Rouen on the 2nd, and on the evening of the 3rd
nearly the whole of the troops quartered here were seen
to march across the Pont de Pierre, in the direction of
Elbceuf, leaving, I should think, about half a company
to keep order in a city of 140,000 inhabitants,
out
of
whom at least 30,000 are workmen with
work. The battle began before daylight, the pursuit
lasted until after dark, and was renewed on the following
morning ; but the victory was virtually gained when the
first blow was struck, or, rather, the first shot fired. Here
and there on the road alongwhicl the French were driven,
or on the wooded heights by which the road is in many
1 places commanded, they made a desperate resistance, but
it was throughout a question, in regard to the French,
of the rate of retreat, never a question of retreat or
advance.

THE BOMBARDMENT OF PARIS

-FROM THE SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
OF THE " CENTRAL PRESS.")

PARIS, JANUARY 6TH.
The public, civil, and military are not altogether well
satisfied with the management of affairs. The evacuation
of Avron has called forth a good deal of angry com-

plaint, though in a military point of view it was
absolutely necessary at the time it was effected. General
Trochu visited the heights of Avron the day before, and.
decided that it was imperative the artillery and infantry
should be at once withdrawn, as the heavy guns of the
enemy had silenced the French, and further exposure of
the men was consequently useless. During the night the
troops therefore retired behind the forts, and
on the following morning the bombardment
of the place was renewed with such effect
on the plateau that the prudence of the removal
was very clearly shewn. It is loudly complained, how-
ever, that the military authorities had neglected to render
this important defensive position tenable, at least for a
longer time, by the erection of casemated batteries.
Seventy-four pieces of artillery were placed in the plateau.
but the earthworks, which were thrown up, were of
no importance. The guns, with one exception, were
safely removed, and many of them are to be placed in a
redoubt which will, it is hoped, with the assistance of
Forts Rosny and Noisy, will prevent the Prussians from
establishing themselves on Avron. The latter are not
sparing their shot and shell. During one day
they poured against the forts between 5,000 and
6,000 rounds, but only five persons were killed, and 29
wounded—no very great result. The enemy are strength-
ening their lines, and burning the houses near Malmaison.
The explosion, which was supposed to be the blowing up
of the Rouen Railway, proved to have been that of the
Saint Germain Railway bridge. The Prussians are building
themselves bridges of boats.
The National Guard has shewn great spirit, and at
Fort Nogent the governor had the other day the
opportunity of observing for himself their enthusiasm
and devotion under eight hours bombardment. The
three classes, National Guard, Mobiles, and Line,
are to be associated in the work of defence, the Govern-
ment having become aware of the jealousy which exists in
the line and among the Mobiles, who f aucy the National
Guard are unduly favoured, although, says a writer to
the newspapers, they have their parents and friends to
aid and protect them. This malcontent himself belongs
to the 137th Regiment of the Line, in which he is a volun-
teer, and he complains that while the line have had all the
hard work they are not protected against the cold, and
the Uovernment has not so much as given them flannel
shirts or gloves. He would not blame the Government
for their solicitude for the mobilised National Guards,
if they only allowed them to share the perils and sufferings
of the other troops, but they are carefully kept out of
harm's way, and if the National Guard had spirit it would
demand to be led en masse against the enemy.
The military malcontents are not the only ones with whom
the Government has to contend, however. Complaints
are general against the want of energy which has been
displayed in the conduct of the defence. At a recent
meeting of the Government, matters, it is said, went
as far that one of the members demanded General
Trochu should resign. -He refused to do so, and was
supported by Jules Favre and Ernest Picard, who
declared if the Governor resigned, they would resign also.
This rumour is not authenticated, but it is certain that
the feeling of discontent is widely spread, and the Demo-
crats take advantage of every opportunity which offers to
excite and inflame the public mind. The mayors of
the various arrondissements demand to have a voice in
the direction of affairs, since they share the responsibility
of the Government.

General Trochu, as governor of Paris, issued an
address to the people with the view of tranquillizing
the public, in which he said that great efforts
were being made to break the ties of union and
reciprocal confidence which had enabled Paris to stand
and resist, after more than one hundred days' siege.
The enemy, despairing to deliver Paris to Germany
as soon as he had announced, tried to intimidate
the defence by bombarding the forts. All the failures
due to the extreme severity of the weather, to excessive
fatigue and constant sufferings, are made the most
of by the enemy, who pretends, moreover, that
the members of the Government are divided in their
views. The army has suffered 7reat hardships, and needs
a short repose ; but the enemy maintains the most violent
bombardment which any troops have ever experienced.
The army of Paris, however, prepares for
vigorous action, and all alike will do their duty.
In conclusion, General Prochu declares that no
dissension has arisen in the Government Councils, but
that all are united to face the perils and anguish of the
country in the hope of its deliverance. This address satis-
fied no one. It was considered as only an apology for the
series of mistakes which have been committed. No
great faith was put in the assertion that the
Government is perfectly united. Troehu is said to belong
to the monarchic religious party, and to have a marked
preference for the Orleanists. It is suspected in some
quarters that he neither wishes to make a serious resist-
ance, nor to make peace, but to capitulate through famine,
as then Prussia would impose a new master on France,
whereas in the other cases the Republic would be secured.
It is fair to add that this impression is by no means
unanimous, and that a short proclamation which Trochu
is now having placarded throughout the town, declaring
that he '• will rot capitulate," has given general satisfac-
tion. The Reds have issued posters to-day, but they
were torn down by the people, and a demonstration of
some GOO in the streets producel no disturbance of public
order.
The bombardment seems to have actually produced
a beneficial effect ; for it has exasperated the
majority of the population to such a degree that they
will not allow anything to interfere with the
defence. The residents in the quarter which
has had the benefit of the Prussian shells are
perfectly calm and collected. The Government
has this morning published a proclamation on the bom-
bardment, in which it avers that the violence of the
enemy will redouble the resolution of the city. It will
shew itself worthy of the Army of the Loire, which has
driven back the enemy, and of the Army of the North,
which marches to its assistance. The clubs are still
clamouring for the commune.

The other evening at the club Favie, at Beleville, great
excitement was displayed during the discussion of various
questions of social interest. A unanimous resolution was
aiopted that the Government should be called upon to
suspend the payment of rents, because it was not just
that the privileges of capitalists should be
maintained at such a crisis. The resolution was
to be sent to the other clubs to meet their
approval and support. On the question of food being dis-
cussed one of the speakers said that there were sufficient
provisions in stock for four months, only they must seek
them where they were to be found, which was chiefly in
the hiding-places of religious corporations and curds. He
knew some curds in retreat who eat fresh meat
every day. Another speaker referred to the
complaints which had been made against the people
for having cut down trees and torn up plantations, and
said that necessity had no law, and for his part, if he were
sent to prevent unfortunate beings from seeking means to
warm themselves, he should be inclined to assist the first
one be met with. Jules Ferry had ordered a wood
to be kept for himself, which the Mayor in-
tended to use for the benefit of the poor
and when the people took possession of it Jules Ferry
called it a robbery, being ignorant apparently that a so-
called robbery is often nothing but a vindication of one's
rights. The plan of the Government was to let the
people die of cold and hunger, so that they
might the more readily agree to a capitula-
tion. The military question was next considered, and
it was maintained by one speaker that, according to the
rights of all civilised nations, the garrison of a besieged
town was authorised, after the hundredth day of siege,
to employ any means, however barbarous, to free them-
selves. The Government must be aware of all this, and
they could now make use of Greek fire. The efficacy of
Greek fire had been called in question, but it had
lately been brought to perfection, and a single fusee
could kill thousands of Prussians provided only it reached
them. An incendiary bomb-shell had been offered to the
Government, which would burst three times, but the
inventor was sent to the Artillery Committee, and they
all knew what that meant. But the Government did not
want to carry on the work of defence. It wished
to surrender to the Prussians ; nothing but the
Communes could save them. But there was no time
to lose. They must immediately march upon the Hotel
de Ville, for the " parrot' Jules Favre could not save
them, and still less could Trochu do so. There were
Bonapartists in the forts, and only the day before they
tried to give up Mont Valdrien. (This last declaration
called forth murmurs of dissent.) The speaker
concluded by vehemently upholding the . merits
of the Commune, which would be equal to