The Sun.
London, England, 1871-01-19 00:00:00

DEPARTURE OF M. DE FONVIELLE.

Yesterday M. de Fonvielle, editor of La Liberte, who
some weeks ago made his escape from Paris in a balloon,
and has since been engaged in England on important
business for the French Government, took his farewell
leave of his numerous friends in London, previous to
his departure in order to endeavour to again re-enter
Paris. Previous to his departure he desired an
opportunity to publicly thank, in the name of his Go-
vernment, the numerous English friends of France, and
also those of other nationalities, who during his visit
here have shewn so much sympathy for his country in her
great misfortune. The final interview took place at the
French Minister's Reception Committee-room, Hatton-
garden. Mr. Merriman presided, and numerous friends
had assembled to tender their expressions of sympathy
previous to M. Fonvielle's departure. On the motion of
Mr. Odger the meeting adopted an address of
sympathy with France. It was signed on behalf of
the meeting, and M. de Fonvielle was to convey it to
the people of Paris, and make it as public as possible
throughout the whole of France. M. Fonvielle, who on
rising was loudly cheered, said he thanked the meetin
and also the sympathisers with his country, most heartily
for their kindness and good feeling. He was sorry that
before his departure he had not some definite news to
give them respecting the suspected visit of Jules Favre
to the European Conference. He would, when he got to
France, have the message from the people of England
Published in the French papers, and he was quite sure
that his countrymen would appreciate their kindness, and
be thankful for their sympathy, He would no all he
could to get the French Government to send a repre-
sentative over, either from Bordeaux or some other place,
if Jules Favre could not come. He then asked them
all to accept his thanks, and, having sat down amidst
enthusiastic applause, shook hands with those present and
retired.

DESPATCH FROM COUNT 1)E CHAUDORDY

TO M. TISSOT.

We are informed that on the 11th instant M. de
Chaudordy, Delegate at Bordeaux from the Ministry
for Foreign Affairs, . addressed to M. Tissot, Charg6
d'Affaires of France in London, a despatch in reply to
some observations suggested to Lord Granville
by the complaints of Count Bernstorff with regard
to the soi-disant violation of the neutrality of the
Belgian territory by a few French Franc-tireurs.
In this despatch M. de Chaudordy shows that this
violation was accidental, and caused by the presence be-
forehand of Prussian soldiers on Belgian territory, and
that, on the contrary, the neutrality of this territory
is regularly and continually violated by the
Prussians, who have their mails escorted by
armed Uhlans. Prussia also continually violates
the neutrality of the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg
by her Uhlans and by detachments of troops, who cross
the territory of the Grand Duchy to return to their corps.
Finally, Prussia retains, notwithstandig energetic demands,
a large number of waggons belonging to the Luxemburg
railway, as well as Swiss and Austrian waggons, which
they use for military purposes. M. de Chaudordy's
despatch concludes by begging M. Tissot to declare
to Lord Granville that, "in the midst of her trials,
France has held fast to her honour in respecting inter-
national law, and learns with regret that any credit could
have been given to the false declarations of a Power
which has never scrupled to violate it."—lllorning Post.

ACCEPTANCE OF THE IMPERIAL DIGNITY
BY THE KING OF PRUSSIA.
BERLIN, January 18.

A proclamation of the King of Prussia to the German
people has been forwarded through Count Itzenplitz to
the Upper and Lower Houses of the Prussian Diet. It
runs as follows :—" We, William, by God's grace, King
of Prussia, hereby announce that the German Princes and
Free Towns having addressed to us a unanimous call
to renew and undertake with the re-establishment
of the German Empire the dignity of Emperor, which
now for sixty years has been in abeyance, and the
requisite provisions having been inserted in the constitu-
tion of the German Confederation, we regard it as a duty
we owe to the entire Fatherland to comply with this call
of the United German Princes and Free Towns,
and to accept the dignity of Emperor. Ac-
cordingly, we and our successors to the Crown
of Prussia henceforth shall use the Imperial
tittle in all our relations and affairs of the German
Empire, and we hope to God that it may be
vouchsafed to the German nation to lead the
Fatherland on to a blessed future under the aus-
pices of its ancient splendour. We undertake the
Imperial dignity, conscious of the duty to protect
with German loyalty the rights of the Empire
and its members, to preserve peace, to maintain
the independence of Germany, and to strengthen
the power of the people. We accept it in the
hope that it will be granted to the German people
to enjoy in lasting peace the reward of its ardu-
ous and heroic struggles within boundaries which
will give to the Fatherland that security against
renewed French attacks which it has lacked for
centuries. May God grant to us and our successors to
the Imperial Crown that we may be the defenders of but
e
German Empire at all times, not in martial conquests,
in works of peace in the sphere of national prosperity,
freedom, and civilisation." After Count Itzenplitz had read
the proclamation of the King relative to the Imperial
dignity in both Houses of the Prussian Diet, the Pre-
sidents made speeches referring to the high significance of
this document, and calling for cheers for Germany's
Emperor—King William. The members cheered unani-
mously. '['he Lower House determined to reply to the
proclamation by an address.—Renter's Telegram.

CRYSTAL PAL One Shilling Day, Tuesday,
January 17th, 1871.—Admission by season tickets, 1,688 ;
ditto on payment, 2,582 ; total visitors, 4,270.
We (Record) are enabled to state that the Premier
has offered the deanery of Canterbury to Dr. Hook, the
Dean of Chichester. On the death of Dean Stevens, Dr.
Hook was offered, but declined, the deanery of Rochester,
and is said to have stated that he would only move to the
deanery of Winchester. Dr. Hook is a septuagenarian,
born in 1708.

OUR COTEMPORARIES---This Morning

BOURBAKI AND HIS ARMY.

The Times, in commenting on the movements of the
French general, says :—Bourbaki's objects are somewhat
vaguely said to be to raise the siege of Belfort, to fall
upon the German communications at Nancy, Chalons,
or Troyes, and, finally, to make his way across the
Rhine and carry the war into the enemy's country.
An attentive perusal of the late telegrams, and the study
of a good map, will chew how close Bourbaki has got to
his main object, yet what obstacles still lie before him and
its attainment. Up to Monday last Bourbaki could report
no further progress than that he was " continuing to ad-
vance in the direction of Belfort." He will have to take
time into account, for his best chance of overcoming
Von Werder's resistance lies in acting with energy
before Manteuffel's arrival. If that General and
his reinforcements were to come down upon him,
either from Nancy or Strasburg, Bourbaki would run the
risk of being attacked both in front and rear, and the only
resource then left to him would be a retreat on Besancon
and Lyons. All things considered, even while the final
result of Bourbaki's expedition is still a matter
of doubt, we have little hesitation in consider-
it as egregious a blunder as MacMahon's march
to Sedan, though in all probability not so fatal in
its eventual consequences. Be it borne in mind, too, that
MacMahon only erred as to the means ; for nothing could
have been more desirable than his object, had it only been
attainable. To raise the siege of Met; to rescue Bazaine's
large army, was an attempt for which much might
well be risked. MacMahon staked himself and his
army on his move. Bourbaki, at the very outset, deter-
mined the fate of Chanzy. So little, in France's ex-
tremity, is the wisdom which presides over her councils ;
so little are the skill and knowledge that direct her mili-
tary operations.