The Sun.
London, England, 1847-12-29 00:00:00

following account of the late proceedings of ABD-

to the Holy Ghost, and a Veni Creator was chanted
by the Archbishop of Paris, on the occasion of the
opening of the Chambers. But, instead of cele-
brating that mass at Notre Dame, as was the custom
under the Restoration, it was performed in the chapel
of the Palace of the Luxembourg. The Duke Pas-
quier, the Chancellor, the Duke Decazes, the Grand
Referendary, and about 100 peers assisted at the
ceremony."
A preparatory sitting of the Chamber of Deputies
was held on Monday. The Dad., says—
"At three o'clock the Deputies, in number 250,
assembled ta ith closed doors in the Hall of Conference.
The President of the Council and all the Ministers
who are Deputies attended. M. Dupont de l'Eure,
the oldest member of the Chamber, not being present,
the questors invited M. Sapey to take the President's
chair by right of seniority. The four youngest
members of the Assembly, MM. Portalis, Oscar de
Lafayette, de Merode, and de la Guiche, acted as
secretaries. Those officers will preside at the first
sittings of the Chamber. The President balloted for
the deputation of 20 members who are to receive the
King on his arrival on Tuesday at the Chamber.
The deputation is composed of MM. Costs, Gilloa,
de Grammont, Meilheurat, De las Cases, Louis Rey-
baud Demenfoe, Francois Delessert, Boulay (de la
Meurthe), Lacrosse, Calmon, jun., Potier of Porn-
meray, General Esperonnier, de Falloux, Lecoulteux,
Esnault, Lemasson, de Staplaude, Lapene, Abbat-
tucci. On Wednesday, the 29th, the Chamber will
be occupied with the organization of its monthly
Committees, with the examination of the qualifica-
tions of the newly-elected Deputies, and with the
election of President. The Conservative party will
support M. Sauzet. The Opposition, it is said, will
assemble on Tuesday to agree as to the candidates
whom they will propose for the functions of Presi-
dent, Vice-Presidents, and Secretaries of the Chamber.
It is believed that M. Odillon Barrot will be the
Opposition candidate for, the Presidency."
MM. COLLORBDO and RA.DOWITZ were presented
to the KING on Thursday. Their situation at present
is somewhat singular.
" Everybody," says the Union Afonarchique, "is
astonished at the absolute silence of the Ministerial

journals respecting the sojourn at Paris of Messrs.
COLLOREDO and RADOWITZ, after the sort of eclat
with which the same journals lately announced the
proximate arrival of these two diplomatists. That
mystery has been explained to us. On the ath inst.
a double note, claiming in clear and precise terms the
immediate co-operation of Austria and Prussia in
an energetic intervention in the affairs of Switzer-
land, was addressed from the Minister of Foreign
Affairs to the Cabinets of Vienna and Berlin. On

the following day, the 9th, an extraordinary Council
was held at St. Cloud, at which M. GulzoT men•
tioned the decisive step he had taken the day before
Most of the persons present approved the more readily
what had been done, as on that point their opinion coin-
cided with a certain supreme will, which presided at
the deliberations of the assembly. Nevertheless, two
of its members had the courage openly to condemn it,
namely, Marshal SEBASTIAN' and M. DUCHATEL,
Minister of the Interior. Both those gentlemen en-
deavoured, by long and warm explanations, to demon-
strate the inexpediency and danger of the measure.
The last argument which the eloquence of M. Du-
CHATEL used, in that circumstance, was a formal
menace to tender his resignation on that day, in case
any project of intervention in Switzerland was adopted
by the Council. After this stormy conference, two
couriers were immediately dispatched at all risks on
the road to Vienna and Berlin, in pursuit of the
bearer of the unlucky note, who, having had a start of
24 hours, could not be overtaken in time. The re-
sult was, that the two last couriers met half. way MM.
COLLORZDO and RADOWITZ, who had departed post-
haste on receipt of the first note, and whose arrival
at Paris has become, as may be easily imagined, a
strange embarrassment for our Government."
On the same subject the Presse says--
"The Constitutionnel announces that MM. de Col-
loredo and Radowitz, the Envoys Extraordinary of
the Cabinets of Vienna and Berlin at the conference
which was at first to take place at Neufchatel, on the
affairs of Switzerland, arrived on Thursday in Paris.
The Constitutionnel is correctly informed, but what it
has omitted to say is that a courier had been sent for-
ward by M. Guiaot to recommend MM. Colloredo
and Radowitz to turn back, seeing that the French
Cabinet had changed its opinion as to the necessity of
an armed intervention, or at least of an energetic de-
monstration. It would appear that the courier did
not fall in with MM. de Colleredo and Radowitz in
time, since they had arrived. But why has M.
Guizot altered his mind, and returned the sword to its
scabbard ? That is what we know from too good a
source to be able to say."
This last phrase is suggestive, when we recollect
the many and frequent interviews which have of late
taken place between the KING and Count MOLE.
Count Kissxnisrr, the Russian Chargé d'Affaires
at Paris, has received official notice of his appointment
as Envoy Extraordinary, as the EMPEROR does not
intend to accredit an Ambassador to the Court of
France.
We find the following statistics of the French
imports and exports in the Press* t—
" The sum total of the corn imported during the
first eleven months of this year has attained the
figure of 8,829,637 metrical quintals. This is
twice and one-half as much as last year, and eight
time as much as the year 1845. The duties
levied amount to 3,000,0001., whilst last year
they produced nearly 9,000,0001., although the
quantity of wheat imported this year was twice
and one-half more considerable. The difference
arises from the import duty having been suspended
by a temporary Bill which will expire next month.
Our imports of cotton wool have suffered a consider-
able diminution. As compared with the year 1846,
they diminished to the amount of 172,000 quintals.
This is a p-roof of a considerable falling of in our
manufactures. The quantity of coal and cast iron
imported continues to increase progressively. This
may be easily explained by our improved machinery
and the development of our railroads. Notwithstand-
ing the exorbitant duty levied on coffee, the quantity
consumed is daily increasing. Is not this an evident
proof of the advantages which the Treasury
would find in assisting this tendency by a
reduction of the duty ? But the Government pre-
fers to reduce the duty on nankin, which produced
during the year 1846 but two tons of freight, to
diminish that on coffee, which produced 30,000 tons.
It is thus that the Minister encourages and extends
the mercantile navy. We cannot, therefore, be
astonished that our flag should every day lose more
ground. The last official returns demonstrate a
serious decline in the number of French ships em-
ployed. For example, the number entered inwards
during the present year is 272 less than in the year
1846, while the number of foreign ships is increased
by 1,228. The outward-hound French ships have
increased by 92, and foreign ships by 839. And the
Minister of Commerce imagines that he will arrest
this falling off by reducing the duty on Indian
nankin 1 This would set us laughing if the matter
were not too serious."
The National bas the following on the occupation
of Ferrara :
"We had long foreseen that this would be the re-
sult of the diplomatic conferences between Vienna and
Rome. No attention has been
paid to the protests of
Cardinal Gonsalvi lately renewed by the Roman
Government ; the pretensions founded by Austria are
not enforced; but they are not abandoned ; things are
merely placed in the state in which they were before
the attempt was made against which the three powers
of the Italian Union have protested. We regret
without doubt that this affair has not had a better
termination, but we are glad to see that, after having
made a step in advance, Austria has made a retro-
grade movement. What is incontestable at present
is that Count d'Auersperg did not follow his fancy,
but his instructions, when, after having filled Ferrara
with troops, after having occupied militarily the
gates of the town, he sent out detachments into the
country parts, and caused the trumpet of war to be
heard everywhere. Was it therefore afterwards to
withdraw that he advanced so far ? That certainly
is not likely. What is the truth is that Austria at-
tempted to arrest the liberal movemeat in the Roman
States by the menace of an armed intervention, and
to support, by occupying the legations of Ferrara,
Ravenna, and perhaps Bologna, the coup de main,
which the retrograde party were to attempt in the
capital on July 15. But the vigilance of the people
having led to the downfal of that plot, the plans of
Austria were disconcerted. Afterwards took place
the national demonstrations in the Roman, Tuscan,
and Piedmontese towns, and the engagement entered
into by the three Courts of Rome, Florence, and Turin
to defend conjointly the territory against all foreign
invasion. Then Austria made up her mind to let
matters take their course, particularly as she could
not easily prevent them from doing so, and renounced,
at least tor the present, to engage in a matter which
appeared so full of peril. Such is the explanation of
her conduct."
M. GraoiD, de I'Ain, Peer of France, who was
at one time Minister of Public Instruction and
Keeper of the Seals, died on Monday morning.
Count Dußois, Prefect of Paris under the Ex.
I'ZILOR, died on Saturday. He was in the ninetieth
year of his age.
The Akbar, of Algiers, of the 21st, gives the

EL-KADER
" Abd-el-Kader, being with his deira surrounded
and deprived of resources, came to a desperate reso-
lution. Seeing no other chance of salvation than in a
bold attempt, he decided on attacking the nearest
camp of the enemy, which was commanded by one
of the sons of the Emperor. He even, it is said,
told the Arabs under his orders that those who did
not feel that they had courage enough to attach them-
selves to his destiny were free, and might make their
submission to the French. Hei fixed upon the night
of the 11th for the attack upon the enemy's camp, and
on that evening all his infantry was sent off, and he
followed at the head of his cavalry. He had con-
ceived an infernal plan to cause a panic among the
troops of Morocco and profit by their terror. He had
sent forward camels covered with pitch and tar, which
were to be set on fire when near the camp. This scheme
had not fortunately all the success that was expected
by its ferocious author. The sons of Muley Abder-
rhaman had by means of clever spies been informed
of all the plans of Abd-el Kader, and had concerted
together to defeat them. On arriving at the camp,
Abd-el-Wader found it completely abandoned, and in
his vanity imagined without doubt that his enemies
had not dared to receive him. He ordered the camp
to be pillaged, and waited for the next day to continue
his march, but what must have been his terror, on
seeing, at break of day, all the heights surrounding
him covered with the troops of Morocco. Thus
hemmed in by superior forces he saw no other chance
of extrication than by forcing the line of his enemies,
and boldly rushed forward with his cavalry. He suc-
ceeded, but the affair cost him dear, for he left on
the ground about two hundred and fifty of his
bravest horsemen, among whom were several chiefs.
His intention was to fall back upon his deira, and re-
turn towards the tribes on whom he thought he could
still rely, but he soon perceived that the direction which
he took led him farther away instead of nearer to it.
He was then forced to return, and with great difficulty
reached, with his few remaining forces, Use banks of
the Moulaya. We are assured that the deira was
pillaged and part of it captured, and everything an-
nounces that his per.sonal position is now completely
dangerous. What proves this abundantly is, that
his brother, Sidi-Mustapha, has applied for the Amen
to General Lamoreiere, and requested him to assign
him a residence where he can in future live tran-
quilly. It is said that the General informed him he
had only to present himself at the camp, and that the
generosity of the French Government would secure
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Emperor. Thus, when she envoy of
Abd-el-Kader, presented himself at Fez, the Li,.
peror did not scruple to make him a prisoner. Abd-
el-Kader, without doubt, then thought that all his
plans were discovered, and this led to the bold step
which has consummated his ruin. His brother, Si-
Haid, who had remained at the deira, has also
written to the French authorities to offer his sub-
mission."
M. GUIZOT has dispatched a copy of a note to the
Cabinets of London, Vienna, Berlin, and St. Peters-
burgh, in reply to the refusal of the Helvetic Diet
to accept the mediation of those Powers. M. GUIZOT
states in that note, that the Diet having destroyed the
federal pact, the Powers regarded themselves as re-
leased from the obligations they imposed on themselves
by the treaties of the year 1815.
A grand reform dinner took place at Rouen on
the 26th inst., at which 1,800 persons were present.
Among them were 20 Deputies, 1,400 electors, and
nearly 400 citizens eligible to seats in the Chamber.
The following notice was posted up on the Paris
Bourse on Monday :-
" The Council-General of the Bank of France has
reduced, in its sitting of this day, the rate of discount
and discount on loans to 4 per cent.
"Paris, Dec. 27, 1847. " GARAT."
The Three per Cents. closed on the Paris Bourse
on Monday at 75f. 65c. ; New Loan, 76f. 75c. ;
the Fire per Cents., 117 f. 30c. ; the Orleans Rail-
road Shares, 1,217 f. 60c.; Rouen, 915 f.; Havre,
4661. 25c. ; Great Northern, 6551. 50e. ; Avignon,
5861. 25c.; Vierzon, 5551.; Bordeaux, 4921. 50c. ;
Dieppe, 265 f. ;
.Basle, 163 f. 75c.; Paris and Strasburg,
417 f. 60c.; Tours and Nantes, 3sBf. 76c.; Paris and
Lyons, 408 f. 76c. ; Spanish Three per Cents., 31.
MARSEILLES, Dec.,,23.-Marseilles and Avignon,
581 f. 25c.; Northern, 557 f. 60c.
BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE
LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, Dac. 28.
Boulogne and Amiens, 14%-Dutch Rhenish, 2-
Northern of Franco, l 2 LA-Paris and Lyons, 61A,.

OPENING OF THE FRENCH
CHAMBERS.

THE KING'S SPEECH.

The following is a translation of the speech o
the King of the French, on the opening of the
Chambers yesterday :
" Gentlemen, Peers, and Deputies,—l am happy
on finding myself again among you not to have any
more to deplore the calamities which the high price
of provisions has inflicted on our country. France
has endured them with a courage that I could not
behold without deep emotion. Never in such circum-
stances have public order and the freedom of trans-
actions been so generally maintained. The inex-
haustible zeal of private charity has seconded our
common efforts. Our commerce, thanks to its pru-
dent activity, has been but feebly affected by the
crisis that has been experienced in other states. We
are reaching the conclusion of those trials. Heaven
has blessed the labours of the people, and abundant
crops are reviving everywhere comfort and security.
I congratulate myself on it with you.
" I reckon on your co, operation in order to bring
to a conclusion the great public works which, by ex-
tending to the entire kingdom facility and regularity
of communication, must open fresh sources of pros-
perity. At the same time that sufficient resources
shall continue to be applied to that fruitful enterprise,
we will all watch with scrupulous economy over the
judicious
ee
nmtptlho
aytmtehnet
receipts the
swill iil public
co revenue,ver t
he and I
expenses
in the ordinary budget of the State, which shall be
shortly presented to you.
" A special Bill will be proposed to you for re-
ducing the price of salt, and diminishing the postage
on letters to a degree compatible with the good state
of our finances.
" Bills on public instruction, prison discipline, and
our customs tariffs are already submitted to your
deliberations. Other Bills shall be presented to you
on various important subjects, particularly on com-
mercial property, mortgages, the Mont de Pietifo, and
the application of savings-banks to fresh improve-
ments in the condition of the working classes. It
is my constant wish that my Government should
labour, with your co-operation, in developing at
the same time the morality and the welfare of the
people.
" My relations with all the foreign Powers give
me the confidence that the peace of the world is se-
cured. I hope that the progress of general civilisa-
tion will be everywhere accomplished by a good
understanding between Governments and people,
without impairing internal order and the good re-
lations between states.
" Civil war has disturbed the happiness of Switzer-
land. My Government had come to an understanding
with the Governments of England, Austria, Prussia,
and Russia, in order to offer that neighbouring and
friendly:people an amicable mediation. Switzerland
will, I hope, acknowledge that respect for the rights
of all, and the maintenance of the basis of the Hel-
vetic Confederation, can alone insure to her those
enduring conditions of happiness and security that
Europe wished to gurantee to her by treaties.
" My Government, in accordance with that of the
Queen of Great Britain, has just adopted measures
which must at length succeed in restoring our com-
mercial relations on the banks of La Plata.
" The illustrious chief who has long and gloriously
commanded in Algeria has desired to rest from his
labours. I have intrusted to my beloved son the
Duke d'Aurnale the great and arduous task of go-
verning that French land. I flatter myself that,
under the direction of my Government, and thanks
to the laborious courage of the generous army that
surrounds him, his vigilance and devotedness will
secure the tranquillity, the good administration, and
prosperity of our establishment.
" Gentlemen, the more I advance in life, the
more I dedicate with devotedness to the ser-
vice of France, to the care of her inter-
ests, dignity, and happiness, all the activity
and strength which God has given, and still
vouchsafes me. Amidst the agitation that hostile
and blind passions foment, a conviction animates and
supports me, which is that we possess in the consti-
tutional monarchy,—in the union of the great powers