The Sun.
London, England, 1870-10-11 00:00:00

M. GAMBETTA AT ROUEN.

The Paris correspondent of the Standard at Havre, in
a letter dated the 9th inst., describes the visit of M.
Gambetta to Rouen. At about two o'clock yesterday
afternoon it was rumoured throughout Rouen that " the
Minister of the Interior, Citizen Gambetta," had landed
from a balloon on Friday evening at Montdidier,
near Amiens, and that he would probably arrive at
Rouen at about three o'clock, on his way to Tours.
An enormous crowd proceeded to the station, including a
battalion of National Guard, preceded by its band, the
prefect, M. Desseaux, the commander of the National
Guard, M. Estancelin, and, in short, all the authorities of
the town, just as in the olden days, when an affectation
of Republican simplicity, and a repudiation of the pomp,
pride, and circumstance of monarchy were not the
fashion. The rain, which poured down in torrents, failed
to damp the curiosity of the Rouennais to behold this
wonderful tribune of the people, this astounding M. Gam-
betta, whom no one had ever heard of before the Baudin
trial in December, 1868, and who bids fair to became
the self-appointed dictator of a country like France.
Some admirers of this gentleman drew up an
address to him, and sent it round for signatures. Every-
body signed it as a matter of course. The style of the
document betrays its origin. It is evidently the produce
of the Republican and Revolutionary Cuisine, viz. :
" Illustrious citizen Gambetta, of devotion we have a
superfluity, and energy and a ruling mind are wanting.
Supply that energy to the provinces as well as Paris ; give us
that ruling mind, and then the enemy shall be driven out,
France shall be saved, and the Republic founded defini-
tively and for ever. Vive la France. Vive la
Republique 1" At about a quarter past three the train
bearing " the illustrious citizen " made its appearance.
The great man alighted—the drums beating the salute,
and the National Guards presenting arms. Gam-
betta looked paler, thinner, and, to use an expressive
vulgarism, considerably more ailing than when I
last saw him in Paris. He bowed, and appeared
agreeably surprised at the cry of " Vive Gambetta"
which greeted his appearance. He made a motion
with his hand, which was understood to mean that
he wanted to speak, and deep silence having suc-
ceeded the previous turmoil, he addressed the
persons present in the station. He said, in sub-
stance, all that the Goverment organs have
been telling us long ago—viz., that Paris was prepared to
offer the most energetic resistance—that the greatest con-
cord and union prevailed ; that every available hour
was spent in drilling, &c. Paris, he added. would
resist and repel every assault with dauntless
energy. But the enemy was powerful: it com-
manded enormous forces; it was necessary that
the provinces should hurry to the rescue of the capital.
He wound up by saying that Paris relied on the provinces
—a tribute to provincial gallantry which was loudly
cheered. He then reminded his hearers that the Republic
had been proclaimed under peculiar circumstances, and
jumped to the conclusion that the existence of the Re-
public was indissolubly connected with the existence of the
country. With fervid eloquence he then appealed
to the patriotism of the people of Normandy.
Unless they took effectual effectual steps to prevent it,
Normandy would be a provision-magazine, a storehouse
for the enemy. Whilst defending themselves the
people of Normandy would have the satisfaction
of knowing that they were doing their best to save
their country. He terminated by an eloquent perora-
tion, which concluded by the declaration that "if we
cannot make a compact with victory, let us make a com-
pact with death." These heroic declarations are always
popular in France ; but truth compels me to say that I
strongly doubt the stalwart burgesses of Rouen relishing
the alternative. After a very brief interview with the
Prefect and M. Estancelin, M. Gambetta left for Tours,
where it is understood he is going to supersede Messrs.
Cremieux and Co. It is understood that the general elec-
tion, which was (after a first adjournment) fixed for the
16th, is again to be put off ; and that, of all men
in the world, M. Gambetta is going to " orga-
nise the national defence." The why and where-
fore of M. Gambetta's departure from Paris Ido not
know, but it is not, very difficult to divine it. It seems to
be that a terrible game at cross-purposes is going on. The
provinces look to Paris to hold out ; Paris looks to the pro-
vinces to attack the Prussians in the rear, and break through
the iron circle that hems it in. In Normandy there is
a strong determination to defeat the province. The appeal
of Estancelin has been unanimously responded to. At
Havre the most patriotic spirit prevails, and all the towns
and villages on the right bank of the Seine are despatching
to Rouen every able-bodied man that possesses a musket
or fowling piece. On the left bank of the river a
very different spirit prevails, and the natives have a
loathing of gunpowder which should qualify them for the
Peace Society. It remains to be seen what M. Gambetta
will do at Tours. An experienced general, I cannot help
thinking, would be better able to organise an army for the
relief of Paris than an eloquent but comparatively inexpe-
ikiic.,,Nl .;77.:,

(CENTRAL PRESS TELEGRAEIS.)
CONFERMENT OF DEGREES,

In a convocation holden yesterday morning at
Oxford, being the ,first day of Michaelmas Term, the
following degrees were conferred:—M.A., Messrs. C. A.
Fyffe, University; H. D Ferrier, Merton ; G. 11. Lam-
bert, Magdalen; G. Lyon, Trinity ; R. J. Hughes, Jesus.
8.A., Messrs. A. C. Hamilton, University; A. Gaye,
Oriel ; W. A. Stewart, Oriel ; W. J. Greenwell, New ;
0. C. Kent, Trinity ; and C. E. Sneyd, Trinity.

A FRENCH MAN-OF-WAR IN DIFFICULTIES.
About five o'clock yesterday afternoon a French man-
of-war, while hotly pursuing a German merchant vessel,
got upon the Cross Sand, Yarmouth. The position was
seen from the shore, and steam tugs were quickly dis-
patched to her assistance, but befoie they came up with
her, she floated off the sand and steamed away south.
The German subsequently put into Yarmouth harbour.