The Sun.
London, England, 1870-09-10 00:00:00

WILL PARIS BE DEFENDED ?

According to the Daily News,'as the enemy draws near
to Paris, the probability grows stronger that the city will
not be very obstinately defended, and if it is not, a peace
will almost certainly be signed. Preparations have been
made for removing the diplomatic Corps to a city in one of
the departments, Orleans and Tours being both spoken of,
and rumours are circulated that the Government itself will
follow. But although the Government would be repre-
sented by a Minister wherever the Diplomatic Body
might be, it is most improbable that it would itself leave
Paris. It is in the capital that its strength lies, and
Paris abandoned by one Government would be very
likely to set up another. It may be doubted
whether the Government is sufficiently conso-
lidated to bear a removal, besides which General
Trochu, its president, could not remove. The
doubt as to the permanence of the resolution to
defend Paris to the utmost does not arise from any
suspension of the measures announced for strength-
ening the place, All day long waggon loads of shot and
shell pass up to the fortifications, and heavy pieces of ar-
tillery are placed in the remaining vacant positions, and
the streets are thronged with men in uniform. But these
material preparations only mask the truth of a con-
viction which to-day is prevalent, and may to-
morrow assert its strength. The fact is that that portion
of the population which is accustomed to be guided not
merely by its senses and passions, perceives that the
Prussians are not the only, nor even the greatest
danger with which Paris is menaced. The exodus
from the capital has combined, with the influx
of large numbers of indigent persons from • the
neighbourhood, and fugitive soldiers under no discipline,
to change the composition and character of the popula-
tion. Not only was the mob of Paris never so great as
now, but it was never less balanced by citizens of
other classes. The dangerous classes have it nearly their
own way. General Trochu has undertaken to defend
Paris against the German strangers, but not to manage
the police of Paris. The greatest fears are entertained
that when the armed force is summoned to the ramparts,
the ruffians of the capital will precipitate themselves upon
the property of all who have anything to lo e. The
unattached soldiers who are seen about the streets,
dirty, angry, and desperate, inspire most alarm.
Fifteen thousand of these stragglers and fugitives hanging
about the suburbs, ten thousand savage Turcos, just cap-
tured in the wildest depths of Kabylia, and all the
restless faubourgs armed to the teeth, make people afraid,
and make it possible that the worst that is ap-
prehended from the invader may come to be regarded
as the lesser of two evils, and that at Paris, as at
bedan, the entry of the Prussians may be ardently
' longed for.

Twenty-six German Catholic professors of law,
medicine, and philology have subscribed the declaration of
theological professors against the Ecumenical Council.
It is expected that nearly all the German Catholic pro-
fessors will subscribe.

Dr. James Salmon, Inspector-General of Hospitals
and Fleets, and in charge of Haslar Hospital, has, we
are informed, been appointed to the vacant office of
Physician to the Queen.
FATAL FALL OF A FLoon.—A terrible accident
occurred at the weaving mill occupied by Mr. Johnson,
Portugal-street, Manchester, yesterday morning, through
the falling in of the room floor, carrying with it several
tons of machinery. A weaver named Sarah Ann Beau-
mont was killed instantly, and several other persons were
injured. Margaret Dawling, John Walmsley, and Mrs.
Lane seriously. The first-named had a marvellous escape,
the whole of the machinery having fallen over and around
her.

VISIT OF THE RIGHT HON. W. E. GLADSTONE
TO NOTTINGHAM.—On Thursday evening Mr. W. E.
Gladstone arrived in Nottingham by the Great Northern
Railway from London. The right hon. gentleman, in
conjunction with Lord de Tabley, was appointed trustee
of the Nottingham Park Estate, under the will of the
late Duke of Newcastle, and his visit was for the purpose
of inspecting the estate. On passing through Grantham
the right hon. gentleman was cheered by those persons
by whom he was recognised. Yesterday. morning he visited
'the Nottingham Commercial Exchange and News Room,
where he stayed about a quarter of an hour. He also
paid a visit to the public offices of the borough, and
on leaving them was recognised and loudly cheered.
The Mayor of the town (Mr. James Oldknow) had
luncheon with the right hon. gentleman, who met the
lessees of the Park Estate at four o'clock in the after-
noon.