The Sun.
London, England, 1856-12-31 00:00:00

FRANCE.

PARIS, TUESDAY.
The Momiteur of yesterday publishes a report
from M. Billault, the French Minister of the In-
terior, asking a credit of 3,000,000 f. (120,0001.) for
public works in the provinces. The report is fol-
lowed by an Imperial decree approving the report
and granting the money. The report is as follows :
" Sire,—This year's harvest was a better one,
and the importation of foreign grain considerable.
The price of wheat underwent a slow but gradual
fall, and on different points of the empire the price
per hectolitre was 25f.
" Nevertheless, and despite the measures taken
by your orders to facilitate and cheapen the price
of grain, despite the great reduction obtained with
that view on the railway charges, some of the de-
partments almost entirely without, others with
very poor narvests, still suffer severely. from the
high prices, and ask help from your Majesty.
" Doubtless, this paternal intervention of your
Government, which for three years has devoted to
the relief of the distressed suffering from want--;n
1854, 10,000,000 f. ; in 1855, 5,000,000 f. ; in 18516,
10 other millions, cannot be placed among the or-
dinary expenses of
each year, as it must remain ex-
ceptional, and cease with the scourge which it tries
to put down; it may now follow the decreasing pro-
gression, and 3,000,000 f. will suffice, I hope, for
1857.

" The object in view is not so much to give cha-
rity to the indigent out of work, as to provide
labour where it may be wanted this winter, and to
lessen by charity, carefully distributed, that heavy
difference between the price of food and the amount
of daily wages.
" Thanks to the perfect tranquillity enjoyed by
the country, industry and commerce are in full
activity. The fruitful impulse given to the great
public works multiplies throughout the country
the workshops in which the workman can find em-
ployment ; and the Emperor, with his wonted soli-
citude for the wants of the working classes, has
himself designated among the enterprises projected
by the State those which might at once provide
work where it is most wanted. For the districts
that will not benefit by these blessings I shall, if
necessary, promote works of municipal interest.
But what appears to me most especially to deserve
the favour of the Government, and what I shall
encourage as much as possible, are those charitable
institutions the ingenious activity of which,
avoiding costly measures, provides directly, and
at reduced prices, food and clothing for the
poor. Numerous establishments of this descrip-
tion are already in activity in different parts of
the empire, and, in endeavouring to re-establish
between the wants of a family and the daily wages
that balance which bad harvests have for the mo-
ment disturbed, they have obtained results the
benefits of which are duly appreciated by the work-
ing classes.
"To realise in this double point of view the
charitable intentions of your Majesty I only ask
for a credit of 3,000,000 f., for I shall find in the
country that immense auxiliary called charity.
Three successive years of sacrifices have neither
tired nor exhausted it, and the Government has
never appealed to it in vain. The prefects are well
aware that the zeal which best pleases the Emperor
is that which places itself at the head of all good
works, which promotes or seconds acts of devotion.
They will neglect nothing to fulfil, according to
your Majesty's desire, that duty of humanity and
of good government. The chief officials of the de-
partments will, I am sure, give them their cordial
support ; for simply to fulfil one's duty is not
taking
oan active and willing part in the generous
views
the Emperor ; it is only half serving him.
These efforts, these good examples, will bearfruit ;
the difficulty will be once more overcome, and it
will not be a sight without significance in the eyes
of the world—that courageous and patriotic resig-
nation with which our populations will have sup-
ported four consecutive years of bad harvest.
Under other Governments a single year of misery
engendered disturbances ; for three years not the '
slight3st emotion has been manifested ; for there
are two things, Sire, of which the people are well
aware—your paternal solicitude for its sufferings,

and the strength of your Government.—l am,
with profound. respect, Sire, your Majesty's very
obedient and very humble servant,

" BILLAULT."
BOURSE, Dec. 30.—The foil owing were the last
quotations
Cash. fr. c. End of Month.
4i per Cents
3 per Cents 66 55 6(5 $0
New Loan
Bank Shares 3,950 ROMal 1 (x d) Si
Credit Mobilier 1,39) Austri In
Belgian Five 5......,.. Spauisl 1 Threes 4ll
Piedmontese (5) ...... 92 Home .IDebt
.RAILWAYS—FOR CA SR.
fr. c. fr. c.
Orleans 1,315 Wester' t
Northern 940 Strasburg
Lyons 1,365 New Ditto
Mediterranean — Grand Central
Lyons Geneva
Cette

GREECIE.
SPEECH OF KING OTHO.

The legislative session of the Greek Chambers
was opened by King Otho on the 19th of December
with the usual formalities. His Majesty made the
following speech :
" Gentlemen Deputies and Senators—Having
returned, after an absence of some months, to our
well beloved Greece, it is with real pleasure that I
see you assembled around me, and that I can ex-
press to my devoted people, through the medium
of their representatives, all the affection I enter-
tain for them, and my gratitude for the attachment
and fidelity they have always shown towards me,
and which is the indissoluble link between the
Throne and the nation. It was by manifesting
them anew during my absence that the cares of the
regency intrusted to the Queen, my beloved con-
sort, were alleviated. I also express my satisfac-
tion to the legislative bodies, whose active and
patriotic zeal has facilitated the work of the Go-
vernment during the same period.
" Since I last addressed the Chambers peace,
which is the most solid foundation of the prosperity
of nations, has been restored to Europe, and I have
powerful reasons for believing that the foreign
Eroops which the war introduced into Greece will
be soon withdrawn.

" I have the satisfaction of announcing to you
that I am on a friendly footing with all foreign
Powers. /

" Before every other consideration, my Govern-
ment, remembering the obligations of Greece to-
wards the great Powers, her benefactors, has spon-
taneously offered to respond to them to the best of
its power. The condescending dispositions and
goodwill of the Powers towards Greece give me
the best hopes of a happy and final settlement Of
that transaction.
" Brigandage, which is abhorred by the nation,
was not long since a great evil at home and
aroused the indignation of foreign States. By wise
and energetic measures, by the valour of our
soldiers, and the willing support of the people, EnY
Government has succeeded in extirpating that
scourge, and in restoring complete security to
Greece. There is only the frontier line
where
brigandage cannot be suppressed without the firm
co-operation of the adjoining State. To obtain
that result I have concluded a special convention
with Turkey, which my Government has punc-
tually carried out.
" The object of my most constant and serious
solicitude is the internal development, material 3s.
well as intellectual, of Greece. It is for the Greet
people the surest foundation of all progress an",
prosperity. To attain this end the Government
has taken various measures, and laws of great icii;
portance have been decreed. My Government is
actively employed in their execution. « Foreign capital has been sought for to multiplyt
and perfect the means of communication, wilheur,
which no material progress is possible, to restore
our rich plains which became swamps, to agricul-
ture,, and to construct necessary ports. lam harPtio
to inform you that capitalists have commence'
respond with confidence to the appeal. to
"Great praise and national gratitude are due
the enthusiastic p nary
atriotism which the Greeks,
wherever they are, display in advancing the r"
gross of Christian civilisation in their cone
able
in offering the first fruits of their indefatiga
labours for the erection of sacred edifices, of schools
which provide knowledge and improve the 111°,r.',.:
and of pious, scientific, and philanthropic
ments. ders
regular course of government ren b
should e
it
necessary that the budget of each year eon,
discussed by the Chambers before the sums
it been
tains are expended. Two budgets havin,g, this
voted together in the preceding session, tna,u,
order may be re-established and sanctioned_ Lll,,
Government will bring before you immediately estabusa
budget of 1858.
the annual session.
" A reform of the taxes and the • sal ofthe
t, -various bills will be submitted to you during
national property, which is one of its conalLio
to
have
will be one of the first subjects you will
fore you,
consider. A new tariff will be laid be the
based upon those healthy principles adopted laY
most enlightened nations. errors are
"Experience has proved that many _,a
to be found in the communal and electoralerla
My Government will submit to your consid
sstei:
disposal
liberty.
guarantee to communal and constitutional
public officials,
improvements in both, so as to give every pc I"'
" Laws to protect the rights of
the national domains, which will regulate
duties of the lower clergy and the scientific
ur serious attention.activity
of the natioa, will call for yo
the
prudence
o your
and patriotism.
Providence, vr
"I recommend all these laws, twhich concern the
dearest interests of the nation,
"May that Divine r?vidence, whose shado
always rests on Greece, guide and bless! your delibe-
rations welfare of the country
ations for the cone first session of the fifth Parliamentary
period is open.