The Sun.
London, England, 1869-11-05 00:00:00

PRICE OF GOLD.

The quotation of gold at Paris is about at par, and
the short exchange on London is 25f. 15.3. per £1 sterling
On comparing these rates with the English Mint price of
£3 tis.lo4d. per ounce for standard gold, it appears that
gold at the above price is slightly dearer in Paris than in
London.

PARIS CORRESPONDENCE.

TIIIJIZSDAY.

The papers are full of election addresses. put forth by
candidates for the vacant circumscriptions. Some of them
aro almost revolutionary in their tone. M. Louis
Simonin, who demands the suppression of the standing army
says that he has travelled much in England and America,
and has studied carefully the working of democratic insti-
tutions. He is for liberal democracy, not for authoritative
democracy, and is opposed to personal powor, whether it
1-e exercised by a popular dictator or by a crowned tyrant.
Ile wants neither Robespierre nor Cnsar! The abuse of
personal power and the evils of a large standing army are
also the themes discoursed upon by another candidate for
the suffrages of the Fourth Circumscription—M. Henri
Didier, who was a member of the Chamber from 1313 to
1351. M. Emmanuel Arago has put forth his profession of
faith to the constituents of the Eighth Circumscription.
His written words are, however, thrown into the shade by
the language attributed to him by the France. That journal
states that at a meeting held at St. Denis, M. Arago declared
his resolve to defend the cause of Democracy with " hie
words in the Chamber and with his sword in the street." I au
happy to say that this extravagance of language is by no means
general among the Opposition candidates. M. Rochefort,
it is true, in accepting the programme of the Radical com-
mittees in the First Circumscription, has proclaimed his
readiness to recover the popular rights by every possible
means, signing himself " Socialist revolutionary candi-
date." The general tone of the press and the politicians will
most accurately represent public feeling is, however, more
moderate, more self-controlled,and possibly more formidable.
The quickness and sagacity with which the Radicals per-
ceived that a purposeless demonstration on the 26th would
only serve to strengthen the hands of the Government by
enlisting en the side of arbitrary authority all holders of
property and lovers of order, was something very new in
France. M. Gambetta, one of the most moderate of the
parliamentary leaders, has addressed a letter to the
Potpie, in which he traces the parliamentary course of the
Left in the coming session. They intend, he says, to form
a critical and organic opposition; critical because they
will pitilessly denounce the abuses of the Govern-
ment, and organic because they will support a series
of measures which will establish institutions really
democratic. The country will thus grow calm, knowing
what is to be its form of Government. Meetings are
being held in all the circumscriptions.
The Government, according to the Liberti, have decidec
upon making an important concession. The Article 75 is
really to be modified, and the scheme for its amendment
will be submitted to the Council of State, if not to-morrow,
at least within a few days. The nature and extent of the
proposed alterations are not given, but it is said that the
functionaries may be summoned before the tribunals, suf-
ficient proof against them being adduced. If the plaintiff
should be non-suited, ho will have to pay a heavy fine.
The Eberle affirms also that the current rumours of
forthcoming changes in the Cabinet are without founda-
tion. The Ministers have decided to face the Chambers as
they now stand. Nevertheless, the Journal de Paris last
evening gave currency to these statements.
The second meeting of the gold workers has confirma
the strike which they had on hand. Fifteen hundred of
them have given an almost unanimous assent to the pro-
posals of the Syndical Chamber. The strikes at Lyons
and Marseilles still continue. At the latter place the
International Association of Workmen has sent a circular
to the drapers, entreating them not to give any assistance
to the Parisian masters who have been deserted by their
employes. The wool-spinners of Elbeuf are on strike, and
those of Normandy and other places threaten to follow
their example if their demands are not complied with.
The weavers of Panissieres have kept on their strike, and
it has brought about the ruin of the linen trade, which
has made the fortune of this district. The omnibus con-
ductors of Paris have submitted some claims to the Gene-
ral Company.
The Liberti accounts for the recent indisposition of the
Emperor by the fact of his sitting near a half-opened
window for some time. He took cold by this means,
and was obliged to keep his room for a day or two,
but at no time was the indisposition serious. Within
the next three days the Princess Mathilde, with the first
series of guests, twenty-five in number, will arrive at
Compiegne. Prince Napoleon is expected there to take
part in the hunt.
The Meuse states that snow has fallen in great abun-
dance on the high table lands' of the Ardennes ; the birds
are flocking to the townslor want of nourishment, and are
easily caught. Wild boars have made their appearance in
the forests of Belgium; the country near CondroY

shrouded in a white mantle.
On Wednesday a meeting was held at Nottingham
to consider the best means of putting a stop to the bribery
and corruption which so extensively prevailed at the
late municipal elections. The Chairman said that
the alderman who sat in the ward for which ho was
a candidate seemed to take very little trouble, and
not to care a deal about the matter. In the face of
the presiding alderman, tickets were given to some of
the voters as they came out, for the purpose of their
receiving bribes. He (Mr. °ranch) asked the alder-
man if he could sit there and allow men to receive
their bribing papers without saying anything to them,
and the reply he got was, " 1 have not seen it." The
speaker produced a ticket for is. 6d. marked with the re-
gister number of the voter to whom it was given ; and also
a 2s. 6d. ticket. A resolution was passed to memorialise the
borough member to bring in a bill to put a stop to bribery
at these elections.

The Pall Mall Gazette says :—" We have reason
to believe that the election of the Marquis of Salisbury to
the Chancellorship of the University of Oxford will be un-
opposed. Some of the agents of the Conservative party in
Oxford have attempted to associate their names with his
candidature, but it is understood that he was originally pro-
posed by the colleges with which he is connected (Christ
Church and All Souls), without any reference to party
politics."
Among the subscribers to the Wilberforce Fund,
for endowing Cuddesden College, are the Right lion. W. E.
Gladstone, the Right Hon. B. Disraeli, the Right lion.
Gathorne Hardy, the Right Hon. Sir S. Nortlicote, the Duke
of Marlborough, the Rev. Prebendary Liddon and the Rev.
Canon Payne Smith.
SCIENCE AND ART.—A striking instance of the immense
value a small piece of steel may acquire by the groat power of
killed mechanical labour is the balance-spring of a watch. From
its extreme fineness and delicacy 4,000 weigh not more than one
ounce, and exceed in value i 1,000. A most interesting little
work, describing the rise and progress of watchmakin has
been published by J. W. Benson, 25, Old Bond-street, and the
City Steam Factory, 58 and GO, Ludgate-hill. The book, which
is profusely illustrated, gives a full description of the various
kinds of watches and clocks, with their prices Mr. Benson (who
holds the appointment to the Prince of Wales) has also published
a pamphlet on Artistic Gold Jewellery, illustrated with the most
beautiful designs of Bracelets, Brooches, Earrings, Lockets, &C.,
&c., suitable for Wedding, Birthday, and other presents. These
pamphlets are sent post free for two stamps each, and they can-
not be too sts ongly recommended to those contemplating a pur-
-chase,-especially to residents in the country or abroad, who are
thus enabled to select any article they may require and have it
forwarded with, perfect safety.