The Sun.
London, England, 1869-04-15 00:00:00

C OREE SE

(FROM OUR OW CORESPONDENV,

PARIS, W.DNESDAY, April 14.
The "Haussmann Battle," as reenacted in the Senate,
has greatly resembled another strugle in which the French
took no very glorious part—the Bttle of Spurs. Baron
Haussmann's senatorial antagonise, if he had any, have
taken to flight. It had been fondl hoped that the severe
attack in the Corps L6gislatif upo, the system of getting
into debt, lawfully and unlawfuy, for the purpose of
rebuilding Paris, would be repeald, though in a milder
key, in the Senate. Some ofthe senators, it was
affirmed, looked very gray el at the debt of
eighty millions sterling, all contracted for the
sake of beautifying Paris. Many vere still more indignant
at the illegal way in which the mney has been raised—at
Baron Haussmann's expedient of spending many millions
first, and getting legislative sancton afterwards. Great
hopes were entertained of the 'youthful party," as it
is jocularly called. They woule surely do something.
M. de Maupas, at least, would attempt another charge.
But yesterday, when the fames City of Paris Loan
came on for ratification, it was ratified without demur.
The malcontents were all silent the law was adopted by
a majority of 110 to—one !
Baron Haussmann's speech was)f a piece with the entire
proceeding. It was the milder of harangues, and had
clearly been devised with great care and for the express
purpose of " getting out of it." If any errors had been
committed, said the Minister, then were the effect rather of
miscalculation than of intention, The city of Paris had,
in fact, been suddenly pulled 1p in the course of the
works. In the construction of new streets and boulevards
unforeseen obstacles had presented themselves. Unfore-
seen obstacles entail unforeseen expense. It was
necessary either to go on spending or stop the
reconstruction, which latter alternative Baron Hawes-
mann thought " would have produced a humiliating
spectacle in the face of all Europe." If this were the
most humiliating spectacle which France has of late pre-
sented, Europe would have very little cause for criticism
—but never mind. The money, continued the Minister,
had therefore been spent without authorisation. Of the
fierce debate in the. Corps Legislatif Baron Haussmann
said little ; of the Luanne& i,a Will,. been evict
by M. Rouher—nothing. it will be remembered
that the Minister of State acknowledged the cul-
pability of the Government in spending money
without authority, but he maintained that the Emperor
could not look after City of Paris affairs. Baron Hauss-
mann was answerable for it all. In answer to this, Baron
Haussmann yesterday said that he was "eternally grateful
to the Minister of State for the energy and warmth with
which he replied to certain offensive observations in the
Corps L6gislatif !" There ends this affair.
As I have previously remarked, the Left display the
most laudable activity in face of the coming election,
but their unanimity is not all that could be wished. The
Libertd and the Siede are quarrelling. M. Emile
de Girardin supports AI. Emile 011ivier as one
of the candidates for the City of Paris. The Slide will
have none of the author of "Le 19 Janvier," and accord-
ingly another Opposition eandidlte, a Republican of
advanced views, is to be put up. M. (le Girardin laments
this policy. He urges that the Seicle may legitimately differ
from M. Emile 011ivier, but that both stand on the
common ground of hostility to despotism. If liberty is to
be won, there must be unity. The last election in Paris
was carried by unity ; this is in danger of being lost by
discord. M. de Girardin further states that M. Havin,
the late proprietor of the Siede, promised his support to
M. 011ivier, but that now the Slide is actuated by a
different policy.

A desperate attempt to escape, with a tragic ending, was
made the other day at Besancon. A prisoner, named
Zacher, awaiting his trial, succeeded in filing the bars of
his cell, and scaled the walls of the arsenal where he was
confined. The sentinel perceived him as he was dropping
into the street outside, and fired, hut without hitting the
man, who ran off to the ramparts, pursued by the guard
and some police agents. One of these latter overtook
him just as he reached the terrace, but the prisoner, who
was of herculean strength, suddenly turned round, and
seizing his pursuer, named Roberts, hurled him over the
parapet on the rocks below, a depth of about eighty feet.
A second agelt shared the same fate. Then the desperate
man, seeing the military rapidly surrounding him, threw
himself down the -precipice without hesitation. He was
found dashed to Pieces, so was Roberts, but the other
agent was alive with both legs broken.
Algiers has been visited with a hail storm of re-
markable severity. The country was in a few moments
covered with a layer of hailstones, in some places from
four to six inches deep, several being as large as a nut.
The fruit trees were much injured, but not the wheat and
barley fields. All accounts agree that the long season of
misery in Algeria will probably cease. A most favourable
harvest is confidently anticipated.

THE COMIC PAPERS.

From the OW.

WEAL AND WOE.--By a curious inversion of the usual
reed the cabman's aspirations are fixed not on above, but

on B-Lowe.