The Sun.
London, England, 1869-01-14 00:00:00

COIiiBEbkO.NDIZUE FROM

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, WEDNESDAY, January 13.
The probable failure of the Conference will be no news
to any of your readers. But I remark that popular
opinion here is rapidly coming round to the old state of
chronic alarm. During the last two months of the old
year the pacific symptoms were numerous, and apps.
rently so trustworthy, that even Count Bismarck's con.
soling assurance that Europe had escaped a great war bythe
skin of its teeth did not greatly disturb such security as
existed. But this confidence, which was never, perhaps,
very strongly founded, is rapidly disappearing. The
aspect of Europe was never less assuring. On all sides
nothing is heard but rumours of intrigues and
complications ; from Spain to Russia everything
looks troublesome, if not warlike. Austria and
Prussia, Greece and Turkey, Italy and Rome, ;Spain
and its Government, France and everybody, are all
at loggerheads. There may be nothing in these popular
fears, but they are not likely to be calmed by the recollec-
tion that the last panic was but too well founded.
You may look for another emeute before long. Amongst
other rumours I may mention two which have gained
much consistency. One is, that the tardiness exhibited
by the Provisional Government is owing to dissensions
amongst its members. Prim, Serrano, and Topete find
themselves unable to take a common view of things. Of
course, all this is in favour of the Republicans. 'Ma
second rumour is, that negotiations—nobody seems to
know with what exact purpose—are going on between
the French and Italian Governments. The foundation for
this report is the undoubted fact that telegraphic com-
munication between the two Cabinets is incessant.
The Emperor, I hear, is hard at work upon his speech
for the 18th. He labours every day with Ministers Rouher,
Niel, Lavalette, and Magne, who are often summoned
to the Tuileries several times daily, and have long
interviews with his Majesty. It is to be hoped, then, that
all this trouble will result in something werth hearing.
Let the mountain labour as long as it might, a ridiculua
mus has been the only result of late.
I have reason to believe that one or two high officials
have been "hauled over the coals" during the last day
or two. The Emperor is by no means satisfied at the

management of the Seguier resignation ; he would like
these little affairs to pass off more quietly. There is
some talk of an interview between the late Procureur-
Imperial and the Emperor ; but this Is doubtful. Much
more certain is it that the explanation of the unfortunate
affair which has been given to his Majesiy met with no
gracious reception. The intentions of the functionaries who
thus brusquely treated M. S6guier and caused all this chstur.
bance were, doubtless, good—that is, good in the Imperial
sense of the word—but then the result was bad. M.
S6guier was snubbed, straightway resigned, and made a
public commotion by seeking the aid of that fourth estate
which the Emperor hates so heartily. M. Rouber, too,
has got a little into trouble. The statesman who can manage
an empire is by no means necessarily equal to the control
of a newspaper office. At any rate the Journal Officiel
has made..a most miserable beginning. It is badly printed,
is issued. late, and in very many instances never reaches
its subscribers. Every morning there is a row at the
office, caused by the indignant public which has paid for
the inestimable official thoughts of the Journal, and does
nob get them.

Next session the debates of the Legislative Body will be
reported, written, and composed within the building.
Workmen are now engaged in fitting up a printing press
within the palace. Of course I presume the object of this
is to enable the Ministers to better "revise" the report.
Such a plan would not answer in England, where not only
has every journal its own report, but every speaker would
desire to " edit " his speech.
A sudden and very unexpected improvement in the con-
dition of the Marquis de Moustier gave rise to hopes of a
recovery. lam sorry to announce that this change has
not lasted long. A relapse has taken place.
A treaty has been concluded between France and the
Government of Madagascar, and has been sent to Europe
to be ratified. It is very favourable to French commerce,
and is, moreover, interesting as establishing religious liberty.
The Queen is very friendly to foreigners, and has just taken
an important resolution. She has decided that her eldest
son, Prince Ratahiry, heir to the throne, shall follow the
course of instruction of the French Catholic school, with
a certain number of young men belonging to the first
families of the country. The instruction in that establish-
ment is regarded as superior to that of the others directed
by Europeans, and most of the foreign families settled at
Taranariva send their children to it.

The Moniteur since its release from official bonds has
become one of the most lively papers in Paris. Every day
it publishes something more or less noticeable, and very
often more or less distasteful to the Government. It has
already received its first communique.
£1,436 has been raised towards the statue of Voltaire,
and this sum is deemed sufficient. The authorities have
promised a site at the end of the Rue de Rennes.

The young Prince of the Asturias has gone to study at
Stanislas College.

Prince Teck and the Duke of Sutherland have arrived
from London.

THE WEATHER TABLE.-THIS DAY

Thursday,
Jau. H,
8 a.m.

Nairn
Aberdeen
Leith
Shields ..,

Scarborough
Yarmouth ..
Helder ....
Cux haven ..
Skud conies
Ardr ossan
Green castle
Holyhead
Liver pool
Valentia ..1
Cape Clear
Roches t.
Penzance
Plymouth ..
Weymouth
Porten)," uth
Lon don • • . •
C'pe Gris Nez
Brest ......
L'Orie nt • • •
Roch e fort
Biarritz ... •
Corunna... •
Brussels . • ..
Paris .. .• • •
Strasbourg..
Lyons .. • • • .
Toulon •• • •
Heart's Con-
tent (9 a.m.
local time)

......
30'043.

S.S.E,

c.or
0.0.
C.O.
o.
o.c.

=PLANATION,
Barometer corrected and reduced to 32 deg. at sea level. The
letter r, rising ; f, falling ; s, steady—indicates direction of motion
of the mercury within last 14 hours. Thermometer exposed in
shade. Extreme Force with its Direction during last 24 hours.
Z.—calm. Weather : b.—blue sky ; c.—clouds, detached ; fog;
h.—ball ; I.—lightning ; m.—misty, hazy ; o.—overcast, dull ; r.—
rain ; s.—snow ; t.—thunder. Rain-fall, snow or hail (melted)
daring last 24 hours. Sea disturbance.