The Sun.
London, England, 1869-07-13 00:00:00

PARIS CORRESPONDENCE.

MONDAY.
The great event has just happened in the Corpa Ltis-
!atif. Much excitement was visible amongst the deputies
as they assembled to-day—indeed, they have never
met this session without excitement ; .but the
effervescence to•day was exceptional. The news that a
communication from the Throne would be made had
leaked out in some way, and accordingly everybody
seemed subject to that feverish excitement which accom-
panies the anticipation of great events. The expectation
ivas not disappointed. When the Chamber opened
M. Rouhor was in his place, and the President
innounced that the Minister of State would communicate a
message from the Emperor. M. Rouher at once got up
and read the important scheme of reform which has
reached you long ere this. The Emperor has promptly
lalzen Lis decision. The Mackau letter has been thrown
overboard, and the unmistakable expression of the
bountry's wish has been responded to. It is yet too early forme
to express anyopinion as to the effect which the programme
U the Empire has produced. The journals, which have
received it just in time to print, reserve their comments.
nowhere do I hear or read any expression of dissatis-
Whether these changes will be accepted as
cient or not remains to be seen ; but everybody agrees
at the Emperor has not compromised himself by any
angerous delay. He has acted at least with promptitude
and grace.

action.

It is only during the last two days that the damage done
ny the riots in the Boulevard Montmartre has been
repaired. Fresh kiosks have now been put up, the new
ones being of very elegant shape.
The Newgate calendar of the week has been heavy,
but, owing to the political news, I have not been able to
sthe much attention to that interesting department.
uffice it to say that we have had six or seven trials of
the usual type. The story here is pretty nearly always
the same, though French ingenuity and love for the

dramatic contrives to modify it a little. But the outline of
bur murders is generally that of a small domestic drama,
involving three persons—a husband and wife and another

personage—one or both the latter falling victims to the
Vengeance of the former. The leading case of this kind
during the week has been a trial in the Alpes-
Marithnes for a crime committed last March. An hotel-
keeper, of Nice, married in 1866 a woman with whom
he had been living during the previous ten years. It was
not surprising that the conduct of such a character should
be open to reproach, and, accordingly, Madame Pontlevoy
was no more remarkable for her virtue after marriage than
before it. Her manner of life after some time was
divulged to her husband, who set a servant to watch
her during his frequent absences from home. Last
March he had occasion to visit Paris, and to stay
there for some time. Whilst away his spy informed him
that Madame Pontlevoy frequently received the visits of
a commercial traveller. The hotel-keeper at once bought
a revolver and a box of cartridges, and set off for Nice,
where he arrived in the middle of the day, waited until
the evening, and then surprised the culprits. He fired
one barrel at his wife as she was trying to escape, and
lodged three bullets in the body of his enemy. The man
was killed, but the wife, who had fallen through fright,
was not touched. The hotel-keeper has been brought up
on a charge of murder and attempted murder. A ques-
tion of law will require decision touching this case.
A husband may, according to the French law, kill
either of the parties to an offence against his honour, and
Will escape all punishment ; but in this instance
it is doubtful whether the premeditation does not render
the hotel-keeper lialA to several years' imprisonment.
The use of chloroform in dentistry is not, it appears,
wholly unattended with danger. At least, it is clear
that ladies ought not to undergo this operation whilst
alone. A dentist, named Bloch, has just been tried
here for the hideous offence of criminally assaulting
women who sought his services -unattended, and who
submitted to the influence of chloroform in order to
avoid pain. The case, which has been going on for some
days, is an essentially French, and in its details an untrans-
latable story. Some of the fellow's victims, who were
many, " tlok the joke in a proper light" and continued
the intimacy commenced under these exceptional
circumstaneel. Others, however, were not so com-
plaisant, and the man was apprehended. He has
been very lightly let off with five years' imprisonment.
The French schoolboys and students are partial to a
little practice in the art of revolution. Every now and
then we hear of school revolts. A serious affair of this
kind broke out three days back at the College Louis-le-
Grand, in Paris. Complaints relative to the food
having been ill-received by one of the inspectors, a
number of the elder pupils sheaved their discontent by
singing the " Marseillaise." Two of the leaders of the
disorder were put in confinement, but on the following
day the others demanded their release, and this request
not being acceded to, the disturbance was renewed.
The rioters smashed the windows and destroyed
the desks and seats in some of the class-rooms.
Very severe punishments were inflicted for this
event. Over 200 pupils forming the higher classes
were sent home to their parents. Some of these, unfortu-
nately, were just on the point of sitting for examination
at the Polytechnic, St. Cyr, Naval and Normal Schools.
An inquiry has been ordered by the Minister of Public
Instruction.

M. Bismarck is at work upon the literre humaniores.
Re will take advantage of his holiday at Varzin to put
the finishing touch to his translation of the 'Third Book of
the Eneid.

A second ascent of Mont Blanc has been successfully
made under favourable circumstances. The travellers
were two Zuglialiglen—Alesers. Erdee and Tideman.