The Sun.
London, England, 1869-12-16 00:00:00

imbroglio;

You will have perceived that the foreign journals have
given rise to an animated discussion in the Corps
L6gislatif, M. Gamier =Pages having brought up
the question of their free entry into France.
M. de Forcade would not answer unreservedly, but
maintained that it would, be unjust to give free admission
to journals which do not pay the same imposts as the
French papers. M. Garnier-Pages expressed great dissatis-
faction at this reply, probably not putting too much faith
in M. de Forcade's sudden anxiety for perfect justice
towards the French press, The Independance Beige is
nearer the truth when it traces the desire to exclude the
too outspoken journals of England and Belgium to "an
incurable antipathy to al that is liberty." The same
journal, while refusing to believe in M. de Forcade's fiscal
logic, reminds him that the heavy charges which the
foreign journals are compelled to pay to the French
Administration, form in reality the exact counterpart of
the stamp duties chargeable on their French contem-
poraries.

The Emperor is said to have sufered from a slight
attack of gout.
A letter from Rome states that the Archbishop of Paris
nas had a private audience with the Pope. This event is
considered remarkable, as the Pope has been so much occu-
pied that he has received the bishops in groups of ten or
fifteen. It is inferred from this circumstance that the
Archbishop is in high favour at the Vatican, and that he
will, in all probability, be raised to the dignity of car-
dinal.

The questions with respect to the commercial interests
of France were put yesterday in the Corps L6gislatif.
Both Frcetraders and Protectionists agree in supporting
the right of the Chamber to regulate the tariffs. The ad•
vocates of Free Trade ask that a parliamentary inquiry
be made before the Treaty with England is denounced, as
their adversaries require that it should be. The Chamber
has adjourned the discussion until after the verification of
the elections. •

General Banks, of the United States, is now in Paris on
his return from St. Petersburg, where he has delivered
two hundred thousand rifles of a new model, to be em-
ployed in the service cf the Russian army. He is return
ing to America to arrange about the transmission of seven`
hundred thousand more in the same direction.

FIRES AND PROBABLE LOSS OF LIFE.

Two Ecr:ous fires happened last night which were
attended with a great destruction of property, and
at one it is feared that a loss of life will ensue.
The most serious fire happened about half-past
three o'clock in the extensive premises known as
the Duke's Head Tavern, the property of Mr. W.
Parrott, situate, 28 Norton-folgate. Owing to the
firm hold the flames had obtained before they were
discovered, only a few minutes elapsed before the
whole twelve rooms in the building sent forth im-
mense :beets of flame, and when the casks of spirits
burst the foi c of `the fire tent the whole of the
baek part of the hiiilding into the yard.- Numer-
ous engines of tbo Metropolitan Briga le arrived,
as well as the London Salvage Corps, but
in spite of the exertions of the firemen and an
abundant supply of water, the flames could not be
conquered until the tavern and all it contained in
the shape of property was destroyed, but the in-
mates were all saved. 'l'he origin of the fire is
unk no n.

Another fire of an extensive character happened
in the premises No. 251, Iloxton-street, lloxton,
occupied by Mr. T. W. Marshall, a family named
Brown, and another lodger named Croton. Upon
the alarm being given the inmates hardly knew how
to escape, for three parts of the house was already
in flames, and in order to avoid being burnt to
death they had to make fur the window and jump
out. One of the females—namely, Mrs. Brown—
was terribly, if not fatally, injured by so doing.
The fire could not be extinguished until the pre-
mises were nearly burnt out.