The Sun.
London, England, 1869-08-26 00:00:00

PARIS CORRESPONDENCE.

WEDNESDAY.
It is needless to refer to the report of M. Devienne, read
to-day before the Senate, as you will have already learned
the full particulars by telegraph. There is little more to
be said on this important subject until the opening of the
debate, which will be full of interest. The papers are still
busy discussing possible and desirable extensions of the
Constitutional reforms, and are apparently endeavouring,
by their activity on this subject, to atone for the admitted
dulness of the Presidential addresses to the Conseils G6ms-
- Whether the speakers have been embarrassed by the
consciousness that their words would be watched and
'weighed by the public, or whether they were apprehen-
sive of giving offence in high quarters by verbal indis-
cretions, may afford matter for speculation ; but, like
children called upon to display themselves to the best ad-
vantage, they have completely disappointed their friends.
I think you will admit that such summaries of the speeches
as have yet reached you are not likely to throw much light
nn a great Constitutional crisis. M. de Persigny may perhaps
be considered an exception to the rule. He was bold
enough to touch at once on the all-engrossing topic, and
declared that the Senatus-Consultum bad his full sup-
port. He attached great importance to the introduction
of a new generation of young and energetic men into the
conduct of public affairs—men who are strangers to the
quarrels of the past, and who will therefore be able to
consolidate the Empire. M. de Persigny dwelt at some
length on the question of Ministerial responsibility. An
irresponsible sovereign, he said, belonged to absolute
monarchy. Irresponsible Ministers hidden behind the
throne had tarnished the splendour of the Empire, and had
given to this grand movement, which had surprised
Europe, the appearance of weakness and indecision.
Henceforward, according to M. Persigny, we are to have
a sovereign responsible vis-a-vis to the nation, and Minis-
ters responsible vis-a-vis to the Chambers. The Temps of
this morning thinks that M. de Persigny's love of
political abstractions has led him to mistake for-
mulas for facts, and is anything but sanguine. It
asks, What resource remains to the national repre-
sentatives, if the sovereign chooses to ignore their
. rights ? There is nothing between a coup cre'tat and a
revolution. The responsibility of Ministers might in
reality have been a fact long since if the Corps Legislatif
had bad the courage really to control the finances ;
whereas the Senatns-Consultrim will be no protection
against the arbitrary authority of the Throne so long as
the official candidates continue to force the elections, and
the Corps Ltislatif consults les convenances, and listens
to the suggestions of personal government.

All seems uncertain respecting the future movements of
the Empress. The Gautois furnishes some curious details
in connection rith the subject. It says that a waggon
containing the Empress's luggage for the Eastern excur-
sion was attached to the Imperial train the other day.
A telegram was sent yesterday from Saint Cloud to
Fontainebleau, and from thence to Paris, and it was after-
wards intimated that the waggon containing the prepara-
tions for the East should be taken from the train.
Mention is made of a mysterious incident that took
place at Darmstadt on the occasion of King William
reviewing the Hessian troops. The Grand Duke of Hesse
was to have been present at this ceremony, and an ex-
press train was got ready for him, but at the last moment
a countermand was sent, and the Grand Duke failed to
pay his respects to his ally.
The Ireneli amnesty has produced a serious impression
at Berlin. All the most influential journals have felici-
tated the Emperor Napoleon. 'I heir reMarks seem to
imply that an amnesty on that side of the Phine is all
very well, but hi INV WOlll,l it be on the Fra:,ce
can
have no better security againA than that of
liberty at home ; and if France and Austria continue to
give free scope to liberal institutions, the Prussian autho-
rities will lose much of their influence.
M. Chigi will shortly leave. He will be raised to the dignity
of cardinal in the autumn, and cannot, therefore, retain the
position of Nuncio. Besides this, it will be incumbent on
him to resole at Rome. The prelate has hitherto declined
the honour reserved forhim, but he can do so no lcuget, and
must leave a city where he has made many friends, and
which he found most agreeable to sojourn in. Malamo
Niel has left the Ministry of War and gone to Versailles
with her family.
The day before yesterday General Codrington had the
honour of breakfasting with the Emperor and the Empress
at St. Cloud. The Public affirms that he found under his
cover the Order of Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour.