The Sun.
London, England, 1867-03-25 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, MARCH 25, 1867.

persistent hostility to the attempt now made by that would not settle the question of Reform for a
very long time. In short, the right hon. gentleman's
Government to settle this vexed question be wise
or not may be determined hereafter in a manner speech will read either way; he can, if he choose,
not very flattering or favourable to the right hon. allow the measure to pass ; referring to his oft-
gentleman ; but so far as we can judge of the im-
repeated declaration as to the necessity for an
mediate effect of his scheme he does not seem very immediate settlement, or he can impede the pro-
successful. On the whole, the conclusion arrived
gress of the Government scheme at every stage, and
at by the deputation who waited on the right hon. then point to the many objections he has all along
been making to this or to that part of the measure.
able to the adoption of a determined opposition
gentleman on Saturday was not much more favour-
Of the two we should say that the right hon. gen-
tleman inclined to the better course, for he finished
than were the members of the Liberal party who
his harangue by a flourish worthy of Mr. POTTERassembled in Carlton Gardens the other day. Of
himself, declaring that, "if this bill passed as it
course there was a good deal of talk and an ample
share of abuse bestowed upon the Ministerial mea-
stood, and was made law, what, he asked, would
sure, but all this va sans dire, and cannot possibly be the effect? Why, the whole country would at
excite wonder under the circumstances of the cas3. once be in a flame, and there would be no rest until
it was altered." Here is another leaf out of the
The deputation waited upon Mr. GLADSTONE for
Trafalgar-square book of oratory. How is it that
the purpose of stating their own views, and of
ascertaining his sentiments on the subject of Re-
these speakers arc each and all so well informed of
form. To a certain extent they succeeded in their
the opinion of the country at large ; they talk as if
object, but, unfortunately, both Mr. GLADSTONE they had some talismanic sign by which they can
discern intentions and divine results. We would
and Mr. Porrsa contrived to put their ideas
into so many words that it was ex-
advise Mr. GLADSTONF. to let the bill pass, and the
Ministry bear the consequences of it. He will not
tremely difficult to decide what they actually
meant, and to disentangle the exact definition, and
have the blame of its shortcomings or the responsi-
what should and should not be done from the illus-
bility of its changes ; but if he meddles and
trations and comments so plentifully supplied. muddles, as he seems inclined to do, he may
There was no necessity for the deputation to decide reap consequences neither pleasant nor pro-
upon the necessity of a lodger franchise being in-
fitable to himself or his party. As for the
Government we would earnestly recommend them
troduced into the bill, because Mr. GLADSTONE
declared that he was quite convinced of the neces-
not to be entrapped into saying that this or that
part of their measure is a vital one, or that they
sity that existed for it. No doubt it would be a
i
great advantage for such a thing to be done, but we must stand or. fall by any particular clause., .They
are bringing in the Bill to suit the wishes of the
must say that it is -xtraordinary—to say the least
country and :to meet the desire of Parliament,' and
of it—that so Juichnow-barn' zeal is evinced by the .
are not pledged;-itts their predecessOli in office were,
Liberals of all shades and of every rank for a scheme
which they condemned in tote when the Conaerva-
to Reform. Let them, then, be wary, and not
tives proposed it in 1859. In all probability the emulate Mr. GLADSTONE in burning their boats
Ministers will not object to concede to the general and cutting down their bridges, for they will find
demand for a lodger franchise, since they themselves the consequences of such a course very destructive.
may claim the merit of suggesting it, a fact which Much will depend upon their foresight and judg-
is overlooked in the moat convenient manner by the went, :and hence we would impress upon them to be
careful, for it is easier to go forward than to draw
DANIELS who have come to judge their new propo-
back ; and it is vexatious to find that the present
sition of Reform. We are glad at all events to find
that Mr. POTTER admitted that it was not satisfac-
attitude of the Opposition is one that threatens
tory for the working-men to continue this agitation again to involve the subject in a party squabble,
instead of letting it assume its right place as a great
which they had long held for their rights, but he
did not make out a very clear case in national question.
his attempt to show that the bill of last year was
more liberal and went further than the present
plan before Parliament. They had accepted the
Reform measure of 1866 because they thought it
one in the right direction ; and if it did not give all
that was wanted, it recognised the claims of the
working classes, and showed an honest desire to
meet them. We really do not see why the same
latitude should not be given to the bill of 1867, but
now there are nice distinctions to be drawn, and
intricate questions to be solved, and hence we learn
that, although desirous of seeing the question settled
this year, they did not " believe the party in power
could deal with it, or would deal with it, without
trickery, and in such a manner as to give them a
good measure of reform." How absurd and unrea-
sonable it is to talk in this fashion, and how simple
people must be to be taken in by it. We expect
Mr. POTTER would be puzzled if called upon to
analyse his words, and define where honesty ended
and trickery began in the compilation of schemes of
Reform. Distance has lent enchantment to the
view, and the bill of last year appears
in glaring colours to dim the lustre and
darken the prospects of the present one ;
and Mr. POTTER has made the extraordinary dis-
covery that Mr. GLADSTONE'S proposition of last
year would have admitted to the franchise two
hundred and sixteen thousand, bui the Tory
Government will only enfranchise one hundred thou-
sand. Now, a measure which admits of household
suffrage, and fall so far short of a scheme which
retained the borough franchise at six pounds, is, in-
deed, rather strange, but justice and fairness are quite
put aside when these particular orators get into the
ascendant. We think that it would have been a
little more in character for the deputation to let Mr.
GLADSTONE stand on his own merits, and not to de-
clare that they trusted to him to advocate their rights
and secure to them their jest claims in regard to the
lodger franchise, when the said franchise was years
ago proposed by the party now in power, and vehe-
mently opposed by those now called upon to de-
mand it, if not by Mr. GLADSTONE himself. Is
there nothing original that the Liberal party can
lay claim to that it is deemed expedient to turn the
plans of their opponents for them to make
a virtue of on their own account. But
Mr. POTTER goes on to say that they felt it
their duty to go on holding meetings and demon-
strations in order to strengthen the hands of the
right hon. gentleman and the great Liberal party
who acted with him in this cause.

The Atlantic cable tells us that President JOHN-
SON has vetoed the supplement to the Reconstruc-
tion Bill, passed by the House of Representatives
on the 11th inst. ; and it adds the further intelli-
gence, which we might easily have anticipated, that
Congress has passed the bill over the Presidential
veto. It will be remembered that this bill directs
the Southern district commanders appointed under
the Reconstruction Bill to cause the registration
before the Ist of September of all male citizens of
legal age qualified to vote under the recent Con-
gressional enactment; that is to say, excluding all
who have taken any part in or shown any sympathy
with the rebellion from the privilege of voting.
Consequently the representation of the Southern
States would be virtually a representation of the
negroes or their self-chosen leaders. When this
registration of duly qualified citizens is completed,
the commander shall cause an election to take place
within thirty days for delegates to form State
representation. Mr. JOHNSON having objected to
the bill was not likely to approve of the supple-
ment, neither was it probable that Congress would
would be influenced by his decision. The form of
reading the veto and of overriding it has now be-
come a recognised feature of American politics, and
the wise precautions of earlier statesmen against_ the
abuse of either legislative or executive power have
been completely defeated by the dominance of one
extreme and unscrupulous party.
Louisiana, it seems, is not inclined to submit
patiently to the new manoeuvres. The State Legis-
lature has appointed a committee to protest against
the Reconstruction Bill, and there is some agitation
respecting the conduct of the Governor. Charges
of usurpation have been brought against him for
declaring certain voters of Louisiana to be disquali-
fied by the Bill, and the elections which were to
take place in Louisiana have been postponed till
special instructions be received from Washington.
Virginia has also protested against the unconstitu-
tionality of the obnoxious measure, and the negroes
are giving very plain evidence of the danger of in-
trusting them with sudden political power. The
negroes of Williamsburg have refused to pay the
rental of the property occupied by them, and have
threatened armed resistance to the officers of the
Freedmen's Bureau, who have, in consequence, ap-
plied for military interference. A negro regiment,
after attending a Radical meeting in Richmond,
paraded the streets, carrying arms. This is a bad
beginning, and if the Radicals stir up the inflam-
mable passions of the blacks into open collision with
the whiter, while the latter are smarting under
the irritation of their political degradation, they will
have much to answer for. Those who stir up a riot
for their own party ends can never guarantee that
they can control its excesses, and this is especially
the case in dealing with the wild, undisciplined
negroes of the Southern States.
Meanwhile-in Congress affairs are much the same.
The Senate has not yet agreed to the adjournment
proposed by the lower House. This adjournment
is till the Bth of May, and is intended to allow time
for some of the pending elections. Even the Radi-
cals feel that the existing state of things has an
awkward appearance. Eighteen States are unre-

If they do so they will not be really representing
the wishes and sentiments of the nation at large,
which desires that the question of Reform shall be
settled at once, and not made the stalking-horse of
party and the stepping-stone to place and power
any longer. Over and over again the great Liberal
party has been given its chances, but it has
thrown them away, and common sense and justice
alike prove that they should not be allowed the
monopoly of the question any longer. They have
been permitted to shelve it when in office, and to
make it the excuse to get into power when in
opposition ; but those days are past, never, we hope,
to return for their own credit and the good of
their country. Another thing that is inconsistent
in this speech of Mr. POTTER'S is that he seems to
dread the results of a general election. The Tories,
he said, would seek to evade the question, and
throw the countryinto all-the turmoil and confusion
of a general election. "It needed no arguments
from him to point out how detrimental to
the best interests of the country at large
this course would be to the working classes, parti-
cularly it would be troublesome, as they would
have to continue their. agitation." If the Reform
measure now submitted to Parliament be such a
specimen of trickery and deceit as they would have
us believe, we should say that the deputation should
rejoice at the prospect of the deceit being exposed,
and the country being allowed to judge for itself
and decide upon its merits. Finally, Mr. POTTER
declared that they trusted to Mr. GLADSTONE not
to let the question of Reform be passed over in an
unsatisfactory manner, because they had rather wait
for another year, until the right hon. gentleman
himself came into power, than have an unsatisfac-
tory scheme now.

presented and nineteen represented in Congress,
and the attempt of the nineteen to legislate for the
eighteen is a little too audacious to be acceptable.
In, other matters, hoiever, the House of Represen-
tatives does ,not show much improvement. The

abuse of the PRESIDENT is as unsparing as ever, Mr.
ASHLEY, a prominent Radical, in his motion for ira-

peachment the other day, having coolly accused

him of complicity in the assassination of his prede

censor, and of turning the White House into a den

of thieves. " Fortunately for mankind," added the
speaker, " such men are born in the world but once
in centuries to curse the human race." This was

rather too strong for ears accustomed to the habitual
intemperance of American political harangues, and

accordingly a reminder from the Speaker arrested
the flow of Mr. ASIILET'S eloquence. But he did

not want supporters, and Mr. BUTLER, as the hero

of Big Buthel is now styled, and FERNANDO WOOD
very soon rivalled the first speaker in the violence

of their language and the extravagance of their

abuse. We cannot seriously accept such conduct as
indicative of the wishes and feelings of the great

Mr. GLADSTONE, in his reply, allowed his irritation
to be very apparent. He said that he did not
despair of a measure of Reform being settled this
year, because the House of Commons seemed now
inclined to do what they did not do last year, and
sacrifice comfort and repose to settle the matter.
Whatever were the faults committed last session
we do not think that idleness or indifference to the
question need be laid to the charge of hon. mem-
bers, but perhaps the right bon. gentleman is the
best judge of the matter, or thinks so at any rate.
" But," he added, " this was a part which would
have to be looked after sharply." With all due re-
spect to Mr. GLADSTONE, we must say that he would
do better in this case if he were not quite so "sharp"
about it. While he and his friends wished to have
the matter settled they could not agree to anything

American people. Much latitude must necessarily be

given when party disputes have risen to such a
height as they have done during the crisis of affairs
in the States, especially as the Americans have

never adopted that wise restriction of speech and

conduct which our own Parliament so strictly ob-

serves. But the virulence and unscrupulous abuse
directed against the chief authority in the country

is something very different from a dignified and
constitutional opposition to a policy believed to be
injurious or mistaken. The temper shown towards

the South is something quite inconsistent with the

principles of broad and enlightened statesmanship,
which are nowhere more needed than among a vast

and varied population like that of America,
embracing so many rival interests, so many
different tones of temper and of feeling. The busy

grasping people of the northern cities, the agricul-
turists of the fertile western plains, the old traditional
families of the Southern plantations, how can all
these be fairly and freely governed by a party that
will only listen to one side? The principle of caucus
is a favourite one with the Radical leaders, who
arrange the whole scheme of Government behind
closed doors, and put a stop to inconvenient discus-
sion when open debates are going on by moving the
previous question. It is only by a rare favour
or some fortunate chance that any of the Democrats
can speak. The new members who have entered
Congress under the delusion that it is a place for
free discussion find themselves grievously mistaken.
Mr. MILL'S doctrine of the representation of mino-
rities is very far from being accepted by the Radical
party. The Radicals meet in caucus, and decide
what shall be done and not done—the opposite side
have nothing to do but to submit. They are allowed
indeed the privilege of making speeches on particu-
lar days when it is against the rule to bring forward
resolutions, so that the most vigorous speech
is vox et pretzrea nihil. It is not to be
supposed that all the Northern public aro
disposed to approve of such a course, but,
thanks to themselves, there is no way of checking
the arrogance of the Radicals. That a Legislative
Assembly should be entirely under the rule of one
party is a contradiction in terms, and the solecism is
increased by the refusal of the dominant .faction to
permit discussion. It is no fault of the American
Constitution, Republican though it be, that the
affairs of the country should be settled after this
fashion, which, in truth, partakes more of the charac-
ter of a despotism than of a Republic.- If the whole
of the Statei were represented, 'as under the Co-
nstitution of the Union they must be faany com-
prehensive or national legislation, the minoritywould
be strong enough at least to obtain a hearing, and
to put a curb on the reckless arrogance of an un-
scrupulous faction. What the promised recess will
bring forth remains to be seen, but we fear that
when it comes to the point Congress will be averas
to even a temporary surrender of its power.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

foreign cattle to be introduced, lest an extension
might be given to the cattle plague. There will be
steamboats from the Champ de Mars to Billancourt
every hour.

It appears from the calculations of the Italian
journals that of the 450 elections of which the
result is known the number of Independent and
Opposition members is 225 ; Ministerialists, 151 ;
Mountain, 74. It is difficult, however, to form an
exact opinion, as there are are a great many new
members whose political opinions are not known.
The Italie of Naples describes the movements of the
Italian squadron. Orders have been given to arm
four corvettes, which are to be placed under the
command of Admiral Robotie. The object is stated
to be to undergo a course of instruction hi naval
manoauvres in the Mediterranean.

Runs, Sunday Evening.
Real news having been a scarce article for the last
few days the fabricators of sensation reports have
been hard at work. Here is a summary of the
canards which have been in circulation :—General
Fleury was said to have left Vienna on an impor-
tant mission, involving peace or war. The Rus-
sians were said to have passed the Pruth. An
Austrian army had • been sent to the frontiers of
Turkey, and Russian troops had concentrated in
Volhynia and Podolia. Another report was that
England and France had come to an understanding
to protect Holland against any attempt on the
part of Prussia to annex Luxembourg. This, how-
ever, was coupled with a report that Prussia had
consented to cede Luxembourg to France upon
certain conditions.. Although there was nofoundation
for these reports they had their effect at the Bourse
in producing various fluctuations4and that was palp-
ably the object of the inventors.
The Minister of net Interior, the Marquis de la;
Valette, has issued a.. Circular to the local authori-
ties, strongly condethning the riotous conduct of the,
workmen of Roubaix, and expressing the determi-
nation of the Government to prevent them, but at
the same time intimating its desire to support the
just claims both of masters and men. Some of the
rioters will be imprisoned for five years.
The new constructions at the Prefecture of
police have led to the demolition of many old un-
sightly houses. A curious specimen of the architec-
ture of the reign of Henry the Second has, however,
been preserved intact. It is a stone arcade erected
to connect the ancient -hotel of Harley, with the
wing of the building facing the Quai des Orfevres.
Its execution proves the attention which was made
to the smallest details of edifices in the 16th cen-
tury. The decorations of the tympana of the
arches and the accuracy of the sculpture evince the
talent of the architects of the time. The initial of
Diana de Poictiers is alternated with that of Henry
the Second, thus affording a sure indication of the
date of the construction.
Two enormous cannon have been cast at the Im-
perial cannon foundry at Ruelle for the Great
Exhibition. They are the most enormous speci-
mens of this instrument of war to be seen in the
world, and much exceed the production of
American artillerymen. Each cannon is more
than 36,000 kilogrammes in weight, that is
to say more than double that number of
English pounds. The operation attracted a large
number of artillery officers and eminent individuals.
At a given signal five immense furnaces were
opened, and the liquid metal ran in torrents into
the moulds. The work, which only lasted four
minutes and a half, was perfectly successful. A
magnificent bouquet ornamented with ribands was
immediately hoisted in token of the triumph.
The village of Ferioli, on the banks of Lake
'Major, in Switzerland, has, from some hitherto in-
explicable cause, crumbled into ruins, which were
precipitated into the lake. The village is a gulf.
At a depth of 40 metres the soundings did not
touch any substance. Seventeen persons are known
to have perished, and it is feared that the number
of victims will prove to be greater.
It appears from the official records which are kept
that the consumption of horseflesh as human food
is geeatly on the increase in France. At Paris
there aro now fifteen., hutoherS' shops where it
is sold. From sixty to seventy horses are
slaughtered every week, and there are fonr restau-
rants devoted exclusively to epicures in horse-meat.
As-to the provinces, the towns which have joined
in the horseflesh movement are Nancy, MOulhouse,
Cambrai, Amiens, Bayeux, Valenciennes, St.
Quentin, and Peroune, and it is believed that many
other towns are about to follow the example. It
may not be generally known that it was the founder
of the Garden of Acclimitation, M. Isidore
Geoffroy St. Helaine, a man of scientific attain-
ments, who first suggested a resort to horseflesh.
He contends that it is nourishing and wholesome.
One of the Paris papers, which is an earnest advo-
cate for the use of horseflesh, calculates that at
present 4,000 horses upon the average are
slaughtered,furnisting3,2oo,ooo half-pound rations.
It ascribes the prejudice against horseflesh to
" routine, the most terrible enemy to innovations
and progress," and recalls to the aid of its argu-
ment the historical fact that at one time a French-
man would not eat the delicate turkey. When
Charles the Ninth, after his marriage, was invited
to a banquet by the municipality of Mezieres,
turkeys were for the first time served at table in
France. Neither the king nor his courtiers would
touch the savoury bird, but it is not said whether
the aldermen of the town gave better proof of
knowing what is good.
The Chambers have lately occupied exclusively
the attention of the political world, but there is no
lack of noteworthy items in connection with art,
literature, and music. Leonard, a first-rate violinist,
and his wife, a charming singer, attract largo audi-
ences to the Salle Hertz. The new piece, " Les
Brebis Galeuses," in spite of the somewhat repulsive
title and adverse criticism, furnishes good receipts
at the Varietas ; and Francisque Sarcey, at the
Athenasum, continues his interesting criticisms and
illustrations of the works of Alexander Dumas, jun.
Therese, the renowned .Cafd Concert singer, has
left for Nice to gather fresh laurels and more golden
Napoleons, in company with Honorine, the prima
donna of the Palais Royal. A musical mass, by
Prince Poniatowski, with cornets-a-piston, has been
executed at the church of St. Eustache. Alexandre
'Jaya, an advocate at the Cour Imperiale, has
started a journal to bet devoted•to reports of trials
at the tribunals, called the Causes Celebres. Victor
Hugo is engaged upon a work to be called " Paris a
Hundred Years Hence." A second edition is an-
nounced of Latow St. Pybai's " Life of Nero." As
to music, the prizes to be given at the grand compe-
tition concerts at the Exhibition in July will be 20
gold medals ; grand prix of 5,000 f., 3,000 f., 2,000 f.,
and I,ooof. ; medals of merit, &c. The value of the
prizes altogether will be 50,000 f. At the picture
sale last week the " Cuirassiers of Waterloo" rea-
lised 12,250 f. " The Guard dies, but does not sur-
render," 10,950 f. An episode of the return from
the Island of Elba, 4,000 f. Episode of the " Retreat
from Russia," 6,000 f. The "Defile after the Vic-
tory" (episode- of the battle of Wagram), 1;400f.
Last, and least, the picture of the Queen of Eng-
land going from Treport to the Chateau d'Eu, was
sold for the sum of 125 f. only. These pictures aro

PARIS, Friday Evening.
The Moniteur, in its Bulletin, says :—" The
Minister of Marine and the Colonies has received
from Vice-Admiral Baron de la Ronciere le Noury
the following despatch, dated Vera Cruz, March
16th, and New Orleans, the 20th:—' The entire
evacuation of the French troops has been completed
without any accident. Marshal Bazaine left on the
12th. I shall leave to-day with all the ships de-
tained for the last two days by a violent northerly
wind. The Phlegeton will remain on the station
here. The troops are in good health. Order
reigns in the town. There is no news from
Mexico.' "

Prince Stirbey has arrived in Austria, charged
with the presentation of an official letter from
Prince Charles, notifying to the Emperor his ac-
cession to power in the Danubian Principalities.
After having given a very gracious reception to the
the Emperor presented him with
theß o
grandum a in Envoy,cordon
of the order 'of Francis Joseph.
In addition to the presentation of the letter, Prince
Stirbey is charged with the mission of regulating
with Austria the relations between the two countries,
and to negotiate treaties of commerce and extradi-
ditions.

Acccording to the correspondence from Buenos
lAyres, in the Moniteur, the insurrectional movements
in the provinces. of Mendoza, San LUia, San Juan,
and La Rioja have not yet been suppressed. Never-
theless, General Pannero, who.had been prevented
by the insurrection from continuing, his march
towards Mendoza, the chief seat'Of the disturbances,
had defeated a body of insurgents whO had attacked
him in his retrograde movement, with the intention
of regaining the city of El Rip Quarto to obtain
reiuforcements detached from the army of the Allies.
It is now definitively fixed that the ceremony of
the inauguration of the Great Exhibition shall take
place on the Ist of April next. The prizes awarded
to exhibitors will be distributed'on the Ist of July.
The commissioners supply all possible information
as to the details.
The first spring meeting at Vincennes will take
place next Sunday. On the following Sunday
3,000 f. ; Prix de
(March 31) the following will be the order of the
Prix de la Pyra-
ir,aEcnies :—Prix
snide (French jockeys), 3000 f.
It appears from the German
pT):Ditiore,olloe6f.;
TePurriz(hadnediicaa
papers that the news
of the conclusion of the defensive and offensive
treaty of alliance between Prussia and Baden,
which I have mentioned, has created intense sensa-
tion in Germany. The Sleds thus refers to the sub-
ject :
" What is the meaning of this treaty ? Why
was this moment chosen for its publication ? What
signifies the following singular commentary upon
the subject by the Bavarian Gazette
" 'We do not share in the fear that the publica-
tion of this treaty will interrupt the friendly rela-
tions of Germany with foreign countries, and parti-
cularly with France. We even believe that this
publication, considered as a necessary consequence
of the principle of nationalities, so generally
accepted in this country, will be received as a proof
of the union between the German Governments,
and consequently as a guarantee of peace." The
Austrian journals do not seem to be very uneasy
about treaties which they do not consider to be
contrary to the stipulations entered into at Prague.
Austria will not trouble herself much about the
arrangement which transfers in case of need the
chief command of the troops to the King of Prussia.
She will only protest in the case of a complete fusion
of the States of the South with those of the North.
In such a case she will be a little too late."
It appears that the recovery of theltnperial Prince
from his illness was delayed by the formation of a
second abscess in the leg which was very snccees-
fully probed by Dr. Nekton. The Prince who at
the first operation consented to be placed under
the influence of chloroform, at the earnest request
of his mother, requested Dr. &Stott' to operate on
the second occasion without it. His only anxiety
seemed to be that the Empress, whose fears he was
afraid of exciting, should not be informed of the
painful operation to which he was about to be sub-
jected. The operation did not last very long ; but
during the whole time the Prince exhibited a firm-
ness and courage much beyond what might be ex-
pected at his age. I hear to-day that the young
Prince is almost entirely recovered. The fever has
quite left him.

M. Benedetti, the French Ambassador at Berlin,
has left Paris for the former capital,
being anxious
to be present at the anniversary of the birthday of
the King of Prussia, which occurs to-day.
The Emperor and Empress visited the Exhibition
again on Wednesday, and expressed great satisfac-
lion at the wonderful progress of the works.
There are more strange atmospherical perturba-
tions. Last night it was excessively cold, and early
this morning the rain eame down with unusual vio-
lence and abundance. Up to mid-day it was ex-
cessively cold. The sun broke forth about that
time, and during this afternoon it has been very
bright and warm. On Sunday last, an old woman,
residing in a village in the department of Isere, was
struck by lightning as she was leaving the church.
Death was instantaneous.

During the Exhibition letterswill be sent between
London and Paris, by Dover and Calais, three
times a day, instead of twice, as at present.
The French Government yacht Jerome Napo-
leon, Captain Dubnisson, has left Havre for Cher-
bourg, from which latter port, it is said, it will soon
sail for England. The object of the visit is not
mentioned.

the production of M. Hippolyte l3ellange, recently
deceased. He was a pupil of David. The Abbe
Listz has just completed a mass, which will be
performed at the coronation of the Emperor of
Austria as King of Hungary. Listz will himself
conduct the orchestra. M. Alexandre Dumas, jun.,
has written a drama, with the title of "Les Idees de
Madame Aubray."

The rain fell in great violence during almost all
last night, but the weather has again become very
warm. There were several rather heavy showers
during the day. •

The opening of the Agricultural Exhibition, at
Billancourt, a few miles from Paris, is fixed for
the Ist of April, but it will be somewhat cur-
tailed of its fair proportions in consequence of the
determination of the Government not to allow any

Mdlle. Marguerite Elisabeth Erard, the daughter
of M. Erard, the founder of the well-known piano-
forte establishments in London and Paris, died last
week at the chateau of La Muette, Passy, in her
96th year. Mdlle. Erard was the sister of Madame
Spontini, wife of the composer of "La Vestale."
She is reported to have died worth some millions of
francs.

A new oyster bed of excellent natives, it is said,
his been discovered near Port-in-Bassin, in the
vicinity of CJaerbourg.
In consequence of the death of M. thiill=t) M,