The Sun.
London, England, 1860-07-07 00:00:00

FRANCE.

PARIS, FRIDAY.
The Minister of the Interior has addressed the
following circular to the Prefects :

" Paris, Ist July.
" Monsieur le Prefet,—lt is not solely for the
maintenance of public order that the Administra-
tion has received special powers from the law on
the press, but likewise for the protection of public
morals. The stories which in the lower columns
of a -journal offend all right feelings, do as much,
or perhaps more harm, than the political declama-
tions which, in the upper columns, might attempt
to agitate the public mind. This easy literature,
seeking for success only in the ribaldry of its por-
traitures, the immorality of its plots, and the
strange perversity of its heroes, has of late as-
sumed a lamentable and melancholy develop-
ment. Having obtained admission into nearly all
periodical publications, and even taking advantage
of their regular appearance to keep in continual
suspense and stimulate unceasingly the ardent
curiosity of the public, it profusely disseminates
the inexhaustible fantasies of the most licentious
imaginations. The mote serious journals have
even granted it an as) lum ; it penetrates with them
into the privacy of the domestic circle, and when
it has thus been admitted into families, neither
youth nor innocence is safe, from its contagion.
Nor is this all; by the side of the political jour-
nals, which lend it their publicity for the sake of
the subscribers whom it may attract or retain,
we have seen a host of minor publications spring
up devoted exclusively to the cultivation of this
unwholesome literature, and issuing weekly, at
the lowest possible price, hundreds of thousands
of copies to satisfy the avidity of their readers.
By all who still retain some regard for propriety
and good taste, the state of things is deeply de-
plored, and it is high time to apply a remedy.
The popular mind has a right to more wholesome
food ; and corrupting the heart must no more be
tolerated than perverting the mind. I therefore
call your most vigilant attention, Monsieur le
efet, to this point ; against the political jour-
nals the decree of 1852; against the others the
laws on the distributing and hawking of printed
works, supply all the means of effectual repression.
Besides, for those journals which have a proper
feeling of their dignity and of their obligations to-
ward public propriety, a mere caution, I am sure,
will suffice. As to those, if:such exist, which, from
eagerness to make money easily, or from inability
to take a higher tone, should persist in such publi-
cations, use all the severity of administrative mea-
sures; and, if necessary, remembering that there
are penal laws to protect public morality, send them
for trial before the tribunals.—Accept, &e„

6 BILLAIJLT."

The Bishop of Faenza was condemned on the 3d
to three years' imprisonment, and a fine of 4,000 fr.,
for contempt of the Royal authority.
«M. Ch. de la Varienne," says the Siecle,"has
arrived in Paris from Sicily, charged to represent,
provisionally, the interests of the new Sicilian
Government. The approaching arrival of official
envoys is annolurced."

The following " communicated note" is published
in the Moniteur de l' Armee :—" After the campaign
of Italy an anonymous letter was received by the
Minister of War against an officer who was ac-
cused of not having done his duty during the battle
of Solferino, where he fell into the power of the
enemy. An inquiry took place, and another officer
was proved to have written this cowardly denun-
ciation, for the purpose of securing to himself a
favour which he feared might be disputed by his
comrade. He has been definitely excluded from
the ranks of the army for this dishonourable
conduct." •

BounsE, July 6.—The market continues very
buoyant, tnd securities of all kinds are in demand.
Ttrees have varied from 68f 95c. to 69f 10c. ; Mo-