The Sun.
London, England, 1867-02-22 00:00:00

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

PARIS, Wednesday Evening.

The Paris papers are occupied exclusively and
earnestly with the consideration of the new law on
the press, respecting which various and contradic-
tory versions are still given. Le Temps seems to
have received information similar to my own upon
the subject, and cannot bring itself to believe that
the statements published officiously upon the sub-
ject are accurate. It says—" To suppress punish-
ment in person, to replace it by fines of from 4,000 f.
to 40,000 f., and that in a country where universal
suffrage has been proclaimed for 19 years, in a
country where money privileges have always been
odious in public opinion, we cannot believe that
such an idea could have received sanction in the
Council of State. We refuse to believe, also, that
there can have been the intention to withdraw elec-
toral rights for offences of the press." The Journal
des Debats and the l'resse are equally doubtful in
regard to the accuracy of the details given respecting
the new law. The former paper, however, expresses
confidence that its provisions will not be of such a
nature as to justify theadverse criticisms pronounced
upon it by anticipation. In the meantime there
has been a numerous meeting at Paris of
proprietors of provincial journals, at which
there was long and animated discussion. Various
resolutions were agreed to, having for object to
induce the Government to remove restrictions from
the press as much as possible, and to relieve news-
papers from the pressure of the stamp duty. A
memorial founded upon the resolutions was drawn
up, which is to be presented to the Government and
to the great bodies of the State and members of the
Legislature.

I mentioned some time since that the Emperor
Maximilian had announced his intention of con-
voking a National Mexican Assembly to consult the
wishes of the country in regard to the continuance
of his reign as Emperor, or whether there was a
desire that he should abdicate. The idea of the
assembly has failed, because the electors would not
attend it. In its room, however, there has, it seems,
according to the Mexican papers, been a meeting of
leading personages to the number of 35, among
whom was Marshal Bazaine. Twenty-five of these
individuals, all of them compromised in the inter-
vention and connected with the previous struggles
of the clerical party (says the Abeille of New Or-
leans), voted for the maintenance of the Empire.
The minority, including Marshal Bazaine and the
Archbishop of Mexico, were in favour of the
Emperor's abdication. According to the latest news
Mejia and Miratnon were about to attempt a
last great battle, between Queretaro and San Luis
de Potosi against the Republican army of Escobedo.
Juarez had installed himself temporarily at Zaca-
tecas, the capital of one of the States of Northern
Mexico. The important city of Morelia, capital of
Michoacan, has been captured by the Republican
General Regules, whose name has often figured
during the combats that have taken place within the
last two years in that region. On the other hand,
it was announced that a formidable Republican
army had been organised, which was marching
towards Mexico by the south west, under the orders
of Diaz and Alvarez. It was reported that all the
Republican chiefs, without exception, were in favour
of the promotion of Juarez to the Presidentship, at
least until the end of the war.

A very important discussion will immediately
take place in the Chamber, M. Thiers having pre-
sented a demand for the permission to put interpel-
lations respecting foreign affairs. M. Garnier Pages
and other Opposition members, who do not agree in
the views of M. Thiers, intended also to make a
similar request for permission to put questions, but,
in order not to multiply the claims for interpellation,
they have renounced the idea of making them sepa-
rately. M. Gamier Pages, however, has announced
his intention to speak upon the discussion to be opened
by M. Thiers. M. Lanjuinais and other members
of the Opposition, including M. Picard, have claimed
the privilege of putting interpellations relative to
the suppression of the discussion on the Address, and
the course adopted by M. Vandal, Postmaster-
General, in reference to the authority given by him
to open letters supposed to contain a copy of the
recent manifesto of the Count de Chambord.
I have a copy of the Yellow Book just presented
to the Chambers, but have only time to mention
its couteuts. It contains the explanation of politi-
cal and commercial affairs, already inserted in the
expose of the situation of the empire, the despatches
relative to the affairs of Germany and Italy, of
Rome, the United Principalities, Montenegro, the
Isthmus of Suez, Lebanon, Crete, the United
States, Mexico, and Japan. It also comprises de-
tails of commercial negotiations, treaties of com-
merce, navigation, monetary conventions, universal
code of signals, and information upon other im-
portant matters.
The Moniteur states that the elections for the
Parliament of the North in the Duchies have given
a considerable majority to the list of the Opposi-
tion committee.

Baron de Belcastel, Minister Plenipotentiary of

France at Saxe-Weimar, died in that city on Mon- '
day last.
M. Cave, who had recently an opportunity of
observing the plain and simple domestic habits of
the Pope, has given some interesting details upon
the subject. In personal appearance his Holiness
looks delicate, but as if in good health. His head
indicates the possession of high intellectual qualities.
His face has a very benevolent expression. The
right side of his body is weaker than the left, so
that his head inclines a little. There is a slight de-
fect in the right eye. At times there is peculiar
animation in his countenance. The Pope gets up
every morning at half-past 4. Unaccustomed to
require assistance, he shaves himself. The only
aristocratic custom he has preserved is that of ex-
treme cleanliness. His body is as white and trans-
parent as wax. At half-past 7 o'clock the Pope
says mass alone in his oratory, and afterwards hears
mass. This act is the most solemn and the most
important one of the life of Pius the Ninth. At
half-past 8 o'clock the Pope has fulfilled his Ponti-
fical duties. He has fortified his soul by prayer
and communion. His mind is free, and ready for
his day's work. He leaves the chapel and par-
takes of some slight refreshment, a biscuit
soaked in a mixture of coffee and choco-
late. The master of his household then comes
in and takes orders respecting the audiences
he is about to give. Soon afterwards the sounds of
carriages echo in the courtyard, and ambassadors,
cardinals, ministers, and various personages, are
received by him in his cabinet, the furniture of
which is humble in the extreme. It is solely com-
posed of a table, on which there is a cross and
writing materials. There is an arm chair for his
Holiness, and a seat for a visitor. As a rule of
etiquette the Pope always dines alone. The only
exception is when his Holiness makes country excur-
sions. At Frascati and at Albano, or in places
where he hasno palace of his own, be receives at
his table a few cardinals or prelates. On these
occasions his seat and the tray on which his cover is
are slightly raised above those of the other guests,
in sign of dignity. The dinner of the Pope since
the 16th century has always been very frugal and
simple. According to Shakspere, "King Stephen's
breeches cost him half a crown." That is about the
amount which Pius the Ninth expends for his daily
dinner. Under Pope Gregory the 16th the cost of
a Pope's dinner was estimated at about fifteen
shillings. It lasts about twenty minutes. After
the repast the Pope retires to his bedroom for a
short sleep. At four o'clock the carriages are ready
and his Holiness has a country drive for an hour or
so. He returns at six, and resumes his labours
until half-past ten. After a prayer and long medi-
tation in his oratory he retires to bed. His private
Minister comes into his room and relates to
him the news and incidents of the day. When
Pius the Ninth no longer replies the Minister
retires, first taking care to see that the Pope's
attendant at his post in the ante-room. In the
reign of former Popes, during the hot weather, it
was customary to serve up ices, lemonade, and cakes
with much ceremony. One day his Holiness, at
his first accession, was greatly surprised at the en-
trance of many servants with trays laden with
lemonade and pastry of all kinds. He was told that
this was the custom with former Popes. His Holi-
ness, however, who eschews vanity, and is an
enemy to vain pomp, told the servants to take away
all the paraphernalia, and bring him a knife and
an orange. He cut the orange, and having squeezed
the juice into a glass he drank it, and told the ser-
vants that was all he should want in future when he
was thirsty. This simplicity is followed out in all the
Pope's habits. His linen was for a long time th e
same as he had at Imola. After a reign of 15
months he had the same flannel robe which he had
made for his election. It was without a spot, ex-
cept a few marks of snuff, which the Holy Father
takes in great quantity.

Although it was frost this morning, the sun rose
brightly and with:great power, and it is warm and

agreeable, but in the afternoon there was a ten-
dency to rain.

PARIS, Thursday Evening.

Real news being somewhat scarce, the papers re-
sume their polemics and speculations respecting the
supposed provisions of the new law upon the press,
but without removing the doubt or apprehension
prevalent upon the subject. The conclusion to be
drawn from the articles generally, and from informa-
tion obtained in well-informed quarters, strengthens
the impression that when all the details of the law
shall have become known it will be found that the
opposition papers have raised a false alarm.
The Journal des Debats, which has often access to
official information, has an article calculated to re-
assure the journalists and the public. The Con-
stitutionnel, however, which affects to be a Govern-
ment organ, rather evades the subject, from which
fact some suppose that at present it has not much
to say in behalf of the proposed law. The Patrie
remarks with great reason that the alarm is at least
premature, and that even should the law be as
stringent and disagreeable as some have supposed,
there may be alterations made in it in a liberal sense,
as it has not yet undergone examination by the
Council of State. Most of the versions of the law
which have been published are discredited.
The Moniteur, in a searching disquisition upon
the facts disclosed in the account of the position of
the Empire, has these interesting remarks in regard
to Italy, and the Pope, and the Eastern question:—
Iu Italy the programme of the Emperor has been
accomplished, and the work inaugurated at Magenta
and Solferino has been terminated. The Roman
question has entered upon a new phase, and expe-
rience has shown the sentiment of respect and filial
devotion which inspired the Convention of the 15th
of September, which protects the Pontifical fron-
tier, saves the financial position of the Roman Go-
vernment, and facilitates the recruitment of its
army. In placing under the authority of a contract
signed with France the engagements which secure
the independence and safety of the Holy See, the
Emperor gave them the best guarantee of sincere
and faithful execution. His Majesty has not
neglected anything to establish harmony between
the causes which passions only considered irrecon-
cileable, and substituting for military occupation a
moral protection quite as imposing and not less
efficacious. He will not cease to watch over the
great interests to which he has given so many proofs
of his devotion.

" The Government was occupied with Rome and
Jerusalem with equal solicitude. The grand cupola
which covers the Holy Sepulchre was menaced with
ruin. He has come to an understanding with the
Emperor of Russia and the territorial Sovereign to
repair that august edifice, and put an end to a state
of things with which the whole Christian world
had reason to be afflicted.
"In the East the Imperial Government has
favoured the combinations which, in consolidating
peace, are calculated to contribute to the develop-
ment of the material and moral welfare of the
populations. In the principalities the Emperor has
seen, with real satisfaction, the triumph of a cause
which he formerly characterised as just and civil-
ised. On the banks of the Danube, as in Italy, the
national feeling prevailed. The United Principali-
ties aro constituted according to their desire, and
thus one of the questions which had the most occu-
pied European diplomacy has received a happy
solution.

" Montenegro has received the rectification of its
frontiers, and Prince Nicholas has expressed to the
Emperor Napoleon his great gratitude for the sup-
port which the ambassador of France gave during
the negociations to the Montenegrin Envoys at
Constantinople.
" In Lebanon a lamentable crisis is terminated,
and the country may now resume its career of pro-
gress under a Christian Governor, who, by his en-
lightened mind and good intentions, has justified
the confidence which the Powers and the Potte
placed in him.

" In Crete the situation is more grave. At the
commencement of the present conflict the French
Government urged the Porte to send to Candia a
special commissary, furnished with sufficient power
to settle those questions which could be settled upon
the spot. Unfortunately, in spite of advice fre-
quently reiterated, the departure of this commissary
was delayed from day to day ; and when he arrived
in Crete the opportune moment had passed away.

The East has suffered from the reaction of this
crisis. Tho princes of Greek origin are in commo-
tion. The Servians have made a claim at Con-
stantinople for the evacuation of the fortresses
which the Turks still occupy in the Principality,
particularly Belgrade. The French Government,
which always thought that this fortress was of no
real utility to Turkey, advised the Porte to decide
the question in a manner favourable to the wishes
of Servia ; and the last news from Constantinople
gives reason to hope that the Turkish Government
will adopt the advice. Everything tends to induce
the Turkish Government not to rely upon deceptive
illusions. It is not sufficient that it should appease
more or less completely certain troubles, it should un-
derstand the moral gravity of the position, search the
foundation of things, and not shrink from the sacri-
fices which will preserve it from the periodical
return of a similar crisis. It must give more atten-
tion to financial matters, and introduce changes in
the levying of taxes for the interest both of the tax-
payers and the Treasury, for the present system is
the most real and profound cause of the sufferings
both of the Mussulmans and the Christians." In
conclusion, Turkey is urged to develope her im-
mense resources, and to make an intelligent appeal
to foreign capitalists, whosefinancial assistance only
can " re-vivify the country."

The Austrian Field-Marshal Count Wratislaw
died on Tursday last at Vienna. He was Knight
of the Order of the Golden Fleece and Chancellor
of the Order of Maria Theresa. He was born on
the 2d of July, 1786, and was a soldier who distin-
guished himself by his military service.
A Spanish paper tells a story of a dolphin, which
seems " very like a whale." A fisherman of Aros,
near Vigo, caught a dolphin in his net, and after
patience and perseverance he has not only made it
tame but useful. He employs the dolphin to tow a
little boat. Some days ago, in the presence of the
local authorities, he harnessed the dolphin to an ap-
paratus at the bowsprit, and the docile fish towed
the boat about for a quarter of an hour, having
during that time performed a distance of a mile and
a half. •

M. Delacour, residing at Glisolles, in the depart-
ment of the Eure, the other day partook of a salad
gathered from his garden. It was supposed to be a
vegetable (marigold) much used at this season for
salad ; but it appears that it was aconite, a rank
poison, which resembles it. M. Delacour died in
five hours after eating the salad in groat agony, and
his wife and a child are so dangerously ill that they
are not expected to recover.
A St. Petersburg journal, the Wiest, gives a
terrible and melancholy account of the condition of
the western provinces, formerly Polish. They are
in misery and desolation. In Wilna and Lithuania
trade and commerce have entirely disappeared.
There is stagnation in all industrial pursuits, no
money, and no credit. One of the first commercial
houses at Wilna has been transformed into a wine-
shop. Splendid mansions, which were formerly let
for large sums, are now in ruins. Besides this,
armed bands traverse various districts, and pillage
and rob the peaceable inhabitants. The disquietude
is augmented by the constant circulation of alarm-
ing news.