The Sun.
London, England, 1867-04-15 00:00:00

if.iscellaneous Foreign News.

(From Correspondents of the Auglo-American Times)
• PARIS, April 11.

This has been a week of unusual political excite-
ment in Paris. I may, therefore, be pardoned if I
touch for a few moments, on the " bones of con-
tention."

The Luxembourg' affair Las been temporarily
quieted by the resolve of the King of Holland to
desist from further negotiations with France for the
sale and alienation of the Grand Duchy. This de-
termination was influenced by the rather menacing
attitude assumed by Prussia, who, although declin-
ing to express any positive official opinion on the
subject, still gave unquestionable evidences of her
disapprobation of the whole proceedings. Holland
fears Prussia, and loves tranquillity and independ-
ence. She knows that, in the event of a struggle
between France and Prussia, her contingent of
60,000 men would be too important an addition to
either side for her to be permitted to remain
neutral. A considerable military success gained by
either party, on account of the Grand Duchy affair,
would entail consequences ultimately menacing to
the independence of Holland ; and while the Dutch,
in case of such an alternative, would unhesitatingly
choose the rule of France in preference to that of
Prussia, they like their present independence better
than either, and will not by any dangerous foreign
negotiation compromise it.
Under the old Germanic Confederation, Prussia
had the right to garrison the fortress of the Luxem-
bourg ; but as that Confederation no longer exists
the right ceased to exist with it, and Prussia's pre-
sent occupation is unjustifiable to an extent amount-
ing to usurpation. Should France acquire Luxem-
bourg by purchase, Prussia would have to evacuate
the fortress, or resist the transaction, and declare
war with France. The Power holding this almoEt
impregnable natural fortress would have the advan-
tage it guarantees, in commanding the whole valley
of the Moselle, and threatening at the same time
Treves, Aix-la-Chapelle, Bonn, and Cologne. Its
possession would be incalculably important to
France if she ever should attempt the annexation of
the left Bank of the Rhine, by affording her advan-
tageous means for the invasion of the Frans-
Rhenane province of Prussia.
The House of Hohenzollern is aware of this, and
of the great importance, in a strategic point of view,
of this fortress. Prassia is caning a covetous eye
upon the Duchy, and is doubtless entertaining hopes
of embodying it in her dominions. It is q.iite cer-
tain that France will not suffer this, an I it may be
equally certain that Prussia will not submit with-
out a struggle to its acquisition by France.
The question of the cession was in all probability
first mooted by the King of Holland, who sup-
posed that it could be accomplished without diffi-
culty. France, desirous of obtaining a fortress,
erected, in part, by one of her great generals, and
proving one of the strongest strategical positions on
her.north-eastern frontier, hearkened readily to the
overtures of Holland's King, and was proceeding to
benefit by the opportunity offered, when Prussian
grumblings and Prussian interference put an end to
the negotiations. This question will be renewed by
France at some more opportune time. Stung to
the quick, she will treasure up in her long account
of grievances, this additional one, to be settled at
some future day with her neighbours beyond the
Rhine. Prussian Ministers and journalists are jubi-
lant now, but they may soon find that their rejoic-
ings and braggadocios have been premature.
Monsieur Schneider has been appointed, by the
Emperor, President of the Corps Legislatif, in the
place of Count Walewski resigned. The members
of the Assembly expressed themselves satisfied with
the appointment, and welcomed with considerable
applause the address pronounced on his taking the
President's chair. Schneider has filled creditably
many offices under the French Government. He was
sent in 1845 Deputy from Saone and Loire; in 1851
Minister of Public Works, and in December of the
same year, one of a consulting committee, organised
to act with the President of the Republic, for the
purpose of preparing the Constitution. In 1852
he was Deputy to the Corps Legislatif, and then,
Vice-President, was re-elected by an overwhelming
majority in 1863.

The Senate is discussing the advantage and
necessity of discontinuing the burial of the dead
within the limits of Paris, and of establishing a vast
cemetery for the purpose at some distance from the
capital. The three cemeteries—Pere-la-Chaise,
Montmartre, and Montparnasse are too re-
stricted and insufficient in circumference for the
increased population. The earth cf these burial-
grounds is already saturated, thereby endangering
the health of the city. A committee, appointed by
the municipal council, for the purpose of studying
the subject and selecting a suitable spot for new
places of sepulture, reported in favour of Mery-sur-
Seine, where suitability of soil, atmospheric cur-
rents, &c., joined to its remoteness from habitated
spots, rendered it above all others the most desirable.
The municipality, acting upon these representa-
tions, purchased a considerable quantity of ground
at Alery, where it is intended that all burials here-
after from Paris shall take place. A railway run-
ning from the centre of the city, and connecting by
branches the existing cemeteries, will be esta-
blished, and conduct the funerals to the new. ceme-
tery. A station is to be built in each Paris ceme-
tery, with chapels sufficient to contain all the corpses
the train can carry. The funeral will take place in
the usual manner ; the body will be carried to one
of the three 'great cemeteries, and from thence
taken by rail to Mery. In the front of each mor-
tuary carriage will be a saloon for the transporta-
tion of the family and mourners of the dead. For
the poor, transportation will be gratuitous, and for
other classes, reasonable enough to prevent dissatis-
faction. The Paris cemeteries will be preserved,
and open to visitors, but no more interments will
be allowed, in them.

The brother of the Tycoon of Japan has arrived
at Paris, accompanied by his suite, consisting of a
minister, officers, and servants. This prince, heir
to the temporal throne of Jaran, is not quite 15
years of age. Ile is small, and appears to possess a
serious disposition and an observing mind. His
suite maintain in his presence the strictest ceremony
and deference. Near him, a Japanese nobleman
holds a sword always unsheathed and elevated. He
and his cortege are clothed according to the customs
of their country. The Prince comes not only to
visit to the Exhibition and study it in its various
details, but to pus five years in France, to learn
French, and complete his education.

The tailors and shoemakers in Paris have been on
a strike for some time, and are still heroically hold-
ing out. It is almost impossible to have anything
done in the way of covering for the body and feet,