The Sun.
London, England, 1858-02-11 00:00:00

OPINIONS OF THE FRENCit JOURNALS.

The nomination of General Espinasse to the
Ministry of the Interior is commented on by the
Constitutionnei in the following favourable
terms :

"France will view with confidence the choice mule
by the Emperor of General Espinasse as successor to M.
Billault, who has retired after having, for a considerable
period, given proofs of his devotion and enlightenment
to the eountry and to the Emperor. The circular ad-
dressed by the new Minister of the Interior to the pre-
fects permits us to appreciate without exaggeration the
motives which prompted the sovereign to appoint one of
the general officers of our brave army to a high function
of a purely civil character. It is not contemplated, as
malevolence might insinuate, to inaugurate to our coun-
try a rule of superfluous rigour. France is now suffi-
ciently acquainted with the Emperor to know that vebre
circumstances to permit him to listen only to the gene-
rosity of his heart, we should witness a continua-
tion of amnesties and acts of mercy ; but it must not
be lost sight of that reason rather than sentiment must
at this moment inspire the acts of the Imperial Govern.
ment. The country will receive the firm language of
the new Minister of the Interior with legitimate cm-
fidance."

The Pays commends the conciliatory terms of
Count Walewski'e despatch to Count de Persiguy
on the subject of the refugees :---
"The French Cabinet,"saysthat journal, "establishes,
as is right, a natural distinction between the different
classes of men who have been compelled by events to
quit France ; it is only against assassins and the pr., jec-
tors of crimes that it demands such measures as the
English Government tray think proper to adopt for the
security of nations. Nothing can be more reasonable
or conclusive, and never was a question of such import-
ance treated with so correct an appreciation of the social
necessities and attention which ought to reign between
great Governments. This firm and dignified language
has been hearkened to. It is not now the time to
examine the terms of Lord Palmerston's new bill ; we
i,olieve that the arguments employed by the Premier in
presenting the latter will conciliate all convictions, and
that no opposition will be manite.ted towards a bill which
is destined to testify to the loyalty of the sentiment and to
the spirit of justice which presides the English legislation,
and at the sametime to offer to the French nation new and
solid guarantees of security. What will the Tines say
with respect to the complicity of an Englishman, Thos.
..4.lsopp 1 This journal, not being familiar with the pro-
ceedings of demagogues, was doubtless not aware that
miserable passions are I:ke the plague ; they prove infec-
tious whenever Governments are sufficiently weak or
blind to turn their eyes from the evil which afflicts
modern society and to hesitate in employing a prompt
and energetic remedy. It thought England insured
against contagion ; it draped itself in British pride, and
looked down with pity on the misery of continental
nations. The complicity of Alsopp will doubtless open
its eyes."

We extract the following passages from an article
published hp the Siecle, entitled Prussia :

" Prussia should completely separate her interests
from those of Austria. She has had the energy and skill
to do so in commercial matters ; let her act in the same
manner in political questions. It is evident that Ger-
many is more and more opposed to Austria, who tends
to become an Oriental power. Austria is Catholic, and
Germany is Protestant. Austria is despotic, while Ger-
many is liberal. Austria seeks to stifle ideas ; Germany
exists only through intellectual independence. Austria
oppresses the nationalities, but Germany has its own
nationality to establish. Austria is the enemy of France ;
Germany and France are sisters. Austria flatters the
petty ambitions of the Princes and Kings of Wurtem-
berg, Bavaria, &c., and seeks to increase existing
; rmany, on the contrary, tends to unity.
We will offer a few brief remarks on the home policy of
Prussia. Much is spoken of concerning a change of
policy which might be produced by the consequences of
the King's illness. The Prince of Prussia has, it is
true, always given proofs of a liberal mind, but, then,
heirs to the throne are always very liberal by comparison ;
we consequently do not anticipate any very radical
changes. The marriage with England has nevertheless
been a first step in the good direction, and we trust that
it may be followed by other decisive symptoms. The
ultra-conservative party appears to fear them—a fact
which encourages our hopes."