The Sun.
London, England, 1867-11-11 00:00:00

STATE OF FEELING IN PARIS.

According to a correspondent, Napoleon 111. is in very
bad humour with himself for his Italian success. Hie,
personal popularity for the first time since he began
to reign is seriously questioned. Work is slack and bread
is dear, and he has taught the people during sixteen years
that he can prevent these things. During the last week
the police in the workmen's quarters of Paris were erne
ployed in tearing down affiches headed "Pere bon marchie')
which are full of Socialist demands and arguments for
employment. This correspondent says :—" The news.
papers are not allowed to notice these things; but
a friend of mine who has just returned from the
French capital has told me of many instance;
that came under his personal observation within
the last few days. There is a general expectation that to
break the spell of depression and disappointment, the fle"
peror will make a plunge in some direction or other. The
blood spilt at Mentana has not obliterated that abed at
Queretaro ; and the occupation of Rome does not compen-
sate national vanity for the abanclgnment of Saerbruck
and Luxembourg. Altogether, the feeling is one of great
uneasiness; and in the midst of it, the Government will
have to launch a new loan and to debate the bill for the re-
organisation of the army."
The French Liberal journals take a malicious pleasure
in reminding their Emperor of his former self. The Temp,
has just reproduced a letter addressed by Louis Napoleon
Be:lapel ts to the Temps of that day. It is dated London, 17th
June, 1831, and reads thus :—" Sir, I read in your journal of
the 13th the following article :—"lhe Duchess of Saint.
Lcu has resided in London for several weeks. It is said
that the Ex-Queen of Holland is there watching for an
opportunity to offer her son (the Emperor) to the Belgians,
in case they should find themselves embarrassed in the
choice of a sovereign.' It seems that you are disposed to
impute to the presence of my mother in England a politi.
cal object. My mother is there because she does not wish
to Ise separated from her only surviving son. Having
taken part in the sacred cause of Italian independence, I
have been compelled to take refuge in England, France
being, alas still closed. My mother desires only rest
and tranquillity. As to myself, far from having ambi-
tious ideas, my only desire shall be to serve my
country, or liberty in foreign countries ; and long ago I
should have been seen a simple volunteer in the ranks of
the Belgians, and in those of the immortal Poles, if I had
not been afraid that motives of personal interest would
have been imputed to my actions, and that my name
would disturb timid diplomatists, who can never believe
in the disinterested devotion and sympathy which inspire
unfortunate peoples." It is rather odd to find Louis
Napoleon as much a terror to diplomatists in 1831 as the
man whom be strives to suppress in 1867.
The French Government has given way in the matter of
the octroi duties. The manager of the large foundry at
Lavillette has been informed that the duties will not be
enforced, and in consequence he gave notice that work
would be resumed on Monday. In another matter
till more important the authorities have yielded their
position in face of the growing discontent among the
Paris population. The law officers of the Government
have discovered that the arrests at Montmartre were
illegal. The accused are not likely to obtain any redress
for the week's solitary confinement to which they have
been subjected. In order to sue the police they must
obtain the authorisation of the Council of State, which
would almost certainly be refused.
The liberty of the press under the Second Empire is
more restricted than the liberty of the person. The
Courrier Francais ventured to discuss freely the interven-
tion in Italy. It was arraigned for a breach of the
Senatus Consultum "prohibiting the discussion of the
Constitution." The manager of the paper has been fined
I,ooof. ; the writer of the article complained of, Al.
Duchene, has been sentenced to a month's imprisonment
and a fine of 500 f. ; and the printer was fined 200 f,