The Sun.
London, England, 1866-05-15 00:00:00

FR A.N CE.

The Emperor has accepted the patronage of the
exhibition of matters connected with fishing at Ar-
cachon, and has presented the sum of I,ooof. to the
committee.

The Empress has just granted to 59 indigent blind
persons in the departments, pensions of 100 f., 150 f.,
and 200 f., from the funds of the Imperial Hospital
of the Quinze-Vingts.
The Paris press continues its observations on the
affairs of Germany, the general tendency of the re-
marks being somewhat less warlike than for a few
days previously. As a considerable portion of the
articles published on the subject by our contempo-
raries are of a speculative character and based on
what might be the result of such or such proceed-
ings on the part of the Powers principally interested,
we confine ourselves to the following extract from
the Temps:—" It is affirmed that the King of Prus-
sia had, until the final crisis, cherished the hope
that Austria would give way, and that Count de
Bismarck's policy would triumph without incurring
the risks of war. This hope had become less san-
guine after the counter-arguments of Austria and
the last exchange of despatches ; but, relying at the
same time on the habitual inaction of the Diet, on
the support of the passion for unity prevailing in
Germany, on the assured alliance of Italy, and per-
haps expecting, in consequence of that arrange-
ment, the secret approbation of the Cabinet of the
Tuileries, the Berlin Government had seen, without
anxiety and even with joy, the eventualities of war
assume a more decided aspect. The frail scaffold-
ing of this adventuraus plan is at present much
shaken. The vote of the Diet and the concert of
the more important Secondary State have begun
to displace part of the chance on which Count de
Bismark calculated. The attitude taken by
Hanover appears to have particularly disconcerted
the war party at Berlin. That kingdom, which
holds all the military roads of Prussia and has nearly
always followed like a satellite the moTements of
that great power, has undoubtedly entered into very
close relations with Austria and Saxony. The Prus-
sian Moniteur has itself stated that orders had
been given for the mobilisation of the Hanoverian
army, and that this measure must be regarded as
directed against Prussia ; in consequence this last
power has effected concentrations of troops. The
attitude of Hanover would have a special import-
ance, inasmuch as it would probably secure a safe
retreat for the Austrian troops from Holstein, and
afford an encouragement and a support for an event-
ful insurrection in the Duchies. Nor are these all
the disappointments which Prussia has experienced.
It is almost impossible to doubt that Russia has
made representations, and spoken somewhat ener-
getically in favour of maintaining peace. What-
ever may have been the form of this communica-
tion, it cannot possibly have been of a nature to in-
crease the confidence of the King of Prussia.
Lastly, it is generally supposed in France that the
Speech of Auxerre must have caused no little alarm
to the Cabinet of Vienna, and given unmixed satis-
faction at Berlin ; but such is not exastly the case :
aversion for the Treaties of 1815 is not a common
sentiment in Prussia, which, more than any other
power, has Fatted by them, In reality we may

say at this moment that the power which has done
most to prepare a conflagration is not the most im-
patient to see it burst forth."
M. Leon Say, the eminent political economist, in
an article (in the Debats) on the impending war in
Italy, writes as follows :—" If war breaks out, and
if it is prolonged, Italy is ruined, and all that can
be asked of her is-to recover from ruin after the war
is over as promptly as possible by dint of bard work
and economy. Ruin is never irremediable for a
people. France came out of the wars of the Empire
ruined; she began to grow rich again under the Res-
toration. England, which was, if not ruined, at least
exhausted by those same wars of the Empire—wars
which she had sustained by means of a forced
paper currency (le tours force) as Italy is doing
now, had a brilliant recovery, and the United States
of America, whose ruin dates from yesterday, have
undertaken without discouragement a liquidation
out of which they will emerge with honour. The
circulation of Italy is lost, but the industry of the
Italians may restore it. There can be no sort of
doubt of the depreciation of the bank note a tours
force if the State employs it to pay its war expenses ;
but we may trust that if this be a malady it is not
a mortal one. The friends of Italy have not lost
all hope, even from a financial point of view, and,
it is but just to say, they have no reason to lose
hope.

The Chinese Embassy last evening occupied
boxes at the theatre of the Bouffes-Parisiens. The
day before they paid a visit to the Exhibition at the
Palais of Industry.
The Marquis and Marchioness of Abercorn and
family have arrived at the Hotel Bristol from
Cannes, on their way to England.
Baron Haussman has left Paris to Pass a few days
at his chateau of La Pelettei near Bordeaux.
A fire broke out yesterday morning at a packing-
case and match-maker's yard in the Rue de Flandre,
belonging to a M. Boutin ; before it was got under,
a quantity of dry wood and made-up stock, with a
steam saw-mill, were destroyed. The loss is esti-
mated at 30,000 fr., covered, however, by insurance.
An accident occurred two days since to a train
running from Bourg to Macon, owing to the break-
ing of the axle of a coal-truck. Several passenger
carriages went off the rails, and a cellular van, con-
taining a number of prisoners, was overturned.
Two of the turnkeys and one of the prisoners re-
ceived severe contusions.

BOURSE, May 14, Two o'clock.—The principal
feature since the opening of the market has been
the discounting of upwards of 400,000 fr. of Rente
—an operation, which, at first, caused a slight rally
in prices. The little improvement thus gained,
however, was not long maintained, and Stocks and
Shares have continued gradually to droop, Threes,
for the Account, being now quoted at 63f. 95e., or
a decline of 4 per cent. Italian Fives have receded
one per cent., viz., to 39f., and Credit Mobilier
Shares have lost 10f., the price being 532 f. 50c.
Credit Foncier maintain Saturday's closing quota-
tion, viz., 1,120 fr. Railway Shares are also doing
on lower terms, Northern having receded sfr.,
Lyons 10fr., Austrian 5f., and Lombard Bfr. 75c.
English Consols are telegraphed with a further ad-
vance of 4 per cent. The market closed on the
following quotations :

41 per Cents 93
Do. end month —
3 per Cents. 64
Do. end month 63 85
Credit Mobilier
Do. end month
Credit Foncier —
Do. end month 1100

Bank Shares 3400
Italian Loan 3B 80
Do. end month 3B 85
Mexican Loan —
Do. Bonds —
Spanish Threes
Home Debt —
Deferred

For Account.
Orleans 790
Northern 1046 25
Lyons and Mediterranean 782 50
Southern 530
Western
Eastern
Sardinian .
Austrian
Lombard
North of Spain

Saragossa
Ditto to Barcelona ,
Roman

495 -
78 75
292 50
290 -
122 50

165 -

MARKETS.---This Day.

lIAY.

SMITHFIELD.—Meadow hay, £1 4s to £5 lOs ; clover,
£5 5s to 16 15s Od ; and straw, £2 Os to £2 Gs per load.
Supply moderato.
CUMBERLAND.—Meadow hay, £4 4s to £5 12s Od; clover,
£5 5s to £6 15s Od; and straw, £2 Os to £2 6s per load.
A steady demand.
WHITECHAPEL.—Meadow hay, £4 4s to £5 lOs ; clover,
£5 5s to £6 15s Od; and straw, £2 Os to £2 6s per load.
Trade slow.

COLONIAL.

TEA.—Business remains very quiet, the public sales
having been postponed for the present. _

SUGAR.--The market continues inactive, although
owners do not press sales; late prices, in most instances,
being steadily maintained.

COFFEE.—There has been a fair inquiry for both planta-
tion and native-Ceylon, and superior qualities fully main-
tain previous rates.

RlCE.—Only a limited amount of business has been done
at about previous rates.

TALLOW.—The failure of a house in Liverpool who were
considerable holders of tallow for various periods, has un-
favourably influenced the market, and prices are 6d. per
cwt. lower than at the close of last week. The demand
from the trade is very moderate, home tallow being still in
good supply. The market was firmer towards the close.
Spot, 455. 3d. ; June, 455. ; October and December, 475. to
475. 6d. ; town tallow, 445. 9d. nett cash. No Odessa or
Australian offering. Cocoanut oil quiet; Cochin, 525. 6d.;
Ceylon, 455. 6d. to 45s ; Sydney, 445. to 455. good to fine.