The Sun.
London, England, 1866-04-13 00:00:00

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, Thursday Evening.
The Danubian Provinces, with a view to be pro-

pared for eventualities which may arise pending the
choice of a new Hospodar, in imitation of Austria
and Prussia, are making preparations to defend
their independence and their connection with the
Ottoman Empire. The people of Roumania are

acting upon the principle that an attack upon their
liberties would be like an attack upon the integrity
of Turkey, and every one knows what would be the
result of any proposed infringement of the balance
of power in this respect. These armaments the
people of Roumania consider would be indispens-
able to enable them to maintain their position in
the not impossible case of the re-commencement of
hostilities ou the Danube.

The Pope has just erected the Monastery of Notre

Dame des Dombas into an abbey. The ceremony
on the part of his Holiness was performed by the
prior, now the Abbe Marie-Augustin, and in this

quality he gave the solemn benediction in the form
prescribed by the Pontificate on Ascension-day. A
telegram was despatched to the Pope, asking per-
mission of his Holiness for women to be allowed to

go to the Monastery to witness the ceremony. This

permission, however, the Pope thought it right to

refuse.

Two dogs which excited much interest have been
presented to the Garden of Acclimatisation. They
belong to the race of dogs which hunt after human
flesh, and which were formerly employed by the
Spaniards in their war with the Indians, and which
even at the present day track the Maroon Indians.
These dogs are of slight form, in colour rather red
with black about the head like mastiffs, with very

broad chests and shoulders. They are very strong,

and though not much larger than pointers they
would be formidable enemies in attack.

On Tuesday evening the 111th anniversary of
he birth of Hahnemann, the founder of the ho-

mcsopathic system of medicine, was celebrated by a
splendid dinner at Vefour's in the Palais Royal.
Dr. Leboucher presided, and in addition to the fol-
lowers of the system in Paris some foreign and

provincial practitioners were present. The memory
of Hahnemann was toasted with profound respect.
The company also toasted the progress of homoe-
opathy, and also drank to the adversaries of homoe-
opathy. Dr. Leon Simon proposed the approaching
meeting in Congress of the homoeopathists of France
and foreign countries, and it was fixed for 1867 as
an opportune period in consequence of the Great
Exhibition. The press was toasted with due

honours.
The French Academy met this afternoon to elect
a member in the room of M. Dufour. The three
candidates are M. Henri Martin, M. Fleury, and
M. de Champagny.

A friendly di;ctission has arisen between some of
the Paris papers as to whether the first horse race
took place in England or in France. French writers
claiin the initiative of horse racing for France.
The first horse race is said to have taken place
at Metz, in the year 1091 in May, under the patron-
age and authority of M. Herimaud, Bishop of that
town. The race took place every year on the 2nd
of May in the plain of Sablon, belonging to the
Abbey of St. Arnaud. Thus, when the first
Epsom races took place in 1604, there had been
horse racing in France 600 years previously. At
the races at Metz, on the 2nd of May, 1517,
the Duke of Suffolk (so say the French chroni-
cles), who had lived there for some time, rode
a horse of which he was passionately fond.
This horse, however, was beaten by a horse of
the country, ridden by Nicolle Dex, a young
groom of Metz. The stakes amounted to 160 gold
crowns, an enormous sum for that perid. The next
year the same horse ran again. He was ridden by
the Duke's valet, who was thrown and broke his
ribs. The favourite horse was again defeated.

An important point has been mooted in the Senate
respecting the right of petition. A petition was
brought up having for object to establish the right
of petitioning the Senate. Such a privilege is de-
clared to be contrary to Article 45 of the Constitu-
tion. M. Delangle, the Attorney-General, did not
make a direct objection to the reception of the
petition, but adopted a course very often resorted to
by Ministers in England. He moved the previous
question, and his amendment was agreed to almost
unanimously.
The ball given by the Minister of Foreign Affairs,
M. Drouyn de l'Huys, in honour of the Prince of
Denmark, is generally noticed by the papers as the
most brilliant of the season. It will be the last ball
of the upper ten thousand this year. To enume-
rate the visitors would be to publish a list of the
fashionables of Paris. The young Prince is the
lion of the day. He visits everything remarkable
in the capital. The day before yesterday he went
to hear the trial at the Paris Assize Court of a man
named Lepine, who, although a shoemaker, is
decorated with the Legion of Honour. Lepine was
accused of he murder of his mistress. He confessed
the truth of the charge, and said the crime was
committed in a moment of jealousy frenzy.
The jury found him guilty, and discarded
the charge of premeditation. He was sen-
tenced to hard labour for 15 years. The Presi-
dent said, "Lepine, you have forfeited your honour.
We declare that you no longer have the right to
wear the order of the Legion of Honour."
The wine of Medoc appears to sustain its reputa-
tion. A small portion of land having a vineyard in
the commune of St. Julian has just been sold for
the nice little sum of a million of francs.
When mentioning the death of M. Bellange, the
celebrated painter, I was not aware that he had
sent a picture to the Exhibition which will open in
May. I understand, however, that he had not long
finished his last picture—the Battle of Waterloo—
which is destined for that exhibition. It is a small
picture, but it is said to be a very remarkable one,
and there is no doubt that it will be a very attrac-
tive feature of the exhibition.
The Opinion Nationale is rather facetious upon
the Presse. The Presse spoke of the warning given
to it by the Minister as a proof of the importance
attached to the remarks it makes. The Opinion, in
reply, says, "We should like to receive less fre-
quently such testimony of our importance."

Lord Elcho and St. Martin's-hall Meeting.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR,—Being one of the vice-presidents of the Na-
tional Reform League, convening the meeting on
Wednesday, at St. Martin's-hall, it is but justice to
Lord Elcho to answer his appeal in the papers where
the question arose.
As to testimony, I may say there needs none.
His lordship's conduct is his character. Nothing
could be franker, manlier, or more respectful than
treating a meeting of working men as his peers, go-
ing down to them, accounting to them for his con-
duct, and assuring them of his regret that he un-
wittingly wronged them. The best friend of the
working class need not wish more than that they in
like case may be found willing to do as much. I
need not say that I differ widely from Lord Elcho's
political views ; but I discern that he means us jus-
tice and a fair share of representation. I seek to secure
that justice through general enfranchisement, count-
ingo chief the right of citizenship as a means of poli-
tical duty, regarding advantages as quite secondary.
But as respects industrial rights, which the resolu-
tion of the trades, signed by Mr. Odgers, and pub-
lished by Mr. Howell, questioned, I know no fairer
friend than Lord Elcho. It has fallen to me fre-
quently to seek the assistance of members of Par-
liament, for one cause or other of the people. We
of the working classes, having no votes to give
worth counting upon, and rich in nothing but
barren respect, for fairness shown to us,
must, I
often think, be wearisome and profitless per-
sons to know ; but I can testify that few mem-
bers of Parliament listen with more patience,
• reason with more courtesy, or aid, where we
can make out a case, with more readiness than
Lord Elcho. For his support of Mr. Clay's Bill,
which proposes to enfranchise the intelligence of
' working men—the most honourable and useful
proposal made in my time, raising, as it would,
knowledge to the rank of a politieal necessity—we
• all owe Lord Elcho respect and gratitude.—Yours
faithfully, G. J. HOLIOAKE.
282, Strand, W.C., April 12.