The Sun.
London, England, 1866-01-05 00:00:00

FRANCE.

The Minister of Public Works has addressed the
following letter to the directors of the French rail-
way companies :—" I apprised you by the letter I
had the honour to address to you on the 30th of
April, 1865, that, by the advice of the commission
of inquiry on the construction and working of rail-
ways, I consented to adjourn the measure of placing
in communication of the guards employed to put on
the brake with the engine driver until the Adminis-
tration should have ample information as to the
results of the experiments made with the electrical
apparatus of Messrs. Prudhomme and Achard.
These experiments, which took place simulta-
neously on the Northern and Strasbourg lines, may
at present be considered as conclusive, and the
efficacy of the systems of which they were the object
appears to be sufficiently demonstrated. The diffi-
culties which so long delayed the execution of the
23d article of the ordinance, dated the 15th of No-
vember, 1846, have consequently ceased to exist,
and nothing now prevents the immediate applica-
tion of the regulations of the working of railways.
I therefore request you to make the necessary ar-
rangements, so that within a period of four months
a communication shall bo established between the
guard appointed to put on. the brake and the en-
gine driver on every passenger train, and even on
the mixed trains on your line, either by means of
Prudhomme's system, or that of Achard, or by
any other plan which may appear preferable, but
which should previously be approved by the Admi-
nistration. This useful measure would nevertheless
be incomplete if it did not receive an extension im-
periously demanded in the interest of public safety.
Criminal attacks, which produced a painful impres-
sion, and recent accidents, particularly the burning
of a passenger carriage near the station of Joigny,

on the Paris and Lyons Railway, show how dange-
rous it is to leave passengers isolated, so that in case
of distress their cries and signals cannot reach the
guards, except by mere chance. It is not enough
to place the railway servants in communication with
each other; it is likewise necessary that the passm-
gers should communicate with the servants. Ex-
perience having demonstrated that this problem may
receive a simple and not expensive solution, the
moment is come for supplying the deficiency which
exists in this respect in the working of railways. I
request you, therefore, to combine a system of com-
munication between the passengers and the servants
with the apparatus intended to establish a similar
communication between the guard who puts on the
brake and the driver of the engine. I reserve to
myself to arrange, in concert with your company,
the regulations which the working of the mechanism
placed at the disposal of passengers may require."
A Council of Ministers was held yesterday at
the Tuileries, the Emperor presiding.
The Emperor and the Empress received yester-
day, at the Tuileries, in public audience, his
Excellency the Caid Mohammed-Echergui, first
ambassador from Morocco, maternal uncle of the
reigning Prince, generalissimo of the troops, and
his Excellency Hadj-Mohammed-Ben-Said, second
ambassador, governor of Salee. Their Excel-
lencies were accompanied by two secretaries of
embassy. The Emperor and the Empress were
seated on the throne, and near them was the Prince
Imperial. The Minister of Foreign Affairs was pre-
sent ; the Caid Mohammed-Echergui addressed the
Emperor in the following speech, which was trans-
lated by M. Schefer, first Secretary - interpreter
to the Emperor for the Oriental languages :
" Sire,—The Emperor of Morocco, Sidi-Moham-
med, our august master, has sent us to your Ma-
jesty to express the sentiments of sincere friend-
ship which he entertains for you, and to make
known the good wishes he forms for H. M. the
Empress and the Prince Imperial. His- object, in
accrediting us to your Majesty, is to renew to you
the expression of the sympathy which animates
him, and the ardent desire to draw closer the rela-
tions of good neighbourhood. We have the
honour to deliver into your Majesty's hands
the letters of our Sovereign, and in them
you will find proofs of our Sovereign's cor-
diality. We venture to appeal to all your
Majesty's kindness, and, in concluding, we pray
you to deign to receive the homage of our gratitude
for the distinguished reception given to us on the
day we set foot on the soil of your States."
The first Ambassador then presented his creden-
tials. The Emperor replied in brief but gracious
terms, and the audience terminated. The ambas-
sadors were taken to the Tuileries and carried back
in Court carriages.
The first grand ball of the season at the Tuileries
will take place on Wednesday next.

The title and rank of Aide-des-Ceremonies and
Secretary for the introduction of Ambassadors have
just been conferred by Imperial decrees on M.
Antoine Bertora, and M. Henri Morice, Secretary-
General of Ceremonies.

M. Duvergier, Councillor of State and ad interim
President of the Section of the Interior, has been
appointed President of the said section in the place
of M. Thuillier, deceased ; and M. Pages, Master
of Requests of the First Class, has been named
Councillor of State on ordinary service, in the place
of M. Duvergier.
Viscount de Casabianca and M. Mesnard,
Masters of Requests of the 2d class in the Council
of State, have been promoted to the Ist class ; and
MM. David and Braun, auditors of the Ist class,
have been named Masters of Requests of the 2d
class.

BOURSE, Jan. 4, Two o'clock.—Three per Cents.
opened at 68f. 50c., and have since fallen to 86fr.
40c.—a decline of 12ic. on yesterday's close.
Italian Fives are now quoted at 65fr. 90c., showing
a decline of 15c., taking into consideration the
report. Credit Mobilier Shares are offered at 805 fr.
—a decline of 10fr. The report on these Shares
has advanced to 4fr. 50c. In the Railway Depart-
ment, Orleans are quoted at 843 fr. 75c., and Lom-
bards 430 fr. The second telegram from London
brings Consols with a decline of I per cent. Three
o'clock.—The closing quotations are as follows :-
4i per Cents 9B

Do. end month.--
3 per

110. end month 6B 40

Credit Mobilier ... 800
Do. end month ... 808 75

Bank Shares 3685

Credit Foneier 1325
Italian Loan 65 55

Do. end month 66

Roman —
Ottoman Fives 42 50
Mexican Loan —
Do. Bonds — —.
Russian -
Austrian
Spanish Threes
Homo Debt —
Deferred

Orleans
Northern
Lyons and Mediterranean
Southern
Western
Eastern
Sardinian
Austrian
Lombard
North of Spain
Saragossa
Ditto to Barcelona
Roman

Acct.
... 847 50
... 1148 57
... 853 75
... 573 75

- -. •••

•••

217 50

430 -

- - ... 428 75
- - ... 182 50
- - ... 223 75

--- - ~,
---
162 50

MARKETS—This Day.