The Sun.
London, England, 1866-01-23 00:00:00

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.

THIS 1)a Y.—Morning, 6h. 28m.--Afternoon, 6h. 50in,
To-MoiaLow.-Morning, 7h. 16m.—Afternoon, 7h. 42m,

( h'jj:r
- 4*34'0

LONDON, TUESDAY, JAN. 23, 186 G.

The Speech of the French EMPEROR is always
looked to as one of the chief events of the political
world, and it generally has the effect of rousing
people from that lethargy and apathy into which
they are apt to fall at the dead season of the year.
L'Empire c'est la paix was long ago declared by the
EMPEROR, and there were not wanting many cap-
tious critics who affected to disbelieve the assertion.
Yet it may safely be averred that after the lapse of
years his Imperial MAJESTY has kept to this deter-
mination, and successfully carried into effect
those projects which seemed vague and shadowy
when they were first sketched out. The whole
tenor of this Speech is one of a peaceable character.
In examining the chief questions of moment which
at present attract notice, the EMPEROR was enabled
to assure the Legislature of his firm conviction that
amicable intentions reigned paramount abroad as
well as at home. If there be one thing more than
another which has distinguished the policy of the
EMPEROR through the whole of his career, since he
has been ruler of France, it has been his resolve to
keep on good terms with this country. Through
good report and evil report lie has pursued this pur-
pose steadily and consistently, and at the dawn of
each succeeding session he is enabled to congratu-
late himself and the Legislative Assemblies of
France upon the good relations which subsist
between these ancient rivals. " The reunion of the
English and French fleets in the same ports has
shown that the relations formed on fields of battle
have 11°t been ..weolconed, that time has only

cemented the good understanding of the two noun-
tries." The EMPEROR has given no greater proof
of his wisdom than his disposition to maintain the
entente cordiale with England, and in this alliance
he finds his surest source of strength and. stability.
Respecting Germany, which may truly be called
the bete nores of European politicians at present,
the EMPEROR soon disposes of it. He declares
that he will continue a policy of neutrality, but
he is unable to dismiss the awkward subject with-
out
making some allusion to the extraordinary
manner in which the two German Powers have
conducted affairs, and accordingly he says that this
neutral policy will not prevent them feeling regret 1
or pleasure if it leaves them strangers to questions
of indirect interest. The affairs of Italy are
briefly touched upon, and lititle more mention is
made of them than that there is every reason to
rely upon the " scrupulous execution of the Treaty
of the 15th of September, and upon the
indisputable maintenance of the power of
the Holy Father." The course of events in
America furnishes ample scope for the reviewer
of the past year, and naturally enough the EMPE-
ROR devotes a great deal of attention to the con-
sideration of the subject. The assassination of
President LINCOLN excited such universal indigna-
tion that an appropriate allusion was made to it
in this discourse of the EMPEROR'S, coupled
with the sorrow occasioned by the recent
death of the King of the BELGIANS.
Mexico was another of the difficulties which had
to be encountered, and here again we may conclude
that the skill and dexterity of the EMPEROR have
brought him safely through the emergency. The
French expedition, we are told, approaches its ter-
mination, and arrangements are being made with
the Emperor MAXIMILIAN to " fix the time for the
recall of our troops, in order that their return may
be effected without compromising the French in-
terests which we went to defend in that distant
country. It did not seem at all consistent with our
ideas of the sagacity of the French EMPEROR that
he should involve himself in a quarrel with the
Government of the United States, which would most
probably lead to a war of long continuance and
heavy loss. In every respect, then, it seems a grati-
fying assurance that we here meet with concerning
the vexed question of Mexico, and knowing how
decided the Emperor NAPOLEON is when he has once
made up his mind, we may fairly conclude that this
is now une affaire finie to all intends and purposes.
The most conciliatory terms are employed in discus-
sing the affairs and position of America. Afterbriefly
recapitulating the events of the termination of the
war between the Northern and Southern States,
the EMPEROR adds, " France, which forgets no noble
page of her history, sincerelyprays for the prosperity
of the great American Republic, and for the main-
tenance of the friendly relations which will soon
have reached their centenary." The frankness of
44 our declarations" will, the EMPEROR thinks,
appease the uneasiness felt in the United States at
the presence of the French army on the " Mexican
soil."

The EMPEROR alludes to his recent absence from
France in a spirit of satisfaction ; he thinks that his pre-
sence abroad was of service, and also another advan-
age accrued for his journey, for it proved that he could
be replaced by a " firm heart and an elevated
mind." The general condition of the French people
is so flourishing, and their conduct so orderly, that
the EMPEROR can hardly find terms that are ex-
plicit and forcible enough to make known
his appreciation of them to the Legislature.
Some changes have lately been made in various
departments which gave rise to anxiety and misap-
prehension at the outset, but they have since worked
well. The law on " coalitions," at first very ob-
noxious, has succeeded, and the working class
seem to appreciate its meaning and recognise
its efficacy. The state of the finances also
permits of rejoicing, and a marked tendency to-
wards a diminution of expenditure is observable.
Great reductions have been made in the War
Department, but as the " natural guardian" of the
army, the EMPEROR would not have agreed to such
reductions had he not entertained the firm convic-
tion that they would not affect any material inte-
rests of the State, or injure those " whose services
and devotion I have had an opportunity of appre-
ciating." Public Instruction has been vigorously
prosecuted, and in consequence of the zeal and
activity that have been displayed no less than
thirteen thousand new classes for adults have been
opened in the communes of the Empire.
In concluding his comprehensive discourse the
EMPEROR touches upon more personal subjects, and
alludes with some indignation to those who ani-
madvert upon his management. These " uneasy
minds," as he terms them, " under the pretext of
hastening the liberal progress of the Government,
have sought to impede that progress by depriving it
of all force and all initiative." The constitution of
1852 is warmly defended by the EMPEROR ; and, in
glancing over the past, he rejoices, at the " end of
fourteen years, to find France respected abroad
and tranquil at home, without political captives in
her prisons, without exiles beyond her frontiers."
Certainly great credit is due to the Emperor
NAPOLEON for the vigorous manner in which he has
carried on the administration of affairs, and the
skill and savoir faire which he has displayed in
managing a people not easy to govern. Yet the
EMPEROR would be still more successful than he is
if he could brook criticism, and learn from his op-
ponents instead of always utterly denying the truth
of their remarks. His best friends should assure
him that it is high time he redeemed his pledge,
and permitted freedom of the press in France,
for without that the assertions that the
country is in the enjoyment of the privileges
of freedom is a mockery and a delusion.
The EMPEROR'S final remarks are eloquent and
earnest, and point to the advantages that will
ensue when education has become more diffused
and opinions more matured, and when
all shall have " received from their childhood
those principles of faith and morality
which teach that above all human intelligence,
above the efforts of science and of reason, there
exists a Supreme Will which regulates the destinies
of individuals as it does those of nations."

We are glad to find that a question so closely
affecting the health and comfort of our population
as the preservation of the open spaces round the
metropolis is not to be suffered to go by default.
Already Mr. DOULTON, M.P., to whom the public is
already much indebted for his exertions on their be-
half, has brought the matter before the attention of
the Board of Works, and to-morrow a public meet-
ing is to be held iu the City to consider what course
shall be adopted to attain the desired end. It is
high time that active measures should be taken, for
the question does not stand still, and every year the
lovers of fresh air and healthy recreation are losing
ground. While we are considering, and weighing,
and debating, and contenting ourselves with elo-
quent declamation about popular rights and the
1 evils of life in towns, those interested on the other
side of the question go on enclosing, and quietly
and steadily clipping and encroaching until our
finest heaths and commons are losing half their
attractions. The proprietors, or those who claim
to /INV a right iu the :and, naturally enough avail