The Sun.
London, England, 1866-01-29 00:00:00

CORRESPONDENCE PROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, Sunday Evening.
The insurrection in Spain is dismissed from the
consideration of the Paris papers for the present.
A Madrid paper, the Epoca, however, gives some
interesting details respecting the progress of Gen.
Prim to Badonal on the 20th inst. He was received
in the public square with cries of " Long live Gen.
Prim. Long live Liberty. Down with the Excise."
Prim made a speech to the inhabitants, in the course
of which he said, " You receive me with acclama-
tions, but you don't come to me with arms in your
hands to defend the cause of liberty." As the
General proceeded on his way, a man who was dig-
ging in a field came up to him, spade in hand, and
asked the General what he wanted. " Liberty, the
happiness of the people, the reduction of taxes, the
suppression of the Excise duties," replied the
General.

M. Gisquet, who obtained some celebrity in
former days as Prefect of Police, has just died in
his 74th year. He was Prefect of Police from 1831
to 1836, and in that capacity originated and carried
into effect many regulations subversive of individual
and general liberty. Under his authority domiciliary
visits and seizures of private papers were by no
means rare. M. Gisquet saw danger sometimes in
very harmless verses, or dialogues at the theatre.
He was shocked in 1832 at a couplet sung at the
Varieti6s by the actor Lherie, and the manager, M.
Dartois, was directed to pay a visit to the Minister
of the Interior, M. D'Argout, who intimated to him
that he should order the theatre to be closed unless
the verses were omitted. Of course the order was
obeyed. The Government was, indeed, arbitrary
and despotic at that time. Let the small remnant
of persons disposed sometimes to cavil at the policy
of Napoleon the Third contrast it with the despotic
and unconstitutional measures adopted in M. Gis-
quet's time, and they must be convinced that much
more real liberty of the subject exists at present
than at the former period.
Already preparations are being made for the pro-

cession of the bceufs Bras on Shrove Tuesday. The
prizes were awarded on Friday, at the market of
Poissy, to the breeders of the animals. The prizes
were for five of them, viz., the first and second

prizes to Messrs. Dejardins and Bardot, of Trem-
blay (Nievre) ; the third to M. Mesnaze, of Appe-
vile (Manche); the fourth and fifth to M. Adeline.
The oxen,.for which the first and second prizes were
awarded, weighed, the first, 1,360 kilogrammes
(a kilogramme is about 21bs.) ; the second, 1,330

kilogrammes ; the third oxen weighed 1,310 kilo-
grammes ; the fourth and fifth weighed, the former
1,350 kilogrammes ; the latter, 1,210 kilogrammes.
The prize animals exhibit an enormous cubic extent
of solid flesh or fat.
It is stated that the Emperor will not only inau-
gurate the Great Exhibition in person, but he will
also be an exhibitor. The article to be sent by his
Majesty will appear in class 93 (10th group.) It
will consist of a model of residences for the work-
ing classes, combining economy, comfort, and the
best regulations for health. Some houses combin-
ing these features will be erected in the park of the
Exhibition.

It would be a mistake to suppose that the blue-
book presented to the Chambers forms only a dry
-record of diplomacy and politics. On the contrary
it gives much curious and interesting information
in regard to the march of literature, art, and
science in the past year. It appears that during
that period many valuable pictures were purchased
by the Government. Many purchases of sculpture
were also made. A gallery of paintings, by
living artists, was formed in the Palace of
the Senate, similar to that of the Legislative Body.
A. great many churches were repaired and orna-
mented. Great improvements were made in the
galleries of the Louvre ; many works of sculpture
were added, and changes effected in order to place
the pictures in a better light. The new Opera
House is nearly ready to receive the roof, and the
construction of the stage is about to be commenced.
As to Literature, the blue book tells us that there
will be many volumes of the correspondence of
Napoleon the First. The publication would have
proceeded more rapidly had it not been necessary
to make researches in the official archives of Eng-
laud, Germany, Spain, and Italy. Great improve-
ments are in progress at the Imperial printing office
in regard to French and foreign type.
Under the head of Sciences various names are
mentioned of learned men who have proceeded
to distant countries in search of scientific disco-
veries. M. de Sauley and Viscount de Rougey ex-
plored Egypt and Palestine, and have published
some curious and interesting details respecting the
Holy Land. Manuscripts have been discovered,
valuable for bringing to light new facts, and.the
rectification of errors to be found in ancient mytho-
lAolgoilcdaol-hwisatouryac.hiaA.me:Pl:Orations have been
was discovered in
Roman Other
made by experienced travellers in portions of the
East, in Eastern Persia (heretofore almost unex-
plored), in Herat, and Affghanistan, and these dis-
coveries will no doubt prove advantageous for
archwology and history. The disruption of
Mount Etna has been carefully studied by
an eminent chemist, M. Fousque, whose account
discloses some highly interesting phenomena
connected with volcanic eruptions. Interesting
geological discoveries have been made in Denmark,
Sweden, a part of Germany, and Great Britain.
Works are being written which will throw fresh l

light upon various disputed points of science. Do-
cuments have also been found of great interest
connected with the literary history of France in the
middle age, and with the diplomacy of the 16th
and 17th centuries. Errors have been corrected
which have been made by eminent historians of
ancient times.

Among various statistics I find some respecting
the Post-office. Great improvements were made
last year ; 113 new offices for the distribution
of letters were opened, and 167 additional
letter-carriers engaged ; 250,000 f. were devoted
to the increase of their salaries. In 1865
the number of postage stamps consumed was 397
millions, whilst in 1864 the number used was only
382 millions. The general receipts exceeded those
of the preceding year by more than three millions.
The weather is again beautiful. There has been
no lack of sunshine, and the temperature partakes
of the " ethereal mildness" of spring.

CRYSTAL PALACE.--After an interval of several
-weeks devoted to the pastimes of the holiday season
—during which all London was attracted to Sydenham to
witness the wonderful performance of that prince of
gymnasts, Signor Ethardo, the "spiral ascensionist," as he
is fancifully denominated, and who made a brilliant ascent
and descent by gaslight on Saturday afternoon—the %inter
concerts were resumed, when the twelfth of the current
series was given. The pantomime and Signor Ethardo's
performance will be continued from this day until Friday
in the present week.
MISS HARDINGE'S ORATIONS ON AMERICA.—The
third and concluding series of orations on America
took place on Saturday afternoon in St. James's-hall, which
was again crowded to listen to this gifted lady. The sub-
ject was "Reconstruction." In treating the question she
averred that her sentiments were not dictated by any poli-
tical or partisan feeling; and contended, in eloquent terms,
which frequently elicited hearty applause, that the war
was as much created by the restless ambition of the manu-
facturing interests of the North as by the imperious bear-
ing of the landed aristocracy of the South. At the close
of the lecture, Mr. Dove, who presided throughout the
series, intimated that Miss Hardinge would deliver other
orations in the metropolis on future occasions.

We understand that Grisi and Mario are engaged
for the approaching season at Her Majesty's Theatre.
Some nineteeen years ago this distinguished couple were
at the head of the body who deserted that theatre for
the newly-established Royal Italian Opera, and now they
return to the old house. Before the opening of Her
Majesty's Theatre, a vocal and instrumental party, con-
sisting of Grisi, Mario, Madame de Merle Lablache, Signor
Foli, and Mdlle. Emilia Arditi (the violinist), with Signor
Arditi as conductor, are about to make a tour in the
provinces ; and at the same time there will be another
provincial tour, including Mdlle. Tietjens, Mdlle. Sinieo,
Mdlle. Zandrina, Signor Stagno, and Signor Rossi. This
party will have the further attraction of the great violon-
cellist, Signor Piatti. The provincial public have never
before had such a profusion of the highest musical talent
brought before them in any one season.—lllustrated News.
It is understood that the Rev. C. Pritchard will
succeed Mr. De La Rue as President of the Astronomical
Society.