The Sun.
London, England, 1868-07-03 00:00:00

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS

;FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

PARIS, THURSDAY, July 2:
M. Thiers's great speech here yesterday created a eenSs..
;ion proportionate to the increased interest and importance
of this great debate. From the Bridge of Concord to the
Hall of the Corps Lkislatif an immense crowd had
assembled, choking up the way, so that the
leputies themselves could hardly reach their places.
rickets for admission were vainly sought. At prices
ranging up to 100 f. each they had all disappeared. Inside
ill the Ministers were in their places, and the crowd of
members and spectators, many ladies being amongst
the latter, can be compared only to the House
›f Commons under the exhilarating influence of "No
:onfidence." The entrance of the little man in elate
:olour was a double triumph of intellect, for the sensation
amongst the ladies at his appearance was so great
that the bonnet of one fell off and crowned
one of the honourables below. A quarter of
an hour was given for the assembly to enjoy such
incidents, while M. de Lavalette bad all the appear-
ance of reading le prods verbal. Then M. Thiers made his
way to the tribune with slow steps,as if Atlas had lest his occu-
pation and the great French politician upheld the world in
his stead. M. Thiers has not a commanding manner in open-
ing fire. His stature is not only short, but his voice is so
low that his first sentences cannot be heard. He seems to
grasp the benches one by one until he covers the entire
room, and gradually warms in tone and manner as he
advances. His speech yesterday was admirably combined
and well conceived ; though even in the best parts it wants
piquancy and fire. IT. Thiers never travels from the
domain of logic, but though as cold as steel, it is equally
cutting, and was felt to he so by the entire Assembly.
The substance of the argument may be stated thus:
French finance is not at present in a normal condition.
The existing embarrassment is not only great, but the
system of discounting the ultimate increase in the receipts
leaves no hope for future improvement if no immediate reform
takesplace. In other words, French Ministershave so ac-
quired the habit of irst calculating upon increase of revenue,
and debt has so accumulated in addition to such calcula-
tions, that the natural development of income can have no
beneficial effect. In describing the difficulty, 11. Thiers
did not fail to point out the mode of remedy. Remember.
irg his past policy, the orator supported great armaments,
not for intervention, but to prove to Germany that France
will not tolerate further usurpation. He even rejected
much of the economy recommended by the Budget Com-
mission. He has therefore only one alternative
left—to augment the taxation. Only two resources

can possibly be found—reduction of- expenditure or
increase of income ; and M. Thiers, in choosing
the latter, has accepted the only course his policy leaves
him. Increased imposts would undoubtedly be better
than handing down a vast and ever-increasing burden to
posterity—and that is all. The weight of M. Thiers's
speech consists in thoroughly condemning the Emperor's
system of finance, whilst agreeing with the armament
volley which is the cause of the difficulty.
I hear that many members of the Government are
struck with the unanimity of opinion, even from their own
supporters, in this debate. There is a remote possi-
bility, after all, that something may be gained by thepopu.
lar voice ; and that, if the war policy be not abandoned,
the nation may at least secure participation in finance
matters, and put an end to the borrowing system.
Criminal statistics and statistics of primary education
have produced a vigorous debate between the Univers and
the Opinion .Nationale. The former journal somewhat
triumphantly remarks that out of 4,551 criminals con-
demned in 1866, 2,600 have received primary education.
The reply doubts in the first place the accuracy of the
figures, as it is difficult to discover the truth in these
matters. In the next place, it is argued, that in
Franca at least two - thirds of the population have
received some primary education, and in this
proportion 3,034 out of 4,551 should be "educated" crimi•

nals. The whole argument appears very weak. Leaving
the statistics, it might fairly be inquired whether the only
object and purpose of education is to influence the law.
breaking proportion of the population. This is a great

end indeed, but surely it is not all.
They do not manage everything better in France ; anu
amongst other matters incompetence on the subject
of mad dogs is very apparent. In Lyons seventeen
persons have been bitten by these animals, and a
great number of sheep, cattle, and other dogs have fallen
victims. The system of " arresting" stray dogs is required
in the south. The only objection to that plan is the

extreme liability to be bitten whilst taking into custody

canine strangers without visible means of support.

ROYAL NATIONAL LIFEBOAT
INSTITUTION.

A meeting of this association was held on Thursday at its
nouse, John-street, Adelphi, Mr. Thomas Chapman, F.R.S.,
vice-president, in the chair. Reports were read from Cap-
tain Ward and Captain Robertson, showing the I resent state
of the society's boats on the Scotch and Irish coasts. Some
remarkable cases of the restoration of the apparently
drowned were brought under the notice of the iikt.tution.
In one instance, a child named Owen Jones was taken out
of the water at Holyhead apparently dead, and it was an
hour and a half before he gave signs of life. He was treated
for two hours in accordance with the instructions of the
National Lifeboat Institution, which are based on tho sys-
tems of Drs. Marshall, Hall, and Sylvester. Dr. Morehead,
of Edinburgh, who is a strong advocate of these instructions,
urges that they should not only be explained by medical men,
clergymen, and others, to all classes of the community, and
posted iu conspicuous places in localities adjoining the sea,
lakes, and rivers, but that every opportunity should also be
taken by masters of schools, and the heads of other large
establishments, of impressing them on the minds of all who
are subject to their influence and control. It may be added
that copies of these instructions can be had on application at
the institution. It was stated that the late Mr. Jos. Hudson,
of Barrow-upon-Soar, Leicester, had left the society a legacy
of £lOO. The late Mr. F. Floar, of Rochester, had also be-
queathed it £lO. Mr. Robert Deer, of Auckinraith, N. 8., and
the members of his family, were about to present a lifeboat
to the institution, along with a sum of money to endow it,
in memory of Mr. Kees eldest son, who was unhappily
drowned on the coast of Argyleshire. Payments amounting
to upwards of £1,300 having been ordered to be made on va-
rious lifeboat establishments, the proceedings terminated.

THE WEATHER TABLE,-THIS DAY.

METEOROLOGICAL REPORTS.

Extreme

53
52
56
55
56
57

E.N.E.