The Sun.
London, England, 1868-03-23 00:00:00

political assemblies, and the frequent changes in her
legislative enactments upon this subject, at one
time granting too much, at another too little, in-
stead of proving the inutility of legislation upon
the subject, shows the necessity of combining wis-
dom and liberality in what may be proposed upon
so gravely interesting a subject. If one may judge
from the present tenour of the debate, the feeling of
the nation, as expressed by its representatives, is
evidently and entirely with the Government.
Indeed if other proof were wanting it would be
sufficient to cite an unwitting testimony as to the
state of public opinion in France in the columns of
the International, a journal by no means a Govern-
ment organ. " One sees," says the editor, " a re-
markable change of opinion in France, and it will
be the desire of the middle classes to send to the
next Parliament a greater number of negotiants,
industriels, and, even of artisans instead of
the lawyers and newspaper.
.editors, who new -bear
so large a proportion ou its benches." It' is pi o-
bahle that the International is in the right, espe--
cially in regard to the latter class, who wish to mono-
polize all the good things, whilst doing their best to
put down, the cheap literature so valuable to the
workitiU class.se Some discussion has taken place
on the assertion in the Senate by the Viconte de
Kerveguen relative to the receipts of foreign sub-
sidies by two of the principal opposition journals ;
and although no satisfactory proof of the truth of
the accusation has been brought before the jury
of honour, nevertheless a sum of 2,000 francs ap-
pears to have been employed in a somewhat shady
manner for the purpose of obtaining newspaper
support. The Bank of France remains in the same
position with regard to its enormous amount of
unemployed capital. The prospect of an approach-
ing loan appears as yet to produce but little effect..
The ordinary speculators of the Bourse are not
wanting ; but, unhappily, the suspension of
coupons and dividends upon so many enterprises
has reduced the class of small capitalists,
who used to form an army of lenders, who took for
that purpose not only from their superfluities but
even from their means of subsistence, counting upon
the payment of their dividends for the continuance
of their speculations. The near approach of the
time when the reports of the various companies
will be made is perhaps another reason for the pre-
sent state of stagnation. Railway shares do not
undergo much alteration, seeing that, in order to
carry out the less productive lines, the Go-
vernment has consented to give to the companies
guarantees of interest, which leaves intact up to a
certain point the dividends of the shareholders, and
although it is announced that these conventions will
be modified with the view of extending the connect-
ing lines, the actual dividends will preserve their in-
tegrity. The Bourse occupies itself at present
with the Mexican Bonds, the indemnity on which
admitted by the Government, remains to be defini-
tively fixed by the Legislative Assembly, as also
with Tunisian actions submitted at present to a
pretended project of conversion, which tends to
nothing else than to deprive the shareholders of not
only of a part of their revenue, but of the indemni-
fication assured to them ; whilst at the same time it
does away with the 'very guarantees upon which
indemnification was based. The Algerian Society's
bonds may now be considered as. a solid invest-
ment, being taken under the control of Govern-
ment. However, with the present assured prospects
of peace, it is more than probable that the itupris
soned angels of the Bank coffers will ere long take
wing for the public benefit. The obsequies of the
late King Louis the First of Bavaria have been per-
formed with unusual splendour. Conveyed from
Nice, the mortal remains of the monarch have been
deposited in the right nave •of the Church of St.
Boniface at Munich, which was built after the late
King's own designs. The coffin in which the Sovereign
sleeps his last sleep is fashioned from a single block
of grey mat ble dug from the quarries he possessed
in Austria ; the upper part of the mausoleum (also
designed by himself) is of cubic form without orna-
ment or inscription of any kind.; the king's heart
has been deposited in the princely cathedral of Alt
Otingen. Ihe amount of property left by him is
estimated at 250 millions of francs. The grand
military steeplechases came off on Sunday last at
La Marche. The origin of these races, which-com-
menced eleven years ago, was intended as a souvenir
of the sports got up in the Crimea, and to afford au
opportunity for the reunion of old comrades of both
nations. The prize of 5,000 francs was won by
M. Flersheim, who rode his own horse, Bon Espoir,
giving 4114. to Avenay and 4lbs. to Sly Fox, both from
the stables of the Duke of Hamilton, the two latter
coining in a good second and third. The Selling Stakes.
were won by Saint Contest beating Dubious and
Harriet Watts, whilst the Consolation Stakes fell
to Brunette, beating Floreal and a host of others
in grand style. No accident of importance
occurred during the day. His Highness the Prince
Imperial completed his 12th birthday on Monday,
the 16th instant. We trust he may see many a re=
volving year pass to the increase of his own happi-
ness, as well as that of the great nation whose des-
tinies he will one day be called upon to rule. The-
vineyards which produced tha most renowned wines
of Chambertin have been sold for 150,000 francs.
Those producing the Clos Vouget are offered at the
upset price of two millions. The railways have
this week contributed considerably to the amuse-
ment of the public. In one instance a newly-mar-
ried couple arrived at the Dijon Station, when, from
some unexplained reason, the train started again,
leaving the husband behind. The fair bride was
not, however, to be so left, and, throwing first her
baggage from the window of the carriage, she fol-
lowed up the movement by opening the door and
leaping out. Fortunately no accident followed
this rash proceeding, and the officials, being
probably melted by the sight of the married
lovers locked in each other's arms, forgot to
inflict the usual penalty, •rind the reunited joy-
fully resuming their journey. In another instance
a certain joker travelling from Paris to Rheims was
determined to have a whole compartment to him-
self. In order to effect this, he drew down all the
blinds, including the shade of the lamp suspended
in the middle of the carriage. On the approach of
any passenger desirous to enter, our hero, putting
forth his head, announced -in a most lugubrious tone
of voice, " Compartinient des Pompes Funaires."
This was of course sufficient, and lie reached the
end of his journey in solitary triumph. The trick,
however, being smoked by the officials, a sharp
penalty left our friend to reflect sadly upon the in-
advisability of future practical jokes upon railways.
I do not often venture to signalise any innovation
of the Goddess of Fashion, but the newest and
prettiest female ornament appearing as yet but
rarely in the shop windows of Paris consists of a
very beautiful girdle, made of amber-coloured
corded. satin, and embroidered with a wreath of
leaves in jet. AG the article does not appear to be
very expensive, I trust the patres fanzilix, or
rather familiarum, amongst our readers will for once
pardon me this little piece of information.

LES TITRES DE LA. DYNASTIE IsTAPOLEONIENNC.
Vox Populi Vox Dei.
We have had the idea of reuniting in the same publica-
tion the different manifestations of. the national will,
which, under the two Republics, and under the two
Empires, have founded the Napoleonic Dynasty. It has
seemed to us that from such a collection, remarkable in ,
an historic point of view, may be derived important
political instruction.
Since the completion of my weekly letter, a
pamphlet has been issued from the Imperial printing
establishment in Paris bearing the above important
and interesting designation. Thanks to the kind-
ness of the talented and obUging Chef du Bureau
(Chief Secretary) for the Department of the
Foreign Press, M. Ernest Sirouy, a Minister:,whose
never-failing kindness and attention are vividly
appreciated by that body. I have been enabled to
procure a copy, net indeed in time to review with
that attention which so deeply interesting a publica-
tion demands, but in time to enable me to offer a
few general remarks, and to translate such passages
as appear to me to contain its most salient and im-
portant points. The pamphlet is generally attri-
buted to his Majesty in person, and the clear clas-
sical style in which it is written tends to show that,
if not emanating directly from him, it owes at least
its inspiration to the master spirit that presides
The language is pure
over the destinies of France. •
and plain, the premises historical, the conclusions