The Sun.
London, England, 1868-01-25 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, JANUARY 25, 18e8.

CFrom the Anglo-American Times.)
PARIS, Jan. 23, 1868.
One hears so much of the green corn field and
the sunny vineyards of fair France that the capri-
cious variations of temperature experienced in Paris
are rather trying. The recent severe weather has
been succeeded by thaw and rain ; again probably
to be varied by a fresh touch of frost and snow.
Under such circumstances the season has been par-
ticularly trying, and considerable mortality has
existed, especially among the very aged, or the very
young. All the world has had coughs and c Ads,
and even I have not escaped the ills which
flesh is heir to, and which the alternate constric-
tion and relaxation of the respiratory organs from
the changeable weather have made so prevalent.
Thanks, however, to the good offices of Messrs.
Roberts and Co., 23, Place Vendome, iu the shape
of an alterative and a most magnificent acid tonic
(crede esperto) I am about again with no other
existing souvenir of my temporary) derangement
than a most ravenous appetite. The Count von
der Goltz, Ambassador from the Confederate
States of Germany, has undergone an operation at
his hotel for some kind of cancerous affection of the
mouth, which has been successful, and the Count
is rapidly approaching convalescence. The greatest
possible anxiety has been manifested on behalf of
the Count by his Sovereign the King of Prussia, as
well as by Count Bismarck, in the shape of inces-
sant telegraphic desp Aches. The Emperor also
has manifested the greatest solicitude on the occa-
sion. It would seem from the details given by
the lovers of the marvellous that the disease
is hereditary, as it is said that the Count's
father died of a similar disease, and that, too,
in the very hotel in which his son is at
present staying. I hope there is a good
time coming, for it is said that a similar
season has not been experienced since the year
1829, and the spring usually begins early in France.
Even during the month of February the produc-
tions of Algeria may be seen in the warehouses of
the Central Halles, or principal markets of Paris,
in the shape of green beaus, new potatoes, green
peas, &c. ; whilst not only the markets, but even
the myriad shops of the city, are filled to overflow-
ing with every kind of game, flex or feather—to use
the old Doric sporting language—from wild boars,
whole or dismembered, and venison of every variety
down to the smallest teal. Nothing, in fact, comes
amiss to the French chasseur or cuisiuier, if one
may judge from the fact that last year a gentleman
in Paris received from a sporting friend in Algeria
the hind quarter of a magnificent lion, whilst on
every stall countless tomtits and corn larks
cry vengeance upon their slaughterers.
There doubtless many a good sportsman in
out
is for
France ; but taken as a whole, and especially in the
icoiindietuyts of,
the exploits, ludicrous
&c., that are constantly occurring give
accidents,
the mighty city,
to an Englishman or American rather an inferior
idea of French force in sporting matters. Last
week a gentleman, noted as a staunch persecutor of
Monsieur Reynard, succeeded in digging out a splen-
did specimen. By way of placing his prize in safety,
the fortunate captor hastened to muzzle him with
what ?—guess, gentle reader—why, with nothing
less than the chain of his Porte-monnaie, having,
however, omitted the important precaution of
tying his legs as well. The fox managed to
escape in the confusion, carrying with him
the impromptu muzzle, as well as the sum
of fifteen francs coetained in the porte-monnaie,
thus, as it were, setting himself a reward upon his
head, to be obtained by some more adventurous
sportsman. An expedition of a more important
character, however, is on the eve of setting out for
Africa, under the auspices of Monsieur Pertniset, the
celebrated lion killer, the number being limited to 50
sportimen, each of whom will have to pay, as his
contribution to the expedition (board, travelling
expenses, &c., included), for a period of from two
and a half to three months, the sum of 4,500 francs.
The advertisement appears in the windows of the
celebrated Devisme gumnaker, the advertiser oblig-
ingly offering to monopolise all danger that may
arise during the affair. I have never been an
admirer of battues, but have always preferred
a fair day's exercise, with a moderate prospect of
sport, giving the game a chance ; neither have I
been what is technically termed a pot-hunter (that
is to say, a person who goes more for game than for
sport), though I have always had an eye to the con-
tents of the aforesaid pot at the close of the day's
work ; but the idea of toiling for weeks over burn-
ing sands, upon the speculation of occasionally
catching a glimpse of the tail of a lion, varied by
the agreeable possibility of finding him in the midst
of your party when retired for the night, is rather
too much for my sporting nerves ; and I am apt to
hold opinion with the charity boy when he got
through his alphabet, as to the extreme
doubtfulness of going through so much work to
so little advantage. But I was speaking of
the coming spring, so much looked for in Paris,
to alleviate the existing distress from the
dearness of provisions, and the scarcity of work, of
which an incident that has occurred this week will
serve to give the reader an idea. Last Thursday
four persons entered the establishment of a mar-
chand de vies, who also occupied himself as a
restaurateur, a united business very much in vogue
in Paris, and ordered an excellent dfjmaer, which
they washed down with sundry bottles of wine.
After breakfast came the never-failing gloria, a
compound of coffee and brandy, finished up with
cards and a bowl of punch. The bill amounted to
nineteen francs, which was :oniiirigly iir,?,st,atel by
the landlady ; but alas for the mutability of human
affairs. "Mon paltvre vicar," said the spokesman
of the party ; " we regret to be unable to liquidate
your demand ; we are without money, work, or

even an asylum, and we have adopted the present
as a pleasant method of bringing ourselves to the
notice of the civil authorities, and thereby obtaining
at least board and lodging for a short period. Call
in therefore the Sergens de Ville and place us in
their hands." " Go and hang yourselves elsewhere,"
said the exasperated host, by no means anxious to
add further trouble to his pecuniary loss. "Du
tout" (by no means), was the reply, " and if you
do not at once comply with our request, we shall be
compelled to enforce it at the expense of sundry
additional breakages." Of course there was
no refusing a request so politely persisted
in, and the guests obtained their desire, in being
marched off accordingly. The Emperor, with that
humanity and solicitude which he never ceases to
display on behalf of his people, has given orders
that all articles of bedding, clothing, &c., which
have been pawned at the various establishments
of the Mont-de-Piete in Paris shall be restored
to those who have pledged them, free of charge, a
benefit to the poor of which it is scarcely possible to
imagine the extent, whilst the soup kitchens of the
gallant little Prince Imperial are in full operation.
The price of bread has been taken into considera-
tion by the authorities, and fixed not to exceed a
certain limit ; and, in short, every precaution is
taken by the Government to mitigate and alleviate
the existing state of affairs until the speedy approach
of better times ; whilst the various balls and recep-
tions which are taking place at the Tuileries, Hotel
de Ville, and at the hotels of the various foreign
embassies, add an additional stimulus to commerce
and labour. The first ball at the Tuileries took
place on the 6th instant, at which most of our Ame-
rhan friends attended who had previously had
the honour of presentation, as mentioned in our
last week's number. The receptions given by Ge-
neral and Mrs. Dix on the 4th and 11th were also
numerously attended by the elite of the fashionable
world in Paris. A grand masked ball is announced
for the 15th February at the Ministere des Affaires
Etrangers. The Empress, with her usual solicitude
for human suffering, has left Paris for Bretagne, in
consequence of the receipt of a telegraph despatch
conveying the intelligence of an accident which has
befallen the Princess Bacciochi, whilst getting into
her carriage, and by which her leg was broken.
Colonel Heine, Secretary to the United States'
Legation, has returned to. Paris, and presented his
report upon the Pacific Railroad. He was accom-
panied by M. Simonin, C.E. The colonel reports
an active progress, and the probability that
the entire line will be open for traffic
within a period of two years. My brief limits
are not adapted to an extended theatrical
critique ; but an amusing incident occurred lately
at the Theatre des Italiens, where Mademoiselle
Carlotta Patti has been creating a furore in the
role of " Lucia." A marriage had taken place at
Audelys, in Normandy. The fair bride, who,
it appears, like every pretty woman, has a
right to her fancies, had stipulated as a special
condition of surrender that on the same evening • as
the marriage the bridegroom should bring not only
herself but the whole marriage party to Paris to
bear Patti. The suitor was rich, gallant, and
amorous. He telegraphed at once to Paris for
thirty-eight fauteuils; the marriage was celebrated;
the dinner hurried on, and in the evening eight
carriages, starting from the station of the Western
Railway, deposited their fare, in the full bridal
costume of Normandy, in the fauteuils aforesaid.
A Paris audience is indulgent ; they are used to
strange sights ; and the' bridal party are regarded
only with a benevolent curiosity—when the curtain
draws up, and Lucia advances. But, alas ! Lucia
is not Mademoiselle Patti, but Mademoiselle Harris.
On the same day as the arrival of the brave Nor-
mans the contemplated marriage between the
fair songstress and the Marquis de Caux had
been broken off, and Mademoiselle Carlotta, an-
noyed or indisposed, was unable to sing for that
evening. But the Normans do not understand
trifling ; they had paid to hear Patti, and, as Patti
was not present, they rose and left the place in a
body, demanding the return of their money. After
considerable negociations, however, the matter was
arranged, the fair bride being consoled with a pro-
mise of hearing the celebrated cantatrice the en-
suing week ; and the marriage party re-entered the
, theatre, much to the amusement of the audience, in
the same majestic manner in which they had left it.
Political news is still at a discount, and moderate
men recommend that Italy and the Pope sltould set
their heads together to arrange their own affairs
without any other intervention ; though it is said
that a speech from the Throne in Spain, has given
much umbrage to the former, who has intimated
that, as Spain does not possess either the puis-
sance of France or the same claim upon their con-
sideration, she will permit no Spanish interference
in her affairs—a sort of Non omnibus dormio mes-
sage, exceedingly amusing. Nevertheless, in spite
of all the warlike preparations, especially on the
part of his Holiness, who appears to have extended
his recruiting, even as far Canada, there is every
prospect at present of Peace—never more wanted
n the interests of mankind at large.

The Russian Commissioners who, some months
ago went to America to secure arms for the G -
vernment, have lately been stopping at the Allyn
House, Hartford, Connecticut. They have been
examining the manufacturing establishments in the
New England States. Colonel Gerloff witnessed
experiments undertaken by Colonel Berdan, the
patentee of the new rifle, to test the weapon. From
two were discharged 10,000 cartridges without a
single miss fire. The Commissioners have con-
cluded a contract with the Colt Patent Firearms
Company for the manufacture of 30,000 Berdan
rifles, with an agreement providing for further
orders at a stated price. The Russian Government
also contracts for a number of Gatling rifled can-
non. Prussia has ordered 100 of the latter arm.
The answer of Congress to the President's Mes-
sage asking for a recognition of Hancock's noble
order might have been anticipated from the shouts
of derision with which it was received in both
Chambers. The House has laid upon the table the
vote of thanks to General Hancock, and passed
resolutions of thanks to General Sheridan, censur-
ing President Johnson for removing him, and
thanking Gen. Grant for disapproving the remo-
val of Gen. Sheridan and Mr. Stanton.
A great banquet has been given to the British
Ministers in the Western Metropolis, as Bristol de-
lights to call itself. The two chiefs, Lord Derby
and Mr. Disraeli, were absent, but there was a
great gathering of the Cabinet, and Lord Stanley,
like a Well-trimmed and well-handled frigate be-
fore the days of steam, working up to windward
got the weather-gauge of his opponents, and took
all the wind out of their sails. The Liberals are
rubbing their eyes and wondering if they hear
aright, or are in a dream—for the Tories have be-
come advanced Liberals, and the genuine 'party is
at a loss to know upon what principles it can base
an opposition, unless it occupies the ground va-
cated by the Tories, when both parties will have
" swung round the circle." Lord Stanley's speech
has excited much. attention and given general s
itis-
faction. Ireland is to be the battle-field of the
coming session, and Lord Stanley sketched his
own opinions relating to that country. He scouts
a separate national existence, or repeal of the
Union, which he thinks comes practically to the
same thing. He hints that the Government does
not intend to legislate on the Irish Church. He
calls the proposal for the settlement of the Tenant
question by transferring those holders into pro-
prietors " confiscation," though he appeArs to fa-
vour a legislative enactment to compel landlords
to reimburse tenants for their improvements. The
greatest question is undoubtedly that of the Church,
Nlhich his Lordship thinks ought not to be settled
by a dying Parliament, but be remitted to the
House to be returned by the new constituencies.
The news from the City of Mexico is to the 31st
December. Diaz opposed the expedition against
Yucatan, and it has been abandoned. His reasons
were that former expeditions had invariably been
defeated; that the people, if left, wolild fight among
themselves, but if threatened by the national Go:
vernment would combine against it. This is a
practical acknowledgment of the independence of
the Etate, and no small encouragement to the others
who desire to follow the example. The Revolution