The Sun.
London, England, 1850-12-12 00:00:00

"Let us, therefore, declare it loudly, that it is grand
principles and noble passions, such as loyalty and dis-
interestedness, which save societies, and not any specu-
lations of strength and chance. Thanks to the applica-
tion of that policy, wo now taste some repose; and this
year, more than the preceding one, we will be able to
realise real progress.
" The Municipal Council of Paris is right in reckoning
on the Government for everything that can render the
situation of the city more prosperous; for Paris is the
heart of France, and all the ameliorations which are
adopted there contribute powerfully to the general
well-being.
" Accept then, gentlemen, with my thanks, a toast to
the city of Paris. Let us apply all our efforts to embellish
this great city, to ameliorate the position of its inha-
bitants, and to enlighte❑ them as to their real interests ;
let us open new streets, render more healthy the
populous quarters which require air and light, and let
the beneficent rays of the sun penetrate everywhere
within our walls as the light of truth within our hearts."
—(Loud applause followed by cries of " Vive le Pi
dent !")
After a little delay, the PRESIDENT of the Republic
and the guests proceeded to the grand apartments
looking out on the quay, and shortly after he rose to
promenade through the Galerie des likes, which had
by this time become filled with a most brilliant
assemblage of elegantly dressed women. It is quite
impossible to give an adequate description of this mag-
nificent gallery; the brilliancy of its appearance,
when lit up with thirty -six immense chandeliers of
cut-glass, containing upwards of 2,000 wax lights,
was absolutely dazzling. The long line of windows
were hung with curtains of white and yellow silk, the
latter being fringed with white lace.. The delicate
ornaments placed on the walls in the spaces between
the white pilasters are in the happiest taste, and
remind one, in some measure, of those beautiful
contrasts of colouring, of which the painting at the
Alhambra afford such happy examples. Although
the crowd which thronged here during the night was
immense, still so lofty was the gallery that the heat
was not at any time oppressive. The Prince, followed
by a brilliant cortige, amongst whom we perceived
the Marquis of Noamarsur, with the Princess MA-
THILDE leaning on his arm, went down the whole
length of the gallery, the company standing up as he
passed. The moment after, &maims's celebrated band
gave the signal for dancing, and the bail commenced,
it being then about nine o'clock. After the quadrille
had finished the PRINCE returned through the gallery,
and went round to the room called the Prefect's
apartment, where another orchestra was estab-
lished, and where dancing was also going on. He
here also waited whilst a quadrille was gone
through, and he then walked on to the Salle du
Trone, where it may be remembered, the banquet
had taken place. Strange to say, not a vestige
of the immense preparations which the grand dinner
had necessitated, now remained. All had disap-
peared as if by enchantment, and here, also, an
orchestra was " discoursing most eloquent music,"
this being the third ball room provided for the even-
ing's amusement. The PRINCE at a somewhat later
hour again went down through the grand gallery at
one side and returned by the other, courteously sa-
luting, as he passed, the ladies seated at each side.
He finally took his leave of M. and Mme. BERGER at
about half-past ten, evidently much gratified by the
day's proceedings.
About eleven o'clock, it is supposed that the
greatest number of persons were present, upwards of
6,000 guests having passed through the rooms during
the night, and 11,000 applications for invitations
having been of necessity retused. It was when the ball
was at its highest that two young Arabs of distinc-
tion, sons of one of the schieks of Constantine, in
Algeria, made their appearance, enveloped in the
white coverings of their nation. Nothing could
present a more curious contrast than the ball attire
of the Parisians and the muffled-up appear-
ance of these inhabitants of the desert. They were
for some time led round by M. BALE, and seemed
to gaze, with that impassibility of countenance which
marks the Arab, on the fairy scene before them. Se-
veral officers who bad served in Algeria recognised
them, and came up to renew their acquaintance with
the strangers, who, on their parts, seemed glad to
view a familiar face.
The PRESIDENT of the Republic, before his depar-
ture from the Hotel de Ville, signified that he con-
ferred the Cross of the Legion of Honour on M.
MERRUAU, Secretary General of the Prefecture of the
Seine, and on M. MOREAU, member of the municipa
council.

In the Assembly on Tuesday M. DE MONTALEM-
BERT brought up a report in favour of a measure for
the better observance of the Sabbath.
The Bourse was animated, and the price of public
securities rose. The Five per Cents, opened at
94f. 75c., rose to 94f. 80e., fell subsequently to 94f. 55c.,
and closed at 94f. 65c.; the Three per Cents, closed at
57f. 15c.; Orleans Railroad Shares, 821 f. 25c.; Rouen,
620 f.; Havre, 2451.; Great Northern, 465 f.; Vierzon,
395 f.; Basle, 133 f. 75c.; Bordeaux, 383 f. 75c.; Paris
and Strasburg, 343 f. 75c.; Tours and Nantes, 237 f. 50e.
BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE
LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, Dzc. 11.
Boulogne and Amiens, 814 East Indian, 12—Great
Indian Peninsula, 1% Luxembourg, 2 Northern of
France, 15—Orleans and Bourdeaux, 2A—Paris and Stras-
bourg, 9—Rouen and Havre, 10—Tours and Nantes, 23/4.