The Sun.
London, England, 1868-07-04 00:00:00

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

' (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

PARIS, FRIDAY, July 3.
-
M. Magne was to have followed M. Thiers on the
Budget debate on the same evening, but, to the astonish-
ment of the House, he moved the adjournment—in order
to get his figures in order ! If the disorder had been very
great, he must have sat up all night, for he made a very
fair show the next morning. He confined himself chiefly
to his figures, and after having striven to explain the
causes which created the difficulty, endeavoured to
assure his hearers as to its real nature, alleging
that the great trials which had been under-
gone by the country during the last sixteen years
were exceptional. He bantered M. Thiers on his proposal
to retain France as the police of Europe, and for wishing
to reject the economy proposed by the Budget Commission.
It is now probable, I believe, that the debate will flag.
M. Tillers weakened the argument of the Opposition
by putting forward the alternative of increasing the
imposts. The dilemma of reducing armament or increas-
ing taxation was the safe and proper course. The discre-
pancy amongst the Opposition speeches, though it is not clear
how M. Thiers could help it, will probably enable the
Government to escape rather easily. Many of the depu-
ties who had obtained leave have returned to be present
during the debate.

In official circles it is rumoured that the Emperor is
about to confer on M. Rouher the post of Vice-President
of the Privy Council and of the Council of Ministers.
The Presse considers this will be a decided step towards
constitutional government. The Avenir National thinks
such an appointment would have no such tendency, but
would be merely the last mark of the Emperor's personal
favour. Most people, I fancy, will have some difficulty'
in reconciling the premises and conclusions of the
Presse.

• -
An official note published in the 21Ioniteitr states that
the cattle disease has completely disappeared from
Western Europe, and is dying out in the districts of
Central Germany most liable to it. The Minister of
Agriculture has therefore re-established complete liberty
for the cattle trade on the French frontiers and in all Ulf
nods.

Count Bismarck, having recovered a little, is anxious to
get back to business. The doctors have therefore
threatened him with a still more serious attack if his
holiday is not considerably prolonged. The cause of his
anxiety to return to Berlin, if there be any special cause,
is a mystery. The question of the Hanoverian refugees,
there is every reason to conclude, has ceased to create any
anxiety, and there is nothing special on the Lapis. Of
course the project of a South German Confederation is of
some consequence, but South Germans do not exert them-
selves so quickly as to give rise to immediate difficulty.
Besides, it is rumoured that Count Bismarck has given
his assent to such a confederation ; but this statement,
we fancy, requires confirmation.

A correspondent of the Independanee Belge gives me
same rumour, adding that the Prussian statesman consents
to such a confederation, seeing that it must be only terai
porary, and might calm France for a time. The scheme
of combination follows the fashion of the day. The Statel
are to manage their private affairs, and assemble in Pulls,'
ment to settle business of general interest.
The telegraphic charges between France and England
have been reduced. The price is now four francs fortwenty
words, increasing at the rate of one franc per five words.
A terrible fire at Asnan, in the department of
Nibvre, has destroyed no fewer than a hundred and
thirty houses. The misery inflicted by this catastrophe
is immense. The fire spread so rapidly that furniture
and everything else was destroyed ; and only six of the
houses were insured. Two women were burned to death,
and three men wounded.

THE WEATHER TABLE, -THIS DAY.