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

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 Imp,!rial are in full operation.
The price of bread has been taken into considera-
tion by the authorities, and fixed not to excee 1 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-
rican 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. Shnonin, 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, bad 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
hear 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 wits a benevolent curiosity—when the curtain
draws up, and Lucia advances. But, alas I 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 negociatious, 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 should set
their heads together to arrange their own aff ►irs
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 pais-
sanci 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
in the interests of mankind at large.

The Russian Commissioners who, some months
ago went to America to secure arms for the Go-
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 Presideht'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 ttis-
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,
hich 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, would 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 Elate, and no small encouragement to the others
who desire to follow the example. The Revolution