Star.
London, England, 1830-12-22 00:00:00

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE-EICLUSIYE.

PARIS, DEC. 90.
SI R—Tbe all-absorbing interest of the pending trial is
such, that scarcely any other object is the subject of con-
versation in the beet-informed political circles. From the
previous examination taken and published, in conformity
with the laws of this kingdom, little information can be
expected to be elicited during their progress. Some readers
will observe, that the functions imposed upon the President,
are widely different from our ideas of judicial forms. The
above-named officer seems rather to act as public prosecutor,
by demanding such questions, as lead to a conviction of
guilt on the part of the prisoners. The object is to obtain
the developement of truth, and perhaps it is inconsequen-
tial how that important object is obtained ; but to our ideas,
it conveys a sense of hardship, to see the Court in array
against the culprits, instead of being advocates for them,
as invariably is the case in British jurisprudence.
Hitherto the progress of the solemn investigation has
unfolded more weakness than wickedness. The designs,
the long-fostered plans, seem to be attributable to him,
whose future sway, and that of his posterity, was to benefit
by their execution. The exiled Monarch, no doubt, backed
by his spiritual guide and confessor, who cunningly played
the wires of the puppet in the foreground, appears to have
had far more obstinacy and disregard of human sacrifice,
than Marmont, although long used to the horrors ef war-
fare. The directions given by this reckless devotee to the
Marshal, to concentrate his forces, and to act by masses,
repeating the latter term frequently, will descend to after
times, and give the idea, that Charles the Tenth imme-
diately succeeded his namesake the Ninth, who gave similar
instructions during the massacre of St. Bartholomew. Who
could suppose that ages of light and civilizstion had inter-
vened, and the same bloody and barbarous orders could have
been given in 1830, that disgraced the dark and higotted
era of the former? What an unhappy illustration is this
evidence of the asseverations of the Duke de Fittames, in
the Chamber of Peers, and the protestations of M. de Mar-
tignac to the Deputies, of the mild and merciful nature of
the late sovereign ? How strenuously did they both declaim
that he may have been misled, but that his heart was im-
bued with the love of his subjects. What a disgusting,
and at the same time farcical picture does it publish to the
world, of the absurd etiquette of the old Court ? While
hundreds were falling, while the Crown was at stake,
where every second was precious, the Court ceremonial was
adhered to, of waiting 20 minutes, after his Majesty
had received his dispatches. How calmly the order
was issued for the next day's shooting ! And
then the total amount of preparation for any resistance on
the part of the insulted majesty of the people! The full
assurance seems to have occupied the wind of the King,
and some of his ministers, that he might assume for his
decree, Sic vole, sic jubeo, as a motto, and that his sub-
jects, awe-struck, would crouch as a hound beneath the
lash, and not dare to lift an expostulary eye, to him en-
throned above them. The possibility of resistance does not
seem to have been contemplated, and no sooner did this
manifest itself, than suites qui ;Peet, was the cry of every
individual connected with the Government ; and the fierce,
and active population were masters of the city, without any
authority legally empowered to take the helm of affairs. The
French nation, which yields to none in its bravery and ar-
dour of attacks, seems particularly liable to panic, upon an
unexpected obstruction, and to give up all for lost, if vic-
tory inclines her /Egli; upon the opposing side. Here all
was confusion, every one acted upon his own responsibility
and views of the case; and Polignac appears to have per-
sisted to the very last, and to have received with hostility,
the voluntary visit to the King, of M. de Semouville, and
d'Argent, who persisted in informing that infatuated man of
the whole truth, supposing that the real state of the metro-
polis had been been studiously concealed from him.
From the copious accounts published of this important
trial, you will have an opportunity of forming your own
opinions. The general idea that prevails here is, that the
investigation is proceeding favourably to the inculpated par-
ties; and Marmont does not appear to be that monster of
cruelty that he was at first represented. Placed in a situa-
tion of unexampled difficulty, be seems to have " borne his
faculties as meekly," consistent with military honour, as
expected. Never could man better apply to himself the
line—" Incidit, in scyllam, qui vult vitare Charybdim"—
than himself. With a precipice on one side, and a gulph
on the other, it was difficult to guide his steps. The reports
flying about, as to the probable termination of this important
event, are too numerous to be mentioned. No one seems to
anticipate an acquittal ; although the doctrine of constructive
treason is so imperfectly defined. Many think that Polig-
nee must fall a sacrifice, if not to stern justice, at least to
glut the popular cry of vengeance. The populace are most
indignant with him. He is looked upon as a determined
plotter, whom no mercy will ever turn from the conspira-
cies, in which his life has been employed. Some anticipate,
that he will be executed the same night on which sentence
is passed. It must be recollected that there is no appeal,
and that sentence must be carried into effect within twenty-
four hours after its delivery. Five-eighths of the Peers
must coincide with the verdict. It is supposed by some,
that at the conclusion of the trial, they will be conveyed to
Vincennes, as a place of security, and that the sentence will
not be prostulgated for some months, that the popular fer-
ment may have more time to subside.
All is perfectly quiet, and not the least disposition in any
manner tum.ultuary has yet been evinced. Great crowds
assemble daily before the Luxembourg, but curiosity seems
to be their principal object. I am, Sir, Yours,

J. H.
N. B. In the absence of direct communication, all the
accounts we receive through Germany and Prussia, of the
movements at Warsaw, are highly satisfactory. Constantine
is retiring upon Russia, under the safeguard of an armis-
tice, and the dame seems to spread into Lithuania
and Gallicia. Nicholas threatens to exterminate the
very name of Pots, but may find that twenty millions of
freemen are not to be crushed by an Imperial edict. The
general congress of the Swiss cantons, to reform their con.
stitution, is to meet on the 23d inst. J. H.

CITY. ONE O'CLOCK
Consols which left off yesterday at 8141 for the Account,
opened at the same price this morning. and are at present
811 to 82.
CITY, TWO O'CLOCK.
The Funds have not that favourable appearance as in the
early part of the morning when Consols were done at 82.
since which the market has rather given way, and Consols
at present may be quoted at 81e 0 for the account. The
state of Paris rather agitates the speculators, who seem to
be cautious is their operations, and are waiting anxiously
the next express from France.

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a divides For ass Iris declared as tbs oosspasy's
stock fir tbs sweat half year.