The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-01-19


concession, the conservatives agreed to support
the ministry IN such numbers as will secure for
1t working majority of sixty votes Thus we
may consider that the Guizot cabinet has ac-
quired new lease of power, and it is estab-
lished in its position until some contingency
that cannot now be forseen, shall dispace 1t.
But In the present state OF public opinion, no
cabinet could maintain itself without making
some concession to the spirit of progress, which
characteristics the present times. Accordingly,
it has been resolved in the very opening of the
session, to throw two or three sops to the grow-
ing spirit of reform The first will be reform
OF the postage, which Is now enormous, in pro-
portion to the weight of letters. A quarter of
an ounce constitutes a single letter, and on this
apostage of half franc Is charged for moderate
distances, with an increasing rate tor larger
radli. II is not announced, as yet, how Tar
the proposed reform will 60, nor what
features of the English system will he
adopted. The two most important cond-
tons are IN uniform rate, and low one;
the thing. l. is, however, quite certain, that no
reduction will be made bearing any proportion
to the English system, and 1t is frared that rate
Will be fixed on Increasing with distance, a
principle altogether repudated by the English
system, The essence OF that system is that a
despatch of half an ounce will be transmitted
from any one point In the United Kingdom to
any other point, for one penny, and that the
the shape of a bit of paper. The beautiful sim
pliclty of this will hardly be realized here
The second measure of reform proposed, Is
one calculated to mitigate the unpoPularity of the
cabinet. II Is reduction of the salt tax, which
Is felt In France in peculiarly oppressive man.
ner, since, while 1t produces no sensible effect
on the more easy classes, it operates with u
grinding severity on the poor.
But there Is another measure which the cabi-
net intends to bring forward, which, while it will
bring no real benefit to the people, will be pro-
ductive of a ten-fod popularity to the ministry
Within a few weeks permission has been
given to the only surviving brother of Napoleon,
the Prince Jerome, ex-king of Westphalia, with
his family, to reside in France. The Prince,
availlng himself of this permission, has lately
arrived In Paris, and now resides In house In
the Champs Eysecs, at the corner of the Rue
de. Berry Immediately on his arrival, he was re-
son, by Louis Philippe. il was usasrstood that
this interview was mutually satisfactory, and
since then the Prince has lived here IN the most
unobtruslve manner: His hotel - such as might
be occupied by private gentleman OF moderate
fortune. He has never appeared in any manner
to be recognized by the public, except on two oc
casions-One Of these, as mentioned in former
letter, was on the celebration of the funeral OBJ
sequies OF his late brother, Louis, the ex-Kins
of Holland the second was on the occasion
of the annual celebration of the arrival
of the remains Of the Emperor Napoleon
at the chapel of the Invalids, which was
held on Monday, the 18th instant. This pru
dent system Of conduct has not only nc
CURED tor Prince Jerome the reepect and esteem
OF the friends and partlsans of his family, bu
has also conclliated the favorable sentiments O
the Orleans family and the most influential sec
lions OF the Chamber M Theirs, whose idola
try OF the memory of Napoleon is well known
set his heart upon obtaining from the Chambers
a muniicent pension for this, his only surviving
brother; and the leader of the opposition, if hi:
purposes were selfish, might have obtained an
easy and cheap popularity by taking the lnita
tive OF proposition which would have been re-
celved with reclamation, but which would also
hpV nj oaH fha IL
OF either yielding to- The demand of an adverse
ry. or Of opposing decidedly popular measure.
M. Theirs, however, adopted course marked
by the most delicate consideration towards the
object OF his solicitude Waving all selfish view
he went personally to M. Duchatel Minister of the
Interior, and sugge sted him the idea OF govern
ment itself proposing the grant ola suitable pen
who had s%rroSndsd he BI nsm 81 MN
perlshable glory He doubtless pointed out that
such measure would he productive of great po-
pularlty to the cabiaet, aud that ii would receive
the almost unanimous appreciation OF the Cham
Der. The result OF all this has been, the deci-
sion on the part OF the government to propose,
Immediately on the opening OF the Chamber, a
pension Of 100000 francs, equivalent to nearly
SV'ooo collars, beIeg greater income than that
Jerome Bousparte.
This combination OF popular measures will,
beyond all doubt, dlsarm for time the opposi-
tlon. The policy OF intervention, In Switzer-
feet, would have offered the most vulnerable
point to the opposition. But the course of events
has laid that policy In Its grave. No doubt the
appointment of the Due d Aumae to the Cover
nor GeneralshIp OF Algeria, will be taken up by
some parties as subject of offence But there IL
nothing at the present moment in that measure
to render it generally obnoxious to the public
Its real object Is too remote to be visible 10 the
general eye, and 1t is only the far-sighted few
that can see in the Governor General the chrysa-
lis OF future monarch; and in the African colo
ny future kingdom for junior line of the
House OF Orleans; yet, In the common course OF
political events, this thing must surely come to
pass, and many would more willingly stake a
bet on the dynasty of Aumale, than on the sue
cession ofthe Count de Paris. The one is subj. CT
to innumerable popular contingencies, and much
public suspicion and distrust, while the other is
looked up to as a Sultan by people who are ira
dilonally attached to despotism.
TO turn tor moment to lighter and more tran
STORY matters, we may observe that Paris has
rarely at this season been less frequented by TO-
relgners, and especially by English. This is
subject of general complaint among the proprle-
tors of hotels and lodging houses in the Faub 1urg
st. HonorS and Chaissse D'Antln. The King,
with his family and suit, removed on Monday
last, the Goth. from ST. Cloud to the Tullerles,
where they will remain for the winter season.
The theatres are in their meridian. The grand
opera has brought out, with al Its characteristic
splendor OF scenery and machinery, and all the
luxury of it's corps-du-ballet, new opera, called
ployed to adapt the music OF his opera, 81 Lom-
bardi," to which he has added for the occasion
some new airs, choruses and dances. The cho-
raj and instrumental parts of the opera, which,
by the by, constitute nine tenths oil IT, are mag
nl1cent. But as in all Verdet's operas, the ear
yearns for melodies which are few and far be-
tween. Nevertheless, it must be acknowledged,
In justice TO the composer and managers, the
present entertainment is most splendid aud at
tractive spectacle.
The Italian opera has acquired most impor-
tant attraction In the person of Md'lle Alboni,
the finest contra-alto who has appeared in Eu
rope since the days of PIsaroni.
Ndlle Alboni made her debut in the part of
Ardace, in Rossini's opera OF Semrramide, with
Grisi Ia the part of the Queen, and in a more
glorious musical festival we have never partcl-
pated. The attraction was so great that the
tire house was forestaled the moment the box
office was opened, and places which cost at the
regular rates IL francs, were resod ut from 40 to
30. The second part in which Alboni has APP