Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1855-09-15

LAMARr1NE's OPINION OF THE DECLARATION OF
INDEpENDENcE-A friend of the editor of the New
York Mirror, who is now sojourning in Paris, re-
ates in private letter. the following conversation
she had with Lama7tine. We know not which
most to admire, the de6onaire and graceful manner
and speech of the Frenchman, or the cheering
naiyete with which our correspondent tells the
story:
"I must tell you Of an evening passed with
Lan1artine and his wife. 1t was quiet, social
evening, only myself and five Or six literary people.
o! | was so much delighted with the poet and
historian. He talked with me for several hours,
and every word he uttered is daguerreotyped On
my memory. He is charming in conversation-not
at all like Frenchman, but much more resembling
an Englishman or American in manner He lives
in quiet STYLE and usually goes early in the Spring
to his estate in the country. But this season, Nine.
Lamartine was quite ILL and thus he was kept here.
When was in Paris before, had letter to him,
but he was absent When l came this time, l
heard again he had gone. At Prince Napoleon's /
was regretting his absence when friend of his, to
whom was speaking, told me he was still detained
in Paris. I went at once and delivered my letter
mentioned. l assure you, that evening gave me
more true delight, than any of the great balls |
have attended. Lamartine was so cordial, kind and
appreciative, and spoke so charmingly Of America
and its institutions.
"A pleasant little incident occurred in converse
ton. We were speaking Of the alteration be-
slowed upon relics at Rome; and one Of the COM
pany remarked that all nations possessed some OBJ
ject insignificant in ITSELF but of infinite value from
associations of the past De Lamartine turned to
me and said -" And your country has the most
precious Of all Manuscripts-the Signing of the
Declaration of Independence. Do not your people
make pilgrimages to look upon -" replied ::
1t is indeed precious to all citizens but doubly
precious to me, since my grandfather's name is
there inscribed, as one who gave his blood and his
fortune to perpetuate our free institutions"
"Lamartne rose up, and bowed to me, saying ::
Madame, in that name you have noble heritage.
1t is the patent Of true nobility, and you rightly
cherish it with honest pride"
Was not that sparkling little episode, in our
conversation If you will forgive the vanity in
telling it, will say described Cuba and the palm
groves of Havana and Spain, &C., to Lamartine, to
which he listened with great interest, and may
say delight"
RAILROADS AND POPULATION IN France
The total length of railroads opened and in use
in France at this time is 1901 miles, and is COM
prised in fifteen roads, the longest of which is
III miles, and the shortest ten and half miles,
The average gross receipts of these roads for
the six months ending 3Oth June, is 81, 1872 so
per mile, which is difference of IA per cent,
in favor of this year over the same period of
last year. The most profitable road is the
Paris and Lyons Road, Of which the receipts
were eouivalent to $40 500 per mile for the six
months.
There are upwards of three thousand one
hundred miles of railroad either in process of
construction or about to be commenced.
The population in late years has shown
very favorable degree of progression. In the
reigns of LorIs XIV. and XVI the increase
was little upwards of five millions in the
space of eighty four years-from 100 to 1884;
at this latter period the population Of France
was "a, 5000 900. In 1851 the population had
swollen to 1878, 10; showing since 1884, a
period of 66 years, an augmentation Of IL ,OOO,
OOO
Of the 1878, 40 population in 1851, the
census shows 20, 351 ,628 engaged in agriculture.
9, 094 ,271 engaged in manufactures, 1910, IA
artisans, mechanics and tradesmen, 1000, 900
nearly members of the liberal professions; 1884,
sos domestic servants and 1872, 496 mendicants,
invalids, persons supported by public charity,
and vagabonds.
In France the annual number of births has
been for n long time stationary at about 96O, 900
per annum. This gives one birth for 81 AZ in
habitants. The number of deaths. not includ-
ing the still born, is II, 900, or about one for
43 inhabitants. The number of marriages is
I'll, 900 per annum, or one for 1890 inhabi-
tants.