New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-05-17
FRANCE.
From Our Own Correspondent.

From Our Own Correspondent
PARIS, Thursday, May !, 1856
The English text of the treaty-the French form
of which was published here On Monday-will
have reached you by the last steamer. The present
one will bring you the protocols of the twenty -four
sessions of the Congress. The essence of the
treaty leaked out some while ago, and it's whole
commentabe value has been long since discounted
by journalists and others. Of the protocols less
was known In advance, but among the innumerable
corjectures of more or less shrewdness, it was
necessary that some should be correct. Henry Nv.
said to the astrooger "by dint Ofying you tell some
truths" Mutatis mxtandis, srceptis ezcip'eSdis,
eeteris pariJus, p0ri passs, sz ano disco onnes,
Pluribus Unum, and the rest of the Latin qualify.
ing phrases in the back part of the dictionary being
considered, the royal observation applies indfer-
emily well to the political wiseacres of journalism
and conversation. One comforting reflection par
TALLY cOmpensates the wearisomeness attendant
on the perusal Of correspondence, editorials and
the protocols themselves. They all 60 to show
that we are getting on slowly, but getting on 1t
10 proved that kings and their councillors, diplo-
matte Congresses and the like, cannot with all
their swearing, keep, or force to be kept pro-
found secrecy as to their sayings and doings. BY
consequence they speak and act in more whole
some fear than formerly of public opinion-that
is, more honestly and justly The protocols them
selves if they are to be taken as the merely truth
full record of the Congressional sessions show that
diplomats are giving upa good deal Of the old
fashioned form and fummery Of their profession.
They seem to have entered upon their work with
q promptness, and carried it on with directness
ofpurpose and frankness Of speech quite in the
manner of honest business men. The mere publ
cation of these protocols by the Governments en-
gagged, Immediately upon the ratification Of the
treaty is another suggestive of the reflection men
toned above. II is much better than the old way,
ofeaviDg the story, to be told years after date to
the uncertain memory and the loose conscience of
some witty, tricky, equity, deceitful old post
humous- memoir writing Talleyrand or other. .l
The war is computed to have cost Europe
directly something over seven milliards OF francs
($I, 400 600 OOO) and about half million Of lives
1t lasted less than three years. Here is another
advance. According to the old ways of thinking
and want of thinking, with which the European
nations were afflicted in the last century, their
rulers would have carried on war so finely begun
as this was for the next ten years-for the people
would have suffered 1t.
On the social side, the Emperor 10 trying new
experiment in the matter Of workmens houses
You remember that when he conhscated a part of
Louis Philippe's property, in 1851, he appropri-
ated 000 600 francs Of the proceeds to be given
in encouragement to private persons who would
construct workmen's houses For the sake of the
bonus thus offered, several spectators did build
large establishments Of the kind designated But
the speculation was found not very profitable, and
the Emperor copfesses in the Monitear, that his
expectations from that measure have been par
italy disappointed. He now makes new trial,
from which he hopes better results. Tie has Pur-
chased on his own account q large lot OF ground
eighteen thousand square metres-fronting on the
Boulevard Mazas, in the Faubourg ST. Antoine.
This ground is divided into lots, on which houses
will be built at his expense. The two main OBJ
jects to be had in view in their construction are
comfort for the occupants and cheapness for the
purchasers; for as fast as the buildings are CON-
pleted they will be sold at auctiOn-the purchaser
doubtless binding himself to the fufllment Of rea-
soDabe conditions in the interest of the tenants.
The purpose of the experiment 10 to offer tangible,
visible proofs to capitalists that they can invest
their money proftably in comfortable dwellings
for workmen, and that workmen may be better
lodged and at less prices than at present. Vacant
lots will he ceded. at cost price, to persons who
will engage 10 build within certain time and In
conformity TO the general plan Of the block. Per-
sons who make proposals for huyiog the houses