The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-06-10

EMBARRAsSMENTS OF The FRENCH EMPIRE
The most startling items of the news from
Europe relate to the changes which are taking
place in France. 1t appears, as every one sup
posed that the murderous duel between M. de
Pene of the Figaro, and M. Hyene of the army
has led to an outburst Of violent feeling among
soon as the conspiracy Of the officers to murder
De Pene at all hazards became generally known,
book was opened at the Office of the journal
to which the unhappy editor belonged, and
every civilian who desired to vindicste his
caste by fighting q duel with military man
inscribed his name therein. In few hours, it
is said, the book was so full that supplementary
volumes seemed likely to be wanted; but the
government wisely foreseeing the conse-
quences of such Q scandal, sent policemen TO
close IL.
This tells very plain tale Of the revival
Of the old strife between soldier and civilian
in France. In no country have the two
classes been totally devoid of jealousy of each
other; In France that Jealousy has often ripened
into bloodthirsty and implacAble hatred. There
has been q time, within the present century,
when, In the provincial towns of France, an
officer could not let his sabre clank on
the pavement without having his face
slapped by some hot blooded civilian,
and when whole regiments have been
confined to their barracks for weeks to-
gether through fear the consequences Of their
hatred of the civilians II they were let loose.
Such time was the last months of the first Ma
poleons empire. Then, the weight Of the mill
tary despotism under which France groaned had
become 70 grievous that men of all parties forgot
their mutual animosities to join together in one
great anti-soldier party. Now, the same causes
are producing the same result The De Pene
duel Is IN indication of the tyranny which the
French endure at the hands of the army; the
book at the Figaro Office teaches that men are
uniting to repel that tyranny.
Another very startling item Of news from
France concerns that singular proposal which
General Espinasse has just communicated TO
the projects throughout the empire, with refe
renee to the real estate Of the hospitals II
seems that the various hospitals, houses Of re.
fuge and other charitable institutions Of France
own, among them, real estate to the amount Of
100000, 900 francs; which they have acquired by
donation, will, purchase &c. This property Il
said by General Espnasse not to net the insti.
tutiens which own II two per cent year. The
government now propose to have the institu
tons sell the property and invest the proceed:
in new loan which 1t is supposed the Emperor
will shortly need. BY this means, the Emperor
would get sl00,O0O,OOO in cash; and the hos
pitfalls, according to General Espinasse, would
obtain four or five per cent interest on their
money.
The manner of pressing this extraordinary
demand Is not less striking than its matter. Tn,
| Minister of the Interior writes to the prefect
| 10 "use their influence, and, in case Of need
their authority, TO induce the administrators o
the hospitals to vote the sale Of their property
In case any administrators, Through inertia Of
stupid prejudice" give trouble; that Is to say
| II they show the least honorable regard for thei
trust, or the least desire TO protect the institu
ton under their charge from the rapacity of I
rsvenous government, then the project is :,
lose no time In removing them from Office. Ii
fact, II Gen. Espinasse, at the head Of his divi
sion, was giving orders TO have certain posts oc
cupied, and certain troops encamped there befor'
| morning, he could not use other language thar