, 1866-06-05
(Fyom tile London Times, May 49,
FRANCE.
PARIS, Tuesday, May Is, 7 am.

HARlS, LueSudy May ID, : d'iH'
It is reported hat Prince Metternich,
the Austrian Ambassador, is likely 10 be
recalled from his post in Paris for not
having given timely information of the
real tendencies of the French Govern
ment, or, more properly speaking, of its
head, on the great question of the day.
I cannot say whether Prince Metternich
has performed his duties in satisfactory
manner, but it would be unjust 10 punish
him for not telling what the intentions of
the Emperor Napoleon are, seeing that
not a member Of his own Cabinet can
say what they are, and that if they hap
pen to guess what he may think to-day
l defy them to guess what he may think
tomorrow. Ii IA penalty of the kind be
adopted as a precedent, We should soon
be without q single diplomatic agent in
the French capital. His Majesty's Min
listers know well on what condition they
are admitted to Office, and on what con-
ditionS they retain it. A certain latitude
is graciousIy allowed, SO far as domestic
affairs are concerned, but on great ques-
tons of foreign policy, though they may
have an opinion, they must not obtrude
it.. Their first duty is to do as they are
bid and even then they are not sure TO
please. Here is NJ. Rouher, for instance,
who is still out of favour, and trembling
lest it may be for ever. lie had been
strictly forbidden to enter into any dis
cussion on foreign politics when M. Theirs
made his spe2Chj and, above all, not to
reply TO ii and we n how well he
" -- M, L,.O. o--,-
did not anticipate the effect made by that
Grafton on the Legislative Chamber; and,
albeit not easily moved, his Indignation
was expected to he so great when he
heard of It's being enthusiastically ap-
plauded by his own majority that the
Minister hesitated breaking the unwGl-
come truth to him. NJ. Rouher at last
resolved TO do so. The Emperor asked
him what reply he made. The Minister
said that, in compliance with the IN
functions of Ills Majesty, he made none.
He was answered with such a look and
such a F'bon SOir" that he has not yet for
gotten either, and perhaps will not soon
forget.
The Baron Seebach, the Saxon Minis
ter at this Court, is on the point Of leav-
ing; if he has not already left, Paris for
Dresden ; and people say he thinks there
is but little chance Of his returning-at
least in his diplomatic character.
From all one learns, we may expect to
hear towards the close of the present
month of great events occurring in Italy.
The Italians consider that their Govern
meat is no longer bound by its promise
not to be the first to attack Austria. In
deed, they seem to have never considered
any such engagement as serious i; at any
rate, now that they are nearly ready for
commencing operations, if it ever was
serious, it is no longer binding upon
them. The nomination of Garibtldi is,
in their view, itself an indication that
acting on the defensive never was really
entertained. A variety of plans is attri-
buted to the Italian Government. One,
which seems generally accredited here. is
commencing by an attack on Trieste, and
at once cutting off the communication
between Venetia and Vienna. A large