The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-03-01
PARIS LETTER.
OF the Richmond Dispatch.
PARIS, February 10, 1869.
THE SENATE.

PARIS, February 10, 1869.
THE SENATE.
Since 1852 the French Senate never ex-
hibited go extraordinary session as 1t has
done during the week. 1t must be borne
in mind that all the senator's are appointed
by the Emperor, and that 1t is only TINS
BODY can question the Constitution OF the
Second Empire after formal permission.
NJ. Maunas vas the Minister OF tho Police
during the coup d'etat, and his kilograms
TO the late Duke de Morny, Minister OF the
Interior. for "more cannon, and every
wbere.D with the Dukes facetious replies,
form the amusing chapter Of that three
davs' business. This NJ. de Maupas brought
forward a motion to inquire into the work
inc of the homeopathic concessions given
last wear TO the press, and to devise means
to prevent the Emperor from being per
sonally held up TO contempt. FROM tn1s
point the discussion wandered into one on
ministerial responsibility. M. de Maupas
demanded, not Ministry unitedfor common
action by majority Of themselves but o
Cabinet without any divergence of opinion On
anything-a kind of Siamese union. M.
Rouher secuted such proposition no one
Minister was great enough to shield the
Emperor. and none rash enough to attempt
such an impossibility, and for himself in
dividually, if the Chamber or Senate wor-
ried him, he would retire. NJ. de Sartiges,
who has seen liberty at work in the United
States. Switzerland, and Italy, believes the
Second Empire capable Of supporting every
liberty, the fullest enjoyment of which
beino the best corrective against its excess.
These events, coupled with the policy advo.
Gated by some young journalists, ~ouIu
Seem TO indicate the beginning Of that
marty destined to surround Napoleon the
Fourth, The general elections will come
off il is rumored in the lobby, on the 3oth
and 3lst of May. It is as difficult to get
"house" together in the Corps Legislatif
as in the Italian Chamber-members are
looking otter their geats. Several deputies,
whose election will be contested, meet III d
private room almost daily TO take measures
of safety-the place has been humorouSly
called le salon deS refuSfs. BY the recent
revision of the electoral roll OF parls,
10000 new voters have been created,
MAxIMILIAN.
It is necessary to obtain preliminary
authorization to sell any print OF engraving
in France. a colored Autograph has oeen
brought out, without any explanatory, let
ter-press, of the execution Of Maxlmlllan:
The Minister of the Interior found himself
incapable of deciding upon this work OF
high art, and has referred the matter 10
q council Of Ministers. colored sheet,
setting forth all the details, has already
been authorized to be hawked throughout
the Empire for sou. Since then 1t has
been considered advisable to leave " MAX"
in peace.
GYMNASTICS.
The Minister Of Public Instruction has
decided upon introducing gymnastlc exer-
cises as a compulsory branch of education
in all the French colleges and lycees, and
bag appointed professors thereto. The IN
gtruction will take place during the ortl-
nary hours Of notwithstanding TO the
system adopted in Prussia, and TO which
France is indebted for the plan. a doctor
will decide upon the kind and extent Of the
exercise to be taken by the pupils. The
normal gchools will also be compelled to
adopt the scheme, and in May next the
communal schools-some thousands IN
number. Many think the Minister Is going
too fast, and that in the agricultural dis
tricts especially sufficient facilities exist in
the long walks to school for physical
training.
THE CARNIVAL.
The carnival opened or Sunday. The
extraordinary fine weather We ENJOY mas
added greatly to the SUCCESS of the festival.
The Bmof Gras has made his rounds, &C
companied by his associates, allegorical
figures, bands of music, and everyday
oilers. TheodoreS is the name given to
the prize OK, and his majesty is announced
to be slaughtered and hung up for show on
Saturday next by his owner, the proprietor
Of one of the cheap monster eating salons.
In Brussels these things are better man
aged. There the sons Of the highest citl-
zens Join the procession, dressed IN "cha-
ac,er" GENERALLY historically, and collect
contributions as they pass along tor the
poor. In Paris the actors collect for them
selves, and leave the poor to do the same.
The carnival, like many such exhibitions,
has fallen on evil days in Paris, the tom
foolery being confined TO wearing masks
and blowing horns. Italy preserves the
institution " intact.
BALL IN MOURNING.
The President of the Senate gave re-
ceptiop on Sunday night, which YVES bril-
lisntly attended. Although the card of in
yitation announced that "dancing in
mourning" only would take place (the
court being in mourning}, there was little
sign of grief anywhere except that at
breaking-up at 3 o'clock in the morning.
The Chinese embassy was there, as matter
Of course. One feels disappointed If they
are absent from ball now, and the men,
bers are positively making acquaintances'
One of the party speaks little French,
and two German fairly.
VARIOUS ITEMS.
The sporting season closed ct sunset on
Sunday, and to- day not head of game can
be had for love or money. AS a compensa-
ton, France is capable of supplying one
hundred and twenty millions of pounds OF
horse and ass flesh annually, but consumes
at present only three hundred and forty
thousand pounds per month.
The number of Protestant places OF wor-
ship in Paris is forty-e;ght, OF which ten
belong to Calvanists three to Methodists
eight to the various denominations of the
English and Scotch churches; eighteen be-
long to the class Of "Free churches"
The number of telegraphic dispatches
sent by the French Offices within and with
out the Empire in 1868 was three and o
half millions the receipts eight and three
quarter millions of francs.
The death of the Emperor's cousin, the
Princess Bacciochi, after some months Of
suffering, brought on by carriage acct
dent, has placed the Court in mourning for
fortnight. The Princess was sixty-three
wears of age, and for some years past has