The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-03-13
PARIS LETTER.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.
PARIS, February "a, 1869.
BELGIUM.

Nothing was more uatuTai tuau tnoo CIV
Belgian Senate should ratify the decision
of the "Lower House, almost unanI-
mously after the manner Belgians were
lectured by the semi official press in Paris
because Belgium dared to have voice IN
the disposition of its own railways. The
incident is straw that shows how the wind
blows, and the gravest feature in the dis
putc is the fact of the Emperor'5 own pa
berthe Peuple, which sells at SOUS, and
pays similar sum in stamp duty-tsking
up warlike attitude against Belgium.
Brussels is the home for all French political
exiles. from where is Illuminated those
fiery words intended to shake Arta1erxes's
throne. John Knox said the best way to
prevent the rocks from returning was to
destroy their nests, and to eradicate the
nucleus of French refugees at Brussels has
ever been favorite aim with the Second
Empire. In 1881 France expended three
hundred millions Of francs to take Antwerp
and e,ab!ish the autonomy Of Belgium, and
it is crayely demanded by some of the Sc
rious journals to enforce the payment Of
this bill, recall the French Ambassador,
and repeal the customs tariff, and so de-
stroy the industry Of Belgium. The whole
dispute illustrates that France is very an
CRY, and not at all disinclined to 60 to war
if only the seublance of an occasion pre-
cents itself. Now that the matter is termi-
mated, and Belgium has officially repudiated
all intention of woundiug the amour pro-
pre- of France, it should not be overlooked
that the Frussian press has backed up Bel
GUM, while that Of Austria has been SYM
pathetic with the griefs Of France.
THE STREET sTRAIGHTENER,
The long expected debate on Baron
Haussmann's Partisan improvements open
ed on Monday. M. GARNER Pages led the
attack. The occasion was the ratification
of new treaty with the Credit Foncier, by
which the loans about falling due should
be extended over longer period at frac-
tionally smaller rate Of interest. II is one
good step to have the money question sub
'jected to thorough ventilation. The de-
bate brietled with figures that would give
me headache even to look at. Briefly,
the total cost Of oil the improvements eff
fected up to the present time amounts to
1866 millions Of francs-adding an increase,
it is calculated, of 10 per cent. to the taxa
ton, 20 to the cost Of living, and 80 tc
rents. But, then, Paris has not been en-
bellished for its citizens, but for the corners
from all parts of the world. The opposi
ton accused the Emperor of rebuilding
Paris at the expense Of the agriculture,
districts, and by the example has set the
other great towns to follow suit. Although
there may be grumbling, the French are
proud of their capital being made "beauti'
full forever" and if the work had to be
commenced again they would submit
A reduction in the taxes levied on the ne
cessaries of life entering Paris is promised
Wine is as essential to Frenchman's life
az bread, and it is not fair that the bottle
of wine bought by Lazarus should have t
pay the same octroi as that purchased BY
Dives.
The public reunions seem to flourish thu
more they are prosecuted. On an average
twenty of these take place weekly; 80 the
safety-valve is pretty large for letting of
popular steam. The proceedings Of some
Of these meetings have alarmed the authori-
ties, as the Home Minister has drawn the
attention Of the Preiet of Police to the law on
the matter; and this latter functionary has
done his duty by sending one or two Of them
to the right-about. This proceeding seems
to have nettled some Of the leading oppo
nents Of the Government, as they now
make common cause with the people as
chairmen or lecturers, receiving an ovation
SIS recompense. 1t would be better for the
Emperor to allow all these things to seek
their own level. During his lifetime he will
never be disturbed, but the "tighter" he
leaves matters behind him the more diff.
cult will it be for Napoleon the Fourth tc
ride out the storms that are brewing.
GREECE AND TURKEY.
The Greeks and Turks in this city are
beginning to be on friendly terms. The
former are very loud in expressing their
anger and disgust at Russia for the name,
she had made use Of Greece, deserving her
at the decisive moment. The Eastern ques.
tiou viii possibly be benefited by the late
ordeal it has passed through. The pluck OF
Turkey has been demonstrated, and at the
same time the incapability Of Russia TO die
tate to the western Powers.
SUICIDES.
Suicides are becoming noticeable among
the French soldiers, possibly on account Of
their present inactive life. On this point
il may be well to recall an "Order Of the
Day" once issued by the First Empero,
respecting the self destruction Of a pet
grenadier through love: "A soldier ough,
to know how to conquer the pain and sad.
ness OF his passions. There is as much
true courage in bearing without murmurinQ
tae trlais OF the soul as remaining steady
unaer the FIRE Of battery. To abandon
ones ssf to grief without struggle is t.
commit suicide without an effort to resist