, 1875-01-06
(From the Spectator.)

The French Assembly commenced its
Session on November 80, but the Presi.
dents Message was not read till Dec. 3rd.
The Marshal tells the Deputies that no
Foreign Power doubts his sincere desire to
remain on friendly terms with all the Cabi-
nets, that the harvest has been the largest
yet known, that the Government has
specially endeavoured to make the taxes
yield all they can. and that fiscal laws in
tended to prevent frauds will be submitted
to the Assembly. While travelling
through some Departments of France, he
had noticed ''the desire that an organise
ton admitted by the Assembly to be in
dispensable should give to the Power Great
ed by the law of November 20 the strength
which it requires" and he trusts hat
the Deputies will come to an agreement
upon it; but if they do not, the Marshal
is "only a means of social defence and
national recovery" He is "not there to
serve the aspirations of any party" but
Twill not desert the post in which the
Assembly has placed him." but occupy
ness and %scrupulous respect for law" 1t
Is believed that the Message was original
ly much more peremptory, and that at
present the Government do rot hope for a
majority on the Constitutional Laws.
The Comte de Chambord has desired his
friends rot to vote for anYshing that may
impede a Restoration, and it is understood
that the Right, with part of the Right Cen
tire will therefore oppose the organization
of the Septennate. This renders the pass
ing Of any Constitutional Laws impossible,
and ought to compel Marshal MacMahon
and his Government to lean upon the Left
Centre and Left; but they prefer, it is
believed, to remain as they are, and 60 on
administering affairs without a steady
majority in the Legislature. They con-
ceive that no party is strong enough to
carry its own programme, or force a disso-
luton, or depose the Marshal, and that
they consequently have only to wait on.
This view is probably sound, but, the poll
cy founded on it leaves France without a
Government, and exposed to all the risks
which would attend the death or even the
illness of an officer no longer young.
France might be thrown into anarchy be-
cause a stout elderly man had an apoplectic
stroke. That situation cannot be regard
ed as a triumph of political skill, but it
appears to be unavoidable.
Slavery, as a legal Institution to be en-
forced by Courts or police, has been abol-
ished on the Gold Coast. On third Nov
ember, Governor Strahan called the ma
tive Chiefs of the Protectorate together,
and after recapitulatlng the recent exer-
tons and expenditure of the Queen in their
behalf, told them that in return she and
her people expected that slavery should
cease. 1.-THE Queen does not desire to
take any of your people from you those
of them who like to work for and with and to
assist you can remain with you. If they are
happy, and continue to live with you on
the same terms as nOw, no change will be
forced upon you but any person who
does not desire to liys with you on those
terms, can leave. and will not be compel
! led by any Court, British or native, to re.
turn to you" The Governor added, that
although when the Queen had spoken,
sthair business was to obey, he would listen