The Sun. — 1866-04-19 (London, England)

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.  (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) PARIS, Wednesday Evening.  The papers are more than usually barren to-day, but the following appreciation of the position of affairs in Germany by the Siecle will be read with interest :  " The Gazette d'Augsburg is of opinion that Federal Reform in Germany cannot be established unless all the Powers interfere. It therefore, considers a Congress to assemble immediately to be absolutely necessary. Upon this the Siecle says it can hardly consider that such a course will be adopted. At all events affairs do not assume a very pacific aspect. The military preparations continue both in Austria and Prussia, and later accounts confirm the news we have already given of a concentration of Russian troops on the Prussian frontier."  The following is the programme of the extra steeplechases which are to take place to-morrow at La Marche :—Prix de Ville d Avray (handicap), 1,500 f., for all horses ; Prix de Garches (gentlemen riders), 1,000 f., added to a sweepstakes of 50f. each ; Prix h Reclamer, 1,000 f., for all horses. The winner to be claimed for 600 f. Match between the Duke of Hamilton and Count Evry. 49 horses entered.  Some interesting facts respecting the commerce of France have been elicited during the discussion in the Legislative Body relative to the merchant nary. M. Emile Pereire said that the subject of the mercantile marine was essentially a question of external commerce. The traffic, which represented 7 milliards, was thus divided :—By sea, 5 milliards 135 millions ; by land, 2 milliards 193 millions. Yes or no, was it important to free from absurd imposts 5 milliards of our traffic ? Was it important to furnish, at a low price, means of transport for the foreign commerce of France ? England was not like France, a continental Power. What formed its strength in the past might well be the cause of its weakness in the future. M. Forcade de la Roquette had eloquently said that France was admirably situated for commerce ; yes, but it was on the condition that she should not have her hands tied, and that she should be able to send anywhere her intelligence, her industry, and her capital. Freedom of trade had not led to an inundation of products into France, and French commerce had not been crushed by it. A great king of former times wished that the people every Sunday should have a fowl in the pot. Modern civilisation and universal suffrage had higher ambitions. They desired that the people both of the towns and country, not only on a Sunday but .b .hoo zuel nd n be e, owell h cel op tahr et d, of NtvheellGfeodv,earnndmwenetll, leovdegryedd.al'l denied that free trade had produced the depression in some branches to which allusion had been made. The number of foreign vessels trading with French ports had increased. In referring to exports, the speaker said, that in 1859 the value of ostrich feathers exported was no less than 6,800,000 f. The principle adopted at the Custom House was, that all merchandise which had paid duty by that fact became naturalised, and became part of the general  commerce. Another frightful case of murder and mutilation 'has occurred. The body of a young man has been found in the canal of La Villette which has been almost cut to pieces. The skull has been cut in two with a chopper, and a large incision has also been made in the stomach. The arms have been