The Sun. — 1866-02-22 (London, England)

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.  (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)  PARIS, Wednesday Evening.  I have nothing more important to speak of to-day than the attitude assumed by M. Bismark, which I noticed yesterday. The anticipations prevalent as to the course he was likely to adopt have proved perfectly correct. He declares, by a single letter to the President of the Chamber of Deputies, that the resolutions adopted by the Chamber of Representatives of the nation are unconstitutional and unacceptable, and that he sends them back to the Chamber, considering them to be null and void, and says he shall treat them as not having come to his knowledge. The Siecle, iu reference to the attitude of Prussia, says that diplomatic communications between the Cabinets of Austria and Prussia have been very frequent within the last few days. There is a desire to prevent an armed conflict between Austria and Prussia, and to arrive at a pacific solution of the question of the Duchies. The obstinacy of the Cabinet of Berlin has rendered this diplomatic activity more necessary than ever. The restoration to Denmark of the northern portion of Schleswig appears to have been again under consideration. By such a plan Prussia would gain the co-operation of the other portions of the two Duchies. To-day is observed in some circles of Paris with a degree of veneration as the anniversary of the day when the remains of INloliere were committed to the grave. Moliere died on February 17, 1673. At that period he was treated as an atheist, and his remains were conveyed to the cemetery of St. Joseph by two priests, accompanied by about 100 persons with torches, like those of a malefactor, no funeral service having been performed over them previously. A schism has taken place among the society of Gens de Lettres, the cause being the Tresor Litteraire. .A very stormy meeting of the society has just taken place in the Rue Scribe. The society is now divided into what may be called,two intrenched camps, Conservatives and Liberals. The committee were attacked very vigorously, but on a scrutiny the Conservatives obtained seven nominations out of nine. Another scrutiny, however, is to take place next week, to decide the points at issue. The doubts as to whether the late Leopold of Belgium was or was not a Free Mason have been settled by a masonic funeral ceremony celebrated with pomp in the hall of the Lodge of the Grand Orient at Brussels. A sarcophagus was erected, ornamented with all the masonic insignia of Masonry. The Grand Master, M. Van Schoor, presided at the ceremony, and M. Defre pronounced an eloquent funeral oration. Mr. Van Schoor, holding in his hand the symbolical ear of corn, said, " The life of man here below is only a passage. Look at this ear. It has fallen under the scythe of the husbandman. Thus man falls under the scythe of Time. The ear is dried up, but it is not destroyed. If this grain be placed in the earth it will have new life. Nothing is lost for the Great Architect of the worlds. Brothers, let us return to the tomb of our venerated Master. In the name of the Lodge of the Grand Orient, whom he loved so much, and by whom he is so much beloved, let us say a last and eternal farewell." At the same time the funeral veil, which separated the tomb of the Temple of Immortality, disappeared, and the bust of the late King was seen surrounded with lights, flowers, and plants. To the sound of music the Masons defiled around it, each depositing a laurel of acacia on the sarcophagus. The ceremony is said to have produced a profound sensation. A terrible story is told by the Epoque. Some time ago a young girl named Sophie G- left the convent to be married to a respectable young man. The marriage had been in contemplation for some time, and was looked forward to with pleasure by both families. Unfortunately the young lady had been confided to the care of a governess, supposed to be a woman of great purity, but who, in reality, is bad in every respect. She taught the worst lessons to the young Sophie. One evening she took the young girl out into bad company, and she did not return home till the next day. The governess told such a lame story that she was instantly discharged, and Sophie was sent back to the convent. Her behaviour there was so regular and so good for a time that her parents thought she was quite reformed, and again sent for her home. The marriage was once more talked of, and indeed arrangements were made for it to take place. Unfortunately, however, the bad example of the governess had taken too deep a root, and Sophie thought of nothing but balls, concerts, lovers, and novels. By an unhappy chance, Sophie, who was not watched closely enough, about a week ago, met her former governess. Sophie was in vain expected to breakfast. For some days there was no news of her, and then came the information from the Prefecture of Police that she had been with girls of bad character, and was in prison. Both father and mother were horror-struck. The father went into his study and blew out his brains with a pistol. The mother rushed into the room. Soon after the young man who was to be Sophie's husband followed. Sophie's mother was sitting beside the corpse. Her reason was gone. She was mad. Next day a corpse was found in the Seine. It was that of Sophie's affianced. He had announced his coming marriage to all his friends, and from shame, disappointment, and despair, he had committed suicide. Sophie, who is but 17, is still under the care of the police. The young man was very rich, and there was every probability that the marriage would have been a happy and prosperous one. A circular has been issued by the Minister of Public Instruction which directs that henceforward education is to be given in the religious schools without any distinction in regard either to birth or fortune. The distinction heretofore made between rich and poor children has sometimes led to various evils and much dissatisfaction.  The weather is still very ztrong and unsettled. The wind to-day has been colder than on any day during this winter. lam told, hut Ido not know the fact myself, that snow fell last right a few miles from Paris. It does not freeze, but the temperature is very little above freezing point,  A