AFFAIRS IN FRANCE.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 796, 10 January 1877, Page 3

AFFAIRS IN FRANCE.

{From a correspondent of the Press.) The Bishop of Gap has published another of his excellent pastoral " Tracts for the Times," which, if read, marked, and inwardly digested by Frenchmen, would do much to promote charity and union in their political intercourse. The Bishop's letters are important in this respect, that they create no displeasure at the Vatican, but provoke much irritation in the little Ultramontane world of France. His permanent thesis is, that the religious journals, at least so-called, but very remarkable for the absence of all Christian toleration—ought not to attach their Catholicism to the flag of any party. He warns also " wild curates" generally, not to imbibe either the spirit, argument, or theology of these journals, but to study the Fathers and to hear the Church. This is hard hitting for a press that once had such influence at Rome, as to obtain reprimands for not only bishops, but archbishops, Modern French journalism is distinguished by the large part that religion occupies in political discussions. Many bishops enter the field, as well as the cures the pulpit, and it is only natural, that for their Rolands, editors should administer an Oliver. On neither tude is there sincerity, and on both, contradictions. It cannot be proclaimed too courageously nor too highly, that France finds herself today in presence of a problem the most new and the most redoubtable —the reconstitution of a society which has broken with all its traditions, political as well as religious. It would require a robust belief iu reaction to imagine that one day France will return to the faith or the monarchv of her fathers. It must not be understood from this that the Church is responsible for the incredulity of the masses, which is largely owing to these general causes —the movement of ideas, But the Church is not free from having alienated intelligent mino's by its aggressive attitude against mo dern tendencies ; against, in a word, that liberty of discussion which is the heritage of the Revolution, by condemning those principles and institutions that peoples make to-day the condition of their greatness and the measure of their progress. It is a lamentable truth, that all the "orthodox" journals of France are deadly hostile to the Republic. Is it surprising, then, th;it the electors who have returned so overwhelming a majority to the Chamber to uphold and consolidate the present regime, feel irritated at observing their spiritual pastors among their adversaries? Is it astonishing that educated minds feel otherwise thai pained or disgusted at pilgrimages which are really a bravado, and miracles that are a paradoxical puerility ? What can think even the most benevolent, on witnessing twenty-three prelates assembled at Lourdes to crown the Virgin Bernadette 1 One defies the spirit of the times, and is amazed when that spirit revolts —when taste is offended, reason scandalised, and independence humiliated, This antagonism is daily growing very serious in France. As Bonapartism is the only live opponent the Republic has to count with, that coefficient of French, and hence of European, politics has to be ever studied. An election has just taken place in the department of Charente, the very head and heart of Bonapartism, and despite the union of the Legitimists and Orleanists, the Republican candidate triumphed over the coalition by a majority of 900. Never was such ardor displayed on both sides to take part in the contest. The Bonapartist journals—all condamned have twenty-four hours to curse their judges —explain their defeat by the rain preventing their friends coming to the urns. The rain then, instead of falling alike ou the just and unjust, peculiarly favors Republicanism, which is a strange freak for political meteorology.

St Martin'a summer has been ushered in by shooting stars, and a temperature suddenly falling six degrees below freezing point, and then as many above it. This transition is explained by blasts alternately from Greenland's icy mountains and India's coral strands. St Martin's summer was also duly inaugurated by an old Marquis over eighty—it is said blue blood is ever plucky—marrying a lady aged sweet seventeen, and several John Andersons celebrated their silver weddings before taking up their winter quarters in flannels and pectoral preparations. St Martin's summer—generally lasting five or six days, like all things beautiful, most fleeting, is the moment for closing up of rivets in the hogsheads of new wine, and better still, of taßting it before being hermetically sealed. Descended in a line from the Romans, it is but natural the French should inherit some of their customs. Thus, in the provinces, it is the practice to kill a goose, and to consult —not its entrails, for that would make modern augurs laugh, and be thus fatal to the institution—but its breast bone. If this be red-colored, which is possible when uncooked, it is a sign of a fine winter; if brown, of troet ; if white, of severe snow. It is as valuable a means of meteorological divination perhaps as a "prophetic almanac for the new year." Another circumstance recalling the close of this year of grace, is the official collections being made for the poor. Here it is ever beat; to act on Charles Lamb's advice — •' Give, jrve, and ask no questions." Whatever vic23 the Gaulß may have, they possesß three vauable graces, conspicuous too by their absence, they have no pauperism, no intoxication, no wife beating. Respecting the I latter, however, ia France the grey mare is the

better horse. La Bruyere observes, " liberality consists less in giving much, than giving in time," hence, why Paris postmen solicit their Christmas boxes on (he first of December. A very excellent idea has this year been adopted, to present the public with a guide to ).hs charitable institutions of Paris, with the names of the honorary officials who receive donations. From thih brochure it is quite evident that the lionV share of attention and assistance are bestowed on foundlings. It is curious 'that since the Foundling Hospital was abolished in 1852, the infanticides, which were only ninety-two then, are now 224. There are several mothers in Fance too weak to nurse or to rear their children, and too many so unnatural as to be glad to get rid of them by any means—two causes which tell on the stationary condition of the population. There are institutions which come to the aid of these mothers, by rearing the little strangers in " Bethlehem cities," returning them to their mothers when somewhat armed for life. Many children become diseased and vicious, because society does not step in and save them from maladies and vice. Some moralists maintain the paradox, that it is better to allow the consumptive to die off, as such deaths purify the human kind ; however, the noble ladies of the capital repel the paradox, and are preparing to open hospitals in the South of France for the poor afflicted with phthisis. Misfortune will thus have ita Nice, and, in the Hyeres Islands, its Madeira.

Tn the number of new structures running up everywhere, in, as well as around, Paris, the most conspicuous are educational palaces, private as well as pablic. This is another phase of the revenge on the Teuton, The Exhibition "foundations" are progressing satisfactorily ; all connected with that institution is regularity and success. The busy note of preparation for 1878 is everywhere to be heard in the land ; heads are not less occupied than hammers and hands. We are in the first stage of the fever. Public buildings are being scraped white ; hotels are being enlarged, new routes opened up, and fresh plantations of trees effected; every thing and everybody appear to have received for met d'ordre, " be up to time." No confidence continues to be felt that the Conference will secure peace, even of the most patch-work character. Russia and England may perhaps yet illustrate Mrs Malaprop's remark " for a lasting liking 'tis best to commence with a little aversion," Russia desires to ameliorate the Christians by dismembering Turkey, and England wants to accomplish the same end by upholding the integrity of that Emnire. When doctors disagree, who shall decide ? France chuckles to herself with delight that she will under no circumstances be a party to the fight, and feels annoyed at the Tunes inviting her to play again the role of Syrian policeman. An out-and-outer to be let alone is La, Revolution, the organ of Deputy Naquet, the Robespierre in posse of any future reign of terror. His opening article objects to lunatics in the state asylums being fed like sensible people outside, or perhaps bring nourished while a rational poor man starves. He demands that the workmen become masters of the workshops, that the peasantry become proprietors of the soil—this revolution is nearly effected —and that the lean people become fat, and the latter lean. Moderate persons aim to make the lean fat without reducing others. Then C:caar certifies, that politically stout people are not dangerous, and if the process of making thin and fat be encouraged, why the more matters are changed the more they will remain the same.