CONTINENTAL NOTES.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 673, 12 May 1870, Page 4

CONTINENTAL NOTES.

— ♦ — [PARIS CORRESPONDENT OP PRESS.] The arrest of Don Carlos at Lyons by the French police, and his forced return to Geneva, may be said to end his projects of the invasion of Spain. He cannot cross the French frontier — although the Pyrenees no longer exist — and the Portuguese Government forbid a raid from its territory. As his relative, the Duke of Modena, has money enough and to spare, the only chance left is a descent on the coast. Spain does not want the Don, and it is equally difficult to know what are her desires. The position of the Peninsula defies all calculation and conjecture. France reduces this year her contingent by 10,000 men. This may have the effect of inducing Alexander of Russia to follow suit ; and as Austria is only too willing to join the Holy Alliance of peace, Prussia •would be forced to "care in," and thus necessitate a tranquil carrying out the Treaty of Prague. Borne is not like "a little heaven below." Never was such a strife witnessed in any Church. His Holiness is determined to carry the personal infallibility question, even if necessary by a coup d'Eglise. The French and German bishops thwart the Pontiff by their refusal to accept the new dogma in the " swallow it dog" style. If proclaimed this new article of faith— so necessary to salvation as we are. assured — will alienate the laity of France from Rome, never firmly attached at any time. It may be the beginning of the end, as the occupation of Rome by French troops is booked for an early day's discussion. The economic fit is at present on the French, and they do not desire to expend money on Popes or Kaisers, by converting their soldiers into policemen. The "24th," passed off tranquilly. It was the anniversary of the '48 Revolution. The Republicans made no display, except Arago, who, in the Corps Legislating alluded to the day, as one of hope, adding that no one ever dreamt of the " observing as a fete, the 2nd of December, 1851,"— the Coup d' Etat. This was all the pricrate of potash exploded. The second state ball at the Tuileries, was attended by 3000 persons. The Emperor entered the halls of dazzling light at ten o'clock, having the Princess Clotilde on his arm, the Empress having for Cavalier the Archduke Albert, uncle of the Emperor of Austria, who looked very magnificent in his splendid white uniform. At half-past eleven their Majesties retired to the supper room, each Ambassador selecting a pretty girl to accompany him to that sanctum of privilege, the Turkish Ambassador, that pet of every ball, bringing two ladies, by virtue of his Mussulman rights. The guests danced more than ordinary, because they did not expect to dance at all. The lustres appeared to shed more light — the ladies [ more smiles, and the toilettes more diai monds. The Empress, somewhat pale after her influenza, did look like one of those goddesses that painters represent marching upon clouds. Her white robe, with an immense train of white tulle, sparkling with, silver, had two flounces of black lace decending to the extremity of , the jupon. A tabUer, surrounded with roses, the robe looped up with bouquets of same — a bouquet of precious stones in the corsage, with a diadem of same, completed one of the happiest toilettes ever worn by her Majesty for a long time. The season continues to be very inclement, and influenza etill reigns supreme. Small pox also keeps to the crescende scale, eighty-three deaths last week, sixty-seven the week before. The pawn offices never had so much to do, and the clerks have been working overtime. The munificence of the Emperor has been privately exercised with "uncle." He has had the clothing and bedding of several thousands of persons returned to them. The burial of Baron Nathaniel Rothschild had brought together an immense concourse of poor persons, among whom existed the belief that the family of the deceased would distribute a Napoleon to very poor person who demanded it. On the contrary, a large sum was handed over to the Parish Charitable Fund, and another to the various Jewish institutions. There was, however, a great gathering of poor Jews, who "rent their garments and tore their hair" — true Israelitish grief. The unexpected death of Mr Burlingham has brought matters Chinese to the front. So far as France is concerned his negotiation had no practical conclusion — Napoleon did not exactly see the advantages of his policy. For the Parisians the Embassy was a curiosity — a new thing — soon used up, however. Every one went to see the Celestials, as the curious do this moment, to see if the representative of the deceased Ambassador in Paris has put on white mourning robes. France prides herself on haying no poor laws, but she has her poor always with her, to whom relief is carried by the usual apostles of charity — the clergy and the Sisters, as well as by volunteer relieving officers. There are in Paris several hospices where the poor are succoured. The funds for the maintenance of these establishments are raised by taxing with 10 per cent the receipts of the theatres, and other places of amusement in proportion. Managers have for years rebelled against the nightly carrying off of this tenth part of what they possessed, aud have "struck" — decline'to pay the poors' rate any longer, and double-lock their cash boxes. It was the First Napoleon who decreed the taxformerly the clergy collected the rates faom the artistes, while damming them at the same time. The tax, after all, comes out of the pockets of the public. It has never prevented any one from going to a theatre, nor has it been the cause of managers' bankruptcy — the most common of all " spectacles." ■ .' A Prince and Princeps — and Paris is full of them— very wealthy, a trait less comiron, and both young, were married . four months ago ; when the husband returned from his club, after dropping a considerable amount of money at baccarat — when pain and anguish wrung the brow — his wife proved a ministering angel, by shying lamps, lustres, and such knickknacks, at his head. His Highness has applied for a separation, and his "ladye fair" warmly supports it. The misery of Paris is represented by 101,570 individuals, of whom 40,000 are heads of families — the population of the city being under two millions. The rate of public assistance given to this number of poor is one centine per day — the tenth part of a farthing, the five hundreth part of a dollar ! Among the list of this crowd of wretchedness figure 4 apothecaries, 10 litterateurs, J doctor, 1 j dancing master, and 10 professors of lan- !

gnages, 227 scavengers, 2 "sprinklers of holy water" — whom, the church oaght to pension — and 190 persons who have never had any occupation — a fact that loafers ought to digest. So much for the male sex. Among the women, 1772 milliners, &c.,— 1237 needle women, 457 sugarcandy manufactures," 10 midwives, 23 governesses, 175 nurses, 108 scavengers. Germany contributes largely her flaxen-haired daughters to sweep Paris— and 221 who never had any profession. . Rev Father Hyacinth's — or rather Mr Layson's — new journal, "La Concorde," will be brought out under the most favorable auspices. His brothers and several other professors of theology will be .among the contributors, as also the Emperor's chaplain. It will be the organ of the new Catholic party — the Church of the future, whose seat would be in Gaul instead of Rome.