PARIS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 19, Issue 1291, 6 April 1872, Page 2

PARIS.

[fbom gttb own corbespondent.} (Concluded). January 27, 1872. The Communists have taken a leaf out of Comte's Positive Philosophy. That writer among other reforms, proposed to call every day in the year after some great man—a sort of secular saint's day. At Grenoble, a communist publisher has brought out an almanac for the education of the masses; he follows the republican calendar, just like Victor Hugo's late newspaper. By this work we learn, but not for the fh>>t time, that Marat was a friend of the people, and showed it by demanding their heads. As the anniversary of the killed under the Commune comes round, they are alluded to as "saints"; there are " Saints . Flourens, Deleschuze, Rossel, Ferre, Cremciux," <fcc, Milli&re is also included, though people say he is as well as can be in Paris with eight balls in his body. Haw Rochefort must feel jealous to have missed the reward of beatification. There are definitions of the Commune, and opinions about the taking, that doubtless the Government will challenge. The almanac concludes that " if Christ was now living amongst us, a policeman would profane him, by ignobly taking him up, and a magistrate would send him to prison as a vagabond." It is very probable that the proposed new army law will pass, despite any further menaces of " I'll do j I'll do," from the President. That law would make all capable citizens, soldiei's from twenty to forty years of age, dividing them into, two classes as in the

active army and reserve; every man would have to pass one year in the active army, but could volunteer for this after he w.as eighteen; those having university degrees, or capable of passing an examination, could enter earlier into the reserve. No substitute will be allowed, and after the five year* of active service, or in the reserve*, the soldiers can marry. All this is excellent. So far as the votes in the recent complementary elections indicate —the returns being no*v completethe army is undoubtedly republican. If Napoleon were on the throne, he would send such democratic warriors, to Algeria to ruminate on the advantages of Imperialism. But another fundamental reform—that of obligatory elementary education —will not be carried so easily. Thecleigy have organised quite a crusade against the idea. Each bishop and; parish priest seems to ha\e adopted, the rallying cry of Peter the Hermit— Mieu le veut. This is regrettable, and can only embarrass, but not prevent, the Prussian plan, which other countries have the commendable weakness to adopt, from being carried. The nation is as determined to legislate in the matter, and will take care that atheists; and materialists will not have their way. So the Church need not be alarmed. If it had been possible for France to have lived without religion,, that divorce could not have been accomplished by the First "Revolution. The clergy know, that of all the faults the Church ever committed, none was comparable to that which identified their interests with ohe House of Bourbon. They are on the road to make a political blunder now. A religious struggle would be the worst of misfortunes for this country; hencewhy it is deplorable that the authorities are going to prosecute a journal for reflecting on the religion of the State—of which we have three, Catholics* Protectants, and Jews, diffeiing widely but dwelling together in harmony. Estoperpetm. There is more indifterentism that irreligion in France. There is a project on foot to pay oft* the war indemnity by a volunteer subscription—2so francs for each man, woman, and child, millionaire and beggar, honest man and thief, would do the business. There is more hope in a foreign loan, or an alliance with Russia, after which latter all hearts crave. The Czar's Minister is the most popular man in Paris at this moment. A flirtation between both nations might cause Bismarck some uneasiness. Paris is passing through a sort of half season. Formerly this \tsed to be her gay time ; the Tuileries were halls of dazzling light, and the world danced before the arbiter of Europe. The only royal head we have now is the Emperor of Brazil, but he passes his time picking up a knowledge of French institutions, to apply on his return home. The King of Cambodia is due, but has not arrived. It is possible that after so long amusing crowned heads, Paris may instruct them. We have a Dr. IVAbbe, that has just succeeded in making an eyelid for an old gentleman, by grafting on portions of the skin, taken from the patient's arm. Ladies of a certain age are enquiring into the matter. The M new gas," such is the name given to a new process of illumination, is finding much opposition from the " old gas." The new light is a favorite, and puts the ancient into the shade ; it is ghostly white and very steady. The question is : can it be manufactured and sold for three sous the cubic yard, instead of six, as at present charged I In other respects it is a success. Abbe" Loyson took for his recent lecture on sacred eloquence at the Sorbonne the Munich Schism —which, " he thanked God, will not invade France." With tears "falling feelingly and fast" he alluded to Ins brother, Pere H} r ar cinthe—" In that schism there is French blood; a deserter ft am our Church, whose errors f have the sad privilege to deplore, not only as a public calamity,, but as a family bereavement." There have been two curious suicides :. one a banker, who starved himself to. death on his money bags l the other a. mason, who hanged himself; the alleged, cause in both cases being that, they had scolded their wives*

A "Red" journal in the South of France alludes to the Due de death—" That tme Bonapartist has burst at Nice. He has gone to prepare quarters for his master in a certain warm locality, whose existence, I trust, js a reality." Tbere is a female tight-rope performer who is astonishing the natives. She operates ou the rope without a balancing pole, and plays with four lighted lanterns, as a juggler with as many balls. In Pere la Chaise Cemetery there is a monument in the form of a " tear," erected by a husband to his wife, with the inscription, " Judge by that how I loved her." Horse flesh has risen four sous a pound. It will soon be as great a luxurv as beef.