PARIS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 19, Issue 1334, 28 May 1872, Page 2

PARIS.

ffbom oujj own coebesponbent.] March 23. In a few days the Assembly will adjourn for the Easter recess, and subsequently, to allow the deputies to attend the Councils General, which adrainster the Departments. What bill of work can the Assembly show since it resumed its sittings last December—what since it was elected in February, 1871 1 Not a radical, not a nationally demanded measure has heen passed, calculated to place France roundly on her feet. The >cheme for the reorganization of the army is where it was since a year—in committee. The Prussian plan of forced national education—in committee opposed by sects who belive that " ignorance is bliss," and who insist on haviug cither their own pet ideas adopted or none at all, while Germany labors to improve her system of popular education as assiduously a« her tactics for war. Nothing has been named as to a reform of the electoial law, where lesml a«e and crass ignorance form the qualification for \oting. Instead, the deputies have given the lion's share of their attention to shameful —to point out the tweedledum and tweedledee differencas of constitutions ; to shake the provision al stability of the existing Government, which, with all its faults, must be retained, because it is a necessity. We have seen the Legitimises trooping to kiss the hand of Henry V. at Antwerp, conspiring to effect the overthrow of M. Thiers, and finally shrinking from the perilous consequences—civil war and extended German occupation. The Orleanisfc princes have been so much occupied looking after number one that they have not had a moment to think of the country—and it must be admitted that the country has thought as little of them. Periodically the Bona partists are reported to be on the wing —but up to the present none of them have been detected in a conspiracy. Occasionally the alarm is raised that "the Campbells are coming"—explosions of bate and fear succeed. We gfve the Turk's head a few more knocks and turn attention to the Prussians. The chances of all the Pretenders to succeed are al.out equal, but it is the Imperialists who reap every advantage that the faults of the republic without republicans commit. K governing by restrictive laws be taken as the standard of measure for the good dozen of constitutions France has been favoicd with since 1789, there is not much diileience between them. All have been tainted by the desire to force forward personal, and perhaps well-intentioned, views, to see in every conscientious opponent an enemy, who muse be kept in check. Fiance has never yet enjoyed the practical libertx either of the Onited States or England, and never can so long as the nation has no home population. Union is on the lip—not in the heart; it is only to be found in rhetoric—not at all in action.

Amongst the bad laws passed is that against the International Society. France believes that body had much to do with her misfortunes; this may account for her eagerness to put a Cain brand on any orthodox associate of that society, but does not prove that a penal enactment will suppress it. Jf that union counts supporters as numerous as the seed of Abraham, only the impo tence of the law is proved ; if the members be few, its insignificance : but in both instances the law is inutile, for social disorder can only be put down and cured by social order. Respecting the Lefranc bill, intended to crush obnoxious journals before you could say " Jack Robinson," it is unknown whether ministers have abandoned it or postponed it till tho millennium : either of these courses the nation would like to see adopted. As for the denunciation of commercial treaties generally, and those with England and Belgium in particular, if France decides to cut the world it is a matter for herself: there are not a few indications of this desire for a Chinese seclusion. But ihis policy will neither bring her wealth, good wishes, nor friends. After some experience of such a Rip "Van Winkle sleep, she will find the world much changed on awakenining. Respecting finances, it is to be hoped ministers themselves know the exact

state of the national ledger. The Assembly votes fresh taxes on everything; excepting raw materials, and these are precisely the articles where M. Thiers desires to "strike ile. n The nation* has half-enlightened views about freetrade, and is quite unanimous as to thepropriety of making foreign goods payhigh tariffs for the national taxation,, if the questfou had not a second side. However, the current budget require* some ninety millions of francs to squareaccounts. No reduct'ons are possiblein the civil or military or naval departments —on the contrary, all require tobe increased. The Chamber votes the money, and is so patriotic as not to inquire if it be duly and economically expended. The defences «f the- country demand vast sums to carry out theChinese wall plans. As for the foreign relations of France,, they are about in the same- state- as where Napoleon left them in July,, 1870, and this is not saying much. The hatred against Prussia intensities, every day ; it would be better to conceal the wrath- while nursing it. To* name the most favored, nation in. the eye? 3 of France at the present moment would be difficult. Italy recedes towards Germany as the French ultramontanes keep, up a useless and dangerous cannonade against Italian unity. As for Spain,, if the wor-st befall herking, Paris will allow him to rent, apartments in the Gsand Hotel. (to be concluded to-morrow:.)