FRANCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume III, Issue 115, 19 March 1853, Page 5

FRANCE.

In Paris it is thought likely that the electors will be convoked for the 21st of November to vote ; and that the legislative corps Avill.be summoned for the 28th, to count the votes. In such case there Avould be nothing to prevent the proclamation of the Empire on the 2nd of December.

It is rumoured in Paris that an imperial guard of 10,000 men, to be formed from the select batallions of the army, will be organized soon after the imperial election. It is also reported that the reduction of the number of regiments of mounted chasseurs of the army to 12, and that of the hussars to 8, has been decided on. The two regiments that will he suppressed, the 15th of the former, and the 9th of the latter, will form tAvo regiments of guides to be created for the special service of the new emperor

The Paris correspondent of the Times announces, on Avhat he conceives to be excellent authority, that a reduction of the French army is to be effected to the extent of 150,000 men, or double what has been previously stated; but that the cadres will be maintained, and matters so arranged that a poAverfui reserve Will be kept up as a provision against emergencies. The correspondent of the Morning Chronicle, however, seems to be of opinion that the contemplated reduction is to be merely nominal, if not deceptive. He says:—"lt is well known that Louis Napoleon is desirous of setting himself up as an army reformer. On that subject he has dcs idees fixes which he had formed long before there was any probability (excepting in his OAvn mind).of his ever having an opportunity of carryingthem out. These plans he still entertains, and sooner or later they will certainly he accomplished. His plan is to reduce the number of the troops of the line, and to increase the number of the municipal guards and corps d. elite. If any member of the peace society should take into, his head that the object of Louis Napoleon is to Aveaken the French army, or to make it less efficient than it is at present, he aamll certainly commit a blunder, into Avhich it is to be hoDed that the rest of our countrymen . will not also fall. Louis Napoleon's idea is that the ordinary infantry of the live can be got at any time if Avanted, but that it is difficult to organize the corps d?elite of an army, such as the Chasseurs deVincennes, the cavalry, artillery,.&c. His intention, therefore, is to send home a portion of the troops of the line, but to keep the cavalry, artillery, and chasseurs on the present footing and to add largely to the force of the municipal guards, which are composed of picked men, and AA'hich, with the exception of the Chasseurs de Vincennes, are by far the most efficient troops in the service."

Of the speculative topics now on the tapis in Paris the most prominent are —Will the President assume the title of Napoleon 111. or Na-

poleon I. ? Ou what great anniversary of his life will the empire be proclaimed ? Will the pope go to Paris to crown him? Whonvwill he name as his successor, in the event of his dying without issue ? Will it be the son of Jerome or of Lucien Bonaparte ?