FRANCE. [From the Melbourne Argus, Feb. 5.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 796, 19 March 1853, Page 3

FRANCE. [From the Melbourne Argus, Feb. 5.]

From France we learn that the restoration of the Empire was jmpgreising. , The Senate m3P6n the 4|h November, Prince Jerome presiding, He addressed them ; and then the Minister of State brought up a brief message of Louis Napoleon. The brother of Napoleon then left the chair, in which he was replaced by M. Mesnard. A report in favor of the empir£ was then read, after which the Senates Comultum was proposed. As a document of historical importance we give it verbatim :—: — Art. 1. — The imperial dignity is re-established. Louis Napoleon Bonaparte is Emperor, under the title of Napoleon 111. Art. 2. — The imperial dignity is hereafter in. the direct and legitimate descendants of Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, from male to male, by order of primogeniture, to the perpetual exclusion of females and their descendants. Art. 3. — Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, if be has? no male child, may adopt the legitimate children and descendants of the male line of the brothers of tbe Emperor Napoleon I. The forms of adoption are regulated by the Senatus Consnltum. If, after this adoption, male children should be born to Louis Napoleon, bis adopted children cannot be called to succeed him until after bis legitimate descendants. The adoption is interdicted to tbe successori of Louis Napoleon and their descendants. Art. 4. — Louis Napoleon regulates, by aa ecganic decree, addressed to the senate a/ad deposited in the archives, the -order of succession tothe throne in tbe Bonaparte family in case be should have no direct legitimate or adoptive heir. Art. 5. — In fault of legitimate or adoptive heirs of Louis Napoleon Bonaparte in the collateral line, who shall derive their ri&ht in the above mentioned organic decree, a Senatus Coninltnm, proposed to tbe senate by the ministers formed into a Council of Government, united to tbe preaidence of tbe senate of tbe Legislative Body and of the Council of State, and submitted to the acceptance of tbe people, name* the Emperor, and regulates in his family from male to male, to the to the perpetual exclusion of females and theic descendants. Until the mo,ment when the election of the navr Emperor j« consummated, the affairs of state are governed by the ministers ia office, who shall form themselves into a Council of Government, and deliberate by a majority of votes. Art. 6. — The members of the family of Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, called eventually to the succession, and their descendants, of both sexes, form part of the Imperial family. A Senatus CoDsultum regulates their position. They cannot nmry without the authorization of the Emptror. Their marriage without such authorization entails privation of all hereditary right as well foe him who contracts it as for bis descendants. Ar. 7. — The Constitution of the 15th of January, 1852, is maintained in all provisions which are not contrary to tbe present Senatus Consulturn. There cannot be any modifications in it, except by the iorm and tbe means therein prescribed. Art. B.— The following proposition shall be presented to the acceptance of the French people hi the terms determined by the decrees of the 2nd and 4th December, 1851 : — The people wish for the re-establishment of cfae Imperial dignity in tbe person of Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, with hereditary right to bis direct descendants either legitimate or adopted ; and give him the right to regulate the order of succession of the Bonaparte family, as provided for by the Senatua Consultant of November, 1852.

On (he 7ib November it was put to the vote au.i carried by a majority of 86 votes out of 87. All signed their names to the documents afterwards, the whole senate in full coitnme. The Cardinals in tbeir red dresies, preceded by an escort, went to the palace of St. Cloud. M. Mesnard addressed tbe President, placing in his hands the Senates Consnltam, and adding :—: — " Monseigneor, — When a great country like France makes its voice heard, the first duty of the political body to which she addresses herself, is, to listen and to reply. Sacb were tbe ideas of your Highness in calling iox the mediation of the Senate in this vast movement of pnblic opinion, which hat manifested itself with so much ensemble and energy. The Senate has understood that this striking manifestation is justified at the same time by the immense services which you have rendered, by the name you bear, and by the guarantees which are given to tbe future, by the greatness of your character, and by the wisdom and firmness of your mind. It has felt that after so many revolutions, France feels the want of putting her destinies under the shelter of a powerful and national government, which only holding to the past by the souvenir of her glory and the legitimacy of her origin, now again finds in popular sanction, the elements of its force and i|s duration. The senate glories, Monseigneur, in being the faithful interpreters of the wishes and sentiments of the country, in placing in your hands the Senatus Consultum which calls you to the empire." All cried "Vive TEmpereur" at the conclusion, and Lonis Napoleon, who was surrounded by a brilliant staff, himself dressed as a lieutenant general, replied :—: — " Messieurs les sGuateore, — I thank the senate for the readiness with which it has responded to the wishes of the country in deliberating on the re-establishment of the empire, and in draw* ing up the Senatus Consultum which is to be submitted to the acceptance of the people. When, forty- tight years since, in this same palace, in this same room, and nnder analogous circumstances, the senate came to offer the crown to tbe chief of my family, the Emperor replied by the tbe memorable words :—": — " My spirit will no longer be with my posterity from tbe day when ft shall cease to merit the love and the confidence of the great nation." What now most affects my heart is the thought that the spirit of tbe Emperor is with me, that his ideas guide me, that his shade protects me, since by a solemn proceeding you come in the name of the French people to prove to me, that I have merited the confidence of tbe conntry. It is not necessary for me to tell yon that my constant anxiety will be to labour with you to promote the grandeur tad prosperity of France." Tbe Senate shortly afterwards departed. A decree appeared the same day calling on the people to vote aye and nay to the proposition, on • the 21st and 22nd of November. The Prince President had just performed one act of justice and grace. He has restored to complete liberty Abd-el-Kad'r, after a long imprisonment faithlessly imposed upon him by successive French Governments. He hagrtthe same time restored to " liberty &rt /i/"<?"flpt. A. D. Dupuch, First Bishop and the Canon Montera. Abd-el-Kadir is entertained with great pomp and magnificence at Paris, and divides public attention with the empire itself. jgst is aaid that Prince Napoleon Jerome Bo* *naparte is to be made Viceroy of Algiers. The President was at Foutainbleau, recreating himself after his joyrney. Paris was singularly tranquil, the people seeming to care about nothing but amusements and national fetes. The Count of Chambord has issued a manifesto, protesting against the re- establishment of the empire ; and asserting his hereditary right to tbe throne of the French monarchy. .