FRANCE.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 62, 22 October 1864, Page 5

FRANCE.

Since the days of Louis XiV. no more splendiu fete had been witnessed at Versailles than that which has just taken place in honor of the King of Spain. At about 4 p.m. the Emperor, Empress, and King of Spain entered the park of Versailles by the canal gate, and the Emperor conducted hi? guest through the saloons and galleries of the chateau, which, are strewed -with such wealth and bo many works of art. A little before 6 o'clock the waterworks bfgari to play, and at 7 a party of 40 sat down to dinner. At 9 the troupe of the French theatre played Psyche in the private theatre. The spectacle was magnificent, and the eye was quite dazzled with light, diamonds, and gold The Emperor wore the uniform of a lieutenant-general with the order of the golden fleece ; Her Majesty, was in court robes, wearing a diadem glittering y ith diamonds in her head. The King of Spain had on the dreas of a captain-general and the grand cordon of the legion of honor. Nothing was to be seen but brilhant uniforms and gorgeous costumes. The imperial box was facing the stage, and behind the royal party were seated the different princes and princesses, and then on benches rich with gold and velvet, the ladies and gentlemen of the court. After the performance at the theatre the fireworks were -witnessed. There were no restrictions placed on the entry to the park, but the tapis vert and terraces immediately in front of the chateau, were kept inviolate from the public. It was over this large space that the illuminations had been disposed ; there were coloured lanterns in profusion hanging from the branches ofthe ! treeß, and strings of white lamps surrounding I basin and flower bed in one, two, and sometimes i three ranks. Electric lights in the shape of five suns shed their pale gleams over the tapis vert, further illumina;ed by Bengal lights of different colours, and vases of stone which seemed to Tomit flames like so many children of Vesuvius. These varied lights, these suns with their dazzling rays, these flames that flickered in the breeze, these ribbons of lamps which designed the form of facade and basin, and whose reflection was caught up by the artificial waters, produced a magic effect, of whicli it .would be difficult to give a just description. The fireworks were as fireworks usually are, but on a grander scale than most exhibitions. The principle one represented an immense bundle of standards aurmo anted by an Imperial crown. When this fete of fire was o\er, and three millions of francß dulj expended, there waß a supper to whicli 200 guests oat down. The rumoured marriage oi Prince Humbert of Italy with the Princess Murat appears to excite considerable interest in political circles in Paris, where it is thought by some to signify a revival of fee Italian question. Should the marriage really take place it is believed that an imperial promise to help the Italians in a war against Austria will form part of the do wry ofthe Princess. The moneyed interest in France is consequently alarmed at the prospect, and the probability of the marriage taking place under such an understanding has already affected the French and Italian stocks. No official contradiction or denial has been given to the rumour as yet. ..■•'■.:, , A banquet took place at. St. Ettienne, in consequence of the assembly of the Council-General for >the Department de la Loire. The DukedePepsigny, vjrUo presided, proposed the, health of Napplopn 111./ *' the founder of libei^y " ijj The

of the imperial constitution. He showed the form •of liberty to vary with every free people. " The present' physiognomy of liberty, properly- so Called," Said M. de Poysigny, " may be recognised by thii ! striking signs of the solidity and duration of governments which it founds, and above all by the passion.it inspires for groat things." M. do Per&igny then demonstrated that the political institutions of England are not adapted for France, "it, not being possible," he continued, " for authority or liberty to remain in the hands of «ne class as in England. Instead of subordinating one class to another, it was natural to render them independent, and this is the fundamental principle of bur institution." Ihe speaker further said :— " In order that the liberty ofthe press may be a benefit, it is necessary, in a country newly constituted, that a new, vigorous, and independent political generation should arise to replace the minds enervated by revolutions."