Our Paris Letter.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2136, 8 November 1875, Page 3

Our Paris Letter.

(fbom oub- own corbespondent) Paris, September 21. ::-: -• Political. ?I ' : : :■• ■ i • Appearances justify the conclusion that swords are being beaten into ploughshares. Even the Univers alludes to the JRappel, and the Bonapartists display consideration towards the Qrleanists. These symptom's would seem to justify Victor Hugo's prediction that the age of universal peace is nigh. • It is rumored that Bismarck himself is not opposed to a convenient flirtation with France, pending at least the settlement of Turkey's immediate difficulties. The provincial Republican journals have held their congress at Troyes ; it is not very clear for what political end, as resolutions recommending the abolition of the state of Leige, and a new press law are ameliorations in point of suggestion as old as the hills. A dinner wound up the proceedings, a matter in itself an event, as newspaper proprietors and editors in France live as a rule apart. Were tlie press, as a commercial undertaking, to constitute itself "into a really practical guild it would be more influential and prosperous. . • .■ Marshal MacMahon's politico-military tour is this year likely to be a success, because he has given proof of the desire to leave politics to his responsible ministers. Then his prompt decision in dismissing the Vice-Admiral de Noury from command of a squadron for Imperialist politics and breach of discipline, has won him. general approbation. The Marshal can make no mistake in continuing to serve only France, and such will be the best way to secure respect for the institution of government itself. . The Orleanists continue to be most unhappy; every party is twitting them to know what their political views really are. They seem .inclined to run with the hare and hold with the hounds. Above all they»demand that.the public eye be not specially fixed'on them. Like the correct lady, they wish not to form a sub9§S9p 6f gossip. But the Teazles and v Sneerwells continue to sting them, and occasionally to the quick. Orleanism protestsagainst being treated as an accused, and placed in the dock. Don Juan, however, between Charlotte and Mathurine, managed to deceive both, and hence why the Legitimists and Bonapartists. so well watch them. As for the Republicans they put no faith in princes after Louis Bonaparte's writings and infidelity _in connection with the Second Republic : hence why the Due d'Aumale is being sharply looked after, as in his lotfe for the present Constitution he might, in becoming MacMahon's successor, use it to recover the throne for his nephew, the Gomtede Paris. However, nowhere is there evidence that public opinion, is in iavour either of uncle or nephew. There is one new feature in Bonapartism' being .discussed, namely, did the Second impire give. birth to the Free Trade School ? Noneof the economists who have illustrated France during the f ejgn of Napoleon 111. commenced their career under, that regime; .they effected their education as well as their renown under, the constitutional freedom of Louis Philippe, and that only a rule of liberty can or beget. Dictators know how to use such forces, and the" es> emperor was very well aware of the advantage of trading on freedom of commerce

— with England" at all events. The ma terial prosperity of the country continue: to increase more and more, and far sur passes what it has ever attained unde: the Empire. The exportation of taanu faotured goods and provisions promises t< incessantly augment. Military. ; % For ihe future it is intended to adopl the Prussian system of calling out the conscripts in. November, instead of in spring ; this plan w ill enable the young soldiers to become accustomed to barrack life and drill, and to enter on camp duty when the fin-e weather arrives with considerable knowledge of their profession. The volunteers, who can enter the army at 20 years of age by passing a preliminary examination as to general knowlege; and paying a sum of 1500fr., thus dispensing with four of the five years' service, will henceforth be submitted to a severer educational test. The reservistes at present undergoing their 28 days' drill would seem to be charmed with their new mode of life, and regard their marches and sham battles as a kind of vacation. They are now occupied at target practice, and the soldier who scores a certain number of good points enjoys as .reward so many additional hours' leave. Many of. r&serviites after a w.eek's drill j have been able to march twenty miles in a day across the fields without ever falling out of the ranks. This is something wonderful for men aged 28, and suddenly taken from the counter, the desk, and the study. The reservistes are rumoured to have lost all taste for politics, and it is said such are the last thing the regular soldier ever thinks about. The German pea sausage has not been at all relished by the troops; the preserved boiled beef in pots of, one pound each, and carried in the the knapsack, is, however, highly esteemed. It is on soup and bread the soldiers live; the general has no power to command a ration of wine to be served, save once in five days, but then' the private means of the men can command a few extras, provided the camp followers be not too'extortionate. As the reservistes belong to every rank of society, some of the wealthy privates have their dinners brought to themjby their servants in livery 5 others have their meals served to them by their wives. The real soldier laughs at both these arrangements. During the wars of the First Napoleon, the Austrian officers wire often accompanied by their pianos. It is gratifying to find_, however, that the most socially distinguished reservistes shirk in no way the entire destiny of their lot, and this example exercises the most salutary influence" on the regular linesman; the latter thus gains more in respectability, feels he is more a ma^rof-the nation, comprehends better the dignity of his task, because he has at his sides, the father of a young family qr the possessor of a large income. As an example of circumlocution office work, the Valdejo tent, composed of two pieces of canvass, was recommended in 1867 to supersede that, at present in use, and consisting of six pieces. It is only now,-the new tent has been adopted and with success. Educational. A collective circular letter has been addressed by the heads of the Catholic j. Church, calling for aid to establish, in j Paris the first free university in ac- ! cordance with the new law. The Liberal party, instead of welcoming this new educational agency, call upon the Government to introduce reforms into the State University forthwith, and which are indeed much required. The best system of instruction will in the end carry the day.