General News.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4473, 7 May 1883, Page 2

General News.

The state of affairs in Fnne*<M-<«»» doubtedly critical. The Bepublicans are playing into the hands of the Monarchists. Conservative Frenchmen, and they are eight out of every ten, sifcsilentatfdjirjjill, while .the extreme Radicals run the'tauntry on the rocks like .madmen. The people are beginning to ask : " Why not have a liberal monarchy, instead of an illiberal republic ?" . -,- - 7 --t t 'xctfi . Mr Sheridan is a man of 38 years" of age, though a sprinkling of grajviircmld; give him a somowhat, older.appearance. In the prime of life, he has a handsome, erect form, and may be considered one ot'^ the-finest types of physical manhood'^" A handsome, cultured gentleman, there is a frankness and earnestness in his face; that stamp him the man-of character and ability that he is. His observations hare extended over a wide range* jj^and ixkp talents are those of a classical,-scholarly man, brightened by a knowledge of the different languages and people of Europe. A man, in fact, that would do credit to any nationality, and whose, worth inbound to make.itself felt in any community.

Though Gambetta was not a believer ia Christianity, he was not willing to deny the possibility of its doctrines being true. Some friends were once deploring, in his presence; the weakness or treachery which induced the savant Littre to profess Christianity on his deathbed. " Who can tell P" replied Gambetta. "Perhaps Littre did right after all; it is a great toss-up, what lies on the side of the grave." :- ■-..■ ; ;' 'S""-T :'.t/' IT. The libel action, l)e Mestre v. Syme, tried ia Melbourne, in which the plaintiff claimed, damages from the proprietors of the Leader for an alleged libel in the sporting columns of that journal, is thus commented on by the Sooth Australian Advertiser:—" The finding of the jury, after a very short deliberation, .for the defendant, and the opinions placed on record by the Judge in this case, serve to make still more plain the duty of-.publie writers, and will doubtless sti^l.further encourage them to expo«e ; with,a fearless pen, doings in connection with, the turf which are prnoraced by common consent to be shady, though the legal proof that they were wilfully and r deliberately fraudulent might be very difficult to obtain. It must be remembered, too, that the system of handicapping presents constant temptation to and great facilities for fraud." .__ ,_ - : _ : ~ r tT^^^^ A case showing a rattier 'precocious disposition to indulge in polygamy has occurred in Forfarshire in Scotland, one Hugh Tpwnley, only eighteen; years of age, having, on being charged .ivith bigamy, pleaded guilty to having two wives alive,, and to having committed, perjury with a view of marrying a thirds He" was sentenced to nine months' hard labour.