THE PRESIDENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 223, 9 May 1872, Page 9

THE PRESIDENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.

The following description " of M. Thiers is from the pen of a correspondent of the London "Daily Telegraph":—

As the members were trooping back from the lobbies, and patient M. Grevy was waiting for the note of the numbers who voted on each side, the crowd at the right door made way for a short, stout, squat man, with a square face and white hair, who walked, or rather waddled, to the bench facing the tribune, and sat down, or rather tumbled into the seat. It was the President of the French Republic. He placed a pile of papers before him, and went through the process of band-shaking wih .a few members. A Deputy ascended the tribune, and said a few words about the income-tax. When he had finished,

M. Thiers raised his finger to let MGrevy know that he " demanded word," and the expectant House cheered the uplifted digit." The elevation of^that forefinger had a marvellous effect. I have so often spoken of the noise, the .schoolboy din. the Bedlamite shouting of the Assembly, that I am bound to record the power of silence which it displayed when under the spell of M". Thiers. Not that the Deputies stilled then voices all at once. They took at least five minutes to stop speaking, although their vigorons efforts to be still were quickened by the sharp peals of the President's bell. Meanwhile, M. Thiers had gone up to the tribune, and whs making his preparations for the delivery of a great speech in much the same leisurely fashion as a man mightdress for dinner. A bundle of papers were placed in order : a hook, from which the orator had to qi:oto. was hud on the top of the heap, as if to prevent any gust of passion from blowing the sheets away ; and then out came the historical pocket-handkerchief. M. Thiers' pocket-handkerchiefs are peculiar. They are white with a black border an inch broad, as if they were meant to imply tliat, even in blowing his nose, the President must display a token of mourning fui Sedan. Presently an attendant, comes to the tribune with, a silver salver, on which are placed a - glass of water and a glass of Burgundy. Before beginning and while delivering a speech M. Tbiers drinks Burgundy as openly as Pitt used to drink port. A sip is taken from the red tumbler; then a sip is taken from the white ; then, in due historic order, the black-edged handkerchief is made to do its work ; finally, when all these little tricks of manner have been gone through, a somewhat feeble, but clear, voice speaks out with rapid utterance and beautiful articulation. Soon the voice strengthens, until, at times, a sentence will ring through the Assembly. The gestures grow more animated, epigrams are shot forth like stones from a catapult, and loud cheers and approving laughter stop the orator now and then, enabling him to take breath, a new sip of wine, and a fresh rub of the handkerchief. On goes the wonderful old man, amid the intense silence of the Assembly, growing animated, throwing out his arms with youthful fire, and occasionally raising his voice to give force to an epitLet ' until his words seem to be flung across the hall. For nearly two hours does he speak without showing any signs of fatigue ; and when he goes down from the tribune, members come to .shake hands with the veteran debater in token of their admiration.