FRANCE.
The French Chambers were opened on Jan. 27 by the Emperor in person. The debate on the address in reply to the Imperial speech was very exciting; the Italian question was most prominent. Surely, the beginning of the end of the Eoraan question—so long looming nearer and nearer—is close at hand at last. The French government haa remonstrated with the Pone in a kind and anxioua tone, but in a manner which bears very much the appearance of a final appeal, and the Pope has replied, through Cardinal Antonelli, in words which might be translated into the famous Hibernian expression of obstinacy, " I will be drowned, and nobody shall wive mc," The Pope won't be waved. He never will surrender up an inch of the sacred territory. What is to be done ? France cannot go on protecting Home for ever. The effect produced by the Pope's answer on the French government is ehown by a subsequent communication addressed to the Papal minister requiring an explanation respecting a circular sent from Rome to the Gallican Bishops, summoning them to a meeting in May, such circular not having been sent through the State authorities. The French government has since " advised " the Bishops not to go to Home except upon urgent diocesan business. It is impossible to mistake the policy of which these small incidents are significant indications. Prince Napoleon's speech in the Senate on the Address presents another striking evidence of the growing impatience of Roman obstinacy. The prince openly declares against the temporal power of the Pope, and demands that national education in France shall be taken out of the hands of the priests. These opinions delivered in the Senate by a cousin of the Emperor, look very much as if the scabbard had been at last thrown away. The Emperor of the French is said to have hit on a most bizarre idea. It is to offer the throne of Mexico to an archduke of the Austrian house in exchange for Venetia. This project has been much discussed during the past month both by English and continental journals. The Austrian press will not hear of the surrender of Venetia.
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Press, Volume II, Issue 51, 3 May 1862, Page 3
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360FRANCE. Press, Volume II, Issue 51, 3 May 1862, Page 3
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