PARIS. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) December 4.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVI, Issue 3887, 5 February 1870, Page 7

PARIS. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) December 4.

Tf Napoleon the Third was given the choice to recommence his life and reiga, a refusal might be expected. Unfavourable aa the times are to the trade of kingship, the present Ruler of France cannot have much of this world's happiness, whatever be his magnificence and power. If he speaks, he is obliged to count hia words one by one — a word too much may create a panic on 'Change ; a word too little, and he will be regarded as an imbecile. If he keeps silent, lie is plotting mischief or accused of hypocrisy. Should he assert his desire to maintain order, it is but a mask to cover a revolt of which he wishes to profit. Should he go to his conutry-aeat in summer, he is reminded of the people who perspire on asphalte. If lie gives a banquet, he is shown his hungry subjects ; if the salons of the palace remain closed, he is accused of that thrift which his predecessor so well exercised. In case he catches cold, the public demand that he be auscultated to find where are hh lungs ; his kidneys serve as the base of financial speculations, and the theme of revolutionary declamation. His wife, too good "for human nature's daily food," is insulted ; and his son, but on the threshold of "his quis and his qsees," is voted a little Tropmann. Bearing |these things in mind, the Emperor has truth, on his side when, as he said iu his speech from the throne, ' ' It is difficult to establish liberty in France." Possibly, this is the pith of the whole discourse the political world has so long looked forward to. It is a document the contrary of whatjwas anticipated — enigmatical as a matter of course, and garnished with lame and impotent conclusions. He will maintain order. This is the old menace since 1851 — the appeal to the galleries. He was then the saviour of society ; he intends to fill the same role for liberty now. If passions be so wild at present as Napoleon asserts, it is not verycomplimentary to his eighteen years of governmead; if excesses prevail still, that dq^s not justify very much, the necessity of the coup d'etat, which years ago took place to extirpate them. The address is not conceived in a liberal spirit : it shows his Majesty still clinging to his infirmity— personal power : it is the door of the temple of Janus ajar. There have been restless spirits flying about of late — a few disowned journals have been piping anything but courtly music. What has been the result ? To band the well-disposed, to frown down the turbulent, and to laugh at a rabid press. It is this good sense of the people that has rendered Chassepots unnecessary, and the police force a city ornament. The nation desires the empire, but with liberty and order to enjoy it. But, while liberty without order is the despotism of the multitude, order without liberty is but the despotism of force. Neither despotism will the people have. The Corps Legislatif is to select the municipal magnates for Paris— as droll as if the House of Commons selected the Marylebone vestrymen, or Congress the Town Council for New York. Russia is complimented upon the emancipation of her serfs — the Jews and Poles excepted ; but the latter France will herself liberate at the Greek kalends. John Bull must be gratified that his "justice to Ireland " has been viewed with delight in high latitudes, and the "finest pisantry under the sun " charmed. If the Emperor Alexander ever makes a speech, doubtless he will not fail to congratulate his cousin upon having allowed his subjects to hold public meetings without a permit from the police. Had England an hour of old Dandolo Pam, he would express the satisfaction of the nation at his Majesty having left to his people the management of their own affairs, and disbanded his noble army of local pachas. Apart from all this, the Imperial march in paths of liberalism, after so many years of halt, must be a little awkward for a while. The Chamber will discipline the exercise, and, if Napoleon leaves in its hands the untrammelled enjoyment of parliamentary liberty, all will go well. It has become a watchword to achieve freedom without violence. The first trial of strength in the new House gave the Ministry only a majority of 15 ; but, if they introduce good measures, they will catch votes. Parties are not yet constituted— except the extreme Left, whose programme fa republicanism, pure and simple, and comprising the representatives of the great cities of the eniphe, which always vote against the Emperor. Old Itaspail demanded the accusation of the Ministers, and shook his hoary locks ; but he was only laughed at. The future President of the Revolutionary Tribunal carried himself very modestly — what was not expected from Rochefoit He was dressed in black, and wore red gloves — the colour of his paity. He has not yet demanded the Citizen Bonapai te to be put on his trial. In the election of M. Schneider, as President, the right man has been put in the right place. But tlie break-up of the moderate party, under the leadership of Ollivier, is only another instance of the fickleness of the French. The bark is there, but the waters are gone. There is nothing sensational in Continental politics. That old fox Bismark still leinains under cover. France has given up the idea of unearthing him. When he is not sick he is said to be about resigning, and when lie has not resigned he is rcpoi ted sick. But he is the same to-day as yesterday, only more wary. At Rome, the "Economical" Council, as Mrs. Partington would say, doe? not bid fair to be a happy family. The divisions respecting the elaboration of the dogma of the Pope'3 personal infallibility, as advocated by the Jesuits, and opposed by the French Bishops, illustrate the Church to be truly militant. A good many apostolic knocks are fiven and returned. Upwards of 400 ishops have arrived, and several will only arrive at the moment of going to vote. The anniversary of the doctrnie of the Immaculate Conception has furnished the occasion of distributing indulgences with an unsparing hand!, and good for any number of years. It is'*better to give these than to sell them, and so prevent new Luthera from springing up. The city is full of strangers, and the ■variety of costumes alone is worth a trip to the Corso and the Pincio. No international exhibition could aurpasB the effect. His Holiness is aoting up to his urbe et orbi benediction. He has inquired after Victor Emmanuel's health, and accepted a ring from the Sultan. Dr. Gumming is the only exception to his benevolent sympathy. In the Parnese Palace, "great expectations " reign. The ex-Queen of Naples is daily expecting to be confined, and all the monarchs retired from business are arriving to be present at the baptism — a ceremony which the neonato will undergo by the hands of the Pope. Indeed, in the marrying p/ exiled royalty, and christening its progeny, as well as telegraphing hia absolution to the great ones in articulo mortia, his Holiness is kept very busy. The expected Bourbon ought to have the (Ecumenical Council for god-father, as a set-off to the municipality of Naples having undertaken this responsibility for Princess Margherita's son and heir. The Freethinkers promise to have their council well attended also, at Naples. A great many delegates to it pass through Pans, and hmt to the opposition congress— " Dost tnou think, because thou art virtuous, there shall ' be no more cakes and ale?" In Italy; the new Prime Minister is not making much. wa y — the Chamber of Deputies is jrtill split up into fractions. One good resolve the President just elected has taken, namely,- to ■ave the kingdom from bankruptcy. _ It is only at Ecuador that a Government says, when the country is unable to pay, it ought to repudiate its obligations. There is a feeling springing up in. the Peninsula against Florence: it is felt . that that city has too many backstairs for -a national, seat of administration. In "Spain the"wat still goes on over the possession % bi ' Duke f ' Thomas of Genoa. Prim alone is the only one who believes the lad will be fortttcoming when the Cortes call upon him. - His mother is opposed to offering up her only son. to Be 11 sacrificed by. Spanish passions,' and Vicfojf Emmanuel ia occupied, not with the cafe of keeping .hia rbyjtl promise to hand ovejf Mb nephew, ; on.cert&in coriditiontteing complied; \r.th, bufe^m;?*t^g3iiayxrtMu<ui^c^:j:i3?jae-

Stranger thing3 have happened than to witness the Priuce of Astunaa -nrielding the sceptre that his mamma could not hold. At Dalmatia all is in statu quo — the old and young men of the mountains are keeping Austrian power at bay. The Sacred Empire ia not very rich in ceremonies, but once a year, at the opening of the Parliament, the -whole strength of the establishment in put on. Applications to take part in this annual display are sent in three months in advance — not more than one in every 290 is granted. However, everybody who is anybody manages to be there, and you always meet the same faces. Officials must arrive arrayed like Solomon in all his glory — the unattached, in every costume. The proceedings open at 1 o'clock to the minute, and, aware that punctuality is the politeness of kings, one sets out about four hours in advance. Armed with the monster pasteboard, laisser passer, and walking among files of soldiers, up gilded staircases, and along gaudy corridors, you get into the ruck of the invited, and in time, to your seat. The two hours you have to wait are not relieved by any orchestra before the curtain rises. Fuss and feathers pass in and pass out — come like shadows and so depart. The general glitter after a time falls. Some big-wigs you notice and forget. The charming leaders of fashion have too much powder and paint — there is nothing of the wild freshness of morning about them. Still the fair sex, as they ait three deep, with robes in pink, skyblue, and the new colour, sea, or ' ' Lesseps" blue, grey pearl, delicate green, form a garland rarely to be matched. The Princess Metternich, in a claret satin, trimmed with black lace, with a similar coloured bonnet in velvet and black feathers, with a boa in zibeline, and a black velvet paletot ornamented with the same fur. The Countess Seebach wore a robe of striped blue and black silk, a shawl of black lace with a white tulle bonnet ornamented with roses [of various colours. The pretty Amei-ieau Miss Jerome, who has a fabulous fortune, and has consequently all the landless dukes and penniless princes running after her, looked like an April violet in her costume of silk and crepe de china, all famished with violets — a cornet of same on er golden hair. The Princess Mathilde wore a robe of violet satin, trimmed with lace, and an immense train. If, like Joshua, she cannot command the sun to be still, she has undoubtedly arrested the hand of time. The Princess Clotilde, in a sea-green taffeta: but she does not presume to lead fashion — her ambition ia to be an affectionate wife and loving mother — and sh© has succeeded. Then about the Messieurs ? There is Lord Lyons, portly and popular, nods familiarly to Mr. Washburne, and bows to several pretty ladies. Like all bachelor ambassador* he is a favourite. The ebony Minister from St. Domingo is hid behind Mr. Slidell. The Prince Metternich is interesting — he carries the evidences of his late duel ; he gives good dinners, keeps well with the ladies, and so complies with the Tallyrand essentials of an ambassador. It is nearly one o'clock : the cousins of the Emperor have filed round the throne. There is an empty chair to represent the Empress, loss to sight ti]l Sunday next, but to memory dear. The royal salute has , been fired, and the head of the Emperor's suite appears. The conquering hero himself shows the picture of health, and fat. The Prince Imperial, tall, pale, but good-looking in his full lieutenant's uniform, walks by his side. Having taken their seats, the spectators do the same. Napoleon leads his sjjeech as methodically as a parson one of the Sunday sermons published at half-a-guinea a dozen. His voice is not agreeable, but distinct. He waits till the api)lau&e terminates, and resunes the monotony. On arriving at the retinng-room lie sends a despatch as to the "heartiness" of his reception to the Empress at Messina. The cousins, Piince Napoleon and the Piince Tmpenal, shake hands very coolly. Alter the reading of the address, the new senators and deputies were called on by name to stand up and take the oath of fidelity. The only feature of interest was when ' Rochefort was called, but who, believing that evil communications with Imperialism would corrupt the good manneis of the llevolution, remained away. The Emperor gave one of his inexpressive grins, and the smile was taken up as in duty bound. Outside the Salle des Etats, which is in the Louvre, the crowds were very orderly and good-humoured — if "Vive 1' Empereur !" was not expressed, " Vive Eochefoit !" was, The police did their duty well, by simply j doing nothing. ] The discovery of the father Kinch, the eighth of Tropmann's victims, has thrown no fresh light on this dreadful tragedy. The poison, which the criminal asserts he destroyed him with fpiussic acid), has not been found in the viscera, nor have any marks of violence been traced. The vessels that Tropmann &aya he prepared the poison in are m couise of being analysed. The press loudly calls for the immediate trial of the wretch, whose presence is corrupting public manners. Another week, and he will be given in charge to the grand jury. Crowds of elegantes flock to the Mazas prison to see the ruffian, but only his full-length photograph is shown. Lord Lyons and the exKmg of Spain were politely lefused. However, there is a chamber of horrors attached to the prison, composed of all the photogiaphs taken of such of the pusoners as died by their own hand. This "purgatory of suicides" ought to compensate the curious. We have several indications that Christmas d& coming, and also New Year's Day. The concierges are positively showing symptoms of politeness — beginning to recognise your existence as a tenant, and to speculate on the value of your "tip" to them. To forget this formality is to ensure, after New Year's Day, an Inferno that Dante could not de. scribe. These house porters are an institution in Paris, the shadow that falls across your chamber door : if not in the pay of the police, they ought to be. The First Revolution ought to have baptised this month after them, and it is not yet too late for Baron Haussmann to dedicate a street to them. The " isthmigrants" are rapidly dropping into Paris, not sorry that the wedding of the seas is over, and that the happy couple have settled down to their everyday duties. M. De Lesseps is expected at the end of the month to receive the thanks of the shareholders — and something more, and to marry his young and pretty Creole. Eeports continue to be satisfactory of the working of the canal. The next, and greatest difficulty is to make it pay. The Government has at last taken a salutary step to put down the rage for duellings in France — as ridiculous]a3 they are senseless. Hitherto the principals and seconds "purged their contempt*' by paying a nominal fine ; now they must undergo 15 to 20 days' imprisonment. Ladies with pretty feet will be glad to hear that "podology," or the science of revealing character by the foot, is now supplanting phrenology, &c. The new science has for parent Doctor Truntz. The seat of love is apparently in the hollow of the big toe in men, and on the upper part of the same member in women, which explains why feet so frequently meet under a table. A long foot indicates a quarrelsome disposition ; a high instep, courage ; a low one, cowardice, idleness, &c.

Rule for finding approximately the Weight of Hay in a Stack /Multiply the mean, lengthof the stack by its mean breadth (in feet).; multiply this product by the height from the ground to the eaves, also in feet ; this will give the number of cubic feet in the body of the stack. To this must be added the consents of the heading : proceed as follows : — •jiuHSply-taie breadth of the stack ab the ~e»\r4sDythe perpendicula* height" from the;&stfe£to the ridge, multiply half this product J&y;,the length of the stack, and. you get the nttfbb^rof cubic feet" in the head, and thus, -the^ontents of the whole stack in cubic feet ; 'divide ;this by 27 for the number of cubic ylrcla.' ; Now » cubic yard .of new 'Kay .is said to- weigh about six stone {newly put up) j i wh6n the stack is about #even '^nonths old,, 'ttiejtaiiio yafd wUl weigh about seven Btoue, 'aod^ee-'iiwfilve mouths ol<iUbottt eight jitone mtp - & * - - i&s&iht. $4 v, 1 t,«j eit