Parisian Notes.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XV, Issue 26, 21 October 1887, Page 7

Parisian Notes.

The moral condition of the Parisian mob has been again exemplified at the execution of Pranzini which took place on the morning of AnguHt 31. The crowd fortunately was less than bad been expected probably ow:ng to false alarms on preceding mornings, but it was still large enough to afford scope for most revolting ribaldry Their fingers even were dabbled by some of the gamins in the blood of the criminal and an attempt made in sport to rub them to the faces of women who were present. This scene, it should be remembered took place in the centre of modern irreligious civilisation, and where philosophic freethought has for a century been the guide of the people. As it has been justly remarked, nevertheless, the savages of Dahomey might be disgusted at it. *

The War Office is rationally suspected of being somewhat losely managed. Details of the mobilisation at Toulouse, which were to have been kept strictly secret, were published a few days ago by the ligaro, to the great indignation of the authorities. Inquiry revealed the fact that they bad been sold to the newspaper by two soldiers who were employed as clerks, and who have been arrested .—lt is probable that others are also concerned in the matter.— The conduct of the Figaro is universally condemned as unwiße, unpatriotic, and in every sense blameable. J

Prince Napoleon Victor has issued a manifesto in which he replies to the confidence expressed in him by the Bonapartists and expresses a conviction that the party is prepared to return a large number of deputies to the Legislative Assembly. He announces the undertaking of a vigorous electoral campaign and speaks in a tone of strong selfreliance.

The proclamation of the National League is condemned by the FreDch press generally. The Tempt applauds Irishmen for gloryirj* in the crime of free-speech and iin a country where, alone in the Europe, maintenance of rights is punished by aid of the army The great coup of the Tories seems likely to recoil on themselves— but blows struck by— feeble arm often result in such a manner.

The feeling of enthusiasm excited by the death of the great Russian patriot and journalist M. Katkoff experiences a mortifying reaction by the publication of a letter written by him, in which he says he hates France to the death \&a a hotbed of Liberal and revolutionary propaganda, but whose alliance is forced, by Germany and Austria, on Russia as a fatal and disagreeable necessity. The League of Patriots whose envoy has just placed a wreath on the grave of the writer of this letter must feel humiliated in no light degree —But there will at least be scope among them for a disinterested admiration for patriotism in itself. M. Katkoff certainly loved Russia

Another frait of Liberal ideas has just been displayed in the conduct of one of the subu/ban Mayors, who accentuated his abhorrance of a religious education by presenting the children at the communal school with immoral books for their prizes. Many of the parents were enraged by the act— for which, however, they were themselves to some extent answerable— and even the Governmen found the situation too strong for it, and were obliged to supersede the offender— who, nevertheless, continues to justify himself

The prominent place occupied by the Jews in the Government of France has recently been calculated as follows. In a population of 37,000,000 they number at most 200,000. But of the Bf s prefects who administer the government of the country thsy count as their own 42— .that is the half, wanting only one. This should speak well for the ability of the race.

The prosperity of Tunis under French ruie has been of late a prominent topic. It was made very remarkable by the congratulations addressed the other day to the Bey by the German consul on the improvement of his country. Commerce there has increased immensely although in this respect England surpasses France. A great harbour is about to be constructed at the capital, as the result of several plans discussed for the formation of such a port on the coast in question

A commission recommends the construction of a network of rail" ways in Tonquin principally to form communication and develo D e trade between Hanoi and the Chinese frontier. The recommendation is that the Government should form the permanent way by the labour of the Annamites given in lieu of taxation and that private enterprise should undertake the superstructure and working of the lines Here therefore, is an opening for confiding capitalists on the look out for a profitable investment.