12 DECEMBER 1874, Page 1

The French Assembly is about, it is stated, to adjourn

on the 19th inst. for twenty-one days. The reasons assigned for this unusual delay of business are that Parisian tradesmen want to get quietly through their traffic on New Year's Day, and that many of the Government Bills are not quite ready, but the real reason is probably a wish to gain time for combinations which may make it possible for the Assembly to act. At present the Left Centre has split into two fractions of nearly equal strength, one inclining towards the Left and dissolution, and the other towards the Right Centre and M. Ernest Picard's project of dissolution by thirds.