13 APRIL 1872, Page 1

M. Thiers has abolished passports again, to the delight of

all English travellers. No other nation seems to mind them much, but the English fret under the annoyance to a degree which seriously impaired the prosperity of the French sea-coast towns, and diminished the number of visitors to Paris. The remon- strances of the British Government at last produced their effect, and the old system is in a few days to be restored. As the system never stops either a Communist or a pickpocket, its motive must have been revenue, and the revenue obtained is not a fiftieth part of the profit derivable from visitors who are driven by the annoy- ance to prefer the Ostend route.