13 JANUARY 1872, Page 3

There has been a rumour to the effect that the

French Com- munist and savant Elige Reeks, of whose hard sentence of transportation we have more than once spoken, has already had his sentence commuted; but we believe it has as yet no foundation, though we hope it may be only an augury of what is to happen. The petition signed by the English men of science, Messrs. Lyell, Prestwich, and Henry Woodward, all distinguished geologists, the last of whom translated M. Reclus' book on "the Earth "—by Dr. Carpenter, Professor Owen, and many other men of the highest scientific eminence, was this week presented to the Commission of Pardons, and hopes are entertained of a favourable issue.