16 OCTOBER 1869, Page 2

The French Government has felt itself constrained to prohibit political

meetings, and has threatened the Press, which is speak- ing with revolutionary freedom, but the meeting of the Legislature is still postponed to November 29. The elections for the seats in Paris vacated by double elections will be held ou October 26, and apprehensions are felt of insurrection. The leaders, however, counsel peace till the Session opens. At a meeting at Belleville the police were attacked. Rumours of disturbances pervade Paris ; the Emperor, it is said, contemplates a change of ministry, and altogether the air may be considered highly electric. The Empress, however, who, through the priests, is not ill-informed, clearly apprehends no immediate danger. She has visited Venice, where the people, with their exquisite tact, received her with grand festas, but in profound silence—for does not the distaff prop up the Holy Chair ?—and has gone on to Constantinople. Thence she witnesses the opening of the Suez Canal, and afterwards will look in at Rome to receive the personal blessing of the Pope.