Meanwhile, M. Fallieres has been declared by his doctors too
ill to resume office, and has resigned, and the President is seek- ing a Premier. According to the best reports, M. Brisson has refused office, M. Jules Ferry has declared that he cannot make a Ministry, and M. de Freycinet, though very willing to serve, cannot find colleagues. M. Grevy is, therefore, looking round, amidst some agitation. The rich traders of Paris have informed him that all business is suffering from want of a stable Govern- ment, and the bankers are signing-a petition to the same effect, -while he himself replies that he is more concerned than any- body. The Monarchists of all parties have opened a furious attack upon him, as a man without resolution and governed by personal favourites ; and he is adjured to send a Message to. both Houses, or to demand a dissolution. He is said to have- given some pledge when he was elected President not to resort to the latter course, but he is evidently in great perplexity, the Chamber being now divided in a way which almost forbids the- formation of a majority. So many of M. Gambetta's followers have joined the Extremists, that whenever they vote with the- Right, or the Right with them, the Government must fall ; and that may happen twice a week. No Deputy just now is able to believe that after the best, the next best is the best; and so every- Government falls.
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