18 JANUARY 1868, Page 2

It is difficult even for men who know how little

relationships ever have to do with politics not to feel curious about the nomina- tion of Lucien Bonaparte to a Cardinal's hat. The Times twice in a leading article describes him as a pale, dark-browed, silent Italian priest, believed to be very clerical, and a correspondent of our own informs us that his appointment is nearly sure. He adds, and he is an authority, that the French statements about the creation of Monsignetu. Darboy, Archbishop of Paris, are inventions. Napoleon is determined that his pet Bishop shall be a Cardinal, but the Pope is determined that he shall not, and the issue of the fight is far from certain. There are twenty-two vacancies in the Sacred College, and the Pope in filling them up will probably take as many Frenchmen as possible, the French Episcopate being the most Ultramontane in Europe. There is even talk of Monsigneur Dupanloup, but we suspect that able pamphleteer will be thought a little too intellectual. Rome dreads " Geist" even in a Bishop.