18 SEPTEMBER 1830, Page 1

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

THE feverish excitement which has prevailed for some weeks in Paris seems to have subsided. The consolidation of peace and good order advances steadily. The public funds continue low; but this is attributed to scarcity of money, not to any want of confidence in the new Government.

The principal feature in the history of the last eight days, is the exposé of Ministers on the state of the country, which was laid before the Chambers on Monday ; in the Chamber of Peers by the Duke de BROGLIE (son-in-law to Madame de STABL), and by M. GUIZOT in the Chamber of Deputies. This communication details the whole of the proceedings of the new Government since its accession. The changes in the military have been extensive. Of seventy-five general officers, sixty-five have been superseded, and to thirty-nine regiments of infantry and twenty-six regiments of cavalry new colonels have been appointed ; a number of changes have been made in the inferior ranks. New command- ants have been appointed to thirty-one important stations. To compensate the deficiency caused by the dismissal of the Swiss troops and the Royal Guards, proportionate additions have been mane to the regiments of the Line. The infantry regiments are raised to 1500, the cavalry to 700 men each; and the artillery and engineers to 1200 and 1450 respectively. Three new regiments, two of infantry and one of cavalry, together with six battalions of Infantry-, are in the course of being organized ; and two battalions of Foot Gendarmes have been specially formed to do duty in the West. These, and the dismissal of General Bouniaora, are the changes in the Army. Thejr might lead to dangerous results, were the officers that have been displaced at all popular with the army ; hut, fortunately for the present Government this is not the case ; on the contrary, their remaining in command would very probably have led to a general revolt among the troops, upon whom they had been forced by the late Ministry. In the Navy, few alterations, comparatively speaking, were called for; because in a service where some personal experience is indispensible, the changes which the late Government had been able to effect were fewer than in the Army, where no such expe- rience is required. Three rear-admirals, twelve captains of the line, five of frigates, four lieutenants, and one ensign (a rank equal to the English sub-lieutenant), have beendischarged. In the Civil department, the corruptions of the late Government were neces- sarily most extended ; and in them the sharpest and most search- ing reforms have been called for. Of eighty-six Prefects, seventy- = have been changed, one hundred and ninety-six Sub-Prefects have been dismissed out of two hundred and seventy-seven, fifty- three Secretaries-General out of eighty-six, and one hundred and twenty- seven Councillors of Prefectures out of three hundred and fifteen. There are a number of other alterations in the class of Procureurs-Generaux, Avocats-Generaux, Presidents, Council- lors, and Judges. The inferior magistrates—the Juges de Paix- are to be subjected everywhere to a rigorous scrutiny. The Coun- cil of State, of Public Instruction, and several other boards, have been materially diminished in numbers. In the Finance depart- ment alone, for obvious reasons, but few changes have been yet effected, though many are in contemplation. The army in Africa is supplied up to the 1st of November. The arming of the National Guard is rapidly proceeding. New works have begun at Dunkirk and other places ; and everywhere discipline is maintained on board and on shore. Some disturbances, it is admitted, have broken out at Nismes • and some, it is candidly stated, may be expected there, as well as in the West, where the feelings gene- rated by a long civil war still partially influence the people. The priests also are a source of apprehension. In both of these cases, it is the intention of the Government to proceed calmly, but reso- lutely, to apply to the evil, whatever be its extent or character, a fitting remedy. Every infraction of the laws will be proceeded against, whoever be the guilty parties, laymen or clergymen. Some falling off has been experienced in the revenue during the last two months, arising from the irregularities consequent on the re- volution. The duties on liquors in some cases have not been paid at all. In most of the departments of the revenue, order is now introduced : the duty on liquors it is proposed to lower. The report concluded thus- " Our social order will not be endangered by the momentary fermenta■ tions which have manifested themselves at some points of the kingdom, and which have been repressed, wherever they have appeared, by the good sense of the people at large. No doubt, in its Government, as well as in every thing, France desires improvement, but would have this im- provement regularly and progressively. Satisfied with the regime she has gained, her next chief object is to preserve and consolidate her conquest. She would enjoy the fruits of victory without seeking new strife. She will look forward to time to perfect her institutions, and will regard every disorderly attempt as an attack against her rights and repose. This re- pose the Government will know how to maintain, and, by maintaining it, will fulfil the general wish. Already, at the very first appearance of dis- turbance, all true citizens eagerly came forward to aid the Magistracy in repressing it, and success has been equally prompt and decisive. At every point the same will be obtained. The laws will not fail to be at the com- mand of justice, and force will not be wanting to aid the laws. Let all friends to the progress of civilization and freedom be without apprehen- sion ; their great cause will not be compromised by these passing agita- tions. The perfection of social and moral order must be the natural re- sult of our institutions ; it will develope itself freely, and the Govern- ment will aid its expansion. Every day Europe acknowledges and pro. claims that it is for all nations the pledge of serenity and peace. Peace is the universal desire at home as well as abroad. Government has firmly resolved to preserve the same character, and to pursue the same object.'

The laws respecting the press have occupied a good deal of the time of the Chamber of Deputies during the week. Two motions have been submitted to it; one by Count SIMEON, the object of which is to restore the benefit of jury trial to all delinquencies of the press. There seems a desire that cases of offence against private individuals should Still be left to the tribunals, but that in case of public personages no §onvictioft should take place without a jury. The distinction is questionable. The reason of the change is a wish to amend the present mode of dispensing justice. If a jury be a more adecputte instrument for that purpose, why not employ it in every case Where justice is sought for? if a less ade- quate, why employ it at all? The other motion was one of M. BEN- JAMIN CONSTANT, for the abolition of the licences which are by law required to be taken out by printers. At present, in addi- tion to other absurd restrictions, sueh as not alloWing of a plinting press in any district that does not contain above five thousand in- habitants, as if the ordinary rules of demand did not apply as much to printing as to anything else, and a press were likely to be• established where it was not wanted; in addition to this, every printer must be licensed by Government, and if found guilty of any legal offence, however small, his licence may be revoked; so that in reality he holds it only at the pleasure of the Minister of the day. Booksellers are in the same predicament as printers. The observations of M. CONSTANT on introducing his motion seem singularly just: "I am," says he, "the representative here of those who have taken up the business of printer and of bookseller ; and am also the organ of the workmen, who from the same hccupation gain a subsistence for themselves and their families. The firs% of these two classes maintain that, were the press free, it would become much more active, and find markets which the monopoly neglects or disdains; the second class conceive that a greater number of printers would insure an increased quantity of em- ployment for their industry ; and, in order that you may be better able to judge of the arguments of the latter body, I will lay them before you in full. They say the printers, who are the possessors of this monopoly, formerly found employment for all the workmen, but lately important dis- coveries have been made, the mechanical press has been invented, and brought into use; and hence, under the system of the monopoly, fewer workmen have been necessary, and many are left destitute. I am not disposed to raise an outcry against the invention and use of machines, for each newly-invented machine is a gain for industry, and an advantage • to the diffusion of knowledge. A gain for industry, because it has been proved that, since the discovery of the art of printing, there have been more workmen employed as printers than there were copyists before; and since the discovery of the weaving machine there have been more weavers than before. I say also that it has been an advantage to the expansion of knowledge. Each machine creates a greater degree of leisure for mankind, and each leisure hour affords so much time for reflection and improvement. But, gentlemen, every thing depends upon our placing by the side of these discoveries, which simplify the mode of production, and thereby increase production, that liberty which is in all things the vivifying principle, and without which the most useful things become pernicious. By the side, then, of the mechanical press, give to every man who may wish to exercise the busi- ness of a printer the power of doing so ; then will the workmen easily find numerous resources, and will no longer see in these vain veries, rendered-mischievous only by monopoly, a cause of t it want of work. I have sought for objections that may be ikr$:,*,9st-k % me, and only find four. The danger to public order will be u government ought to maintain the conditions to which it VI% -to a‘x- istence. The fallen dynasty, which wished to recall that

granted, and which proceeded by deception to treachery

needed not to stifle the press; but the citizen dynasty we hkeei

the throne requires that every species of liberty shall be s

and that which was the ruin of the one is the security of the other. You will be told, perhaps, also, that individuals, by launching into the career you will thus open to them with insufficient means, will run on to their ruin. Governments are not the guardians of individuals. Men become enlightened by the errors they commit. The third objection merits a fuller examination. No doubt those who have purchased licences upon the guarantee of public faith have a right to be protected from loss. This is the sad effect of false measures. When a government enters upon a wrong road, it draws in individuals who, not being themselves culpable, have a right to compensation ; but this is a matter of detail which I do not feel myself willing to enter upon in bringing forward a proposition, and which I leave to more enlightened men. They will propose amend- ments or additional articles, of which you, in your wisdom, will form a just judgment. Lastly, I foresee claims will be made for guarantees of the morality or intelligence of those for whom I (demand that liberty which I feel ought to be granted to them. This objection bears a strong analogy to the first. I behold with regret, in that which is called a gua- rantee, something which resembles an impediment? Nevertheless, a good is only created by degrees ; and as progression is good, is at once both solid and encouraging, and as impatience is the! bane of all things, I do not intend to resist what in this respect may be proposed, and may be deemed indispensable. I am not so jealous of time ; and provided we ad- vance but one step in a good road, 1 shall be happy in the reflection that I have led the way."

The recognition of Austria and Prussia, as well as of Russia, may now he considered as virtually made : indeed, despatches an- nouncing the formal recognition of LOUIS PHILIP by Austria have reached Paris. The tri-coloured flag was flying in Cronstadt harbour on the 27th inst. and the vessel which bore it was not attempted to be disturbed. General CLAUSEL has assumed the command of the army of Africa ; and from the proclamation issued on the 7th, it would appear to be the intention of the French to retain their conquest, let the Allies grumble as they will. In stating to the Algerines that their religion, manners, and customs will be confirmed, and exhorting them to peaceable behaviour, he addresses them as " subjects of the King of the French 1 " The Bey of Tittery, em- boldened, it is supposed, by the withdrawal of the troops from Bona and some other stations, sent a declaration of war to BOURMONT on the 24th inst. He complains of bad faith in the French. They promised, he says, to respect persons and property ; and they have, notwithstanding, plundered the Casauba of the treasures which belonged to the Beys at large, and not to the Dey, " who did nothing but eat and drink." He has assembled two hundred thousand troops, and is determined to try his fortune in the field. Be concludes- " We shall soon be near Arm, when I will give you a call. There we will settle what you may have to say to me. If good, good; if evil, evil will come of it. God decides."

A society bearing the famous name of the club that was some forty years ago so well known in our own country, which had Lord GREY as its head, and DANIEL STUART, afterwards the keen supporter of Mr. PITT, as its secretary, has lately sprung up in Paris, where it seems to have caused some uneasiness. Three of its office-bearers have been directed to be prosecuted for a se- ditious placard, in which its principles were put forth. It appears to mingle the principles of SPENCE the breechesmaker with those of the levellers ; but its special anger is directed against the pre- sent Chamber—for no reason that we can perceive, but because, having effected more substantial good than all the Chambers that have gone before, it would remain together until as much more is effected as may secure the remainder. The Chamber is about to be reinforced by 115 new members, chosen under the directions of the new Charter; and we have no doubt that when thus com- pleted, and the budget has been discussed, it will be dissolved.

The Moniteur of the 15th contains the ordinance for the assem- bling of the colleges for the Arrondissement elections on the 21st of October, and for those of the Departments on the 28th. In point of fact, both elections will be made by the colleges of Ar- rondissement, those of Departments being abolished by the Char- ter: the names are kept up only because of the position held by the members whose resignation or acceptance of office has caused the vacancies.

The journeymen printers who were arrested because of the late combinations against machines have been acquitted by the Tribu- nal of Correctional Police. It does not appear that any act of improper interference with their fellow workmen could be proved against them ; they merely refused to work, and they had a perfect right to do so, in France as in England. On the views of the respective parties in Paris, and the compa- rative popularity of the various departments of the Legislature and the Executive, the following information, which is the latest, ap- pears in the Chronicle of this day.

" A gentleman of distinguished ability, who has been above a month in Paris, where he had access to the first characters in that metropolis, assures us that there is no party in France not attached to the King, in whom the greatest confidence is reposed. It is said in Paris, that the King is in advance of the Ministers, and the Ministers in ad- vance of the Chambers. He assures us that there is no disposition in France towards a Republic, properly so called. He believes that /iereditory Peerage will be abolished ; but one great reason for this Is, that Peerage for life only would give greater strength to the Charter than hereditary Peerage, in a country in which there are no large estates, and no rotten boroughs to give political power to individuals; and in which, consequently, personal reputation and character are such important elements of authority. A hereditary Peerage would throw into the House individuals without-talents or character, and consequently lower the House in general estimation. In order, however, that the Peers for life might not be mere creatures of the King, a qualification was suggested of having previously served in certain distinguished situations, or been a certain numbers of years a Member of the Chamber of Deputies.

Our informant says, the present ChaMber of Deputies are naturally averse to the extension of the franchise ; for they at present have the whole pa- tronage of the departments, and he believes that the patronage is now employed in managing their constituents. Great hopes are, however, entertained that the Members about to be returned to fill the vacancies will give a more liberal complexion to the Chamber. The only fear of our informant is, lest, if the people should be disappointed in this expecta- tion, they should become impatient, and have recourse to violent mea- sures. However, he has so much confidence in the good sense and honesty of the King, that he believes, long before matters could come to such an extremity, he would dissolve the Chambers."