The French Assembly is threatened with the loss of one
of the few exceptional figures returned by the electors, the Comte de Man, a Montalembert with less Liberalism. For- merly a cavalry officer, he has devoted himself to preach- ing, and in every part of France he has gathered thousands of followers. He stood for Pontivy, in Blittany, and was opposed by the Abbe Cadoret, a Bonapartist priest, whom, however, he defeated. His election is now questioned, on the ground that the Bishop of Vannes issued a notice declaring him:ielf not favour-
able to the Abbe Cadoret, and that the clergy preached sermons on behalf of M. de Mun. The Assembly ordered an inquiry, which will be greatly resented by the clergy, because they will see in it an interference with the liberty of the pulpit. The Radicals wish to place them in the position of English Peers, whose public interference invalidates an election. The Peers help to nominate Members, all the same. If the French Radicals knew the world a little better, they would doubt whether men are more likely to be driven into votes by sermons than into virtue.
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