sip,-"The Times publishes a comparative statement of the French and
British armies, which is at the present moment of some value. The comparative numbers are :
.
France and England and Algeria. Colonies. England, Colo- nies, and India, exclusive of late Company's Troops.
Staff 4,607 1,222 1,222 Infantry 259 841 101,230 150,128 Cavalry 7-6,903 13,194 18,210 Artillery . ...... 37,873 22,393 28,520 Engineers 6,384 4;635 4,535 Train 5,655 1,909 1,909 Administrative Services . 8,73.7
1,5.61
1,561 Indian Depots in England - - 6,688 Total 400 000 146;044 212,773 Horses 85,705 8,262 21,904 While the cost of these forces is :
British Army French ,Budget.. Estimates.
2 2 Administration 95,506 201,833 Pay, provisions, fuel, &c. 11,272,272 . 6,463,048 Clothing 87,6,431 . 525,416 Recruiting 1,151,714 82,894 Movement of troops . . 91,014 . • 180,000 Justice 48,241 50,125 Purchase of horses 235,062 59,466 Forage 1,468,486 482,392 Stores and factories 1,478,467 . 3,160,004 Education 99,295 . 261,014 Barracks . . ... 93,200 690,159 Civil buildings - . . 179,407 Fortifications 24,000 .. 158,185 Pensions 3,225,936 .. 2,112,808 Z20,159,624 214,606,751 The pay of the French soldier is, however, below that he would earn as labourer, and the total loss to the country is estimated at no less than 24,000,0001. equal to 14s. a-head on the population. The English military taxation is only 8s. To this, however, must be added the cost of the volunteers who bring the army very ,nearly up to the French standard in point of numbers. The French army re- quires a conscription of 40,000 men a year to keep itap to the mark, and probably 15,000 horses ; an enormous number, which must compel the purchasers to be far less rigorous in their selection than British cavalry. Of the entire French force about 70,000 men are required as the permanent garrison of Algeria. The camp of exercise at Chalons has been reorganized, and will consist of 40,000 men, 7000 horses, and 72 pieces of cannon, commanded by Generals Foray, and Mollard.
A debate of considerable importance has arisen in the French Senate on the law which regulates elections. By law twenty days must elapse between the convocation of an electoral college, and the election of a deputy to the Legislative Chamber, but no period is fixed for the delay in municipal elections. The administration con- sequently assumes to itself the right of fixing the day, and of course hurries the election. The Senate resist this interpretation, and have addressed the Emperor to permit 'the interval of twenty days to elapse in all the elections alike. As the vote annoys the Ministry, it is considered a triumph of legality over despotism. A bill leas been discussed abolishing the sliding scale on corn, and aubstituting for it a fixed duty of 50c. per hectolitre on corn imported in French bottoms, and1 fr. 50c. on grain introduced in foreign bottoms, but it is resisted by the agriculturists. M. Kolb-Bernard read a speech against the bill, so long that the Deputies left the Chamber, and the President called the pamphleteer to order. Rumours of an approach- ing dissolution are very prevalent, as the present Chamber was elected when very different ideas were in the ascendant. Stories are current also of great discontent in the Southern provinces, caused partly by the evacuation of Syria at the dictation of England, and partly by the bitterness of the clergy, who have begun to omit the Donne fac salvum from the service.
A eying sheet has been freely circulated through Paris, evidently with the permission of the police, attacking the spiritual power of the Pope, and containing sentences like these :- " Always the same tune ! In the street and at home, in the newspapers and in conversation, at church and at the pothouse, we hear nothing else but discus- sions on our holy father the Pope.
"All this noise becomes tiresome. The poor dear old man may have made some mistakes, that is his misfortune; but it is his own look-out,
"If, as is said, he has broken faith with his people by making promises to them which he has never kept, I think that, after having exhausted their stock of patience, they have a rightito say to him, 'Holy Father, we beg you a thou- sand pardons for leaving you, but we prefer to have for a temporal leader a brave and gallant King who keeps his word. "If, as is said, he curses modern civilization, and believes that liberty is meant for him alone, what is to be done? Is not a shrug of the shoulders the best reply?
"In fact, he has entered the Church with his tiara resplendent with jewels, with his car ta,ge of proud prelates, holding out his foot to be kissed by those who approach his throne ! " He has come dictating laws to the Kings and Emperors of the earth, claiming for himself alone universal supremacy! "He has come with his mouth full of invectives for his enemies, and for those who do not submit to his arbitrary decrees ! "He has come to abduct children from their mothers, to prohibit the dery from marriage, to throw disorder broadcast into the Church of God " He has come shouting, To arms, to arms!' and but recently we have all beard the echo of his bellicose shouts, Stand by me, Zonavesr Lamoriciere to the rescue I Charge, Europe, in my name!' " Let no acknowledge Jesus Christ as our only master. "Jesus Christ, in a word, who died, but who lives from century to century, and who promises to ns an only substitute, only vicar, till He returns in person— the Holy Ghost, which He gives ass guide and a consoler to all those who put their trust in Him.
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