The positive results of the debates and divisions of the
French Assembly, since its meeting, may be briefly enumerated. The Pre- sident's electoral bill has been rejected by a narrow majority; the pro- posal of the Questors to invest the Legislature with an anomalous control over the military has been negatived by a large majority; two years' residence has been substituted for three years' residence as the electoral qualification in municipal elections. Viewed apart from the party dislocations and combinations by which they have been brought about, these votes would seem to indicate on the part of the Majority, a growing moderation of temper as regards the President, a praiseworthy abstinence from clutching at uncon- stitutional power, and a disposition to recede from the re- actionary policy of the 31st of May. An analysis of the votes tends rather to detract from this satisfactory impression. It discloses a strange commixture of parties and an incessant change of combinations from day to day. i'he irritation which the President's message excited against him has been transferred in a great measure to the vindictive and unscrupulous Thiers. The gain of the President, however, appears to be entirely negative —a cessation of active hostility : in public estimation he continues to fall, although he is for the moment less inveterately assailed. No real progress appears to have been yet made to a settle- ment of French difficulties, except in so far as every month added to the existence of a new government, the result of a revolution, consolidates it, and enlists in its favour the conservative senti- ment.
