NEWS OF THE WEEK.
111HE rumours of a military plot in Paris which we mentioned last week have, as we expected, died away. The probability is that a coup d'elat was suggested, but that the Generals were not completely agreed. That France in its present temper of weary disgust with all things lies at the mercy of the Generale, and that they would, if they could, change the regime, may be taken as certain ; but there are some serious -difficulties in their way. One is that they are only unani- mous in their dislike of what is; the scientific branches, to speak broadly, preferring a "stronger" Republic, the cavalry inclining to the House of France, and the infantry being movable by the Napoleon tradition. The most discontented Generals will not risk "civil war in the barracks." Another and a great difficulty is the absence of a resolute leader, and a third is a doubt as to the true feeling of the people. The Generals want to reign in an acquiescent, not in a hostile, France. That is the strongest defence of Europe against
• stratocracy, but from time to time, if conscription continues, it will faiL
