ON FRANCE.

[The subjoined communication discloses no new facts; but it derives weight from-the excellent information and cool judgment of the writer, who moves in a circle of political society that commands the beat view of France and her af- fairs; and it is useful as confirming conclusions which we had already formed.)

Paris, 11311i March 1849.

Stn.—As I have lately acquired considerable insight lute the political feeling which has pervaded the French people during .the' last twelvemonth, I think it may be a welcome addition to yetis stock' of information' if I communicate the impressions 1 have received. You may • rely upon it that the sources whence I derive, them are undoubtedly geouine; :and that my' belief in their accuracy is sustained by a sedate comparison of various. statements, coinciding in their main facts as well as in their leading conclusions. The most distinct of these is, that the Republic, as such, was desired by no class of Frenchmen. Nothing is more worthy of observation than this fact. No- body wanted a Republic; yet here it is, fairly on its legs, and even promising to walk tolerably straighten them. Who then forced a Republic upon this great nation? 1 will tell you. A handful of resolute• individuals, deeply ;penetrated with the conviction that all kings are perfidious and mischievous, and prompted by a sincere desire to frauie a government upon thoroughly Democratic prin- ciples; seconded by the all-powerful will of an excited populace. The Monarchy was annulled and the liepubli0 16%8' duetted; audaitice deereed, •it became unsafe' to unsettle a framework which held coati& hope, of getting back' to astate of sub- ordination to authority. Moreover, the probable rivalry-between three families for the supreme headship, in the eveat of. 4 WSW (Wiwi being foendecli (1 'Pearl the Bourbon, Orleans, and Bonaparte candidates,) offered eerioua objections to a resumption of Monarchical govefnspent. Hence; the Reptddle, once proclaimed,

accepted by some foreign powers and rejected by none of its neighbours, became inevitable; and the provincial towns, as well as the peasant cultivators, appear to have made up their minds to this new order of-things, simply because it would be dangerous to reopen the question in presence of a formidable multitude, bent upon indefinite abolition of the existing institutions. But since a Republic must be swallowed, it still was open to the French people to choose between a sound and an unsound form of one • in other words, between the Lamartine section and the Ledru-Rollin section. And had the former found himself in a condition to repo- diate the alliance with the latter at the period when the Assembly prepared to constitute the Executive Government, early in May 1848, I see.no reason tadoubt

that Lamartine would have continued to enjoy unbounded popularity, and would have been at this moment President of the Republic. Whether or not he acted wisely in

avoiding the trial of strength between his party and that of the violent Democratic clique, at that moment, is more than I dare pretend to decide. Many influential per- sons besought him to make it; alleging that the battle must be fought sooner or later and that he would never be better armed than then. He thought his resources inadequate to the struggle; and though, in subsequent conflicts, large bodies of, armed men from the country flocked up to Paris to aid the cause of order and au- thority; it is far from certain that Lamartine ought to have reckoned upon pro- vincial assistance, at that time. Be this as it may, the effect tibia continuing to work on with the violent section of his colleagues was, to cheuge the confidence of the nation into distrust. Lamartine fell at once from hia lofty eminence to a state of comparative neglect and 'contempt. And here it must be said in passing,

that this change, so far from reflecting discredit on the French people, in reality attested their discernment and their fixed preference for "la Republique honnete" over "la Republique sociale." It was no idle caprice, .it was'a dread of the reck- less character of the "Montagne," which alienated their confideube from Lamar- tine.

Next came the canvass for the Presidency ; and the " epieier " naturally looked for some other man in antithesis with Le'dra-Rollin. The man presented himself

in the person of Louis Napoleon. In the absence of more cominanding'claims to popular favour, his name, and connexion with one' whese memory still remained associated with natioual glory, operated powerfully in the provinces. General Cavaignac, deservedly esteemed though he was for his personal qualities, had- the

double misfortune to be considered too closely allied with the extreme Repub- licans, and to have been compelled to impose a small additional tax., , The vehe- ment support he received from some newspapersef that colour, and, possibly, even

the favourable wishes expressed by the English, tended to confirm the prejudice indnstriously propagated by his adversaries,- which. no effortsof his partisans could dissipate. The choice of Louis Napoleon, then, may be said to have indicated be- fore all things a disposition to repudiate extreme Democracy, by naming some- body who should curb and disparage the violent demagogues of the Pruvisional Government.

Once installed, the country has, in the main, taken a steady course. The cid.' zens have cheerfully " turned oat" insall cases where the: reptiiSsion.of vicious demonstrations was needed; and, as far as. a stranger can discern, there seethe to be a reasonable prospect of France recovering gradually.from her state of disorder, under the present Government. It has rarely happened that a Cabinet has pos- sessed such claims to respect-and confidence, on the score of personal character, as

the one now in office; into which, indeed; the element: ofthe respectable" enters largely; and an unusual harmony subsistsiamomg them, forming a lively contrast with the acrimonious disputes of their precursors. As to talent, the leading member is unquestionably M.,Leon Faucher; Minister of the, Interior, whose inde- fatigable energy, severe discipline in his department, and ability in the tribune, render him the very keystone of the arch. Poor Odillon Barret brings little to the common stock except his private virtues, which lend-a certain weight to what he says; but he has a limited range of knowledge, and is only set going on rare oc- casions, where his peculiar style of oratory is found useful. -- The President is said to behave with discretion in the. Council, and, to conceive with tolerable fidelity the true sphere of his functions. I do not believe, that he cherishes the idea of becoming Emperor. He knows that there would be " three Richards in the field,' if the question arose who alibeld be Emperor; 'whilst as President be may fairly count upon a long spell of power. I went to •his grand ball on Wednesday last, at the Elysee Buarbou. It was an interesting spectacle.

The salons were inconveniently crowded and.hot, but the scene was .In illiant, and highly suggestive. Louis Napoleon morel' about the rooms, speaking to his guests occasionally, and a circle was opened for him wherever he approached; but the ladies did not rise from their seats, (as they ought to have done,) unless when addressed by the President. He has a certain quiet sedate bearing, which pro- duces the effect of dignity; and I am told he is by nc; means wantigg in that ap- preciation of " le convenable" which is so desirable to a man in his posithm.

The present Assembly is striving to prolong its existence by debating .futile propitiations, and by every small device within its power.' The electoral lama fiew- ever, is at length completed, and their days, Accordingly, are nuinlieridS PeoPle say that the next Assembly (which will consist of muds fewer Members) Will be far less Detnocratio than the.actual. one. A ceaservafwe tendency, in fact,

appears to have gained ground; resulting in great measure treM the it seee of inr security consequent on the recent disorders. Still, the fact t at onlybeq,egislas five Chamber is to exist, that the- suffrage is to be universal, and t every elector is eligible to sit in the Assembly, renders the basis of the constitution 'mien so palpably Democratic that little fear need arise of France becoming anything else than Democraticip the general complexion of her Government. I sat for several hours in the gallery or " tribune" in the Assembly appro- priated to strangers, last Tuesday.. There were several divisions taken, "par assis of love"; and many orators addressed the Assembly on the question of the eligibility of members to become Officials.' I'ini 'bound to say 'that the adtnal Chamber comported itself with quite as much decorum, and was.quite as reason- • able, as the. former Chamber was on those . ocCasions when I. witnessed its dies • cusaions. A large number of f‘ representans" were present---perhims .600g and very little discirder was observable. Their personal appearance, too, fully veiled that of the old Chamber, and by no means exhibited the attributes whieh -the English newspaper scribes have taken pains to fasten upon them.'' They were, on the average, neither dirty, shabby, nor-negligent in their dress; fews" aniart°' • men, it is true, but the majority equal to any ordinary.cluater of menet business, ' • in outward appearance. Perhaps M. Marrast, the ,President, was helper. the - average as to personal advantages; being of.an unplmaing aspect, of.iusignifleenti - stature, and grey-headed. Paris, in its external aspect, seems to be rapidly reassuming its wonted as= tivity and attractiveness. I was at the Opera lately, (the 'Academies, I mean); which was exceedingly fully attended. _I -hear other theatreelare recovering from their depression also: but j6 is lementable to learn-,bow :degraded-avast .of ,per- formances prevails in the minor theatres, where an iudisermimete.` omit mo-

queur" draws all subjects within its net. .

As to'the external policy of the Republic, one can praidt echrse. The actual Government would' faiuset their own house in order, before all; but the mischievous panders to national vanity keep -.cip a perpetual" drumming about' the true mission of Frenchmen, i.e. a crusade ali over Europe in behalf of revolting • subjects; and the unemployed artily Maybe, acted upon tna, way which it may . presently give the lovers of peace scene trouble to antagonize. France has a pro- digious seam of idle 'subjects, and idle' sidtjects are .always for going to war. • Time avillshow whether-prudenoe trill availin represiiing ihe long-cherished pas- sion in the French, for fighting. Their .best eitiaens discourage lift Lot us of

England upheld them in this and all muse welt..:. „sta.;