25 APRIL 1868, Page 3

There are, however, many, and amongst them not a few

of the 'shrewdest and best-informed people in France, who think it quite -as probable that the oration may prove a stirring appeal to war passions as an attempt to apply a sedative to war fears. The lan- guage of officers in close proximity to the Emperor is so distinctly -warlike, that it is no wonder people cannot bring themselves to -confide in the honeyed words of mere civilian ciphers. It is known that Marshal Niel insists on the necessity for recovering the Imperial prestige by feats of arms, and he is pushing the arma- ments with such extraordinary vigour, that positively the medical -stores are already prepared for an immediate entry into the field. The whole military surrounding of the Emperor is notoriously -urging him to war,—and especially the individuals he is most -disposed to pay attention to,—as, for example, Marshal Niel and -General Frossard. Is that not enough, without the horrible packing of military medicine-chests, to keep the Bourse in con- firmed dejection ?