25 DECEMBER 1869, Page 2

The " Ministerial crisis," as it is called in France,

still con- tinues. According to the latest reports, the Emperor thinks he can

manage affairs without dismissing M. da Forcade la Roquette, sad has directed him to farm a Ministry as soon as the elections are verified. The majority, display stroll; symptoms of reac- tionary feeling, and M. Emile 011ivier is described as almost hope- less. The truth seems to be that the Emperor, thoagh not yet quite reassured, begins to think he exaggerated the danger, and may still retain power in his own hands. That he will do so if he can is certain, all the more so because the vacillation, servility, and want of coherence in the Chamber have greatly increased his original distaste for Parliamentary government. The Opposition after weeks of gossip has not been able even to embody itself into a party, and does not resent the undisguised threats of the Minister of the Interior. Note, nevertheless, that in the midst of all these failures the Chamber has recovered liberty of speech, attacks directed against the Emperor himself calling down only a rebuke.