There are all sorts of rumours about the future, the
Govern- ment putting out " feelers " to see how public opinion regards the various courses still open to it. Thus the Constitutionnel states that on the meeting of the Chambers the Government will ask for the vote of the direct taxes, before the elections have been con- firmed ; and that if the Chamber refuses this,—as of course it will, —the present Ministry will resign, and the Marshal will form an ad interim Ministry, headed by some General of no particular party. If this Cabinet does not succeed in getting a vote, it will resign, and the Marshal will then address a manifesto to the people, resigning the power entrusted to him, and promising to remain at his post till his successor is appointed. This " feeler " is not perhaps entitled to much weight. The Constitution of France does not empower the President to appeal directly to the people at all. The Orleanist organ, Le Soleil, advises concession to the will of the nation,—in fact, advises the Marshal to do as M. Gambetta told him he must do, and submit himself. And if the Orleanists themselves follow the advice of their organ,
the Senate will give a majority in favour of the nation, and the Marshal will have the loophole of escape he has always reserved for himself from the very silly and disgraceful contest in which he has embarked. But would it not then become necessary to pro- secute the Senate for insulting the Marshal, by giving him the same advice as that tendered to him by M. Gambetta, and for which M. Gambetta has been condemned ?
