Paris has been occupied this week by a letter from
M. Hen, the editor of the Soleil, and the usual mouthpiece of Orleanist decisions. The Legitimists have resolved to hold a grand political banquet, at the residence of the Comte do Chambord, • on September 29th, in honour of themselves, their principles, and Henri Chic'. M. Herv6, however, being invited, has de- clined to attend, upon the ground that there is no precise and formal accord between him and the Legitimists, which might be a basis of political action. At first, this letter was believed to be a manifesto from the Orleans family, and it was loudly announced that the Fusion had come to an end, and even now, though M. Herve declares that he wrote on his own behalf, and not on that of his party, it is felt that he would not have written it without feeling sure of his chiefs' approval. The Legitimists, therefore, as well as the Bonapartists, have this year sustained a great blow ; the Orleanist party, though power- less on the hustings, having much hold over men who would make efficient Ministers. The secession of such men to the Republic distinctly strengthens, not indeed the Republic itself, but its administration.
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