NEWS OF THE WEEK.
" LE JOUR DE L'AN" is always a gay and bustling day in Paris. M. Bonaparte has this year added pomp and stateliness to its celebration, by decreeing a " Te Deum " in gratitude for the vote which has confirmed the victory of the Boulevards. Te Deems have been performed ere now for more bloody victories, earned by more equally and obstinately contested battles ; seldom for a more complete and unequivocal subversion of a people's liberties. Thisreflection, however, does not appear to have much troubled the Parisians ; who flocked to, enjoy the sacerdotal and 'military display with all their characteristic eagerness for shows,' amid the clatter of bells and the roar of cannon.
The surface gayety of the season at Paris appears to ha
even some grave Rnglishmen, who are watching with interest' e progress of affairs in France, to conclude that the revolution is over and tranquillity assured by the establishment of a strong go- vernment. This inference is far more than is warranted by the mood of so fickle and frivolous a populace as that of Paris, which in 1814 passed in the brief space of three days from fervent Bona- partism to equally fervent Bourbonism, and which continued to crowd the theatres in the worst times of the first Revolution. M. Bonaparte and his councillors are not deceived : the unrelaxed rigour of the state of siege in the departments, the continued gag- ging of the press, the dismissal of the most distinguished members of the Municipal Council of the Seine, the dissolution of the Cham- ber of Commerce at Havre, the suspenaion of academical professors both in the capital and the provinces, and the severe measures di- nonneed against all who shall give shelter to insurgents, show thit they are quite aware of the insecure tenure of their power, and all the difficulties that lie before them.
The gossip that circulates respecting the future policy of the new
regime does not deserve serious attention. Of so much the more con- sequence is it to note its actual sayings and doings. A report from the Minister of War, recommending an increase in the number of military divisions, and their more efficient organization, has been followed by the President's confirmatory decree. The report of the Minister of Finance, which has been followed by a. decree amalga- mating the departments of the customs and indirect taxes, une- quivocally recognizes the principle that duties are to be levied on imported goods for the protection of native industry as well as revenue. A still more recent decree restores the Imperial eagle to the colours of the army and•the cross of the Legion of Honour. France is to have a military government, and its illiberal com- mercial policy is to be perpetuated.
It would perhaps be attributing 'too much weight to unauthen- ticated newspaper paragraphs, to augur anything respecting the foreign policy of M. Bonaparte's Government from the current statements respecting its interference with the domestic measures of the Canton of Bile, or the demands from the Belgian Govern- ment of which M. de Persigny is said to be the bearer; but it is certain that grave apprehensions on this score pervade Belgium, Prussia, Switzerland, and Sardinia, arising from the alliance be- tween M. Bonaparte and the Montalembert Ultramontane party. Every one of the countries enumerated has for years been troubled by the pretensions and intrigues of a Priest party, which in Bel- gturn particularly has displayed increased confidence and activity since the event of the 2d December.
The uneasiness which pervades the Continental states bordering on France is not without an echo in this country. The decidedly military character of the new government there, and the ambition of dictating to other states which still (slings to many of the French politicians, induce a misgiving that any pretext for interference may be laid hold of, to divert the attention of the French people from despotic encroachments on their liberties at home, by
the éclat of victories abroad. It is feared that a storm endanger- ing the peace of Europe may be gathering in France, ready to -burst at any time. This is no ground for unreasoning panic, which often attracts the very danger it dreads, but it is aground for prudent precautions and watchfulness.
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