6 FEBRUARY 1841, Page 2

The worn-out subject of the fortifications of Paris was concluded

in the Chamber of Deputies on Monday, when the bill was carried by 237 votes to 162. The discussions on the measure were distin- guished by vehement prejudgments and gross inconsistencies to the last. Officers of Government laboured to prove the cost- liness of the scheme which their colleagues had bargained to support ; M. GUIZOT, the philosophical historian, supported the measure for its "moral effect beyond the frontier"; Marshal Scutum roundly told the House on Saturday that they were not too nicely to scan his former opinions on the subject, nor what still might be his private opinion ; and one of the Ministers, it is reported, threatened to retire, on account of the success of a bill which has been adopted as a Government measure. In spite of every ab- surdity, however, on the part of its promoters, the bill has passed, with one important modification : Paris is not to be placed under martial law without a special legal enactment for the purpose. This may help to spoil one of the kingly purposes of the fortifica- tions, for at least it puts impediments in the way of turning French cannon against the French capital.

Various rumours are afloat respecting changes in the Ministry. One is to the effect that the King is fully reconciled to M. TRIERS; and that M. GtilZOTt who has been used to procure from the Legis- lature the measure which M. TRIERS could not carry, will be ousted to make room for his rival. This is still, however, mere rumour—and not very true looking.