7 MARCH 1874, Page 2

The Reaction has again been defeated at the polls in

France. In Vienne, which was supposed to he entirely Conservative, the electors have obeyed the hint in M. Thiers' letter, and have sent up the moderate Republican, M. le Petit, by 30,890 to 26,65() votes. In the Vaucluse, again, M. Ledru Rollin is returned by 16,363 votes against 14,757. The latter return is a mistake, as M. Ledru Rollin, despite his age and wealth, is supposed to be a. Revolutionist, and it has given rise to the usual foolish talk about a. coup d'etat to be accomplished against the Assembly. As, however,. no one canstrike the coup except Marshal MacMahon, and he dis- likes the sterile round of Revolution, it does not seem clear that anything will happen except the addition of two Radicals to the Left. The elections seem, however, to have impressed the Marshal, who has at last ordered all photographs of the Comte de Chambord to be suppressed, a ludicrous step, but one which: dissociates the Cabinet from the Legitimist cause. It is very- hard upon the Due de Broglie, who must be wild for a retort, but unfortunately you cannot suppress the portrait of the Republic. It is like trying to assassinate a thought.