The general discussion on the project for the new-modelling of
the French Peerage closed on Friday last week, after an eloquent speech of the minister, M. PERRIER, in which he very plainly in- cheated his leaning towards the hereditary principle in the com- position of the Upper House. On Monday, the debate on the amendments commenced. Of these there are no fewer than twenty-six : the grand amendment, that of M. ENOUF, which went to continue a hereditary chamber, was first brought to the vote, and decided in the negative, by a most overwhelming majo- rity—the numbers being, for the amendment SG, against it 324. This decision, though not against the Ministerial project, is opposed to their declared wishes (for, like Sir ROBERT PEEL on the Catho lie question, they have declared it a duty to change their conduct though their sentiments remain unchanged), is attributed in no small degree to the news which had just reached Paris, of the decision of the English House of Lords against the Government and the People. Should the latter ultimately fall under the storm which they have raised, they will have the comfort, such as it is, that they have tumbled down the French Chamber before them.
The French journals supply some interesting comments on the conduct of the English House. The two Ultra journals, the Quotidienne and the Gazette de France, chuckle over the failure of the Reform Bill, and prognosticate a speedy return of the Duke of WELLINGTON to power, and the adoption of a safer and more reasonable measure than that of his opponents. The Temps thinks, with more show of probability, that if the Tories return to power, they will seek by a foreign war to turn away the minds of the pub- lic from all reform. The Journal des Minas and the Messager, both moderate papers, and leaning to the Aristocracy rather than the Democracy, look on the Lords decision as a declaration of war against public opinim. The Journal doubts whether our Ministers will have courage to create seventy or eighty Peers ; but asks, if they do not, what will happen ?
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