We have elsewhere discussed the meaning of the Emperor's letter,
which seems to us illusory, but it was followed by the resignation of the Ministry. M. Rouher's dismissal is definitive ; M. de Lavalette retires from the Foreign Office ; and it is not doubted that M. Forcade de la Roquette will surrender the portfolio of the Interior. These are the great civil offices of France ; the remaining members of the Cabinet, the Minister of War excepted, being of much less importance. Marshal Niel, of course, remains ; but no one appears to have even a guess as to his future colleagues. Rumour points to Prince Jerome as Premier, but the Emperor may not desire to give his cousin such a chance, and all manner of obscure personages are by turns assumed to enjoy his favour. M. de Valdrome, M. de Parieu, M. Buffet, and M. Segris are all credited with ministries, but up to Friday afternoon only two statements seemed even tolerably certain. One is, that either the Prince de la Tour d'Auvergne or M. Drouyn de Lhuys will be Foreign Minister ; and the other is that M. 011ivier will have nothing to do with the combination. The number of men from whom Napoleon has to choose is not large, the Empire stifling political genius, and not one of those named can be a substitute for M. Rouher.
