NEWS OF TIIE WEEK.
THE Emperor of the French opened the Session. on Tuesday in a long and exhaustive speech, the general object of which was peaceful. He announced that Italy had become a great State, and had carried her capital to the Apennines as to an impregnable fortress, and in the act had reconciled herself with Rome ; that Mexico was becoming peaceable, and its resources being de- veloped ; that in Japan the navy had given a new proof of its prowess; than an insurrection in Algeria caused by religious fanaticism had been suppressed without needless severity ; that all foreign expeditions were drawing to an end ; that the priests must be respectfully treated, but must obey the civil Law ; and that "in a country of universal suffrage every one ought to be able to read and write." His Majesty furthermore promised bills to "leave greater liberty to commercial associations," to abolish obstacles to the creation of "societies destined to ameliorate the condition of the working classes," to leave to communes the management of their own affairs, and to increase the power of the Departmental Councils. He intended to push on—though without a loan—internal commu- nications, to abolish the Navigation Laws, to persist in the policy of free trade, which has raised the' trade of France from 110,000,0001. to 280,000,0001., to soften preventive arrest by allowing bail, to abolish imprisonment for debt, and to maintain the " bases of the Constitution," i. e., his own power. " I shall be Caesar, but Caesar intelligent and civilized "—that is the Emperor's programme.
