The most conspicuous fact in France during the past week
has been the controversy going on in the Press between M. Jourdain on the one side and M. Peyrat on the other, in sequel to a more embittered controversy between M. About and the Ultramontane party. M. Peyrat, like M. Miohel Chevalier, labours effectually to show that England menaces no country by maintaining her marine efficiency, and that she is animated by no desire of hos- tility to France. M. Jourdain has virtually abandoned the position which he had hazardously taken up. The controversy has been cited to show that the French Government is not indis- posed to fan the flame of discord between France and England, but in fact no such conclusion can be drawn from the data ; for it is evident that if MM. Jourdain, Veuillot, and others have licence to attack England, or any persons who do not stand with their neck under the Papal feet, MM. Peyrat, About, and Michel Chevalier have equal licence to beat them.
