The immensely protracted debate on the new electoral law, in
the French Assembly, has had no effect in modifying the measure, but some in altering the relations of parties. Vinisters and their allies have taken a position of open defiance, and they dare the Opposition to a trial of strength. The purpose of this provocative conduct is not easy to be guessed, especially in M. Thiers. If we are not mistaken, he professes to make no secret of his conviction that the Republic must continue, no chance remaining for any other regime in France. Yet his whole conduct tends to throw the Republic into anarchy and to further the views of the Legi- timists. Perhaps he will not risk his repute, or his contingent chances on any other side, by prophesying a Restoration ; and yet he may not repine if a restoration should happen, and should find -him disinterestedly, sagaciously, and happily disposed to serve it —and be served by it. The attempt of a mad sergeant to shoot the King of Prussia has left his Majesty with a wound in the arm, that evidently creates more uneasiness than courtiers think it expedient to avow. We have daily assurance that there is "no fever,"—as if every- body were looking for fever ; and surely enough, it does come out that there has been that symptom, with an ugly fook in the wound itself.
The Greek controversy is half forgotten already. There are intimations, indeed, that Lord Palmerston has given:in—has offered to France " the alternative " of abiding by the London convention, in lieu of Mr. Wyse's ; precisely what he should have done before the last act of our discussions with France took the shape of an open misunderstanding. From the other side of the Atlantic we learn that a new Anglo- American expedition has been fitted out against Cuba; the ren- dezvous being secret, but beyond the frontiers of the States, and therefore beyond the limit of the Washington authorities. To brave their own Government cannot be a crime to citizens who have no scruple in braving their own consciences. Lord Elgin has come out with great spirit against Annexation,— the Annexationists having abandoned that scheme in favour of Colo- nial Federation. The hero blusters when the enemy has departed.
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