Bouvier, the French Premier, is showing more ability and character
than were attributed to him at the time he formed his Government. In a speech made on Thursday at a dinner given by the toymakers and jewellers, he dwelt with pride on his parentage,—he is the son of a grocer,—and on the parentage of his colleague, M. Spuller, who is the son of an artisan. He then went on to insist that France desires a Liberal Government, not a Government that persecutes every one who is suspected of not holding Republican principles, and that none the less France de- sires to have Republican principles stoutly affirmed. His Govern- ment, he said, intended to resign if ever it should be retained in power by the votes of the Monarchical Party. He had hitherto had a majority of the Republicans on his side, and he should not hold office if a majority of the Republicans voted against him. But still he was for a large and tolerant policy. He should much prefer abolishing the octroi to disestablishing the Church, as the former measure would do a great deal more for the good of the people than the latter. His Government had dismissed the Mayors who went over with an address to a Pretender ; but they aim, nevertheless, at getting back the votes of all those Republicans who were alienated by a policy of persecution. It would be difficult to imagine a speech conceived in a more prudent and sagacious mood than M. Bouvier's.
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