The French Government has already enjoyed one important victory and
suffered one serious defeat. On Tuesday, M. Maujan, a Radical Deputy, proposed Revision, and demanded urgency, which • was approved by 25 Extremists, 38 Bon- langists, and 51 Reactionaries, most of the latter voting reluctantly to fulfil their pledges. The motion was cone-
quently defeated by 342 (among whom were 24 Reactionaries) to 114. On Thursday, however, on a proposal to declare match- making free, and so abolish the match monopoly, which yields £680,000 a year and is expiring, M. Jules Roche recommended that the monopoly continue, but be managed directly at a Government factory. M. Bouvier accepted this compromise, which was, however, rejected by 312 to 236, and then freedom of match-producing was voted by 292 to 232. M. Bouvier threatened to resign, but did not, it being understood that the Chamber acted in obedience to poor electors, who are savage at the dearness as well as the badness of the monopoly matches. There is talk of an Excise, but unless the State can tax the chemicals used, which would imperil other industries, an Excise would cost more than it is worth. A stamp may be 'demanded for each box, but the tone of the Chamber does not suggest that it will like new taxation.
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