M. de Freycinet has fallen. It was understood on Saturday
that a compromise had been devised, but M. Constans (Minister of the Interior), General Farre (Minister of War), and M. Cazot (Minister of justice), acting, it is believed, on M. Gam- betta's advice, insisted that the decrees against the unauthorised Orders should be carried out, and resigned. M. de Freycinet thereupon sent in his resignation on Sunday, and M. Jules Ferry was appointed to succeed him. After considerable delay, caused, it is asserted, by the reluctance of leading politicians to take the Foreign Office while M. Gambetta's influence makes the Minis- ters so subordinate; a new Cabinet was formed. M. Jules Ferry is Premier and Minister of Public Instruction ; General Terre retains the Portfolio of War ; M. Constans is still Minis- ter of the Interior ; and M. Barthelemy St. Hilaire, a very old
politician, trained by M. Thiers, accepts the Foreign Office. The event has caused much excitement everywhere, except in France, where Ministers come and go like shadows, substantial power remaining always with M. Gambetta and M. Grevy.
