A certain force to the pacific assurances of the Emperor
Na- poleon abroad, and to the appeal which he has made to national feeling at home, is imparted by the decree announcing, not only that the army Will be reduced to a peace footing, but that more- over furloughs have been granted in very numerous exceptional cases, where the soldier's family needs his presence. It may rea- sonably be inferred from this proceeding that the Emperor Na- poleon is resolved to proceed in Italian affairs according to the ascertained opinion of official Europe at large, and on the other hand that he is conscious of deriving increased strength from the appeal which he has lately made to the confidence and good will of the French people.
Another eminent dissident has appeared amongst those who might have accepted the amnesty—Victor Hugo declines. He will return, he says, when France is actually free. We can re- call some patriots, French as well as English, who did not wait for the freedom of their country before they sought its shores ; and there is such a thing as pursuing patriotism even " under difficulties." But M. Victor Hugo exercises his free will.
Louis Blanc is at once more specific as to the reasons for his reserve in his own case, and more explicit in admitting that by many who are now severed from their countrymen, the amnesty should be welcomed with hearty and unqualified satisfaction.
