The scenes of daily occurrence in the French Chamber revive
the old doubt whether a popular Assembly can, under any circum- stances, govern France. The members appear entirely unable to restrain themselves. Whenever anything is said they dislike they roar, jump to their feet, rush at each other, and set their President, M. Grdvy, a very determined man, at defiance. On Thursday week he was wholly unable to obtain a hearing for M. Thiers upon the important question of the National Guard, and the Head of the Executive was so enraged that he offered his resignation. No rule appears to be stringent enough to check these ebullitions, which are fatal to discussion, and which spread among the public a dangerous longing to be done with a body so devoid of self- respect. It is noted by observers that in France, as everywhere, it is the Right, the party of extreme Tories, which sets the example of violent language, and that the Left contents itself with stinging epigrams. But then the Left is in a minority, and the minority in all countries benefits most by order. Besides, the Left has art orator, while the Right is usually driven to read its speeches, M. Buffet, who can speak well, classing himself, we imagine, in the Centre.
