NEWS OF THE WEEK.
Lours PHILIP'S talents for cabinet-making are in frequent requi- sition. About once every six months a French Administration is broken up. That of TRIERS lasted half a year almost to a day : it was nicknamed the Ministry of the 22d of February, as its policy was undistinguishable, being neither Doctrinaire, Liberal, nor Legitimist. Its downfal was occasioned by the obstinacy of THIERS in demanding that his Royal master should fulfil the conditions of a treaty,—as if Louts PHILIP entered into any treaty with the intention of adhering to it an hour longer than suited his own purposes ! It seems to us a mere silliness in a French statesman to accept office under Louis PHILIP, with the notion that he is to have any influence on the policy of the Go- vernment—that he is to be any thing better than a tool in carry- ing into effect the measures for which he is constitutionally re- sponsible though neither their author nor adviser. THIERS, how- ever, exhibited a will of his own. France was under an engage- ment to interfere effectually for the suppression of the Carlist rebellion in Spain ; whereas, up to the present day, she has co- vertly aided the insurgents, and virtually acknowledged the au- thority of the rebel Don CARLOS by accepting his passports as valid. THIERS insisted that this treacherous system should be abandoned, and a body of French troops marched against the Carlists, sufficient to put down the insurrection. We doubt whe- ther under any circumstances Louts PHILIP would have acceded to a proposition calculated to restore peace to Spain. The power to crush lltill CARLOS is useful, as giving him a hold on the despotic Sovereigns of Europe, which he would lose were the Queen of Spain triumphant. But the recent changes in the Peninsula— the revolutionary mania which has attacked the soldiers—ren- dered the march of an army into Spain too hazardous a proceed- ing for the cautious and subtle King of the Barricades. There would be danger of the infectien spreading into the French ranks. Who could guarantee the fidelity of his array on their return from contact with men boasting of the facility with which they had established the political freedom of their fellow countrymen ? Of all people the French are most susceptible of impressions that might suddenly overthrow the Orleans dynasty, now deprived of the affection of the masses. Louts PHILIP, doubtless, is familiar with such reflections as these; and, rather than run the risk they suggest, would violate treaties and dismiss Ministers by the score.
We are not surprised, therefore, that the French King should reject the proposition of his Minister to march an army into Spain to support the Constitutional Queen; but we had scarcely ex- pected that the hitherto pliable THIERS would have stood upon his dignity—every thing like political principle having long ceased to operate upon his conduct. Perhaps he anticipates such support from the Chambers as to force himself back upon the King with greater power. This we do not expect: if there be any concession, it is not likely to be made by Lours PHILIP,— though it is rsore than probable that the Chambers will be trouble- some to manage.
In the mean while, there is considerable difficulty in putting a .new Administration together. Many are the consultations, and intrigues are incessant. Contradictory rumours have been the produce of each successive hour. It seems, however, all but con- cluded that the Ministry will be composed of the following persons.
Count MoLE President of the Council, and Minister of Foreign Affairs. Minister of the Interior. Minister of Finance. Count MONTALIVET M. DectIATEL
M. PELET JE Lozzac...Minister of Commerce.
Admiral DUPERRE Minister of Marine.
Marshal SOULT Minister of War.
M. MARTIN, du Nord Minister of Justice. M. GUIZOT Minister of Public Instruction.
The person who has had the charge of the negotiations, and by far the most important member of the Ministry, is the last on the list, with (in a political sense) the comparatively unimportant
office of Public Instruction, M. GUIZOT. Like our Lord CHAT. HAM, it is said that GUIZOT wishes to be the real Premier though occupying a submdinate place at the Council-board. It is more probable that GUIZOT, aware that the King is the real President of the Council, refuses to be a mere puppet, and prefers the un- molested exercise of substantial authority in a department with the conduct of which the King is not wont to interfere. - Until it is certain, however, in what manner the different places are ap- portioned, these conjectures as to motives must be vague. TII1ERS gives out that he is on the eve of departure for Italy. The utmost apathy on the subject of the Ministerial changes pre- vails in Paris.
