Paris is held in suspense by what is supposed to
be a Govern- ment crisis. Supposed, we say, because the nature of the affair is not positively known ; something sinister is only conjectured from the peculiar combination of characters at head-quarters. President Bonaparte's letter announcing the dismissal of Minis- ters has received further light from the programme of the new Ministers ; though that programme is in itself unintelligible. It was said that the President had dismissed M. Dufaure and his colleagues for truckling too much to the Conservative majority in the Assembly : it now comes out that the present Ministers are more closely. to follow the policy of the majority. They profess to do that 111 order to form by combination "a party to save France." In other respects they echo the President's programme, and that is—" the name of Napoleon."
Meanwhile, whatever the project on foot, they set about it cau- tiously and slowly. They have secured the adhesion of Count Mole and M. Thiers, leaders of the Conservatives, and of Gene- ral Changarnier, the military commander of Paris. The swearing-in of the Magistrates afforded an opportunity to test the safety of the proceedings thus far. President Bonaparte went to the ceremony in state, on horseback : it was observed that lie was surrounded by a much stronger escort than usual ; yet his mien, his care to take off his hat and make himself conspicuous, showed that personal timidity had no share in these precautions. They were probably intended to guard against a surprise which might result in his being taken prisoner, or to back the influence of his presence in putting down any riot. None was attempted. Louis Napoleon was not yet unpopular ; but the feeling in his favour was manifestly cooled ; and the public await the pro- gress of the drama with an ominous indifference.
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