The terrible panic of last week on the Bourse was
caused by a rumour that the Emperor had suddenly shown symptoms of softening of the brain, and was incapable of giving orders. The rt repo was a pure invention; but there were two noticeable facts about it,—the Parisians accepted it in a moment as a most pro- bable event, and the bourgeoisie submitted at once to a loss of from three to thirty per cent, on its Securities. The stampede 'described in the Times was a rush of bond fide holders, eager to get cash at any sacrifice, rather than risk what might follow the confirmation of the news. A more striking example of the sense -of insecurity reigning in Paris it would be difficult to conceive. Teople there, we verily believe, think the Emperor's death would -cause the very stones in the streets to fall in price, and are ready to sell anything on the first alarm at any price, if only they can get gold,
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