NEWS OF THE WEEK.
Il4X-MARSHAL BAZAINE escaped from the Isle de St. r Marguerite on the 9th inst. According to semi-official statements, he got down a knotted rope, hung over the face of the cliff, to a boat prepared by his wife and a Mexican kinsman. They rowed him to a steamer, which landed him on the Italian coast, whence he proceeded either to Belgium or to Switzerland. It is more probable that his gaolers were seduced, either by bribes or promises, and that M. Bazaine went away without any particular trouble, the authorities in Paris thinking that he would make no attempt to fly. Opinion in Paris accuses Marshal MacMahon of complicity, and no doubt the choice of time, just after the rising of the Assembly, looks a little odd, but the President has no particular reason to favour Bazaine. Nor do we believe that the Bonapartist/ were much interested in his escape, as they have Generals enough without selecting the most detested man in France. It is much more probable that the ex-Marshal was tired of confinement, and having given no parole, thought he might as well be at liberty in Italy or Spain. The story that he has been offered a command in the Spanish Army has this in its favour,—that he served with credit in Spain, speaks Spanish, and married a Mexican wife ; but he is much more likely to live quietly. An oldish man, who has grown fat, who has plenty of money, and who is under a deep cloud, is not very likely to want to recommence a soldier's life. If he does, Spain is his field ; but there is no proof that he does.
