POSTSCRIPT
SATURDAY NIGHT.
The Paris papers of Thursday are filled with the report of the Com- mittee on the fortifications of Paris, which was presented by M. Thiers to the Chamber of Deputies on Wednesday. The report itself occupies eleven columns of the Moniteur. It does not appear to have produced much effect on the French press. The details were coldly received by the Chamber ; and the Paris letters report that the project begins to lose its interest with the people, now that it has been fully developed. The total expense of the works M. Thiers estimates at 133 millions of francs ; (5,320,0001.;) but this estimation is well known to be consi- derably under the mark. The Morning Post, in a summary of the news received from its correspondent, says- " It is by no means improbable that the senseless affair may fall to the ground by some sidewind, in despite of the exertions of the War party. At all events, the Government has had decidedly the best of the report for the original majority. The Committee was decidedly opposed to the moderate views of the Ministry. One material point gained by the latter is, that no limit is fixed for the completion of the works; so that the scheme, as an im- mediate menace to Europe, falls to the ground. It is indeed said that M. Thiers intends to show more fight in the discussion; but this will be mere words, for the essential features of the report have been drawn up unanimously as between the Opposition and Government. The Debate praises M. Thiers's report highly; a proof that it cannot be very acceptable to the Liberals. The Siecte, indeed, intimates that the Left or Odillon Barret party is to demand from the Govern- ment some positive engagements as to the execution of the works ; but the Siècle puts this forward feebly, insinuating that any plan ought to be accepted rather than none. The Royalist prints still regard the whole scheme as a mere pretext to turn detached forts against Paris ; and in this view they. are joined by the Bonapartist press. Taking the opinions of the Parisian prints gene- rally, it would appear as if the debate is not likely to turn out so decisive as was expected. Indeed, as a cheval de bataille against the existing Government, it seems to be abandoned, although it is difficult to predict with any certainty what may come out of the tortuous course of French Parliamentary tactics ; and we are quite prepared for any unnatural coalitions, to answer a mone- tary intrigue, or a petty or party spite. Still we have reason to rejoice, that up to this moment the Soult-Guizot Cabinet stands firm in its position on this question, and that it is M. Thiers and the War party which have given way on two important points."
The Droit announces that a fresh arrest, connected with the attempt of Darmes, was made on Wednesday, in Rue Montorgueil.
The weather had become positively mild in Paris. The thermometer stood on Thursday at 49 degrees Fahrenheit, being 35 degrees higher than on that day sennight. It appears that the waters of the Seine had risen upwards of nine feet since the thaw set in.
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