NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE French Government has finally decided that the Septennat shall not be considered an interregnum, but a substantive Government, established for a period of years. M. Dupeyre, Minister of Justice, has accordingly addressed to the Procurears- Gdneraux of the Departments a circular statingthat the Assembly's resolution must be regarded as irrevocable, that the power con- ferred on the Marshal cannot be contested, even during the dis- cussion on the constitutional laws, that any attack on it consti- tutes a violation of the law. Any journals attacking it are there- fore to be handed up for punishment. This circular is regarded by the Legitimists as a coup d'etat in favour of the Septennat, and they threaten to vote against Government in a body. It has, however, pleased the Centres, which are much more important, and but for one fact would restore complete order and security. That fact is that ever since 1802 every head of the executive power in France has been appointed either for a term or for life, and except Louis XVIII. no one has run out his legal period. Napoleon was imprisoned, Charles X. was banished, Louis Philippe ran away, Napoleon III. made himself Emperor before his Presidency expired, and abdicated before his term of Empire had run out, and Marshal MacMahon will probably resign, unable to work with a Liberal Assembly. The latest rumour is that the Duc Decazes has been asked to succeed the Duke de Broglie, but has declined, and the latter, therefore, is still Premier.
