The French Premier delivered on Sunday last rather an important
speech at Treguier, in Brittany, where he had been unveiling a statue of Renan. The honour paid to the free- thinker of course annoyed the Roman Catholic Bretons, and it was necessary to call out troops to protect M. Combes ; but he spoke with even more than his usual force. He declared that France had never been so completely surrounded by sympathetic Powers , alluded to the visits of Kings, past and prospective, as proofs of the respect felt for her power; and declared that the Nationalists must fear being made ridicu- lous, because Providence was lavishing its favours on a free- thinking Republic. A " service of reparation " was going on in the Cathedral as he spoke, and it is difficult to believe that the ceremonial and the speech were not received by the Bretons as insults. It is alleged, however, that the State schools arc having their influence in Brittany, and that the " fanaticism " of her people is visibly diminishing. We suppose the truth is that as the French language spreads in the province French ideas spread with it; but one can hardly think of an average Breton as a friend of M. Combes.
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