The French Chamber will, it is believed, though it is
not quite settled, meet on the 17th October, when the Ministry,. in order to leave the President free, will tender their resigna- tions. It is thought probable that M. Grevy, who looks forward with some apprehension to a Gambetta Government, and has as yet never made M. Gambetta an offer, will not accept it, but will insist on the Ministry meeting the new Chamber, and bearing the brunt of the first explanations, especially about Tunis affairs. In this event, as the "verification of powers" will take time, and there will be the usual squabbling over the elections, the Chamber will hardly be fairly at work before the second week in November. This is the semi-official account, but it is probable that means will be found for much more- rapid action. The campaign in Tunis must be begun before November ; money will be wanted, and a Government which may be overthrown in a week cannot manage a campaign which will engage a great army, and cost a million a month at least. French politicians are growing sensitive to the situation in North Africa, and some inquiry must be made into the incessant accusations of corruption among those who first urged the Tunis expedition. These accusations are very grave, and suggest that the Tunisian affair was " promoted " by a Ring such as originated the Egyptian Control, the object being, first, to raise Tunisian Bonds to par; secondly, to found. watering-places, with, perhaps, a gaming-table ; and thirdly, to obtain concessions for mines and railways. " Agiotage " is the worst feature in French politics just now.
