Disturbances in various parts of France, occasioned by the high
price of bread, are reported in the Paris newspapers. At Mans, tranquillity has been restored; and grain has been removed without resistance from the people, who are kept down by a military force. In the streets cannon is planted, under cover of which the waggons laden with corn are driven off. At Lille, riots continued for two days, and were suppressed by soldiers. At Bellesme, in the arron- dissement of Montagne, Department of Orne, the populace rose to prevent the departure of the waggons. About 600 men. women, and children, formed a barricade in the streets ; the men, Guards refused to act; and the Sub-Prefect, with two brigades of Gendarmerie, destroyed the barricades after an obstinate resist- ance, in the course of which one of the Gendarmes was severely wounded. The rioters erected the barricades again, and they were again destroyed. A body of regular troops had been ordered to Bellesme.
Alluding to these riots, the Paris Commerce says— "Disturbances without any real danger, but which have a moral significa- tion, break out simultaneously in various parts of France. It is a melancholy thing to state, that for the last nine years it is thus we live. For nine years we proceed from disorders to disorders ; the causes only change, but the effects remain the same. Now it is the turn of ignorant and misled populations, who wish to prevent the free circulation of corn, and who aim a serious blow at the freedom of commerce, an attempt the infallible cud of which must be to op- pose the desired end."
With respect to the actual produce of the harvest in France, there are contradictory statements ; but the general impression seems to be, that though not abundant, the crops are equal to an average. There is always at this time of the year a demand for seed, and prices consequently advance. In this way some account for the apparent scarcity ; but on the other hand, it is remarked that the price of bread is higher than is usual at this period, and deficiency in quantity must be inferred. In Paris and other large towns, a demand for the free importation of foreign grain has been raised; but the landowners declare that, even with the present prices, capital invested in agriculture yields only a middling re- turn. The Courrier Francais ascribes the disturbances to the "misery of the people," occasioned by the dearness of provisions and the stagnation of commerce. That journal derides the idea of curing the popular distress by circular letters to Prefects; and. calls for reductions of duties on foreign cattle as well as on grain, anti for commercial treaties on the most liberal terms with England, Germany, Belgium, and Spain.
Extraordinary precautions are taken to protect the King from fresh attack. he is about to remove from St. Cloud to Fontaine- bleau; and a battalion of the Fourth Regiment of the Line has been sent from Paris specially charged to guard the Palace. Loris PHILIPPE was expected in Paris at a review on Sunday last; and. along the road from St. Cloud, 200 horsa anti foot, Municipal Guards, were stationed : but he countermanded the review, entire- mained at St. Cloud.
