The speech delivered by the King of the French on
opening his Chambers for the session, considered as a programme of Minis- terial "measures," is almost a blank ; as an index of general policy, and still more of feeling towards other countries, it is pregnant with meaning. It speaks of peace as profound. At first, the vast display of military force to guard the King's passage to the Cham- bers appears a strange commentary on the talk of peace ; but in fact it has less to do with any actual dissension in France than with those monstrous and insane flights of murderous ambition which seem to be morbid forms of political and military enthu- siasm in France, of puerile individual vanity in England,—for we DMA not forget the OXFORDS and BEANS in thinking of the FIESCHIS and ALIBAUDS. Spain is alluded to with solicitude, but with an ingenuous-looking assurance of a thorough understanding with England on the subject. Greece is mentioned hopefully. Algeria "
will soon" be universally subdued to French rule. Railroads and " secondary education" are to be pushed ; and the recent attempt of the clergy to assert a paramount authority over univer- sity education in France, is to be effectually quashed. The coun- try flourishes. So says the speech. Its most striking characte- ristic, which is also that of the occasion on which it is delivered, is the absence of any absorbing political or warlike excitement. France is quiet, and disposed to be friends with all the world.
