Paris appears to have been nearly cured of the Boulangist
fever. The leaders of the party believed, or perhaps only hoped, that, although defeated in the General Election, they would carry the Municipality of Paris, and thus obtain a stronghold from which they could threaten the Government and influence the country. The municipal elections, however, came off on Sunday, and the indications are that the party is totally defeated. Only one Bonlangist Councillor was finally elected and it is calculated that in the second ballot only three more will be returned. Paris, however, is by no means contented. The Republicans muster nearly three to one of the Conservatives, but a large majority of them are of much redder hue than the Republicans of the Chamber. This is due in part to the Socialist and Communist leanings of the workmen, but in part also to that general discontent with the Government which now manifests itself in every capital of Europe except London. One thing appears to be proved by the tone of the body of citizens in those cities. They are not attracted by their Parliaments any more than by their Kings, their anger being roused by all depositaries of power, whether elective or self-existent. They would apparently, if they were self-governing Communes, hate their own Councils,—not a good omen for the future of urban civilisation.
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