and strengthen her dominion. Or "We are happy to hear from the mouth of your Majesty, that the situation of our finances is becoming daily more satisfactory. "We will receive, Sire, with gratitude, the projects of law intended to introduce important ameliorations into the different branches of the Administration. Ameliorations are the work of time. In examining the propositions which will be presented to us, we will consult the lessons of experience. France has a right to be proud of her administrative organization. We will carefully attend to the preservation and improvement of that important portion of our public institutions. "Sire, in the accomplishment of that great and noble task imposed upon your Majesty, by the wish of the nation, Providence directed your steps. You may always rely on the loyal and faithful co-operation of the Chamber and country. Sire, your family belongs to France. Your sons prove it daily by their devotedness and their zeal to serve her. Your grandsons are the hope of future generations. The holy laws of the country have sealed the intimate union of your descendants and ours." The debate on this Address lasted for several days, but it presented so few features of interest, that we think it unnecessary to transfer to our pages, at any length, the speeches that were delivered, and shall merely notice one or two of the subjects introduced into the discussion. M. Charles Dupin admitted, that the situation of the country was satisfactory; the Ministry consolidated, and supported by considerable majorities; the country calm, and the foreign relations established on an amicable footing; but he thought that the Committee of the House had gone too far when it said that "it was happy to hear from the mouth of His Majesty that the situation of the finances was becoming daily more prosperous." Now, he would cite the Budget presented by the Minister of that department, to show that the security proclaimed in the Address was not altogether well founded, for the Minister himself positively stated that the amount of the deficit was yearly augmenting. It resulted from the returns submitted to the Chambers that the deficit, which in 1844 was 371,000,000f., had risen in 1845 to 396,000,000f., and in 1846 to 421,000,000f. This he knew was not alarming; but, nevertheless, called for a speedy remedy. He then referred to the financial posi The din of England had also omsiderin diminished, whilst that of From Tommener tower admirable expectam à la Corez I executed by the British arme along to oh the Chinese enten showet the water, a te ob I minions of England daily exenta PARTS A ing, at the same time te er I e hom expenditure diminished master the Ministry if they cout us of a similar results, even increase of the puble burtens M. Dubondage cominner of ca the silence of the Engerer respecting the questams nos pra te ses ca teresting to the coury aut closed, and the President read the reterrete Pa first paragraph of the Address. I which the Chamber congratulate the King on the prosperity and to har besarane tranquillity enjoyed by the county pale gro The Marquis de Boissy tema rose, and addressed some obse tions on the necessity of reform. year of which, he said, it behover their metre al cry Chamber of Peers to be the 4 initiative. One of the measures a mine an abus particularly recommended by him successor the 1. his family, he was unable to command respect for his authority. Frightful disorder followed the deposition of the Emir Bechir, when it was proposed to place Lebanon under the Turkish authority. France acquiesced, but insisted on its being merely temporary, having always in view the re-establishment of a purely Christian Administration. The Pashas had obtained and forwarded to Constantinople petitions from Lebanon, inviting the Sultan to appoint an Ottoman governor. France proved the falsehood of those petitions, and defeated the scheme. All the Turks who succeeded each other in the government of Lebanon had laboured to establish that system against which France had invariably protested. Chekib Effendi was then sent by the Divan to inquire into the real situation of Lebanon, and redress the grievances of the Christian sufferers. Chekib Effendi violated every promise he had made previous to his departure from Constantinople. On arriving at Beyrout, he proceeded to disarm the population of Lebanon, both Druse and Christian. That measure was executed with violence, particularly as respected the Christians. The Druses were, however, equally disarmed, and some of their chiefs arrested and transported to Constantinople. The French grievances were not redressed by Chekib Effendi. The chief who had presided at the murder of Father Charles had been tried and acquitted. The trial had been conducted with all possible solemnity. Witnesses were examined, and the sentence had the appearance of impartiality and sincerity. All the forms had been observed, and France had right to demand the head of the guilty man. But the other grievances of France having been overlooked, the French Ambassador addressed an ultimatum to the Porte, in which he insisted on their being immediately redressed, on the payment of an indemnity to the convents and French citizens who had been despoiled by the Turks, and on the instant repeal of the measure of Chekib Effendi which enjoined all foreign residents to quit Lebanon and repair to Beyrout; threatening, in case his demand were not acceded to, to suspend all diplomatic intercourse with the Porte. That ul timatum was accepted, and every satisfaction granted. M. Guizot next referred to the arrest of a French dragoman, whose liberation, vainly demanded by the French Consul, was obtained by the interference of the captain of the Belle Poule frigate, who landed a party of his men to rescue him by force. This act constituted a violation of territory. Nevertheless, the conduct of the consul and captain was approved, but they were recommended at the same time not to resort in future to armed demonstrations. M. Guizot declared, in conclusion, that during the last five years had availed himself of every oppor tunity to claim the restoration of a Christian Administration for the entire of Lebanon; that the opinion of France in that respect had gained ground since 1842; that Austria had completely adhered to it, and that others might ere long be expected to advocate the same principle. he The debate on the Address in the Chamber of Peers terminated on the 16th of January, when it was carried by the large majority of 120 to 23. secured the amicable relations of the two States. Your Majesty announces to us that the convention recently concluded for the purpose of putting an end to an odious traffic is this mo ment being executed. Thus are being realized the wishes constantly expressed by the Chamber, the rights of humanity shall be efficaciously protected, and our commerce shall be replaced under the exclusive care of our flag. "We trust that France and England, by a common action, the object of which is to stop the effusion of blood, and to establish safe and regular commercial relations, will at length produce peace on the banks of the Plata. France, faithful to the engagements which she contracts, has a right to invoke the sanctity of treaties. She recalls to the recollection of Europe the solemn guarantees stipulated in favour of a generous nation. "We deplore with your Majesty the events which have disturbed our African possessions, and we partake the sentiments with which the heroism of our troops inspires your Majesty. France follows them in their perils with solicitude and gratitude. She applauds the prompt measures adopted by your Majesty to preserve in Algeria her force and domination. Nothing shall exhaust our perseverance, nor our generous efforts to establish prosperous security in that land, which your Majesty proclaims to be French territory. "Sire, your wisdom and your courage have accomplished for us, in the midst of our most severe trials, the noble mission confided to you by the national will. Our duty is to lend our loyal assistance to establish with you on imperishable bases the Government and the dynasty of our choice. Providence has blessed our efforts. It has afforded us consolations which are our guarantees for the future. Your grandchildren will follow the example of their fathersthose noble princes who, wherever they have appeared, have worthily supported the name of France. Sire, your wishes have been accomplished, you have for ever acquired the affection of the country, and every day renders more indissoluble the intimate union between your family and the nation." The debate on this Address in the Chamber of Deputies did not commence until the 19th of January, and was of a more animated and interesting character than that which took place in the Chamber of Peers. discussion was opened by The M. Corne, who said that he could not share the sentiment of quietude and satisfaction expressed by the Cabinet in the speech from the throne, and confirmed by the committee in the address. He had only to refer to the situation of Algeria to show how little that confidence was founded, when, after a campaign glorious for the arms of France, a frightful massacre occurred, and Abd-el-Kader was again in arms, more formidable than ever, in the heart of her African possessions. The Ministry had also badly chosen the moment of extolling its policy, in presence of the disastrous results of the treaty with Morocco. If he reverted to internal affairs, he could discover no evidence of their boasted prosperity. The country was burdened with a budget double in amount to what it was under the restoration, and, during the |