21.-The Government of Versailles issue a circular to prefects declaring the news from all parts of France to be entirely reassuring. 26 Disorder is nowhere triumphant. In Paris the citizens are organising the suppression of the insurrection. At Versailles the National Assembly and the Government have collected an army of 45,000 trustworthy troops around them, and are masters of the situation to-day. The National Assembly yesterday held its first sitting, showing itself calm, united, and resolute. Jointly with the Executive power, it formed a committee upon the measures demanded by the circumstances.

A proclamation will be shortly published to the people. Lille, Lyons, Marseilles, and Bordeaux are tranquil. You may publish this news to the people. It is strictly true, for the Government which communicates it is a truthful Government. Let it be well understood that every Government agent who tries to make terms with disorder will be prosecuted, and will forfeit his position.-THIERS."

- The insurgent Journal Officiel demands that Paris shall not be separated from the provinces, nor the provinces from her. "Paris has been, is still, and must definitely remain the capital of France, the head and heart of the Democratic Republic one and indivisible. Paris has, therefore, an unquestionable right to proceed with the elections of the Communal Council, to govern herself as becomes every democratic city, and to protect herself, supported by the National Guards, composed of all citizens electing their own chiefs by universal suffrage. The Central Committee of the National Guard, in taking the necessary measures for the establishment of a Paris Communal Council and the elections of all the chiefs of the National Guards, has, therefore, taken very wise and most indispensable measures. It is now the duty of the electors and of the National Guard to support the decisions of the Government to assure the safety of France and the future of the Republic, in returning by their votes proved and devoted Republicans. To-morrow they will hold their fate in their own hands, and we are already convinced they will make a proper use of their rights. Let Paris deliver France and save the Republic. (Signed) THE DELEGATES OF THE 'OFFICIAL JOURNAL.'

22.-The Party of Order in Paris muster in large numbers and march to the Place Vendôme, where an interview is held with insurgent leaders, ending in the latter causing the National Guards to fire on the defenceless people. Ten were said to be killed. The Central Committee" officially explained this outrage as having its origin in an attack made upon the Guards after the Party of Order had been asked to retire.

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The Emperor William's 75th birthday celebrated at Berlin with unusual splendour, Count Bismarck, on the occasion, being created a Prince, and Count Moltke presented with the Order of the Iron Cross.

22.-M. Jules Favre reads in the Assembly a letter from Count Bismarck, complaining that the telegraph which the Germans want to use has been cut at Pantin, and requiring its restoration in twenty-four hours. Count Bismarck stated, moreover, that the condition of things in Paris offers scarcely any chance of the engagements entered into with Germany being kept, and that if the émeute be not put down forthwith Paris will be bombarded. M. Jules Favre said he had begged for time, in order that innocent people might not suffer, and had told General Fabrice that the émeute was a surprise, and that all France was faithful, but he gave it to be understood that if Paris did not submit he would concert with the Prussians in subduing it. The reading of the letter gave rise to great excite

24.-Commenting, in the Lords, on the Tien-tsin Massacre, Lord Carnarvon attributed the outbreak to ill-feeling against foreigners generally, countenanced and encouraged by the local authorities. Earl Granville admitted that the massacre was wholly unjustifiable, but pointed out that the conduct of the Catholic missionaries was apt to excite misapprehensions among a jealous and irritable people like the Chinese. There could be no doubt about the prejudice of the people against foreigners, but the moral he drew from that was the necessity of avoiding hostile language as far as possible, and of showing toleration for habits and customs handed down from generation to generation, which must necessarily take much time and patience to eradicate.

25.-Vice-Chancellor Stuart retires from the Court of Chancery. He was succeeded by Mr. Wickens.

26. Fire in a house in Pavilion Road, Chelsea, causing the death of Mrs. Winsor and four of her children.-At Blackburn, a few hours earlier, Mrs. Kilner and two assistant female confectioners were burnt to death.

- Paris elections take place, about 140,000 voting for the men on the lists of the Central Committee, and 60,000 for their opponents. Flourens, Blanqui, Félix Pyat, and Gambon, were among the elected. In abdicating its functions, to-day, the Committee advised the people to avoid those whom fortune has too greatly favoured, for it but seldom happens that he who possesses fortune is willing to look upon the working-man as a brother. "Seek men with

sincere convictions; men of the people, resolute and active, who are well known for their sense of justice and honesty. Give your preference to those who do not canvass for your suffrages; the only true merit is modesty; it is for the electors to know their men, not for the candidates themselves to come forward. We are convinced that you will take note of these observations, and you will at last have inaugurated a truly popular representation; you will thus have found representatives who will never consider themselves your masters. A few of the more active members of the "Central Committee" now formed themselves into a SubCommittee," ultimately the real body in which the power of the Communal Assembly centred.

At a meeting in the Mansion House the Lord Mayor announces that the Captain Relief Fund now amounted to 54,000/.

28.-The Commune proclaimed in Paris in front of the Hôtel de Ville. The members of the Communal Council assembled on a platform fronting the great entrance of Henry IV., over which was placed a bust representing the Republic, wearing a Cap of Liberty, ornamented with red ribbons and flags. Numerous speeches were delivered, but amidst the hum of the crowd of National Guards who filled the square they were not much heard. Salvoes of artillery were also fired from a battery on the quay. The Journal Officiel had previously announced that Paris, "federated with the Communes of France already enfranchised, ought in her own name and in the names of Lyons and Marseilles, and soon, perhaps, of the other large towns, to study the clauses of the contract which ought to bind them to the nation, and to lay down an ultimatum to the treaty which they intend to sign. The ultimatum ought to contain a guarantee for their autonomy and reconquered municipal sovereignty, should secure free play for the connection existing between the Commune; and the representatives of the national unity should impose upon the Assembly, if it accepts the treaty, the promulgation of an Electoral law by which the representatives of the town shall not for the future be absorbed, and, as it were, drowned by the representatives of the country districts.' Direct incitement was at the same time given to assassinate the Duke d'Aumale. "Society (writes Citizen Vaillant) has but one duty towards these Princes-Death! But one formality is required-the proof of identity.

The D'Orleans are in France; the Bonapartes desire to return. Let good citizens think of it." The red flag was now hoisted on all public buildings.

28. Declining the offer made to command the National Guard of the Commune, Garibaldi writes from Caprera :-"Choose a single trustworthy citizen-and you are not without them -Victor Hugo, Louis Blanc, Félix Pyat, as well as Edgar Quinet and the other veterans of radical democracy can serve you. Generals Cremer and Billot, who, I perceive, have your confidence, may count among the number. Remember well, however, that one single trustworthy man ought to be entrusted with the supreme position with full powers. This man will choose other honourable men to aid in the rough task of saving the country. And, if you have the good fortune to find a Washington, France will rise from her shipwreck in a little time greater than ever."

29.-Died, aged 52, Louise, Queen of Sweden.

The London School Board discuss a motion submitted by Professor Huxley for restricting Bible-reading in elementary schools to selections submitted to and approved by the Board. An amendment was proposed by the Rev. Prebendary Thorold directing the Committee on the Scheme of Education to select for approval a course of Bible readings, and giving instructions to the teachers to choose special passages as occasion might arise. The motion and also the amendment were rejected.

- Died, aged 74, Imam Schamyl, the active opponent of Russia in the Caucasus.

A

- The Royal Albert Hall of Arts and Sciences opened by the Queen, who was received, on entering, by the Prince of Wales as President of the Provisional Committee. Biblical Cantata, composed for the occasion by Sir M. Costa, was afterwards given with great effect. Eight thousand people were said to be within the building on this occasion.

30. Mr. Dilke's motion expressing regret that Government assented to a conference on the Black Sea question under the circumstances disclosed in Prince Gortschakoff's note, negatived, after debate, without a division.

The official organ of the Commune publishes a decree abolishing the conscription, and declaring that no central force, with the exception of the National Guard, can be created or introduced into Paris. All able-bodied citizens to form part of the National Guard. Another decree grants a general remission of rent to lodgers from October 1870 until April 1871. The amounts paid during those seven months will be reckoned on for the months to come. The sale of all articles deposited at the Mont de Piété is suspended. Another decree directs all officials in the public offices to regard from henceforth as null and void all orders or communications emanating from the Government

at Versailles. Every official not conforming to this decree will be immediately dismissed. Another of the many decrees now being issued almost hourly prohibited chaplains from celebrating mass in the prisons to which they were attached. The Gaulois afterwards mentioned that the Governor of one of the prisons, yielding to the importunities of a dying prisoner, made an exception, and gave a priest a pass thus worded: "These presents are to authorise the Governor to allow the visit to prisoner A- of the Citizen B- who says he is the servant of somebody called God [le nommé Dieu ]."

30. Tried at Kingston Assizes, before the Lord Chief Justice, the case of Goldschmidt v. the printer of Public Opinion, in which journal had been inserted a libellous paragraph from a New York paper, imputing wasteful extravagance and domestic infelicity to the plaintiff, the husband of Jenny Lind. Verdict for the plaintiff, damages 750l., the foreman of the jury adding that they felt that no amount of damages could compensate for so iniquitous a libel.

31.-The gates on the western side of Paris closed, in consequence, it was said, of the Assembly's troops mustering in great force at Neuilly and St. Cloud.

M. Félix Pyat, in the Vengeur, to-day, rejoices that Paris has not returned a single moderate, temperate, or conciliatory man to the Commune, and no old men, with the exception of himself and two others. He then banters the National Assembly in language unfit for translation, adding they dare not attack Paris, but they isolate it, starve it, and cut off its work and provisions; they annul the elections and empty the Bank and the Treasury; they arm the peasants, and call to their aid the Bretons of Trochu, the Vendeans of Charette, and the Chouans of Cathelineau to aid the Prussians. Citizen Pyat recommended a visit to Versailles.

April 1.-University Boat-race won by Cambridge by a length.

Engagement between the troops of Versailles and the Commune at Courbevoie, from which place the latter were ultimately shelled out by field pieces on Mont Valérien. In the evening M. Thiers issued a manifesto declaring that France-Paris excepted-was entirely pacified. In Paris the Commune, already divided, endeavours to spread everywhere false news, and pillages the public purse. It is in a doubtful position and a horror to the Parisians, who wait with impatience the moment of their deliverance. The National Assembly, rallying round the Government, is sitting peaceably at Versailles, where it is organising one of the finest armies which France has ever possessed. Good citizens, then, may reassure themselves, and hope for the approaching end of a crisis which has been sad, but short. They may be

certain that they will not be left ignorant of passing events, and that when the Government is silent, it is only because it has nothing grave or interesting to communicate.

3. Noisy meeting in St. James's Hall, presided over by Mr. Chambers, M. P., to protest against the unconstitutional policy of the House of Lords in rejecting bills repeatedly passed by the Commons, and to demand the removal of the Bishops from Parliament.

More fighting before Paris, again to the advantage of the Versailles troops. They were observed to treat the captured Communists with marked severity. Gustave Flourens was among the killed, and Duval taken prisoner and shot. Wild with rage at the defeat and slaughter of their leaders, the Communist party now set about schemes for making reprisals, and placed many in prison to await their pleasure in this respect.

Died, at Postford House, Surrey, aged 74, Sir William Magnay, Bart., who filled the office of Lord Mayor in 1844, when the Queen opened the Royal Exchange.

Mr. Secretary Bruce introduces a Licens ing Bill, carrying out, as he described, two broad principles:-1. That the public have a right to a sufficient number of respectably conducted houses; and 2. That all vested interests should be fairly considered.

Mr. Goschen introduces two bills on the subject of local taxation, designed to provide a uniform system of local government throughout England and Wales (the metropolis excepted), and to secure uniformity of rating. The three main features of his scheme were to popularise the character and increase the efficiency of rural institutions by the establishment of parochial boards, presided over by an elective chairman, and furnishing representative members, to be associated with the magistrates in the administration of county affairs; to give a measure of relief to tenants by a division of rates between owners and occupiers; to give a boon, especially to urban ratepayers, by the surrender of the house-tax to local authorities in aid of local taxation. There were also provisions for subjecting to rates certain kinds of local property, such as mines, woods, and game; for the assessment on a higher scale of country gentlemen's residences; for the collection of all rates as one consolidated rate; and for the simplification of the areas of local taxation. Local expenditure was said to amount to 36,000,000l. per annum.

world-my wife and son. The mission entrusted to me is difficult, but glorious; perhaps beyond my strength, but not above my will : and with the help of God I hope to succeed. God knows my intention, and with the cooperation of the Cortes and all good men, which will not fail me, I hope that my efforts will be crowned with the reward of achieving the happiness of the Spanish people."

3.-Eighth decennial census of the people taken throughout the kingdom.

4.-The Economic Museum, Penryn House, Twickenham, destroyed by fire.

5.-The Commune issue a proclamation to the Parisians regarding the recent engagements:-"Every day the banditti of Versailles slaughter or shoot our prisoners, and every hour we learn that another murder has been committed. Those who are guilty of such crimes-you know them; those are the Gendarmes of the Empire, the Royalists of Charette and Cathelineau, who are marching on Paris, in shouting Vive le Roi!' and with a white flag at their head. The Government of Versailles is acting against the laws of warfare and humanity, and we shall be compelled to make 'reprisals should they continue to disregard the usual conditions of warfare between civilised peoples. If our enemies murder a single one of our soldiers we shall reply by ordering the execution of an equal number or double the number of prisoners. The people, even in its anger, detests bloodshed as it detests civil war, but it is its duty to protect itself against the savage attempts of its enemies, and whatever it may cost, it shall be an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth."

6. The Princess of Wales gives birth to a son (Alexander John Charles Albert), who died the following day.

Decree issued by the Commune setting forth that, as the Government of Versailles had trampled all the laws of humanity under foot, anyone convicted of complicity with it would be imprisoned as hostages of the people of Paris; and, upon the execution of any prisoner of war or any partisan of the Commune of Paris by the Versailles Government, three of the hostages retained by the people of Paris would be shot. On the day the decree appeared the Archbishop of Paris, the Cure of the Madeleine, and a crowd of other ecclesiastics, were lodged in the Conciergerie. The plate and other valuables found in the churches to which the Commune had been were also seized.

7.-General Cluseret, who had now come to the front as directing the military movements of the Commune, reports :-" With regard to the conduct of our troops, the soldiers are excellent, the officers of a mixed character -some good, some bad. There is much dash, but rather a want of firmness. When the war companies shall have been formed and separated from the sedentary element, we shall have an army corps d'élite, whose effective

strength will exceed 100,000 men. I cannot too strongly recommend the Guards to give the utmost attention to the question of the choice of officers. At present the respective positions of the two armies may be summed up thus: The Prussians of Versailles occupy the positions which were held by their allies from beyond the Rhine. We occupy the trenches of Les Moulineaux and the station of Clamart. In fine, our position is that of men who, strong in their good right, await with firmness the attack of the enemy, being satisfied with acting on the defensive In conclusion, if our troops retain their sangfroid, and do not waste their ammunition, the enemy will be tired out before us.

7. - Good Friday news from Paris describe the fighting continued between Neuilly and Courbevoie. At 6. 30, P. M., the advantage is reported as slightly resting with the Versailles troops, "who have carried the barricade on the Paris side of Neuilly Bridge, and are also masters of the upper part of the Avenue, but the Communists are still fighting with remarkable courage and tenacity, and have just been sending down the Porte Maillot reinforcements of men and artillery strong enough possibly to turn the fortunes of the day. The excitement in Paris near the quarter in which the fighting is going on is intense. Crowds are assembled round the Arc de Triomphe, and especially at the head of the Avenue de la Grande Armée, from which much of the fighting can be distinctly seen, and which has itself received numerous shells to-day, chiefly from Mont Valérien. A few have fallen in the Avenue Uhrich, and as no house in the neighbourhood is considered safe, the consternation of the inhabitants is very great. On the other hand,

in those parts of Paris which are not exposed to the bombardment the prevailing tranquillity is, under the circumstances, extraordinary. People are lounging and promenading in the Champs Elysées, and, but for the incessant marching backwards and forwards of battalions, the boulevards and principal streets would have much the same aspect that they had before the attack on Neuilly began; yet it is believed generally that the Versailles corps are bent on taking Paris by storm, and not a few expect the assault to be made to-night, possibly with

success.

Died, Vice-Admiral Tegethoff, the Austrian officer who defeated the Italian navy off Lissa.

8.-Monument to Ernest Jones, democrat, unveiled in Ardwick cemetery, Manchester.

The Republican League declare that Paris has no wish to destroy the work of the great French Revolution. She wishes, it was said, to continue it. "But Paris, during the last twenty years, has been more oppressed than the rest of the country. She wishes now to reconquer her privileges and to affirm her rights. The recent movement is not an insurrection, but a revolution. It is necessary that

the Government should bind itself to abandon all investigations into the facts which have been accomplished since the 18th of March last. It is necessary, on the other hand, in order to assure the free expression of universal suffrage, to proceed with the general elections of the Commune of Paris. We require a great and powerful manifestation of public opinion to put an end to the struggle. Let the whole of Paris work with us to-day as she did during the siege, for the salvation of the Republic and of France is at stake. Should the Government of Versailles remain dumb to those legitimate revindications, let it be well aware that Paris shall rise as one man to defend them."

8.-M. Thiers, by a threat of resignation, induces the Assembly to rescind a resolution that Mayors should be elected by the Municipal Councils.

9.-General Dombrowski appointed Commandant of the Commune of Paris, in place of General Bergeret.

10.-M. Jules Favre protests in the Versailles Assembly against the calumnies brought forward "by those who pretend that an understanding exists between us and the Germans. The documents which will be laid before you will be a proof of our sincerity, and will testify on the contrary that we constantly declined the assistance which was offered to us by the Germans. It was also no less important that the position of the German authorities towards the insurrection should be clearly determined. They have always considered, as did all the other Powers, that the Government issued from universal suffrage was alone legitimate and presenting serious guarantees. M. Favre afterwards announced that the insurgents had taken away all the plate at the Foreign Office. to ourselves," he concluded, "we shall do our duty, and re-establish order in Paris. Our brave army can rely on our devotion as we can rely on its courage.'

"As

Marshal MacMahon assumes command of the Versailles army.

11. The Marquis of Normanby gazetted Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Queensland.

Replying to a remonstrance requesting the Bishops to abstain from voting on the decision of the Privy C uncil in the Purchas case, the Archbishop of Canterbury writes :-"The chief pastors of our Church are of all men the very last who ought to be requested to set to this nation the example of refusing obedience to the highest tribunals. Such obedience I feel sure you consider to be the duty of all good citizens, and to be especially incumbent on all ministers of Christ, not only in our own Church, but among Nonconformists. And here I will remark that Roman Catholics, and all bodies of Dissenters, are liable to be continually called upon, like ourselves, to submit the terms of their contracts in matters most intimately affect

ing their doctrine and discipline, to the decision of the courts of law. This is an obligation from which no section of the community can escape under a well-ordered Government. The rubrics, interpreted by the Supreme Court, form the lawful rule of Divine service to which the clergy are bound to yield a loyal obedience; but certainly, as a matter of fact, not all the clergy are expected by their parishioners, or required by their bishops, rigidly to observe every point in the rubrics at all times and under all circumstances. In conclusion, his grace exhorts his brethren not to be disquieted by any strifes respecting matters affecting the vestments or posture of the clergy. "Such things,' he says, "cannot touch your teaching of the Gospel of Christ, or affect the validity of His sacraments. In days when every effort is required to resist ungodliness and infidelity, all our zeal and energy ought to be directed to the promotion of real religion among our people.'

11. Another ineffectual sortie on the southern forts of Paris by Versailles troops. It had been anticipated for some time, and was made in such force as furnished ground for believing it would close the protracted strife. Fifteen thousand men, consisting of gendarmes and Pontifical Zouaves, collected during the day in the Meudon woods. The movement was detected, and 80,000 Federals drawn up within the line of the forts. General Eudes, who was in command, permitted the enemy to approach to the glacis of the Fort of Issy, when he poured a cross fire from Issy and Montrouge, repulsing the Versailles troops with slaughter. Only four men were killed within the two forts.

Earthquake at Bathang, a village in the Chinese province of Szechuen, causing the destruction of two large temples, the offices of the collector of grain tax, the local magistrates' offices, the colonels' offices, the Ting-lin temple, with nearly 700 fathoms of wall around it, and 351 rooms in all, inside; six smaller temples, numbering 221 rooms, besides 1,849 rooms and houses of the common people. The number of people killed by the crash, including the soldiers, was 2,298, among whom were the local magistrate and his second in office. The earthquake extended from Bathang eastward to Pang-Chahemuth, westward to Nan-Tun, on the south to Lintsah-shih, and on the north to the salt wells of Atimtoz, a circuit of over 400 miles.

The trustees of Rugby School having had their attention directed to certain complaints of want of discipline, adopt a resolution expressive of their opinion that the irregularities referred to were not such as to call for any special interference on their part, or to cause alarm to parents. "In justice," they said, "to the head-master, they desired to impress on the under-masters generally the necessity of giving, not only a nominal, but a cordial co-operati n.

12.-M. Guizot writes to the Times that the faults of France cause him more sorrow than