The Week.

official world at the funeral , and long speeches , after the French fashion , were delivered over the grave of the departed secretary . M . Saculey , or M . Laity , is spoken of as the probable successor to M . Mocquard . A rumour was circulated in Paris on Tuesday that the Emperor was ill . Tbe rumour fortunately was not true , and arose from tbe fact that since the death of

M . Mocquard his Majesty has remained in strict retirement . A statement of the finances of Paris occupying eighteen columns of the Monileur , is published by M . Haussmann . The estimated requirements of the municipal budget for the year 1 S 05 is nearly 156 million francs . A staff of engineers employed by the French Minister of Public Works to report on tbe subject

have given as their opinion of what is required an estimate which must prove a little startling to the tax-payers , out of whose pockets the funds must be extracted for carrying into effect the terms of the recommendation . The items enumerated are for canals and rivers , harbours and lighthouses , roads and bridges , and hydraulic works , at a cost of 430 million

of francs—about £ 17 , 200 , 000 sterling . A large number of Paris tradesmen have addressed a memorial to the Emperor , praying for a commission of inquiry into tbe means of affording relief from the difficulties caused by the high rate of discount charged at the Bank of France . M . Chas . Duveyrier , who is a leading member of the disciples of St . Simon , has just

published a book— - "L'Avenir et les Bonapartes , " which is attracting some attention . Tbe writer supports the cause of Imperialism , and considers that its consolidation would prove of great advantage to France . The one drawback to that desirable consummation he points out to be the practice of absolutism . Let the Government abandon this practice—which is a revolutionary practice—and subject itself to tbe control of a representative

system , and it is likely to secure its permanency . Thus it appears that parties in the Empire diametrically opposed to each other on many important questions , are at one on this point—the strong necessity for a free representative system of Government being adopted now , in order to secure stability to the new dynasty , and secure the country from the dangers of

future revolutions . The French Government has resolvgd that foreign spirits rectified in England shall be admitted into France on the same terms as spirits distilled in England . The Italian Senate , following tbe example of the Chamber of Deputies , passed by an overwhelming majority the bill which , in accordance with the conditions of the recent convention

between France and Italy regarding the Pope's territories , -provides for the removal of the seat of Government from Turin to Florence . ——According to the Gazette de France , a plot has been discovered at Rome against the life of tbe Pope , Cardinal Antonelll and the Ex-king of Naples . The assertion is , however , in tbe meantime to be considered as somewhat apocryphal .

INDIA , CHINA , & c . —The Calcutta and China mail has arrived . Relations with the Japanese were considered to be favourable since the demolition of the Prince of Nagato ' s batteries ; and according to a telegram received in Paris , the Tycoon ' s Government promised to grant all that tbe European envoys desired and to pay tbe indemnity required from the Prince of Nagato .

The advices from New Zealand represent the Maori revolt to be far from terminated ; but there had been no fresh engagement between the troops and the insurgents .

SOUTH AMERICA . —There is nothing of any interest in the news from the West Indies . From the Pacific tbe news of most importance relates to Peru , where a South American Congress had teen discussing the Spanish difficulty . Senor Centeino , Secretary of Legation , had sailed for the Chinchas with an important communication for Admiral Pinzon , requesting him at

The Week.

ance to give up the occupation of the islands on tbe ground that their seizure had been disapproved of by tbe Cabinet of Madrid . The Congress declared the pending question to be one affecting the whole continent of South America , and the states represented in the Congress would unitedly take measures in defence of American interests against Spain .

AaiEEiCi . —The chief news brought by the 2 Voaia Seotian is the announcement that there bad been a severe engagement between tbe hostile armies in Tennessee . The Federal General Scholefield had reported that , on the afternoon of the 30 th ult ., two corps of General Hood ' s army attacked Franklin , but were finally " repulsed at all points" by him , with the loss of 5 , 000

or 6 , 000 men , including 1 , 000 prisoners , while the Federals ' loss was only a quarter of that sustained by their assailants . Nevertheless , as it appears , General Schofield retired during the night from Franklin towards a position three miles south of Nashville ; and on the following morning the victorious and retreating Federals were closely followed by tbe defeated and

pursuing Confederates . " Heavy skirmishing was progressing and a general engagement was expected , " while Federal reinforcements were arriving at Nashville , where the forts and intrenchments were manned by the garrison and the Government labourers , & c , who had been armed . There was no certain news respecting the progress of General Sherman in Georgia ,

although the Richmond Observer of the 1 st inst ., we are told , " admitted that be bad crossed the Oconnee River , and would succeed in reaching tbe seacoast . " It was reported that General Burnside , with 20 , 000 men , had sailed from Fort Monroe for

the purpose of landing at some point on the Southern coast and joining General Sherman . General Grant bad sent General Gregg ' s cavalry on a reconnaissance , for tbe purpose of ascertaining whether General Lee was sending any troopsfrom his army to the South . General Gregg took and destroyed Stoney Creek Station , but failed to obtain

any information , and was closely followed by the Confederates during bis retreat to tbe Federal Camp . By the Una with news from New York to the 3 rd , it is reported that the two columns of Sherman ' s army are endeavouring to form a junction . The Richmond papers say that Sherman is still 100 miles from the sea , and harassed on

all sides . Five thousand negroes are working on the defences of Augusta . The steamship North Star is one week overdue , and fears are expressed for her safety . Hood ' s forces still confronted Thomas near Nashville on the 2 nd . The retreat of Thomas for 29 miles , after the battle at Francklin , is now pronounced a piece of strategy . Richmond papers of the 1 st

report Sherman across the Oconnee , and on bis way to the coast . It is supposed that his destination is Savannah or Beaufort , but his advance cavalry bad been foiled in an attempt to open communication with the latter place .

To Correspondents.

TO CORRESPONDENTS .

J . W . —It is not legal to take the ballot for a candidate with papers containing the opinions of the members . The proper way is with balls or counters of different colours , but cards or papers may be used with the simple word " Yes " or " No . " S . S . —Not suitable for our columns . J . P . —The brother named is now in Australia .

A YOUNG MASON . —Neither . We cannot give you the information sought in print . B . B . —In April next .