In the course of the morning I met—­in the street.  He is one of the justest-minded men of my acquaintance, and I have never known him attempt to exaggerate the ill conduct of his political opponents, or to extenuate the errors of those to whom he belongs.  Speaking of this affair, he was of opinion that the government had endeavoured to bring it on, with the certainly that success would strengthen them, but, at the same time, he thought it useless to deny that there was a plot to overturn the present dynasty.  According to his impressions, the spontaneous movements of the disaffected were so blended with those that proceeded from the machinations of the government to provoke a premature explosion, that it was not easy to say which predominated, or where the line of separation was to be drawn.  I presume this is the true state of the case, for it is too much to say that France is ever free from political plots.

The public had been alarmed this morning, by rumours of an intention on the part of government to declare Paris in a state of siege, which is tantamount to bringing us all under martial law.  This savours more of the regime Napoleon, than of the promised liberty that was to emanate from the three days.  The opposition are beginning to examine the charter, in order to ascertain what their rights are on paper:  but what avails a written compact, or indeed any other compact, against the wants and wishes of those who have the power?  The Cour de Cassation, however, is said to be composed of a majority of Carlists, and, by way of commentary on the wants of the last two years, the friends of liberty have some hopes yet from these nominees of the Bourbons!  We live in a droll world, dear ——­, and one scarcely knows on which side he is to look for protection, among the political weathercocks of the period.  In order to comprehend the point, you will understand that a clause of the charter expressly stipulates that no one shall be condemned by any “but his natural judges,” which clearly means that no extraordinary or unusual courts shall be established for the punishment of ordinary crimes.  Now, while it is admitted that martial law brings with it military tribunals and military punishments, it is contended that there is no pretext for declaring martial law in the capital, at a moment when the power of the present government is better assured than it has been at any time since its organization.  But the charter solemnly stipulates that the conscription shall be abolished, while conscripts are and have been regularly drafted yearly, ever since the signature of Louis XVIII. was affixed to the instrument.

The shops were all open to-day, and business and pleasure are resuming their regular rounds.  The National Guards of the banlieue, who were actively engaged yesterday, are befeted and be-praised, while the lookers-on affirm that some of them believe they have just been fighting against the Carlists, and that some think they have crushed the Jacobins.  All believe they have done a good turn to liberty.