The members of the Historical Society were entertained at their meeting held on Monday evening by a vivid and instructive talk on "Modern Fench Politics," by Mr. Cohn of the French department. The formation of the present French constitution was traced from its beginning in 1875, through the two modifications or amendments to the present day. The year of 1885-6 was stated to mark an important period in the history of the new republic, for not only the third and last class of the elected senators will be changed during the present year, thus completing the electionof the entire senate, with the exception of the seventy-five life senators, but also for the first time a president will be elected peacefully and according to constitutional law. The relations of the chamber of deputies, the senate, president and ministers were clearly stated. It was shown how a change could be effected in the responsible ministry, when occasion required, and yet how the ministers were protected and comparatively secure from sudden and ill-advised attacks. The French president, while having no veto power, was declared of great advantage, in that he insured a continuity of the administration in the changes of the ministry, and in that he, acting as an advisor to the ministry, checked hasty and inconsistent legislation.

The elective laws were then analyzed and the two systems scrutin d'arondisment and scrutin de listecompared. In connection with this topic, Gambetta's great work was mentioned, and some idea given of the excitement and difficulty of his position as a would be and partially successful reformer of the elective system. The practical working of the French government was illustrated by incidents from the lives of MacMahon, Thiers, Ferry, Grevy and others. Many practical comparisons were made between the French and American systems. Many questions were asked by different members of the society, all of which were answered by Mr. Cohn in a concise and ready manner that showed at once his familiarity with his subject.

It is to be hoped that this successful meeting will be made an example for the meetings of the Historical Society during the coming year, and that other prominent topics of the day may be treated in this same interesting, informal manner.