The Express.
London, England, 1852-04-08 00:00:00

FRANCE.

PARIS, WSDNZSDAT EVENING.
Among the reports which go far to confirm the
general expectation of the proximate establishment
of the empire, I have h one to-day, which is by
no means the least significant. It is said that the
President has dissolved his illicit connection with
Miss Howard, and reconciled that lady, by the condi-
tion of a handsome settlement, to retire from a posi-
tion, which becomes more scandalous in proportion
to the elevation and splendour of the power to which
it is attached by a forbidden link, and from which it
receives a glaring reflection. Whether this sacrifice
be among the conditions imposed by the sovereign
pontiff before he undertakes the pilgrimage from St.
Peter's to Notre Dame to anoint the new em-
peror, or proceed from other motives, no
one can doubt that the President's position
among the sovereigns of Eurokie is bettered
in every way by the repudiation. Matri-
monial alliances of all sorts are talked of in con-
nection with this subject; and a report spread by
the (hr. ude do Mince, that the Russian Grand
Dukes Nicholu and Michael are expected on a visit
to the Elysi-e, is supposed to have reference to
similar projects. On the other hand, the fusionists
declare that if Bursa= leanings are to be judged by
the deportment of the Grand Duke Constantino to
the Count of Chambord at Venice, they aro de-
cidedly unfavourable to the permanent establishment
of tho Prince Louis Napoleon's pcwcr, as the repre-
sentative of the elder branch is treated in all respects
by the Czar's son as if he were the King of France.
&sides the objection already stated by M. de Kis-
selef to the assumption of the title of Emperor, the
('ear entertains, no doubt, some misgivings that the
warlike aspirations of the French under the restora-
tion of the empire will defy the control of the new
Emperor, whatever his peaceful professions may be.
The notion of a marriage with the Princess of
Sweden, spoken of some time ago, is dropped, be-
cause that princess has embraced the protestant reli-
gion. The Orleanist alliances with the houses of the
Spanish Bourbons and the Portuguese Bmganza.s
are equally impediments to matrimonial negotiations
in those directions. As to the talk about a daughter
of the Duke of itianzares, it is evident the Emperor
of France would not stoop to such an obscure con-
nection.

Oirardin says that the empire can only mean war,
and, therefore, dissuades it. The Siecle has a sensible
article, showing the obsoleteness of war and the
uselessness of an extended frontier to France. Gi-
rardin continues to protest his disinterestedness in
counselling the republicans to accept the de facto
government. But his professed belief that the Pre-
sident will preserve the republic is strangely at
variance with the President's own language in his
speech to the magistracy, and obtains credit no-
where.

A brilliant sun has enlivened the first day of the
celebrated promenade of Longzhamp, which like
most occasions of festivity in catholic countries, is
an old traditionary relic of religious usage. From
immemorial time the inhabitants of Paris were wont
to make a pilgrimage to a shrine at the convent of
Mount Valerien, which once crowned the eminence
across the Seine, whither lately the eminent leaders
of the National Assembly were conducted in capti-
vity. This pilgrimage now indeed retains none of
its former religions character, and very little more
than the fantastic tailoring and mummery of the
festivity. One circumstance I must not forget to
notice. The Prince President appeared in an open
barouche and four, with postillions and outriders ;
and according to the imperial and royal custom, his
equipage drove down the middle of the road reserved
for him, between the files of going and retiring
carrThe iag Public states that Colonel Buffet de Montau-
ban, receiver of finances in Paris, has been appointed
French consul in London, and that M. Victor Gull-
louet is appointed consul at Port Maurice.
The 3fonelestr states that an account of the state
of the Bank of France will be published on the so
cond Thursday of every month. Ono of these state-
ments will, therefore, appear in the Moniker of to-
morrow.

M. Latour I)umoulin, formerly the editor of the
Cour.ier l'nuseais, is appointed a director in the mi-
nistry of general police. the duties of his depart-
ment consist in superintending the execution of the
severe laws against the press, printing establish-
ments, and libraries.

The Prince-President has commuted the sentence
of transportation to Algeria, pronounced against Dr.
Lepineux, for the part that he took in the insurrec-
tion of the Allier, into banishment into another de-
partment of France. M. Lepinenx was released
from Ste. Pelagie yesterday, and received his pass-
tifin the place fixed upon for his residence in the
went of the Creme.
e Allier has sailed for Cayenne with 300 convicts
on board. These, however, are criminals condemned
by the ordinary courts of law.
Several merchants at Bordeaux petitioned the
government to suspend for some time the operation
of the new protecting duties upon foreign sugars,
decreed on the 27th of March last. The answer
sent by telegraph to the prefect of the Gironde is
that the new tariff must take effect on the day fixed
by the decree.
At the Bourse the Four-and-a-Half per Cents. (late
the Five per Cents.) fell Sc., closing at 101.30;
The '1 hree per Cents. fell 3c., and closed at 71.60.
Bank of France shares rose 10fr. Railways again
improved. Rouen rose 20fr. ; Lyons, 6.23; Monte-
roan and Troyes, 32-50. This nse is owing to the
purchase of the latter line, said to have been efilleted
by the Lyons Company.

M. de Girardin is anxious to stand well with the
political public out of France. Replying to a letter
in a Brunets paper, in which he is said to have
" rallied to the government of Louis Napoleon," ha
thus exposes his personal situation :

If I have rallied to the new then it must be
admitted that the President does met te the imperial
!Stitt, he does, it ie away arks that I have net
these slMosdvss.
But what is the feet ? Leg Welk terlyP„eitwirl pnsskq hes&
sass, have smelted only lay seavialions in
esreselsg • personal opinion in. (tae. at the
risk a maga into collision with eseisM gempswel views
supposed sad stated to be very warmly metnellalmed. awl
expecting every moment to receive • sew order, myth*
me to proceed to Belgium, Germany, or ilaglaad. My
luggage is ready, but before leaving, I shall have said that
which I believe is of ass to the democratic cause, and
which I have weighed during the solitude of a two month.'
exile. The mote I reflect, the more am I satisfied
that • disposition to stand aloof in bad humour
will do more than aught besides to bring back lenitimacy.
Anything rather than the restoration of that. Thus,
although ostracised and wounded in all my interests when
at Brussels, I
pessimism." As to the suspicions which were pointed at
me before my return, and even before my departure in
January, I have paid, especially in the course of the past
year, emiegb (mere than 300,000 fr.) to entitle me to dis-
dain them. I see this right.