The Express.
London, England, 1864-08-10 00:00:00

EXPRESS FROM PARIS.

(now ous owx

PARIS. TUESDAY Snorts°.

Yesterday there was the usual annual distribu-
tion of prizes at the Sorbonne, at which the Minis-
ter of Public Instruction presided, and delivered a
very good address. It was only in the last two
sentences of an otherwise sensible and practical
speech that he indulged the esprit Francais, and
condescended to " bunkum " and tall talk. After
reminding the then Wive of Athens at the sum-
mit of its fame, he added they might thank God
that they had no funeral oration to pronounce ;
that France was infinitely greater and more pros-
perous than ever Athens had been ; and that the
sword of France had sown the germs of civilisation
throughout the world. To the Arab it had given
repose, justice, and comfort ; to the people of the
extreme east it had restored labour and that con-
fidence which would regenerate them. France bad
with one hand bestowed a crown (Mexico), and
with the other lowered the barriers which separated
oceans (Suez Canal), whilst her glorious chief,
keeping back (" enchainant") the demon of war,
or allowing him only to inflict occasional wounds,
bestows upon the world the words of peace, which
is assured to the future. "Such is our prince,"
said M. Duruy, " such our country."
This rhapsody is essentially French, but it can
scarcely impose upon the students. The demon of
war, instead of being chained to the throne of the
French Emperor, has had rather a lively time of
it lately—witness Poland, Denmark, Algiers ; and
it cannot be urged in any of these cases that the
"Demon " even asked his imperial master's con-
sent before playing his devilish pranks.
In these 4.o=h:tiler " days politics are almost
banished, yet there is always here a little band of
the friends of Italy, who seem to be in great spirits
just now, and speak with confidence of a change in
the imperial policy towards Rome. I fear they are
only doomed to bitter disappointment. Their hopes
rest on a mission—most successful, they aver—
which the Minister of Public Works (Menabrea)
recently undertook to Vichy. The story runs that
the French troops are to be withdrawn, and the
principle of non-intervention to be rigidly applied
both by France and Italy ; is other worthy the
Pope is to be left alone with the territory he now
possesses, and Italy will bind herself not to molest
him. Hear this is too good to be true, and most
likely General Menabrea only carried beak with
him fair words. If he had gone to St. Cloud, and
succeeded there, Italy might indeed have rejoiced.
The King of the Belgians seems in no particular
hurry to return to his refractory parliament ; and
those whose powers of vision can penetrate any
milestone assert that he had a commission from the
English government to lay the foundation of an
eternal alliance. Now the waters of Vichy, as
everyone knows, are admirably adapted to those
who suffer from atone, and as King Leopold is only
reco►ering from his last attack of that moat painful
malady, it is most natural he should seek relief
from those waters. Whether that wail his motive
I can only repeat the question put by a French wit,
",Le roi amend ► Viohy par la =ladle de
la pierce, oa bien son voyage cache-t-il d'antres
calculi 1"

The King Consort of Spain is to be entertained
right royally, as the following programme will
show :

His Majesty will leave Iran on the 15th, and
arrive in Paris, on the 16th, after partaking of a
splendid "dejeuner fourchette" at Bourdeaux,
to which that city has invited him. On the
17th the grand fête at Versailles will take
place. In the morning a select circle will breakfast
with their Majesties in the Bouquet d'Apollon ;
after breakfast a visit to the fountain; galleries,
ic., arc. At half-past 7 dinner will be served to
250 guests in the Gallery des Glares, brilliantly
illuminated. After dinner a performanoe will take
place in the private theatre of the palace, the most
elegant in Europe. At 11 o'clock the park
will be brilliantly lighted up, all the foun-
tains will play, there will be fireworks on the
canal, electric light over the whole park, a
ball on the lawn, and after the ball a grand
supper. The fête will continue all night. Ten
thousand invitations will be issued, and gentlemen
must appear either in uniform or court costume,
and ladies in " toilette de bal." On the 18th there
will be • breakfast ►t the palace of the Tuileries,
and afterwards the principal monuments of Paris
will be visited ; at half-past 4 • grand review in
the Champ de Mars, the force consisting of 20 regi-
manta of infantry, 14 of cavalry, and 100 guns. After
the review the royal and imperial party proceed to
St. Cloud, where dinner will be served at 8 o'clock,
and afterwards than will be a convert and a tarok-

light promenade *the park. On the 10th a grand
ball at the Hobs Lille Ville will be given by the
city of Paris to tie King. On the 20th the Sing
leaves for Chalets, where he remains until the 24th,
when he h loam for Toulon, whence a French ship
of war is to convey him to Valence.
The Bonne has been more lively, but Renter
remain as yesteeday, 66fr. 20c.

AMERICA.

(omma's mzosugs.)
ARRIVAL OF THE DAMASCUS.
(TA Grimmße.)
NEW YORK, JULY 29, Evutra.

General Sherman is drawing his lines closer
around Atlanta. Hood claims a victory in the
battle on Friday, and announces that he captured
22 cannon and 2,ooo,pritioners.

Wheeler's cavalry has routed the Federal' near
Decatur, capturing their camp.
General Hardee is operating in Sherman's rear.
Roweeau has [rejoined Sherman after destroying
thirty miles of the Montgomery and Atlanta Rail.
road.

On Tuesday last Lee attempted to outflank
Butler's position at Bermuda Hundreds. To check
this movement Grant despatched the second army
corps to the north bank of the James River and
drove the Confederates from their breastworks,
capturing four guns. He afterwards advanced to
attack the Confederate fortifications. Fighting
continues. General Early is still on the Virginian
side of the Potomac at Falling Waters. The
Federals are guarding the fords of the Potomac at
Williamsport.
Colonel Mulligan's death is confirmed.
The military authorities have enrolled, armed,
and equipped all the negroes in Baltimore.
The guerilla warfare continues in Missouri.
The Confederate cavalry have re-entered Ken-
tucky.
The EL Loris Democrat asserts that the govern.
ment has received information that several thousand
persons, including Mr. Vallandigham, are impli-
cated in a scheme for the formation of a North-
Western Confederacy. _ _

The New York Herald asserts that a board of
naval officers has decided that the persons rescued
from the Alabama by the Deerhound were prisoners
of war. The government baa approved this
decision.

The City of Washington has arrived out.
COMMULCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORK, Jinx 29, Emma.

Money easier. Gold 261. Rxchange on London :
Bankers' bills, 272. Stocks am, and advancing.
New York Centrals, 135 ; Illinois 130} ; Erie,
112/1; Six per Cent. United States 5.20 Bonds,
104.
NEW YORK, JULY 90, Yoasnro.
Grant has moved two corps to the north aide of
the James River, and is entrenched 10 miles from
Richmond. It is reported that he has abandoned the
siege of Petersburg, and will demonstrate against
Fort Darling.

Lee's movement towards Butler's rear was caused
by the movement of Grant's troops.
A large Confederate cavalry force entered Chain-
bersbury (Pennsylvania) this morning.
Howard has succeeded Macpberron.

MTELLIGENCL

NEW YORK. Jur 30, Eylam.
Money eager. Gold 25N.

(Vii Father Point and Gnawantia.)
NEW YORK. JULT 30, Evinuxo.
Pennsylvania telegrams assert that the Con.
federate invasion is more formidable than aas
supposed.
The Governor has issued a proclamation stating
that the invading force WAS larger than he expected,
and that arms would be furnished to the citizens
for the defence of Harrisburg. Mosby, with 500
cavalry, is in Matz/land, near Edward's Ferry.