The Express.
London, England, 1864-07-23 00:00:00

EXPRESS FROM PARIS.

(nom oos owl,

PARIS. Fiaur ETmum.

Yesterday was one of the annual field days at
the French Academy. It was the day of the dis-
tribution of the prizes of virtue, and Prince Albert
de Broglie was charged with presenting the report.
It is a long document, justifying the gifts delivered
in compliance with the bequest of K de Montyon,
once a subject of pleasantry, but which the prince
shows is now recognised as a useful institution.
He ingeniously reminds his bearers that if pub-
licity is now the condition of all life, too often
lighting up the darkest featured of human nature,
it is well also that there should be a body whose
honourable task is to spy out and proclaim to the
' world the not rare acts of virtue which are the
fair aide of humanity. M. de Villemsin, the
greatest authority in French literature and perpetual
secretary of the Academy, had opened the sitting
with his report on the works offered for the
concursta, of which the subject was the " Eulo-
gium of Chateaubriand." He took occasion
to explain the reason for which the Bordin
prize was not awarded to K Tains'.
" History of English Literature," a decision which
caused at the time a sensation of general dissatis-
faction among literary man. It is rarely that the
academy thus condescends to excuse itself to public
opinion. Perhaps in future years it may learn to
take it into consideration before pronouncing it■

decision. The audience, as is natural at this season,
and with a temperature above 90 deg., was limited
in number, and the academicians themselves were
for the most part absent. The Comte de Flandres,
second son of King Leopold, was present.
It is this morning stated that Duke Frederick of
Holstein refuses to submit the proofs of his right
to the suomssion of the Duchies to the Diet. It is
suggested that the plan of Austria and Prussia is to
obtain from Denmark the cession of the Duchies to
them, after which they will conjointly bestow than
on the duke. In this way the question of nation-
alities will be avoided, but it seems difficult to
understand how such • (*mansion of the war can be
reconciled with the avowed objects of the war.
The Opinion denounces • new project of German
dualism, by which Prussia would acquire the subju-
gated territory in return for her Polish provinces
united to Russia, and a guarantee to Austria of at
least all she still holds in Italy. It is even added
that there is • plan prepared for absorbing the
minor states of the north in a Prussian empire,
in compensation for which, Austria taking the
southern portion, France might find herself, with
the consent of all parties, on the Rhine.

The relations between the French and Italian
governments were never more cordial than at pte-
sent. Prince Humbert, the heir to the throne, is
expected here in the course of next month.
There still come reports of cannonading at sea
heard off the coast of F.Scamp, which those who do
not know that there are no Confederate ships in
European waters (excepting the Rapp►hannock,
detained by the French government at Calais),
ascribe to encounters between the Federal and
Confederate ships. It is more probable that they
are produced by vessels of the Channel squadren
practising.

The Bourse is very dull, with a fall of 5c., not-
withstanding the favourable balauce-sheet pub-
lished by the bank. The augmentation in the
metallic reserves is ascribed to the purchase of
bullion, and not to any diminution in the calls on
the resources of the establishment.

Tz s Lars NAVAL ENGAGIIMINT. —The Paris
Prrae of yesterday says ,-" Our readers have sot korgeelew
that as artillery commission was appointed after there.
gagereent betimes the Kaularge sad the Alabama to
lillibiDO the resales of that segagemeet is ceeaarioe with
the arm•mesyof oar veseile. This kosamission, mar the
presidency of Vk►Admiral betake, bee jest finished Its re-
port, which is said to be a very remarkable one. It is
asserted that oertais parts of this &Gamest will not be
published as sanest of their casikleatial themater. It
appears that the osealaskes of the SOMIIIIIIIIkIII will modify
eremwhat the system hitherto followed, by Laths esp.
aially to a fresh anniumet of our armour-plated frigates,
which are to receive, it is said, gar at • math larger
Wire than Wee they are at pretest provided with."

ACCLIMATISATION. —bin. Samuel Davenport, who
Ira jest rotund hen Baron by lb* onrlaad roots, ban
low& win bar sons Ikea epoisemo of ths Aliment*
*lbws'., whisk an likely to as well I. colony. Tbla,
we balm, it Qs fait sasionstal "Atinpi to Woods's Yds
=idol variety of Um Wawa = Ms Boa& Amanitas.—
Australia* paper.