The Express.
London, England, 1862-03-17 00:00:00

EXPRESS FROM PARIS.

(nom ous OWN

PARIS, SUNDAT EVIIIIING.

In the Senate yesterday M. de Bonrqueney, ask-
ing leave for a personal explanation, made some
observations upon the exclamation made by him •
few days ago while Prince Napoleon was on his
legs, that " there was no censure in Austria ; and
that the press was freer there than in France." He
repeated that there existed in Austria no sort of
preventive legislation against the periodical press,
and that the acts of the Austrian government were
frequently attacked by the Vienna journals with a
vivacity greater than was indulged in by the press
of France. He nevertheless protested against the
interpretation which had been put upon his
words, and appealed to his colleagues to bear
witness that he had " not in any way
discussed the superiority or inferiority of
a foreign legislation in comparison with our
own." That is the whole explanation, and why an
old diplomatist should have given himself the
trouble to say a thing so very unimportant is a
matter for wonder.

The Marquis de Larochejaquelin afterwards, at
the end of a long altercation with President Trap-
long, obtained leave to call the attention of the
house at the next sitting to an official speech of M.
Maui's, in which he had put an erroneous con-
struction upon the last vote of the Senate, and one
injurious to the dignity of that body. The speech
alluded to is that made by M. Ratazzi in the
Italian Chamber of Deputies on March 8, wherein
he said.

To-clay opinion has changed In France, and the number
of catholica who are no longer frightened at the eventuali-
ties we look forward to has greatly increased. I need only
point out to your attention the debates in the first body of
the empire—the Senate. If you compare the debate on
the affairs of Rome with that which took place last year,
you will find that opinions are modified, and that men who
were the most opposed to any change in the pontifical states
have now oame to move reasonable opinions. It is most
agreeable to me to my, that for this happy change we Sr.,
in part, indebted to the speech of a prince who makes me
of his eloquence and his high position to further the Italian
muse on every posibb 000maios.
' "

A disouseiOn on such an issue promises to be inte-
resting, more particularly if it be true, as reported,
that M. Thouvenel has only recently made use of
the Senate's address as an official argument in sup-
port of fresh remonstrances addressed to the court
of Rome. It is certain that if M. Ratarsi is mis-
taken, his error is shared by the majority of poli-
tical men in France, among whom the course of
the debates both in the Senate and Corps Legislatif
has been construed as remarkable evidence of the
progress made by the Roman question since last
year.

In the Corps Logi&latif yesterday K Gouin, who
of late years has criticised the budget pretty freely,
seemed satisfied with M. Fould's reforms, and spoke
against K Devinck. The question of written
speeches which M. de Morny raised at the beginning
of the session was practically elucidated at the
expense of K Giron de Burareingues, who
attempted to read one which the house would not
listen to. M. de Morny told him repeatedly that
the Moaiteur should only report what the short-
hand writers could hear ; and when told by some
of the speaker's friends that the speech was very
interesting, and that they should like to read it,
tartly replied that in that case they must ask the
author for his manuscript, for that the Moniteur
should not print it. M. Barocbe (in the absence
of M. Magna, who was knocked up by his exer-
tions on the previous day) replied very shortly
and generally to K Devinck's financial criti-
cisms, that they would be more appropriate
when the budget came on for discussion than in
the debate on the address. It is to be observed,
however, that in the "exposition of the situation
of the empire," issued simultaneously with the
Emperor's speech, the financial scheme of the year
is largely dwelt upon ; and considering that the
debate on the address affords the only opportunity
which members have of taking an initiative, it seems
reasonable and fair that they should have consider-
able latitude to discuss that text. The financial
amendments were, however, negatived without a
division, and then M. Picard made a lively attack
upon the extravagant and uncontrolled adminis-
tration of the Prefect of the Seine, apropos of his
amendment, " that Paris and Lyons " should
be allowed, like other towns, to elect their own
municipal council. The house adjourned till
Monday, before the debate on this amendment
was finished.

K E. Pelletan has refused to accept the sub-
scription offered to save his library, which will
be sold on Wednesday. It is said, however, that
the studenta intend to buy up the books at very
high prices.

ST. PATRICK'S DAY.--COKIIRMORATION OF
THE PRSTIVAL.-(THIS DAY.)

The morning wan ushered in with all the solemni-
ties which Irishmen hold to be dos to the memory of their
patron saint. It is not, perhaps, generally known even n,
those who him lived all their- days in London that there
38, in the heart of this metropolis, a church where, on the
17th of March, year by year, St. Patrick holds bigh festival.
The church, which lea very ancient structure, is situate in
Soho-square, or, rather, in • small street running oil Irmo
it. It is dedicated to St. Patrick, and ewe the pion.,
saint this morning received the highest honour his church
could confer, "his Eminence the Cardinal Archbisk,i,
of Westminster," es the devotees of St. Patrick delight o,
style him, taking part in the ceremony. The solemnities
were foreshadowed by • service last night, "the eve of
St. Patrick," when there was an attractive service in the
church, and " • procession of the relic of St. Patrick*
What the relic consisted of was not explained, althiitxt,
there was • sermon afterwards by the Rev. Father Stan ton,
who pronounced a high euloglum upon the piety, virtue,
and devotedness of the long departed hero of the faith.
This morning high mass was sung at St. Patrick's, at
11 o'clock, by the Very Rev. Dr. Hearn. vicar-general,
Cardinal Wiseman assisting pontifically; the Gomm, S,
which the patron saint of Ireland was certainly not ilaroped
with faint praise, being preached by the Right kev.
Morris, " Bishop of Troy." The mass, which war Vert' jw•
pressivelv and most solemnly performed by the caidind
and his coadjutor priests, was Beethoven's iu C, with ample
orchestral accompaniments. This evening there will to
a second "procession of the relic of St. Patrick," with a
sermon by the Very Rev. Canon Morris, and conteninom.
nersudy with this very solemn ecclesiastical and rtlimimi
p there will he a highly convivial dinner, at Fret.
masons' Hall, at which the Duke of Cambridge will preside,
in his capacity of Earl of Tipperary and Knight of th,
Order of St. Pstrkk. Lord Palmerston, Earl Russell,
Robert Peel, Baron Rothschild, Mr. Chichester Fortesen
Sir d. Peonefather, and General Upton are amongst the
vice-presidents and stewards.