The Express.
London, England, 1855-06-30 00:00:00

FRANCE.

-
MOM OWL OWN COI

PARIS, FAIDAT EVL•4I:4O.

There nre a great many reports about the forth-
coming loan, and, although tone of them can be con-
sidered as authentic—for whatever may be present
iateations they may be changed at the last mo-
ment—it is not unlikely that some foreshadowing of
the truth may have made its way in financial circlet',
seeing that the Corps Legislatif meets on Monday
next. There can scarcely be a doubt that the loan
will be presented on the very first day of the ses-
sion. The figure of 750 millions, which I have men-
tioned before, is the most likely; but there is
a not improbable rumour that the govern-
ment may ask for a discretionary power to
raise more money when wanted. Two mil-
liards is, spoken of as the limit. A very ingenious
scheme is said to have been devised for making the
loan even more essentially a popular one than the
last, and at the same time enticing capitalists to sub-
scribe. Last time all subscriptions to the value of above
600 fr. Rents were liable to diminution. Fifty francs is
now to be the sum fixed, beyond which subscribers will
not be certain (as a general rule) to get all that they
put their names down for. But it is to be stipulated
that no diminution shall be made with respect to any
subscription

_ - made on the first day that the loan is
open. Here, then, is a powerful inducement to sub-
scribe at once, instead of waiting to see what turn the
affair may take.
The extraordinary legislative session will probably
only last a few days. It is the general opinion that,
besides the loan, an extraordinary levy will be pro-
posed for the sanction of the house. I have heard
from 150,000 to 180,000 men mentioned as the pro-
bable number.

The Bourse was very heavy to-day. The Rents
fell 15c., closing at fiefr. sc. Lyons and Mediterra-
nean fell 15fr., and other railway lines from sfr.
to 10fr.
My assertion that General Brunet was killed in
the attack on the Malahkoff Tower is confirmed by the
following letter, addressed by the Emperor, which
appears in the Pays:
Palace of the Tuileries, gone 25.
Madame,—General Brunet has just been struck with
death at the moment when be was giving his country a
marked proof of his courage and devotedsesa. France, who
long since ranked him amongst her bravest defenders, now
counts him amongst those whose loss slie most seriously feels.
For myself, who knew bow to appreciate all the merit of
him whom yon bewail, I sincerely take part in your sorrow.
Receive, then, the expression of my profound regret, count
on my special interest, and believe in all mr,friendly senti-
ments. NAPOLEON.
The Emperor went to the Ville Neuve l'Etang to
sleep on Wednesday last, and will live there for some
time, as I informed you at the beginning of the week
he intended to do. His Majesty came into Paris
both yesterday and to-day, returning to the country
to dinner.
Prince Jerome, at the request of M. J. Ancel, the
mayor of Havre, has consented to lay the first stone
of the new Hotel de Ville in that town.

MARSHAL ST. ARNAUD AND THE CRIMEAN
EXPEDITION.

The family of Marshal St. Arnaud have published,
at Paris, a selection from his correspondecce while CUT-
eising the chief command of the French expedition is aid
of Tutkey. The letters contain much that is curious.
Writing from Varna on the 17th of July to his brother, he
complains:
"Our affairs seem to be going backwards, instead of for-
wards. It is u yet neither war aor peace; bit time
'moves on, and will bring the winter in his train. TEelllOllOll,
there ia to be a grand conference at my quarters. I should
be thankful to the man who could tell me what judgment
history will form a hundred years hence of the General-in-
Chief condemned to move in this dark labyrinth."
Writing again to his brother, under date Yarns, August
9, he says :
"If I were to give way to my impressions, to my turn of
mind, and the feelings of my heart I should never have
mitten you a sadder letter. lam in the midst of one vast
tomb, resi►ting the scourge that is decimating my army,
seeing my b t soldiers succumb at the very moment I
' most want them, and yet continuing, for all that, the prepa-
rations for a formidable expedition. Have there been many
such situations as mine in history ? My courage and energy
shall at least prove equal to the occasion. God, who
strikes me with one hand, raises me up with the other. For
a long time my health has not been better, in the midst of
CMS and anxieties that fret me, and which I devour in
mint, with death at my heart, calm on my brow. Such is
my existence. When you receive this letter, I shall either
have embarked for the Crimes, or be on the point of doing
se. Meanwhile I pus five hours a day amid the dead and
dying St
To Madame De Saint-Arnaud he writes:
" Varna, Aug. 11, 1854.—G0d spares us no misfortune,
no calamity, my dear; I seek all my energy in the depth of
my soul; I wish I could find there more resignation; but
the most sublime patience flies away at sight of catastrophes
se completely independent of the lei 1, th►t. are incessantly
striking down around you mid annihilating with a breath all
the good you have been preparing with such difficulty. A
violent fire broke out at seven o'clock yesterday evening at
Versa as I was alighting from my horse, on my return from
visiting my sick men. A. seventh part of the town no
longer exists."
To his sister, Madame de Forcade, he writes :
" Varna, Aug. 18, 1854.—My dear ►inter, while you are
reposieg wanly in the quiet shades of Malrome, I am pain-
fully contending against every conceivable difficulty and
calamity. They have all struck me, but have not prostrated
me, however. Cholera, conflagration, plague, fire and
water, I have borne them all. My heart, consumed with
grief, I have always exhibited to every one a calm and
smiling face. I have seen my friend., my companions in
arms, my soldiers, who are my children, mowed down as if
with lightning, and I have remained standing on this char-
nel-pit. One would say that in my body, shattered with
sufferings, worn out with labour and thought, its strength
bemuse just as that around ma decreases- . . By the
thee you receive this letter I shall have embarked, or be en
the point of doing so. Pray for those who fight in the
Crimea. What an age! What a year! The world is
agitated like an angry sea, under a black sky. Between
this and the end of the year we shall ice a good deal. For
myself, I could wish a mighty blow, a fine victory, and then
complete, absolute repose. Ab, Montalais ! Ah,
Md-
route ! When shall I cover myself in your sweet calm, far
from affairs, cares, and men ? but not from women, dear
sister, lam too gallant to wish that. If ever I find myself
back again, with all my family around, be will be a clever
fellow that can get me away from them."
To his brother he writes: " Verna, Aug. 23.
" I shall lose less men in takirg Sebastopol than I have
done through cholera and fevers. It is a great eesponsi-
bility ; I must know how to bear it, and eoen rai,e myself
above it. If I succeed, I shall be a great man ; if 1 do not
succeed I shall be what the world likes, but there shall be a
fight for it, which is some consolation. Fur my part, my
conscience tells me I am doing what I ought. What matters
the rest! Alt brother, how I will rest after that I have
spent my night in going through ten sieges of
Sebastopol and in snaking proclamations to my soldiers!
This morning the commissioners I had sent to reconnoitre
, the position of the Russians std a snot fee lamling have re-
turned. The Rumiens occupy the Ketch* tad the Alma;
they have camps there, and troops whose numbers it is hard
to estimate, but which are net coniiderabie. They have
made no extraordinary defensive works. My opinion has
not changed, and I am still for landing by main tome at the
Ratan. It is so much time and meshing saved. The
English hats not considered it possible. I have yielded ;
we are to lend at Old Fort, and I hope it will be en the
13th or the 14th."
To Madame de St. Arnaud he wri!Es
"Old Fort (Crimea), Sept. 7,1854.
"My beloved wife,—The Engli,h are net ready, and
make me lose precious time. I lent them some flat hosts
this morning to eepedite the landi:g of their hone, and
I hope I shall be able to move at last
,by eleven to-morrow
morning. Isbell stop for the night ►t the Bulganak, so
that I may be quite fresh on the 19th, and force the passage
during the day. If I can, I will drive the Ruse!ans to the
other side of the Retells. I promise you I wilt give them
no time for amusing themselves. The weather is fine, and
we are favoured. May God protect us yet a few day, end
all will go on well. I heard mass this morning under my
large tent, sad I preyed for you. Four abbis breakfasted