The Express.
London, England, 1863-10-26 00:00:00

EXPRESS FROM PARIS.

THE VINCENNES STEEPLECHASES.
(PROM 01711 OWN CORREISPONDINT.)
PARIS, SUNDAY EVINING.

'The Vincennes steeplechases; which, it will be
remembered, were only established last spring,
are already one of the "institutions" of Paris.
The first autumn meeting to-day was favoured by
beautiful weather and attended by immense crowds
both of the fashionable world and of the middle
and lower classes. The ground, softened a little
by the late mina, is in much better order than it
was when the racecourse was first opened.
The Emperor was not present, but his tribune was
occupied by Prince Murat and his family. Prince
Joachim Murat, M. Cartier, and another gentle-
man acted as judges. The principal prize of the
day, 10,0001 r. (besides entries) received an appro-
priate local name, " Prix du chime de Saint
Louis," in commemoration of the tradition
that Saint Louis dispensed justice under an
oak tree in the forest of Vincennes. This
historical prize was gained after an exciting
contest by Auricula—a grey mare of remarkable
beauty, belonging to M. Desvignes, and admirably
ridden by Enoch. The second horse was M. Fas-
quet's Bean Sejour, mounted by Cassidy. Beau
Sejour made all the running, and repeatedly passed
Auricula, but, in spite of all Cassidy's efforts,
ultimately came in several lengths behind her.
The result was a surprise, for although Auricula's
form of going and manner of taking her leaps was
very much admired, she had been badly beaten
over the same ground in the spring, and it was
thought she had not stamina for so long a course.
The next races are fixed for November L

The constitution (for though Francs is not habit-
ually quoted as a constitutional government it must
not be forgotten that there is • constitution of the
empire) says that the number of councillors of state
shall not exceed 50. Now the Emperor, of course
not thinking of this article of • compact which,
practically, everybody is agreed to regard as of
small importance, did a few days since illegally
augment the number of councillors of state to 52.
Attention was called to the subject in the Pram
by that pestilential stickler for texts, M. de
Girardin, and other journals, the France among
them, then said that the language of the consti-
tution was too clear for doubt. It has been
thought not desirable to surcharge the
government orators in the Corps Legislatif with
the duty of defending this flagrant illegality, and
accordingly two councillors of state, MM. Vile-
main and Stun, are gazetted in the Moniteur of this
morning to the dignity of senators. If the thing
had been left there it would have attracted little
notice ; but a bungling official writer in the Pays
puts forth an absurd defence which makes the
matter infinitely worse. This journal says the
two councillors of state elevated to the Senate are
not to be replaced, "and thus fall to the ground the
premature arguments recently urged in certain
journals about the number of councillors."
How do the arguments fall to the ground 1 A
palpably illegal act of the executive has been
pointed out. The breach of the constitution by
the highest power in the country is too clear for
argument. Means are speedily devised to remedy
the oversight as far as possible. But this does not
prevent the illegality from having had existence.
As well might it be said at the Old Bailey that a
pickpocket was absolved because he had put a
purse back when found out. The Pays, still
blundering in its logic, takes upon itself to say
that so long ago as the 18th of October, when the
illegal decrees appeared, the government had the
"intention" to reduce the number of councillors
of state to fifty. What matters, in a question of
strict law, the " intention" of the government 1

From nature's chain, whatever link yon strike,
Teeth or ten thousandth breaks the chain alike.

People will say, and the majority of French
people will especially be disposed to say,
" What does it matter whether the number of
councillors of state is fifty or fifty-two 1" Govern-
ment writers will make capital of what they will
call frivolous cavils. But it is a matter of great
moment to know whether the Emperor is really to
be above all law whatever. The constitution which
he made was no doubt very cunningly devised,
with the view of leaving him to do as he liked ;
but astute interpreters have now foend out that
there are many things in it which offered some
small guarantees for public rights, and the time is
at hand when eloquent and determined men will
push to the utmost the small constitutional rights
they have.

ROYAL VISIT TO HOUGHTON HALL.—This ancient
mat of the Walpolea, now the residence of the Marquis of
Oholmondeley. received • royal visit as Thursday. Their
Royal Highnesses the Prince and Priam.. of Wales, the
Prince and Prisons Christian, the Princess Delmar, and his
Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, attended by the
Countess of Morton, the Coasters Resentlow, Captain
Grey, and Colonel Clifton, arrived here, part of the royal
party on horseback and the others in • carriage, at about
halt-past 4in the afternoon. Mr. Trevor, the marquis's
agent, and Mr. Stanton, the resident agent, had the honour
of escorting the royal party through the state apartments.
Their royal highnesses wen much interested with the view
they had of this fine mansion, the picture gallery, the
marble hall, and state dieing-room being particularly
admired. The marble ball is of noble proportions, sod is
a perfect cube of 40 feet, with • stone ceiling carved in
a gallery around, together with a beautiful casting
in bronze of the leocnoo, and to this their royal highnesses
gave especial attention, as also to the greed staircase, with
the broom casting of te Gladiator.
INCREASE OF BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES:B.—Another
addition has been made to these useful institutions by the
establishment of an Auctioneers'lßenevolent Food, to assist
theme who from want of soccer or other adverse influences
have become reduced in circumstanoes. At a recent meet.
ing held at the Auction Mart of the most influential of the
London firms resolutions were agreed to and a fund forth-
with raised amounting to 551/. 5.., and annual 'absent,.
tines of 90/. 16e. 61. towards this deserving project. It is
somewhat strange, whilst almost'enery other profession or
trade is represseted in the numerous charitable societies of
the metropolis such a body as the London auctioneers
should have been content hitherto to leave to personal
benevoleees that aid which is much more readily edmi-
aistered by a society. The result a the meeting was so
satisfactory that there is every promise of a great success to
this benevolent object.
FRESHMEN AT CAMBRIDOL—AIIIIeXed is the re-
sult of this anturon's matriculation at the University of
Cambridge :—St. Peter's College, 13, against, 11 is 1862 ;
Clare, 17, satinet 16 in 1862 ; Caine, 33, slimiest 27 is 1862;
Corpus Christi. 28, against 18 in 1862 ; Trinity Hall, 29,
spinet 27 in 1862 ; Pembroke, 10, against Sin 1802 ;
3, &genet the same number in 1862 ; Queen's, 9, against 12
in 1862 ; St. Crabwise's, 13, agaiast 8 in 1862 ; Jesus, 26,
against 15 in 1862 ; Christ's 30 against 19 in 1862 ; St.
John's, 91, against 76 in 1862 ; Magdalene, 13, against 9 is
1862 ; Trinity, 151, against 164 in 1862 ; Reameasel, 21,
against 18 in 1862; Sidney Sussex, 16, against 10 is 1862.
The total this autumn ;is consequently MM, against 438 in
October, 11462, showing an increase of 68.
HER MAJESTY'S STAOHOUNDS. —The commence-
ment of the regular hunting season with her Majesty's
ateghouncle will be on Tuesday week. The meet is fired at
SalthilL Both huntsman and whips are first-rate mounted.
the veteran Davie looks as juvenile as ever, the royal pack
is in high condition, and the neighbourhood being more than
usually studded with sportsmen, the forthcoming season
promises to be one of unusual brillieace.
THE PRINCE Or WALES' HARRIES& —The Prince's
harriers were os Tuesday last at Mr. Cross's, the Barge
Farm, near Taplow, where they met • very large field. in-
cluding Comma Mood, several of the Albin from Wind-
sor, and most of the farmers in the neighbourhood, ha.
The first hare was found on Mr. Cross's farm, which gave
• clipping roc, and after going • ring by Naideohead-bridgew,
and book by the Barge Farm, they ran into her in the
mss. time 25 minutes. They found soother hare on Mr.
Weliiter's farm, which gave them a good sharp rue raced
by Burnham, and was Wiled in Mr. Clasts's eludes, at
UN Dunn Bell lan. They afterwards foetid • *see more,
which gave some good sport, and finished with a kin ;
eltsgeliser • first-rate day's sport. On Friday the royal
gee met at Cholsham Commas, bat the sport was not
equal to that oa Tuesday, although time was a capita
field.