The Express.
London, England, 1864-08-22 00:00:00

EXPRESS FROM PARIS.

(nos ous owl col

PLEilk ScarpAi Symms.

The news from Germany to-day is of • quieting
character, and M. de Beast and his secondary
States are relapsing into lethargy in presence of
their formidable opponents. The Prussians are
making such dispositions in the Duchies as lead to
the almost certainty that they have no idea of
letting go what has cost them, if not much military
e=pense and glory, a great deal of what remained
of reputation. With regard to Lauenburg, Han-
over explains to Prussia, whose susceptibilities, we
are told, have been amply satisfied.
Since the days of Louis XIV. no more splendid
fate has been witnessed at Versailles than that
which took place last night. When Paris bad done
work and got through its dinner many an anxious
glance was cast to windward, where dark banks of
cloud were seen steadily coming up. The rain
began to fall as darkness set in, but erny sow and
then the weather cleared, as if endeavouring to
respect the tapis sere and its admirers. All day and
all the evening the roads leading to that deadly-
lively town of Versailles were thronged with
pleasure-seekers, who were thither conveyed
by a couple of railways, by steamboat, American
omnibus, and other public and private convey-
ances. The Emperor, Empress, King of Spain,
and their suites reached Trianon at 11 a.m., and
partook of a private breakfast, and then both
Triateons and dependeocias were visited. At about
4 p.m. the royal party entered the park of Ver-
sailles by the canal gate, and the Emperor con_ '
ductod his guest through the saloons and galleries
of the château, which are strewed with such wealth
and so many works of art. All of these the King,
of course, admired. A little before 6 o'clock the
waterworks began to play, and at 7 a party of forty
eat down to dinner. At 9 the troupe of the French
theatre played Psyche in the private theatre. The
spectacle was magnificent, and the eye was quite
dazzled with light, diamonds, and gold. The Em-
peror wore the uniform of a lieutenant-general,
with the order of the golden fleece ; her Majesty
was in court robes, wearing a diadem glittering
with diamonds in her head. The King of Spain
had on the dress of a captain-general and the
grand cordon of the legion of honour. Nothing
we, to be seen but brilliant uniforms and gor-
geous costumes. The imperial box was facing the
stage, and behind the royal party were seated
the different princes and princesses, and then on
benches rich with gold and velvet, the ladies and
gentlemen of the court. After the performance
at the theatre, and when majesty bad duly expressed
its satisfaction with the comedians, the fireworks
were witnessed. At first there were to have beer.
certain restrictions placed on the entry to the park,
but so great was the number of applications for ad-
mission that his Majesty decided that the people
should be admitted withoot distinction. The topic
serf and terraces immediately in front of the
château were alone kept inviolate. It was over
this large space that the illuminations had been
disposed ; there were coloured lanterns in profusion
hanging from the branches of the trees, and strings
of white lamps surrounding basin and flower bed in
one, two, and sometimes three ranks. Electric
lights in the shape of five suns shed their pale
gleams over the tapir vest, further illuminated
by Bengal lights of different odours, and vases of
stone which seemed to vomit flames like so many
children of Vesuvius. These varied lights, these
suns with their dazzling rays, these flames that
flickered in the breeze, these ribbons of lamps
which designed the form of facade and basin,
and whose reflection was caught up by the
artificial waters, produced a magic effect,
of which it would be difficult to give a just descrip.
lion. The fireworks were as fireworks usually are,
' but on a grander scale than most exhibitions. The
principal one represessnted an immense bundle of
standards surmounted by an imperial crown. When
this fate of tire was over, and three millions
of franca duly expended, there was • supper, to
' which 200 guests sat down. The King of Spain
' will leave this evening for Madrid, and the next
royal guest will be Prince Humbert, who will
arrive in a few days, and no doubt Prince Napoleon
will be back from Scotland to bid him welcome.

The trial of the two men accused of having
murdered the four inmates of the Chateau Baillard
continues. It would be useless to trouble you with
an examination carried on in an irregular and
undignified manner. The crime for which Latour
and Audouy are being judged is one of the most
fearful on record, and yet at each moment, if we
are to credit the newspaper reports, judge, counsel,
court, and prisoners, indulge in facetious remarks
and hilarity. At the trial of the " thirteen," it