The Express.
London, England, 1862-02-14 00:00:00

EXPRESS FROM PARIS.

(not out owl(

FARM THUWIDAT EVIWING..

.• - •
The Bourse continues to be very heavy. The
senile announced by the Muniteur being only sfr.
20c., instead of Gfr., which was expected, naturally
makes the operation of conversion better for the
stockholders, and consequently easier to be effected,
but at the same time ditnieishes the amount which
the government wi" make by it. A good deal of
uneasiness has been felt, from the fact that the
delay allowed fur the optional conversion expires
conterminously with the settlement, and before
purchases made for that settlement can be deli-
vered. It is understood that a deputa-
tion of stockbrokers having waited on the
Minister of Finance to represent this difficulty,
has made a satisfactory arrangement, the minis-
ter undertaking to accept the collective guarantee
of the brokers for all demands made by their
clients. The Reute fell 10c. for cash and 20c. for
account, closing at 70fr. 95c. and 71fr. 15c. Mobi-
lier fell 2fr. 50c., and the Italian Loan 50. The
Orleans Railway fell 20fr., there being some doubt
about the new shares, the rumours of which caused
the rise yesterday; in the other lines there was
little change.
The freemasons of the "Scotch rite" protest very
strongly against the declared intention of Marshal
Ilagnan to bring them into the one fold of which
be is the shepherd. They entirely deny his juris-
diction over them, the masons of their persuasion
having always been independent of tho Grand
Orient of which the Emperor has made him
master. The heads of this order defy his autho-
rity, and declare that though he may break
them to atoms he has no more power to regulate
their movements than a man ignorant of music has
to play upon a lute. He can, no doubt, dissolve
the disobedient lodges, if such be the Emperor's
will, but he cannot effect a fusion. The orthodox
freemasons—namely, those of the Grand Orient—
are far from acquiescing unauimously in the impo-
sition of a grand master by imperial authority.
Three influential members of the late "convent,"
or legislative council, have, however, published a
pamphlet, in which they recommend that Marshal
Magnan shall be accepted as grand master, but
under protest. On the other band, the master's
grand council has launched a pamphlet, declaring
in his name that his own "irregular" uomivatiou
ahall be the only innovation in the statutes of
masonry.

It is reported at Paris that Mr. Slidell has had
an interview with the Emperor Napoleon, and has banded
to M. Thouvenel a note prefessieg to give the names and
tonnage of 400 vessels which have broken the blockade.
According to a circular of Messrs. Arles Dufour
and Co., of Lyons, the silk markets at that city during the
past month, notwithstanding the settlement of the Trent
incident, were not characterised by any improvement in the
American trade. Owing, however, to purchases made sod
ordera plated for European consumption, there has been
some recovery of activity, and prices have slightly advanced.
Any more important rise seems hardly to be hoped for so
long as the struggle shall continue in the United gimes

THE OVERLAND MAIL.

Tiles of papers have come to band from Calcutta
to the 9th January ; Hong Kong, 31st December ;
Melbourne, 24th December ; and Sydney, 21st
December.

The Calcutta papers report that the rumour of
war with the Northern States of America has had
a marked effect on the export market, which
may be said to be well nigh stagnant.
" Shippers have stopped all transactions, and
those who have chartered and are loading in

American bottoms have, of course, brought
their operations to a stand-still in anti-
cipation of their charters becoming null
and void. As this state of uncertainty must
continue at any rate for another fortnight, if not
longer, we may anticipate a continuance of the
present inactivity, at any rate, for that time. What
may then eventuate must depend on the prospect of
war or otherwise, as well as upon the effect the
same will have on the home markets."

Matters are quiet in Japan. Mr. Alcock has
made use of the power given to consuls to esta-
blish rules and regulations for the better enforce-
ment of treaties.

From Peking we gather that everything goes on
smoothly. By advicee, dated Dec. 2, we learn
that Le-poo, an adherent of the late Council
of Regency, has been banished to Sin-keang.
The new government are busy redeeming the
cash notes issued by Sushun, but never
paid, a circumstance which caused much distress.
The Yang-tau river is becoming a seat of commer-
cial prosperity. The traffic up and down is " a
perfect marvel," considering the short time the
river has been opened. The probability is, that
next year Hankow and Kiukiang will be the
centres of a very great and steadily in-
creasing trade. Shanghai is full of people
from Ningpo, and is now in a more stirring con-
dition than has been known for years, having be-
come a city of refuge for the distressed inhabitants
of its own and the neighbouring provinces. The
British authorities are understood to be pledged to
defend both the city and the foreign settlement
from the rebels.

Ningpo was taken by the insurgent forces on
the morning of Dec. 9, the rebels behaving with
much moderation, and showing much anxiety to be
on good terms with foreigners. Au interview
took place between Mr. Harvey, the British
Consul, and the rebel chief on the 12th.
At Manilla cigars are at a premium, in conse-
quence, it is said, of the blockade in America, large
quantities of tobacco leaf being requited by the
Spanish government to balance a want of the usual
supply from Virginia.
From Melbourne we learn that the new ministers
have all successfully undergone their re-election,
and the new government appeared to be stronger
in force than was expected. The accounts from the
various mining districts are mostly good. The autki
portions, however, in regard to the Lachlan gold fields
in New South Wales have not been realised. The
yield is extraordinary, but the quantity of ground
is limited. The southern gold miners were ex-
tremely busy. It was said that the Chinese
are gathering there ; and it was anticipated
that there would be ten thousand of them
before the close of the summer. Private ac-
counts from New Zealand, as well as the published
statements of the quantity of gold actually obtained,
have caused a partial renewal of the rush thither,
and many were now proceeding to Otago with the
determination of remaining some time, and judg-
ing fur themselves of the goldfields in that pro-
vince.