The Press.
London, England, 1858-09-11 00:00:00

THE PRESS, SEPTEMBER 11, 1858.

destined to create a profound impression on the
people. It is certainly, iu a French point of view, a
remarkable anti affecting document, and the Go-
vernment increases the importance of it by pro•
hibiting it.
It is said that some arrests of Legitimist nobles,
and of workmen employed by them to convey cone
spondence to Count de Chambord, have been
effected; but even if the statement be true, the
matter cannot be of much gravity, inasmuch as the
Legitimists, though not liking the present regime,
ore too thankful for the protection it affords them to
conspire against it.
I mentioned in a late letter that the Government
contemplated establishing a line of electric telegraph
from Europe to China. It has at this moment I
know projects before it for carrying lines to different
points of America, North and South ; but before
examining them it has sent people to examine into
the causes of the suspension of the English Trans-
atlantic lice.

Criminal returns for the year IsrA just published
record the pleasing fact that in that year crimes, and
especially those of a heinous kind, were fewer than
in the years immediately preceding. But latterly
reflecting people have been rather startled at the
number of desperate crimes that have been com-
mitted. In Paris and its immediate vicinity there
have been, in less than a fortnight, not fewer than
six dreadful murders, and a greater number of
attempts at murder and of wanton cutting and
wounding ; and the provincial journals literally teem
with reports of, or trials tor, similar crimes. There
have also of late been an extraordinarily great
number of incendiary fires in different parts of the
country. Considering that, though food is dear, work
is abundant, with the exception perhaps of the coal
and iron trades, this outbreak of criminality cannot
be oaused by distress, and is, therefore, regarded as
a moral and political symptom of not a little gravity.
It is so regarded because it has been noticed that in
this country causeless crime has always been the
precursor of political agitation.
The Emperor intends, I hear, to present Marshal
Pelissier on the occasion of his marriage with a beau-
titul house and grounds at Bellevue, a charming
village near St. Cloud.

PS —I hear, on the eve of closing this letter, that
the Minister of the Interior does not approve of
what was done with respect to the Protestants of
Maubeugc.

t °reign an iqlonial linteltigente.

FRANCE.
THE LAIILARTINE FUND.

M. Persigny has sent INK to the Lamartine
Fund, accompanying his subscription with a letter,
published by the Siicle. M. de Persigny says :

When I think of the eminent services which this illus-
trious man hits renderol to his country, and of the brio
liancy of his talents, I grieve (gemir) that 1 csu only
contribute, by a vulgar °We ing, to the success of the work
of the generous Maconais.

---
RAILWAY ACCIDENT.
A dreadful railway accident occurred on the St. Ger-
main Railway, on Monday. The train which left St.
Germain at halfpast ten, and which descends by its
own weight the incline of the atmospheric railwAy,
could not be stopped at the accustomed place, but
ran into s locomotive which was standing in the
Vesinet station. A violent shock took place. Oa
carriage was broken to pieces. The guard at the
head of the train and two other persons were killed,
and several passengers were wounded, some seriously.
It is supposed that the break of the carriage placed
at the head of the train must have broken.

THE LATE DUCHESS OS ORLEANS.
The last will and testament of Helene Ditchesie
&Orleans has been proved in Doctors' Commons.
It is a remarkable document, which will be read
with a melancholy interest by all who admired the
many virtues and noble qualities or the illustrious
exile. The following are the more important pot.
dons :,--

This is my will. in the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost. In dying I commend my sou(
to God, and in the name of Jesus Christ f implore Hitt
infinite mercy, praying Him to receive me in the eternal
abode, there to reunite me to those for whom 1 hays
mourned upon this earth. I leave my maternal blessiue's to
my beloved sons, and pray the Lord to guide them through
this life, to give them prosperous days, and to grant them
eternal felicity when they shall have nobly fulfilled their
destinies here below. I bid them here a last adieu, whilst
thanking them for the happiness they have contributed to
my existence. I entreat the Queen to accept the last
expression of my respectful gratitude. I bid farewell to may
mother, to whom I owe so much ; to my brothers and sisters,
for whom I have ever felt sincere affection ; to my mother's
family, whose tender hospitality has lightened the bitter.
ness of exile of my sons and myself ; to my friends and tier•
vents, whose fidelity in the midst of misfortune has inspired
me with grateful attachment ; and, finally, I bid farewell
to France, which I have loved so much, and where the
happiest years of my life have glided away. I recommend
my sons never to forget that the fear of God is the beginning
of all wisdom, that it is a guide and beacon in prosperity,
and a stay amidst misfortune; to remain ever faithful to
the precepts of their childhood, and continue steadfast like-
wise in their political faith. May they observe it both bf
their constancy in adversity and exile and by their firmness
and devoted patriotism when the course of events shall
restore them to their country. May France, restored to
her dignity and liberty, may constitutional France reckon
upon them to defend her honour, her grandeur, and her
interests, and may she find once more in them the wisdom
of their grandfather and the chivalrous qualities of their
father. They should ever beer in mind the political prin-
ciples which have made the glory of their house, which their
grandfather faithfully observed upon the throne, and which
their father, as his will and testament bears witness, had
ardently adopted. His last directions have been the guiding
rule of their education. In quitting this world I recommend
my children to the Queen. My beloved son, the Count de
Paris, will attain his majority the moment my will shall take
effect ; yet, notwithstanding this, I count upon the moral
influence of the Queen and npon her respected authority to
replace rue in his counsels; I likewise reckon upon her
maternal solicitude in entreating her to accept the guardian•
ship of my beloved son, the. Duke de Chatres. Such duty
will not, I trust, appear to her too onerous, for I beg my
brothers to assist the Queen in the administration of the
fortune of their nephews. 1 know full well the feeling'
which animate them for the children of their deplored
brother, and I am sure that they will at all times testify
towards them a sincere affection. I charge my sons to
remain es er closely united; the indissoluble union of the
two brothers forming the condition of their strength and
mutual happiness. l desire thst my eldest son
i ehaltfront
the day that his legal majority permits him, take part n the
family council appointed to watch over the interests to
younger brother. It is also my desire that those tried sot
faithful friends who havo surrounded my sous,and.
utter having been the devoted adherents of their fat lei,
have never ceased to give us proofs of attachment
in
adversit, will still continue to remain about them.
The illustrious testatrix, having revoked and annulled
a deed of trusteeship executed on the 2Flth of Jul)
1849, and a continual ion deed dated in 1853, both of
which were deposited at Coutts', with the view that
the securities comprised therein should revert to her
personal property and bo equally divided between her
two children, thus proceeds :
With this intention I likewise divide between them,
equitably
-
equitably as possible, the following articles in my Foss!Hee,s..
sion, leaving, to wit, to the Count de Paris, my pear the
lace in four rows, which he will, I trust, one day give
Countess de Paris; the six diamond pendants with chain;
the red album, containing the fine collection of
water'
&i h e
Orleans ; all ms furs, and Scheffer's picture of tro
~
,li
colours by French artists, which belonged to the Duke
Women" ( lea Sa intes Femmes). To the Duke de Chartres,
ro
my set of pearls, composed of brooches, pins; eant__if
bracelets, and a diadem. This set canoe to ma frow
let be'
godmother, my Aunt Adelaide. My
ruby
bracheuuti, us ;
queathed by the Queen of the Belgians; two ruby .
the sapphire ring and the ruby ring ; my fine cup
,11101
the Prayer Book, which was made by his fatherhst
af
arth est.
jewelsess d'annes, and my lace. I hope t
j and lace may be worn by a Duchess de .e
Besides the foregoing articles, 1 bequeath as
the Count de Paris the large portrait of, his
.111._1°.;',:,h
Ingres ; the marble bust of his father, by lailet,!n,'Oe
picture of" The Iron Gates," hD -y —auzata ;the small P
of the " Ccl de Teniah," by Philippoteaux ; all hism well
manuscripts, papers, letters, small note-books,
souvenirs
bto,