The Express.
London, England, 1863-11-06 00:00:00

Ritiunped, ld. Additioludj

FRANCE.

SPEECH OF THE EMPEROR,

[A portion of the following speech appeared in the whole
of our yesterday's imprimis% and the WWI, of it was given
is a later edition.]
THITUDAY.

The French Chambers were opened at 1 o'clock
to-day by the Emperor, who delivered the follow-
ing speech :
" Messieurs Senators and Deputies,—The annual
meeting of the great bodies of the State is always
a happy occasion which draws together men devoted
to the public welfare, and allows the truth to be
shown to the country. The freedom of our
mutual communications calms anxieties and fortifies
my resolutions. Be then, welcome.

" The Legislative Corps has been re-assembled
for the third time since the foundation of the
empire, and for the third time, in spite of some
local differences, I have only to congratulate myself
on the result of the elections. You have all taken
the same oath to me ; it assures me of your co-
operation. Our duty is to attend promptly
and well to the affairs of the country, while
remaining faithful to the constitution, which
has given sm aims 4ears of prosperity,
and which you have sworn to maintain.
The statement of the internal situation will show
you that, despite the forced stagnation of labour
in certain branches, progress has not been
slackened. Our industry has advantageously
struggled against foreign competition, and, before
unexceptional facts, the fears occasioned by the
treaty of commerce with England are dissipated.
Our exports in the first eight months of the year
,1863, compared with those of the corresponding
months of 1862 have increased by 233,000,000.
During the same period the movement of maritime
navigation exoeeded the amount of the correspond-
ing period by 175,000 tons,l36,oootons of which are
under the French flag. The abundantharvest of this
year is a blessing of Providence which must assure
the subsistence of the population at the lowest rate.
It establishes also the prosperity of agriculture.
The public works have been pursued with activity.
About 1,000 new kilometres of railway have been
opened up to the circulation of our ports. Our
rivers ; our canals ; our roads have con-
tinued to improve. The session having
taken place sooner than usual, the report
of the Minister of Finance has not been published ;
it will be shortly. You will see in it that if our
hopes are not completely realised, the revenues
have followed an ascending scale, and that
without extraordinary resources we have met
the expenses occasioned by the war in
Mexico and Cochin Chins. I may mention several
reforms deemed opportune. Amongst others, the
decrees relative to the liberty of baking ; that
which renders the maritime inscription leas onerous
to the population of the coast ; the act
which modifies the law of coalitions, and that
which suppresses the exclusive privileges of
theatres. I have also caused to be prepared a law
destined to enlarge the functions of the general
and communal councils, and to remedy the
excess of oentralisation • in fact to sim-
plify administrative formalities, and to soften
the legislation applicable to the classes worthy of
all our solicitude. There will be in this a progress with
which you will delight to associate yourselves.
You will also have to occupy yourselves with the
sugar question, which requires at length to be
settled ty a more stable legislation. The project
submitted to the Council of State tends to grant
to home products the facility of exportation
which the sugars of other productions enjoy. A
law upon registration will abolish the double
decline, and will replace it by a juster apportion-
ment.

"In Algeria, in spite of the anomaly which
subjects in the same populations some to
the civil power, and others to the military
power, the Arabs have well understood that the
French rule was remedial and equitable, without
Europeans having less confidence in the protection
of the government. Our ancient coloniea have seen
the restrictive barriers on their transactions dis-

appear ; but circumstances have not been favour-
able to the development of commerce. The recent
establishment of a credit institution will serve, I
hope, to ameliorate the condition of things.
" Iu the midst of these material cares nothing
that concerns religion, the mind, and morality has
been neglected. Religious and charitable works, the
arts, the sciences, and public instruction have re-
ceived numerous encouragements.

" Since 1848 the academic population have in-
creased one fourth. At the present time nearly
five millions of children—of whom a third re-
ceive s free education—are received in the priutary.

schools; but our efforts ought not to berelaxea
while 600,000 more are deprived of instruction.
The higher studies have gained fresh life in the
secondary schools, where special instruction is being
re-organised.

" Such, gentlemen, is the issuing of that which we
have already done, and which we wish further to do.
Certainly the prosperity of our country would take
a more rapid flight if political anxieties did not
disturb it, but in the life of nations unex-
pected inevitable events occur which should be
viewed without fear and supported with-
out weakness. Of this number are the
American war, the necessary occupation of
Mexico and Cochin China, and the insurrection of
Poland. Distant expeditions, the object of so
many criticisms, have not been the execution of
a premeditated plan, the force of things has brought
them about, and yet, nevertheless, they are
not to be regretted. How, in fact, can we develop
our external commerce if, on the one side, we
renounce all influence in America, and if, on
the other, in presence of the vast territories occu-
pied by the Spaniards and Dutch, France remained
alone without possessions in tht Asiatic seas I
" We have conquered in Cochin China a position
which, without binding us to the local government,
will permit us to employ the immense resources
of those countries, and to civilise them by
commerce.

"In Mexico, after an unexpected resistance,
surmounted by the courage of our soldiers
and sailors, we have seen the populations
receive us as liberators. Our efforts will not have
been in vain, and we shall be largely recompensed
for our sacrifices, when the destinies of this
country, which will owe us its regeneration, shall
have been been given over to a prince whose
intelligence and accomplishments render him worthy
of so noble a mission. Have faith, then, in our
enterprises across the seas. Undertaken to vindicate
our honour, they will end by the triumph of
our interests ; and if prejudiced minds
divine not the fertility which is contained in
the germs laid down for the future, do not allow
the glory acquired, so to speak, at the two extremi-
ties of the world, at Pekin and at Mexico, to be dis-
par

"The Polish question requires more development.
When the Polish insurrection burst out, the go-
vernmentu of Russia and France were on the
best terms. Since the peace the great European
questions had found them agreed, and I do not
hesitate to declare that during the Italian war, as at
the time of the annexation of the province of Nice
and Savoy, the Emperor lent me the sincerest
and most cordial assistance. This good agree-
ment dictated consideration, and I must
therefore have believed the Polish question very
popular in France when I did not hesitate to com-
promise one of the first alliances of the Continent,
and to raise a voice in favour of a nation
rebellious to the eyes of Russia, but to ours the
inheritor of a right inscribed in history and in
treaties. Nevertheless, that question affects the
smolt Europe= interests It could not be

[TWOPENCE

treated separately by France. An offence to our
'honour, or a menace against our frontiers, alone
imposes upon us the duty of acting without
previous concert. It became, therefore, necessary,
as at the time of the events in the east and m
Syria, to come to an undowith the
Powers who bad reasons ants similar
to ours on which to declare themselves.
The Polish insurrection, the duration of which
impressed on it a national character, awak-
ened sympathies everywhere, and the aim of
diplomacy was to draw to that cause the utmost
possible amount of adhesions, in order to press on
Russia with all the weight of the opinion of Europe.
This concurrence of wishes, almost unanimous,
appeared to us the fittest method of bringing per-
suasion to the cabinet of St. Petersburg. Unfor-
tunately, our disinterested counsels have been inter-
preted as an intimidation, and the steps of England,
of Austria, and of France, in place of arresting the
struggle have only envenomed it. Excesses are
committed upon both sides, equally to be de-
plored in the name of humanity. What remains,
therefore, to be done ?
" Are we reduced to the only alternative of war
or alone) ? No. Without resorting to arms,
and without being silenced, one resource is open.
to us. This is, to submit the Polish cause to
European trlbanaL Rusin has altiady declared
that conferences in which all the other
que
stions which
.agitate Europe should be
would ni no degree wound her
dignity. Let us take note of this declaration.
May it serve to extinguish once for all the ferment.
of discord ready to burst forth upon all aides,
and from the very uneasiness of Europe labouring
on all sides with the elements of dissolution,
may a new era of order and peace spring forth.
Is not the time come to reconstruct upon fresh
bases the edifice undermined by time and destroyed
piecemeal by revolutions 1 Is it not ur-
gent to recognise by new conventions that.
which has been irrevocably accomplished, and
to carry out by common agreement what the
peace of the world requires i The treaties of 1815
have ceased to exist. The force of events has
overthrown, or tends to overthrow them
almost everywhere. They have been broken
in Greece, in Belgium, in France, in Italy,
as upon the Danube. Germany is agitating to
alter them ; England has generously modified
them by the cession of the lonian Islands ;
and Russia treads them under foot at
Warsaw. In the midst of these successive
rents in the fundamental European
ardent passions become over-excited, and powr:ft
interests demand solution in the South as well as
in the North. What, then, can be more legitimate
and more sensible than to convoke the
Powers of Europe to a Congress in which
self-love and resistance would disappear
in face of a supreme arbitrage ? What can be more
in conformity with the ideas of the age, with the
wishes of the greatest number, than to address
ourselves to the conscience, to the reason of states-
men in all countries, and to say, Have not the
prejudices and rancour which divide us already
lasted long enough ' Shall the jealous
rivalry of the great powers for ever hinder
the progress of civilisation ? Shall we
always keep up mutual distrust by excessive arms.- •
manta ? Are we to exhaust the most precious
resources indefinitely in a vain ostentation of our
forces I Are we to preserve for ever a state of
things which is neither peace with its security nor
war with its chances of success ? Let us no
longer give a factitious importance to the subver-
sive spirit of extreme parties by opposing narrow
calculations to the legitimate aspirations of peo-
ples. Bather let us have the courage to
substitute a stable and regale: state of things
for one that is deranged and ruinous, even
should it cost some sacrifices. Let us assemble
without preconceived epitome, without exclu-
sive ambitions, animated by the sole thought of
establishing ea order of things founded hencefor-
ward on the well-understood interests of
sovereigns and peoples. Thin appeal, I would
fain believe, will be listened to by all. A
refusal would leave room to suspect the ex-
istence of secret projects which will not bear the
light of day. But even should the proposition not be
unanimously agreed to, it would have the immense
advantage of having shown Europe the source of
danger and the means of safety. Two ways are
open—the one leads to progress by conciliation and
peace, the other leads fatally sooner or later to
war by the obstinate desire to maintain an old state
of things which is crumbling away.
" You know now, gentlemen,what language I pro-
pose to hold towards Europe. Approved by your
sanction and the public assent, it cannot fail to be
heard, since I speak in the name of France."

[The above telegram was transmitted by the
Submarine Telegraph Company in the abort space
of one hour.]

TER LOED MAYOR'S DAY. The following is
the rout, which will be takes by the Lead Mayor's pro-
ceed= es Monday next :—Alter having the Guildhall, it
will proceed to King-street, Poultry, Corehlli, Leadeuhall-
etre= Billiter-street, Mark lane, Tower-street, East-
cheap, Cannon-street, St. Paul's-churchyard, Ludgate-
street, Meet-street, Strand, Charisgarem, Parliament-
street, to Westminster-hall, where they will mitre about
2 o'clock. The procession will leave Guildhall at 12
o'clock, sod the thoroughfares before-named In the City
will be closed for omnibus= oar= and at 10
o'clock, till the procession has weed. On the return
from Westminster-hall it will be joined by the nobility
who have received cards of invited= . The venal civic
banquet takes place in the evening, to which Inc Majesty's
ministers have been invited. The Premier sad several
=hen of the Cabinet have notified their intestine of being
present.
REPIMENTATION or NorTINGHAW.....In some ob-
servations on this subject (aye the Noaiapk Journal),
which appeared in our paper of the 16th Dabber, it was
stated that rumours hid been prevalent that Mr. Puget in-
tended to retire at the next dissolutioe. We have no idea
bow the report originated, but Mr. Paget's retirement wee
certainly talked about at the time. It appears to have
been one of those idle bite of gomip which some people
take a delight in setting about. We have the beat autho-
rity for laying that there is not the slightest foundation for
the rumour. Mr. Psget is in the enjoyment of excellent
health, and will be ready and willing to place his time and
practical knowledge at the envies of the electors at the next
election. _ .

----_
ETADING CATTLE WITH WHEAT.—Some time
lime it was stated in the papers that the farmers in Somer-
set and Driest had been feeding their cattle on wheat, on
account at its *hoopoes., and that one farmer near Dor-
chester, who bred large numbers of Mk" was feeding
them on that isereaL Since doing so, however, he bu lost a
great many beide( swine, and sorne modification will have
to be made in the food of such animals.

FECUNDITY or FL9II.—AII fishes are immensely
famed ; indeed there is nothing in the animal world that
can in thin respect be eompared with them, except perhaps
• queen bee, which has fifty or sixty thousand young each
season, or the white ant, which produce, eggs at the rote of
fifty per minute, and goes on laying for • period of un-
known duration 1 When we state that the cod-fish yields
its eggs in millions, and that so small • fish as • herring of
five or six ounces is provided with thirty-five thousand ova,
it will at ones be seta that the multiplying powers of all
kis& of fish are immense. But the drain un fish life, coo.
sequeut on the habitat of these animals, is of correspond-
ing magnitude. Millions upon millions of the eggs that are
laid by the cod or the herring in the ma some to life
at all, many of them from the want of the f ructifying power,
and others from being devoured by enemies. ?ben. seas,
of those egp that am so fortunate as to be linseed,
it is pretty certain that fully ninety-five per cent. of the
young fish perish before they are six months old. Were
only half of the egp to come to life, and but half of the
young fish to live, the sea would so overflow with animal
life, that it would soon become impossible for a boat to
mom in its waters. But we can never hope to ream such
• sight ; and when we mention that • herring shoal con-
sists of hulloes of fiah, and takes up a space eleable that
occupied by all the parks of London, and gives no impedi-
ment to naviption, our nation will see the magnitude of
what hes been imagined ; because from the destruction of
fish life from natural causes, and the quantity required for
fond by man, the breeding supply is kept down to • per
commie that is not very far from the point of extermina.
tic,. Hence the urgent necessity for fish cultism as an
adjunct to the natural irevaliea—Prestr's Maga:tut for
November.

ALFRED WEBB MILES,
sliryboo knows Mr. MILEa.
=MOVED trots Bond-stmt. to 73, BIWOE sTEZET. Hanover-
Dow% to IMP. The lfa raousEß4 'originated by him, In all
fits New Patients ke Winter, better than ever."
SPECIAL NOTICE TO GENTLEMI2.7.
A. W. MILES begs most respectfully to announce that his
stock in the various departments of bls estatollahment Is now
replete for over-meta, Vetoing.. Bedford Cords, WWI scarlet
waterproof cloth for hunting. TM wordebed Black and Else
heat OooK 110 a A choke of Minor's of Indestructible wooded
Wool of ti Cloths. ENT tBLISHED ISM Only addreea

glte erpretifi.

To_ C9ERISPONDIINTS.

advarthamouls Iniairdoi for "-The Lapress" Lash* Imam
paper, muse be at the °Mee, 10, Bausatassrost. by Two
oaths dap of publiaatiaa.