The Express.
London, England, 1851-09-16 00:00:00

FRANCE.

PARIS, MiThDAT EVZNING.
The ceremony of laying the foundation-stone of
the central market-places has been accomplished in
perfect tranquillity. An enormous crowd thronged
all the streets in the neighbourhood of St. Eustriche ;
the old fragments of wall which still remain of demo-
lished houses were densely bestrid by adventurous
blouses; and all windows, balconies, and roofs look-
ing on the site of the projected buildings swarmed
with gay groups, animated by the brilliant sunshine.
On tho faces of some of the houses a sort of scaf-
folding of improvised balconies was fixed to
accommodate spectators. The instant the red-
crested helmets of the escort of carabinters
were descried a murmur arose, which soon swelled
into cries of various political import, some giving
uprorious vivats for tho President, and others
equally vigorous shouts in favour of the republic.
On the whole, however, Louis Napoleon had reason
to be satisfied with his reception.
The President and his staff, with a numerous es-
cort of carabineers and dragoons, having arrived in
front of the church, a procession of the clergy issued
from the door of that fine old edifice to perform
the religious part of the ceremony. The Pre-
fect of the Some then handed to the President
the box containing the medals, and the plate engraved
with an inscription commemorating the act. After
reading tho inscription the prefect presented tho
plate to tho architects, who placed it together with
the coins and medals in the box to be enclosed in the

foundation-stone. The box was then filled with wax,
enclosed in the stone, and secured with a lid in lead.
The President then proceeded to seal the ends of a
bronze cross which was fixed over the aperture in
the stone with the object of securing the box more
completely, and put mortar into the four holes in which
the extremities of the cross were inserted. The
curate of St. Eustache having made an appropriate
discourse, the Prefect of the Seine made a speech, to
which the President replied in the following words:

Gentlemen,—During forty years it has been in contem-
plation to erect a vast monument destined to preserve from
the inclenumey of the seasons that numerous class which
suffers daily in order to furnish Paris with the
provisions necessary for its existence. But thanks to
the enlightened direction of the Minister of the Interior,
thanks to the energetic concurrence of the municipal coun-
cil of Paris and of its worthy head, thanks to the decision
of the National Assembly, this work, which I have so long
wished for, is at length on the eve of accomplishment. The
construction of these markets, a real benefit for humanity,
facilitates the furnishing of Paris with provision., and calls
into concurrence for that object a greater number of dr
partments. It is not a work purely municipal, for Paris is
the heart of France, and the more its life is active
and powerful the more it communicates with the rest of the
country. In laying this first stone of an edifice
of which the destination is so eminently popular, I deliver
myself with confidence to tho hope that, with the support of
good citizens, and with the protection of Heaven, it will be
given to us to lay upon the soil of France some foundations
whereupon will be erected a social edifice sufficiently solid
to offer a shelter against the violence and mobility of human
passions.
- - - - -

The President announced to tho Minister of the
Interior, the Prefect of the Seine, and the Prefect of
the Police that they were raised to the dignity of
commanders of the Legion of Honour.
The quantity of troops concentrated in the neigh-
bourhood of the site was very considerable. Iwo
squadrons of dragoons and two companies of the
gendarmerie mobile occupied the Place des Victoires.
Other detachmentslwere posted at different points of
the quarter, which abounds with a working popu-
lation.

After the ceremony was finished the President, at
half-past one, returned along the quay of the Tuile-
ries in an open caleche, escorted by a strong detach-
ment of cuirassiers. As he passed before the gate of
the Carrousel he was assailed with stunning cries of
.4 Vivo la Republique r from a large crowd, which had
assembled there apparently for that purpose. Two of
these sticklers for the republic were arrested on the
spot, and conducted across the river to the prefecture
of police.
The significant allusion of tho President, at the
close of his speech, as to the prolongation of his
powers, is the subject of much comment.
The Committee of Permanence held this morning
an extraordinary sitting, which was presided over:by
M. Benoist d'Azy. Rather more than 20 members
were present to hear M. Loon Faucher's expla-
nations with regard to the subjection of the de-
partment of the Ardeche to state of siege. The
committee expressed themselves satisfied with the
arguments alleged by the Minister of the Interior,
and, after a short and calm debate, adjourned till
Thursday.
A legitimist conference took place a few days ago
at the Chateau de Noiziel, Seine and Manic, the re-
sidence of the Duke de Levis. MM. Ilerryer and
Noailles were present. The object of the meeting
was the reconciliation of the contending fractions of
the legitimist party.
A new socialist journal, the Revolution, has depo-
sited its caution money, and is to appear on the 18th.
Tho Conran/au/and publishes copious extracts
from the report of the committee appointed to in-
quire into the administration of forests since 1830.
The report of M. Troplong is highly favourable to
Louis Philippe, and dwells on the wasteful and
ruinous administration of the republic.
In the secret consiatory held at Rome on the sth,
the Pope has appointed to the bishopric of Arras
Monseigneur de Parisis, translated from the see of
Langres, and to the bishopric of St. Claude M.
Mabile, vicar-general of Montauban.
The trial of the Agen conspiracy has ended in the
condemnation of Oauzence to one year's imprison-
ment, and in the acquittal of the three other pri-
soners.