The Express.
London, England, 1851-04-29 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY ETE/fING, APRIL 29, 1851.

reign of the most ignorant and backward people in
uropoi,,the Point:Ss to .be lord and toaster of seven
nilligaa of our people, and ono-third of our territory,
then all we can rays, that our civilisation becomes
'i failure, and toleration itself &humbug.
L.Zrd ClAlE:snoN's letter will no doubt serve to
embarraes his future government. But we are re-
Joked it it. For nothing, we are confident, can
bring the Irish to fair terms save plain-apokenness.
We still have many just concessions to make to the
Irish, and we should set about making them, in
order that in return we might demand—not smiles
and compliments, not fraternization and flattery, but
a fair and definitive settlement of the terms on which
we are to live together—they with their consciences
unscathed, we with our linerty of action and of
thought, and our later civilisation unmenaccd.

FRANCE.

PARIS, MONDAY ETZNINO.
M. Semler, secretary of embassy at St. Peters-
burg, has been appointed French secretary- of em-
buoy at London. Until the arrival of General
Auptck, M. Serurier will fulfil the functions at
charge d'affaires ad interim.
The Union pronounces to-day decidedly against
the prolongation of the powers of Louis Napoleon.
General Perrot held yesterday the first of a series
of reviews of the various legions of the National
Guard, after the completion of which a grand review
hdeolcloobtyomithet
opfeesthiedewoht.olenNeatei,ieltsioaols Gofuage
iesoatritibeon
Ito put a suspicious construction on this design.
Five and twenty persons, accused of attempting to
incite workmen to an entente on the 4th of May,
were apprehended yesterday by the police in various
taverns, and confined in the prefecture.
The question of the day is the preparation of peti-
tions throughout France for the revision of the con-
stitution ; and, in the present humour of the National
Assembly, with so large a mixture of waverers
in the club of the Rue des Pyramides, no doubt a
good deal of weight will be attached to the opinions
of the country expressed in this way. It is, however,
utterly useless to attempt to shadow forth results
front the small beginnings which have been made in
various departments. The Bonapartist organs call
upon the Parisians to adopt one and the same form
of petition, which is drawing up, according to the
Bulletin de Paris, by some members of the electoral
union.
I announced to you, from the moment-that M.
Guizot and his co-fusionists took possession of the
Assembler Nationale, that it was a mistake to sup-
pose that this party would advocate the prolongation
of the powers of Louis Napoleon. The following
fact shows that I did not mislead you. The Duke do
Valmy, a legitimist of the conciliatory section of the
party, and one of the members of the directing com-
mittee of the Assendike N«tionale. has addressed a
I circular to the electors of the Musette under the
title of "Reply to Questions addressed to tho
Fusionist Committee of the Moselle," in which he
passes in review all the candidates to the presidency
—L. N. Bonaparte, Joinville, Ledru-Rollin, and
Cavitigsac, and declares that that of Louis Napoleon
is the least satisfactory mid most dangerous of all.
To-day the Assembly proceeded to ballot for the
nppointmeut of a member of the council of state.
MM. Conte, Darcy, Mandaroux-Vcrtamy, and C.
Lesseps were at the head of the list, but in two suc-
cessive ballots none of the candidates obtained the
absolute majority.
The Assembly then proceeded to discuss the se-
cond reading of the Sugar Bill, but no result what-
ever was arrived at.
The stories in the papers about M. de Fulloux's
interviews with the President and ministers are pure
fabrications, that legitimist ex-minister nut having
yet arrived in Paris.
Donesso Cortes, the Spanish minister, and General
Narvaez have broken utf intercourse.
The committee on the Paris and Avignon Railway
Bill assembled on Saturday, to hear explanations
from MM. Seguin, Ferrets., and itousselet, repre-
senting the different companies which have proposed
to contract for the line. M. Seguin undertakes to
complete the line front Chalons to Avignoisin thirty
months, on receiving an indemnity of front Iso to
ISS millions. In the event of the state taking on
itself the passage through Lyons, the company
would make a deduction front the indemnity of 21
millions. It offers to lodge as a guarantee in the hands
of the state a sum of 6 millions for 20 years. It
also consents to leave to the state the profits over
and above 10 per cent., and undertakes the haulage
and the repair of the line at the rate of sfr. a metre.
M. Ferre,re, who represents an English company,
requested that the affair might be postponed to
Tuesday next, in order that he might obtain an
answer from England. M. Rousselet proposes to
farm the line for 40 years. He offers to reimburse
in capital and interest the sum which the state shall
have paid to MM. Ribaud and Read, up to the
amount of 200 millions, which is equivalent to an
annual rental of 14 millions, and to deposit by way
of caution-money a sum equal to the amount of one
year's rent. The committee separated without
coming to any resolution.
Yesterday, the committee appointed by the Minister
of Public Works for the inspection of the Lyons
Railway, and consisting of MM. Dulaure, Daru, and
Etienne, and other persons, started to examine the
newly-completed section from Tonnerre to Dijon.
The line from Paris to Chalons, 100 French leagues
in length, is now finished; but before the official
inauguration a trial trip is now making by the com-
mittee. The committee will then proceed to Lyons
by steam-boat, examine the surveys for different lines
lietween Lyons and Avignon, and, in fact, acquire on
the spot all information tending to solve the various
difficulties of the whole Question. The main object
of the committee will be, however, to enable the
Assembly to come to a decision as to the merits of
1 the plan of the company which offers to execute the
section from Chalon to Lyons in three years, and
has been recommended by M. Magne, the Minister of
Public Works.
The committee of supplementary credits has
charged its president, M. Palsy, with the examina-
tion of Jerome Bonaparte's claim to 210,000 fr. for
arrears of pay.
Yesterday was inaugurated, with the usual cere-
monies, the little branch of the St. Germain railway,
two or three miles in length, from Asnieres to Ar-
genteuil.
A great number of merchants at Paris, more cal
less interested in maritime commerce, are getting up
a petition to the Assembly to adopt the sugar bill an
amended by the committee, particularly. as regards
the establishment of a differential duty in favour of
French colonial sugar, and the reduction of the extra
duty on foreign sugars.
The question of theatrical censorship was yester-
day brought forward before the annual assembly of
dramatic authors. M. Victor Hugo delivered a speech,
in which he demanded the "abolition of the law, as
contrary to the constitution." The meeting, greatly
agitated after this demand, formally expressed the
desire to see the word "constitution removed from
the resolution proposed, and very marked interrup-
tions from all parts clearly proved that the dramatic
authors, jealous above all of their dignity, will never
consent to become the stepping-stones of a man or a
party. M. Victor Hugo thereupon declared that, in
consequence of the clearly expressed ill-will of the
Assembly with respect to the constitution, and of the
necessity imposed on him of withdrawing that word,
he would not be responsible for the proposition so
modified. M. Saint Hilaire. a vaudevillist, then took
up the resolution as amended, and it was adopted,
but only by a small majority.
The notice of the Minister of War in the Moniteur
de r.lroMe, which I mentioned yesterday, reminding
military men of the existence of rules Which prevent
them from publishing any composition without the
leave of the Minister of War, has drawn much at-
tention. and meets with some very just reflections
front the National. The existence of a decree which
dooms to a mute servitude and entire abeyance of in-
tellect, in an active sense, so large a class of citizens,
seems altogether incompatible even with the limited
freedom which is enjoyed by the French under their
republic. A more degrading feature of tyranny
could not exist under the sway of the Czar or Sultan,
but such is the humour of the Legislative Assembly
that the mere fact of a motion for the emancipation
of the army front such an onerous censorship, ema-
nating from the Mountain, would be quite enough to
doom it to failure, and to perpetuate the obligation.
The great avenue of the Champs Elysees presents
a singular spectacle just now, in consequence of the
preparations for the fete of the 4th of May. A por-
tion of the decorations consists in a douSle line of
colossal statues in plaster, each some 30 feet in stature.
All hi•torical celebrities connected with the French
republic have been carefully excluded, while those
Nov
ayette,
re
which could reflect any creait upon the monarchy
and empire appear in marshals' uniforms, doublet and
ruff, or
But one rmedcaP-aftic
the the grave Sully, and yonder the chivalrous Dus
-mig.htlllooerek iisnthe vain impetuousfor
L
Condoreet, or even Voltaire. Last year the republic
wasrepresentedbya spacious female,—in 1851, even
this plaster complement has been suppressed. But the
really interesting part of the business is to ace the
sculptors at work on these enormous figures, and the
rapid dexterity with which they
timber nailed together, and bound about with straw,
with handfuls of gypsum, which gradually swell into
well-proportioned 'limbs, suitably draped, with ex-
pressive gesture. A regular school of artists is

To win the post of power, protection has to gain a
preponderant influence in three kingdoms, or else to
gain such a predominance in the greatest of the
three as may enable it to dispense with the support
of the other two. As the genius of protection has at
all times been sanguine anclshortsightetl, and equally
incapable of appreciating the forbearance or the
strength opposed to it, we can readily imagine how
it may have gradually come to believe that its retro-
grade principles arc really making progress in each,
if not in all, the constituent portions of the empire.
Inflated with its supposed importance, it struts
about with the solemn airs, and talks in the grave
incoherent tone of a madman who claims a peerage
that is in reality extinct. The solemn gait and
pompous gibberish are harmless enough, and so long
us the maniac antics amount to nothing more we are
disposed in humanity to let them have way. But all
lunatics have, it is said, a certain dash of cunning in
them; and they are all more or less disposed to be
mischievous. We know of no mischief much greater
than that of trying .to bamboozle the ignorant and
credulous. Yet this, we fear, is what protection is
about just now, wherever it can venture to make the

attempt.
The other day it ran down to Edinburgh, by mail-
train, pretending that all Scotland had called it, and
stood with open arms ready to receive it. Lament-
able was its consequent exposure. Beyond a brace
of baronets, a pair of professors, and some half-
dozen lairds of small degree, there was literally
nobody coming to woo. The emigration from Lon-
don had even their misgivings as to the feasibility-
of their effecting a pacific entrance and unmolested
retreat from the theatre of their enthusiastically no-
popular demonstration : and a story is told, we know
not with what foundation, that having earnestly re
requested the attendance of an influential function-
ary of the Fair City, he assured them of his readiness
to give them what they seemed to require for one
day—namely, " ample protection:" but that further
he could in no way aid th .m. What happened
after dinner on that distressing occasion, how the
chairman talked loosely about the interest on the
national debt, and how the professors tumbled un-
guardedly into a mess of mulled statistics, and were
so scalded as to be seriously injured, it is supposed
for life,—all this mods no repetition.
As for the realm of Scotland, it remains true to its
ancient character of knowing what it is about too
well to throw away its big bread and cheap butter
when it has got it. Scotland has a keen sense of tho
pleasures of memory. It clearly recollects what it
used to he to have to live on short commons; and it
is perfectly determined never to try that mode of
existence again if it con help it. Scotland scoffs at
the notion of going hack to protection. Its mer-
chants, its manufacturers, its men of letters, its men
of genius ; above all, its educated, orderly, frugal,
and reflective millions, laugh the landlord-dodge- to
scorn.
Equally vain have been the recent efforts of pro-
tection to play the part of patriot in Ireland. For
years there has not been so good an opportunity
there for its purpose. The whigs arc confessedly
unpopular with the masses of all persuasions in that
polemically distracted land; and to be suspected of
favouring them is the most damaging imputation
that could be cast at the present moment at a cant
dilate on the hustings. But hatred to rack-ren-
and land monopoly is deeper than dislike of the
whigs ; and to be a free-trader covers a multitude of
sins. Mr. Poxsositv was more than suspected of
whiggery by the electors of Dim garcon ;
was avowedly its bitter assailant. But the former
professed himself manfully against raising the price
of bread and the price of land (for they arc one and
the same thing), while the latter confessed that he
has of late become an advocate fir a fixed duty.
The result was two to one at the poll in favour of Mr.
PONSON BY.
In like manner, at Longford, all the odds at start-
ing seemed to be in favour of the protectionist. A
good landlord, habitually resident, and at the critical
hour of nomination on the spot to answer all ques-
tioners and questions—liberal in religious views,
and disposed to go a good way towards un accommo-
dation with the tenant league—Mr. STEATOR seemed
to be the very man fitted to secure the popular voice.
On the other hand, his antagonist was 3,001) miles
off, with the livery of office still clinging to his
shoulders, and with no antecedents calculated to
render him a favourite either with ultra-liberals or 1
tenant-righters. But Mr:ol'pa m'. was known
to he a decided supporter of the policy of free-trade,
while his rival announced himself as a reactionist—
towards high rents and dear food. The event is well
known.
Last of all comes the election for the city of Cork,
where the only candidate declares himself to be de-
cidedly opposed, even on catholic grounds, to
attempting to overthrow the present administra-
tion. Sergeant MURPHY had the pleasure of
being suffered to walk over the course ; but with
supererogatory frankness, he appears subsequently to
his being declared duly elected, to have submitted to
a searching catechetical examination as to the origin
of political evil in Ireland. In the course of this
animated scene, in which the serjeant was as ready
to become the assailant as to defend himself, the
controversy drifted, as if inevitably, on the sunken
rocks of protection. The ex-candidate for Danger-
van energetically strove to gain a hearing for his
arguments in favour of a fixed duty. But the cur-
rent ran too strong. and deep the other way. It
would not do; and spite of all the advantages which
a popular style, popular goodwill, and popular posi-
tion gave Mr. NIAGUIRE over the new M.P., the ver-
-1 diet was iu favour of free trade.
Collecting their strength cor weakness) once more
around their chiefs, and calling in all their wounded
vedettes, the army of protection is about to be re-
viewed at Drurv-fane this day ; and atter the fashion
of the grand humbug at Satory last Autumn, the
officers after the parade of the morning, are to get a
bit of cold chicken and a glwis of champagne..
We are not ill-natured by disposition, and the poor
,protectionists so frequently make us laugh. that we
finch it difficult to be morose with them. We shall,
therefore, only say, that we hope their collation, or
dinner, in the play-house, whichever it is to be, will
be more digestable and wholesome than their matu-
tired rhetoric, which, if it dues not differ widely from
all the samples we have ever had before, is sure to be
sad stuff.

PASSPORT SI,TEM IN BELGIUM.—The inhahitanti
of the town of Ootend,impregad with the unnecessary strict-

nem of the measures adopted by the police, with regard to
the passports of foreigner., have determined upon petition-
ing the Minister of Justice against the continuance of the
annoyance to which strangers arc subjected by the existing
police regulations. The petition state: that at a time when
vast numbers from all parts of the world are about
proceeding to the world's great fair, it is absurd
and detnmental to the interests of the nation to
offer any obstruction to the free passage of travellers, that
Belgium by her geographit al position is calculated to afford
the lest accommodation fur travellers to or from many
pans of the continent, and that unless some alteration of
the present passport system imnudiately takes place, tra-
vellers will be deterred from passing through Belgium, and
that the ports of Calais, Rotterdam, Boulogne, and others,
where less annoyance is offered, will decidedly have the
preference over the ports of Belgium. The petition, which
already bears numerous signatures, concludes with the ex-
pression of a hope that through immediate intervention on '
the part of the proper authorities the present annoying
system will be put a stop to.
illE AMERIC.tN 111.tu.s.—We understand that
there is little doubt that the Royal Mail Steam-ships from
Liverpool to sew York and Boston will at no very distant
date receive orders to make llolylivad their mail-station.
We are happy to believe, however, that this alteration will
be confine d to the inward mails solely ; the outward being
despatched from Lis rpood direct, in order to enable the
commenrial men of the Mersey to avail themselves of the
last moment of time previous to the departure of the
steamers. We have not yet been able to procure official
information on the subject ; but we hare every confidence
that our statement will prove correct.—Lircrpool