The Express.
London, England, 1865-09-02 00:00:00

TELEGRAPHIC INTELLIGENCE.

(urum's miciwis.)
AMERICA.

(nor coon OPICOIAL 001lIBTONDINT.)
PORTSMOUTH. Farms..
The entertainment given to the Minister of
Marine and the French fleet last evening by the
town of Portsmouth and the inhabitants of the
large district around, which may be included as
belonging to this great naval station, was decidedly
the beet demonstration of hearty and sumptuous
hospitality that has yet been made. The banquet,
which was summoned so early as three o'clock, iQ
order to give time for the promeneda,coboort befolo
the ball, was worthy of the traditions of al/ civic
feasts for the abundance of good things of the,
table, and overflowing with!the warmest testimonies
of pride and pleasure at the reception of the French
naval officers as our guests. Nothing could have
been more genuine, cordial, and sensible than the
way in which the Mayor spoke his welcome for the
town, and indeed for the country generally ; for
every one who speaks of these mutual recognitions
between the great powers of the sea, sees good
looming in the future. The speech of the Mayor
will be read with satisfaction, and not less so
the speech of the Minister of Marine, which
was evidently spoken with unaffected good feel-
ing and gratification.
The toast to the Emperor was enthusiastically
received, and, during the cheers which prevailed,
the Mayor shook hands with the Minister of Marine
and the Vice-Admirals. The band played "Par-
taut pour la Syria," ands royal salute of 21 guns
was fired, the French flag being at the same tune
hoisted at the dockyards.
The toast to the Queen having been cordially
drunk, the National Anthem was played by the

The royal mail steamship Cuba, which left New
York on the morning of the 23rd ult., arrived at
Queenstown at 5.50 p.m. yesterday, with 116
passengers. She landed 104 sacks of mails and 26
passengers, and proceeded for Liverpool Mame-

band.
The Minister of Kuntz then rose and madras*.
the assembly in the following terms :
Messieurs, -Vest eves bonheur quo j'ai eutendu M. le
Mahe coufoodre dans ass nun: ass deux mammies,
et dams de nobles aments porter ii oohs Empereur le
premier tout avers ane courtoisie a laquelle tout
Fractal@ sera seeable. Je le remoras dee sentiments
gull a exprimes pour tout ors qui putt rapprocber de plus
ea plus nos den: stations, et servir i lour mutual. pro-
opiate. Oes seatemsats, eroyez le bien, mint partsges par
me. coacitoyeas, et taus aux d'entrs en: qui out pus as
reedre A Cherbourg et I Brest out cherche I ea dowser des
temoignsges A vote. brillante marine. Peace aid goodwill.
co soot les premiers mots qui oat frappe mes regards
lonque je suis entre dens cuts saosinte : " Fain et bonne
volonte." Je you remoras de les avoir beats egalement
en Francais—car j'ai Feepoir qu'ils wont desormais entre
noes use commute devise. Je reaureie Portsmouth de se
splendide hospiralite ; le souvenir nous en sera toujours
ober. Maim messieurs, oe qui us martini jamas de noire
memoirs—eis qa inmost toy 11011 coon c'eat cat em-
presesment de vas populations a velar au decant de nous—
oe soot lours ohaletireases acclamations quo nous
acceptons avec bonheur—nos poor nous memos—mais pour
In reporter a l'Empereur —I la France. Femettez-mol
done de voir en eons, M. le Mare, et dans volts muni-
(Apatite, non seulement les represeutents de votes belle
cite, male encore lee iuterpertes de touts une *aloe dont
le sympathique soma noes touehe si proforanment.
Airier ea portent ee toast a la villa de Portsmouth je boil
en mime temps s votes pays tout ostler.
" Auld Lang sync" was played by the band.
The MATOI said—l rime instantly to acknowledge the
manner in which the last toast has been proposed, and I
tender t, you, Maasieur le Ministries, my grateful thanks
for the terms la latish you seknowledged the hospitality of
the people of Portsmouth. I can only say 'gain, we have
tendered our hospitality, not perhaps in magnificence, but
is the truest and warmest feelings of the heart, and we have
rejoiced to see our Franc& brethren amongst us. (Loud
cheers.) Pesos is sa accomplished thing amongst us, and I
pray, phase God, it may be for ever. (Cheers.) I will not
touch even on thou topics to whir& I ventured to allude.
but I will offer to you, Monsieur is Minium and armors of
the French fleet, my most sincere thanks, and those of the
inhabitants of the borough, for the kind, warm, sad enthu-
siastic reception you hays given to the last tout.
The Mayor then vacated the chair while the
band played and sang the "Hip, hip, hurrah
chorus," M. de Chasseloup-Laubat, the Duke of
Somerset, and the brilliant company of naval and
military officers moving down the room towards the
promenade.
After the dinner many of the French officers
walked in parties about the town, and were fre-
quently recognised and cheered by the people. From
one balcony a party of gentlemen drank to, them in
champagne, and gave three cheers for the Emperor
said the French navy, a compliment which was of
course most politely acknowledged, and relished as
an unusually sparkling compliment. Everywhere,
indeed, our guests must have been struck with the
spontaneous and emphatic expression of welcome.
The large square grass plot where this part of the
fêtes was held is really a more important place than
at first mention of it I was aware of. It his its
historic interest, and has long served as a sort of
place d'armes to the garrison for guard mounting and
parades. It lies close under the earthworks, which
bounds it on two sides, and has a border of rather
fine old elms on the side opposite the large circular
tent and the other temporary festive balls. Close
to the scene of this gay and brilliant as-
semblage stands the little bumble garrison
chapel--a rude old Dorms Dei, founded by
Peter de Rup4bus, Bishop of Winchester, in 1238.
It has no architectural feature except its singular
plainness, yet within its walls the last rites have
been paid to many a brave fellow, and the little
graveyard is full of the dust of heroes, though all
their names may not be writ on enduring bronze.
Napier, the conqueror of Scinde, lies here, howevee,
and a grey granite effigy of "the old lion" stands
in the ohapeL But there is another hallowed spot
in this green which was overshadowed by the tents,
and past which all the gay throng went without
heeding it ; this was the slab that marks the place

_ .
thately. All well.
The Cuba brings no specie.
(Per the Cabe, rid Roche's Point.)
NEW YORK, Am:sr 22, Eczema.
A military commission assembled at Washington
yesterday for the trial of Captain Wirz. The speci-
fication charges Wirz with murder, also with con-
spiring with Lea, Winder, Seddon, and others to
destroy the lives of the Federal prisoners at Ander-
sonville by various malicious means. The court
adjourned to-day without naming a day for re-
assembling, giving rise to the report that the charge
of conspiracy would be abandoned. Wires counsel
entered several pleas denying the authority of the
court, protesting against theindefinite adjournment,
and demanding the discharge or trial of the pri-
soner. The Judge Advocate decided that, the court
having adjourned, counsel could not be heard.
General Schenck has made a speech asserting
that President Johnson had informed him he re-
garded the local governments of rebellious States as
temporary experiments, to give the people the op-
portunity to show whether they will develop the
right spirit necessary for full restoration to their
position in the government. The military would
remain to prevent them, if necessary, from straying
back into their former ways.
General Gilmore has returned to Charleston from
his tour in South Carolina. He has stated that
the military must maintain the direction of affairs
until a regular State Government is organised.
The Mayor of Fayetteville, of North Carolina,
denies the ill-usage of negroes by civil authorities
or civilians.
The continued reduction of the naval forces is

progressing.
The Belgian, the City of Baltimore, and the Bo-
russia have arrived out.
NEW TOM AUGUST 23, 6 A.Y.
The Mississippi State Convention has passed the
State constitutional amendment for the abolition
of slavery.
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORK, AUGUST 22, Emus°.
Money easy. Gold, 1431. Exchange on London,
1571; ditto on Paris, 3.571. Stocks steady. New
York Centrals, 901; Illinois, 122 ; Erie, 831; 5-20
United States Bonds, 106 f. Cotton steady ; Mid-
dling Upland, 45. Flour good inquiry. IVliest and
Corn steady. Provisions good inquiry. Coffee
steady. Sugar good inquiry. Molasses quiet.
Petroleum, quiet ; crude, 320. ; refined, 52c.

CANADA.
QUEBEC, AVOCET! 22.
The surveys and estimates of the Intercolonial
Railroad have been submitted to the Canadian
Parliament. The route recommended is via River
du Loup, Bay of Chaleur, Fredericktown, and
Pictou, to Halifax, and will coat 25 millions, or
140,000 dollars per mile.

FRANCE.
PARIS, Sm. 1.

The Empress has arrived at Fontainebleau with
the ladies injured at Neufchfitel. It is st►ted that
the court will set out on Sunday for Biarritz.
The Emperor will come to Paris to-morrow to
preside at a council of ministers at the Tuileries.

on here between French and English elbows has
not berm about fighting, bat about naval architec-
ture—the comparative merits of their ships—their
internal economy, their steam power and speed,
their systems of diseipline in every respect; the
guns have been discussed rather tenderly, as
though the one side felt that theirs was the
weaker, • while the other was not disposed
to descant Upon a superiority which, whatever it
might be, was not equal to the standard known
and admitted by scientific artillerists. But
these are matters which lead me from the
festivities, although it is perfectly true that they
Dave constantly formed the subject of conversation
at these meetings—at Plymouth, at Cherbourg, at
Brest, and now at Portsmouth. Indeed, it would
be affectation to say they had not. The French are
quite alive to the fact that they have no gun equal
to the work of iron-clad warfare ; but they, with
more wisdom than we have shown, wait to see what
nay be the sure results of all the experimen-
liaising that has for years made chaos of modern
gunnery.
Returning to the civic festivities, I may honestly
oerolilkneut the Mayor and the committee of taste
who ffhite, undertook and carried out the decora-
tive arrangements, and the more substantial order-
ing of entertainments, upon the admirable ma-
nagement of everything. The great tent was
really a charming and most fairy-like canopy, with
its long pendant garlands of pink and blue roses,
and the fluted stripes of scarlet rising to a point in
the centre, and lit by a beautiful circletof gaslights,
with flames—the shape of the shamrock—shedding
their bright glitter over an Wand of gold, studded
with ferns and flowers of every kind in the middle
of the wide floor, which, being covered with smooth
white canvas, looked like a lake, and the ladies
flying over it in the giddy waltz like fairies in the
moonlight. When the illuminated fountain, with
its rainbow tints, was playing, the scene was
I quite fantastic and fairy-like. The long banquet
'room was rapidly converted into a dancing room
with an adjoining tent, and at the ends of
this immense saloon were trophies of silk
lbanners (the civic authorities scorn all
bunting, be it observed), with medallions
of the Emperor and the Queen, and their respective
cyphers, and the whole wall covered with golden
bees and the red rose of England on a white ground.
The effect of this was most excellent. The opposite
end was filled with gold rockwork covered with ivy,
and ferns, and plants, with a monster cascade rip-
pling down, and fountains and coloured lights.
The artillery band was placed in the middle and
was marshalled under the Won of M. Jullien and
Mr. Smyth alternately. The music was the only
weak point ; at least three bands were required to
give the full effect of dance music in such very
large apartments, crowded as they were with from I
1,200 to 1,500 persons. The lighting was excellent,
and in every direction the eye fell upon some ele-1
gent device in flowers or painted shields or Prince
of Wales' feathers, with countless baskets of flowers
hanging from the ceiling, and filling up every
corner.
The refreshments were very comfortably served,
and in the handsomest manner, at a large three-
sided buffet at the top of the room, where the
flood was nicely carpeted. Here there were some
openings in the side, through which the company
were enabled to see the splendid fireworks, which
ware let off on the sainting battery throughout the
greater part of the evening, and created the greatest
admiration. Immense showers of beautiful stars of
red, white, and blue, green and gold, with swarms
of fiery serpents and strange fantastic shapes in
I sparks and clouds of fire, with storms of golden
rain and thunder and lightning, were kept up in-
lesseantly for at least an hour.
The French officers were, I was glad to see, well
cared for by the stewards, who sout
gh
(them out and introduced them to partnere,
and many spoke English extremely well.
Another very thoughtful attention, too,
was in providing waiters in the cloak-room who
spoke French. I tremble to think what would have
been said of our manners in France if this had not
been done, for such an absolute scrimmage as there
was for bats and cloaks has not often been seen at
a London monster soirde. It was literally a scramble
for cocked hats, and it seemed to me that admirals,
generals, and captains submitted to a temporary
elevation or degradation of rank rather than con-
tinue the search for their own. AA to " chimney-
pot." they were nowhere, and when a waiter found
you were not a Frenchman nor a oocked bat be
deliberately sheered off, and left you to solace your-
self and cool your heated brain rub dive on the
" Governor's-green." However, blessings on the
stars that gave us this heavenly weather, the civic
entertainment was a most spirited and capital affair,
and I'm sure the Frenchmen will say that the
bourgeoisie of Portsmouth covered themselves with
glory.
To-night we have the grand consummation at
the Admiralty in the dockyard with the ball, where
are to be the creme de la creme of beauty, rank, and
fashion. It is well known the room will not hold
more than 500 to dance, so that, as three times this
number are expected, I fear Beauty will not be able
to spread her gauzy wings, and we shall have to stand
about looking on like weeping cherubim..

(nom ova ow*

PORTSMOUTH, Farosy.
The civic ball of hat night was followed to-day
by a review of the troops on Southsea Common, and
there was, of course, another grand turn ont of the
nulation, supplemental, by a large concourse of

where Wellington and Blucher stood with the allied
pop -sni, suppiemenw. .., _ ~
visitors from the surrounding neighbourhood. The
sovereigns when received by George, Prince Re. Esplanade nearly its whole length wee crowded with
gent. A mortar has been mounted over this slab spectators, as well as the glacis in front
for many years, but the inscription recording the of the fortifications, and even the ramparts as well,
event has been nearly worn out by time—that great despite strict garrison orders to the contrary ; but
healer of all enmities and animosities. Let us hope tlilkieeatuhtehoritiesot:reardrtitgletlareelyilnideaulge7t at atotime
there may never be another slab laid down to cow-
gard the carrying out of their instructions in this
memorate a meeting of allied sovereigns in any cause respect as an impossibility. For the accommoda-
but that of peace. " Pair et bonne volonte "web the tion of the officers of the French fleet a platform
" motto formed in flowers with which civic Portsmouth was erected immediately behind the place occupied
now salutedouralliesatthebanquet, and theEmpe- by the commander of the forcea, Sir Geor.ge Bullerer,
roe has assured them so often that his "Empire is AK.CieStiorm durinoL the rsarch pest
ori la
:File" w mm GI
peace," that the only issue out of all those mast dation of ladies who had the privilege of ad-
pleasant and kindly greetings will, it is devoutly to mission. The troops on the ground numbered
be wished, be "no more war." There are those I nearly 4,000 officers and men, and they were coin-
al
meet with here who talk of fighting as if it was as posed as follows :—Two batteries 9th brigade Roy
much a necessity to fall upon the nations as theArtillery, 185 ; Bth brigade Royal Artillery, 368 ;
rain from heaven, hut I fancy they belong to a li2otnhldtitthto,Ret.ml
e;
nßoyt,
5,312 Iteßogiyualeera,mari7s2e; lAstrunhaerytta:
I school of the past. The naval captain of to-day is
a more peaceful and amore scientific man in his 818 ; Royal Marines Light infantry, 801 ; 52nd
Regiment, 468 ; 75th Regiment, 308 ; 81st Regi-
profession ; his first object is to see his ship and ment, 353 ; 87th Regiment, 563. Haying marched
his guns brought well and thoroughly up to the past the staff in the usual way the troops were put
, I mark of perfection which he knows naval archt. through sissies of evolutions incidental to a review,
and it is therefore unnecessary to describe them in
, , testure and naval artillery have reached. The detail. Suffice it to say that the affair passed off
1 practice of his dreadful art he regards as a duty, satidintortiy, at any rate se far as the spectators
ithe exercise of which is compelled by powers not were concerned.
lin his controL The oonversation that has gone 1 hear that the British fleet is under orders to man