The Express.
London, England, 1853-04-30 00:00:00

thing to justify this very large outlay in the eyes of
the public., fur the report of the sitting of the council
published in the Mon deur. observes thet the ancients
built temples to justice. the moderns built palaces,
and a judicial decree has greater authority when
pronounced in a magnificent building. This reflec-
tion will doubtless reconcile the citizens to an addi-
tional tax of 4 centimes upon every quarterly direct
contribution for nine years to come.
The dullness of the newspapers has been some-
what relieved this wick by an amusing controversy
between M. Emile de dirardin and M. Cranier de
Cassagnac on the subject of their respective claims to
political consistency. Csasagnac began it in the
Censtitutionuel by asserting that the recent article in
the Presse against Bonapartism could not possibly
be an expression of the opinions of the principal
editor of that journal, because in 1848 he had used
all his influence to throw out Cavaignac, and to get
Louis Napoleon elected. Girardin replied that in
voting fur Louis Napoleon lie intended to support
the liberal ideas contained in the writings of the pri-
soner of Item, and the republican principles pro-
fessed in the electioneering addresses of the candi-
date of PAs. lie added that the hopes he had enter-
tained of the author of the " Miles Napoleoniennes,"
were " nut entirely extinguished," even although the
consummation which he did his utmost to avert had
been accomplished. This is all that Girardin, having
the fear of suppression before his eyes, professed to
think it safe to say for himself, but he said he was
fortunately enabled to completp his defence in other
words than his own. He the reproduced an address
to the electors of France, beginning with the now
seditious phrase, " Les role e'en your," and proceed-
ing is a column and a half of brilliant composition,
to advocate ultra republican principles, and to treat
kings, courts, courtiers, titles, liveries, and gilded
equipages, as ridiculous mummeries, belonging to a
bygone age. This address is signed Granter de
Cassagnac. The unscrupulous apologist of the coup
ere'lal, and of every act of tyranny consequent upon
it, being thus caught in one of Girardin's pigeon-
holes, rinds it impossible to deny his signature. He is
reduced to confess and avoid. He pleads prescription
and minority. The address, he save, was written
twenty-three years ago, when he had just left college,
and, although addressed to the electors of France
generally, it was not a profession of political faith
with a view to get votes for himself, because he was
Lot then old enough to be a candidate. This rejoinder
contaired in a letter inserted pursuant to his demand
in the Presse is all that M. de Cassagnae says for
himself, but one of his brethren, in Constitutionnel,
suggests that republican ideas are unfortunately the
natural consequences of a classical education. A lad
on leaving college finds himself immersed in
the quagmire of republicanism ; the strong soon
make their way out and gain solid ground, but
the weak sink. It appears that M. de Cassagnac
emerged with extraordinary speed, for, although he
pleads for himself unripeness of judgment twenty-
three years ago, his comrade vouches that for twenty-
one years his pen has been unswervingly devoted to
the cause of order. After all, M. Casssgnsc's defence
is a very fair one. In France, of all countries in the
world, there really ought to be a statute of limitations
against raking up cast-off political opinions to be
thrown in a mans face. There are few writers in
the present government press who could produce a
clean bill of health, free from any republican taint,
for twenty-one years. Many of them indeed may
be taunted with violent demagogical articles written
by only three or four years ago, for which they can-
have the good luck to be able to plead youth and
inexperience.
The Empress has taken a box at the Oymease,
which is to be fitted up with unprecedented elegance,
and for which she will pay like any other subscriber ; ,
10,000 fr. a year is the sum mentioned. This is cer-
tainly a large contribution to a single theatre, and
that only one of the second-class. The French opera
is about to be entirely re-decorated, and for this pur-
pose it will be closed for two months, a longer period
than usual.
I am happy to inform you that the rule laid down
by Lord Cowley some time since, not to receive any
At the Bourse to-day, the quotations of yesterday
remained unchanged, viz.: For cash—Three per
Cents., 80f. 60c.; F'our-and-a-Half per Cents., 103 f.
20c. There was a decline of sf. in the price of
shares of the Bank of France, which closed at 2,715 f.
In the quotations of railway securities to-day,
there have been considerable fluctuations, a decline
having taken place in the shares of some lines at the
clime of business; in Paris and Lyons to the extent
of 20f., and of 10f. in Paris and Strubourgs• in
Orleans, however an improvement of Bf. occurred,
and in Westerns of France of 4f. Final quotations:—
Northern., 918 f.; Orleans, 1,068 f.; Paris and Stras-
bourg, 880 f.; Paris and Lyons, 937 f. Paris and
Rouen, 1,160 f.; Western of France, 791 f. 50c.; Bor-
deaux and Cette, 658 f.
Frenchman who had not been presented at the
Tuileries, and which I stated had occasioned so much
dissatisfaction among many of the best families here,
has been rescinded. At his last party, Orleanists,
Legitimists, and ;government functionaries were all
blended together as they should be under a neutral
roof.

Under the new law relating to superannuation in
the navy, which was so warmly opposed by a small
minority in the Corps Legislatif, Vice-Admirals Cazy
and Cecile will be obliged to retire from active ser-
vice immediately. They have already been made
senators, probably with view of reconciling them to
the shelf. It is reported that they will be succeeded
by Rear-Admirals Vaillaut and Laplace. The well
known Vice-Admiral de is Sum will be compelled
to retire in July. I believe the secret motive for the
new law was the desire to get rid as soon as possible
of those officers of rank who held command under
the Prince de Joinville, and who may be supposed to
preserve an attachment to him.
It is asserted in many quarters that, with a
view to ensure the success of the new com-
pany of the baths of Vichey, M. Strauss has
obtained en authorisation to open gaming tables as
at the German watering places. I understand that
several members of the company.have:ezpressed their
determination to withdraw their capital should this
report prove true.
In reference to the contradiction put forth on the
part of Prince Napoleon Jerome Bonaparte of the
statement that he was one of the patrons of the pro-
jected Havre Whaling Company, I observe it said in
the Independance Beige, that the false report is not
attributable to any newspaper, but to the company
itself, inasmuch as printed prospectuses, containing
not only Prince Napoleon's name, but those of the
Emperor and Empress, were publicly distributed at
the Bourse.

A letter from Bayonne of the 26th, mentions the
arrival of General Aupick in that place. The
Chamber and Tribunal of Commerce went in a body
to wait on him, and to express to him their feelings
of gratitude fur his constant and successful efforts to
obtain the abolition of the treaty of Juno 9, 18141.