The Express.
London, England, 1865-09-04 00:00:00

I mention this as one of many Instances gentle faros went ca. It was most interesting, as a
in which our Navy has benefited by improve.' contrast to this gay and desperate pursuit of plea-
menu suggested to us in theory
or experiment by I sure, to see here and there a group of fine old vete-
thoFrench. his true that we perfected the appli. tans covered with medals and orders, stranded
Cation in this case as we have in that of the iron- against the wall or the steps of the supper room,
cased ships. Perhaps the French may en revanche with perhaps some young captain on whose breast
perfect our turret system of iron ships, and with bung the modest bronze cross of the order of valour.
regard to high speed and great mobility, which, it Another group of worthies of a different sphere
mast be remembered, have been for many years an might hare been seen together comparing notans
axiom with the French navy, it is not at all impro- dare say, on many subjects far away from the, scene
bible that we shall see the twin screw system in which they were playing a part, though perhaps
adopted in the French navy before it is in our fleet. not unconnected with the interests of Navies, and
The use of steam launches, again, is taught us by these were Lord Ross, Mr. Fairbairn, and ?dr. Whit-
the French.
I must not omit to point out another feature in worth. It was altogether a brilliant finale to the
week : a Vos Delete et pkitsdite not to be forgotten.
the French ships which hitherto has not been
adopted in any of the ships forming the iron-clad
fleet, and that is the large tower in the centre of the
ship, which theFrenoh call the blockhouse, the plans
wise the ship is oneuximided in action by the cap-
tain and his first officer. At first this was
maticed with some disparagement by us,
bat now we hear it spoken of in very
dMisrent terms, and I believe it is to be almost en-
dear...deeded in future. I have herd nothing
bat praise of these blockhouses from the naval men
with whom I (*peened, and there can, I imagine,
be only one opinion as to their immense ad-
vantages. In these towers, which of course are
strongly plated, and could easily be made abso-
lutely shot proof, the steering of the ship is directed,
as well as the speed and every sort of command
over the engines, by speaking tubes going to the
engineer. There is, too, in each an indicator by
means of which the whole of the guns can be
ordered to be fired in any direction, either as
broadside or concentrated broadside discharge, and
this with a rapidity impossible to obtain in the
ordinary way of command. Some of theses towers
are provided with a battery of small three-pounder
pivot guns, which are not mounted, but kept ready
at the side, and they would, undoubtedly, form a
sort of deck battery capable of being put to the
most efficient service. These are some of the strong
points in the French ships which we should do well
to take a hint from, and which must be added
to those which have been mentioned before in the
superior comfort provided in the ships for the
quarters of the officers, and for the sick of the
crew. It was a comparison by no means flattering
to us to see, for example, in a ship so magnificently
found in every other respect as the Achilles, the
sick bay a dark cabin, with some of the patients
lying in cots, and some half-dozen more slung in
hammock*, compelled to breathe the bested exhale-
Lions from the beds below them. There may be no
exact necessity for making the hospital as smart and
neat as that of the &Merino, with its white bed-
curtains and bedsteads, but the tick bays of our
ships are unquestionably bed, and most unreason-
ably so. The French make an error in placing
their hospital always close to the kitchen, not only
because the hest and smells must be offensive and
injurious occasionally, but because we all know
that food, and bread especially, may absorb exhala-
tions injurious to health. This, as it seems to me,
is a mistake which we have not made. Speaking
of the cooking minds me that in all the French
THE FRENCH FLEET AT PORTSMOUTH. ships you ihed a large oven which bakes sufficient
(fox ova SPICIAL COSIZSPOWDINT.) bread for the use of the ship. Can there be any
PORTSMOUTH, SATUSDAY. reason why our sailors should go ou eating hard
The French fleet sailed this morning earlier than weevilly biscuit, when flour, one would suppose,
was expected. It was said that at elate hour last night could be kept in store quite as well, and they would
the orders were changed, and it was arranged that have what to them would be a positive luxury.
the Reins Horteneedmving on board the Minister or But I must leave these matters of detail to
Marine, would leave the harbour at eight in the say something of the grand doings of the Admiralty
morning. About this hour the loud guns of the ball, where everything was got up regardless of (m-
-old Victory told us that the French Minister had penes, and with an amount of display to which
said farewell to Portsmouth harbour, and above the " theestablishment"must be quite unaccustomed. I
ramparts was soon seen moving swiftly once more to bawd of hundreds of men sent down from London
the sea the French ensign at the main of the Imp.- to light up the place, and certainly this
ror's yacht. The ships in harbour manned yards, was the best thing in the way of decoration
and the guns of the saluting battery, with the that was done by the naval authorities in
union-jack flying, gave out their nineteen thunder- honour of their guests, always excepting the
illu-
ing farewells as the graceful yacht passed out of the mivation of the fleet and the fireworks. The prin-
hsrbour. As the Brine Hortense came in sight of cipal avenues to the Admiralty and the Naval
the fleet, the ships manned yards, and the salute College, which with the courtyard was completely
from the Edgar came booming over the waves. transmogrified for the occasion, were lit with
The morning was again a glorious one, the golden clusters of gas lights and thousands of hanging
sunlight sweeping in broad glittering floods across Limped every colour, which made the bare yards
the narrow sea between the two shores, and a deli- and walls in the dark seem like a region haunted
dons west wind came over the waters of the by the fairies. The building itself was orna-
and
Solent, as if to waft our good wishes of peace and mented by royal stars in brilliants,
prosperity to France and all the world, and three splendid electric lights sparkled on the
say "bon voyage "
go our gallant visitors as their parapet. The ball-room and supper-room were a dull
noble ships turn aain towards their native seas, contrast to the pretty scene without. The red and
The starting of the French squadron was a very blue striped calico which formed the large tent-
simple affair, and was managed apparently with the shaped apartments gave a terribly heavy, almost
most perfect ease ; it bad none of those anxieties lurid air to the place, and when the room was filled,
in the chances of accidental damage which beset as it was by a crowd in which dark blue predomi-
squadrons under canvas, and of which unfortunately nated in the naval uniforms s of ,thsoo
candles,e two naviesif,
we furnished one mortifying example the other day this effect was increased, anthe
in the case of the Batavia being run into by the they had been multiplied into five millions, could
LiverpooL The whole squadron of these nine large not have given too much light. However, one soon
ships was under steam and speeding fast away in forgot the faults; of decoration when the real ores-
& quarter of an hour. This perhaps could not have manta came, and these, need I say it, were admired
been done so readily without the piloting of the to their hearts' content by all, and by the French-
masters of the navy, who were allotted for this men with all their national enthusiasm and
duty, but it shows nevertheless how different is the gallantry. I heard many whispers in the crowd
condition of modern navies in the important par-
ticular of mobility. This is not an untimely moment Paris, yet the toilettes were often the subject of
to remind ourselves that to France belongs the the Frenchmen's enthusiasm. Pity, indeed, it was
merit of having first applied the screw propeller to see these lovely areophanes and tulle illusions of
to ships, although it is admitted that it was the ladies' trains all crushed and crumpled ; but
in England the full development of this there was no help for it, and all that our unworthy
method of propulsion was arrived at. It was sex could do was to shrink into the smallest possible
M. Dallery, who, so far back as 1803, proposed to space, in the attitude of an Egyptian mummy with
the government of the Emperor Napoleon to employ looks imploring forgiveness. The French officers
screw propellers below the surface of the water' were, I fancy, I
was not a littl
to hear one next to me e amused at our notion ofin
a
and not only this, but to use tubular boilers. Poor ball, for obliged
M. Dallery was not a better man of business than the exile say to his partner in very fair English,
most inventors, and be succeeded in ruining him- evidently intending to be very amiable, "Do you
self, till one day, in despair, he wade his workmen love to be squeezed " What the young lady said
destroy all his models, striking the first blow him- was somewhat obscured in the lace folds of a wa-
rren. The Academy, bovever, iu 1845, awarded to sewer movchoir, but it sounded like "Sometimes."
his name the honour, fur he was then in his grave. As to dancing, that delightful "poetry of motion,"
But another Frenchman, Captain Belisle, of the as some fanatic lover of the ballet called it, went
Engineers, according to the history of this subject on in a narrow vortex in the middle of the room,
given by M. Xavier Raymond, whose work on the where some twenty couple of the choicest spirits
Navies of France and England is before me, pro- whirled round, while a hundred others stood at the
posed to the French government in 1823 the method edge of the current, panting and eager to rush in
of screw propulsion which, like all these coufidenoes once more. It was a
which the Queen of the Ssort of
ich elegalnt wands ought ar dance,
made in the proper quarter and proper manner
(ta andwsl to
vole hicrarchique, sa3l. Raymond calls it), never came have seen as a specimen of our latest thing in balls.
to anything, and was treated as a groat state secret to When a quadrille was sounded, it was astounding
be concealed as long as possible. Poor Captain to see the warlike measures taken by some of the
Belisle was cruelly disappointed and put off with dear old middle-aged Admirals, whose dancing days
excuses, till, in 1824, be published his memoir de- were not over. The naval
ht tactics adopted WOWS
scribing his invention. The ides, then, of this decidedly of the ram order, for you mig have seen
great advance in marine et:tient* originated a stout broad-shouldered admiral charging away,
with France, but we made the practical application ; driving his epaulet right and left, and backing
but, as M. Raymond most justly says, not because against the well-dressed and of course yielding
our " authorities " are more favourable to levee- crowd, till, with the help of two or three more who
tors than the French, but that with us the public followed his example, a space the size of a break-
is more disposed to encourage new ideas. ' fast table was cleared for a quadrille, and so the

PARIS, Etereanar Evullo.
The Afoniteur of this morning contains the decree
naming Count Walewski president of the Chamber.
It gives him the title of "Member of our Privy
Council ;" the 100,000 f. ••year attached to this
office do not, therefore, make it a place of emolument
in the French sense of the word. It may appear
strange that Count Walewski should be named pre.
sident of a body of which he will only become
legally a member after his powers have been verified.
It was be who, as Minister of State, countersigned
the decree of the 24th of November, which gave a
small increase to the tights of discussion and control
enjoyed by the Corps Ligislatif.
The Minister of State's list of nominations in the
Legion of Honour has at length been published.
M. Granier de Cassagnac's independent devotion to
the dynasty is rewarded with the ribbon of Com-
mander, and M. Darimon's independence of his
party has gained him the title of Chevalier. In 1848
he was one of the writers in the Peuple, a
paper founded by Proudbon ; and when it
wan suppressed, be continued his labours ie the
Voir du Peuple, and • new Peuple when the Voir
shared the fate of its predecessor. It was to the
position he bed gained is these papers that he owed
his election in ISt ors ems et the members for Paris.
He was one of the fSIDOSII MVO. In 1863 be was
again elected as • candidate of the opposition, but
in the new Chamber b• wee chosen as secretary of
its bureau, ix which he was supposed to represent
the opposition element. He was • good deal
laughed at last winter for his attendance at Prince
Napoleon's undress ball in a court suit. He can
now add to it the red ribbon, which is the object
of all Frenchmen's ambition.
The statue to Francois Arago, the astronomer,
whose name will always be remembered as
one of the greatest of modern times, was uncovered
on the 31st at Estagel, his native place. There
was a banquet in the evening, at which
speeches were made by MM. Pereira and Michel
Chevalier. M. Pereira sketched him first
as the man of science, and then as the
man of literature and politics. He sheered 1,
how be had lent • helping band to all the young
men who addressed themselves to him, and pointed
to Michel Chevalier, then present, atone of those be
bad distinguished bychoosing him ascolleague in sane
of his labours. He told how, in 1819, visiting the
exhibition of French industry with some Euglish-
men, he observed the disdain with which they
turned from the instrument. of precision exhibited.
His patriotism was wounded ; be remembered a
fine compass at the observatory, constructed by as
unknown workman. He sought him out, offered
him funds, promised Linz patronage, and at the end
of two months he produced three instruments, mob
a chef d'aurre. The workman'. name was Gam-
bey ; it became celebrated ; and he ended as the'
colleague of his early patron in the Bureau des
Longitudes and the Academy of Sciences. The
writings of Arago were, above all, directed to mak-
ing science popular. It may be remarked that
neither his son Etienne nor any r'membe f his
family was present. They had protested gainst
the inscription, which only mentions the scientific
claims of Arago to the memory of posterity.
It is stated that Count Eulenberg, the murderer
of the Stnabourgeois Ott, has been ordered to rejoin
his regiment, which is being exercised.
Prince Ladislas Czartoziski is about to leave
Paris, to reside on his Galician estates. He retiree
from public life, it is said, from grief for the loss of
his mother and his wife.

Daring the past week some few fresh eases of the
Beene have moaned is Norfolk, but et the same time it is
satideetceg to observe that the prompt sad vigorous pre-
mottos@ taken have Meshed to some mast Kee peegrlrof
the calamity. Some dame has, however, ,peered smog
lobate. Cass of the cattle plague are reported Fel-
briu, Bouthreppe, Bradfield, Wiekhampton, sad Burgh.
Os &Sudsy, a meeting of the contra county commates
was held at Norwich, Mr. C. S. Read, M.P., peseidiag. It
appeared that the map intim raised is aid of the rate im-
posed for oempeamaties puma's. now sleet 4,0001., and
autsantal rebel has bees afforded to several sufferers.
A [Meg meet etaseriben to the food are Years. Coneys
and fliiirbechs, 2001. ; Kr. J. B. Pare, INC ; the Bishop
of Norwich. tOi. ; Lord Spada, 501. ; Lor rd d Blafford,
601. ; Lient.-Clowersl Agent.* 50k * Brim
504 ; Mr. A. Caton. 601. ; Yr. J. Oaltberp,
506 ; R. Overman, 50L ; Mr. Leans... 601.. Mr.
B. B. Chlibell. 60f., Sc. With • view of escsrtsieiss the pr
of
-
cise state at sitars, the oosomiehre Weed. ow the sweliew
Mr. Woods, agent of Lord Walsingbam to address the
followiag goateese to race poor law union is the esasty :
" L Ars there say whale in your mires affected by sty
disease similar to the tattle plague, and, if so, sate is west
parish, where it broke out, sad if a veterinary inspector has
bees celled la ! 2. Bea any cattle died in yosr union of
any similar disease 3. If you suppose the disease to exist
in year asks, ene you true it to say pesticide, eases 4.
Is there say small pox, among the sheep is your saes, or
has there been within the last six =oaths?" Mr. K. J. H.
Raney, 11. P.. has addressed • long latter to Ur. O. 8.
Bead. on what he resesestatese as the" isilAie panels."
IDEMILOIL
Again we have to report a further spread of the
cattle pimps is the sty. Oa Friary, ea saw eases oe-
cuned,- and only two of these were in bass formerly
effected, the reminds, tang in "elan' byes
sew mess were ail is the Alerts. of fMvmmfoa Blx
diseased animals died yesterday. four is the malaria= sad
two in byres. Is the county one: or two cows we said to
have been seized with the optima, but the symptoms are
as yet doubtful. The justices of the peace for Lisittlaww-
shire held a meeting tee Friday, sod agreed to afloat iti-
sosetora. Reports were given in from the LieUthgew,
Kirkham, and Battened, maims of the cosaty, from
which it appeared that the rioderpat bad sot broken
out, ilthough in the latter district six animals were
found to be sufferiag from morrais.—/eliatirpt Courant.

MISS BURDETT courrra BIRD OF AYRSHIRE
MB&

The fine herd of Ayrshire cow at Holly-lodge,
=M. the property el Wu Burdett Cattle, has been
Ty swept away during the lest week or se be she dra-
ma which is now so peevalmt meant cattle. This heed
numbered 20 cows of the puma Ayrshire breed, sad soAl-
Jersey ball. One cow has recovered from the diaeew, sad the
ball was sorafeeted by it. The cow that has wnLd wee
exedemmed by Yr. Waver, the veterinary surgeon, who as-
mined the herd ; and, strange to say, the survival; animal,
aorarross to the tramway of Booth. the lardsmae
was pros mud to be in the vary worst conditios, sad the
medium through which the disease was commutated to
the ether salamis. The dratruetios of this head by the
imatiediesase maestri toe or two Telethons es Is its origin
and Daum Every i.e of the presumed cameo of the
emus Wee abeent.aad yet it attacked the animals with
the utmost anaemia, sod so amount of remedial skill could
slay he severity oe arrest he progress. We Deed anal,
remark that Pies Coutte, on being apprised of the disease
maeifeatiag italf Is the herd, be
immediate orders
that every thing material should be dose sot may with
the view of saving her own property, but for the
pu
rpose. of branding the public, who are anxioa
to esquire emu kaowledge as to the awe sad shesseter of
the dramas. First, lot as remark, that the herd bed bees
some time at Roily Lodge, therefore it was not tainted with
say imported eagle. dionedly. it wu in exestlest wadi-
ties, ad several of the ours were yielding f rola entice to
skaters quarts of milk per day. Thirdly, the sheds in
which the aramals were milked are elan, shy, limemashed,
lewdare kind of ordure removed. and they. ass well
l . The paters es which the animale fed west he termed
not only good, but rich. end the water which they drank wen
ss pare as water as well be. In short, so far as (erased teat-
meat °mildest° keep • heed of cattle in bat-ekes audition,
they were everything that could b. desired. Yet the
animals sank Tepidly, and some of them exhibited the worst
eharaoteristies al the diver Each, the badman '
who
was deeply affected by the loss of his herd, informed us
that as mere stimulants given to the animals, after certain
severe purptions, there bad bees mourned by two cows
alma (inee of which has survived) eight bottles of
whisky, two pilots of braody, two doses sod •
half of pert wise, and other strong chinks, all of
whisk wired so avail,auept to the solitary bieteass named.
The cattle, seder the amend stages of the dilemma, exhi-
bited the %stud poomens of pleura-ammonia. They fp-
peered, ordinarily speaking, either cicited, with=
ame, protradirar eyeballs, sod watery eyes or
sad relaxed, with • dull, dim look, and • dow of mucus
from the eyes and the sae. In all the animals a cold
thiverieg said • coolness of the bon, the ear, and the
extremities were uparest, with stain Goat, trembling of
the muscles and increased respiration. Foam and saliva
dewed from the month, and the lungs of the Wards exhi-
bited the name appearance, heist much beyond their Batumi
sue in alma every instance.—Camper.

5717V11 TO 7113 LA73 EARL OF CARLIBLR—The
plight mill be rejoiced to berm that a movement boa at
Month bees coonneocad under the moat encommtiad
tir-
rumentecos to erect a statue to the late Earl of Owlish).
We stay add that **bat of imbeeribers is headed by the
mate of hie Ricallaaci Lard Waldbaum /reesurn's