The Express.
London, England, 1866-01-18 00:00:00

EXPRESS FROM PARIS.

(nom OUR OWN CONIESPONDNNT.)
PARIS, WEDNISDAY Evian:No..

A duel took place yesterday at St. Germain
between Prince Achille Murat and M. Rochefort,
a writer in the figaro. The cams Belli arose out
of an article published in the Figaro of January 7,
on the evidence given by Prince A. Murat in Mies
Cora Pearl's horse case. The prince challenged
the journalist and a meeting was speedily arranged.
The seconds of Prince Achille Murat were Lieut.
Jerome Bonaparte Patterson and M. Eapeletta,
those of M. Rochefort were M. Tazile Delord, of
the Siecle, and M. Plunkett, manager of the Palais
Royal Theatre. The duel was fought with
swords in a riding-schooL It lasted only a few
seconds. The prince's shirt was torn by the point
of his adversary's sword, and M. Rochefort received
a slight wound in the hip. The seconds then de-
clared " honour satisfied," and the affair termi-
nated.

Viscount de Massagnac, the new French ambas-
sador to Persia, whose arrival at Teheran has been
already announced, was suffering when he left
France from the consequences of a fall, and the
long and fatiguing journey greatly affected his
health. He travelled 500 leagues on horseback,
and took 61 days to perform the distance. He
was able to pay his respects to the Shah
the day after his arrival, but was subse-
quently and up to the departure of the last mail
confined to his house. The Shah sent every day
to inquire after his health. In accordance with a
custom said to have prevailed siuce the time of
Cyrus, an Arab horse with a gold collar was sent
by the Persian sovereign as a royal present to the
French plenipotentiary.
Toe present generation is likely to see the last of
rouktte and rouge-et-noir. Within a short period
the gaming tables will be suppressed at Baden-
Baden, Monaco, and Geneva. On this very day
au amendment of an article of the Swiss constitu-
tion is to be submitted to the Helvetic Diet, the
effect of which will be to prohibit publi: gambling
throughout the Swiss Confederation. A Paris
journal, La Liberte, says that the French govern-
ment is at this moment negotiating with all the
governments which tolerate the exciting boards of
green cloth, with a view to their suppression
within a certain proximate time. It is hard to see
what business the French government can have to
interfere in the matter ; but in one way or another
the doom of the public hells which the spirit of
the age pronounces will certainly be executed. If
the question were referred to the universal suffrage
of any mixed assembly, such as may be found any
day in the season around the tables at Homburg or
Wiesbaden, the verdict of even such a tribunal,
which might be thought committed to the defence
of its own practices, would be hostile. English
peers, members of parliament, magistrates, clergy-
men, nay, even judges, throw down their silver or
gold pieces on the fascinating squares and numbers
and await the fate of them with a certain degree of
excitement, but would never seriously maintain
that the institution was one that any government
ought to tolerate—much less patronise. At the
same time I feel painful doubts whether those
delightful German watering places, Baden, Wies-
baden, Homburg, Ems, itc., will not lose a vast
proportion of their charms when gambling is
abolished. I am greatly afraid that nothing but
the profits of gambling will ever pay for keeping up
those unlimited miles of pleasure grounds around
every one of the great gaming centres, which make
newly arrived strangers late for breakfast, seduc-
ing them as they do, to run without heeding time
from lawn to hillock, from cultivated copse to
heath artistically preserved wild, and from models
of modern architecture to picturesque feudal ruins.
The principal clubs of Paris, including the
Jockey, the Union, and the Cercle MalesherbeP,
have just laid down the rule that no gaming shall
be allowed by members, except for money staked
down. The scandalous losses in credit of persona
without means to pay has led to this. Au instance
is given of a clerk in a public office at 601. a year
who lately lost 5,0001. in one evening.
The Renal was in great demand at the Bourse
to-day for a short time, and although the highest
quotations were not sustained, owing to an appre-
hension that the Bank of France may again raise
its discount to-morrow, a rise of 10c. for cash,
and 120. for amount is shown by the closing quo-
tations--68fr. 60c. and 68fr. 570. Mobilier rose
3fr. 15c.

TRI GOVERNMENT AND TWR CATTLE PLAGUE.
LOANS TOWARDS INSORANOR.
--•-•

In the following reply of Earl Russell to a letter
tram Lord Joh* Mumma is as exprenden of the views of
the government oa the subject et the national ismaraece
against the cattle plague :
"Pembroke Lcdge, Richmond Park, Jam 15,1868.

•• My Lord,—l readily acquiesce in the Ulmer of your
lordship's request that the views of the goverioneat re.
evicting national assurance should be =do knowo
at au earlier period than the meeting of parliament.
I may say. therefore, geuerstly but positively,
that her Majesty's goverament are opposed to say
guarantee by the Tree %a.: in favour of owners of
stook who may be losers by the cattle plague. Bat they
era not opposed in principle to loess in order to help forward
plans of insurance, on the security of repayment by land.
oweers, or out of local rates. I doubt very much whether
a plan of immures* entirely voluntary, would be adopted by
the satin at large, bat in counties or unions plans of
insurance founded oa the circumstances of the county, or
union, might be beneficially adopted—such at least is the
view of the government.—l have the honour to be, your
°beast servant, " BUBSILL.

" The Right Hoe. Lord John Manners."
The following letter has also been addressed to Sir Jams
Bay Shnttleworth : - -

Whitehall. Jln. 16.

Sir; I am directed by Secretary Sir George Grey to in-
form you that having referred your letter of the 6th inst.
and its enclosure, as to a scheme of national insurances
against losses from cattle plague for the consideration of the
Lords Commissioners of her Majesty's Treasury, he bar re-
ceived in reply the letter of which • copy is enclose&
With reference to the first part of your proposal—
namely, that the burden of the loss incurred by the cattle
plague should be diffused over the whole of England, her
Majesty's government are of opinion that even were this
expedient very serious practical difficulties would be found
in attempting to give effect to the proposal ; nor if the
attempt were made is there any sufficient reason why the
scheme should be limited to England, and not include other
parts of the United Kingdom.
The government could not properly undertake to
superix.ond or control the machinery which would be
required for the management of • National Immune'
Association. They think, moreover, that the necessary
result of such • scheme would be an injurious interference
with county or other local associations, which are far
better adapted than a national association to ensure vigi-
lance and efficiency in the admiaistratiou of the funds
applicable to the purpose of such aseociation, combined
with ustronger interest in the adoption at themes' affestual
inessMfor checking the disease.
Her Majesty's government, however, are of opinion th►t
the second part of your proposal, namely, that the lass
should be diffused over a series of years, is well entitled to
favourable consideration. If they should have reason to
believe that such a proposal would be generally acceptable
to the interests specially concerned, her Majesty's govern•
meet would be prepared to ask the sanction of parliament to
a bill authorising, under certain conditions, the advance of
money from the public funds by way of loan upon adequate
security to county or other local associations, with a view
to spread the charge in respect of losses from the cattle
plague over • short term of years, in cases where the amount
of such loss has been considerable. _ .

---
The slime principle might be applied to individual land.
owners, if they claim to avail themselves of it in respect of
loess. incurred on their estates, either by themselvee or
their tenants.—l km, &c., /1. WADDINGTOS.
Sir J. Kay Shuttle worth, Bark., 38, Cloucester.equare,W.

The High Sheriff of Cheshire states that his ten mei-
nated cows ire up to the present time quite healthy and
well, and that, after the moat diligent inquiries, he has
not been able to hear of one fatal case in this neighbour-
hood where the operation had been snocessful. Many
vaccinated cows have died, but not one where the vaccine
had taken. Indeed he has turned • heifer, which had
been successfully vaccinated, into a loose place, where she
has been kept for five days and five nights in a most fetid
atmosphere, and coming in immediate contact with four
dying and dead calves, and yet she remains as healthy and
sharp as ever.

TIM JAMAICA MISSIONS.—We understand that'
in addition to she gentlemen whose 09,132C4 have been
already:announced as having been sent by different bodies to
Jamaica to watch the proceedings of the commission, and
to inquire into the condition of the island, Mr. William
Morgan, solicitor, and formerly town clerk of Birmingham,
has just gone out to represent the Anti Slavery Society of
London. Mr. Morgan went in the Royal Mail steamer
La Plata which sailed from Southampton yesterday.
Messrs. Thomas Harvey, of Leeds, and William Brewin, of
Cirencester, the representatives of the Society of Friends,
also sailed for Jamaica yesterday.
COMMUNICATION BETWEEN GUARDS AND PASsEN-
GEES ON RAILWAIS.—Mr. Howell, the secretary of the
Peninsular and Oriental Steam Packet Company, has,
with scientific usistann, matured very ingenious machinery
for obtaining means of instant communication between pas-
sengers and guards, and between the latter and engine
drivers in railway trains.
Even lunatic asylums have their romances. Some
years ago there were in Colney Hatch a young man and a
young woman who made each other', acquaintance at one
of the monthly balls given for the amusement of the in.
mates. Mad though they were, they carried on an innocent
courtship, and, despite the vigilance of the officials, managed
a written correspondence. Both recovered, and after their
discharge, having renewed their courtship, married happily.
So far is is known at the asylum, neither has had a relapse
of ioaanity.
ETON COLLEGE.—Yesterday the Christmas vaca-
tion terminated with the return of the lower buys to the
schooL To-day the fifth form will arrive, and the sixth
form will reach the college to-morrow, by which tune the
whole of the scholars will have reassembled.
BISHOP COLENSO IN NATAL.—The Rev. J. Hari-
land, of Pershore, wntts to the Guardian "It will be
interesting to your readers to know that the ipaissima rota
spoken by the Dean of Pietermaritzburg io the cathedral,
after the readies of the sentence of deprivation by the
registrar, were not those reported in the Natal newspapers,
but the following ;—• It is written, that which ye shall
bind on earth shall be boned in heaven. That sentence,
therefore, studs retitled before the throne of the Almighty.
Fear God, and depart from evil.' 1 have seen the true
version in a private letter from one who took a prominent
part in the proceedings."
FENIAN PRISONER:4.—A company of 10 Fenian
prisoners arrived at Holyhead in the Royal Mail steamer
, Ulster, at 11.15 a.m. of Tuesday last. They were in charge
of 24 soldiers, who bad escorted them from Cork, where
they had been convicted for various terms of penal 'ern-
, tads, from five to 15 years, and were en route for a London
penitentiary. A great number of persons were awaiting
their arrival from Ireland on the Admiralty Pier. The mail
and ordinary passengers having lauded, the Fenian ni-
lsours were marched two by two to a third-clus carriage,
which was attached to the Irish limited mail, leaving
Holyhead at 11.40 a.m.' Twelve warden from the penal
settlement received them at Holyhead, and the escort
returned by the 2.15 p.m. mail boat fur Kingstown,
Ireland. They had all a very repulsive and poor appear-
sou, not use of them bearing any marks of iotelligeoos
or respectable appearance. Among them was a short
hunch-backed person of very weakly bodily appearance.
THE POETRY OF THE LAEREATE.—S,,arceIy, in-
deed, has any work of his issued from the press when it is
found in almost every drawing-room in Penland, and as
fast as steam can carry it, it borne in thousands to every
market where the Eoglish tongis
ue is soken, so eager are ell
to read. Maidens bend their faces over the page, and sink-
ing slowly down where they stood, are lost in the story of
Elaine or of Adeo ; and fathers, in the quiet of evening,
will trust to the poet's care those tenderer thought& which
love to dwell in secret. It is strange, to one who thioks of
it, this vast and silent power which she modern post wield,.
Oar bards stand DO more in the midst of the people, spothing
to them boning words, or bowing before the athWm of
myriad teepee. They pus no more from side to side
oof the mark/is-place, or from street toe:ennui ways. gather.
ing aroma them young and old io little wondering circles.
The power of the old slogan was more directly reflected in
action, but yet bears no comparison with the power of him
who now can weave in secret a magic web of waving lion,
sad by the Waite ninhiplisetioa of the press can gather at
once kingdoms and eantineete alder big spell. The whiting,
mum perfect as it now /060111 to be, is the means to Mr.
Tennygoo of a power at owe wider and more immediate
than ever fell to the lot of poet. Perhaps since its
inventing. no poet has, during his lifetime, obtained so
extensiveanandiewe.—TAt Quarterly limier, new number.

THE FENIAN TRIALS IN DUBLIN.

DUBLIN, WIDNIIIDAY Nu m.
Cornelius Dwyer Kane was found guilty of trea-
son-felony to-day. When asked what he had to
say, he said he was proud of the friendship of
Stephens, and considered he was bound as an Irish-
man to join a combination which was foe the Rood
of Ireland, and not for assassination and plunder,
as was falsely asserted. In conclusion he said,
"Now, my lord, I have only one request to make,
and that is, that you will not give me any advice or
lecture, as you have done the other prisoners. I
ask you simply to pass sentence on me, and give
me nothing 111 the shape of advice or lecture, for I
assure you it would be lost upon me." Judge
Fitzgerald sentenced him to penal servitude for ten
years. John Olobessy pleaded guilty, and was
sentenced to two years' imprisonment.