The Express.
London, England, 1859-01-12 00:00:00

BELGIUM.

A letter from Brussels says :—" The Belgian
ministry is in the midst of a crisis. The general
public know nothing as yet of the actual state of
things, but it must come out immediately. The
cause of the split is the difference of opinion on the
question of obligatory instruction. MM. Rogier
and Vriire, avowed partisans of the measure, retire.
M. Frdre, the partisan of the statu quo, will leave
the ministry of finance and take the portfolio of the
interior. M. Lieds will be the new finance
minister. M. Henri de Brouckire, the brother
of the burgomaster of Brussels, is expected to
be minister of foreign affairs. M. Frees is a
" new man " in the fullest acceptation of the word,
He will now enter on a reactionary course, and
compromise himself more and more in the eyes of,
of the liberals by allying himself with a ministry
whose policy is lees liberal than that which be
formerly professed. The opinion here is general
that serious events are about to happen in Italy.
In a conversation which lately took place between
the Austrian minister at Brussels and a retired
Belgian functionary, and which was repeated to
your correspondent by one of the parties, it was
taken for granted that Austria considered the situa-
tion as mast alarming both for herself and for
Italy."

EXPRESS FROM PARIS.

(111.011 OUR OWN CORRESPONDINT.)
PARIS, TIMIDLY EVZNING.

It would be scarcely possible to exaggerate by
any description the alarm which exists in Paris to-
day from the apprehension of war. The more the
King of Sardinia's speech is commented upon the
more warlike it is considered to be. The assurance

of the Alamitos- that nothing in the state of the
"diplomatic relations" of France justifies the fears
entertained, so fee from being an anchor of
confidence in any mind, only makes matters
worse, so utterly is it at variance with
indisputable facts. The news of the marriage
of Prince Napoleon, now believed to be about to
take place almost immediately, spreads consterna-
tion far and wide. The only journal which makes
any remarks on the King of Sardinia's speech is the
Patrie, which hitherto has taken up a decided atti-
tude in favour of peace, and perseveringly en-
deavours to explain away the new year's address
to M. de Hubner. This journal is now forced to
admit that the speech indicates an attitude of " armed
expectation," and that it "answers to the actual
situation without, however, going beyond it, or
containing anything provoking." There is nothing
else worth citing in this article of the Patrie. But
the Curreepandanee Battier, which is sent to all the
departmental journals, and from which they habitu-
ally quote largely, contains the following letter,
which reflects very accurately the state of opinion
in Paris :

The general Impression in Paris is that the King of Pied-
moat's speech leaves small hope of a friendly arrangement
between him and Austria. It was hoped that the emelt
would be pale and insignificant; it is, on the contrary, de-
cided end very haughty in its tone. Charles MIR, CS son
takes the Italian cause resolutely in hand ; he displays 'left
the flag which was prostrated in the dust on the battle-
field of Novara; and, moreover, he pre,ents himself with
auxiliaries whose assistaaos hie father either rejected or was
unable to obtain. The (moue " Italia fare de se" is now
glees np. The words " Piedm int is a little country, but
she is great In the councils of Europe both by the principles
which she represents and the op:apathies which she leaptres,"
mean evidently th►t if Austria should attack us we shell be
sustained by the powers who supported us in the Paris
Congress. • • e The most remarkable passage is this:—
" Respect for treaties does not render us 111.01.

Bibb to the cry of grief Ward by Italy;
We must await With resolution the decrees
of Proeidenoe." These words would be rash end imprudent
If Pieduroot bed not a twitted purpose to take her revenge
for the battle of Novara.

The report which I sent you on Saturday, that M.
de Hubner was going to shoot with the Emperor at
Fontainebleau on Sunday, must have had some
foundation, for it is stated u • positive fact in the
Mjmorial Diplorsatique of Sunday. The party did
not, however, take place. The hard frost on that
day would have been • sufficient reason for
the postponement, bat, under present circum-
stances, it is searoely possible to conceive
that any such friendly meeting will take place at
all. One of the rumours of the day is that M. de
Hubner is about to receive his passports. Another
is that General MacMahon is appointed to cjmmaud
the "army of the Alps." There is a general expec-
tation that the Moniteur will say something to-
morrow. All the government papers have received
orders to reproach Austria with a design to break
the treaty of Paris, by insisting that she has a right
tointerfere alone in Servia. As this claim,in the pre-
sent calm state of Stevie, is only hypothetical, it is
very remarkable that such a subject of quarrel
should be so strongly insisted upon.
The panic at the Bourse has been fearful. The
Itente fell Ur. 25c. for cash, and 21r. 10c. (!) fur ac-
count, closing with the utmunt depression at 68tr. 93c.
and 69fr. 93c. Nlobilier fell 100 fr. The Orleans
Railway fell 501 r. ; Northern. 33fr. ; Lyons, 40fr. ;
Southern, 301 r.; Eastern, 20fr.; and Western, j
12fr. 60c.