The Express.
London, England, 1867-01-22 00:00:00

EXPRESS FROM PARIS.

(nos °us ows cosusrosossr.)
PARIS. MONDAY Evisnro..

A most important amendment—not indeed in
principle, but so far as regards immediate practice
—to the doubtful reforms announced in the
Emperor'sletter,appears in this morning'sMoniteur.
Everybody said yesterday that the leading motive
for the rippreasion of the address was to prevent a
debate on foreign affairs at the beginning of the
session. We may be very sure that the °Norris-
tionsfreely made outsidethe Tuileries were reported
within, and the Emperor wisely answers them by
proclaiming that he desires to have the
opinion of the representatives of the people
on his foreign policy at the earliest possible
moment ; and that the government will at once
accept a debate upon any " interpellations" that
may be made in reference to it. In other words
the government feels it necessary to permit at the
opening of this session a discussion which will be
tantamount to the very address which it sup-
presses. The speeches, therefore, which M.
Thiers and others have carefully composed, and
which yesterday they thought waste paper, will
yet serve their turn.
I hear that the telegrams from the prefects as to
the impression made in the departments by the
telegraphed summary of yesterday's Monde/Jr are
highly discouraging. They almost all say that the
suppression of the address is lamented, and there
is little confidence in the proposed equivalent.
The two soldiers of the Imperial Guard, Choi
and Agostini, were shot this morning at Vincennes,
, pursuant to the sentence of a court-martiai,for the
murder in the wine shop at Champerret. The
execution was a grand and terrible military spec-
tacle. A company from every regiment of the
army of Paris attended. The 2nd and 3rd regi-
ments of Voltigeurs of the Guard, to which the
unfortunate prisoners belonged, were on the
ground in full force. General Soumain com-
manded the parade. The firing party consisted of
fo-ir sergeants, four corporals, and four privates,
commanded by two adjutants. The men to whom
the sad task was assigned were feelingly told by
their officers, while loading their &sleeks in their
respective barracks that they had not only a mili-
tary duty to perform, but one of humanity, which
required them to take good aim. The prisoners
were warned at 4 in the morning that their request
for the Emperor's pardon had been rejected, and
that they must prepare to die. One of them,
Ciosi, received the fatal news with a coolness and
courage which he maintained to the last ; but
Agostini's nerve failed him. The two priests in
attendance effected a reconciliation between the
two men. Agostini had spoken very bitterly of
his comrade ; and when at last he stretched out his
hand to him, he said, "You know well enough that
you alone are guilty." Before mounting the cellular
carriage in waiting to conduct them to the
place of execution they were offered wine, brandy,
and bread ; Agostini took some refreshment, but
Ciosi asked only for cigars, which he continued to
smoke to the end. The morning was terribly cold.
At half-past 8 the condemned men stepped out of
the carriage to the spot where they were to be shot
to death. They were warmly clad in full uniform,
with military cloaks around them, and Ciosi had
carefully put on white gloves. General Soumain
exercised the prerogative which the military code
gave him of excusing the men from military degra-
dation, and they were shot in their uniforms.
When a French soldier is shot he is permitted, if
he pleases, to refuse to have his eyes bandaged. '
Choi at first refused ; afterwards, at the '
suggestion of his confessor, oonsented ; but
ultimately tore off the bandage, knelt down,
and looked steadily in the face of his old comrades
who were to fire at ten paces. Looking at Agos-
tini, who, though with eyes bound, was not able
to keep upon his knees, but fell down, he said, in a
tone of pity and contempt, " Poor Agostini !"
Immediately before the order to tire was given,
Ciosi, in a firm voice, addressing the firing party,
said—

Dear comrade,-1 am guilty of the crime ; but, upon
my conscience, I did not intend to rob. I beg pardon of
God and of you. Adieu!

Agostini, completely broken down by fear, was
obliged to be tied to a post before he could be shot
at. The criminals were fired at separately. One of
them, the reports differ as to which, did not ap-
pear to be quite dead after the volley ; and one of
the soldiers coming near him blew out his brains,
which scattered about in a manner shocking to
behold. According to military regulations, all the
troops present filed past before the dead bodies,
drums beating and colours flying. One of the
evening papers remarks that these unfortunate
men were victims of the system, much complained
of, which allows men when off duty to go about
with their arms. To call them " victims "is a
strong way of putting the case ; but I believe,
as I said when 1 reported their trial, that
they never premeditated murder when they en-
tered the publichouse at Champerret, but committed
the crime when half drunk and in a sort of " chance
medley." Their fate stands out in strong contrast
to the extenuating circumstances granted to the
fiendish villains of the Levant Island Penitentiary.
Nevertheless it may be well said that the example
of their execution is a wholesome one, as showing
soldiers whose trade it is to face death that they
incur it as a penalty and not as a glory
if they cannot control their passions and con-
sider at all moments the responsibility of being
entrusted with arms, and if they murder-
ously use against peaceful citizens the
arms which the country confides to them.
There was a great crowd of Parisians on the vast
plain of Vincennes, attracted by news of the
execution. Night cabmen who had seen the
movement of troops and ascertained the cause can-
vassed many with success. But all the would-be
sightseers were disappointed, and had a cold ride
for nothing. The military kept all civilians out-
side their lines, and the spectacle of the death of
OM two Corsican soldiers was witnessed exclusively
by the soldiers for whose example it was intended.
The imperial reforms produced no marked effect
at the Bourse. Rents, after some inconsiderable
fluctuations, closed, with a fall of 20c. for cash, and
15c. for account, at 69fr. 15c. and 69fr. 20c. The
fall is not much ; but people are somewhat sur-
prised that the influence used to produce a rise on
such an occasion was not successful. Mobilier
rose 11fr. 25c. in consequence of an impression
that various schemes of that company to which
M. Fould was opposed will be feasible with M.
Rouher.

THE SPECIAL SERVICES AT BT. PACti X.—The
third of the special services at St. Paul's was held in the
large open space under the dome on Sunday evening.
Prayers were intoned by the Rev. J. H. Coward, M.A., of
Pembroke College, Cambridge, rector of St. Benet's,
Paul's-wharf, and the lessons read by the Rev. Canon
B.D. The sermon war preached by the Rev. W.
Bell Mackenzie, M.A., of Magdalen Hall, Oxford, incum-
bent of St. James's Church, Holloway, who selected for
his text the 19th chapter of St. Luke's Gospel, verses 41
and 42. He dwelt upon the evils of scepticism and ritual-
lam, and made some touching allusions to the sad accident
in the Regent's-park. The sermon next Sunday evening
will be preached by the Rev. Dr. J. C. Miller, vicar of
Greenwich.

THE WAR IN THE BRAZILS.

Exearas.)
RIO DE JANEIRO, D. 2.;.
_ . .

The National Exhibition was dosed on the 16th
inst. ; the objects destined for the Paris Exposition
being selected, and will again be exhibited before 14
went.

The very heavy rains which have lately fallen lie"
caused several landslips on the Don Pedro 11. Railimy.
The traffic has been interrupted for several days, and,
the bad weather Mill continues, will probably MAUI is
for eight or ten days more.
Intelligence has been received from the seat of cast
the Bth instant. Nothing of important* had taken plus
in the way of active operations, and as the wet senor Lad
also set in there, and the army was awaiting rvin'orce.
manta, which are continually being sent south, time it
no probability of the allies attacking before the and et
January.

News has been received of a mutiny among the Pare.
guayan troops. Captain Dolores Paiva, at the hefil et
300 men, marched against the stronghold of Cerre Leo,
and was cordially received by the garrison, where they
found a quantity of arms and ammunition. A fore, of
600 men sent by Lopez to attack the rebels were
beaten, and the numbers of the mutineer, ,n 4
still further increased by many of those sea:
against them. A second column of sou pm
with two field pieces was not more successful than the
first, the artillery being captured by the rebels, who wen
strongly fortified at Tebiquari-Quazfi, where their number,
ere daily increasing. They already exceed GOO men, well
armed and provided with ammunition, and are in pp,
session of 2,000 head of cattle and 500 horses.
Captain Dolores Pairs will march towards Cawhltria
to meet the Brazilian force, which is to advance from Rio
Grande under Brigadier General Portinho.
Rear• Admiral Joaquim Jose Ignacio bad left Motto
Video for Buenos Ayres on the 14th on his way to the
fiset.

General Porto Alegre had arrived at Rio Grande, sal
General Argon° had assumed the command of the :hid
corps of the Brazilian army.
General Metre's health lhad improved so much that is
the present be had given up his intended voyage to Bunts
The greatest cordiality now exists between the command.
ers•in•chief of the allied armies and navy.

FORE-STREET WAREHOUSE COMPAXT

(LIMITED).-(THIS DAY.)

The half-yearly meeting of proprietors was held
this afternoon at the London Tavern, Mr. W. Same a
the chair. . . .

The following report and balance-sheet were presented:
" The directors beg to submit the accounts for the half.
year ending 31st December, 1866. The net profits of the
business during that period, after payment of interen,
income tax, and every other expense, and making
allownce for bad and doubtful debts, amounted to
24,169/. 17s. 7d. ' • which, with the balance brought mist
July, 4,6681. 18s. 9c1., make a total of 28,8381. It s. 4d.,
which it is recommended shall be appropriated as undo:
—To the payment of a dividend (free of income tax) it
10 per cent. per annum on the entire capital of the con
pony, less interest at 5 per omit. on the portion uncalled,
say at the rate of 15e. lid. per share, '2(,:301.;
interest on sums paid in anticipation of calls,
IV. 9s. ad.—together. 23,2651. 9s. 3.1. ; and to
carry forward to next amount, 5,573/. 7s. Id.
It is scarcely necessary to remind the shareholders of the
effect, produced on all climes of the community by the
monetary collapse of 1866, resulting in diminished demand
for every article not only of luxury but of ordinary use and
consumption. The directors therefore feel that under the
circumstances they have cause for congratulation in
the fact of their being able to maintain the usual
increase in the half-yearly dividend, and to make
some addition to the balance previously brought forward.
It will be in the recollection of the shareholders that the
purchase of the business from Mr. Morrison was band
upon a previous average annual profit (including interest
on °vital and rent) of 71,0001. The directors have the
satisfaction of stating that during the three years of the
company's operations the net profits, as shown by the
accounts, and the interest paid during that peeled to Mr.
Morrison have amounted in the aggregate to 2"5,1431.,
being an annual average result of 75,0471. The divided
warrants will be issued on the Lt proximo.
" Balance-sheet, Dec. 31, 1866.—Dr.: To balance doe
to Mr. Morrison for transfer of property and business,
293,0771. Bs. 4.1.; to capital paid up, 12/. per share or
30000 shares, 3600001.; to capital paid in anticipation of
calls, 150/.; to trade liabilities—on bills payable. 69,136/.:ls;
on open account, 140,963/.55. 7d.; et.lier, 210,0991.8x.71;
to balance brought forward from 30th June, 4,668/. Ma. 9d;
Balance carried down being the net profit of the busbies
for the half-year ending at plate after payment of intent
(including 14,063/. Is. Ild. to Mr. Morrison), expenses d
management, income tax, and all other expenses, sal
allowances for bad and doubtful debt&
121,11 17s. 7d—total, 892,1651. 13e. 3d. To propcsed
dividend for the half-year, being at the into
of 10 per cent. per annum, free of income Mt
on the entire capital of the company, 30.000 E
Less interest at 5 per cent. per annum on portions ca.
paid, viz. :-6 months on 240,11001.-6,0001. • 3 months a
60,01.101.-7501.-6,750/.-23,250/. ; to interest at 5 per cent
per annum on calls paid in advance, 151.95.3 d. ; to balance
carried forward tenant 5000unt,5,573/.75. 1 d.--2Z,81t0.16a4d
Cr.: Bytcost of premise*, 95,478/. 13s. 2d. • by considers.
tion to Mr. Morrison for goodwill, 60,000/. • by cash in
hand and at bankers, 12,4681. Ile. tat. ; by bins receivable
in caw, 97,8911. ls. lid. ; by amount due by customers OM
open account, 215,240/. Bs. Id.—together, 325,600/. Is.; by
paid dock of goods as per valuation at date, 404,4411.
71. Id. ; by furniture and fixtures, 6,645/. ;
total, 89,165/. 13s. 3d. By balancebrought from :flit
June, 1866, 4,668/. 18s. ; by half-year's net profits
brought down, 24,1691. 17s. 7d. ; together, 23,8381.165. 4d.
(Yens.—The foregoing liabilities do not include the met of
goods purchased for the spring trade, now in course of
delivery and not included in the stock on 31st December)
Total, 28,8384 ltia 4d."
The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report
and accounts, observed that they bad been enabled to
maintain the dividend, though it would not have been s
matter of surprise had the case been otherwise. It
was satisfactory to observe that, notwithstanding the
alternations of trade, the business continued to
' prosper ; and it was to be hoped that in the
spring there would be a further improvement
One-third of the shareholders were customers; A
emploNEs of the concern also held ahares. sad,
including the directors, the cnt plopCA, and Mr.
Morrison, two-thirds of the shares, or 90,0141
out of 30,000, were held by persons who had
direct connexion with the concern. Considering tl's
state of the money market the board had appealed to
Mr. Morrison whether, in order to avoid the mak*
of calls, be would consent to poetpone receiving snl
further payments until next year, and Mr. Morrison hd
consented to do so. The remit of this would be that ne
call would be required before the spring of 1404. (Chem)
The motion havingbecn carried. soda dividend at then
of 10 per cent. per swum, lees 5 per cent. 00 t 1.4
amount uncalled, having been declared
On the motion of the CHAIRMAN the following rook.
tion was adopted —" The chairman having stated thz
Mr. Morrison had consented,at the request of the director,
to take payment of the instalments of 80,114 A
each due on the Ist April and Ist October respectively ie
the debentures of the company falling due on the um
dates in 1868, and bearing interest at 5 per cent. fe
annum, it was resolved that this meeting sanctions tin
arrangement and authorises the directors to take all nem-
sary steps for carrying the saint into effect."
The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to 88
directors.

CAPTURE of GREENHILL, THE ESCAPED Blvd.'''.
—Many of our readers will remember the daring 0,44
from Springfield-gaol in May last, and subsequeat bt'
glarious adventures and clever baffling of hit pursuer!,
of a young man, 19 years of age, named Alfred Gee,'
hill, who had been committed for trial at the gumwtt
assize on three charges of burglary in the neiglibouthool
of Brentwood ; and probably some surprise will be ores.
aioned by the announcement that after this considerable
lapse of time, when his escape bad begun to le 104°1
upon as quite a thing of the past, which it was %veleta W
trouble our heads any further about, he has at last bras
" laid bold of " by the powers that be. and securely lodged
in durance vile, especial care being taken thin time that be
does not again absent himself without leave. ft appears
that on Tuesday last a communication was received by
Captain McGorrery, the governor of the HOC% tountYgol,
from the governor of Maidstone gaol, informing hint slut
Greenhill was in safe custody at Maidstone. having beet
apprehended on four charges of burglary in different putt
of Kent. Several daring burgla'ies, it seems, had lately
been committed in Kent, under very mysterious circa,'
stances, which for a long time haled the researches 0(
the police, but at length a young men, who gave the
name of Thomas Smith, was apprehended at Chatham•
and no doubt was felt as to Ins being concenied in the
robberies. At the time of Greenhill'a escape earlel
McGorrery took the precaution to send a de,cr ption
the runaway to most of the gaol* in the countlf•
shrewdly conjecturing from Mr. Greenhill's antecedent'
that he would probably sooner or later again 60,11
himself in the grasp of the atm.% ann of the law: sn
the result has proved that his precaution was an
cellent one, fur so accurate was the description give"
the escaped prisoner that the governor of Maidstone
gaol upon first seeing Smith "at once suspected tela
to be no other than thee" original " Greenhill, and dodri
him with the fact, which he at first stoutly denied. he'
afterwards admitted that his name wee Greenhill. an. I be
was the man who broke out of Springfield gaol. tin
day the prisoner was finally examined on four charge,"
burglary, and committed for trial at theMaidstone moor
assize• and should he then be acquitted he will at oat:. )4
brought back to Springfield, and will be tried at the hoe%
*min, for the burglaries in this county, and also
breaking out of gaol.— Baez Herald.