The Express.
London, England, 1867-02-14 00:00:00

EGYPT.

rARIS, Fn. 11.

The Moniteur of this morning says :—" A tele-
gram was forwarded by M. de Leeseps to Paris
from Suez on the 11th inst., announcing that he
had visited the works of the isthmus with Lord
Clarence Paget and the Governor of Bombay.
The waters of the Mediterranean reached on that
day as far as Serapcum. A vessel from Siam con-
taining 100 packages of objects for the Paris Ex-
hibition had taken the Suez canal route to the
Mediterranean."

OVERLAND MAILS.
THE BOMBAY MAIL.

ALEXANDRIA, FE!. 12.
The Ceylon left at 11 a.m. and the China at 4.30
p.m. to-day.
The former may be expected at Marseilles on the
18th and the latter at Southampton about the 25th
instant.
OUTWARD MAIL OF JAN. 27—FEI3. 4.

SUEZ, Fn. 13.
The Ottawa leaves for Bombay this morning.

EXPRESS FROM PARIS.

(FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDMIIT.)
PARIS, WEDNESDAY EVENING.

There is a talk of the dismissal of M. Vandal,
the Postmaster-General. This would have been
a plausible solution of a great difficulty before the
communique which approved and sought to justify
his act. But it would be far from logical now,
because the communique has made the whole go-
vernment responsible for his sins. So far from
there being any genuine contrition on the part of
government for the scandalous violation of the
secret of letters in the case of the Count de Cham-
bord's circular, an inquiry has been ordered
to find out and punish those postmasters who
gave up M. Vandal's peeping instructions to
publicity. The public does not know that this
is by no means M. Vandal's first offence in
this kind. The managers of the interpellations
in the Corps Logialatif will be able to point out
upwards of a dozen similar cases which were kept
secret. The government ought to think very seri-
ously of this matter, because when it comes to be
discussed it will find no friends unless those
imme-
diately in its pay. Cardinal Richelieu, who opened
letters with as little scruple as ho performed any
other act of tyranny and treachery, was wont play-
fully to call the operation le rumolliseement de la cire
(the softening of the wax). If Napoleon 111. 'sgovern-
meat in 1867 persists in justifying the practice, it
may be properly designated as le ramolliamment du
cerotau (softening of the brain). There is an
undoubted revival of public spirit, and opening
letters is one of the things which the French
people will not stand. France, at the moment of
the opening of its great exhibition, will not resign
herself to be at the tail of political chilisation.
Particular ministers may be bumptious for a while,
but the Emperor will have to cry peccaci.
The blue book containing the exposition of the
situation of the empire will be distributed to
members of the chamber on Friday next ; and the
yellow book, which contains such diplomatic docu-
ments as the government chooses to publish, will
come out on Saturday. It was reported a little while
since that the latter would be unusually light, but
the rumour now is that it will be made bulky by
copious despatches on the Eastern question.
The Bourse was depressed. Rente fell 17ic.,
both for cash and account, closing at 69fr. 62ic.
and GDfr. 57ic.

The Emperor Napoleon desiring to witness some
experiments on the moat recent applications of electricity,
directed the Abbii Moigno to attend the evening before
last at the Tuileries and lecture on the latest discoveries
in that science. The new electric lamp of M. Foucault
had been placed in the middle of the Salle du TriMe for
the projection of the spectral analysis, and the great
diversity of the images produced by the combustion of the
different metals reduced to a state of vapour were watched
with deep interest by the persons present. Several ex-
periments were made to show the lighting power of the
galvanic pile and the chemical and calorific effects of the
light. The Empress and the Prince Imperial appeared to
take the greatest interest in everything exhibited during
the lecture.

The Bulgian journals state that another Con-
gress of students, like that held last year at Liege, is in
preparation at Brussels for the Easter vacation.

M. Guizot has just finished the concluding pages
of the eighth and lut volume of his memoirs, which ter-
minate with the recital of the three days of the July re-
volution. This volume will be published in April. M.
Saint Marc Girardin has received a magnificent album from
the Greek population of Trieste, offered to him in testi-
mony of their gratitude for his exertions in the Hellenic
cause.

The new Opera-houso at Paris is progressing.
A number of busts of composers and poets are already
placed in the •rile, and a more curious collection cannot
be imagined. They have been executed either front origi-
nal busts or from authentic documents. Some are cuiffiv
a la Titus, others are wigged, some wear long hair, and
some have none whatsoever. The costume of the musical
composers of the early part of this century points them
out at once ; but as several of the others appear in plain
frock-coats their identity is not so easily to be discovered.

The gaieties of the carnival at Vienna seem only
Ito increase as the lesson approaches its conclusion. On
Fridays all riotous entertainments are prohibited, but on
Saturdaye—on Sundays especially—the pleasure-seeking
Viennese flock to their masked balls by tens of thousands.
Ten or twelve masquerades are held in different places on
these nights, and yet at one place alone, the largest esta-
blishment of the kind in Vienna—Schwander's Colosseum
—the number of guests is usually between 5,000 and 6,000.
One of the most popular actresses at the Carl
Theatre, Vienna., has retired from the stage on the occasion
of her approaching marriage with a Prince of Thurn and
Taxis, one of whose brothers is married to a sister of the
Empress of Austria. Another brother, who was adjutant
to the King of Bavaria, eloped the other day with a oele-
brated actress from Munich, and married her In Switzer-
land.

Letters from Damascus announce the arrival
there of the great annual caravan from Bagdad, consisting
of 2,•500 camels, one-half of which were laden with tonm-
beki (the tobacoo which is used for nargilee), while the
remainder carried the travellers. This year the Desert is
reported to have been perfectly quiet ; no attempt has
been made to molest any traveller, and the caravan passed
without encountering any difficulty.
A Berlin journal mentions that the old his-
torical windmill of Sans-Soma has just been blown down
during a gale of wind.

.AXPRESS OFFICE, Thursday, 4.30 p.m.

OPENING

OF THE

FRENCH CHAMBERS.
(THIS DAY.)

SPEECH OF THE EMPEROR
NAPOLEON.

(RWTEtes TELEG
PARIS, Fn. 14.

The French Chambers were opened to-day by
the Emperor in person, who delivered a speech, of
which the following is the chief portion :
" MASSIEIJES LES SENATILL'ES,
" MESSIEURS LES DEPUTES,
" Since your last session serious events have
arisen in Europe. Although they may have asto-
nished the world by their rapidity as by the impor-
tance of their results, it appears that, according to
the anticipations of the Emperor, there was &fatality
in their fulfilment. Napoleon said at St. Helena :
' One of my great ideas has been the ag-
glomeration and concentration of the same
nations, geographically considered, who have
been scattered piecemeal by revolutions and
policy. This agglomeration will take place
sooner or later by the force of circumstances.
This impulse is given, and I do not think that
after my fall and the disappearance of my system
there will be any other great equilibrium possible
than the agglomeration and confederation of great
nations.'

"The transformations that have taken place in
Italy and Germany pave the way folk the realisa-
tion of this vast programme of the union of the
European states in one sole confederation. The
spectacle of the efforts made by the neighbour-
ing nations to assemble their members, scattered
abroad for so many centuries, cannot cause
disquiet to a country like ours, all the
parts of which are irrevocably bound up
with each other, and form a homogeneous and in-
destructible body. We have been impartial wit-
nesses of the struggle which has been waged on
the other side of the Rhine. In presence of
this conflict the country strongly manifested its
wish to keep aloof from it. Not only did I defer
to this wish, but I used every effort to hasten
the conclusion of peace. 1 did not arm a single
additional soldier-1 did not move forward a single
regiment; and yet the voice of France had
influence to arrest the conqueror at the
gates of Vienna. Our mediation effected an ar-
rangement between the belligerents, which leaving
to Prussia the fruit of her successes, maintained
the integrity of tho Austrian territory with the
exception of a single province, and by the cession
of Venetia completed Italian independence. Our
action has been exercised, therefore, with the view
of justice and conciliation. France has not drawn
the sword, because her honour was not at stake, and
because she had observed a strict neutrality. In
another part of the globe we have been obliged to
employ force to redress legitimate grievances, and
we have endeavoured to raise an ancient empire.
The happy results at first obtained were com-
promised by an inauspicious concurrence of cir-
cumstances.

"The guiding idea of the Mexican expedition
was an elevated one. To regenerate a people,
and implant among them ideas of order and
progress ; to open vast outlets to our com-
merce, and leave the recollection of ser-
vices rendered to civilisation to mark our
path--such was my desire and yours. But as
soon as the extent of our sacrifices ap-
peared to me to exceed the interests which
had called us across the ocean, I spontaneously
determined upon the recall of our army corps.
The government of the United States comprehend
that want of conciliation had embittered rela-
tions, which for the welfare of both countries
should remain friendly. In the East troubles
have arisen, but the great Powers are acting in
concert to bring about a state of things which may
satisfy the legitimate wishes of the Christian
populations, reserve the rights of the Sultan,
and prevent dangerous complications. At
Rome we have faithfully executed the convention
of the 15th of September. The government of
the Holy Father has entered into a fresh
phase. Left to itself it maintains itself
by its proper strength, by the veneration
which is felt by all towards the head
of the catholic church, and the surveillance
loyally exercised upon his frontiers by the Italian
government. But if some demagogic conspiracies
should audaciously seek to threaten the temporal
power of the Holy See, Europe, I do not doubt,
would not permit the accomplishment of an event
which, would cause such great perturbation in the
catholic world.

" I have only to congratulate myself upon my re-
lations with foreign Powers. Our connexion with
England becomes daily more intimate by the simi-
litude of our policy and the multiplicity of our
commercial relations. Prussia seeks to avoid
everything which might arouse our national sus-
ceptibilities, and agrees with ua upon the chief
European questions. Russia, inspired by concilia-
tory intentions, is not disposed to separate her
policy in the East from that of France. The same
is the case with the empire of Austria, the great-
ness
of which is indispensable to the general'
equilibrimu. A recent commercial treaty has created
new ties between the two countries. Lastly,
Spain and Italy are upon terms of sincere agree-
ment with us.

" Thus, therefore, nothing in present circum-
stances need arouse our uneasiness, and I enter-
tain the firm conviction that peace will not be
disturbed.

" Assured of the present, and trusting in the
future, I have thought the time had arrived
to develope our institutions. You have ex-
pressed your wishes to me every year
that this should be effected, but being justly
convinced that progress can only be accomplished
by complete harmony between the powers
and the state you had placed in my hands—
and I thank you for your confidence—
the privilege of deciding upon the moment
when I might think the realisation of your
desires possible. Now, after fifteen years of calm
and prosperity, due to our common efforts and to
your profound devotion to the institutions of
the empire, it has appeared to me that the
time had come to adopt the liberal.measures which
lay in the minds of the Senateand the aspirations of
the Corps Legislatif. I respond to your expecta-
tions, and without departing from the constitu-
tion, I propose to you laws which offer new
guarantees for political liberty.
" The nation, which does justice to my efforts,

and which again recently in Lorraine gave such
touching proofs of its attachment to my dynasty,
will make a wise use of these new rights.
Justly jealous of its repose and of its
prosperity, it will continue to disdain the
dangerous Utopias and excitements of parties.
For you, gentlemen, the immense majority of
whom have constantly sustained my courage in the
always difficult task of governing a people, you
will continue to be with me the faithful guardian,
of the true interests and the veritable greatness of
the country.
" These interests impose upon us obligations
we shall know how to fulfil. France is re.
spected abroad. The army has displayed
its valour, but the conditions of war being
changed, require the increase of our defensive
forces, and we must organise ourselves in such a
manner as to be invulnerable. The bill upon this
subject, which has been studied with the greatest
care, lightens the burden of the conscrip-
tion in time of peace, offers considerable
resources in time of war, and redistributing
burdens between all in a fair proportion,thus satis-
fies the principles of equality. It possesses:ill the
importance of an institution of the country, and I
feel convinced will be accepted with patriotism.
" The influence of a nation depends upon the
number of men it is able to put under arms.
Do not forget that neighbouring States
upon themselves far heavier sacrifices for
the effective constitution of their armies, and
have their eyes fixed upon us to judge by
your resolutions whether the influence of Franco
shall increase or diminish throughout the world.
Let us constantly keep our national flag
at the same height. It is the most certain
means of preserving peace, and that peace must be
rendered fertile by alleviating misery and in-
creasing general prosperity."

IMPROVED INDUSTRIAL DWELLINUS CUR.
PANY.-I THIS DAY.)

The seventh ordinary half-yearly meeting took
place at the Mansion-house this afternoon, Mr. Alderman
WATERLOW in the chair.

The report, which gave a very flourishing account of the
operations of the company, was taken u read, and its
adoption was moved by
The CIUIRMAN, in a speech in which he said that the
company had completely solved the problem of the posii•
bility of erecting a superior class of dwellings fur the
working classes at a comparatively low rent, and which
would afford a remunerative investment to capitalists.
The report was unanimously adopted, and a dividend at
the rate of sf. per cent. declared.
Mr. GoecucN, M.P., stated that he had carefully w•
veatigated the accounts, and found that the dividend was
paid entirely out of revenue, and that every possible item
that could be char„ed to capital had been first deducted
from the revenue, such as interest during con,truction,
anti ao forth.

The meeting was attended by Mr. S. Morley. 11lemon
Stone, Alderman Finnic, Sir C. Fox, Mr. Bodkin, and Mr.
Russell Gurney, all of whom concurred in the statement
that the company was a complete success.