The Express.
London, England, 1858-02-26 00:00:00

FRANCE.

We had not received our Paris oorreepondent'e
letter, dated yesterday evening, when we went to
press•

THE ENGLISH ENOLYEERS IMPRISONED
IN NAPLES.

(FROM OCR OWN COI

NAPLES, Fos. 20. /
We have arrived at almost the last scene of
what every Englishman must call this disgraceful
tragedy. On Thursday the medical men appointed
by the government began their " sperimenti," to
ascertain whether the madness of Watt is feigned
or real. Of course this mode of expression is purely
formal, as no one has any doubt of the fact ; it is as
it were an appeal to the highest court for a decision
before a final step be taken, and before the trial be
recommenced. The physicians have determined to
visit our countryman for seven days before giving
their report, and in the meanwhile have secluded him
from all intercourse with his friends,in order to ensure
his being as calm u possible. I have reason to be-
lieve that so far their opinion coincides with that of
the other professional men who have seen him,
though they speak with much reserve at present ;
thus making altogether ten medical gentlemen whose
evidence bears out my assertion that poor Watt is
suffering from aberration of intellect. And this has
been induced by an imprisonment consequent on a
violation of international law—illegal, too, from the
absence of anything like the shadow of evidence
to justify it, rendered severer to a man
ignorant of the language of the country
by seclusion from Mends and his consul by a mere
arbitrary exercise of power, and by being exposed
to indignities which, however familiar to the minds
of the inhabitants of this country, thank God ! are
utterly unknown to a free-born Englishman. It ap-
pears to me, too, that oue great source of irritation
has been the ever-present consciousness that he has
suffered in spite of his innocence. A sense of guilt
would have reconciled him to his fate, but he is
maddened by injustice. Two of the passengers of
the Cagliari, liberated in the month of September,
have arrived in Naples, to give their evidence in
favour of the engineers and others of the crew.
You will remember that during the trial Signor
Laurie, the advocate for our countrymen, asked per-
mission for five of the passengers to appear in court.
At first, the Neapolitan consul at Genoa refused to
visa their passports; but Signor Carafe telegraphed
an order to do so, and Francesco Bodino and
Vincenzo Turbine have arrived. The other three
refuse to come, unless they have the guarantee of the
British government; so little faith do they appear
to have in the good faith of this government, and so
great a fear of a Neapolitan prison.

I shall now close all reference to the case of Watt
for the present, by mentioning a fact which is highly
honourable to the workmen of Glasgow. A letter
has been received from them this week in.
closing the rum of twenty pounds, to be
given to Park and Watt in equal parts.
It is modestly called an instalment of what
is to follow, land if perchance our countrymen are
not in want of it, they are begged to relieve their
companions in misfortune. Nothing can be more
benevolent or more catholic than the spirit of the
letter, and no example more worthy the imitation of
the thousands who throng together mow large towns,
than that of the Glasgow men. Enjoying liberty
themselves, they have not been unmindful of the suf-
ferings of their countrymen in the prisons of the
Two Sicilies. Let that example be followed by the
inhabitants of the large towns of England. It is not
so much money that is wanted as demonstrations of
national indignation that Englishmen have been cap.
tured in violation of all international law, and im-
prisoned without the shadow of evidence. These are
the points for consideration, and they are of even
greater importance than the ensuring a fair trial and
a mock ao3uittal. The letter concludes with a
highly gratifying and well deserved acknowledg-
ment of the services of Mr. Acting-Consul Barber.
We might have had a man here with higher preten-
sions, who would have observed all the sleepy forms
of diplomatic etiquette with most marvellous correct.
ness, but he would not have effected more,
or even so much, than bu our Acting-Consul
by dint of unfailing energy and attention.
In fact, he has obtained more from this government
than has the Sardinian government, though repre-
sented by so indefatigable and intelligent a minister
as Count de Gropello. Until the medical men hare
oome to a final decision about the state of Watt's
mind the trial will continue in suspense, and the
prisoners will have another month's punishment by
anticipation.
The Attorney-General and one of the judges of
the court, together with the Chancellors, Mr. Barber
(acting consul), Mr. Roskilly (an English medical
man), and two other medical men of this country,
have been present at the examination of Watt. I
will venture to prophesy that the report will be that
Watt is suffering from aberration of intellect, render-
ing his presence at the trial impossible. I think it
likely then,that, according to Signor Laurie's sugges-
tion, his case will be brought under a certain article
of the cods already quoted, and that the trial will
be permitted to proceed in Watt's absence, he being
represented by his lawyer. Should my prophecy be
correct, the trial will be proceeded with next Mon-
day week.

THE ACTE D'ACCUSATION.