The Express.
London, England, 1867-06-07 00:00:00

THE PARIS EXHIBITION.

(nom ova anew. coaalsrommorr.)
Monday was spent by half the exhibitors in a
fruitless search for the Emperor of Russia. Where-
ever a crowd was seen, people rushed towards it
with • general "Le roila! His imperial Majesty
has made an immense impression on the Parisian
mind. The frenzy has reached even demure St.
Germain—whereof au amusing illustration. A
special train was ordered to proceed to St. Ger-
main. on Monday morning. The fact was speedily
bruited about the quiet town. It was carried from
neighbour to neighbour. The houses were soon
empty, and the streets were full. When the
" special" arrived an immense crowd had gathered
about the station. The town had come to the con-
clusion that the two Emperors and a few kings bad
arrived among them. The passengers issued into the
street, and there was a terrific crush forward to
catch a glimpse of the Imperial hero of the
hour. In the centre of the group of passengers
was a tall figure. "Le voila r was shouted.
Now the tall figure was that of Alexandre Dumas,
who in company with many of his countrymen and
some representative foreigners had accepted the
gracious invitation of the Austrian Exhibition
commissioner to spend a day in and about St. Ger-
cp4itiz,iind eat a splendid banquet on the terrace
The Mot of the evening. The Austrians under-
stand these graces. If we are popular it is not
because our Exhibition representatives are hos-
pitable.
As faithful chronicler, indeed, I am bound to re-

cord the unpleasant fact that there have been loud
complaints about the manner in which the English
royal commissioners (the underlings, I presume) have
dealt with the invitations they have received from
various official quarters. There are and have been
eminent Englishmen here—even many officially
connected with the Exhibition--authorities in sci-
ence, art, and letters, who have not been honoured
with a single ticket to ball, or soiree, or recep-
tion ; while junior clerks have been airing their
littlenesses in all kinds of high places. The
grievance became so monstrous a short time ago
among the colonial commissioners that they formed
themselves into a grievance committee, and, I am
informed, actually memorialised the home govern-
ment.

On Tuesday morning the Exhibition was be-
sieged at an early hour. The thousands came in
every description of vehicle. Omnibuses, victories,
char-a-banc. carts, and gigs blocked the way. The
people poured through the Porte Rapp, and spread
themselves in all directions in search for the Em-
peror. But when the mass of the visitors was
pushing into the Exhibition his Imperial Majesty
was preparing to depart. He had arrived a little
past 8 o'clock in the morning at the grand entrance,
where he was received by M. Rouher,Commissioner
Leplay, and other authorities. His Majesty at
once proceeded to the French machinery gallery,
where he spent some time, and then passed
along the upper gallery of the machinery
department, through the English and American
sections, to the Russian restaurant, where most
elaborate preparations had been again made for his
reception. as he entered the restaurant, broad
and salt were offered after the Russian fashion ;
and the buxum lady in gaudy national attire who
has so long excited the wonder of the bwlauda,
advanced and presented her sovereign with an
enormous bouquet, in which the Imperial initials
were marked in flowers. • His Majesty then in-
spected the Russian department, and returned in
about an hour to the restaurant, where he took
luncheon in a delightful little room gracefully
decorated with flowers. The table was a model of
elegance, all the porcelain having been made ex-
pressly for the occasion, and all ornamented with
the itnperial arms and monograms. After lun-
cheon, the Czar and his two sons minutely
examined the French bronzes, and the
Baccarat show of glass. If his Majesty be
a connoisseur (and I suppose it is treason to enter-
tain a momentary doubt on the subject) we hope
he will not overlook our engraved glass. The
party, as I have stated, left the Exhibition as the
mass of visitors was pouring into it. The Czar
walked rapidly on his brief tour, pausing rarely.
He stopped to inquire about a 6-inch cannon in the
Russian department, but turned away directly be
found that it had not been tried. Not long after
the imperial party had passed from the Russian
restaurants by the United States dining establish-
ments, an accident happened that, as the penny-a-
liner has it, " might have been attended with
serious consequences." In the boiler-house oppo-
site Mears. Dows and Guild's, by some neglect on
the part of the man in attendance, the safety valve
' was blown up, and steam and water rushed out. I
believe only one ortwo persons were scalded a little.