The Express.
London, England, 1867-10-16 00:00:00

EXPRESS FROM PARIS.

(nom OUR cm( coaszsrosoreer.)
PARIS, TVZSDAY EVENT G.

Reports having been flying about as to the
unfavourable state of the health of the Emperor
and the Prince Imperial, the official and semi-
official journals have lately been at somewhat
more than usual pains to report the precise move-
ments of the imperial family. During the last
two or three days almost identical accounts have
appeared in the journals describing the walks and
rides, in carriages and on horseback, with the
direction and duration of these short excursions in
the environs of Biarritz. The bad effect upon the
Bourse of what appear to be unfounded state-
ments as to the indisposition of the Emperor is
of too recent occurrence to be forgotten ; and as
there are people who will still insist upon it that
the ruler of France is not in his usual
health the journals in the interest of the
government do all in their power to
dissipate unnecessary alarm on this head.
for which, indeed, I believe it is quite
true there is no valid reason. The Emperor
is affirmed to be in excellent health, notwithstand-
ing the multiplied cares of state, which are un-
doubtedly gathering fast around him.
The Minister of State and of Finance, M. Rouher,
has been somewhat seriously ill at his chateau at
Cercay, near Brunay ; but the latest reports say
that there is no longer any ground of alarm. That
statesman was absent from the council of ministers
held on Saturday at his official residence, but was
present yesterday, with all the other ministers then
in Paris, at the obsequies of M. Fould.
A dreadful catastrophe has just occurred at St.
Etienne. An explosion and fall of earth took
place in the oil wells there, and 39 unfortunate
creatures were immediately suffocated. It is a
question whether the falling in of the earth caused
the explosion, or whether the former is to be at-
tributed to the latter. A subscription will be
opened for the relief of the wives and families of
the deceased, and the company who own the
works have already attended to the most pressing
wants.

The negotiations between Prussia and Denmark
relative to Northern Schleswig have been tempo-
rarily suspended, Prussia having declared that she
would not go further in the matter before the re-
ports of the commissioners on the Duchies had
been received.

Speaking of Denmark, I may mention that the
government has suppressed the post of Minister
Plenipotentiary for Holland and Belgium. M. de
Bille-Brahe, who discharged those functions at
Brussels, has just been appointed to the same office
at Florence, and has left for his new occupation.
The Princess Royal of Prussia has arrived at
Baden, as also have the Grand Duke and Grand
Duchess of Baden, together with the Prince and
Princess of Darmstadt, who have come to be pre-
sent at the fate of the Prince Royal, the celebra-
tion of which is fixed for the 18th inst.
Transactions on the Bourse had still a downward
tendency. Rente varied for some time, and finally
closed at a fall of 30c. Italian Fives, after
showing a somewhat better tone, dropped to 451 r.
70c., and finished with a further depreciation at
44fr. 95c. This was attributed to a despatch, an-
nouncing that the insurgents under Menotti
Garibaldi had obtained an important success over
the Pontifical Zouaves at Monte Rotonde, and that
the Garibaldians had advanced to within 20 kilo-
metres of Rome. The Bourse closed with an un-
favourable 'aspect, almost all descriptions being
down, and the Rente finishing at 67fr. 95c.

FOREIGN-OFFICE, Ocr. 14.—The Queen has been
pleased to approve of Baron Carlo de Cretty de St. Psires
as Consul at Aden for his Majesty the King of Italy. The
Queen has also been pleased to approve of Mr. Francis
Mac Nab as Consul at Sydney, in New South Wales, for
his Majesty the King of the Netherlands. The Queen
has also been pleased to approve of Mr. William Mint* as
Consul for the presidency of Bengal, to reside at Calcutta,
for his Majesty the King of Sweden and Norway.—Gazrlte.
Wka-ornee, Our. 14.—The Queen has been
graciously pleased to give orders for the appointment of
William Rose Esq., deputy clerk of the parliaments, to be
an extra member of the civil division of the second class,
or knights commanders, of the Most Honourable Order of
the Bath ; and of Major John Janice Oreig, late of the 3rd
West India Regiment, to be an ordinary member of the
cis it division of the third class, or companions, of the
said moat honourable order.—Oa:cat.

-----
PRIEST APTER PARSON; OR, BETTERING THE
INSTRUCTION.—A Bucks Parson having been triumphantly
acquitted by his local bench of the charge of cruelty to
animals, for pouring turpentine over the hindquarters of
a dog, a certain Priest (who is at the same time a publican,
and let us add, presumably, a sinner) has (we learn from
the papers), been charged with trying on the same game
with a cat, and has also been acquitted—though we do not
find that the bench endorsed their acquittal by a testi-
monial to the humanity of the accused, as they did in the
case of the parson. What is sauce for goose is sauce for
gander.. 11 lien Parson is allowed to turpentine a stray
dog, Priest could hardly be punished for applying the
same mild stimulant to an encroaching cat. But Priest
ought to insist on the same measure from the bench
as was meted by them to Parson, and may fairly com-
plain that the magistrate., have not assured him, as
they assured his prederiesaorParson, that he left the court
without the slightest stain on his character for humanity.
In this case, evidence was given that the cat went mad
from pain, and that its owner, unable to endure the sight
of its sufferings, drowned it. This Was premature, accord-
ing to Turweston experience. The cat was not mad, only
lively, and would soon have got over its turpsichorean ex-
citement. Mr. Puria would beg leave to propose a new
illustration of the odious law of comparisons for the Bucks
unpaid, as follows :—Bench, Tarp-is ; Turweston Parson,
Tarp-ior ; Hemel-Hempstead Priest, Turp-issimus. And
would suggest, at the same time, on the authority of the
Bucks unpaid, a new rendering of the stale Latin adage,
Nemo repeute fait turpissimus—" Nobody need repent of
using any quantity of turpentine "—on dog or cat. It is a
vulgar error to suppose it hurts. It only blisters, burns,
and scarifies. When Bucks Beaks and Bucks Priests and
parsons are pachydermatous to satire, wrath, or ridicule,
Bucks dogs and cats have no business to wince under tur-
pentine.—Punch.
A LEGION or Itars.—A few nights ago, a party
belonging to Hadilington, who had occasion to travel be.
tween Tranent and the burgh, found himself suddenly in
the midst of a legion of rats, which were leisurely crossing
the high road from one side to the other. The rats were
too much occupied with their own concerns to pay any
attention to the passer-by, who, though every moment ex-
pecting to he attacked, was allowed to move on un-
molested. The rats seemed to be in thousands, and, from
the direction they were taking, appeared bound for a neigh-
bouring stackyard.—Hculdingfoil Courier.
WINE Licawsra.—At the Liverpool police-court
yesterday Victor Joseph Petitmangin applied for a transfer
to him of the wine license formerly held by • person named
Lambert. The feeling of the magistrates was evidently to
refuse, in consequence of the applicant having incurred
the displeasure of the bench when be kept a refreshment
house in Lime-street, to which persons of immoral cha-
racter resorted. Since then he had been conducting two
public-houses in different parts of the town, against which
there had been no complaint, and as the objection of the
bench in this case did not lie within the scope of
the act of parliament, they had no alternative but to grant
the license, the act directing that " • license should be
granted if there was no objection."
In the course of yesterday afternoon bail was
tendered on behalf of the prisoners Mace, who were
immediately liberated. On leaving the court Jem Mace
rushed quickly up Bow-street h. a very excited manner.
The great crowd waiting outside the court, attracted by
the examination of Groves on the charge of murder, were
taken by surprise by Mace's curious behaviour, and soon
set off in chase after him. However, it was soon dis-
covered who he was, and the people returned to the station
house in the hope of obtaining a glance of the alleged
Fenian when talon away in the van.

, THE WEST COAST OF AFRICA.

The African Royal Mail Steamship Company's
steamer Athenian, Captain J. W. Davis, arrived at
Liverpool yesterday with the mails, &c., from the
West Coast of Africa, Teneriffe, and Madeira. Her
dates are Cameroons, Sept. 9th ; Old Calabar and
Fernando Po, 13th ; Bonny, 16th; Benin, 17th;
Lagos, 19th ; Accra, 21st ; Cape Palmas, 24th ;
Siena Leone, 28th; Teneriffe, Oct. 6th; and Madeira,
7th. The Athenian brings a full cargo and seven
passengers. For four days after leaving Madeira►
the Athenian experienced a succession of strong
N.E. winds.

At Cameroon trade was dull, and the river
healthy. The rain continued to fall when the
Athenian sailed from the river.
From Old Calabar we learn that the river was
healthy and trade was good. A terrible tragedy
occurred there on the 12th September. It appears
that a chief named Effims Adam died rather sud-
denly at that place, and as his people entertained
the idea that he had been the victim of foul play,
the late chief's wives, to the number of six, and
the entire household, who had been suspected,
were Resembled, and compelled to go through a
baroarous ordeal. Each of the unfortunate people
were forced to swallow a large dose of the " mere,"
or Calabar bean (the poisonous properties of which
are well known) to test their innocence of being
parties to the supposed murder of the chief. Eight
of the unfortunate victims had succumbed to the
effects of the deadly poison when the Athenian
left, and the remainder were not expected to
survive.

At Fernando Po trade was rather dull, but the
island was healthy.
Trade was brisk at Bonny, and the health of the
river was good.
At New Calabar trade was at a complete stand-
still, owing to the war between the New Calabar
and the Ecricke men, which continued to be carried
on with great vigour. It was reported that a battle
had been fought between the two tribes on the 14th
of September, and that forty of the New Calabar
men were captured and afterwards killed, roasted,
and eaten by the Ecrickes.
Trade was good at Benin, and the river healthy.
At Lagoa the health of the island was good, and
trade continued to improve. The Royal Mail
steamer Lagos had arrived out on the 19th Sep-
tember. All well.

Trade was very dull at Accra, but the town was
healthy.
The health of Cape Palmas was good, but
business was rather dull. _ _ _

At Sierra Leone trade was very bad, but the
town was healthy. The Royal Mail steamer
Macgregor Laird sailed on the 20th for the
..e. All well.

The }loyal Mail steamer Mandingo, left Tone-
riffe on the let instant for the west coast. All
well.

Sabin anlt iffiiitarp.

PORTSMOUTH, Ocr. 15.

The Danae, designed by Mr. E. J. Reed, and
built at Portsmouth, made an official trial of her speed at
light draught, yesterday, at the measured mile, Stokes
Bay, under the superintendence of Captain Chanberlain,
of the steam reserve ; Mr. Murdoch, chief inspector of
machinery afloat ; Mr. Brain, assistant master shipwright ;
and Mr. W. Lynn. She drew 12 feet 5 inches forward, and
15 feet 8 inches aft, having 240 tons of coal on board. Six
runs were made at full boiler power, resulting in a mean
of 13.384 knots. Four runs were made at half-boiler
power, giving a mean of 11.262 knots. The engines
worked well, and the result was very satiafactoiy.
A full circle to port was made in 3 min. 50 sec., and a
half circle in 2 min. With helm to starboard a circle was
made in 3 min. 52 sec., and a half circle in 2 min. The
experiment was completely successful.
The Serams, iron screw troop ship, Captain John C.
Seedy, sails to-morrow with the 4th Dragoona,4th Humors,
sth brigade of Royal Artillery, and detachments of the
37th and 58th Regiments for Alexandria.
The Tamar, iron screw troop ship, Captain Francis W.
Sullivan. C. 8., sails to-morrow for Hong Kong with super-
numeraries.

The Eak, 21. screw corvette, Captain John P. Luce, will
be paid off on Thursday.
The Nelson, 72, screw, was t►ken out of No. 10 dock to-
day. She got up her steam for trial of her engines, and
will go to Spithead to-morrow.

WOOLWICH, Ocr. 15.—A numerous force of Royal
Artillery assembled on the common this morning at
o'clozk, and after inspection marched to the Royal
Arsenal Railway Station, whence they proceeded by special
train to Portsmouth, for embarkation on board the troop-
ship Serapas for Alexandria.
The Southport Steamship Company have pur-
chased a new steamer called the Southport, which is to be
employed on pleasure excursions from Southport to Black-
pool, Lytham, and other watering places on the north.
OWL

---- .
An inquiry, ordered by the Board of Trade, was
commenced yesterday at the Greenwich Police•court,
before Mr. Traill, the magistrate, and Captains Baker and
Hunter., Nautical Assessors, relative to the loss of the
steamer Biog., Manton, of Sunderland, from London for
Japan, on one of the Eddystone Rocks called the Sugar
Loaf, on the morning of the Ist inst.

Ma. JUSTICE Lrsn.—Yesterday Mr. Justice
Lush attended at the Judges' Chambers for the first time
since his return from circuit for Chief Justioe Bovill.
Attendance by a judge will be given on Tuesday and
Friday in each week till the end of the vacation.
SERIOUS OMNIBUS ACClDENT.—Yesterday morn-
ing, about nine o'clock, one of the Atlas omnibuses, pro-
ceeding from St. John's-wood to the City with about 26
inside and outside passengers, met with • serious accident
on its arrival at Regent-otreus West. It would appear
that the 'bus was going at some considerable speed before
arriving at that point, and the conductor was warned by a
gentleman when he got out of the probability of an
accident, he having observed something wrong with it.
Everything ryas apparently safe when the vehicle
stopped at the south part of the circus. There some
persons alighted, and others got up, and the omnibus
Natstarted, but had not proceeded • distance
ix yards when the near bind wheel literally
fell to pieces, and the spring of the near part
of the fore carriage gave way. carrying all support
with it from the near side. The omnibus then fell on its
aide in the road, throwing the outside passengers with
great violence on to the pavement. The driver was pitched
upon his shoulder, and several gentlemen were removed to
the nearest su rgeous' in a senseless condition. As far as severe
cuts and contusions are concerned, however, the inside
passengers fared worse than the outside ; revered being
much cut about the head and face, and severely braised.
The inside of the wreck of the omnibus was covered with
blood. Bye, the driver, was at once conveyed to the
Middlesex Hospital. when it was found that his shoulder
was dislocated and hie back severely oontused in many
parts, but no apprehension is entertained of his injuries
ending fatally. One young gentleman was seriously injured.
OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE STREET/I.—Several im-
portant amendments are made in the law with respect to
obstructions in the streets in the new Metropolitan Traffic
Act, which will come into force on the first day of nex.
month. No goods or articles aretto remain in the streets for
any longer period than is absolutely necessary to the unload-
ing or loading. An addition has now been: made which will
prevent the exposure of goods in the public thuronehfares
within four miles from Charing-cross (the general limits of
the act) beyond the shops. The words are, " For the pur-
poses of this act the surface of any space over which the
public have the right of way that intervenes in any street
within the general limits of this act between the footway
and the carriageway shall, notwithstanding any claim of
any person by prescription or otherwise to the deposit or
exposure for sale of any goods or other articles on such
surface, be deemed to be pert of the footway."
THE FUTURE or THE Sotrn.—The social forces
are working at the South with unbroken power, and will
grind the president and his " policy " to powder, even if
they were an hundredfold more powerful than they are.
The conventions are sure to be elected. The negroes are
disappointing friends and enemies. They are every day
coming into possession of lend in all the Gulf States ;
they are working steadily and faithfully; the Bureau
banks are bursting with their savings ; they are filling all
the official positions in which they have been placed with
modesty and efficiency; they are rapidly acquiring educa-
tion and political insight, and it is safe to say that half
the land- of the South is passing under the sheriff's
hammer, and will soon be in possession of new men,
on whom the traditions of the olden time have no bold,
and whose labours will soon bring the South into the rank
of civilised modernised communities, and get rid of the
question which for thirty years has cursed American
politics.—New York Nation.