The Express.
London, England, 1867-07-08 00:00:00

F.P.ENCH DUSZLISTST.

31. DE SAINTE-BEUVE'S REPLY TO A
CHALLENGE
It app thai M. de Sainte-Beuve rived a
nt
challenge to fight from M. Lease, for some expressions
which he used in the speech delivered by him in the
French Senate on the '2.'ith of June last, although to those
who read the debate it must have been evident that what-
ever insult there was was offered by M. Lacaze, and not
by M. de Sainte-Benve. To Baron de Heeckeren, who
brought the challenge on the part of M. Lame, M. de
Sainte-Beuve replied:
" I am not disposed to accept, in such a matter-of-
course way as you seam to suppose, this summary juris-
prudence which consists in choking a question and killing
• man in 4$ hours. I will even frankly confess that.
amongst the many friends on whose friendship I count,
there are not two, not even one, who is an adept in this
method of arms. In general my friends are men of
thought, men of the pen, sad of discussion. This does
not mean that they are men less resolute, or men
of less honour, but that they are not doctors
of arms.' I should have to consult in any case
those who defend the same ideas and the same cause that
I defend, and these know the means and arms that are beat
suited for this purpose. Moreover, this affair is as clear
as daylight, and everybody knows all about it. It is of
that kind which, in my opinion, should be treated only by
discussion, by the conflict of free opinion and publicity.
In this respect I have not the least fear for what I now
write." In a second letter, addressed to M. Lacaze, M. de
Sainte-Beuve writes :—" I recognise as the only compe-
tent judge—the public—the entire public—everybody—
that somebody who has more intelligence than any indi.
vidual and as much honour as any one—an honour which
is not' the point of honour,' and which has common sense
on its side."

THE MEXICAN NOTE IN THE "MONITEUIt."

The Libras says :—" We are reminded by the
article in the Moniker of this morning that in 1821 the
Emperor Iturbido and in 1829 the President Guerrearo ex-
perienced the same fate as Maximilian. ' Bat,' observes
the Monist ur, whatever interest may attach to the
memory of these two personages, nothing in their
origin or existence can be compared to the illustrious
victim whose mournful fate will be received by
the whole world with horror. The deep emotion
which the blood-stained fall of the Mexican empire
has produced in Femme will be increased by the consi-
deration that the victim was a descendant of Charles V.'
We have passed through too many revolutions to be able
to retain any very clear idea of what the Monileur calls,
' high treason against monarchy.' It is enough to excite
our indignation that on the death of this unfortunate
prince there has been ' high treason against humanity.'
The Liberti says :—" The note in the Meaitter respect-
big the execution of Maximilian has been attributed to an
exalted personage. The note in question seem to indicate
an eternal rupture between France and Mexico. But
(adds the Liherte) political exigencies sometimes so com-
pletely modify the action of governments ! Time also
makes as forget so many things !"

NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION -( ram DAY.)

This morning the National Rifle Association
commenced its eighth annual campaign on Wimbledon-
common, and under auspices of the most encouraging
description, for • very costly bill of fare has been provided,
and there is no doubt those who desire to enjoy these good
things will be more numerous than on any former occasion.
There are 13 series of prizes of a very valuable descrip-
tion, exclusively confined to volunteers, these consisting
of the first and second stages for her Majesty's Prize, and
these stages alone furnish as many prizes as would together
make a moderate fortune. The highest in point of value is
that gained by the best competitor in the second stage who
carries off the sum of 25W., the gold medal, and the
gold badge of the association. For all comers there are
no less than 67 prizes thrown open to competi• ion, in-
cluding those known by the names of the Albert, Alexandra,
Windmill, Belgian, Challenge Cup, Associated and
Wimbledon Cupa, Elcho Challenge Shield, Daily Tele-
graph, Public Schools, Spencer, Henry Peek, Oaks, All
Comers, and Earwig prizes, so that there is ample field for
any skilled marksman to receive a due reward for the
labour he has bestowed in qualifying himself for the
occasion.

The camp is this year on a very extensive scale, and
many improvements have been effected since last year,
and not the least in importance is the doing away with a
great source of annoyance in getting either to or from the
camps. All the flys, cabs, and other vehicles are this
year placed under the charge of two gentlemen, Mr. Clipson,
of Putney, and Mr. Berryman, of Wimbledon, and there
is a regular tariff of fares, so th►t every person requiring
either will know exactly what he will have to pay.
The regimental camps have this year been einsidembly
increasod, and there will be a larger number of men
under canvas this year than on any former occasion'
There are the usual arrangements for the comfort of
the visitors, and Mr. Jennison, the well-known catever,
hu improved his saloons in many respects. The r►il-
way has again been laid down, and short trips may be
made frequently on it from one side of the common to the
other during the day.
The business of the day commenced this morning at
half-past 10 o'clock, and consisted of the following com-
petition :
The Bronze Medal competition, between the Universities
of Oxford and Cambridge, Middlesex, and Tower Hamlets.
The Bass Prize of 50f., given by M. T Baas, Esq., M.P.,
restricted to efficient volunteers who have never won a
prize at Wimbledon, or at any County Ride Association
meeting, before the Bth of July, 1867. The fourth series
of extra prizes.—The Duke of Cambridge's Prize, in the
first etageby military breech-loaders, for prize* amounting
in the aggregate to 1701.
The Enfield Association Cup, value 501., to be competed
for by life members and members of the National Associa-
tion who have paid their subscriptions for the current
year. Besides the above there were commenced the pool
targets, running prizes, running deer, he.
At a quarter past 10 the whole of the men intending to
take part in the different competitions assembled in front
of the Council Tent, and, having been squadded, m►rched
off to the respective firing points, but at the time our re-
port was despatched it was impossible to give any details
of the shooting.
Almost every few minutes there are fresh arrivals of
volunteers from all parts of the country ; but as the
Queen's Prize competition does not commence until Wed-
nesday, it is probable that it will be Tuesday night before
the whole of them are assembled.

GERMAN HOSPITAL, DALSTON. Their Royal
Highnesses the Prince and Princess Louis of Hesse
honoured the German Hospital with a visit on Saturday
last. Their royal highnesses went through all the ►ick
wards, conversing very kindly with many of the patients,
inspecting minutely the various arrangements of the
charity, and declared themselves much pleased with the
whole establishment and the condition in which they
found it.

THE REVIEW IN HYDE-PARC—We understand
that the review which was to have been held in Hyde-
park on Friday last bee now been abandoned altogether.
—Post.

Among the influences to operate on the English
funds, the fact, says the Tinges, that more than half a mil-
lion sterling will have to be invested within the next
twelve weeks on account of the sinking fund is important.
These purchases uaually commence about the middle of
the quarter, and on the present occasion, if the harvest at
the time should realise its existing promise, the effect of
such en absorption of stock may be expected to be more
than usually distinct.

The operas announced for the current week M
Covent Garden are Le Nout di Figaro (this evening),
Tuesday La Favorite (with Signor Nrudin in place of
Signor Mario, who is judiciously reserving himself for M.
Gonnod's new opera, as Ferdinando), Don Carlos (Friday),
and on the other nights Romeo e Oitdiette, which is posi-
tively to be produced on Thursday, with Signor Mario, as
Romeo, and Mdlle. Adelina Patti, as Cliulietta.
The operas for the present week at Her Ma-
jesty's Theatre are Martha (to-night), the Huguenots
(Tuesday), and Don Giovanni (Thursday and Saturday).
In Don Giovanni Mdlles. Nihon and Titiena will sing for
the first time in the same opera, Mdlle. Nilsson having ac-
cepted the part of Donna Eh'ira. For this occasion Mr.
Telbin has, we are informed, painted entirely new scenery.