The Express.
London, England, 1860-12-15 00:00:00

EXPRESS FROM PARIS.

(nom octa own loonzaronmen.)
PARIS, FRIDAY EVI24INO.

The Pays and Petrie, in their " Latest New,,"
glorify the pamphlet " L'Empereur Francois
Joseph et l'Europe," at the same time denying
that it has anything of an " inspired or authorisc4'.
character. It is, as I told you yesterday, but the
avant courier of another of greater calibre, to which
it says " ditto " by anticipation.
Two pamphlets likely to produce a sensation
have just appeared on the liberal reforms Mau.
gurated in France on November 24 : the one is a
" Letter to the Senate," by the well-known Count
d'Hausaonville, and the other "The Constitution
of 1862 and the Decree of November 24," by M.
Ldonce de Lavergne.
An important electoral question, which made
considerable stir in several departments a few
months ago, is to be brought before the Council of
State. The organic law of 1862 stipulates that k.
tween the issuing of a writ for any election and the
opening of the poll there must be an interval of
twenty days at the least. Until this year it ells
always understood that this provision applied to
the municipal elections and those of the councils.
general, as well as to the elections of members of
the legislative body. The reason of the thing is
the same in both cases, for it is obvious that Wl-
lees a reasonable time be allowed, the electors eau
have no opportunity of selecting and supporting
candidates really of their own choice. The candi-
date patronised by authority, who has his placards
all ready and a staff of functionaries in every
commune to canvass for him, must, of
necessity, always succeed if the election
be hurried on so rapidly as to give the
opposition no time for organisation. Nevertheless
the government has lately pretended that the
enactment in question applies only to the Corps
Legislatif, and at the last election for the council-
general of the Gironde the prefect only gave six
days' notice of the elections for the canton of
Branne. M. Brisson, the independent candidate,
who was of course defeated, protested against the
election for illegality. The council of the prefec-
ture decided against him, but he has now appealed
to the Council of State, and is supported by some
very strong "reasons" signed by three leading
members of the Bordeaux bar.

Last February a M. Asseline, a Frenchman,
having lost, or, at least, professed to have lost,
groat deal of money at the roulette-table at Monad.
wrote a civil note to the manager of the gaming
tables stating that he was cleaned out, and would
be greatly obk,..d by the loan of 1,000 fr., which
he would pay in Paris on March 10. The manager
at once complied with the request, receiving his
note of hand as security. When the bill became
due it was dishonoured, and the drawer offered
400 fr. down to have it renewed, threatening, in
case of refusal, to set up the defence that it was
given for an illegal purpose. The holder, however,
determined to risk au action, and the Court of
Paris this day decided that the circumstances did
not sufficiently show that the money was lent for
the purpose. of gambling, but rather to enable the
unlucky gambler to go home ; and they gave a ver-
dict for the plaintiff for principal, interest, and
costa.

This morning the Tribunal of Correctional Police
found M. Roger (heretofore called Roger de
Beauvoir) guilty of assuming a name and nobiliary
particle to which he had no right, and, allowing
the benefit of extenuating circumstances, sentenced
him to pay a fine of 100 fr.
The Critique Prancaise announces in its pro-
gramme that it means to review foreign as well as
French books, being of opinion that the leading
feature of the times in which we live is the tendency
of peoples to draw closer to each other.
The Bourse was a little more active than yester-
day, but the movement is attributed exclusively to
the variations of the last few days, and must not
be taken to indicate any essential change in the
situation. The Rente fell sc. for cash, and rose
10c. for account, closing at GBfr. 70c. and 68fr. 90c.
Mobilier rose 2fr. 50c. The Orleans Railway
(again the favourite) rose 3fr. 75c. ; Southern,
2fr. 50c. ; and Eastern, lfr. 25c. Western fell
lfr. 25c., and Lyons and Northern were without
change.

SYRIA.

(nor our ows comapornar.)
BEYROUT, D. 3.

In more than one of my letters I have referred
to the unsatisfactory state of affairs at Damascus.
The accounts from that town have for many weeks
given so very little hope of re-establishing anything
like order in the place, that the commissioners of
the five European Powers decided upon going
there and judging for themselves regarding the
present state of &Stein. They left Beyrout together
on Thursday last, the 29th ult., and were to reach
their destination early on Saturday. The Chris-
' tians of Damascus who escaped at the massacre
and managed to fly to Beyrout, and who were after-
wards induced to return to their native place, have
since nearly all come back here. Some of them
who have lost vast amounts of property declare
that sooner than go back to the place they will beg
their bread in the streets of Beyrout, for that the
Moslems threaten them openly with another and a
more wholesale massacre as soon as Syria is free
from foreign troops.
The trials of the Druse sheiks are still going ou.
A few days ago evidence most damaging to syed
Bey Djonblat (the great sheik who is called " the
purse of the Drums, as being the wealthiest of
their nation) was given by a Turkish captain who
was present at Mfiktara, the feudal residence of
the sheik, during a great part of the disturbauoes.
It would appear from this witness that, although
Syed Bey Drub Lit did really save several Chris-
tians' his doing so was but a blind for his other
acts, and that—as you may remember I have all
along said—he was the chief moving power which
incited the Lebanon massacres of which you have
heard so much.

Much to the surprise of everybody, a Turkish
man of war which arrived here the other day
landed the complete material fur establishing tele-
graphic communication between this place and
Damascus. The poles are to be placed :thong the
new rued which a French joint stock company has
been engaged iu making fur some two years back,
and which is already nearly completed as far as the
valley of Ccelo Syria. Two months hence, provided
always that Fuad Pasha, or one like him, is at the
head of affairs in Syria, we shall have a telegraph,
and a year hence a good road, all the way between
Beyrout and Damascus.
Talking of the latter place, a somewhat extraor-
dinary circumstance has taken' place there within
the last few days. The Turkish governmetit very
properly ordered all the inhabitants to be
disarmod, but to the surprise of every one
included iu the order Abd-el-Kader and his
Algerian followers, who behaved so., well during the
I massacre, and who saved so mai.), of the Christian
inhabitants. Abel-el-Kader Het unnaturativ looks
upon this in the light of a gratuitous iusnit, and
all the Europeans 1 have heard speak on the sub
jest agree with him. Re refused to aih,w hi+
to 10Vtl up their anus, and has referred the matter
to Fuad l'aeha, who, strange to my, has decided
that even in the case of the Algerians there nine.
be no exception made. 1 hear that a final appeal
will he made by the Emir to the E:novraii com-
missioners, and if he fails in übtainn., %list he

eint4, he will ask permission of the French go-
vernment to chants his residence, and to leave
Syria altogether. This very ill-judged measure
has caused a great sensation throughout the whole
law!

Trade, although slightly improved, is very dull.
There is a fair demand for the coarser kinds of
Manchester good., and the prices for these are re-
male:retire. But nearly all that is doing is
..niongst the retail dealers, and fora hundred bales
in:ported this time lad year from England there
not five at pre.ent. Confidence is by no means
ost..red, and all trausactione are for cash, unless
ii.iranteed by tir-t-r.ite names. The Ottoman
Batik dues not ,hauuut any paper whatever, nor
has it done ►,. for the last four mouths. Some few
•.f the native seratfs or bankers will advance upon
the moat unexceptionable bills, but only at the
rate of lii per cent. The government is sorely
rirsiol for money, and Seem/ not to be receiving
.my front Constantinople. Every one has the
:fratest difficulty in collecting old debta, and it is
1 Iv by a tacit agreement on the part of every one
• titre time to pay up that the whole of the native
traders are not earned.

The Lord Bishop of London will not hold his
otal le►ees at Loudon House. at. James's•goare, on the
three sett Tuesdays: the first falling to the ordination
week, the second being Christmas-day, and the third New
Year

The Right Rev. George Trevor Spencer, D.D.,
soesetiene Lord Bishop of Madras, was forrnallv installed as
ihancellor of et. Paul's Cathedral yesterday afternoon. At the
same tone the Bev. F. G. Blombeld, Y.A. (son of the kite
Bishop of London). was installed use honorary canon, the
Bishop of London haring previously collated in both is.
,tences.

Ou the 10th of nest month, Mr. E. James',
will deliver • lecture on "The Revolutions of
Europe ; their origin and results," at the Marylebon• Lite-
r.ry and Ssientille institution.

The President of the Royal Society has appointed
the felleelag reatletaeu rior•presidents for the amnia(
war :—Clearral Sabine, Sir Jolts Boileau, Bart., Thomas
Graham, req.. sad MU Henry Itollaml, Bart.

Dr. Wylola announces his inteution of resuming
►is cowed, in t►e early spring.—Thera will be eight Phil•
►minis Cu.uss neat year. —" The Messiah " will be per.
Creed at !IL James HaU, ia t►e coarse oi seat week, coo.
J alad by Dr. WA&

Mr. H. O'Neil purposes to undertake a voyage
t.• Australia sad back. in order to familiarise himself with
eb:p Ida with a view to certake eastemplated pieteres
W (.ItAt,..r,un) undentaad that Mr. Robert
firma*, wham ksowledge of the Ististeey sad probated
feeling for the theory of Art are evinced by hie steam, kw
ten 'Warm/ Art practically lot some mouths pant.
Mr. (lambert has purchased the copyright of lb.
chase hosts pieture—" Claudio and lesbeas," hens
!lawn foe KMIIOIII4O —the property of Mr. 11Mg,
Tbse, Perether with as early week y the
Int hafted miss. fries Heads " Eve el 81.
Apes,' " Flight of Porphyro and Modalities,"
lif• I. be shortly inhibited in the German Gal.
irry. is Massey with " The Rocha( of Oar Saviour is the
Temple." We tAtestivrian) understaad that is all pew
lebtlity there will be added to them a ausaber of drawings
sad "ketches. 001130 raver eabilsited, wade by Mr. Holman
Hest earwig to. asjoura is the E. The "Claudio and
Icabelbh" a to be eograved immediately.

Tlw am,ual general meeting of the Institution of
net! Favorers "11l be held ea Teeeday text, the ISM,
.has the annual report will be reed, sat the ballet for the
Prasideat, riee.Preaideats, saddler members of coma
will take pla:e.

on Saturday, January 12, the galleried; at the
• uth Kearny:into% Muumuu will be lighted up and a sort of
r Odic 'sceptre* take plum, by tiebees, at la. each, obtarn•
.t.le from the Madames sad Misers, ter the berrefit of the L111:0•
mtlt Schaal of Art, In mid ad the buildis. fund, sad other
requirements of Yet most prembing sad welluentunersting
rime at Maiming far artisans.

The Prima eI to-day says : "Asa paragraph
Au appeared te the Mandl jontraats saasessig that Lord
rohert Mostap has bass appsiabed pastfamsdary whipper.
.o to the cossermates party, ese haws to state that the
r port is without foseidatios. As yet thecae@ lately held,
eith so inueli besera to himself sad witiehiction to the
~arty, by flir WW sm Jolliffe, by ao4 been caked up."
Nearly all the staff of clerk, of the Red Sea
Tele;raph (*unspent arrived at Malta lad week from Aler•
..odria, in the Wish screw steamer Rhos', on their way
homewards, from which circumstance it would appear that
:h. cable has been almadoned for the present.

" We are glad to state," says the Malta Observer,
tient telegraphic communication is again open between
Melte end :Melly, sod, cooseqtmitly, with Erglaiel and the
I:oatmeal."

"The manufacture of heavy Armstrong guns,"
sap the Armor awl Nary Gla:ttee, " procreb at re rapid •
rate that we may bops to and two or three of the heaviest
.kscriptioe onloance added to the armament of all our
ant end ser..adelare Inen-amrsr and frigates before the end
.4 best spring. Two batteries of the new guns, with the
Lteet improvements m carriages and fittings, are in course
,4 preparation, and will be ready for shipment to China very
speedily. It is not probable that the rune mit he conveyed
the hands of the artillery till the end of the winter."

The coursing meetings for next week ere u fol-
lows :—Rryn.y.pya sad Worceltetshire Club (Crease), on
loaday Leighton. on Tuesday ; Kirl•Aansadalison Toed-
.+y and Wednesday ; (Salop), Chundstemra (South•
porth And " Northumberland and Durham," os Wednesday ;
on Friday ; and Burnestoe ea Thursday and
inlay In COII.IOIWPOCO of the ground at Th.:sexy being
o sonktelr asturated, the meeting has bees put off foe the
mem at.

THE EMMEN/ El'OENtE.—The Deere Chronicle
rays :—" Ia Prot* of this week there is a capital ilhistra-
tirs representing the napes.e as haring just called is to
take a cup if tea with the Queen, the latter remarkin to
her gees, • Now friendly ; why don't your husband call in
this gust way" The Empress Eugenie purchased use as
the was entering her carriage, awl rating her eye es the
rictus was highly amused, and laughed most heartily,
Mowing it with glee to those who accompsnieal her."
Strums, Drat. 13. —A n”ther very large Beet Of
Wes mewls have got to sea today. drawing
Mire sailed, awl there is every prospect of a good ass
tale tomv.tiow, on that by Ifeituralay it is anticipated that
tar porte will he well cleared of lades shipping. A great
trinber .4 holes vessels left nuuderland by the sea outlet
sn.l today, and Flartleprol is also well shared of
'hipping. sane sty...amen rintaeg between Hull and the
whieh put is here last week, have leaded and pro-
...wird nu their voyage.. The shipowners here have m-
emo' an istimatiMi that the Loudon Trinity Board will
• hem • light vowel upon the out..r Looting, a dangerous
i•al in the imi4liloorhoo.l of Cie Iheor•baok.
EltIN ItI• OWN UN I% new election is
▪ to take place to the "Rips ri Honorary Prenideot of
I'. toortated nrs-ii•ties .4 the University of Edinburgh,
• Pt' E. Belwer Lytton has hell for a amend triennial
Previon, ti, the ...t of this univenity bad no
toiship. or any 'once hell by the suffrage. of the stn.
t.. list in ISM the aoiriate•l itocietie. instituted this
• • -a. the node available suletitutc. The Iste act gave this
• •aiersits what it.. sister unireinitit, had PO long enjoyed—
! privilege .4 electing a rector. and Mr. Gladstone became
•• •ic.• 4 the students. The iiiSo of honorary president
• 'h.,. ht.moe extent superse.L.l, but the associates! sew*,
• have, reevertbeless, resolved to make a NM election,
'•• I Mr. Thaekeray, Mr. Rushin.noil l'refoutor Aytoun have
-ro oil:Misted. The poll takes place is the Isth ins.
Tit, Itt its, 801..4 .L lilt he Ci isra.—Ou Tues-
.., lot the Flegby School Ride ('cops paraded for the first
in their uniform. tin Thurivi-tY thenn,* again a.-
its intiforni, and in the presence of a lar4o number
• the geetry of the town and neighbourly...l was pre-
-• •- I with a very hawlanne reiruLd.on bugle by its corn-
....a Le. Major Johnstone. MajoirJohnelmie celled upon
• t bintoir. for three cheers f• •r our beloved Queen. awl
• that for three cheers for Sir 'Temple. the hearlynaater,
Ihr• hie th.• remaining noater. awl the school. Thew•
t a: all bees Middy gives, e' iptain M lamenpirt. maim
having received the 'eagle awl given it into the
...f the bugler. Mr. flasslitine, caUed for thrive heyrs
' •ir which wee heartily respimiled to. The
"dicer aildremed the corm at tit.• conclusion of
toluenes. in a it.ttering manner, espres.ing the esti.
••. a it gave Ism, wi well as nisnv roilitory gentlemen pre.
•• • .oir the pistil-Wm, they laid ittmeril, and the desire
felt to see then, round to. woe in discipline sod
• or homicide,. This the ....'red bugle which has
le-n given In the Rugby Hehool Corp. -the Sot hay.
' pe-wmtrel by •' As Old Hurlieian." without any
.• ,of pr. ontaties. Although the roil.. has only
• h•
suppliol with ann., the members have attaised
' N.•• in th..ir drill that they are to herd. throng!
:roll cartridge sad amine drill *previous to the
••• e• ales.

.P1111•Tillifi HouDar. —T be drapen,clot bier*,
•.t., ,ft 4 rime glianiFll al (laschinter Live •;reek! t•
If 444. QS Xasday, Dec. X.