The Express.
London, England, 1867-02-23 00:00:00

EXPREt3B FROM PARIS.

(nor on ow= commenaom.)
PARIS. FRIDAY EVINMO.

The " interpellations"—the first interpellations
under the reformed constitution of January 19—
have turned out a great success for the opposition.
The chamber broke up at too late an hour for me
to have seen any report, even in manuscript, but I
have the result from an eye-witness. It all comes
to this, that in the matter of the Count de Cham-
bord's circular the government, finding the conduct
of its agents utterly indefeasible, has wisely cried
peccori, and promised " never to do so
any more." M. Eugene Pelletan, one of the
signers of the interpellation, belled the cat,
and in his usual nervous language mingled
with a spice of humour set forth the circumstances
which have been the staple commodity of the
French press for the last fortnight. M. Vaudal,
the postmaster-general, who, in the capacity of a
councillor of state, sat on the government bench,
mounted the tribune to reply. He read an order
from the Prefect of Police in pursuance of which
one of his subordinates unknown to him drew up
the eireular commending the keepers of all post-
offices in France to send to Paris any letters which
they might suspect from " external signs" to con-
tain a copy of the Count de Chambord's mani-
festo. He affirmed that as a matter of fact only
five letters had been sent to Paris in pursuance of
the instructions, because so long ago as January
29 a counter circular was sent, ordering the instruc-
tions not to be acted upon. He talked a great deal
of irrelevant flummery about his own honesty, and
that of all his employes, but concluded by admitting
that the circular complained of was " irregular"—
in other words illegal—and that care would be
taken not to allow anything of the kind to be done
in future. M. Picard (who spoke from the tribune
for the first time in his life, and was as much
at his ease as if the position were not new
to him) emphasised the illegality which now stood
confessed, and made several damaging observations
upon the way in which the government, by its
communique and otherwise, had obstinately at-
tempted to justify the outrage up to the present
moment. M. Rouher, in reply, talked bravely
about his sharing the responsibility of M. Vaudal,
but was forced to conclude by admitting like him
that what had been done was wrong.
A senator, whose loyalty is above suspicion, was
some days ago sent for to the Post-office in Paris,
to be present at the opening of a letter addressed
to him, which had been detained, on suspicion,
from certain " external signs," of containing the
Count de Chambord's circular. It was found that
the envelope contained a shopkeeper's list of
prices, and the senator received his worthless letter
after losing a couple hours in seeking it.
A deputation from the editors of the provincial
press, of whom some thirty are now in Paris, had
an audience of the Emperor to-day to explain to
his Majesty in the name of themselves and their
brethren the apprehensions they entertain that the
new law will grievously affect their interests. The
deputation consisted of M. Gras, proprietor of the
Mesaager du Midi; M. Maroon, proprietor of the
Union Bretonue ; M. Lapierre, proprietor of the
Nosieelliste de Rouen ; M. Maupas, proprietor of the
Moniteur du Calvados ; and M. Dardenne de la
Grangerie, formerly • head of a department
in the bureau of the press in the ministry of the
Interior, but now an unfortunate journalist. M.
Rouher was present at the audience, which lasted
a very long time. The Emperor listened with great
attention to the statements of the deputation, and
left them under the impression that their com-
plaints would have a happy influence on the deli-
berations of the Council of Ministers which was
held immediately afterwards. May these sanguine
expectations not be doomed to disappointment !
Before leaving the Tuileries, the country editors
were, at their own request, presented to the Prince
Imperial.
The bronze workers of Paris, in number not
less than 2,800, have been on strike since the be-
ginning of the week. Seventy-four masters, in a
very angry letter, refuse to accept the terms pro-
posed by the workmen, and threaten to discharge
them all to-morrow. It is feared that the jour-
neymen gas fitters—an equally numerous body—
will strike to-morrow.

The rumour gains ground that Marshal Randon,
the late Minister-at-War, will be appointed to suc-
ceed Marshal Niel in the great command at
Toulouse. The decree naming General Fleury
Governor General of Algeria is expected to
appear forthwith. The Duke of Magenta will
assume the command of the Imperial Guard in the
place of Marshal Regnault de Saint Jean d'Angely,
for whom a snug retreat is provided in the Chan-
cery of the Legion of Honour, about to be vacated
by Count de Flahault.
The Bourse was again firm. Repeated " dis-
counts" sustained the Rente, which closed with a
rise of sc. for cash, and l2lc. for account, at
Mr. 80c. in each case. Mobilier rose 7fr. 50c.,
and Italian 40c.

The list of boys successful at the Cambridge
middle-class examination held in December last has just
been issued. From this list it appears that the Albert
Middle-class College at Framlinghaw, in Suffolk, of which
the Rev. A. C. Daymond is the head waster, sent up
24 boys, 16 of whom paired. This college was opened in
1865, and last year was the first in which it had sent up
boys for examination at Cambridge. One of the boys,
P. Gatliff, stands third in the order of merit for French,
and another, H. Pretty, second for German, out of 787
and 56 candidates resprctively.
METROPOLITAN BOARD OP WM/CF.—The weekly
meeting of the board was hold yesterday in Spring-
gardens ;Sr J. Thwaites in the chair. A deputation from
the Wandsworth District Board was introduced by Mr.
Carpmsel, to present a memorial relative to the proposed
widening of Upper Richmond.road and Putney-hill. After
some discussion, Mr. Richardson moved that the memorial
be not entertained, which was seconded by Mr. Savage.
Ultimately it was referred to the Works and General Pur-
poses Committee. and the deputation retired. It was also
agreed " that the necessary steps be taken for placing
Montpelier-square, Westminster, under the provisions of
the Gardens in Towns Protections Act." The report
recommending that, pursuant to the resolution of the
special board of the Bth of February inst., eighteen third
class firemen (mentioned), shuuld,on thecompletion of one
year's good service, be promoted to the second class, gave
rise to some considerable discussion. Mr. Newton moved
that the report be received. Mr. Shaw objected
to such a wholesale raising of men from one
grade to another, by which an additional expense
of 8001. would be thrown upon the metropolis. They were
also about to take order their wing the fire escape estab.
lishment, in which 97 men were employed, and none of
those men received so much as the third class firemen now
did. He might also call their attention to the police force,
over 5,000 of whom received less than those men whose
wages were to be raised from 3s. Sd. to 4s. per day. He
thought the increase unnecessary, and should more as an
amendment that it be not granted. Mr. Savage seconded
the amendment. The chairman said that if the question
were to be argued sgain they would first have to rescind
what they had already done. Mr. Evans said there were
certain vacancies which he thought they were bound to
Ell up, and where were they to do it from if not from the
third to the second class! Ultimately the amendment
was negatived mid the original motion carried, after
which the board adjourned.

*parting fntdifgrnu•

BETTING DT LONDON.-711IDAY Arm'Foos..

There rUaTrimrt-e:rl assetuLZsre of meal rs and the
bumbler transacted was confined to a few horses. For the Two
Thousand Plaudit was in the early part of the morning In a very
unsalisfactory position, as much as fi to 2 being offered without
finding takers . subsequently this price wasaccepted, and before
the close of the dal 4 to 1 was taken, these odds, hnwever, being
plentiful. Julius was In extraordinary request, all the Cs to 1
about him being eagerly snapped up, and is the course of the
morning, the investments in his favour fell little short of /2500.
Vauban bad also • •• coming" appearance. 15 to 1 being taken
freely. For the Derby, Trlatourbel maintained his position with
tolerable &MUM. No one teemed disposed eltherto lay against
or back the Rake, nue speculator however, offered 10 to 1, and
another offered to take 12's, and farther than this the Itoree's
name WM not mentioned ; 15 to 1 was taken about Plaudit, Id
101 Hermit, and 25 to 1 Julius. Two double events were also
laid. Appended are the closindquotation* :