The Express.
London, England, 1867-05-14 00:00:00

LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, MAY 14, 1867.

THE INSURRECTION IN CRETE.

What with rocks and bushes, with the irregular
formation of even the so-called plain, and an
atmosphere which made objects at 5,000 yarda kok
as though only at 510, we were often puzzled as to
where the Turks had gone, or whither the Chris-
tians were following them. Nevertheless, it was
an exciting spectacle. Up the opposite hill side
there moved a column of Turks with red banners
clearly to be distinguished at their head. On the
stony roadway of the defile were other Turks press-
ing forward, and we could hear their furious
about,' above the crash of musketry. Some skir-
mishers fired in our direction when we first ap-
peared, but very soon lost heart as Pe tropoulak Vs men
poured a steady fire upon them. The detachment
under Leonidas Petropoulaki, and the Cretans of
Korakas, had meanwhile descended to the bottom
' of the gorge, and were climbing swiftly towards the
enemy's position. Koroneos recovered the ground
which he had lost, there was a louder and louder
discharge of musketry- from our rocky vantage
point, and an advance of Christians along the road-
way with ringing cheers. We can see the Turkish
banners waver and fall back rapidly—faster and
faster. They are in full flight. There is a shout
of triumph from every side, " Victory to the
cross !" And now our fire ceases, for we can no
longer distinguish friend from foe, whilst down
towards the plain goes crackling a brisk
fusilade. The Turkish irregulars fly with
goatlike activity, but their disciplined troops
behave well, and fire at intervals during
the retreat. We who are high up can see
that our friends below had better stop and pursue
no further. We can clearly make out a large re-
serve of Turks on the plain, with cavalry and can-
non. It is useless to descend. But the Cretans
have warmed to their work, and they push for-
ward with loud shouts until they have reached the
lowermost range of rocks. Here they must pause,
as we can well discern, for the guns and cavalry
will bar their Negress. So it turns out in a very
few minutes. There are white puffs of smoke, and
there is a whizzing of shells from the Turkish re-
serve. Then some horsemen move quickly forward,
and some Egyptian infantry in white uniforms come
charging up towards Monson*. The Christians fall
back before these new asaailanta, though not with-
out a murderous fire to protect their retreat.
The Egyptians charge resolutely on, and there is
again a discharge from our aide the valley. Yield-
ing step by step, Koroneos and Korakas move
&lowly out of reach. No bayonet charge can last
all night, and when the enemy has lost his breath
and our men have spent their ammunition the
battle is over.
I must add that the Turks returned to Hera-
cleum without any further attempt to explore the
mountains.

THE LUXEMBURG QUESTION.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT IN THE FRENCH
CHAMBERS.

PARIS, KAY I.
In to-day's sitting of the Legislative Body the
Marquis de Moustier made the following commu-
nication :

GEntleolon,—The London Conference has terminated
its labours,having signed, on the 11th inst., a treaty deter-
mining in a decisive manner the international position of
the duchy of Luxemburg. The French government had
for some time past been pro-occupied by the undecided
state in which this question, so important for the security
of our frontiers, remained. Whether this security was
assured by the union of the duchy to France,
or by any other combination, the chief point for us was
that Prussia, in the new position which she had acquired
by the last European changes, should not retain beyond
her boundaries and outside all international right, a mili-
tary establishment which towards us constituted an
eminently offensive position. We were warranted in
hoping that our friendly relation► with the cabinet of
Berlin would prepare the wayfor a favourable solution, for
our intention has always been to spare Prussia's just sus-
ceptibilities, and to bring to the question which had an
European character an honest examination of treaties
and of the interests of the great powers. We hastened to
remove all cause for conflict by a declaration in conformity
with the above sentiments. Thu powers opened the
preparatory negotiations, in which we avoided taking
any part from a just feeling of reserve and moderation.
To all questions we replied that we would accept any solu-
tion compatible with our security and our dignity, and
which the cabinets might recommend for our adoption, as
calculated to consolidate European peace. We cannot too
loudly proclaim how much the powers have displayed a
spirit of impartiality and a sincere desire to arrive at an
equitable and honourable arrangement. After the ratifi-
cations have been exchanged, the government will pro-
mulgate the text of the treaty, of which the following are
the principal stipulations:—The preamble states that
the King of Holland, Grand Duke of Luxemburg,
taking into consideration the change in the situation
of the duchy resulting from the dissolution of the ties
which bound it to the old Germanic Confederation, in-
vited the sovereigns of Austria, Belgium, France, Great
Britain, Prussia, and Russia to assemble their representa-
tives at London in order to concert, with the plenipoten-
tiaries of the King Grand Duke, engagements for the
future with a view to the maintenance of peace. The
sovereigns having accepted this invitation resolved to
respond to the desire of the King of Italy to participate in
deliberations destined to assure the maintenance of the
general tranquillity. The duke declared that he main-
tained the connection of the duchy with the house
of Nassau. This declaration was accepted, and note
taken of it. The duchy was declared neutral under the
sanction and collective guarantee of the signitary Powers,
with the exception of Belgium, which is already a neutral
power. It was further agreed that the town of Luxem-
burg should cease to be fortified. The King Grand Duke
reserved to himself the right of maintaining there suffi-
cient troops for the preservation of order. Prussia de-
clared consequently that her troops shall receive orders to
evacuate the place as soon as the ratifications of the treaty
ere exchanged. The artillery will begin to be withdrawn,
together with the munition of war, shortly. There will
then only remain the troops indispensable for the
safety and the despatch of the material of war.
The Duke of Luxemburg engaged to take measures to
convert the fortress into an open town by such demo.
lition as he shall consider sufficient for the satisfaction of
the Powers. The work will commence after the retreat
of the garrison, which will be carried out with due regard
to the interests of the inhabitants. The ratifications will
be exchanged at latest within four weeks. The treaty
fully accords with the views of the French govern-
ment. It does away with a state of things
established against us in bad times, and which has been
maintained for fifty years. It gives to our northern fron-
tier the guarantee of another neutralised state. It secures
to the King Grand Duke complete independence, and
it not only removes the causes of an imminent conflict, but
gives fresh pledges fur the strengthening of good relations,
and for the maintenance of the peace of Europe. The go-
verument has to congratulate itself upon having obtained
these results, and to make known how just and friendly
are the sentiments of the Powers towards us. The govern-
ment thinks it useful to especially point out th►t for the
first time the meeting of a Conference, instead of following '
• war, and confining itself to sanctioning its results, has
succeeded in anticipating it and in preserving the benefits '
of peace. This is a precious indication of the new tenden-
cies which prevail in the world, and over which the frends
of progress and civilisation should rejoice.
M. Jules Fevre asked that the papers on the subject
should he communicated to the house, in order that a de-
bate might subsequently take plans. M. Rouber replied
that they would only be communicated after the rata- 1
cations had been exchanged.

[STAMPED, Id. ADDITIONAL.)

Ilium

MR. DUDLEY PRENTICE'S CONCERT.

This gentleman gave his annual concert at the
H►nover-square looms last night, when he proved him-
self, l.y sari ; erformances of solo cud concerted pieces,
a pianist of considerable pewits of execution and sound
taste. Mr. Prentice's chief displays of three qualities
were in Mendelssohn's cond sonata for pianoforte and
violoncello, and Beethoven 's solo sonat► " Appassionata."
In Vie feetneipiece, Mr. Prentice executed the rapid arpeggio
passages of the first and last movements with great energy
and distinctness, and both in these, and in the cheese.
teristic scherzo and the solemn adagio, his phrasing and
style were highly commendable. Indeed, the sonata
throughout was extremely well rendered, a most impor-
tant feature being the admirable violoncello playing of
Signor Matti. The sonata of Beethoven was given by Mr.
Prentice with an earnestness that proved him to be as ap-
preciative student of this high order of music. The great
manipulative didicultiers of this sonata, equal, perhaps,
to those in the " Waldstein " sonata, bad evidently
been assiduously studied by Mr. Prentice, the
only objection to his performance being a slight
tendency to hurry towards the close of the last movement
that is, to hurry beyond the composer'■ intention, the
Pr ed. of that time (DM), being a far wore modified move-
' meet than she recent mato of Mendelssohn. The remaining
pieces chosen by Mr. Prentice for his performance were
Chopin 's " Polonaise," with violoncello (Signor Piatti), and
several short pianoforte solos ; the rest of the concert con-
sisting of a vocal selection, the singers being Miss Louisa
Pyne, Madame Patey-Whyteck, and Mr. Patey.

GALLERY OP ILLUSTRATION. —A Dream in Venire,
which still continues to attract, is now followed by A
Xce Donna. Seem, Merry-stakiity, or Birthday Festirdia
at Ereiren Hall—iu .hich Mr. John Party, alone and un-
aided, continues to keep his audience in half an hour's con-
tinuous mirth by his special mimetic and musical powers.
After some preluding on the pianoforte, burlesque recita-
tive and imitations of orchestral instruments, Mr. Parry
commences a gossiping aeries of reminiscences of a visit to
Derbyshire, including sketches of character, rendered with
that rapid facility, that rich humour without exaggeration,
which has long since placed this gentleman's perform-
ances far, above the rank of ordinary stage representa-
tions. His imitation of a sentimental cornet player,
his capital portrait of old Farmer Hakes, with his plati-
tudes, and his description of his visit to London ; various
other representations of characters met with at the fete,
concluding with a marvellous imitative description of a
display of fireworks, in which the hissing of rockets, the
fizzing and banging of wheels, the falling of showers of
stars, are reproduced to the imagination by sounds and
gestures—all these effects are so admirably realised and
depend so much on the special powers of the actor, that
they must be seen to be duly appreciated.

Drama.