The Express.
London, England, 1867-10-12 00:00:00

EXPRESS FROM PARIS.

(sum ova owx

FEIDAV EVENING.

The rumour of a modification of the ministry is
twain current in political circles. It is said that
the office of Minister of State is to be suppressed,
and that M. Rouher will be charged with the
Ministry of the Interior, M. do Lavalette assuming
the direction of Foreign Affairs.
It is probable that the opening of the legislative
session will not be delayed beyond the 15th of
November. Some of the journals state that the
Emperor will return to Paris to-morrow. The
whole of the ministry assembled in council yes-
terday at the official residence of the Minister of
State.

There is no doubt that active preparations are
making for the ensuing parliamentary campaign,
which will neither be a short nor unimportant one.
Questions of foreign and domestis policy will doubt-
less encounter a very animated discussion ; the
Roman and Mexican questions being scarcely ex-
ceeded in public interest by the anticipated internal
measures of reform—such as the liberty of the press*
right of public meeting, reduction of taxes, &c.,—a
pretty considerable instalment of which exemp-
tions, rights, and privileges, is just now looked for
by the French people with unusual anxiety. There
is a strong impression, very generally felt, that the
Emperor will go far to redeem his promises of Janu-
ary, and I have no doubt that this feeling has a kind
of tranquillising effect upon certain sections of so-
ciety, which might otherwise manifest somewhat
turbulent dispositions.
The constant migration of country people to
Paris, there to seek employment and take up their
residence—there to cast their lot, if possible, for
the remainder of their lives—has often been re-
marked upon as an occurrence to be deplored. The
interests of agriculture, it is known, have suffered
by these allurements of the city; and in many in-
stances the immigrants themselves have had only
too much reason to complain of the ill success and
disastrous results of various kinds which have at_
tended the abandonment of a pursuit and mode of
life for which they were fitted. This evil, for it is
one, is spreading, and the rush to the large cities
'is producing consequences which have at length at-
tracted the notice of statesmen and philanthro-
pists. At a meeting of an agricultural assembly
at Cormeilles the other day no less dis-
tinguished a man than M. Troplong, President of
the Senate, commented in strong terms upon this
mania for a city life which has seized upon the
agricultural populations. Curiously enough he
partly admitted and partly denied the extent to
which this exodus has been carried, but made no
attempt to conceal the untoward consequences
flowing from it. He conceded that the displace-
ment of the populations within certain limits could
not be denied, and accompanied the acknowledg-
ment of the fact with expressions of regret. Tho
truth is that agriculture is neglected, and be-
ginning to be looked upon as a sort of unworthy
occupation ; the prosperity of rural pursuits de-
clines ; and the gradual disappearance from the
fields of the lusty arms which render them
prolific is telling seriously upon one of
the greatest and most important branches of
industry. But whatever may be the attraction of
the cities and the prospect of higher wages, which
beyond all doubt exercise considerable influence
upon provincial ambition, we must not lose sight
of the large standing armies which carry off from
the country the most vigorous among the popula-
tions, and to which the drain of young men must
be in a great measure attributed. It suited 11f•
Troplong to pass over this notable fact in silence.
Assuredly it is not the bill on the reorganisation of
the army, with the 800,000 men whom he desires
to put under arms, that will heal the wound which
is inflicted, and making itself felt to a serious
extent.

Rapidity of printing has just been carried in
France to a degree far exceeding, I believe, any-
thing which has yet been accomplished in machine_
work, and outstripping the famous American
machines, which were supposed to have realised
everything attainable in the way of speed. M.
Marinoni has just put up in the new printing
offices of the Petit Journal (a halfpenny daily
paper) 61, Rue La Fayette, a machine of his in-
vention, which prints 600 copies a minute. Four
of these powerful machines turn out 144,000 copies
an hour, the whole impression being 446,000 daily.
A French paper states that the revenues derived
by the late King of Hanover, from his estates in
England, amounting to 600,0001. sterling, are to
be transferred to the King of Prussia, since the
treaty 1714, concluded on the accession of the
Elector of Hanover to the throne of England,
stipulates that this revenue shall hereafter belong
to him who shall wear the crown of Hanover.

The Bourse has been steady to-day, the attitude
of the Italian government, with regard to Rome,
being approved by speculators, and which is
looked upon as dispensing with the intervention of
France. The Rento was firm, closing at an ad-
vance of 10 centimes. Italian Fives are at 45fr.
80c., the closing price yesterday being 45fr. 95c.
Quotations of railway shares remain about the
same, generally maintaining the improvement of
yesterday.

M. Victor Hugo left Brussels on Thursday,
where be has been staying for the last three months, for
Ostend, on his way to Guernsey.

We(Era)regret to say that Mrs. Frank Matthews
had a serious fall last week, which dislocated her shoulder.
She is recovering as favourably as can be expected, but is
unable to leave her room.

MR. MONCREIFF, M.P., AT EDINBURGH. —Mr.
Moncreiff, M.P., addressed his constituents last night.
His topics were the Reform Bill, trades' unions, the land
question, and Ireland. Regarding the Reform Bill, his
opinion was that if they were to have household suffrage
I they ought to have had household suffrage pure
and simple. He held that the ratepaying principle
would open a wide door to corruption. He expressed his
gratification that the tones had abandoned their fears
I of the people, but he felt that they had carried their
bill at the price of party honour. He believed
that Mr. Disraeli had always been willing to
concede • wide extension of the suffrage, but be
thought his part would have been more honourable bad
be carried his party round to the bill of the liberal
government. He trusted the reception of Mr. Disraeli in
Edinburgh would be worthy of the reputation of the city.
Redistribution must be carried further. He wanted more
members for Scotland by taking them from England, and
not by increasing the number in the house. Respecting
trades' unions, he admitted the abstract right of any num-
ber of men to combine for a certain rate of wages, but de-
nounced any attempt on their part to influence those who
disagreed from them. With regard to Ireland, he said it
was plain that to maintain the Irish established church
for the amount of work it did was enough to bring reli-
gious establishments into contempt, and he would be pre-
pared to support some strong measure for dealing with the
Irish church, but be believed the cause of the evils in Ire-
land lay deeper than either the Irish church or tenant
right. The meeting closed with a unanimous vote of
thanks to Mr. Moncreiff.

THE MARYLEHONE Visritr.—The master of
Marylebone Workhouse yesterday presented to the guar-
dians of that parish his half-yearly report on the casual
wands. It will be remembered that three weeks ago two
new wards were formally opened ; but the report deals
with only a very small portion of that time. It appears
that in the summer half-year 10,621 potions were relieved
with lodging and food, at an average coat of 20. each.
Only one use of destruction of clothing took place in the
half-year, although as many 64 cases bad coeurred in a pre-
vious term of six months. There is a decrease in the total
number of admissions on the whole year of no fewer than
7,630 persons.

COLLISION ON THE GREAT WESTERN
XAILWAY.-(THIS DAY.)

(117 TELEGRAPH.)

SHREWSBURY, SAITRDAY.
A collision has taken place on the Great Western
Railway. As the 1 o'clock morning coal train was shunt-
ing at Roasett, a goods train came up, and ran in at fall
speed. Owing to the dense fog the driver could not see
the signals. The main line was blocked and all trains were
delayed.

DESTRUCTIVE ma
£3OOOO. AT BOLTON.-DAMAGB
- -
SEVERAL PERSONS INJURED.

A destructive fire occurred yesterday at the mill
of Messrs. John Madam and Co., Bolton. The fire ene
discovered about 1 o'clock, when the workpeople had
just left the mill for dinner. So rapid was the destruction
that within an hour the south wall fell into the lodge;
the flames burst through into the bottom story, the floor
above which gave way at ten minutes past two; and the
contents were blazing with such intensity as to threaten
an extension of the fire to the offices fronting west. The
firemen, therefore, at once directed their attention to the
saving, if possible, of the cotton and snatching room.,
rtaircaise, the engine-room, and boiler-house. It was
evident shortly after half-past 2 that the staircase, the
engine-room, cotton and scuttling rooms above named
would be s►ved; as at that time the boiler pipes were
broken and the steam rushed into the mill, driving the
fire, which had become somewhat subdued, towards the
east side. At 25 minutes to 3 o'clock the greater part of
the east end wall fell with a tremendous crash into C.
len's-lane. The roof of the 'Askew caught fire, but the
flames had not extended further in that direction at a
quarter to 3, at which time a large number of workpeople
and willing helpers were engaged in clearing out the cot-
ton-rooms and throwing their contents into the yard in
skips. The mill was erected in 1860, and contained about
30,000 spindles. The value of the property destroyed will be
not less than 30,0001.; but it is understood that the loss is
fully covered by insurance. At the first alarm a camber
of the hands jumped from the windows of the mill, and
were more or less injured. The two first sufferers brought
to the infirmary were William Kay, • piecer, aged 15, sad
Catherine Lee, piecer. The lad was severely scalded,
principally about the face, by pawing through a room
filled with steam. His injuries were quickly dreamed, and
no serious results are anticipated. Tho young woman
(Lee) states that on finding the mill on fire she got out at
the window and hung by her hands on the sill for 15 cc
20 minutes, until a ladder was procured, and she was
taken from her 'perilous position. She had received a
very severe gash on her right arm, just below the elbow,
caused by the broken glass she came in contact sith in
her haste to make her escape. Three other of the employes
were shortly after brought in :—Ellen Waterworth, piecer,
cut and wounded in her right hand by breaking the
windows ; John Henry }field, self-acting minder, appa-
rently suffering from internal injuries, and also from
bruises on his knee ; Samuel Shipley, self-acting minder,
severely out on the left arm and hand by breaking the
windows for those inside to get out.

At a conference of congregationalist", held in
Manchester yesterday, a long and interesting discussion
took place on the question of popular education. The
chairman, Mr. E. Baiaes, M.P., said be thought
it would be right to maintain the existing ger.
liamentary system, but to liberalise and extend
it, by admitting secular schools to receive grants,
and by so modifying the conditions of assistance as to
enable the smaller and poorer parishes to obtain help.
Similar views were expressed by Mr. S. Morley. Dr.
Vaughan said be should not be afraid of a system of edit.
cation based on local rating ; and Dr. Campbell, the pre.
sident of the union, could not see that, by availing them.
selves of the state grant, nonconformists would compromise
their principles. On the other hand, Dr. Mamie, Dr.
Parker, Dr. Halley, and other speakers, appeared to oppose
any modification of the voluntary system.

Tho ancient parish church of St. Bartholomew, at
Winchester, is about to be rebuilt and made a resting place
for the remains of Alfred the Great and his QUBEI
Alawitha. The remains are to be enclosed in two mot.
hunt chests, with felt crowns and suitable inscriptions.
Last week 140,000 mackerel were caught off the
Sussex coast. Nearly 100 tons weight of them were sect
to London.

THE CHAMPIONBHIP.—MACE AND BALDWIN.
Bell's Life of today says:—" We have received the
whole of the money, 4001., for this encounter, which takes
place during the ensuing week in the Metropolitan dis.
trict. Notwithstanding the supposed falling off in the
P.R., as the time approaches old ring-goers are to be
discovered attempting to glean the latest information
respecting the combatants, their whereabouts, and their
condition. We are justified in stating that arrange-
ments have been made so satisfactory that all who
are anxious will have a chance of witnessing
the mill if early enough at the rendezvous, which will not
be known until very late the night before fighting. The
final deposit of 151. a aide was duly posted on Thursday at
Ike Hall's, the Sportsman Inn, Boundary.street, Shore.
ditch, in the presence of a full house, and not only's' that
hoetelrie crowded, bus all the drums in the neighbourhood
were also crammed. The betting there was 5t04 on Jam
Mace, with no response. Both men are as well as possible,
Mace being about 12st., and Baldwin last. 1:11b.
_ _

AFTEMPTILD 111.71tD1/1. OF ♦ POLlCEMAN.—Yes-
terday morning the inhabitants of the quiet Buckingham.
shire village of Loudwater were thrown into a state of
considerable excitement bye dastardly attempt at murder.
A police-constable, named Deacon, keeper of the lock-up
at Wycombe, in pursuit of a man, left the latter place
by the 8.5 a.m. train, and arrived at the Loudwater
station of the Aylesbury branch of the Great Western
Railway at 8.12 a.m. The constable was in plain clothes,
and while the train was stopping at the station, chancing
to look out of the earrings window, lie saw the man he
was in quest of walking upon the platform. Mr. }times,
the station-master, had just issued a Victoria-station
ticket to the man in question, who, on being recognised
by the constable, turned to leave, and was accompanied
the latter. As the man went out of the wicket he gave up
his Victoria ticket to George Rime", the son of the station
master. When the two got outside into the station-yard
the man ran away, but was overtaken near a long wall
attached to the village post-office, in the occupation of
Mr. Saunders, who was sitting at breakfast with his wife.
While looking through the window he saw two men, aa
he thought, wrestling with each other. Presently he saw
one of them 'raw a knife and stab the other, and on going
to the door to render assistance both men ran past him. Is
seems that when the constable etteinpted to arrest the man
upon his overt& king him the latterstahhed him several times,
wounding him on the arm and on various ii.vts of the body,
Weakened by the extreme hiemoirhage, the constable was
easily thrown, sad then his assailant made off as quickly
as possible. Deacon lies in a moat dangerous condition.
In the meantime, William Partridge, a boy of about IS,
mounted a pony, and went after the miscreant and gave
information to the police at Wooburn.green and Beacons-
field. As the boy on his return came nut of Beaconsfield
he met the man who bad attempted to murder the con-
stable, and who regarded him somewhat curiously. Re
disappeared soon afterwards over some railing., and the
boy went and told the Beaconsfield police of the circum-
stance. The man was eventually run down and captured
in the morning, and taken first to Wycombe, and in the
evening to Aylesbury.
MUSI.EIt Is IRELAND. —A brutal murder wan
perpetrated a few dap; ago near Ew.nlinlmr, county
Caren. The mord.rer is a man 1111111P1i Owen Dolan, and
the victim was hie mother-in-law, Mary Gllleeoe, an old
woman between sixty and seventy ye.rs of age. She lived
with her daughter and son-in-law, but wan on had terms
with the latter. In one of their domestic dispute* Doha
knocked the old woman down wiih a stool, which stunned
her, and then, seizing the fire.toliga, be.t her to death
with it by repeated blows on the head. The daughter
was witness to the savage murder of her mother, but
whether as a paralysed spectator who dared not interfere,
or a guilty participator in the crime, remains to be
ascertained. She has been arrested. Polon tied im-
mediately after the commission of the deed, but was
arrested on Wednesday by the constabulary, concealed in
the house of a relative some miles distant from where he

WEVIIILL FAlR.—This fair was resumed yester-
day for the show and sale of horses, of which there was a
large supply, and in addition to long strings of high.class
riding and harness horses there were large droves of loose
and unbroken cart colts. There was a steady huriness at
the following average figures —Cart horses of superior
class, suitable for London purposes, 41 to 11 guineas, and
seasoned ditto, for farming work, ka, 21 to 30 guineas I
handson.e three•year-old cart colts, 40 guineas, and two-
year-old ditto, 25 to 32 guineas ; riding horses, of good
stamp, 30 to 40 guineas ; steady cobs, 20 to 9,11 guineas, and
horses of high blood and first-class saddle nags. 50 to 70
guineas • horses suitable for broughams and single and
double harness purposes, 50 to GO guineas and upwards ;
and horses, strong and sound, for vans, railway carriers,
town carts, dm. 40 to 50 guineas ; and seasoned ditto, for
omnibus and hackney work, 23 to 30 guineas ; and Irish
colts, out of the droves, 18 to 25 guineas.
ROYAL HOSPITAL TOE DISICASES OP T/12 OUST,
CITY•ROAD, K.C.—The number of patients under treat•
went at this hospital during the past weak amounted to
718, of which 58 were new cases.