The Express.
London, England, 1859-08-31 00:00:00

BEADING AND WRITING.

One of the French journals, in an article on the
Mint sitting of the French Academy, says "K. Ville-
Mehl readies be writs—his reading is academic, like his style.
The academic r7le consists in the art of grouping lights and
shades, end of giving the whole a prodeet and at the same
time enable toes—of so enveloping wit that the point is felt
by the bearer without kis being touched ; it is • sort of lite-
rary fencing, in which it is desired lose to kill the Memory
than to show with what grace he could be killed. Run ovr
a discourse of K. Villersain, at the fine giros it spears so
smooth that no one would suspect melee; but take core—pat
ride that shrub, and you will see gketning behind the
barrel of a musket laded with Attic salt ; breath
many a phrase you will and a stiletto with a blade so bril-
liant and sparkling that one would be glad to power it.
M. Villemain reads with the same discretion that Ite writes.
He does not detach the telling words in such a way a to
cause them to produce more effect on his auditory ; his voice
does not dwell on them, but it glides over them lightly with
an intention so evident that it is impossible not to thrill. and
say, "There is something there:' and one has the pismire
of having divined what it is that is there. The Latins had
as upend= to describe the art by which the orator main-
tales the same tone throughout his speech from beginning to
end, so that one pert is not violently detached from the rat
to snits the atieniion of the auditor. What tiny called
preprint, tenor therm& is one of the most eminent
quaint/sof M. Villemain. His voice remains he:mentor
and smooth throughout the whole discourse, and merely in-
dicates the Ranee. The reading of K. Viemsin was much
applauded, but less in my °Oman than it ought to have
hem It seems to me that this delicate art, too much so
perhaps for the crowd, should be reserved for a select audi-
tory, like a very superior Bordeaux wins, the aroma of which
is lost by all who are not gourmets." The same purtail
rya: Legouve was charged to read the sulogium of
Itegnsid, which obtained the prise of elocitires. Hs has
✓est reputation as a reader. and merits it. His manner is
the very opposite of K. Villemen's, and has a merit quite
peculiar to itself; he lays an emphasis on the telling word,
and always seems to lay, • Just listen : here comes a stroke
of wit: remark, too, what effect there is in my intonation I'
The troth is that his reading produces a vast tffect, and that
all the strokes sharpened and darted forth by his voice
invariably hit the matk."

STATUES ANDFLOWERS.—ScOIptIIte hi at lest secure
of • home in England, her Majesty's Commissioners for the
Exhibition of 1851 and the Horticultural society having finally
agreed; and tbn works at Kensington will be proosaded with
an anon as the money is subscribed. Of this there is little
doubt. The council of the Horticultural Society, at their last
meeting, accepted the terms as altered by her Majesty's com-
misidoners to meet the views expremed at the general meeting
of the society. In our opinion, from what we have beard of
the details, the agreement is liberal and fair to both parties,
and each as becomes two important institutions acting in
conjunction for a greet purpose. Nearly four thousand
feet of beautiful arcades will form • noble palace
for sculpture (and frescoes), and • noble adornment
for the genies—the greater Fart open and the rest glazed,
and offering both a pleasant and instructive promenade at
all mesons. It is • design that the metropolis may be proud
of. The people of England may he proud of it, for no shilling
is aid will be asked from government. Of this voluntary aid
of 60,0001. (in addition to the 60,0001. agreed to be expended
by the oommiasioners on the !arcades) there is no doubt.
Already the council have received online of munificeet dona-
tions from her Majesty and the Primo. Consort, and of the
Prince of Wales and the younger branches of the royal
family becoming life members—and 230 other ladies and
guillotine have put down their names and the names of
their children as life subscribers, and have also subscribed
for debenture& various sums, amounting together to above
20,000/, ; so that, with donations, life members, and asbes-
tines there is already promised above 30,000 f —A:ketone
STATISTIes OP MORMON POPULATION. The
('alley Tort copies the follows statistics of Marmon popula-
tion The population of Mormons la the United State.
and British dominion. in 1866 was not lees than 68,700—0 f
which 38,000 were nattiest is Utah. 6,000 in New York
State, 4,000 in California, 6,000 la Nova Scotia and the
Cereades, and 9,000 in South Millie'. In Europe there were
30000; of which 22,000 were in Greet Britian and Ireland,
6,000 in Scandinavia, 1,000 is Oennany and Switterland,
and in France sad the rest of Europe 1,000; in Australia and
Polynesia, 2,400; fa Africa, 100; and on travel, 2,800. To
them if we add the diligent schismatic branches, including
Strangeitee, Rigdosites, and Whitelue, the whole met was
sot less than 126,000. la 11167 there apprises to have thee
decrease in the population of Utah—the number being only
31,021; of which 9,000 were children, about 11,000 woman,
and 11,000 men capable of bearing arm,. There are 388
men with 8 or more wives ; of them 13 have more than 19
wives, 280 men with 6 wives, 1,100 with 4, and 2.400 with
more than 1 Wall. Emapitalation-4,617 men, with 16,600
• Wiese