The Express.
London, England, 1867-07-22 00:00:00

LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, JULY 22, 16U7.

FRANCE.

(nom ova OWN OORRISPONDIRTT.)
PARIS. SATURDAY ETZNPRO.

The Courrier Frnwni4 has now struck a tremen—
dous blow at its mortal enemies, the Camagnacs. It
published last night the following letter from a
man of mark, not lately heard of, with the signature
in immense type :
To the Editor of the Coorrier Franceis.—You inquire
whether it is true that in 1848 the name of M. Grimier de
Csasegnso was found upon the list of persons receiving
secret service money from the preceding government. I
owe it to my conscience to state that his name appealed
on M. Girin'is list as a person in receipt of a monthly
payment. I struck it out with my own hand. This list
was seen by several friends who were with me at the time.
—Accept, dm., LSDRU WILLIE!.

This letter will be extremely difficult for the
Cassagnaca to answer. A tint denial of a fact to
which the Minister of the Interior of the provisional
government pledges his word is not to be expected,
and the fact IS one scarcely susceptible of being
explained away. The precise nature of the services
rendered to Louis Philippe's government by the
present Imperialist deputy for the Gers does not
appear, but they may have been very useful ; and,
if useful, the question may be asked, why were
they not honourable A casuist might well argue
that it isno more dishonourable to receive secret ser-
vice money than to pay it. Why should it be disgraceful
in any functionary, from the humblest sheriff's
officer to that supreme ono euphemistically styled
in French I' erificiaeur des hautes Ensures. to do those
things, the doing of which the law either requires
or sanctions? I. hold it impossible philosophically
to deny that an informer, a spy, or even an execu-
tioner, may by possibility be a man of a pure,,con-
science, doing his duty in that state of
which it has been his misfortune to be called. But
although it be no sin for a man to " labour in his
vocation," there are certain vocations which, ac-
cording to the inveterate prejudices of society, are
disqualifications for posts of honour and worship
and consideration. M. Venuorel, on the testi-
mony of M. Ledru Rollin, has now put upon M.
Granicr de Cassagnac the heavy onus of showing
that he was not a spy under Louis Philippe—and
not merely an occasional spy, but a regular one,
recei • a monthly stipend. Unless he can
clear himself of this charge, he is from
this day forth TM homme impossible. It is the
one thing which French society can never forgive,
and which no lapse of time can purge. It is
advisedly that I said this letter is a terrible
blow to the Cassagnacs in the plural number.
M. Paul de Cassagnac said piteously the,
other day that it was moat unfair to taunt!
him with the part his father took in the'
Beauvallon-Dujarrier duel (reported in the Causal
Cellbres), for he was then only four years old, and
his brother, Louis de Cassagnac, was not then
born. No doubt it would be unjust and cruel to
taunt these young men with the many sins of their'
father, if it were not for the special ground on
which they have stood forth before the public as
bullies and bravoes. They boast of spitting in the
face of a man who will not stand up to be run
through the body by them because they say " ho-
nour has always been traditional in their family,"
because they belong to " drawing-room society,"
and the Courrier Francais men are " common fel-
lows." Therefore it is that the young Cassagnaes
are now remorselessly madeto sharethe responsibi-
lity of the education and the example which their
father has given them.
The Pays of this evening has not a word about
Ledru Rollin's letter. The Cosaignacs, generally
so loquacious, sign no paragraph to-day.
The Bourse was again weak. Disquieting poli-
tical rumours prevailed. Rents fell 21 for cash
and 7i for account, closing at 68.90 and 68.80;
Mobtheis tell 2.50 ; Oredit Fancier, 5 ;
Comptoir d'Escompte, 5.

MR. GOMPZRTZ'S ENTERTAIN/A:lNT.—This gentle-
man, who for • long time has been favourably known as a
caterer for the public amusement, commenced a short sea-
son in St. James's-hall on Saturday evening last with
his new entertainment called " the Spectroscope,"
which is a sort of dramatic elaboration of the optical
illusions which had previously created ouch a sensation at
the Polytechnic under the title of " Pepper's Ghost."
Most people now know, or pretend to know, how Pepper's
Ghost is done, but this knowledge will not at all diminish
their wonder or pleasure when they witness the adapta-
tion exhibited by Mr. Goinpertz. The upper end of the
great hall is arranged as a stage, with regular prosoesium,l
behind which a battery of the magnesium light plays on a
series of really good scenery. Here Faust and his evil
genius Mephistopheles, go through their authentic adven.l
tares ln the flesh and in the spirit, and so skilfully is the
affair managed that the spectator cannot tell which
is substance and which is shadow, until at last
Faust applies the satisfactory test of running his
companion through what he had imagined was his
body, with merely the effect of tickling him into immoderate
laughter. This skilful intermingling of the substance with
the shadow is carried out all through the performance with
almost magical effect, and to the great wonder and delight
of the audience. In the final scene, in which Marguerite
ascends to heaven guarded by angels, whilst Faust starts
off in an opposite direction, the spectroscope makes great
play, and gives an admirable illustration of how the secrets
of science maybe made available in the creation of surprise
and amusement. The curtain went down upon " Faust and
Marguerite" amid general demonstrations of satisfaction, but
the great mimesis of the evening was the dramatic sketch
that followed, and in which Mr. Gamperta himself played
the principal character. To describe this performance,
however, would be only to cheat the public of the wonder
and surprise with which it must be witnessed by persons of
all ages. So carious an optical illusion has rarely, if ever,
been seen, as will be confessed by every one who during
the abort season that has just commenced pays a visit to
Mr. Gomperts at St. James's-hall.
CORPORATION OF THE Sons OF THE CLIRGY..—OH
Saturday last the governors of this oorporation held their,
last meeting at their house, 2, Bloomsbury-plans, prior to
the long vacation, during which the treasurers have power
to make pecuniary grants in urgent oases to the clergy,
their widows and children, and to transact business of a
pressing character. The meetings this season have been
attended by the Archbishop of Canterbury (President).
Lord Cranworth (Vice President), Mr. Alderman Copeland,
the Rev. Dr. Vivian and Mr. Pommel], the treasurers ;
the Earl of Powis, the Bishops of Oxford, Ripon, and
Gloucester and Bristol, Sir J. P. Boileau, Bart. ; Sir
Brook W. Bridges, Bart., M.P. ; Rev. Canons Jennings,
Melvin, and Thomas ; Revs. W. J. Crichton and Daniel
Moore, Mr. Alderman Finnis, and Messrs. Baggallay, W.
H. Barrow, M.P. • James Bentley, S. B. Brooke, l'hilip
Cazenove, Serial; Drew, R. A. Gray, Thomas Greene,
Philip Hardwick, R.A. ; Christopher Hedpon, J. E
Johnson, Edmund Pepys, Thomas H. A. l'oynder,
John Pervert, C. J. Selwyn M.P. (her Majesty's Solici for-
General), Joseph Some., J. IV. l'hrupp, and Thomas Til-
son. Sr Thomas Phillips, Q.C., and Mr. Gilpin, treasu-
rer of Christ's Hospital, also attended some of the meet-
ings prior to their recent lamented deaths. During the
last four months the governors have granted to poor clergy-
men in England and I Vales, 3,9821. ; to clergymen's widows
and aged unmarried daughters, 1451.; and to the children
of clergymen in educating and placing them out in life,
1,945/. In all amongst 58.2 individuals, 6,7721. In May
last 42 widows and daughters were elected to life pensions
of 151., 201., or 25/. per annum, in room of other pen-
sioners who had died or become disqualified
during the previous year. The total number of ladies in
receipt of pensions, often their principal means of subsist-
ence, being 712. The applications for assistance in the
education and outfits of the children of clergymen, and
maintaining them when first placed out in life before
they can command salaries sufficient to support themselves,
have very much increased of late years, and the governors
have been obliged to give smaller sums in consequence to
the respective applicants. The pressure has been recently
so great that the governors have overdrawn the particular
fund out of which grants for children are made, to the
extent of about 5001., and no little apprehension is felt
that unless it be speedily replenished from extraneous
benevolent sources, many young people must he deprived of
aid which is of the utmost importance in preparing them
to earn their own maintenance in creditable positions in
life.

THE WIMBLEDON REVIEW.
The review of Saturday last, which closed the
Wimbledon meeting of the present year, was in
many respects the most interesting, and, but for the
adverse condition of the weather, would have been
by far the most brilliant that has taken place
upon the Common. The visit of the Belgian
volunteers and civic guard, and still more that of
the household troops and a strung detachment of
the Royal Artillery, gave extra attractions ti the
military spectacle, while the presence of the Sultan,
the Prince of Wales, and other members of the
royal family, conferred upon the occasion unusual
importance in the eyes of those who are curious as
to the movements of great personages at home, or
interested in the appearance of illustrious guests
from abroad. The result of these combined attrac-
tions was to draw together such an assemblage of
all classes as has never before been witnessed
•t Wimbledon.

The first business of the day was the delivery of
the prizes to the successful competitors at the
meeting. This duty had been kindly undertaken
by the Princess Teck, and was performed by her
royal highness under the shelter of a pavilion which
had been erected for the occasion in front of the
grand stand. The Princess, who was accompanied
by her husband, the Earl and Countess Spencer,
and the lady in waiting, ooeupied a raised dais
before the centre of the tent, and on either hand
extended large covered tables, on which were
arranged the prizes—, goodly show of silver,
Epergnes, tankards, and works of art, aiming which,
conspicuous for their size and beauty, were the Elcho
Shield and the China Vase, the temporary pro-
perty by right of conquest at the butte, the former
of the volunteers of England, and the latter of
those of West York especially. Her royal highness
to be in the most excellent health, d
by her frequent smiles and gracious looks testified
the pleasure which she experienced in distributing
thAprizes, and the satisfaction which she derived I
from the wane welcome that was given to herself
and Prince Teck as they drove on to the ground.
She was handsomely and becomingly attired in a
mauve dress with lace trimmings, and wore a black
shawl with gold stripes and a white bonnet.
Prince Teck was in the uniform of the Ist Surrey
Artillery, of which he is honorary colonel. The
work of distribution, which had it included every
prize that had been. gained in the course of the
meeting would have been so unavoidably long as
to exhrist her royal highness and weary the spec-
tators,\was judiciously shortened by the omission
of all prizes under the value of 20/. The names of
the whiners were announced by Earl Spencer, the
President of the National Ride Association, and
the successful competitors—except those who had
gained prizes too cumbersome to be handled
by a lady—received their rewards from the
hands of the Princess Mary, to whom
they were delivered by Captain Mildmay,
the secretary. • Not a few of those who had earned
a title to share the honourshif the day were absent,
having after achieving their successes returned to
their homes, and in their case the ceremony was
confined to the announcement of tla names and
the indication of the prizes which the. had ir
ad earned.
There was a good deal of cheering as die moat suc-
cessful and best known of the competitors who
were present advanced to the illuatriowedistributor
to receive the reward of their skill. as

The saluting point was a flagstaff, from
which floated the royal standard, in advance of
the grand stand, and behind this, but still in front
of the wooden erection, there had been provided a
small dais upon which had been placed two or
three chairs of state for such of the royal persons
as desired to occupy them, and some less preten-
tious seats, which as well as the steps of an enclosed
passage leading up to the top of thenastand
were reserved for the accommodation of 'diatin-
lraished, but still less illustrious visitors. Among
the earliest to avail themselves of the right of entry
to this sacred sppace were Lord Overstone and his
daughter, Mrs,„Loyd Lindsay, Colonel Taylor, M. P.,
and several distinguished officers both of the army
and volunteers. Mr. D. Griffith, M.P., was upon
the ground, but was content with a place in the
enclosure. Shortly before 6 o'clock came the Earl
and Countess of Granville the former
in a richly laced yeomanry uniform. They
were speedily followed by the Duchesses of Man-
chester and Sutherland, who drove on to the
ground, accompanied by the Marquis of Har-
tington, and soon afterwards the Duchess of Cam-
bridge, the Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Stre-
litz, and the Princess of Teck, arrived from the
Cottage, and took their seats upon the dais. The
Prince of Wales, who was received by a guard of
honour of the London Rifles, had already reached
the ground, and was awaiting, at the residence of
Lord Spencer, the arrival of the Sultan. It had
been arranged that his Imperial Majesty should
enter the enclosure by the principal gates on the
east aide, towards the windmill, and there the
horses which had been prepared for the use of
himself and his staff were ready, under the charge
of some of the inferior attendants. These servants,
grooms, or whatever may be their titles at the
Turkish court, were very gorgeous and imposing
weiorenages. Most of them tall and stalwart of
, they were clad in magnificent uniforms.
r tunics and hanging sleeves were covered
with rich embroidery ; their boots were ornamented
with massive spurs, and the pure white of their
turbans was relieved by gold and silver threads on
various coloured silk cords, which ran between the
folds. His Majesty's progress to Wimbledon was
a good deal impeded by the crowds of carriages
which thronged the road followed by the imperial
cortege, and eventually he entered the ground, not
by the eastern entrance, but by that at the corner
of the common towards Wimbledon. The close
carriages which contained his Majesty, his little
son, his two nephews, and the principal members
of his suite, as well as the English officers in at-
tendance, were drawn by four horses each—post-
horses apparently—and were preceded and followed
by outriders in the royal livery. His Majesty
was immediately recognised, and as his carriage
drove along, especially as it passed the stand, there
was a good deal of cheering. As soon as the Prince
of Wales was informed that the Sultan was ap-
proaching from an unexpected d irection, he mounted
his horse, and galloped off to receive the imperial
visitor. He met the royal carriage soon after it
passed the stand and returned with it to the posi-
tion where the Sultan's horses and grooms were
attending his arrival. A alight halt was made at
'the Cottage, where his Imperial Majesty was re-
' ceived by Lord and Lady Spencer, but in a few
minutes the Sultan and his suite mounted their
horses, and as the artillery began to fire a royal
salute rode across the ground towards the saluiting
point. The appearance of the procession as it
crossed the smooth green award of the common,
not yet soaked into mud, was exceedingly bril-
liant and attractive. Tho Sultan, who rode in the
front, having the Prince of Wales on his right and
the Duke of Cambridge on his left hand, was
mounted upon a beautiful white Arab charger,
splendidly caparisoned with purple velvet and gold '
housings and richly embroidered saddle cloths.
He wore, as usual, a dark blue surtout and trow-
sera, and the rich embroidery which covered his
breast was crossed by the broad blue ribbon of the
Garter. The Prince and the Duke were dressed •
in the uniforms of general officers, and
each wore the green ribbon of the order of
the Medjidie. In the next rank rode the Duke of
Aosta, second son of the King of Italy, whose blue I
uniform and green ribbon at first greatly puzzled
the observers, and Prince Teck, who wore across
the blue tunic of his artillery uniform the red
ribbon of the Bath, and whose heavy busby so
obscured his countenance that he was nut at first
recognised. The son and nephews of the Sultan
were no doubt of the party, but it was impossible
Ito separate them from the brilliant group of