The Express.
London, England, 1866-08-22 00:00:00

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41-177 FROM PARIS.
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PARIS. TUISDLT Emma.
The contradiction in the Moniteur of the news
that the Emperor bad written a letter to the King
of Belgium disclaiming any annexationist views,
and even promising to support the present dynasty,
is something more than the correction of an in-
accuracy. There is a wide difference between this
story and the admission of the Moniteur that the
Minister of Foreign Affairs had informed the
English government that Frame " had not claimed
the fortresses Marienboorg said Phllippeville, which
are in the hands of a neutral power." It is pre-
sumable that the communication alluded to was
not spontaneous, but in answer to inquiries (the
prudence of which may very likely be called in
question hereafter) which Lord Cowley was in-
structed to make. The short answer that France
did not " claim" the two fortresses mentioned falls
far short of an absolute disclaimer for the future.
It is observed, moreover, that the emphasis laid on
the words "neutral power " may be interpreted as
a hint that the claim upon Prussia, which is not a
neutral power, remains open when time shall serve.
The virulence with which most of the Paris papers
are now criticising the summary way in which
Prussia has absorbed Hanover and the other
Northern States tends to diminish confidence in
the pacific assurances understood to have been
lately given to Count de Goltz.
A Florence letter in the Dlabala says mysteriously
that on the subject of Venetia Italy finds
the negotiations with France more difficult
than with Austria. Letters from Frankfort,
more explicit, say that the cession is not to be
made directly to Italy, and that the Venetian
people will be consulted by universal suffrage. A
correspondent of the Patrie writes from Vienna
that the result of the vote will probably be in
favour of " autonomy," that the Venetian nation-
ality will be proclaimed, and the province made a
viceroyalty with an elective chamber ands senate.
" The viceroyalty of Venetia will become the inti-
mate ally of the kingdom of Italy." lam one of
those who believe that universal suffrage can be
made to do whatever the power that for
convenience consults it desires to have
done. But I cannot believe this story, al-
.

though I do not know what the difficulties
are to which the Dilate alludes. To throw impedi-
menta in the way of the incorporation of Venetia in
Italy, which, whatever the hocus-pocus of detected
universal suffrage might do, is the all but unani-
mous desire of the Venetians, would be to pro-
claim a general war, and that under circumstances
most disgraceful for France. Moreover, I believe
it quite certain that Prussia, when she decided
that neither good faith nor her own interests re-
quired her to support the Italian claim for the
Tyrol, promised Italy that she should have Venice.
The Libert4, referring to various schemes sug-
gested for protecting the interests of French
creditors in Mexico after the French troops shall be
withdrawn, concludes that they are all chimerical.
It sums up its arguments as follow :
If the empire lasts, it will refuse to give up its customs
revenues to its creditors, and it will be quite right, for
then it would have nothing to go on with. If pressed on
this subject, it will abdicate. If it abdicates, the new
government will not recognise the debt; or, if it should,
it will be superseded • fortnight atter we evacuate by
another government which will not recognise, and that for
the conclusive reason that no one is bound to do impossi-
bilities. This is all very sad for the Mexican bondholders,
but it is the truth.
A big gun, weighing 40,0001b5., manufactured at
Angouleme, has just been brought to Toulon for
the ironclad ship Taureau, which is about to try
experiments with it. The Toulon papers say tms
gun will send a ball through the strongest iron-
sides in existence.
The Nominate de Rouen stated that a misunder-
standing had occurred between Count de Niewer-
kerke and M. Courbet, the painter, on the subject
of " La Femme au Perroquet," which, according to
the Norman paper, plays the part of Helen in the
matter. M. Courbet thought he had sold the pic-
ture to Count de Niewerkerke, as representing the
state, for 10,000 fr. The director of the National
Museum denies the bargain. Seeing the high
prices which favourite modern paintings now fetch,
I should have thought the work in question, one of
the most remarkable in this year's ex-
hibition, cheap at the money. A coo-
mosicrei to the journals now states that the
difference between Count de Niewerkerke and M.
Courbet about the "Femme au Perroquet," is one of
price. The director of the museums promised to
buy the picture, but did not say what he would
give for it, he now offers 8,000 fr., and the painter
asks 10,000 fr.
The Eeetremeat tells the following most wonderful
story of the Pont de la Concorde catastrophe :
M. Charles Lbuillier, a retired cod garde, who has saved
as many as ten persons from drowning, was on the bridge
with his wife at the time of the accident. Seeing his wire
in a fainting state, and on the point of falling, be at owe
decided what to do ; he took held of her and threw her
over the parapet of the bridge into the Seine, jumped
in after her, and brought her rife to shore to a few
minutes.

The Bourse was firmer, and somewhat more
active. Rents rose be. for cash and 7ic. for account,
closing at 69fr. 20ic. and 69fr. 12}c. Italian rose
20c., dosing at 53fr. be. Mobilier rose 2fr. 50c.