The Express.
London, England, 1867-03-30 00:00:00

EXPRESS FROM PARIS.

(TROY OUR OWN CORRESPONDINT.)
PARIS. FRIDAY ETENTRO.

The resignation of Count \Valewski, which I
spoke of as probable two days since, was an-
nounced by himself from the chair of the Corps
Legislatif at the opening of this day's sitting.
President Walewaki said :
I have a communication to make to the chamber, and
beg • moment's attention. (Profound silence.) I wish to
announce myself to the chamber that I resign the presi.
dency of the Corps Legislatif. (Sensation.) Gentlemen
►nd dear colleagues, it is not without deep regret that I
have taken this resolution, but in the high interest of
union and concord I have thought it necessary to renounce
the honour of presiding over you. Permit me, in quitting
this crlir, to thank you for the courteous support which
I have always met with on every beach of this assembly,
without distinction. (Cries of "True, true.") I beg
Vice-President Schneider now to take my place.
Nothing can be gathered from the above short
speech as to the true reasons for Count Walewski's
retirement except that there is a screw loose some-
where. I believe I can supply the hiatus. The
Emperor is not pleased with the way in which M.
Walewaki has presided, and thinks a quicker man
might have stopped a great many disagreeable
things which have been said in the course of recent
debates. lam informed that in the sharp contest
which took place in the Bth bureau for the elec-
tion of a committee on the new press bill,
M. Walewski supported M. Emile 011ivier ; whereas
the Emperor favoured his opponent, M. Matthieu,
who was ultimately named by a majority of only
ono. It was observed to-day that when M. Wa-
lewski left the chair all the members of the left
and the tiers parti pressed forward to shake
hands with him, while almost all the members of
the majority stood aloof. Count Walewski's resig-
nation, or dismissal—the words are nearly synony-
mous—ice considered universally as a loss to the
cause of liberal reform.

It is very probable that no new president will
be appointed at present, and that Vice-Presidents
Schneider and Alfred Leroux will occupy the
chair alternately until the end of the session.
There are again rumours of ministerial changes.
General Fleury and M. Boitelle are spoken of as
members of a new cabinet, and their mines would
smell of powder. Baron Jerome David, who is
one of the numerous unofficial cousins of the im-
perial family, aspires to be Minister of the
Interior, and thinks his talent especially qualified
to "direct " the next general elections. The party
of which ho is one of the founders begins to be
known by the name of the " Mamelukes."
The Emperor was at the Exhibition to-day in
company with the Duke de Persigny, and had an
opportunity of seeing how unfit it is for the open-
ing, which is, nevertheless, to take place on All
Fools Day. I suppose the telegram sent to stop
the Prince of Orange did not reach him in time,
as he has arrived in Paris.

The A venir National says its correspondent at
the Haguo writes as follows, " in haste," under
date of March 28 :
I learn this instant that the cession of Luxemburg to
France it a fait arrurnpii. A despatch from Paris, arrived
at the Hague, informs the King of the Low Countries that
the bargain is concluded, and thereupon the King noti-
fied the cession to Prussia.

I incline to think the words "in haste" are
more accurate than anything else in this letter. It
is scarcely news that as far as the King of Hol-
land is concerned, he would be glad to sell Lux-
emburg to France. But between hi■ notification
of the bargain to Prussia and Prussia's consent to
ratify by giving up possession, there is, I think,
yet a wide gap.
The Bourse opened rather firm, but towards the
close there were heavy sales of the Soci4t4
ha-
mobiliAre shares, which immediately acted upon
the Credit Mobilier, and produced a fall from
the highest quotation, 462 fr. 50c., to 453 fr. 75c.
Rente rose 2}c. for cash, and fell 121 c. for account,
closing at 69fr. 15c. and 69fr. 12ftc.

The Hungarian nation has just presented the
Emperor Francis Joseph with the domain of Godollo.
There is • fine chdteaa, and excellent shootiug in the
forests on the estate, which is about 15 English miles
from Path. It belonged formerly to the now extinct
princely family of Grassalkosich, but had been lately
bought by • Belgian company.
Imprisonment for debt having now been abo•
hiked in France the 103 prisoners in the gaol of Clichy
will said one of the deputies no doubt illuminate.
The steam packet communication between Poole
and Cherbourg is to be resumed. _

WHITEHALL, MARCH 26.—The Queen has been
pleased to the Right Hon. Robert Montagu (com-
monly Robert Montagu) to be Vice-President
of the Committee of Council on Education, and to be the
Fourth Charity Commissioner for England and Wales.—
Gazette.
THE BIEHOP OF OXFORD AND THE LAY CONE-
MUNICANTO or Ruainnu.—Thefollowing from the Bishop
of Oxford has been sent to us for publication -"
dington, March 27, 1867 :—" Gentlemen,-1 thank you
for your letter accompanying an address from the mayor,
the es-mayor, town clerk, and 13 churchwardens, with
others, to the number in all of 2:r7 communicants, in
Reading. It has given me much pleasure to receive this
proof of confidence and affection. I thank God that my en-
deavours to do in; duty amongst you as your bishop for
21 years, are so generously and kindly appreciated.
I attached very little weight to that other address towhich
you refer. I felt convinced that it was not the voice of
churchmen in Reading. I saw at once, from the few signs-
tures to it which meant anything, that it was put forth by
those who are unhappily notorious for that narrow and
prejudiced spirit, which must make them dislike any
attempt of mine to maintain the distinctive doctrines and
discipline of our reformed church, in that large spirit of
toleration which is so essentially hers. I have ever sought,
in setting forth plainly Jesus Christ and Him Crucified
amongst you, both to declare freely His Gospel and to main-
tain those ordinances through which He is pleased to rem.
municate Himself to the faithful members of His church.
I am persuaded that it is on these principles alone that
the office of a bishop ought to be administered within oar
borders. For whilst our church discourages all unchari-
table condemnation of others, she professes to have re-
ceived " a doctrine and discipline of Christ commanded
by the Lord " which we are bound, as we value our souls
and the Raub. committed toour charge, to preavve inviolate.
So have I endeavou red,avoiding all party Shibboleths. to ad-
vance through His grace the conversion and building up of
our people in Him, convinced that thee true peace may
best be secured among ourselves, and (may Goa Frans it)
unity promoted with our separated brethren ; whilst thus
only can those great catholic truths of the common faith
be upheld, which are corrupted by the jwipists and set at
nought by the unbelievers of every cass. Once again
thanking you for your assurance of the existence of that
confidence and affection, the expression of which through-
out the diocese has done so much to strengthen my hands
for our Master's work, I solemnly commend you to God,
and to the Word of His Grace, which is able to build you
up, and to give you an inheritance amongst all them which
are sanctifierL— I remain, ever very sincerely yours, in the
common faith, S. Oxos.—To Henry F. Farebrother, John
F. Bulley, and Henry B. Mandy, &qrs."