The Express.
London, England, 1861-08-07 00:00:00

EXPRESS FROM PARIS.

(nox otrx OWN

PARD3, TUESDAY EVEIItRO.

The following explanation of the backsliding of
the King of Prussia with respect to the visit to the
Chalons camp is semi-officially dedicated to the
credulous. His Majesty was originally invited to
the camp from the 15th to the 20th of August. He
replied that he should be delighted to accept the
invitation, but not, unfortunately, at that time,
since his physicians had given him strict orders to
make a long stay at Ostend. It is supposed,
therefore, that the King of Prussia's arrangements
would prevent him from coming to France before
Sept. 10 ; and inasmuch as by that time the Em-
peror, according to his vacation programme, will
be at Biarritz, one does not ace bow the visit is to
come off. Such is the story told here, but I appre-
hend that the truth comes from Germany, and that
the King, who never meant to come alone, has
evaded the visit, because he cannot get the escort
of other German sovereigns which he wanted.
The Bourse has lost the activity of last week.
Very little business was dune to-day. The closing
quotations were, however, firm. Rente for account
rose 10c., and Mobilier, 3fr. 75e.
M. Felix Mornand, an eminent member of the
staff of the Opinion Nationale, withdraws from
that journal on the ground that M. Gueroult, the
redactenr en chef, has lately shown himself more im-
perialist than M. Mornand had supgred when he
took service under him. The special objection
made by the secessionist is that in recent articles
treating of a probable dissolution of the Corps
Legislatif M. Gueroult described all shades of
opposition as " eccentrics," and " revived, with
the addition of great talent, the old and exploded
theory that it is the opposition which injures
liberty." He feels especially aggrieved by a recent
circular to the subscribers, which makes the whole
staff of the journal responsible for doctrines
which he cannot but repudiate. To this
" case of conscience," which (rare instance
in these times) leads a man of small means
to throw up an income, M. Gueroult replies
that he has done little more in the articles of
which M. Mornand complains than propound in a
more theoretic form the doctrines which he has
practically.advocated for the last two years. His
opinion is that the principles which be desires to
see triumphant may best be served by " legal and
constitutional" means. It is very much to be hoped
that the marked adhesion to the empire which M.
Gueroult, the old St. Simonian and republican,
takes this opportunity to give, may be reasonably
accepted as an augury that the views of Italian
liberty and unity, which he fervently advocates,
are at bottom in unison with those of the Emperor.
The Opinion rejoices this evening at the obstinacy of
the Pope and Mgr. de Merode, which it hopes must
force the French government to withdraw its troops
from Rome. It repeats, in spite of the reiterated
denials of the semi-official French press, that a
certain number of the 30,000 rifles have been
served out by the Pontifical government to the
brigands employed by Francis 11. to terrify the
Neapolitan provinces. Lord Palmerston's last
speech is considered here as confirming this intel-
ligence.
In England barristers, with very few exceptions,
think it beneath their dignity to take part in the
proceedings of a debating society when they have
become famous. lam aware that among the
prominent exceptions to this rule are Lord
Brougham, the President of the Law Reform
Society, and the present Lord Chancellor, who as
Sir Richard Bethell devoted many evenings to
discussion with obscure and young professors
of law in the Juridical Society. But in France
a society analogous to the Old Forensic (which was
founded half a century ago by Serjeant Adams,
and I dare say meets to this day in Serjeants' Inn)
is an institution recognised and frequented
by the leaders of the bar. At the meeting of yes-
terday, prior to the long vacation, M. Jules Fevre,
who as barotinier takes the lead of the whole pro-
fession, was in the chair. The question on the
card was whether a foreigner, in a cause where the
French law permits him to be a plaintiff, can sue
inform* panperis. The negative of the proposi-
tion was voted.

When this business was disposed of, M. Jules
Favre pronounced the usual holiday oration, in
which, after numerous quotations from Virgil, he
recommended that author for vacation reading,
whether under the olives of the Tibor or at the foot
of ruined castles overhanging the Rhine.
M. Flucbaire, formerly procureur-general at
Montpelier and prefect of the Seine-Inferieure,
committed a most determined suicide a few days
ago by drowning himself in a lake near Grenoble.
It is a curious fact that his brother mysteriously
disappeared some years ago ; he gave out to his
friends that he was going to London, and was never
afterwards hoard of.

The fete of August lii is to be varied this year
by the display of fireworks, for which great prepa-
rations are already making, being given at the Aro
de Triomphe de l'Etoile, instead of on the heights
of Trooadero. In order that the fireworks may be
the better seen from the centre of Paris, the usual
illumination of the avenue of the Champs Elys4es
will not take place. The new Boulevard liales-
herbes and the Parc des Mouoeauz will be illu-
minated.

A villa occupied by M. Offenbach at Etretat,
near Havre, was entirely destroyed by fire on Satur-
day night. The conflagration originated in M. Offen-
bach's own bedroom, about half-past 10 o'clock, and
spread with such rapidity that all efforts to arrest
its progress proved useless. Nothing was saved
but a few articles of furniture, and M. Offenbach's
manuscript music. Among the persons who parti-
cularly distinguished themselves iu lending their
assistance were M. Privost-Paradol, of the Debats,
and M. G. Mitchell, brother-in-law of M. Offen-
bach. The loss, though serious, is fully covered
by insurance.
An official notice has been received at Cherbourg
that the King of Sweden will embark from that
port on his return to his own states.

"The re-appearance of the silver five-franc
piece," says the Ga.u:Ste de France, "has been quite an
event in the capital. The manufacture of porte•monn.des
is singularly compromised by this change, for all the porte-
monnaies made of late are far too small to receive these old-
fashioned coins. Some persons pretend that this reappear-
ance will have a favourable effect on economy and morale.
There is no longer any danger of yielding to expensive
temptations, for it is impossible to carry in one's pockets
enough of these massive pieces to pay for any expensive
articles. Two hundred, or even ono hundred, franca
become an inconvenient burden. Gold is no longer in the
ascendant."

The Union Medicate gives an amusing account of
the via of the Siamese Ambassadors to the Hospital Lari-
boisiere. When they were shown into the pharmaceutical
department the smell of the drug% had such au effect upon
the olfactory organs of these Orientals, that after making
• variety of wry faces, and expressing their extreme di.guat
in other ways, they fairly bolted through an open door into
the fresh air of the garden.