The Express.
London, England, 1868-07-17 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, JULY 17, 1868.•

fatory chapters. Remember, the rehabilitation
of the earliest of his heroines of Parisian
life, whose decline and fall Signor VERDI has
wedded to congenial strains, well accom-
plished 21 years ago in tie hot yeath of
the future austere moralist, who in 1868 was des-
tined "to reconstitute love "in France. Affairs
elimenoeau, in which the wyiter has em-
bodied some bitter rocolleotions of his own boyish
days, dates, it is true, from only two years back.
All these books are so much transmuted personal
experience; they wore lived before they wore
written, and when M. ALEXANDRE DMUS, the
Younger, was preparing them for a classical edition
ho discovered in them all a certain moral unity of
purpose ; fragments of a life-history teaching
by example. The author was no more pro-
fessional littirgleur, one of those oulinary
artists who spend their genius in devising
the most stimulating dishes for the jaded palate of
the public. He was, in a literary sense, laying
down his own life—its troubles, its errors, its
temptations, its pleasures, and its pains, for the
moral benefit of society. He was studying the mor-
bid anatomy of the social body, scalpel in hand,
with himself for the subject of his viviseetions.
And now he sums up, whether in the form of a
letter, or of an essay, the conclusions of his pri-
vate hospital practice, with a ?inseams contempt
for the past agonies of the patient.
When a French novelist or dramatist takes to
teaching moral lessons he ceases to be fit for family
reading. Pudeed it is safe to understand that ho
is not writing for what prudish reviewers call
" the young person." We cannot recommend
M. ALEXANDRE DuseAs the Younger's prefaces
to farinaceous critics who would have a
horror of the novels. For those who have not
found the novels too highly spiced, these prefaces
will have the flavour and the suoculence of strong
meat. The brilliant Frenchman takes contem-
porary society to pieces, and a terrible
demonstration he makes of it. The timorous
efforts of English moral regenerators shrink
into insignificance before the Younger H.
DualAs's scheme for putting poor girls of 15
without an occupation into barracks, to
work for a livelihood under the protection of
the State, for compelling rich young girls
of the same age to buy substitutes to
work for them, and committing to the surveil-
lance of the police girls who have no resources
and who decline to work, and for the first serious
misdemeanour transporting them to the penal set-
tlements to serve as " females." Nor is our moral
legislator less severe towards the stronger sex.
Any man of full age who fails to
provide for a girl he has deserted is to
be punishable with imprisonment for five
years; if she has become a mother, and he refuses
to marry with her, for ten years; natural children
who have been brought up by the mother to be
exempt, on her behalf, from the conscription.
This female conscription and these operative bar-
racks for young girls without resources are de-
cidedly characteristic of the country of the bene-
volent projector. There is, however, in the
scheme of punishment for the seducer (instead of
his victim, as in England), a sound instinct of
moral justice which deserves acknowledgment.
_ _ _

It cannot be denied that these austerities of the
author of the Dame aux Canieliaa provoke a smile.
But let us not be misunderstood. Those who know
M. ALEXANDRE Dumas, the Younger, can bear
witness that his own life and conduct are such
as to justify him fully in presenting himself as
a corrector and chastiser of the manners
and morals of his age and country. If
he is a Savomator.s of a somewhat Parisian
type, he has the right to plead his own example
as the test of his sincerity. Englishmen and
women who are rimiont to take Lo Deno Selene as
a chef d'eurrs of the French stage should
read M. A. Dumas the Younger's scathing
sentences on these crapulous productions
No preacher has ever scourged the theory of
the indifference of art to morals, or the
degradation of literature pursued as a trade, with
greater power or a more generous scorn. And if
when he insists that men of letters should be the
true " legislators" of their epoch he is taxed with
exaggeration, English readers who remember
a celebrated passage in tkimutY's Essay on
Poetry will accept an unconscious plagiarism with
respect.

THE DIFFICULTIES OF AN AL4IANOE.
A waxiest. discussion has arisen at likiremee.
tln
a history of fhe campaign et 1868, compiled by the
Pruesian General Staff and just made public, the
manceuvres of the Italian army at Custom are
criticised very much in the tone and spirit adopted
by Mr. iintouttra towards our French allies in the
Crimean campaign. Some readers may remember
that soon after the unfortunate battle of Customs
a feeling of dissatisfaction with the Italian General
existed in Italy itself, whore LA *Manmona was
roundly accused of having boon guided in his
tactics more by the influence of his patrons in
France than by the counsels of General MoLrais.
But there are passages in this report which
awaken other susceptibilities than those of General
La KABIIIORA. At ono page it is strongly put that
the Italians wore unequal to engage in
any difficult siege, and that to conquer
Venetia by an attack in front was
simply impossible. All that could be done
was to maintain a defensive war until the move-
ments elsewhere compelled the Austrians to aban-
don the Quadrilateral, and lot Venetia fall into the
hands of Italy. So far the criticism agrees with
that of other military authorities ; but such passages
as the following irritate :—" No one spoke of
" the Italian army, and there was nothing
" to show that it was doing anything to prevent
" the departure of the Austrian troops." Again :
" At Vienna, despite the cession of Venetia, it was
" impracticable to get together immediately forces
" equal to those of Prussia. Of however little
" account the enterprises of the Italian army after
" Custozza, Austria could only recall from Italy
" two corps &armee out of the three that were
" there." General Le Mestroits and General
MENABILTA have both a right to call for further ex-
planations. Prussia owes much to Italy, Customs
notwithstanding. Is it forgotten that Austria before
the battle offered Venetia to Italy with the
object of detaching her from the Prussian alli-
ance, and that Italy refused it P Alliances in war,
if they are to leave behind them feelings of friend-
ship, require on the part of the allies a greater
amount of tact and courtesy than appears to have
been displayed by Prussia in the present instance.

Pit ItLIAMENTARY DIVISION.
•
HOUSE Or OOMMONS—Taonsear, dolt 16.
',IIETDOPOLITAN. 119EXIGN OATTLE.MAIKEET
BILL.
Order read, for resuming adjourned debate on amendment
proposed to question [26th June] "That Ms. Speaker
do now leave the chair ;" and which amendment was,
to leave out from the word " that" to the end of the
question, in order to add the words, "the proposal to
peas a permanent law, requiring that in order to pre-
vent the introduction of the cattle plague into this
country from abroad, dl foreign cattle and other ani-
mals imported into the port of London shall be
landed at one prescribed spot, and shalt not
be removed thence alive, ought not to be con-
sidered apart from the general policy of imposing legal
restrictions on the foreign cattle in other ports of the
United Hingdom."—( r. Milner Gibson) instead
thereof:—Question again proposed, "That the words
E:=l to be left out stand part of the question :"
resumed :—Motion made and question pro-
" That the debate be now adjourned:"—(Mr.
Heifeld:)—Moth by leave, withdrawn :—Question
again proposed, " That the words Rropoood to by, left
out stand part of the question: —Debate arising ;
motion made and question proposed, " That the
debate be now adjourned :"—(Mr. Baxley :)—Motion,
by leave, withdrawn :—Question put, "That the words
proposed to be left out stand part of the question:"—
The house divided ; ayes 191, noes 82.

AYES.
12=4:: B. Gray, hoot.-Col. Morgan, Major
Arebdsll. Co*. , Orr R.
O Grayrey, B.
Sir J. Mowbray, J. .
Murph
Baßarnett, H. Orin*C. C. D. Bowdey,n* C. N.
Barna, S@ H. W. Ouiamas, air A. E. Newport, Visa.
Bastala, Col. Gamey, 8. North,
Bathurst, A. A. Hamilton, Id. Claud Northoote, Sir 8. H.
Beath, Bir M. Hamilton, Ld. C. J. O'Beirne, J. L.
Beach, W. W. Hamilton, I. T. O'Brien, air P.
Bathe, Earl of Hadßas, Vieth Moore Don, The
Baseford, Capt. liberdp, O. Paget, R. IL
M. Bidduljp,A. Hartopp, E. B.
~.F......T.
Haar, R. B. SE J.
Booth, Bir R. Harvey, E. J. gran:.
Bourns, Col. Herron Lord A. Parker, Major
Bfr
0.
Hay. lard W.
Hay Mr J. D. Parry,
Patten, Cal. W.
Brace. Sir R. Iia&Ir1. W. R. 1..
Boller, Sir A. W. El -Major, J. PPeulambs= H.
Bolles Sir IL Peweilif 8.
gitirt„Poca. &0m./nos, W. P.
Cave, 8.
T. B.
Hodgeom, W. N. P.D.
Ca vath 16.14 IL
SZLdliaea Jlr, • , Do
J.
Moeley, Sir X. J. Hallam, Lord Repton, 0. W.
Cliatem, Lord E. P. Howard, C. W. Rasa, Sir C.
(Lou, IS.-Col. Howse, E. Sohreiber. C.
Cobboldi.k. Haut, G. W. tiolater-Booth. 0
Jerrie, Col.
flir 3 &talk° inuratatson,3:ff. U.
Trit;ollie, air HM, A. J.
Y. 8. T. 1..
Seymour, G. H.
B. T. &moods, W. B.
Cowecirsperit. B.
Eesdall, N. Smith, A.
Cremona, Lord =Col. Smith, 8. 0.
Cubitt, 0. -Huge". Sonoma, I. A.
Comm, Vieth men R Btaepoole, W.
Davenport, W. B. Enigin44'. W. Btoptord, 8. 0.
Dn.....srim.llir B. C. HMO , Biz R. Stuart, lA.-001. W.
R. Enos. Col. B. Dundee, C. P.
relsrs,=i, h. Lama, Illr E. Murton, H. K.
Dodson, J. 0. lard, J. Beier, C.
bandana, W. B. Linea', W. G. Brum R. J.
Du Gem, C. Lonna, Sir C. Talbot, C. R.
Dunne, Om. Lochmers, Sir E. Tollamathe, J.
C. O.
DIIC°W. H Letroy, A. Tavor, Lord A.
Laura, Lord H. 0. Turner, E.
Egerton, Sir P. O. Liddell, H. G. Vance, J.
, ad E. C. Lind
Lindsay, Cot R. 0., Cot C. Waidegrave-Lealie,
=ly
I monde, J.
ILo=l. Walpole B. H.
Fans, Col. , 3. Walsh, I.
Fellows", E. Lynalton, C. 0. Warm., R. R.
Finch, 0. H. ICKenna, Sir J. Waterhouse, 8.
FitsCierald, Lord 0. Maguire, J. P. Western, Sir T. B.
Foster, W. 0. Manama, Lord J. White, Capt.
Freshfeld, C. IL Marshall., W. Wise H. C.
Galway, Viwt. Mayo, Furl of Wyyitz.,
Goddard, A. L. Milbank, E. A. W H.
G. Milford, W. T. Wyndham, P.
Gordon,ork. B. Monk, C. J. Wynne, W. R.
Gore J. R. Montagu, Lord R. Wynn. M.
Gomel, J. E. Montgomery, Sir G.
Grant, A. Moore, C. TELLES/.
thevifie, Capt. More, R. J. Noel, G. J.
Greville-Nugent, Col Morgan, 0. Whitmore, H.

NOE&
,at,Elliir, L. 0. Pane, Lt.-CoL Milton, Visa.
Forster, C. Moffatt, 0.
AnAßli
bui,, W. 132..
Porter, W. E. Monsen, W.
Ayrton, A. B. Portman, C. P. Morrison, W.
Aytoun, B. S. Gladstone, W. E. Nears, C.
Baines, IL Ooldamict, Sir F. H. Ogilvy, J.
Barnes, T. Goschen, 0. 3. B. N.
Bars, M. T. Brahma, W. Potter, B.
Barley, T. trossenor, Capt. Pritchard, J.
Beaumont, H. F. gamey, P. Ramsay, J.
Biddulph, Col. Hadfield, G. Pnitwchild, N. M.&
Bonham-Cmter, 3. Hanks?, T. Passau, Sir W.
Bright. J. liazdagls, J. A. Salomon', Alderman
Brum Lard 0. Henderson, J. Samaria, J. IY A.
Bra H. A. 11,.....t K. D. Silent! A. C.
Butler, C. S. H Smith, .i.
Candlish, J. H=,'l.ord B. Smith, J. A.
Carton S. Hutt, Sir W. • Smith, J. B.
Cheetharo, J. = Sir J. Stuart, Col. C.
Childers, IL 0. A. P. Taylor, P. A.
Clay, J. Thompson, M. W.
Sir B. taab°usibefs wreass, 43. EL
Villia% C. P.
3.
4:!,tron:
Jerre, O. 3. Wlnotham, U.S.
Cowper, W. P. H. Wood., H.
Cr5...r...a, B. W. Locke, J.
Dixon, 0. Martin, P. W. TILLIM.
Mk*, Sir W. Melly G. Gibson, IL
Ddlwyn, L. L. Mill i. S. Kozwood, C. M.
Edwards, B. Mi115..7. B.

the Court.

08BOBLIE, Amy 16.

The Queen drove out yesterday afternoon,
accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of Coburg ; and
her Majesty and the Royal Family walked in the grounds
this morning.

The Prince of Wales, attended by General Sir William
Knollys and the Hon. A. T. Fitzmaurice, went to Windsor
yesterday, and distributed the prizes given by the Prince
Consort's Association.

The Royal Commission on Military Education met on
Wednesday at the War-effice. All the members were
present.

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales will
have a dinner party to-morrow, at Marlborough House,
to meet Lieutenant-General Lord Napier, G.C.8.,
G.C.S.I.

The Duchess of Cambridge will have a musical
party on Friday, the 24th instant, at her royal highness's
residence in the Ambassador's Court, St. James's Palace.

The Marquis of Blandford will, it is expected,
remain in India until the end of the ensuing month.

Lady Henry Scott gave birth to a daughter on
Wednesday last, at her ladyship's residence, Tilney-street,
Park-lane. Lady Henry and the infant are doing well.
The Ministerial whitebait dinner has been fixed
for Wednesday next. _

The unsold portion of the estates of the members
of the late firm of Overend, Gurney, and Co., at Carshal-
ton, Leatherhead, Nuttkid, and Cranham, consisting of
building plots, containing between 30 and 40 acres, and
of the Bletchingley estate, consisting of farms of about
368 acres, are advertised to be sold without any reserve on
the 22nd and 29th inst., by order of the liquidators of
Overend. Gurney, and Co. (Limited).

Mews. Gregory and Co. of Catherine-court,
Seething-lane, have commenced a enbecription on behalf
of Mrs. Mary Ann Nunn, who was so cruelly used by the
two boys, Arthur and Hector Smith, and collected yester-
day on the corn-market about 501., of which the secretary
of the Corn Exchange has kindly consented to take charge.
Any further sums will be gladly received and acknow-
ledged by him.

The presence of the Prince and Princess de Met-
ternich during their sojourn at Fontainebleau has im-
parted great animation to the Court circle, who have in-
dulged in the game of fives, pistol-shooting, rowing, and
other pastimes. The prince has been proclaimed the best
pistol shot ; and as a mark of her satisfaction the Empress
has presented him with a breast-pin set in diamonds. In
the daily excursions in the environs of Fontainebleau M.
Octave Feuillet frequently accompanies their Majesties.
The visit of the new librarian of the Palace of Fontaine-
bleau imparts a literary character to the court soirees.
At a reunion of this kind M. Feuillet read to their Majes-
ties several chapters of a romance which he is now
finishing.

The French imperial family and their distin-
guiehed visitors are reported to have been considerably
amused lately by some spelling exercises being proposed
and accepted by the party as a proof of their relative at-
tainments in orthography. The examples were fraught
with every difficulty that could be suggested at the mo-
ment. The answers of the several competitors being
carefully corrected, as at college, were placed as follows
in the order of merit :—Prince Metternich, 6 faults ;
Baron Corvisart, 8; the Emperor, 9; the Prince Imperial,
11; and finally—a result which caused much merriment
to the jury of examination—M. Octave Feuillet, the li-
brarian, 14 faults.

We (Timm) are requested by General Prim to
state that he has for the last seven months permanently
resided in London, that he has never stirred from his
home there, and that the reports about his being at Vichy,
about his letters being intercepted by the French govern-
ment, &a, lately circulating in some newspapers, are pure
islidastimm

FOREIGN NEWS.
(THIS DAY.)

t411101113E 1101. 1I Tae's AGENCY.)
PORTUGAL.
LISBON, .ToTx 16.

The Duke do Loulk, not having succeeded in
forming a now Ministry, Count Avila has again
accepted the charge. It is considered likely that
he will reconstruct the Ministry, and it is said
that the Cortes will shortly be closed.

THE WAR IN THE BRAZILS.
RIO DE JANEIRO, Jults 24.

The financial measures announced in the impe-
rial speech at the opening of the Chambers have
not yet been introduced. The Duko of Bazo is jour-
neying in the interior. According to the latest
advises received hero from the seat of war, the
bombardment of Humaita continued. A Para-
guayan attack on the Ohacos had been defeated.
The result of the presidential election in Buenos
Ayres is still uncertain. The Sarmiento ticket
has obtained a majority in the capital.

At Monte Video the itecounts of the Maus Bank
had been audited, showing a surplus of 400,0001.

INTELLIGENCE.

Exchange on London, 171, firm ; coffee, good
first, 7,700; sales, 31,000; export to Channel,
2,560; North of Europe, 10,551; Mediterranean,
5,257 ; United States, 25,11P9; other ports, 8,263;
stock, 1,100,000 ; freights to Channel, 355.

AMERICA.
NEW YORK, JULT 18.
The National Steamship Virginia arrived out
to-day.
The steamers leaving to-day for Europe take
out 425,000 dole. in specie.
Closing prices : Gold, 1421. Sterling exchange
on London, no:. 5-20 U.S. Bonds, 1882, 114;
ditto, 1885, 112 ; 10-40 U.S. Bonds, 108 ; Illinois,
14614 ; Erie. 681. Cotton, middling upland, 313.
Petroleum, standard white, 343. Flour, extra
state, 8 doll,. 20c. to 8 dole. 80e. Corn, old mixed,
1 dol. 12e.

THE WE/3T INDIA, PACIFIC, AN
SOUTHERN AMERICAN MAIM

PLYMOUTH, Jett is
be Royal Mail steamer Danube, with th,
above mails, arrived here to-night, with dabs from Cab.,
June 23 ; Jamaica, 24th, and St. Thomas, 29th. 4;
488, 66 dole.,
brings 1M 63 sacks of mails, specie valued upacksge• of cargo. Awe,.
her passengers are Sir William Holmes, the 04
nor of Trinidad ; Mr. Holmes, the govern's',
private 'secretary, and Colonel Hagart.
Holmes, Colonel Hagart, and four other mail,
g with the mails, were landed here, the nail,
being forwarded to London by special train at midnight,
without being sorted, owing to the Danube having n.,
mail sorters ou board, as she has only been employed
an intercolonial steamer previous to this voyage.
The Chilian Congress was opened June I. The pre.
dent announced his dialogist in any renewal of hostility:,
in the Spanish dispute, and recommended electoral isdnrn,
to the consideration of Congress.
In Peru the yellow fever had greatly diminialoal at
Lima, and at Callao it bad almost disappeared. In the
Chinches Islands and at Islay it was still increasing.
The English and French Vice-Consuls at Islay
Wr
amongst the first victims. At Ecuador two severe 5h0,,1,
of [earthquake had been felt, supposed to have oritnsitid
in an eruption of one of the volcanism of the Fasten)
dillrsa.

M Jamaica the floods had ceased, and dry hot winds
had wt in. The damage done was, however, pro,,,
very heavy, particularly at St. Katharine, here, ul
Clarendon. The public health continued good. T. new
graving dock scheme was well supported, and 4 tr.,n
number of shares had been subeeribW for. The 1,4.,
dry dock at Martinique was opened. St. Thorns. 4.
They French barque Stephan& Captain Perrino, front
Aspinwall to Mexico, was totally wrecked on thn .t.rh
May, 18 miles from St. Andrew's Island. The En.71;,14
brig Minden, Captain Goody, from Aqualini, wth
cargo of lead and grass, hail been burnt 64) mini off
the Burlings. The crew reached Lisbon in Nwt.,
arrived at Plymouth in the steamer Limerick.