The Express.
London, England, 1868-09-02 00:00:00

AMERICA.

NEW YORK, SEPT. I.
The National steamship France arrived out to.
day.

Closing prices 145 ; Sterling exchange
on London, 109,1; 5-20 United States Bonds,
1882, 1131; ditto, 1885, 1111; 10-40 ditto, 1051,
ex coupon ; Illinois, 145; Erie, 461 ; Cotton, Mid-
dling Upland, 301. Petroleum, standard white,
311. Flour, extra State, 8 dole. 10c. to 8 dots.
70c. ; corn, old mixed, 1 dol. 24c.

OUR PARIS LETTER.

(FRox ona mint cosamaromorr.)
PARIS. TUESDAY Evssiso.

The constant cant of the semi-official press is
that war rumours are propagated by foreign cor-
respondents. lam about to transmit you one for
which I am in no way revonsible. This day's
number of the R. rue Con& mporaine takes it fur
granted that the Emperor is resolved upon war, and
that the question of finding a pretext for declaring
it, though possibly a cause of a delay of some
weeks or months, may be solved almost imme-
diately. After noticing the silence imposed
upon the councils-general, and observing
that if they enjoyed the natural right
of electing their own presidents, instead of
being governed by men forced upon them by the
Emperor, they might very likely protest effectually
against a war about to be waged, contrary to the
wishes of the country, the Revue Centempraiae
says:

However great the mystery in which the military councils
of the government axe involved the secret of their delibera-
tions has been found out. It is plain from the quantities
of money thrown into the gulf of the ministry of war
that nut defensive measures but an attack and a
speedy attack is in contemplation. And while these dam.
gerous projects are iu course of elaboration, our ears are
tickled with dithyrambics in favour of peace. Ministers
in the tribune, the Head of the State in his speeches, the
confidential journals in their exhortations, all preach
peace, and tell capital and industry to be confident in the
future. They say this uut because they mean peace, but
because they know the country wants it. But acts belie
words. The hope is no doubt that, on the day when war
is declared, the patriotism of the country will sustain the
government in a step which the country would fain
have avoided. We greatly fear the empire will be mis.
taken in this calculation, and that, if it makes war, it will
do so alone. It will, of course, have its armies behind
it, but not France. The time for illusions is past.
We must open our eyes and look steadfastly in the face
what is before us. It will not do to say we are safe
because no reasonable cause of wax can be found. We
know the habits of this government, how it is addicted to
theatrical surprises, and we feel nothing more likely than
that 300,000 men should be one fine day thrown across the
Rhine without France or Europe having any notice what-
ever.

At the Bourse, Rente closed at 721 fr. for sooeunt,
with no change. Owing to a misprint in my
money market bulletin yesterday, I omitted to
record a fall of nearly 20c. after the declaration of
the " options." Italian fell to-day 23c., and
Credit Fancier !Mfr. 73c. In other securities there
was little change.

Dr. Nidaton hoe returned to Paris from attc.nd-
lug Count de Montelambert after the late oarriage acci-
dent. The patient is going ou most fayourably.
NFAPOLITAN BIUOANDB.—The Ratio of nits
es giv the following news concerning brigandagis:—" st
weak the band of Ferrigso Pieta committed an act of great
audacity, as it captured a man named Amato Passariello
in the very village of Montella. On the same day, three
brigands, fully armed, seised on Giovanni Atripaldi in the
commune of Castelruggiero, and took him to the moun-
tains of Rossano. His younger brother was motto to
accompany him, and after some hours journeying. the
lanes was sent back toobtein a ransom. The mune after-
noon ton men, dressed as peasants, captured near Mon-
fella three men minted Nem, Pesapta, and &Mar°.
Shortly after they set the two last at liberty, ordering
them to go and donuunt a sum of 29.730 fr. from the family
of Pima, who would be killed if the money was rallNed.
'Tic rubbers took the road towards the mountains of
Serino."

NATIONAL EXIIIRITION OF WORKS OF ART AT
Lizto.—Bettor of oilmissions:—Tuesday, September 1,
by meson tickets, 687 ; by payment 01 L Mob. 4.626 ;
total, 6;313.