The Express.
London, England, 1868-04-24 00:00:00

IN, Aran. 24.

speech which one of the greatest living orators in
francs has taken several months to compose. I
can only mention a few leading pinta which strike
me, and translate textually a few passages.
Before devoting himself to the bar M. Jules Favre,
like Lord Mansfield, had a penchant for letters :
Teuiseds sat, qua me eacique panda.
Talus Immo, .latorque ViZU2II velitw perma.
He believed, and he still believes, in the ideal_
in the free exercise of reason " before which ever
did and always will tremble those who insolently
pretend to confiscate wisdom for their own personal
benefit, and to substitute by force their
own views for the opinions of their contempu-
rules." He hoped that although the best part
of his life bad been passed at the bar he had not
altogether abandoned the domain of letters, and
referred with pride to his two eminent col.
leagues—MM. Berryer and Dufaure, who were
members of the Academy, as instances of the com-
patibility of the legal profession with academic
distinction. He then, as was essential for him to
do, traced the career of M. Cousin. He was born
in Paris on Nov. 28, 1792. His father, a
small jeweller, was not able to do much for
him, bat gave him a good education, which, his
natural genius aiding, enabled him to carry off the
great prize of the Lye* Charlemagne in 1810. This
success brought his name under the notice of M.
de Montalivet, the Minister of the Interior, who
at once offered him the place of auditor in the
Council of State. But M. Cousin did not like the
empire, and, being one of those who deny the
maxim that " a good place is always good to take,"
declined the honour offered him.

At the Bourse Rente closed almost without
change. Italian rose 20c., and Mobilier 31r.
The market generally was extremely quiet.

ATTEMPT TO ASSASSINATE MR. HOME,
THS SPIRITUALIST.

It transpired this morning at Vice-Chancellor
Giffard's court that a deliberate attempt was made
taasseasinate Mr. Home on his return to his
lodgings in Jermyn-street last night. Whilst
passing through Duke-street a person made a stab
with a dagger at his left aide, and Mr. Home.
raising his arm, received the stab a little below his
elbow. thereby saving his life. He is now in tic
hands of his medical attendant.

FRIGHTFUL EXPLOSION OF GAS ON BOARD
A SHIP.

On Wednesday night, a violent explosion of gas
occurred on board the schooner Concordia, Captain
Sobering, of Stralsund, Prussia, which is lying in the
Victoria Dock, HartlepooL This vessel had just concluded
taking in a cargo of dangerona gas coal, and the captain
had strict injunctions from the shippers to keep the
hatches open to allow the gas that generated to escape. It
appears the main hatch had been fastened down and the
vessel was moved into the centre of thedock. The forehatch
was open, and when the trimmers left the ship, the
captain, mate, and two seamen, went below to trim
the loose cargo in the forebatch. Being dark, one of
the men got a candle, and a match was struck when
an immediate explosion took place, and a volume
of flame rent up the decks and illuminated the
docks, accompanied with a tremendous report. The
master and the other three men were thrown down by the
force of the explosion, and almost buried with the debrii
and coaldust, and the injuries of two of the men are such
' that it is possible that they will not survive. The AM
itself is in a sad state ; the decks are torn up, and per.
tions of them blown away altogether. •