The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-05-21 00:00:00

FRANCE.

PARIS TIIEP•DAY EVENusio.
It is now pretty certai i that the Gro,,nim=u.
will maintain the status quo tl
Legislative Corps. Very nearly rao
will be presented as candidates at the approaching
elections, and M. de Conegliano, who is attaehed to
the.emperor's household, and who was to have
entered the listsagainst M. de Montalembert in the
department of the Doubs, has been instructed to re-
main quiet, either because there is an unwillingness
to press to hardly on the latter, or that there wai a
certainty of his triumphing over the Government
nominee. The authorities will neither support nor
Oppose M. de Montalembert ; they probably make
a virtue of necessity. In truth, the elections are
a mere matter of form. As to the majority being
obtained for the government, there never was
any doubt. But the most unfortunate symptom is
the absence of all interest on the part of the
people in the elections. The people seem utterly
caceless about the exercise of their rights, and if
the Legislative Corps was named in toto by the
Emperor I doubt whether it would make any diffe-
rence. That such is the feeling—or rather, the
absence of all feeling—on the subject is shown by
the reports of the Prefects of departments ; and it
explains why hardly any exertion is necessary on
the part, of the Government to secure a triumph.
The difficulty now is to make the electors come
forward in something like respectable numbers
The system has certainly succeeded in rendering
torpid all political life in France. How long
such a state of things will Jest it is difficult to say.
It will require some xtraordinary event to
rouse the public mind from its lethargy, but when
roused the awakening will indeed be felt. For the
present every attempt to awaken the people to
_anything, like political- activity is at once encoun-
tered by the high hand of authority. The Siecle
published, a day or two ago, an article exhorting
the voters to exercise their the fights, and to
reject the counsels of those who would have
them abstain trom the ballot. It showed
that, considered as a political demonstration,
such conduct was as insignificant as it was
unpatriotic ; that it was but the admission of
defeat, and that it furnished the most power-
ful arguments to the opponents of a liberal
suffrage. It advocated the nomination of men
representing moderate views from the greater
probability of success, and it warmly reeommend'd
its own political friends to show that they are not
d,aficient in civil courage, the want of which would
prow .4.1 the political infirmity of France. There was
notnin,z very subversive in this langauge—nothing
in it dangerous to a system which, we are told, is
based upon such solid foundations. Nevertheless,
the Siecle has received an admonition, not
officially, but in a private way, to refrain
from such exhortations. I believe, however,
that this excessive sensitiveness is found more in
those who surround the Emperor, than in himself.
The men who were, not long ago, the clamorous
advocates of liberty bordering on lawlessness, are
now startled at the shadow of anything that bears
a remote resemblance to it. They have helped to
stamp out the last spark of its existence, and are
now afraid of the ghost of their victim. The Em-
peror is mortified at this general apathy—he would
prefer a little animation, nGt much certainly, but,
at all events sufficient to show that his system has
not utterly annihilated political life in France.
They who are under him think differently.

The members of the Conference on the Neuf-
chatel question are expected to meet on an early
day. There will probably be but one more sitting,
to sign, seal, and deliver. The affair, as you are
already informed, may be considered as settled—
that is, if any dependence can be placed on the
King of Prussia. Even the indemnity is now given
up. Three weeks ago, indeed, this tantalising affair
might have been terminated as now, and the King
would then had the appearance of doing volnntarily
i with a good grace what is now, as it were, ex-
torted w
from him. Some preliminary details of little
importance have yet to be arranged, and I believe
no day is yet fixed for signing the protocol. It
cannot, however, be far distant. It is rumoured
that the King of Prussia seriously contemplates a
visit to Paris.

A certain number of Hungarian refugees, who
have resided here since 1849, have presented them-
selves at the Austrian Embassy to demand pass-
ports to return home, in consequence of the amnesty
,granted by the Emperor of Austria.
Feruk Khan, the Persian Ambassador, went to-
dsy to Fontaineblelau, it is said for the purpose of
thanking the Emperor for his good offices in the
arrangement of the differences between England
and the Shah.

Llrd Cowley went yesterday to Fontainebleau,
and had an audience of their Majesties to present
letters front Queen Victoria, notifying the birth
of a Princess.

A letter from Fontainebleau says :
The Emperor and the King of Bavaria this afternoon,
a small carriage driven by the former, and followed by
Boma of their officers, took a drive in the forest. A great
number of guests, among whom are several of the Min-
istate, arrived to-day at the Palace, where they are to
pass the week. In the evening, the comedians of the
Theatre Francais performei the the Bataille des Dames.
On .;his occasion numerous invitations had been sent to
the p,-incipal functionaries and notable inhabitants of the
town, Lls well as to the officers of the garrison.
A letter from Creusot, dated Sunday evening, at
6 o'clock, says :

The Grand Duke Constantine arrived yesterday morn-
ing, at five o'clock, at the station of Chagny (Saone et-
Loire), and thence came across the country to this place by
pos,',, a distance of about twenty miles. The Prince was
accompauied by :H. Schneider, director-general of the
establishment, and by the Marquis de Belmont, Colonel
Fave, and Caron de Rourgoing, appointed by the Emperor
Napoleon to attend him while in France, and by his own
personal suite. The iron works of Creusot are justly
celebrated' and may be reckoned superior to anything
in France. The es'ablishment is admirably
situated, and presents a most picturesque appearance.
The cnnamune of the same name, which lies to its
left, contains about 15,000 inhabitants, two thirds of whom
are employed at the works. The establishment is an ancient
one. but its products did not begin to be sought for until
1822, when it entered on the fabrication of inn by means cf
coke. Since then it has gone on constantly increasing,
employing in 1837 '2,400 workmen, in 1847 5,590, and in
1857 nearly 10,000. It contains not less than 150 coke
ovens, using each year 250,000,000 kilogrammes of
coal, and ten large blast furnaces, trans-
forming into iron 100,000,000 kilogrammes of ore.
The head of this great establishment, Id. Schneider, Vice.:
President of the'Leg'slative body, was accompanied on the'
occasion of the Grand Duke's visit by his son, a lad of six-
teen, who is pursuing his education in one of the colleges
of Paris. After the Prince and his party had partaken of
s,,e,ie refreshment, the inspection of the different workshops
begap at about nine o'clock. After having gone rapidly
through the principal parts of the establishment, the prince
visited the foundry, witnessing the casting of a large
cylinder for a steam engine. The whole was effected in
an insla ut, in the usual way, by two workmen
ymnceuvring an immense cauldron of liquid iron,
which, by means of a crane, thee poured into a mould
prepared in advance. The Imperial visitor then inangu-
rated a now furnace Receiving a torch from the foreman,
he set fire for the first time to the charge which it con-
tained. His Imperial Highness laughed heartily on learning
that the fire thus commenced would be kept burning with-
out intermission for seven years. The portion of thefoundry
'which concerns the articles required in the navy, particu-
iatlyinterested the Prince, and his enquiries were numerous.
In the part of the works where copper boilers are manufac-
tured for the navy, six were heated and made before him in
the course of a few minutes, the whole being riveted by
steam with almost the rapidity of enchantment. The Prince
then spent some time in the locomotive department, and
nearly an hour in the model room. He also spent a con-
Eiderable time in examining
the engine which had been
made for the Bayan corvette, 300-horse power, in course,
of construction at Bordeaux for the Russian Government.
The imperial patty then proceeded to the adjusting and
turning rooms, and were much struck by the immense
amount of labour, some of it, of a moss delicate character,
performed by steam. On leaving that part of the building,
M. Schneider directed the attention of the rrince to a mil-
itary railway lately invented by the Emperor Napoleon. It
c ns sts of rails and chairs all fi, ting exactly into each other
and firmly secured by means of bolts and screws. Curves
of various radii can be effected without difficulty, and every
possible direction can be given to the line. According to
trials =Ade, a regiment can easily lay down in 10 hours two

miles and a half of this railway, The painting rooms for
locomotives were next g-ne through ; and the party then
came to the other part o' the foundry works, where the
noise and activity which p-ev ii wonll attune, give one the I
idea of Pandemonium Die (1, And Duk i.a•-;eoh,rlv
struck with the powerful o,eti,n of he N'a•ln th ,an,-
mere. These tremendous ma,chines,weighlog 2 00d to 12,000
kiieg-ammes each, and which can cut egaetly through a
iiesre of iron or fall on a watch-glass without breaking it,
perform an immense quantity of work at Creusot. The
Grad Duke was so struck with all he saw that he added
to the or er which had previously bsen given for the
Russian Government that of an engine for a frigate
of 450 horse power, and another of 400 horse power
for a yacht for the Emperor. Of the men employed
on the works each pays into a fund two per
cent of his wages, which sum provides them
with medical attend .nce when ill, pays for teachers
for their children, and gives a pension to such as be-
come firm. In addition to the schools there is a
large workshop where the female children are taught
to make lace. This establishment was formed by Madame
Schneider, and will hereafter be of immense benefit to the
country, as the lace made there is already much in demand.
After the inspection of the premises, the Grano Duke and
his suite were entertained at an early dinner by M Schnei-
der, who proposed the health of the Prince, and thanked
him for having honoured his establishment with a visit.
During the dinner the Orpheonist Society, cemposed of
young men belonging to the works, executed several
morceaux, which drew forth an expression of admiration
from the Prince. The Grand Duke quitted Creusot at a
quarter past three, passing through a c impact crowd, by
whom he was hailed with the loudest acclamations.
The Grand Duke returned to Paris from Creusot
on Saturday night, and left again at two o'clock
yesterday morning by the Orleans Railway, and
arrived at Tours at half past six. General Grobon
and Colonel de Trelo, of the staff, received the
Prince on alighting from the carriage. A col-
lation had been prepared for the Prince, who,
after taking some refreshments, and put-
ting on his military unform, left for Saumur.
The Prefect and General Cony, who were
on the point of setting out to attend the different
councils of revision, had just time to be presented
to his Imperial Highness. After being present at
a carrousel and some manoeuvres at the Cavalry
School, his Imperial Highness returned to the
station at Tours, where a dejeuner of thirty covers
was prepared in one of the waiting rooms, and to
which the Prince invited General Grobon, Colonel
de Trelo, and M. Bourdillon, the Commandant of
the Gendarmerie. At 1 o'clock his Imperial High-
ness left for Bordeaux, where he was to arrive
yesterday evening.
The French Government is about to build a
steam Yacht at Cherbourg, on the model of a cutter
of the second class, to offer as a present to the King
of Siam.

I am informed that the Council of State has
adopted the opinion of the Legislative Corps with
respect to the Transatlantic packet ships. They
propose to restrict them to one port in place of
three, as suggested by certain companies.
The Cour Imperiale, after a long deliberation,
delivered its judgment in the affair of the
Napoleon Docks this morning. The
sentence of imprisonment against MM.
Cusin, Legendre. Duchesne de Vere, and
Berryer, as pronounced by the Tribunal
of Premiere Instance, is maintained ; but the fines
to which they were condemned are . reduced to
3,000 f for Cusin and Legendre, to 2,000 f for Arthur
Berryer, and to I,ooof for Duchesne de Vere M.
Orsi, who was acquitted on the former trial, has
been declared guilty of complicity on account of
his participation iu the treaty with Fox and
Henderson, and has been sentenced to three
months' imprisonment and 100 f fine, and, more-
over, to restore 4,400 dock shares. The prisoners
are condemned to the costs in different propor-
tions.

M. Viellard, senator, who was tutor to the
Emperor Louis Napoleon's brother, died this
morning at Paris.

The Marquis de Pastoret, senator, died also this
morning.

The Legislative body sat yesterday, M. Schneider
in the chair. Leave of absence was accorded to M.
Rigaud and M. Millet. A bill was presented rela-
tive to the advances on the deposit of the bonds of
the Credit Fancier Company; also a bill to convert
into law decrees passed_ relative to the customs'
duties since March, 1856. The discussion on the
budget of 1858 was then commenced, and, after
observations from M. Beauverger, M. Leroy Beau-

lieu, M. Morin. (de la Drome), and M Paul Dupont,
the general discussi,m was declared to be closed.
The budget of the Ministry of State was adopted,
and the proceedings terminated,
The following despatch has been received--
M ►RSEILLES, MAT 19.
Accounts have been received from Cuustantinop e to the
I 1 th.

Advices from Circassia of the 19th of April state that
Mehemet B y had renriv d his head quart,rs to Sipsohnr.
Sefer Pasha has 40,000 naibs under his orders, and in con-
sequence of the adhesion of different tribes, Mehemet Bey
could assemble 80.000

Ace-mots from Mouso,ll of the sth state that the revolt
of the Kurds hal been quell d.
Letters fom, Athens of the 12th mention the arrival
Admiral Willaumez at the Piro:tits. A. very nt
discussion had taken place in the Senate on the subject
of a journalist who had been err sted in the house of a
senator.

NARSEILLES, MAY 18.
The Russian screw frigate Polkan arrived here
this morning from Toulon, where she ,had under-
gone repairs in the Imperial dockyard. When she
passed the Chateau d'lf she hoisted the French
flag on her maintop, and saluted the forts with
twenty one guns. She then steamed gently into
the port of the Joliette, while the guns of the
Fort Saint Jean responded to her salute. The
Polkan has been placed at the disposal of the
Russian Ambassador to the Court of Spain, and
will convey him to Barcelona. The following
is the traffic of the port of Marseilles during the
first 15 days of the present month :—Arrixed from
foreign ports 14 French ships, measuring 4,165 tons
—1 foreign ship, measuring 124 tons. Engaged in
the coasting trade 318 French ships, measuring
43,555 tons; 19 British, 70 Spanish, 31 Sardinian,
25 Neapolitan, 16 Gr-ek, 9 Tuscan, 28 Austrian, 4
Swedish. 2 Dutch, 2 Roman, 2 Prussian, 1 Danish,
1 Norwegian, measuring 33,735 tons. Sailed for
foreign ports 33 French ships, measuring 9,910
tons ; 2 British, 4 American, 1 Brazilian, mea-
spring 2,836 tons. Engaged in the coasting
trade, 288 French ships. measuring 36,855 tons ; 8
British, 57 Spanish, 34 Sardinian, 19 Neapolitan, 31
Austrian, 17 Tuscan, 15 Greek, 2 Roman, 1 Ameri.
can, 1 Prussian, 1 Swedish, 1 Danish, measuring
27,090 tons. Accounts from Toulouse state that
the late hot weather has been favourable to the
growing crops. The wheat, which was turning
yellow from the long-continued cold and wet
weather, is assuming a bright green colour. The
first Indian corn sowed is appearing above ground.
The first crop of Lucerne has been cut in the valley
of the Garonne.

RUSSIA.

BERLIN, MAY 18.

gathered The
amount
mount of political information to be
from the Thrissian press is just now un-
usuallyapprsomaoahll
o;
fitsiosrinneaver large at any time, but at
State machine, with.
the
.1
duthriengwhtohlee
severe
on
coofldthoef
winter and the'Lreesence of the Imperial family and
tl‘aiuint,isteslrtsickinens capital had been kept quite
during the rapidly,summerand little can be done
carry into detailed ea-cunt (.1.,
utdi monthson tbhiei but to
measures elaborate
t o
w andhi
oh
the initiative impulse
periA. The Imperialbeen given in a brisker
abe, family have e,yer since the
beginning of the month residing at Zarskoe-
Selo, where the Empress was
son this day week, as I haevleassasshea-efaedlyydinefliovreedd oyfoua
by telegraph. The upper
oc-
cupied with their householsd are just now
wanudorthto setting off
arrangements,
preparatory to going out of to,
enpu i navigation
on more extended trips abroad
has not as yet been open long
.the commercial circles to that statgeslottiiilat.iceltsilViirreetyr
which they are accustomed to exhibit as the seasono
advances. Prince Gortsbakt,ff. the
of Poland, is only waiting in St. Petersburg
the christening of the new-born Imperial Princeor
to return to his post at Warsaw. Prince Irtelischi
koff has already left St. Petersburg, and arrived
here on his way to some German medical spring.