The Sun.
London, England, 1867-04-02 00:00:00

France and Holland respecting the possible trans
fer of the territory in question, but he could not
tell the House the result of them. In the sitting of
the North German Parliament of yesterday Herr
Vox BENNIGSEN questioned the Government on this
rumoured cession to France, and became very ani-
mated on the subject, declaring Germany was
threatened with the loss of a place which was a
birthplace of German princes. After reading a
letter, which was called " A Cry of Distress from
Luxemburg," and set forth that nearly all
the inhabitants were Germans, the speaker
concluded with the emphatic announcement
that before this question all party differences dis-
appeared, and much as peace must be wished for it
would be far better to have a war with France than
to allow their honour to be assailed. Alluding to
the promise of the KING that not a German village
Should be lost, ho said that France was answerable
for all consequences that might ensue. Count Bts-
MARCK made one of his unmeaning answers, in the
course of which he said that Luxemburg entertained a
bad feeling against Prussia on account of her victories.
He said, on the part of the Government, that they
could not deny that an arrangement had been en-
tered into between the Powers referred to, although
they did not affirm it. In short, the Count seems to
have made up his mind that the cession will take
place, and one very hard, to make the best of it.
We consider it very significant, at any rate, that it
should have been said right out in the North Ger-
man Parliament that a war with France may be ne-
cessary. It is curious, too, that this expression of
opinion should have been elicited on the very day
that witnessed the opening of the French Exhibi-
tion. It has been thought by many that to allow
this grand affair to come off satisfactorily, the
French E3IPEROR had consented to lot Prussia alone
for a time, but we may find that the time has been
changed by the time the close of the Exhibition has
arrived ; and at any rate things are now in any-
thing but a satisfactory state, and those who before
doubted may now become convinced of the possi-
bility of another Continental war being imminent.

CORRESPONDENCE PROM PARIS.

(FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, Monday Evening.
THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.

Precisely in accordance with the official announce-
ment, and as I stated in my letter yesterday, the
Emperor opened the Great Exhibition to-day. His
Majesty has of late been as fortunate in regard to
weather as our own gracious Queen, who is gener-
ally so favoured in this respect that " Qaeen's
weather" has passed into a proverb. The day was
magnificent, and it is almost superfluous to add that
the Parisians came in masses towards the Champ de
Mars from all points of the compass. The gallery
leading from the Pont de Yena to the Grande Porte
opposite glittered with ornaments, the effect of
which was heightened by the sun. The ornamen-
tation is, however, still unfinished. Over the In-
ternational Club and other buildings the flags of
all nations waved proudly and gorgeously, and all
was animation and excitement. Everything pos-
sible was done to prevent stoppage of circulation
for the numbers of carriages, and many took ad-
vantage of the recommendation to come by the rail-
way which leads direct into the Champ de Mars.
There was a special train from the Rue St. Lazare
for the Senators and Deputies. To divide the mass
of visitors as much as possible arrangements were
wade that the Foreign Commissioners and other
persona of note might take the places assigned to
them so early as six o'clock in the morning. The
gates for the admission of the public at 20 francs
were opened at 12 o'clock.

The Emperor, Empress, and the Imperial Prince,
arrived at two o'clock from the Tuileries. Cheering
was heard everywhere on the way, and the cordial
acclamations when they entered the Palace were
T 6.7 cy.tcretl by filo Grande Porte
above-mentioned. On going into this part of the
Exhibition the French portion is immediately to the
left, and the English department to the right. Their
Majesties on their entrance were received by M.
Le Play, the chief of the Commission, and the other
commissioners, who accompanied their Majesties on
their progress through the building. They succes-
sively visited the grand gallery No. 6 (useful arts)
a portion of gallery No. 1 (works of
d avenue, called Rue de Paris, a por-
tahr et
)v, e
thes ti bgurlaen,
por-
tion of the grand avenue, called Rue de Russie, the
garden, and the grand avenue, called Rue de Bel-
gique. It was evident even to those who were at a
distance from the Royal party that they were ex-
ceedingly pleased at the marvels displayed, as there
were evident gestures of admiration. Their Majes-
ties, I am told, expressed their gratification not
only with the Exhibition generally, but with the
rapid and successful exertions made to complete it.
The formal opening of the Exhibition was a brief
ceremony. In the course of the progress through
the Exhibition the foreign commissioners and mem-
bers of the jury were presented to the Emperor,
who occvslonally addressed some gracious words to
them.

Their Majesties left the Palace by an opposite
entrance at the extremity of the Rae Belgique,
and
they were enthusiastically greeted at their departure.
To-day I have no time to notice any more of the
entries exhibited, but in passing through the French
departments many were struck with an imposing-
looking article, and very interesting to many,
although not exactly a work of art. It is more use-
ful than ornamental. This is a magnificent speci-
men of cooperage from the Department of the
Iferault, a barrel that can contain no less than
210,000 litres of wine or brandy. Thirsty souls, at
all events, will give a glance at it. It is said to be
the largest vessel of the kind in the world. On
entering the Swedish park, after passing through
the Russian park, the attention of many was at-
tracted to a peculiar-looking building covered with
imitation shells. It is a fac simile of the house
where Gustavus "%Vasa concealed himself when he
was endeavouring to escape from the researches of
his enemies.
I shall not omit to mention that every facility is
given to ingress and egress. There are four ca-
pacious entrances at opposite points of the build-
ing. As far as I know this great occasion has
passed off without the slightest incident or contre-
temps to mar the inauguration of this peaceful
struggle of intellect and progress. The Commis-
sion gave every facility to ladies, and the wives of
Ministers, anibassadors, commissioners, and other
eminent personages, who must have been satisfied
with the arrangements made to give them an idea of
the marvels of the International Exhibition. There
was no intimation that much attention was required
in regard to toilette, but many of them were ele-
gantly attired. The Empress, as usual, was simply
but tastefully dressed. It was the general remark
that their Majesties appeared to be in the best health
and spirits. The young Prince has quite recovered
from his recent accident. The ceremony did not last
very long. There was to-day only opportunity for
a brief passing glance at the world's great Exhibi-
tion. Their Majesties, however, evidently intend
to visit it very frequently, for a tasteful and con-
venient construction has been set apart for their

accommodation.
The Minister of State and Finance, M. Rouher,
vice-president of the Imperial International Corn
mission, received the members of the Foreign Com
missions on Saturday evening. The magnificent
saloons were profusely ornamented and the honours
of the evening were gracefully done by Madame
Rouher and her two daughters. A theatre was
fitted up in one of the saloons, and a piece of the
Gymnase, La File de r Avare, was performed. The
admirable acting of Bouffe and Dldlle. Mentz
afforded great gratification.
Even now there is still much to finish at this
grand Exhibition, but what has been done is mar-

vellous. The building was only commenced on the
23d of April, 1866, but in that time 14,000 tons of
iron and brick-work have been brought and fixed.
No less than 53,000 square metres of zinc roofing
Kamm been placed in position, as well as 65,000