The Sun.
London, England, 1867-03-18 00:00:00

Miscellaneous French News.

(From Correspondents of Anglo-American Times.)
PARIS, March 15.
The festivities of Carnival are over, and in sack-
cloth and ashes the sober Parisians are repenting

of their sins and /sighing for gaieties to come. Lent
and bad weather set in together, and have kept

inseparable and disagreeable company. The
first part of the week was ushered in by wind, rain,
and snow, rendering locomotion on foot anything
but agreeable to those who are devoted to the
" comfortable." Dullness and an indescribable
feeling of ennui seems to prevail on all sides, as this
triste season of penance and sobriety is dragging its
weary length along. Mid-Lent will afford a brief
respite from these melancholy days, and until its
arrival we must—

"Live with a hops of a bettor time coming."
The Exposition Building at the Champ de
Mars daily presents more interest, for, the crovil
of sight-seers who throng to witness its progfess.
'Me space allotted to Great Britain is alive with
workmen, and quantities of goods are rapidly filling
it up; while that occupied by American exhibitors
is comparatively quiet. There are spaces in the
American section, already marked by the different

States, among which can be seen the names of
Missouri, Ohio, New York, Arkansas, South Caro-
lina, &c. The Emperor, in a recent visit to the
building, expressed his gratification at its rapid
progress, and that so large a quantity of goods, to
be shown by foreign nations, had already arrived.
He also said he hoped the French exposants would
not allow themselves to be surpassed by their com-
petitors, but that by the 28th of March each and
all would be ready. Switzerland will exhibit, it is
said, the famous reliquaries, donated by Charle-
magne to the Abbey of St. Maurice. They consist
of two vases, one formed of precious metals, with
Arabic enamels, and presented by a celebrated Arab
chief to Charlemagne; the other is of onyx,
beautifully covered with mythological figures in
relief. Northern Germany is sending forward im-
mense trains, loaded with the manufactured produc-
tions of that country.

There was quite an event here last week for the
novelty loving—in the execution of the murderer
Lemaire. Many endeavours had been made since
the condemnation of the prisoner to obtain a com-
mutation of the sentence, but he strongly dis-
countenanced every effort in his bahalf, and urged
quick work in the affair. This gave au increased
interest, and a great desire was felt by many, to
witness the execution. Though great secrecy was
observed, the evening before the day appointed for
the condemned to die it was whispered about that
on the morrow the guillotine would perform its
fatal work. Multitudes of the curious a la mode
Anglaise at a London hanging, determined not to
lose sight of so interesting a spectacle, took up
their positions on the ground the night before, and,
notwithstanding the freezing, wintry weather, kept
their long watch until the victim's head had fallen,
and his soul was launched into eternity. Many
handsome equipages were present, and among
the spectators were to be seen several fair
women dressed in furs and velvets to

shelter their frail frames from the piercing cold.
At last the executioner arrived, examined the frame-
work, and tested the slide to see that it worked

smoothly. Ile then let fall the mass of lead, to
which the knife was to be attached, to be assured
that it would operate properly in its grooves. The
crowd, on the tip-toe of expectation, was silent ;
and scarce a sound was heard during all the prelimi-
naries of the mournful ceremony. At 6 o'clock the
gates of the Grande Roquette prison were thrown
opea, the soldiers stood with drawn swords, a buzz
was heard in the crowd, and silence again prevailed.
An aide appeared, ascended the steps of the scaf-
fold, and placed the glittering knife in its socket.
The prisoner then came forward, sustained on his
right by the executioner, and on the left by an as-
sistant. His hands were bound behind his back
with a cord, which then descended to his feet,
which also were tied, leaving just play enough for
him to walk without difficulty. His head was bare,
his hair closely cut, and a collar turned down over a
blue blouse exposed his handsome white neck.
Ile was a tall, fine-looking man, with fair com-
plexion, light-coloured hair, and rather a distingu6
moustache and imperial. Ile marched with a firm
upright manner, looking calmly to the right and
left at the crowd gathered around him, and ascended
the steps of the scaffold without any show of trepi-
dation. The attending priest then conversed a short
time with him, offered the crucifix to kiss,which he
declined; the executioner approached, adjusted the
head of the condemned, by a simple movement de-
tached the elevated knife, a dull heavy sound was
heard, and the head was severed from the body. A
long low murmur arose from the assembled multi-
tude, and many expressed their gratification that
the poor fellow had died game to the last. The exe-
cutioner raised the head, placing it in the basket,
while his assistant took charge of the body for
burial, and the crowd dispersed fully satisfied with
the sight they had witnessed.
There has been a petition, it is said, started in
1, Paris, addressed to the Senate, praying that

There seems to be universal rejoicing among the
Paris Americans at the news of the confirmation of
the appointment of Major-General Dix as Minister
to France. General Dix, through life, as a poll ician,
a statesmau, at home or abroad--as a soldier, in
camp or in the field, has ever beat greatly admired,
and his career such as to leave no stain, and well
deserving the honours that a country, grateful for
his valuable services, has conferred upon him. He
is popular here with all who know him, and he will
ever be appreciated by all of his countrymen who
look upon him as the representative of their nation
iu a foreign land.
The sudden death of Charley Browne, " Artemus
Ward," has cast a gloom over the circle of his friends
here. He was known well by all Americans, and
none who hear of his death can fail to regret that
he should have passed away in the zenith of his fame,
when the future held forth to him hopes of registering
his name on the pages of literature, a. th,,-b—atest
wit and humorist of his day. His friends iu Europe
are anxious to pay a tribute of' respect to his
memory, and there is no doubt many handsome
subscriptions will be made, to place a fitting monu-
ment over his remains. He is well deserving this
honour at the hands of his countrymen, and it is
hoped immediate steps will be taken towards the
advancement of this object.
The celebrated Cousin has left by will to the College
of the Sorbonnehis magnificent library, consisting of
114,000 volumes, among them many of the choicest
works of literature. He also bequeathed a sum of
money to be annually appropriated to take care of
the books, payment of a librarian, &c. The bill
granting a national recompense to M. de Lamartine
of 400,000 francs, has been approved of by the
Council of State. It is considered a very handsome
gift to the renowned historian and poet, but it is
insufficient to pay his accumulated debts.

The Rev. J.S. E. Abbott, the celebrated Ameri-
can historian, has had a personal interview with the
Emperor. Mr. Abbott, it will be remembered, is
the author of " Abbott's Life of Napoleon Bona-
parte," which has been universally read and
admired, and it is his intention to write the history
of Napoleon 111. In selecting materials for his
work he will be furnished with every facility, and
there is no doubt that, with the Emperor for his
theme, the able pen of the historian will produce a
work eqaul, if not superior, to that previously of
'Napoleon Bonaparte.
The Paris Americans were very desirous to extend
to Mr. Cyrus W. Field a complimentary reception
upon his arrival in France, and all seem to regret
that the business'engagements of Mr. Field will not
permit him to come there.
Some days E ince there was a review by the Em-
peror at Vincennes of the young troops of the second
portion of the contingent of the Seine. The Em-
peror was accompanied by the Empress, and the
Imperial party was received by Marshal Canrobert,
of the Ist Corps.
The Prince Imperial has commenced to form a
military household; he has appointed three ai•lcs-de-
camp, to commence their duties on the twelfth birth
day of the Prince, March IGth.
Murders in Paris are becoming daily more fre-
quent ; but readers of a journal, especially the fair
ones, do not desire to hear of such things, so I will
❑ot offend " ears polite" by relating them. The
European Powers seem one and all to be making
grand military preparations by arming and exercis-
ing their troops, thinking that the old maxim, " In
time of peace prepare for war," is one worthy to
be adhered to, and that even now they " scent the
battle from afar."

The " INl‘Clacken Letter" is still discussed, and
the noble " young American," who thus desired to
" hand down his name to posterity," may have it
" handed down," but hardly in the way he wished.
Well does he deserve the attacks of the press, and
there seem none to say of him " Requiescat in
pace." _ _

To relieve the monotony of Lent there are to
be several concerts at the Tuileries, the first to com-
mence on Monday, the 18th. The artists of the
Opera Comique will be honoured by permission to
inaugurate these musical soirees.
The Italian Opera is to be rented from the Bth
of July to 31st of August by Mr. Knowles, who was
the first to introduce Jenny Lind to the public of
the United Kingdom. " Lord Dundreary" is to be
the piece performed, and Sothern is to appear in his
famous role. There is no doubt it will be a perfect
success, for among the many Americans and English
who will then be iu Paris there will be few
who will not go to see " Lord Dundreary."
It is well known that there has been
a company in operation in Paris whose
business it is to conduct funeral obsequies after the
"pomps and vanities of this wicked world" have
been laid aside. Now another company has been
formed for fitting out matrimonial processions, cere-
monies, &c. This society or company. is thus de-
scribed by a French paper :—" Its duties will be to
assume the preparations of matrimonial pomps at
every price. There will be first, second, and third
classes ; that is to say, for the street : carriages,
fiacres, and cabs; for the church : the grand altar,
with more or less candles, and the organs ; the small
altar, without organ, or chairs decorated with velvet
or plain, according to the class represented. There
will be nuptial chambers, furnished at all prices."
The marriages of the basse classe can be accommo-
dated cheap with a garret, furnished with a shawl
for a window curtain. " In a word, for a price fixed
upon in advance, be it large or small, the happy"—
or unhappy, as the case may be—" bridegroom will
have no trouble with preparations, and can devote
his whole attention to his bride."
A commendable zeal is manifested by the Ameri-
cans in Paris for the education of their youth of
both sexes. Many, however, do not desire to con-
fide their daughters entirely to the care of French
institutions. New, I believe there is to be a school
opened for young ladies, under the care of Mrs.
Deming, long known here as a resident, which
will be conducted upon the same principles as in
America, and be a great addition to the American
circle here.
The conferring of title of
e,E:opfertohre
esuptaobnlisthhe-
King of Prussia, as the conseq
u
ment of closer relations between Northern and
Southern Germany, is generally discussed by the
Press of Europe.
The efforts of the Poles to prevent the entrance
of the provinces of Posen and Western Prussia into
the Confederation of North Germany will no doubt
be fruitless, and if fruitless the nam;.,, of Poland
will disappear entirely from the map of Europe.
The completion of the refitting of the Great
Eastern has created general satisfaction, and much
interest is felt in her departure from the Mersey to
New York. Her comfortable and magnificent ar-
rangements are on a very grand scale, and as a
description of them may prove of interest, I will
endeavour to give one.
The space once occupied by the cable-tanks hai
been converted into cabin berths and commodious
state-rooms. The decorations are of a superior and
elegant character. She will be able to carry 3,000
passengers, and the different dining saloons will
seat at one time 2,000. Comfort and y accom-
modation of the best description beevevery
guarantee:]
those who may come in the " great ship" across the
waters.

In my next letter I will endeavour to describe
spaces occupied by the different nations in the
Exposition building, and the nature of some of the
goods and articles that have already arrived for
admission. Paris has begun to put on a new coat
of paint upon its streets, decorate its gardens, and