The Sun.
London, England, 1861-11-25 00:00:00

IMPORTANT FRENCH LIBEL CASE.

An action which excites much interest in Paris
is now going on in the Tribunal of the Seine. It
is brought by a Russian Prince, Prince Woronzoff,
against another Russian Prince, Prince Dol-
goroukow, and relates to certain libellous statements
made by the defendant concerning the plaintiff's
family, in a letter which our readers may remember
was addressed to the Courrier du Dimanche. The
opening statement for the plaintiff has been made by
M. Mathieu. After shielding Prince Woronzoff's
life, he referred to the letter received by the plain-
tiff at Wildbad from the defendant.

" On the 25th June (7th July), 1856, Marshal
Woronzoff was at Wildbad, having gone there for
his health, when a sealed packet was delivered to
him. He was not alone. His wife was present,
and along with her other persons of distinction, one
amongst the rest holding a high rank in England.
he packet was sealed with the arms of Prince
Peter Dolgoroukow ; the seal, broken in presence
of the witnesses who happened to be present, was
quite entire, and in the envelope were found two
thiugs—a letter dated the 4th (16th) June, 1856,
signed Prince Peter Dolgoroakow, and an anony-
mous letter." First for the letter :
This letter was read. It threw doubts on the
documents relating to the plaintiff's genealogy,
transmitted by him to St. Petersburg. With it was
the following anonymous epistle :—" His Highness
Prince Woionzoff has a sure way of getting his
genealogy printed in the Rodors Kl3ida, as he wishes
it. It is to make a present to Prince Peter Dol-
goroukow of a sum of 50,000 roubles in silver ; then
everything will be done according to his wishes."
The Marshal died on the Bth of November, 1856.
Finally, in 1857, the fourth volume of the genea-
logies appeared without taking into account the
documents furnished by the marshal.

" We had just witnessed," says M. Mathieu,
" that celebrated discussion in which a prince of the
Church was accused of defaming one of his prede-
cessors. The Court of Cassation has just given a
memorable decision, preceded and prepared by an
admirable report, which, for my part, I consider as
one of its noblest titles to our esteem and to our
respect ; it had proclaimed that libelling the me-
mory of the dead is a crime. Access to the Correc-
tional Police might have been had. It was not
thought desirable to avail one's self of it. Why ?
Because by an opinion which I am told is a mis-
take, and which seemed to me conformable to the
precedents in similar matters, I had believed that
the publicity of such discussions was authorised,
and that the law would not have permitted a trial
with closed doors. It appears that I was mistaken,
and that the journals which are accustomed to
report our judicial contests have refused to open
their columns to the present contest unless our ad-
versary should consent. This consent has not been
given, and thus it happens that the Woronzoff
family are deprived of the advantage, so precious
on such an occasion, of the publicity to which it
seems to have a right."

DIRECT COMMISSIONS.

The following is the off
didates at the recent evil

Reis' list of successful can•
illination for direo t corn.

missions :

Order

Names. Marks.

Order

Merit.

W. W. 6,325
2 Much, W. T. 5,512
3 Little, J. A 5,281
4 Jekyll, E. J 5,138
5 Boddam, J. W.
6 Patterson, C. D 4,608'
7 Davidson, C. M 4,271
8 Luxford, G. B.
9 Gelding, H 4,065
10 Powys-Keck,CH.G.4,O6l
11 Bruce, H. J. L. .. 4,047
12 Kane, F. W. .... 4,031
13 Watkins, W. H... 3,981
14 Horton, G. F..... 3,890
15 M‘Millan, J. .... 3,884
16 Crosbie, J. T. D.. 3,775
17 Roberts, W. E. .. 3,737
18 Gro3rne, R. C. 3,708
19 Eccles, C. V. .... 3,700
20 Tennyson, J. .... 3,565
21 Eaton, H. F. R... 3,509
22 f "E. A. .... 3,493
Lyte, E. M. .... 3,493
24 Briscoe, R. M.... 3,486
25 Wilson, G. A 3,438
26 Higford, H 3,414
27 Douglas, B.
28 Toulmin, A. H.
29 Woodward, A 3,369
30 Graves, W.E.H.H. 3,368
31 Hamilton, Lord C. 3,343
32 Ferguson, G. G 3,256
33 'e Cetto, M. H. E 3,195
34 Bingham, W. 3,150
35 Green, F. J. E.
36 Fletcher, C. J.
37 Johnstone, J. J. H. 2,896
38 Corballis, J. A.
39 Hudson, W. 2,605
40 Jackson, E. B 2,782
41 Woodroffe, G.W.P. 2,763
42 Morton, C. F 2 752
43 Newbury, J. B. T. 2,743
44 Stepney, H. .. 2,738
45 Hunt, A.
46 Hambro, P. L.
47 Owen, A.
48 Drew, E.
49 Whinfield, P..: 2,536

Merit.

Names. Mark

50 Handy, R. R 2,516
51 Alt, B.
52 Halliwell, R. B 2,495
53 Ramsbottom, A. F. 2,489
54 Bedingfeld, W.
55 Ellis, W. V 2,475
56 Shirley, J. C..... 2,440
57 Cooke, T. A. .... 2,348
58 Tweed, F
59 Micklethwaite,J.W.2,29o
60 Knight, J. G 2,289
61 Boyde11, T
62 Magra, H. 0. 2,270'
63 Froom, A.
64 Fitzroy, H, M. 2,227
65 Hooper, J. E. P 2,212
I 66 Worthington,H.R. 2,195
67 Picot, C.
68 Cary, G. II 2,145
69 Callwell, G 2,127
70 Bradney, J
71 Macpherson, G. G 2,101
72 Barneby, W. II 2,061
173 Westmacott, H. 2,060
74 Dunn, A. G. 2,055
75 White, H. W.
76 Lee, G. A.
77 Tryon, H. C.
78 Lynch J. de B. . 1,996
I Lynch, A. 11. C. 1,970
1 Norton, J...
81 Burgess, R. S 1,954
82 Soady, T. E. 1,950
8s Knatchbull, C.
84 Somerville, R, U 1,9 8
85 Ness, It. E. D.
86 Staunton, G. S. L 1,920
87 Webb, F. D.
88 Scott, G. A. 1,889
89 t R.ingrose G. H. 1,860
Linley, J. B 1,860 1
91 Lambe, A. F 1,831
92 Garrett, J. A. T 1,830
93 Pochin, G. W 1,812
Creagh, C. B.
91 Fetherstonhaugla,
C. W.
96 Malcolmson, A. K 1,802

Redpat'n, the plunderer of the Great Northern
Railway Company, who is at present nude' going punish-
ment at the convict settlement in Western Australia, has
published a volume of poems, which, in a letter to the
chaplain, be says "he trusts it will be found to express the
sentiments of ;a penitent heart." He is said to be "most
constant in his attendance at church, and in his general
conduct and demeanour appears to bo truly penitent,"