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.
The packet was sealed with the arms of Prime
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 Dolgorookow, 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 Woronzoff has a sure way of getting bis
genealogy printed in the Rodors Kaida, 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
everythinp; 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 au 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
wit h closed dooms. It appears that I was mistaken,
and that the journals which aro 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 COY MISSIONS.

The following is the offl
didates at the recent exai

ficia 1 list of successful can.
fliitiation for &no t coin.

missions :

Order

of
Merit.

Names. Marks.

Order

1 Jendwine, W. W. 6,325
2 Much, W. T. 5,5121
3 Little, J. A 5,281
4 Jekyll, E. J .. 5,138
5 Boddam, J. W. 5,089
6 Patterson, C. D... 4,608
7 Davidson, C. M... 4,271
8 Luxford, G. B. .. 4,183
9 Golding, II 4,065
10 Powys-Keck,CH.G.4,O6l
11 Bruce, H. J. L.
12 Kane, F. W.
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.
18 Gnome, R. C 3,708
19 Eccles, C. V.
20 Tennyson, J.
21 Eaton, H. F. H 3,509
22 f Pol. E. A.
"
Lyte, E. M.
24 'Briscoe, R. M 3,486
25 Wilson, G. A . 3,438
26 Higford, H 3,414
27 Douglas, B
28 Toulmin, A. H 3,380
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 I'e Cetto, M. H. E 3,195
31 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,. 05
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.
45 Hunt, A.
46 Hambro, P. L.
47 Owen, A 2,685
48 Drew, E.
49 Whinfield, P. . , 2,526

of
Merit.

Names. Marks.

50 Handy, R. R..... 2,515
51 Alt, B.
52 Halliwell, It. 8... 2,495
53 Ramsbottom, A. F. 2,489
54 Bedingfeld. W. .. 2,481
55 Ellis, W. V .. 2,475
56 Shirley, J. C..... 2,410
57 Cooke, T. A. .... 2,348
58 Tweel, F 2,291
59 Micklethwaite,J.W.2,29o
60 Knight, J. G, 2,289
61 Boydell, T.
62 Magra, H. 0 2,270
63 Froom, A.
64 Fitzroy, H, M.
65 Hooper, J. E. P., 2,212
66 Worthington,H.R. 2,195
67 Picot, C.
68 Cary, G. 11.
69 Callwell, G 2,127
70 Bradney, J
71 Macpherson, G. G. 2,101
72 Barneby, W. H 2,061
73 Westmacott, H.
71 Dunn, A. G.
75 White, H. W.
76 Lee, G. A
77 Tryon, H. C.
78 Lynch, J. de B 1,996
79 { Lynch, A. Hl.' C. 1,970
Norton, J
81 Burgess, R. S 1,954
82 Soady, T. E.
8 3 Knatchbull, C.
84 Somerville, R. U 1,9 8
85 Ness, R. E. D.
86 Staunton, G. S. L. 1,920
87 Webb, F. D.
88 Scott, G. A. 1,889
„ f Ringrose, G. H. 1,860
1 Linloy, J. B 1,860
191 Lambe, A. F 1,831
92 Garrott, J. A. T 1,830
93 Pochin, G. W 1,812
Cie igh, C. B.
91 Fetherstonhaugh,
C. W.
96 Malcolmson, A. K 1,802

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