The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-10-08
LIF { IN PARIS.
PARIS, September 10. 1857

AXIS, EcptcMOcT III, 1901.
4 Yiial for Murder an Algeria-C ondemna-
hDa Of Capt. Doinedu and thirteen arabs
THE Exhibition Of Paintings at the Pdldis
de FIHdustrie-7he Difficulties in India
Car Fights at the HippodrOme-7h Train
# Cars constructed by the Eastern Rail,cay
Compaay for tie Emperor's special use--
Irince 4i6erPS Visit TO Chalons-The In
isiriew q the EmperorS Napoleon and Aler-
aader at Siattgard.
10 the Editor of the National Era:
In my last mentioned an extraordinary trial
in Algeria, that occupied the French press for
some weeks, and one likely to produce many
reforms in The administration of that country.
Twelve months past, public conveyance left
Iiemcen for OraD, two towns at no great dis
lance from each other in the western districts
ii Algeria. At late hour Of the night it was
attacked by body of armed men, not far from
the town; several passengers were shot dead,
among them at Aga, chief Of considerable in.
iaence, Ben Abdallah. His widow, who was
married shortly after his death to her fifth hus-
hand, had lost her first second, and third hus-
hands, in q similar way, was quite oriental in
her extravaganza expressions of grief, and asked
for revenge. A Captain Doineau, in the French
service Of Algeria, was, with eighteen Arabs,
brought before the Court of Assizes at Orap,
charged with the atrocions assassination.
The proceedings were long and singular, Civ
ing clear insight into the arbitrary rule Of the
military government, of the Arab customs and
c'vi! procedures. Some eighty witnesses were
examined and, strange as it may seem, the
principal ones were among those accused OF
the same crime. Their statements we're contra
dictory, and though it was not proved that the
cap,ain was the spot at the time of the attack,
II was proved that he was the cole instigator of
the murder of the Aga, aud that the Arabs i'm
pl'ca'ed had only followed his orders. Doineau
feared Aga Ben Abdallah, who had threatened
10 reveal some of his foul transactions, and
caused him to be killed. Doineau was con-
demned 20 death, thirteen of the Arabs to hard
labor from thirty to five years. They have ap-
pe'.led to higher court but it is believed
HAT the first verdict will be sustained.
In my letter dated July Both, promised to
ave some further account Of the Exhibition of
Fine Arts, which is still open to the public.
The distribution of the prizes took place on the
It'll of last month. Living, as we are, at q
martial period, a great number of artists have
sacrificed their talent to the commemoration
Of the heroic desd DIS of the French in the
Cnmea and in Algeria, for the purpose Of
atorning the galleries of paintings at Yer
sailles, where are collected all the great battles
Ought by the French, since the time of Clovis
down TO that of Napoleon III. The nephew,
hhe the uncle, seems pleased to see himself ex.
hbited IN uniform, and the number of eques-
Iran and pedestrian portraits of the Emperor
Is oyelpowering. All the signal events of his
fe'gn are represented in full. On one canvas
lie Is to be seen opening the great Exhibition
OF 1900 on another, receiving the Queen of
tngland at st. Cloud and then distributing
aims to the sufferers during the distressing in
undation of the past year again, laying the
corner stone of some hospital. Then come the
inll sized portraits of the Empress, with and
without the Imperial baby, and in and out of
Toe saddle. The best of them is the portrait
PAINTED by Winterhalter, with the little King Of
Algeria on her knees, an account of which l
gave IN q previous letter, and for which he was
honored by the rank of officer in the Legion of
Honor. The portraits Of the marshals and
generals of France, covered with stars, medals,
RIBBONS, and tassels, are no less in number, be.
SIDES an endless variety of corporals and sutler
women ia reg imentals, constituting the lead.
ing feature Of the Exhibition. Genre pieces
also count largely, and among them there are
many chf d'GuUres, some of which were men.
h'Eed in my last. OF classic or scriptural SUBJ
Jects, there are but very few.
=, lvon painted the taking of the Tower oil
h@aSoil, which certainly was glorious mill
lazy achievement; but the field Of action is
noeh Too vast to admit of being cramped into
me narrow limits Of gilded frame. In the
Instance, Won painted the shores of the Black
"ea' lac trenches, and the various regiments
Al'ahclng IN battle array, to assist the aua,,t
9"roe. Aouaye is represented on a mound
TSins III the middle ground, holding the French
nag IN most theatrical posture. This figure
STANDS boldly out from the gray horizon. Balls
aAd homosheils flying about, as thick az hail in
% storm, and yet that child of Paris unA;pcb.
lngly holds his position.
battalion of Zsuaves in white. blue and
fed, commanded by Col. Collineau, completes
The centre Of the picture The foreground "a
confusion OF human beings, wounded, dying.
aud oihers writbing with suffering. o
won is certainly an artist of eminence, but
81 must be granted that modern warfare is too
aasratetal subjec. 10 be treated satisfactori.
~ Amongst the productions of less preten.
non IN tae last salon, there is O picture which
I'nplcsSe' me most favorably; and had been
meaper OF the jury, the artist who painted i,
r NOUN nave been rewarded by the frst prize
ty re scene depicted ID that of the evacuation Of
"on1enia by the Russians. Forced to aban
don the Danubian nrov;,.aas a. 49,.