The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-12-16
BALTIMORE.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER l6, 1858.

THURSDAY. DECEMBER l6. 1853.
very Graphic picture of the manner in which
trials are held, and justice administered in France,
NAV he cleaned from the various narratives which
hore been given of the trial of Count de MoNTA-
1rvpFRr, before the Correctional Tribunal, on the
oath of last month. We have already spread be-
fore our readers a sketch of that trial, and our
chief aim now is to bring the whole scene wildly
before them, by grouping carefully together the
little picturesque bits, and incidents, which are
to be found scattered here and there, in the Paris
correspondence of the English and American
journals Among the LegitimiSts and the ultra
Montansts of Paris, the prosecution of MoNTA-
1EuBERr created profound sensation, and when
the day for the trial was defnitively fixed, the
most strenuous exertons were made by persons
of note to obtain tickets of admisson-for the
trial was thus far, TO be a private one that
none but holders of tickets, which were limited
to two hundred were allowed TO be present.
The Correctional Tribunal before which MoNTA-
LEMBERT was to be tried, is an ordinary Police
Court that holds its sessions in the new wing
which has recently been added to the Palace OF
Justice The morning of the oath was bitterly
cold, and the atmosphere was thick with n damp,
heavy fog; yet, early eight o'clock, groups
Of well dressed persons, including several ladies,
thronqed 1.-The court yard of the Palace and block
ed up the doors of the Police Court. After wait
ing in the open air for two hours and a half the
doors were thrown back, and the crowd pressed
into the ante-room. Here they remained until
twelve o'clock, when the hour appointed for the
trial having arrived, they were admitted into the
Court room, small oblong chamber, of limited
extent, something about the size of an ordinary
drawing room and capable of holding, with ease
not more than one hundred and fifty persons
The space was Immediately filled. Among the
ladies present, We're the Countess MoNTALEMBERl
and her daughter, and Madame ARTHUR BERRYER
A considerable portion of the Chamber in which
the trial was about to be held is described as being
rallied off for the members of the bar, and within
this enclosed space are a few rows of benches fol
persons admitted by ticket. Between the barrier
and the rear is the standing room usually occupied
by spectators. Facing the entrance is q raised
'platform with tdueuils for the Judges, and writ
cling tables before them. Immediately over the
''bench hangs large painting of the Crucifxon
Gin gilt frame. When witness takes the oath
''on his examination, he lifts his right hand, and
CLOCKS at the picture a crucifX, while repeating
''the words Je lure To the right of the bench is
ga bust of the Emperor While in Court, the
"members of the bar are dressed in black gowns
"and high, 70 und, black capS-the caps of the
"Judges being distinguished by silver or gold
''band, according to their rank" A few minutes
before twelve O'Clock NJ. BERRYER entered, az
rayed in full forensic costume. He was followed
by MoNTALEMBERT, who is somewhat confusedly
described as "a most interesting person, with a
"dash of the Anglo-SaXon in him." NJ. ODMLoN
BARRoT and the Due de BRoGLE ranged themselves
at the side of the latter. ''At five minutes past
"twelve the ringing of bell proclaimed the ap-
''proach Of the Judges. An usher of the Court
"threw open the folding doors to the rear of the
"bench, and announced their presence" The three
Judges, NJ. BERTHELN, NJ. DELEvEAU, and NJ.
BENoIT, were accompanied by spare thin, sharp
nosed gentleman, who was no other than the
Procureur Hmperjal NJ. de CoRDGN. The folding
doors were then closed and guarded by Sergens de
pHie. "When the Judges made their appearance
cat the bar, the audience rose uncovered and re-
''maned standing until they took their seats.
"The President announced that the Court was
"opcned, and requested the Bar and the public to
'be seated" The proceedings commenced with
a brief examination of the editor of the Core
Sponddnt MoNTALEMBERT was next subjected to a
similar, but much more protracted ordeal; and
are told that, nothing could be more ire
''sistibly droll than the manner in which he
" bothered the Court by his terribly bland, and
pleasantly sarcastic replies to every question.
The Procureur Mnperidl then commenced his ac-
cusation, the part of the government in speech
which some describe as ''modest" and Others as
''weak,' and which, therefore, we may infer was
fair and impartial statement of his points, and
free from the least approach to vindictiveness-
unless it is to be found in that portion of his
cusatiOn in which he charged MoNTALEMBERT with
having sought to elevate the character of English
Institutions at the expense Of those of France
At the close of the speech of the Procureur Inpe-
rial, NJ. BERRYER called for the defence
In person, this most eloquent of French Advocates
is robust in stature, rather under the middle size;
but with features full of expression, and rejecting
all the fire and passion that burn within him. For
two hours and a quarter he is described as having
''poured fourth such lava flood of eloquence as
"scorched whatever it touched The reply of the
Proeureur LmperiaI, occupied but quarter of an
hour. NJ. DUFAURE then rose in defence of the
Editor oflhe Correspondent, and at the conclusion
ofhis mastery speech, the Judges retired to the
Council Chamber. After an absence of two hours,
they returned with their Judgment reduced to
writing; MoNTALEMBERT was condemned to siz
months Imprisonment, and three thousand francs
fine; DoUNIoL to one months imprisonment and
fine of one thousand francs. Whatever opinion
may be formed with regard to the policy which
influenced the French Government to authorize the
prosecution; whether it was, as some believe it to
have been eminently just and proper in view of
the inflammable condition of the French mind, or
whether is was, BERRYER pronounced it, ''nju-
"dicious, rash, and unadvised," the fairness and
impartiality with which the trial was conducted,
must be admitted, even by those who are most
prejudiced against LOUIS NAPOLEON. 1t must be re-
membered, moreover, that all the accounts of the
trial, which have been made public have reached
us either through the English Journals, or through
writers who sympathise with MoNTALEMBERT In
both instances, the opinions expressed are those of
partisans MoNTALEMBERT' exalted praise of Eng
of those of France, harmonize too we'll with the
fixed and ineradicahle prejudices of the English
people not to raise up for him among them host
of defenders. At present, he is held up by
English Journalists as the Champion of Liberalism
In France, and it is gravely asserted that the last
hope of freedom of opinion, in that country has
been quenched by his conviction. 1t was not long
ago, that those same journalists as vehemently de-
nounced, for his ultra-Montanism, the man they
now laud so extravagantly. The speculations of
the English Press upon the consequences that will
flow from this trial, are shallow aud absurd The
revolutionary element in France could never be
stimulated to action by blow directed against a
Legidmist malcontent, especially when that NAL
content was-in 185l-one of LOUIS NAPoLEoN's
most eloquent defenders.
We regret to Announce the death of Moior c.