The Express. — 1858-01-16 (London, England)

ASSASSINATION OF THE  EMPEROR.  (nor ova owx  PARIS, Tlit7RBDt; MrDimar.  A most determined and skilfully-planned attempt upon the Emperor's life was made this evening, as his Majesty, accompanied by the Empress, was going to the grand opera in the Rue Lepelletier. It was known in the day-time that their Majesties were going to M. Massol's farewell benefit, on which occasion Madame Ristori was to play in two acts of Marie Stuart. The wail preparations were made for their reoeption ; the front of the theatre was brilliantly illuminated, and there were illuminations at Duaautoy's, the tailor's, at the corner of the Rae Lepelletier, and in the windows of several other shops on the Boulevard. At about 8 o'clock their Majesties and suite, occupying several court carriages, went to the theatre in considerable state, escorted by Lancers and Gerdes de Parisi Chirral. The gay cortege passed along the Boulevard des Deans, which, the weather being mild, was crowded with after-dinner promenaders and people taking their coffee outside the cafes. The line of tags borne by the Lancers, and preceded by the court carriages bearing many ladies of the court in fall evening dress, was scarcely seen to wheel round the corner of the Boulevard towards the Opera-home, before a tremendous explosion was heard--an explosion so load as to throw the whole quarter into a state of alarm. It was heard die uncuy throngliout the wawa 11110 of the toulevard des Italians, and startled the inhabitants of the Rues Lepelletier, Laffitte, Grange &tellers, Taitbout, Chauchat, and even the Ras de Provence. Just as the imperial carriage drew up to the peristyle of the Opera a large hand grenade, thrown, it is supposed, I from one of the houses opposite, fell upon the pavement within a few inches of the vehicle, burst with terrible forte, and flung deadly projectiles in all directions. Two or three seconds afterwards another shell of the same kind strack the roof of the imperial. carriage before the Emperor and Empress had had time to alight. A third quickly followed, launched with deadly aim, and bursting as effectively a. the former two. This closed the murderous campaign. Their Majesties escaped—and their escape is almost miraculous— with the slightest possible scratch from splinters of broken glass ; they have each a little mark on the nose. But the Emperor's hat wee knocked to places by the projectiles, so that he was literally within an inch of his death. General Roguet, one of his Majesty's aides-de-camp, who was in attendance, received a wound on the neck. One of the horses of the imperial carriage was killed on the spot, end the carriage itself was very much battered. A great many persons—the accounts vary from 16 to 30—were wounded, and many of them seriously. There has certainly been some loss of life, but I have no accurate information as to the extent. An eyewitness told me that he saw a priest administering extreme unction to one poor man who evidently bad not many minutes to live. There is good evidence that at least two or three others are dead. It was reported in the course of the evening that the coachman who drove the imperial carriage was killed, but I have heard this contradicted. A Lazar had his lance cat in two, and one of the Gerdes de Paris was seriously wounded in the thigh. The consternation which this dreadful event must have occasioned among the Court party and the company on the steps of the Opera-house may be conceived. Besides the noise of the explosion, there was the rattle of the broken glass which fell like hail both inside and outside the house. At least two hundred panes of the glass doors must have been broken. Some of the ladies stepping out of their carriages found their white satin shoes steeped in pools of blood.  The Emperor and Empress, who, I am assured, both showed admirable presence of mind throughout, resolved at onoe not to cause additional alum by countermanding the performance. They proceeded to their box, and in a few minutes the curtain rose as if nothing had happened. The news spread like wildfire through the town, and in the course of the evening many high officers of state called at the theatre, and had audience of the Emperor in the ante-room of the imperial box.