The Sun. — 1869-01-05 (London, England)

FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) PARIS, MONDAY, Jannary 4. The muemnities which were voted a long time back to the co-operators in the Exhibition of 1867 are to he paid. Why the Imperial Commission could not decide this point sooner is a mystery to most people. The indemnities had to be met, and the cash was ready : why, then, wait some year and a half before coming to a conclusion on such a point ? Young princes are not so frequently guilty of the unprincely sin of gratitude but that an instance of the kind should be recorded when it transpires. The story goes that the young Duke of Brabant, who still lingers on his bed of sickness, asked for a new year's gift of 2240. In reply to a question as to the disposal of such a sum, he stated that he intended it for the two Sisters of Charity who had nursed him during his illness. The money was given and immediately transferred. The Civil Tribunal of Marseilles has just decided an important will case affecting an English family. It is another instance of the evil results of people makirg wills which do not adequately express their intentions. Robert Gower, a merchant of Marseilles, who died recently, leaving a large property, disposed of it under the following enigmatical terms :—" I name and institute as my heirs my brother, George Henry Gower, or his children, and my other nephews and nieces who shall exist at the date of my death, or their representatives." Now, the brother had five children, and there was besides a married sister with six, and another sister, a widow, without "encumbrance." Mr. Gower claimed that the intention of the deceased was to make him sole legatee, and that only in the event of his death at the moment of the succession becoming open was the fortune to be shared among all the nephews and nieces. The six children of Mr. Jenkins pretended that the deceased meant the property to be divided among the brothers of George Henry, or his children, and the other nephews and nieces ; under this hypothesis the Jenkinses would take six-eighths of the whole, and the uncle and aunt each one-eighth. The third demand was by Mrs. Mathias, who held that the estate should be apportioned in equal parts among the three branches of the family represented by the surviving brother and two sisters. The court decided that the mention of the brother by name designated him as the heir, to the exclusion of the rest, providing that if he died before the will was executed the property would then be divided amongst all the nephews and nieces. The Mathias and Jenkins claims were therefore rejected. JcZetson Davis adds another to the list of eminent personage Whom adversity has driven to the great asylum of princes. The ex-President of the South is enjoying all the spectacles which Paris can offer. That capital seems to prove as agreeable a retreat to him as to Queen Isabella. He is an indefatigable sight-seer, promenading Paris the entire day. Those with whom he has been in converse testify that his character has lost none of the decision which baffled the efforts of the North during the civil war ; the failure of his great schemes has in no respect changed his opinions ; he remains the advocate of slavery, tempered with the possess!on of those rights which the negro race is capable of enjoying. He is persuaded that the African and Caucasian race can never intermingle. Mr. Davis is indifferent to the material things of life. He breakfasts on buttered toast and coffee, and dines off two dishes with all but Spartan simplicity. One hundred and thirty-nine new journals have ap. peered in Paris alone during the past half-year. Of these 101 were literary and artistic, fourteen political, and the remainder devoted to class purposes. Thirty five papers have been founded on the model of La Lanterne. Their borrowed light has not been a lamp unto their feet, for but two now remain in existence. The Emperor of Austria has sent a magnificent missal, enriched with exquisite miniatures, as a present to the Pope. This chef a'cetare of its kind has employed nineteen artists for ten years ! The Etendard once more takes the trouble to deny a statement by the Nord, that the imperial Government supported the candidature of Queen Isabella's son. The Emperor, says the semi-official paper, has in nowise departed from his policy of non-intervention in the affairs of Spain. The same journal, adverting to the Convention between Baden and North Germany on the subject of recruiting, announces that the arrangement has no political significance whatever. It is merely to prevent the subjects of the two States from escaping their military obligations. If this be all that is intended, why should not a similar treaty be concluded with the other German States which are not in the Confederation? The Opposition has lost the election in the Manche department caused by the death of M. Ravin. The official candidate gained 17,600 votes against 10,751. It is not a little odd that the official papers have taken to speaking of the Government voters as Conservatives ! There is now no doubt that Count Paiva, Portuguese Ambassador at Berlin, whose death was recently announced, committed suicide.