later than last year we are in these waters ten days
earlier than Sir Charles Napier's squadron. We like
our new admiral much.

By the following telegraphic intelligence from Lord
Raglan, dated the 27th instant, it appears that the expedition
to Kertch has been renewed, and that the troops
have effected a successful landing:—"We are masters
of the Sea of Azoff without a casualty. The troops
landed at Kertch on her Majesty's birthday, and the
enemy fled, blowing up their fortifications on both sides of
the Straits, and destroying their steamers. Some vessels
of 50 guns have fallen into the hands of the Allies."

The following telegraphic despatch, dated Kiel,
May 22, gives the latest intelligence of the French fleet
in the Baltic:—"The French fleet, under the command
of Rear–Admiral Penaud, left yesterday evening during
magnificent weather. The entire population assembled
on the shore to witness us getting under sail, which was
executed with remarkable precision. At the moment
when our vessels raised anchor, the steamer Hecla, of
the Royal Danish navy, took up a position in advance
of the fleet, and saluted every French vessel which
passed by it with three prolonged hurrahs."

A daring Attempt on the Life of the Emperor of the
French was made at Paris on Saturday afternoon, the
28th ult. The Emperor was going on horseback to the
Bois de Boulogne for an airing, followed by his Aides–
de–Camp, Count Edgar Ney and Lieutenant–Colonel
Valabreques. The empress had preceded him in an
open carriage. When he arrived opposite the pleasure–
gardens of the Chateau de Fleurs, a man stepped out of
the footpath, and, leaning against a lamp–post to steady
his aim, fired a pistol at the Emperor. Colonel Ney
spurred his horse upon the assassin; who, moving to
one side, and getting nearer to the Emperor, fired a
second shot, at a distance of from ten to five paces. Both
happily failed, although it is asserted that the second
ball touched the Emperor's hat. Two men, dressed like
operatives but said to be police–agents, seized the
assassin; and the gendarme Alessandri, who always
follows the Emperor in a carriage, together with M.
Hirevoy, a commissary of police, jumped out of their
vehicle, and assisted in the arrest. As the assassin
resisted, they used him roughly, and Alessandri
wounded him with a dagger–cane. The Emperor, who
behaved with great coolness, called out, "Epargnez
le—ne le tuez pas, le miserable; " and, bowing to the
people who cheered, rode quietly onward towards the
Bois de Boulogne. He had sent on a messenger to
apprise the empress of his safety; and, meeting her a
few yards beyond the Arc de Triomphe, rode by
the side of her carriage back to the Tuileries, amid
the congratulations of thousands, who quickly swarmed
along the route. The empress sobbed and wept
convulsively. The assassin was conveyed to the nearest
guard–house; beside the pistol that he fired, two
others and a dagger were found upon him. In
the evening the emperor and empress went to
the Opera Comique and were warmly received.
The criminal was tried on the 7th inst. before the
Cour d'Assizes de la Seine. His name was Pianori, a
handsome young man, about thirty. It appeared on
the trial that he was born in the Roman States; that
he professed to be a shoemaker; and that he served in
the Roman war of independence—it is supposed in
Garibaldi's corps. After the French occupation he
resided in Piedmont; which he quitted in 1851, and
travelled in France under the name of Liverani. In
Paris he obtained employment as a shoemaker, but he
worked so badly that he was speedily discharged. Next
he visited London; and there, it would appear, by
some means or other he earned handsome wages, and
saved 500 francs. In March last he returned to Paris,
carrying with him a double–barrelled, two single–
barrelled pistols, and a poniard. On the 28th April
he left his lodgings armed with these weapons and a
sharp razor besides, and made the attempt on the
emperor's life. It appeared further that he had
previously been guilty of many crimes; and had been,
under an assumed name, condemned to the galleys for
twelve years, in consequence of having committed a
murder for political motives. To a question from the
president, as to whether he had "undergone the influence
of the refugees in London, and had accepted from
them an execrable mission," he answered in the negative,
and declared that he was in the habit of seeing few
persons out of his own trade. He denied that the crime was
premeditated, and insisted that it was only on the same
day that the thought of firing at the emperor occurred
to him. The money found on him was 100 francs in
gold and 14 in silver, which he said was the rest of his
savings; and he again denied that either the money or
the arms had been given him to commit the crime.
Pianori was defended by M. Benoit Champy, a deputy
appointed by the court. The accused was found guilty,
and sentenced to die the death of a parricide. He
appealed to the Court of Cassation, against his sentence,
at the last moment; alleging informalities in his trial.
The appeal was not sustained. If Pianori did belong to
any secret society, he has been true to his comrades, for
at the last moment he very decidedly said:—"I have
no accomplices, but others will achieve what I have
sought to perform." At five o'clock on Monday morning,
the 14th inst., at the usual place of execution of the
Roquette prison, he was led to the scaffold as a parricide,
his face covered with a black veil, and executed. His
last words were, " Vive l'Italie!"

The opening of the Great Exhibition at Paris took
place on the 15th instant. It was a less magnificent
scene than had been expected. The interior of the
building was in an unfinished state, and the weather
was unfavourable. The doors were open for the reception
of visitors from ten till twelve; then they were closed
for an hour, and the Emperor was to arrive at one.
By twelve the galleries set apart for visitors were filled
by ten thousand persons; but the accommodation was
very defective. " Gentlemen" occupied many of the
best seats; and ladies, dropping with fatigue, were kept
standing all the morning. In the centre of the
transept, on a platform spread with rich carpets, were
two fauteuils, surmounted by a rich canopy. On the
right and left were clusters of flags and eagles. In
front and around this throne were places set apart for
the diplomatic body—the great officers of state, the
senate and legislative body, the army, the clergy,
the judges, and the members of the imperial family.
Above the throne was the orchestra. From ten till
twelve the reserved space gradually filled; and the eye of
the spectator was dazzled with the brilliant uniforms
and the insignia of orders belonging to every government
in Europe. Shortly after twelve o'clock, Prince
Napoleon, escorting the Queen–Mother, Christina of
Spain, entered the building. The emperor did not
arrive with his usual punctuality, but twenty minutes
behind time. It is remarked that both he and the
empress looked ill. As he entered, a shout of "Vive
l'Empereur!" arose. The proceedings began with the
reading of a long report by Prince Napoleon, the head
of the commission, giving an account of the rise and
progress of the exposition; and to this report the Emperor
made a brief reply. Then, descending from the throne,
the Emperor and Empress, followed by the officers of the
household, marched round the building. Cheers arose as
they proceeded, the British "hurrah" rising above other
cries. After this the Emperor and Empress quitted the
palace, their stay having lasted only about half an hour.

Accounts from Vienna state that the conferences are
closed, and that a protocol has been drawn up, recording
the definitive failure of the negotiations.

Letters from St. Petersburg, of May 18, announce
that Cronstadt is declared in a state of siege. No one
can henceforth enter the town without a special
permission from the governor.

A periodical has been started at St. Petersburg,called
The Mirror for Englishmen, for the avowed purpose of
holding up to ridicule the manners and customs of
England. The illustrations contain a series of what are
called 'characteristic sketches,' but which are nothing
but the most stale and grotesque caricatures of English
life. There is the very antique joke of the Englishman
bringing his wife to market with a halter round her