on board the contributions to the
Exhibition from the United States, arrived at Portsmouth on the 13th of
March. A meeting of the American exhibitors has been held at London, at
which great dissatisfaction was expressed with many of the arrangements.
They object in particular to the appointment of jurors to decide upon
the merits of foreign productions; to bronze medals being awarded as
prizes, when more valuable ones had been promised; to the high price of
season tickets; to contributors being compelled to pay for admission,
and be at the expense of their own fittings; and to the delay in
affording protection to the articles which require a patent. Some
leakage has occurred in the roof of the Exhibition Building; but it is
hoped that it may be obviated. All opinion adverse to the suitability of
the painting of the interior has passed away. The theoretical views of
the decorator have been abundantly justified by the practical effect.

Another expedition in search of Sir John Franklin is to be fitted out
this season. The little "Prince Albert" is to be sent out, it is hoped,
under happier auspices than attended her former voyage. It is expected
to reach Lancaster Sound, by the middle of June. The vessel will be laid
up for wintering in Prince Regent's Inlet. The party will then proceed
in boats as far as practicable. When these can no longer be worked,
native "kyacks" will be used, which will enable the explorers to reach a
point some one or two hundred miles further than boats could carry them,
as the kyacks can be hauled up and dragged over the ice. The expedition
will remain out for at least one season; and a very extensive search to
the westward of Boothia is proposed. It will be under the command of
Capt. W. Kennedy, who has had no small experience in these icy regions.
We do not learn whether Mr. Snow, from whose interesting book we copied
so largely last month, is to be attached to this new expedition.

FRANCE.

The most striking incident which has occurred since our last has been a
debate on a proposition to repeal the law exiling the Bourbon family. M.
Berryer, acting in the name of the Legitimists, opposed the motion on
the ground that the Count of Chambord is not an exiled Frenchman, but an
extruded king, who could not stoop to accept a permission to re-enter
his own hereditary dominions. M. Thiers, as the organ of the Orleanists,
advocated the proposition. The Minister of Justice, in the name of
Governme