Readers of this journal will be surprised to learn that I am penning these lines from Blancheville, which as everybody, except the chief of the chowder-heads, knows is the most important town of one of the principal departments of France.  Nothing but an overwhelming sense of what is due to myself, to my readers, and to my country, would have dragged me from the Metropolis at this season of the year.  But a distinction was offered to me, a distinction so unique and so dazzling that I felt that it would not be fair to my fellow countrymen, of all ages, and of every party, if I failed to take advantage of it, and thus to present to the envious world the proud spectacle of an Englishman honoured by the great French nation.  I will narrate the matter as briefly as is consistent with my respect for accuracy, and with my contempt for the tapioca-brained nincompoops who snarl, and chatter, and cackle at me in the organ of Mr. J. Last Friday I received this telegram:—­

Blancheville, Friday.

The inhabitants of Blancheville, in public meeting assembled, felicitate you on stupendous success of all your prophecies.  Desiring to honour you in the name of France, the mother of glorious heroes, and the eldest daughter of Liberty, they have awarded to you the Montyon prize for virtue, and have selected you as Rosier en perpetuite de Blancheville, a new post never before held by a man.  Presentation on Sunday.  Come at once.

(Signed)

CARAMEL, Maire de Blancheville.

I started that evening.  In the course of the following day I reached Blancheville.  The people, in their holiday attire, were gathered in thousands at the railway station.  M. CARAMEL, accompanied by the Prefet and the Sous-Prefet, all in their tricolor sashes, was the first to greet me.  Saluting me on both cheeks, he called upon the world to witness that this was indeed a great day for Blancheville.  My escort, under the command of General Count CROUTAUPOT, then formed up.  I mounted the gilded Car of Victory, specially provided for the celebration, and, amidst the plaudits of the assembled millions, I was drawn by a specially-selected band of Enfants de la Patrie (a sort of body-guard, composed entirely of the French aristocracy) to the palace, which had been prepared for my reception.  At the banquet, in the Town Hall, the healths of the QUEEN and of M. CARNOT were followed by a lengthy speech, in English, from my brother CARAMEL (we have sworn fraternity), in which he declared that the centuries looked down and redazed in this joice, and that it was a delight for him to carry a toast to the illustrious visitor who had deigned to come to Blancheville.  On the following day the ceremony took place.  I transcribe and translate from Le Petit Colporteur de Blancheville, the chief local journal, an account of what took place.