The Press. — London, England, 1858-10-16 00:00:00

THE PRESS, OCTOBER 16, 1858. do not applaud, as the choice of a lesser evil. Human beings crowded and huddled together, struggling probably for the safest place with earnest and terrible selfishness—one devouring element pursuing them until they sought as a refuge another equally relentless—some suffo cated in the cabins before they could escape from them—a mother hurling herself into the deep—and the father blessing his children, and carrying the Youngest in his arms with him down to a watery grave. All these tragic incidents were exaggerated by a total want of presence of mind and a bsence of discipline. That steady courage which has so signally and laudably marked similar catastrophes was entirely wanting. In the case of the Sarah Sands, our readers will remember that the sailors of the vessel, and not only they but the troops, behaved with such thorough and characteristic English pluck, and observed such thorough discipline, that all on board were saved. The Birkenhead is a case equally to the point. The origin of this fire is not involved in the mystery in which it usually is —a bucket of tar upset over a heated chain at once and rapidly kindled a general conflagration. It is vain to blame those in authonty. Un affected sorrow, and pity, and horror are the only emotions aroused, and it is difficult to deduce any moral even from suffering, which is the school of wisdom. For many years no continental sovereign was more familiarly known to the people of this country than FREDERIC WILLIAM, or, we may add, more generally respected by them. lie was dear to us as the godfather of the heir to the British Crown, nor was the respectability of his private character lost upon a serious and Protestant community It was known, too, that be was a patron of arts and literature, and himself an acconi plished scholar. He was not only the patron, but the friend of IlumnoLur, and indeed of all who distinguished themselves in the pursuit of science. In addition to all this, he was believed to be a liberal-minded sovereign, a warm supporter of constitutional liberty, and a true friend to the healthy progress of his subjects. And it was so. Unhappily, however, there was another side to the picture. FREDERIC WILLIAM had rather a taste for the good and beautiful than any settled convictions or political faith. His faith, at least, was not that of a martyr, or such as to enable him to with stand any very trying ordeal. In the hour of trial he was found wanting, and the people in their disappointment imagined they were betrayed. Such was not really the case. A creature of impulse, he was sincere for the moment, whatever might be the cause he took up; but his strength was unequal to his intentions. Impar congressus Achille, he succumbed to the iron will of the late Emperor Nictiowis, and when once that yoke was fixed, in vain were his feeble struggles to shake it off. From the moment he fell under the influence of Russia his power was gone in the great family of nations. Prussia was no longer regarded save as a satellite of the Muscovite empire, and her place in Europe became as a vacant stall of the Garter in St. George's Chapel at Windsor. Now, however, there is hope of better things. Unless fame be at fault, the Prince of PRUSSIA is of all men the best fitted to restore his country to her proper position in the councils of the civilized world. Her geographical position renders her the keystone of the political structure of Europe, and her brave, moral, and intelligent people are worthy to be treated with the highest consideration. It is for the Prince of PnussiA, to command the respect of the great empires that surround him on all sides, by his modest firmness and inde pendent bearing. It may rest with him to preserve the peace of Europe, or to light up a fire that shall consume her ancient monarchies. He will have no easy task, at first, to keep up the middle course between a sub servient anm a defiant demeanour. Both extremes will be alike fatal. If he attach himself to any one of his powerful neighbours, Prussia will soon cease to be looked upon in any other light than a worn-out and powerless dependency. On the other hand, if he listen to those who loudly proclaim that Prussia is the sword of Germany, he may learn, when too late, that they who live by the sword shall perish by the weapon they were too ready to draw. But we augur better things from a Prince esteemed so truly brave, so wise, and so experienced. The news from India is the most satisfactory that has been received for many months past. There is no longer the slightest doubt that the neck of the rebellion is broken, and that its complete extinction is now nigh at hand. The province of Oude is naturally the far thest from pacification, but even there a sure and steady progress is observable, and it is evident that the rebel leaders have lost heart, and only protract the struggle through despair. Next to Oude the most troubled district is that of Central India, and there we find the scattered remnants of that once splendid force, the Gwalior Contingent " worried" on all sides, and driven from post to post in piteous terror. And vet it is a strange spectacle to mark the persistance of these fugitive hands, and their patient endurance of all the horrors and privations attendant on incessant defeats and constant flight. Apparently dispersed to the four winds of heaven, they suddenly draw together again like molecules of quicksilver, and vainly endeavour to oppose their irresistible pursuers. A remarkable instance of audacity, for instance, is afforded in their successful coup de main at Garrakota, the reduction of which conferred no small honour on Sir Hutni Rosz and his gallant little arms - . But it was easier for them to seize the fortress than to * hold it, and in their turn they were surprised and utt er l y route d b y a small detachment of troops comman d e d b y Capta i n s txcit. In other parts of the country we read of wandering bands of armed marauders being cut up by the military police; but we hardly know whether we may rightly congratulate ourselves upon exploits that indicate. our inability t o suppress di scor d an d res t ore p eace an d t ran - Tillihty. Of the conspiracy among the 3lalwa Sikhs, at llehra Ismael Khan, nothing new appears to be known ; but the insane attempt of the (lisarined native re g i men t s at M oo l tan to overpower th e B om b a y F us ili ers is stated to have cost them full 400 men. Our relatives over the water have lately been furnishing us with another of those topics of conversation for which they are so famous. A genuine American duel has once more found its way into the columns of 1005 our daily contemporaries. On this occasion also the genus irritabile was duly represented by an editor, while his opponent was "a State senator from Sacramento county." What the cause of quarrel may have been is not stated, but it must have been something very exasperating to account for the deliberate bloodthirstiness exhibited—rare even in a Transatlantic affair of honour. Yet, notwithstanding the desperate malignity displayed by the combatants—always supposing the duel to have been really fought—the affair seems to have partaken very much of the character of a festivity. A large crowd was collected to see the fun, and the three hours before it commenced were passed, we are t o ld , " i n talking, obtaining re freshment, and indulging in pistol practice." This prelude over, the principals were placed in position, much more cool and collected than their seconds. And now it is that the peculiar genius of the American journalist begins to show itself. The attitudes, the dress, and the demeanour of the two antagonists are carefully recorded. "'They stripped off their over " coats, buttoned up their coats, and turned up the collars thereof, FER " GUSON at the moment giving vent to one of his characteristic jokes." Pif! it has perished ! The former hero, we are told, wore a frock coat; the latter, " a sack." After this interesting piece of intelligence, we have the results of the encounter. The pistol practice does not seem to have done much good to either. For three times running each man struck the ground with his bullet a few yards before his opponent's feet. On one occasion, FERGUSON having fired too soon, was left standing to receive his opponent's lead. On this occasion he gave " one of his characteristic shakes of the head," and "braced himself up." How ever he escaped unhurt, and both then took a little breathing time, perhaps liquored, chatted to their friends, and then recommenced their performance. The crowd, however, had by this time grown a little impatient of their ill success, and advice was freely tendered to each of them to " go in and get killed "—an admonition which was at length so far complied with that JOHN SON broke FERGUSON'S thigh. The wounded man, still venting his " charac teristic " facetiousness, observed that though he was a poor shot he had pluck enough to face. His antagonist made the usual formal inquiries after his health, and he was conveyed away upon a stretcher, valete et plaudite. The mob dispersed in high good humour, and it was generally admitted that they had passed a most agreeable day. The agricultural and political meetings of the past week have been of average interest. The Times, of course, has had its periodical snarl against the practice of distributing prizes to labourers. Every word that our contemporary alleges against the system might be urged with equal force against the distribution of medals to soldiers. Five pounds is a poor re ward for a life of virtuous industry! Then surely a little bit of metal that is not one-twentieth part of that value must be a still worse remuneration for a life of desperate danger and heroic endurance. The pomp and cir cumstance of the distribution may be as great in one case as the other. From the speeches at the Maidenhead Association it is gratifying to see that landlords are becoming more and more awake to the necessity of increased cottage accommodation,' and to the error of such among their own order as lent themselves to the practice of destroying them. At the meeting of the Agricultural Society in Ross politics were not eschewed, and several compliments were paid to the Emperor NAPOLEON, and certain members of the Legislature somewhat severely taken to task for their language on the subject of Cherbourg. At Merthyr Tydvil Mr. A. BRUCE addressed his constituents in a tone of mildly-Liberal-Conserva tism ; but as his speech has been cruelly mangled by the reporter we cannot comment on its details. The Conservatives this week have made a great demonstration at Norwich. Both Sir SAM uka, BIGNOLD and Sir HENRY TRACEY expressed the greatest confidence in Lord DERRY'S Government, and the most favourable anticipations of any Reform Bill brought in by the Noble Earl. While on this subject we cannot but notice the foolish and intemperate attack of the Times upon Lord JOHN MANNERS. Whatever that journal may choose to assume, there can be no doubt that the recent strictures upon Mr. ASSHETON Smirit which ap peared in its columns, coupled with the present article, have excited both the disgust and the derision of impartial people, and that the whole thing is just one of those false steps which not even the Times can disguise with any success. At the time of the decease of the Great Duke public attention was directed to the possibility of the Dukedom of Wellington becoming extinct, and it was suggested that the title should be enlarged and made hereditable by the collateral branches of the House of Wellesley. The suggestion will probably receive fresh attention in consequence of the lamented death of Lord CHARLES WELLESLEY. The Marquis of Doußo is not likely to have a family, though the contingency is not impossible, and preservation of the title of Wellington will mainly depend upon the lives of the two sons of the nobleman deceased. The dignities o Marl borough and Nelson were made permanent by the wishes of the nation, and " Wellington " is a title that ought to be preserved as one of the greatest glories of the Peerage. It is a curious subject for reflection that our great military and naval commanders have not been fortunate in respect to their male issue. The laurels gained by CHURCHILL had to be wafted on the stock of the SPENFERS. Neither General Woci , E, nor NELSON, nor Earl ST. VINCENT had sons to inherit their famous names. The male issue of OLIVER CROMWELL has long been extinct. MONK, Duke of Albemarle, who played so great a part at the Restoration, had no son. The direct line from Lord ANSON has also failed, the honours being worn by a collateral branch. CoLut.Nowoop had no son to en:,oy the title won with such courage and laborious toil in command of the Mediterranean Fleet. There are some who lament that the political title of "Chatham," so associated with national glory and with successes by land and sea, should have been permitted to expire, and that it was not made descendible to the female heirs of the " Great Com moner." Recollecting the uncertainty of human life, these considerations are worthy of notice in relation to the " clarum et venerabile nomen " of Wrzuziorox.