The Press. — London, England, 1858-01-30 00:00:00

106 simple of any. It is a necklace of pearls, and our readers may easily judge of their value when we say that the necklace, though full sized, only requires thirty-six to complete the entire circle, which gra duates in size from the centre, tapering less and less in size of jewels as it approaches each end. The three centre pearls in this superb circlet are said to be of great value. The Queen gives a third present of three silver candelabra, which form the most regal looking group in silver we have ever seen. The centre piece bprings from an elaborate base, and is surrounded by large groups of figures exquisitely chased in full relief. This supports between twenty and thirty branches, and is four feet high. The two others are to match the centre, and are equally elaborate and almost equally massive and lofty. The Duchess of Cambridge gives a noble bracelet of diamonds and opals, and the Princess Mary her portrait in massive gold frame and stand. One of the most beautiful of all, however, is the gift of the bride's Royal father-in-law, the Prince of Prussia. It is a magnificent necklace, with pendants of exqui site design. It is composed of pure brilliants and turquoises, and is called, from the size, rarity, and value of the latter gems, the turquoise necklace. The bride's grandmother, the venerable Duchess of Kent, gives a most magnificent and useful prer.ent. It is a large and most costly dressing-case, containing sufficient articles to fit oat the toilet tables of a dozen ladies of quality, and all of which are of massive silver gilt enriched with bright red coral. The simplicity and exquisite beauty of the designs for these things are not to be surpassed. Next, probably, to this in costliness, though infinitely reduced in regard to size, is the gi ft of the Maharajah Dhuleep Singh, which is one of the most fairylike opera glasses ever used by a lady. The design is elaborate —arabesques of gold on white enamel, with a double border and enrichment of diamonds. In a little card-box, with a delicate fringe left out to show the pattern, is the gift of his Majesty the King of the Belgians. It is a Brussels lace dress made expressly for the young bride, and our readers will be best able to judge of its exquisite beauty and carefully elaborated workmanship when we state that it is valued at no less than 50,000t ' or 2,0001. sterling. Presents of the most miscell aneous kind have poured in from various donors, and have all been accepted with equal condescension ; amongst others, a tasteful little bouquet, or perfumery box, made by Kimmel, of the Strand, was presented by Lady Bar rington, and was graciously accepted by the young Princess. There were also specimens of needlework from anonymous ladies, and various other gifts, but we believe that the above enumeration will comprise the most noticeable articles. A costly casket was purchased at Howell and James's by the Duchess of Sutherland for presentation, but it having been sent down to Scotland to be decorated with Scotch pebbles has not as yet been offered to the illustrious object of all these kind remembrances. It is of minute and beautiful marqueterie work in ebony, and is an admirable specimen of the dexterity of British workmen. Some magnificent bronzes from Birming ham, and other superb productions, which oonfer credit upon this great manufacturing city, will be presented to and accepted by her Royal Highness this day at Buckingham Palace. These presents were exhibited in Birmingham on Wednesday, and visited by upwards of 40,000 persons. After the Etonians had completed the pleasing task of drawing the carriage with the Royal pair from the railway station, at Windsor, to the Castle, it is reported that the Princess Royal desired the presence of some of the leaders ; and then, on behalf of herself and Prince Frederick William, thanked them most cordially for their exertions, and further requested that all of them would, before returning to collegp, partake of some champagne which she bad ordered for their refreshment. The enthusiasm of the boys was of course raised to the highest pitch. On Tuesday next the Royal couple will leave Eng land, embarking from Gravesend. Every prepara tion has been made in the town to give the illustrious couple a hearty reception. The embarkation will take place from the Terrace Pier, at three p.m. Various demonstrations of rejoicing and loyalty took place on Monday in different parts of the country. In most places the day seems to have been observed as a holiday. At Manchester and the vicinity dinners were given to the poor, and there was a concert at the Free-trade Hall in the evening, at which an ode, composed for the occasion by Mr. Albany Fonblanque, was recited. At Liverpool flags were exhibited, the shipping was gaily dressed, and the church bells were rung. At Portmouth the day was observed by the naval and military autho rities in the garrison with official importance. The troops were paraded on Southsea Common, and royal salutes were fired. There were illuminations at the shops and hotels at night. At Leeds the Town-council met and voted an appropriate Address to her Majesty; while festivities and rejoicings took place at Birmingham, Southampton, Sheffield, New castle.upon-Tyne Gateshead, North and South Shields, Sunderl and, Alnwick, Stockton, Morpeth, ir!jor**afil THE PRESS, JANUARY 30, 1858. Shrewsbury, Leicester, Worcester, Gloucester, Dud ley, Evesham, Nottingham, Doncaster, York, Bristol, Bath, Wells, Taunton, Cardiff, Swansea, Wokingham, Reading, and other places. The rejoicings in honour of the occasion were, however, so similar in character, and there was such general enthusiasm, that it is not necessary to give a detailed account of the proceedings. But it may be remarked that Bir mingham took the lead in the magnificence of the entertainment given to the poor on this occasion, and in the liberality displayed by its mayor, John Ratcliff, Esq., who not only feasted 1,200 of the poor at his own expense, but cheerfully bore all the expenses of entertaining 200 of his fellow-citizens at a magnificent banquet, and afterwards of pro viding at the Town hall a free concert for the people. prep an 4 (tolonial FRANCE. The Moniteur of Thursday publishes an Imperial decree which divides the French army into five great divisions. The head-quarters of the first division are established at Paris, the second at Nancy, the third at Lyons, the fourth at Toulouse, the fifth at Tours. Each division is to be under the command of a Marshal of France, with the title of " Com mandant Superieur " of the respective divisions of the north, east, south-east, south-west, and west.. In case of disturbance, these new marshals have full powers to concentrate the troops under their orders. The Moniteur also publishes an article justifying the conduct of the Government towards the Protes tants, and denying the statements of the Paris cor respondents of certain journals, which " represent the Imperial Government as given to an odious per secution of Protestants." The article concludes with a frank statement that it is the determination of the Government to put down all religious controversy in the French press:— The Government of his Majesty is firmly resolved to exercise that supervision which is sanctioned by law. It is resolved to suppress all attacks or violent provocations which the different forms of worship may direct against each other in the public press. The Constitution declares that every form of worship recognised by the State is en titled to respect, as it is also bound to respect the dogmas and practices of other sects. It is therefore necessary to put an end to all violent controversies of a nature to hurt the feelings or religious sentiments of citizens. It is by works, and not by squabbles, that the spirit of faith can act and spread in a great nation which dwells under the shadow of the law, and will not suffer any attempt against public tranquillity. But, if it is advisable to protect the various confessions against the evil they do to themselves by reprehensible and violent controversy, it is still more necessary to protect the whole frame of society against the spirit of subversion and of revolutionary impiety. It conceals itself behind religions controversies ; it takes advantage of them to sub vert every principle of authority, by advocating a contempt for every form of worship. The Government is armed with every means to protect religion as well as the State, and it will use them energetically. A fête was given on Monday night at the British Embassy in honour of the marriage of the Princess Royal of England. The entrance to the hotel in the Faubourg St. Honore was brilliantly lit with gas, exhibiting the arms of England, and the gardens were brilliantly and tastefully lighted up. The entire suite of rooms was thrown open, and a portion of the grounds covered in so as to form the supper. room. The Emperor and Empress honoured the fête, which was a very brilliant one, with their pre sence. They arrived at the hotel, entering by the garden on the Champs Elysees side, at about half past ten o'clock, and remained till near two. The company, which was numerous, comprised the Ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, func tionaries and dignitaries of State, marshals, generals, senators, &e., besides many Englishmen and foreigners resident in Paris. The Emperor wore the Order of the Garter, and he and the Empress joined in the dancing. During supper his Majesty rose and proposed, in a few and appropriate words, the health of the Princess Royal of England, and expressed a hope that she might be as happy in her married state as her amiable qualities so richly merited. The toast was, of course, received with enthusiasm. The Princess Mathilde, Prince Napoleon, and Prince Louis Lucien were also present. The ate, which all seemed to enjoy thoroughly, was closed at a late hour by the band playing " God Save the Queen." Her Majesty the Queen Mother of Oude died at the Hotel Lafitte, on the 24th instant, of an internal cancer. Her Majesty was attended in her last moments by Dr. Royer, one of the Emperor's phy sicians. The body was embalmed, and the funeral took place on Wednesday. The mortal remains of the Queen were deposited in the Pere•la•Chaise. The preliminary investigation into the case of the Italian assassins continues to be vigorously carried out. It has been discovered that the shells were manufactured to order in Birmingham. Addresses of a rather strongly marked tone of fidelity presented to the Emperor by the army have been published iu the Moniteur. The Genevese Government has replied to the Federal Council that the result of the investigation made on the subject of the refugees has not led to the discovery of any charge that can be brought to bear upon the attempted assassination on the 14th. AUSTRIA. The Austrian journals are principally occupied in defending the recent convention concluded for the navigation of the Danube. A letter from Vienna states that though it is not true, as asserted by some journals, that Count Petrulla, Neapolitan Ambassador in that city, had left for London to negotiate a reconciliation be tween Naples and the Western powers, yet that he has received instructions from his Government on the subject, and that it is probable he will shortly proceed to London. The Customs Conference at this moment sitting in Vienna continues its deliberations. TURKEY AND THE EAST. Mehemet Ruchdi Pacha bad, on account of his health, refused the office of Minister of War, which had been offered to him, and it was expected that Riza Pacha would eventually fill that post. Mousse Safetti Pacha, who enjoys a high reputation as a financier, was talked of as the successor to Hassib Pacha, the present Minister of Finance. A sensible improvement had taken place in the rate of exchange. M. de Lesseps had resumed the negotiations with the new Grand Vizier, which ho had commenced with his predecessor, on the subject of the Suez Canal, and had had several conferences on the subject, but the affair still remained in state quo. In the Principalities the Firman for dissolving the Divans has been promulgated at Bucharest and Jassy. PERSIA. Mr. Murray, our Charge d'Affaires in Persia, had fal• en dangerously ill, and his state caused consider. able uneasiness. The Shah had sent several times to make inquiries concerning him. The deputation of the Ulemas of Herat had just left the capital, where they met with the most brilliant reception. The members of this deputation carry back with them the most magnificent presents, given them by their Sovereign, as well as a promise that the Persian Government is about to accredit a representative at Herat for the defence of the Mussalman interests placed under its protectorate. AMERICA. By the last advises from Lima we hear of the ap prehension by the Peruvian Government of the assassin of the late British Minister, Mr. &Suliven. His name is Juan Ceres, and, together with the others concerned in the atrocious act, he was arrested by a party of military despatched for that purpose at a place distant about ten leagues from the city. We may expect full particulars by the next mail, due on the 4th of next month. Intelligence from New York to the 18th states that tho Mormons were either preparing for resistance or departure, as the case may b e , an d th e arm y f or Utah, as Colonel Johnbtone's little force is called, has reached Fort Bridger and gone into winter quarters._ The Kansas imbroglio becomes daily more in volved. The result of the election for State officers, held on the 4th, seems to be somewhat in doubt. The better opinion seems to be that a Governor and Legislature of Slave• State views have been elected. The Administration gives its support to the Lecompton Constitution and to the newly elected officers In the New York Times of the 14th is an article upon Cuba, which has attracted attention anew to that question : While the whole country is wondering (it says) how he (the President) can possibly escape from the entangle ment of Kansas and Central American affairs, he is turn ing the whole current of his efforts and all the resources of his ingenuity to the acquisition of Cuba. Our Wash ington correspondent some weeks since stated that the President was desirous of appointing Mr. Belmont to the Spanish mission, from a knowledge of his sentiments on the subject, and from a belief that his connection with the great house of Rothschild would give him peculiar facili ties for effecting its peaceful purchase. We now learn that this intention is still cherished, and that the Presi dent only awaits indications of public sentiment upon it to carry it into effect. This announcement of details is perhaps somewhat premature. So far as the substance of the announce ment is concerned it is no new thing. The views of the President upon this subject are well known, and have not changed since he signed the famous Ostend manifesto. That his Administration will make a strong effort for the acquisition of Cuba no one can doubt who is acquainted with the views which be has always and freely expressed. CHINA. The intelligence from China by this mail is im portant. The ultimatum of the allied powers bad been rejected by Yoh on the 17th of December, and active operations, it was expected, would at once be commenced against Canton. An attacking force of I ~t i : ,r' J` ja e ^a :'' ~:,.aY~ ~wq,, ~: ~ i!'i3l99~ai~Vyl~•