The Press. — London, England, 1858-08-14 00:00:00

THE PRESS, AUGUST 14,1858. THE WEEK. In the foreign intelligence of this week her Majesty's visit to Cher bourg will naturally assume the prominent place with Englishmen. But the news which we continue to receive from various parts of Europe is of a highly interesting character, inasmuch as it betokens an unsettled and disagreeable temper in many of the second-rate Powers of Europe, which must inevitably be dangerous to the general tranquillity. In the North the old quarrel between Prussia and Denmark has been revived, and although, thanks to certain concessions made by the latter Power, matters are at this moment less threatening than they have been, yet we cannot disguise from ourselves that between these two States there is a con tinual conflict of interest which nothing but the greatest tact and statesmanship can prevent from ripening into hostilities. In the South the King of NAPLES seems only to have been goaded into fresh cruelties and illegalities towards his own subjects by the prompt and uncompro mising interference of Lord MALMESBURY in behalf of Her MA. JESTY'S. Long accustomed to have his own way, it appears that the resolute opposition to his will has maddened him. But unless his infatuation be almost beyond that of even the most deluded de spot whom history records, he must be conscious of a powerful protector somewhere, when he ventures to defy the public opinion of all Europe by such atrocious severity as characterized his recent proceedings towards NICOTERA and his compatriots. Turning Eastward, we see but too many indications that the great Powers of Europe are still hovering, like vultures over a dying man, around the supposed deathbed of the Turkish Empire. The Principalities and Montenegro are names of ominous import to the welfare of Turkey and to the peace of the world ; and we only sincerely trust that before the next session neither of them may have become standing topics of conversation throughout Europe. The horizon is black. England, by maintaining a good understanding with her continental allies, may avert the storm. But we must not pre tend to disregard the elements of danger which exist. Poor Mr. ROEBUCK has been snarling again. We fear he is incurably bilious. If his case is not quite hopeless, why doesn't he go—we won't say to Bath, but to Cheltenham, and take the waters ? It would be better than squinting at France through jaundiced eyes, and taking revenge for his nausea by abusing and sneering at the allies with whom England has just been exchanging graceful courtesies. We know that Mr. ROEBUCK'S bark is worse than his bite ; but he does not seem to know how annoying a cynical growl may be. There is a certain old-fashioned rule for dealing with our neighbours which he quite loses sight of. He would not, nor would any Englishman, be pleased at reading the report of a speech similar to his own at North Shields, as delivered to a French audience (let us say) by the celebrated avocat and deputy, M. DE CIIEVREUIL. After premising that the speaker was affreusement enrhume, the reporter would proceed to say that " the learned gentleman seemed impressed from what he had witnessed at Cherbourg with a profound contempt for the insular barbarians who had come to glance enviously at the mighty evidences of French greatness. He had been struck at first with a sort of bustling agility in the English sailors ; but, after all, there was nothing worthy the name of a fleet. Ile went on board some of the vessels, and what did he see there ? Men with trousers tight at the hips and loose at the ancle, that reminded him of white-legged bantams. And the women—such dresses ! such coiffures ! l etait effrayant ! And, as for their Members of Parliament (continued the learned speaker), `je n'y trouvais point l'air noble,'" &c. We will not pursue the imaginary parallel further, but suppose the French speaker, after eulogizing the Zouaves, ridiculing the imperfect defences of the English coast, and ex tolling the marvels of French civilization, to conclude with " Enfln, je me moque de ces Anglais! Je suis Francais, moi. Vive la France ! Vive la guerre!" This would be much milder than Mr. ROEBUCK s actual harangue, but how would it be relished on this side the water? Would not Mr. ROEBUCK himself quote it in evidence of the implacable hostility of France, that even her legislators had not the grace to be civil ? Truth is stranger than fiction. The remark is not, perhaps, very original, but it happens to be true--a matter of nearly equal importance. With this brief preamble we proceed to endorse a letter that has lately appeared in the Times under the auspices of Mr. KmairroN, the author of " The Private Life of an Eastern King." Of course we do not accept the narrative in its integrity, although we happen to be in a position to vouch for its general veracity. At the unfortunate surrender of Cawnpore, among the female members of the inhabitants of the intrenchments was a young lady whose name we suppress for obvious reasons. According to her own account, she became stupified with terror during the savage attack upon the boats, and was only brought to consciousness by being thrown into the river. With some difficulty she managed to reach the land, where she endeavoured to secrete herself among the bushes and underwood. By a strange coincidence she was shortly afterwards joined by a daughter of General WHEELER, but within an hour the poor trembling fugitives were discovered by a party of marauders, and the narratrix never again beheld her companion. Her own story sufficiently romantic, even when cleared of the evident i nterpolation; introduced introduced by a half-caste scribe. It is, perhaps, a littl e too hasty to speak of 11P STUART in this manner, but, if he be not what we imag ine, he is assuredly a European born in the country. Of those interpolations t here are many intrinsic evidences, as, for example, the marching in open columns and the manoeuvres in the Moulvie's camp. However interested the young lady may subsequently have become in the success of AIIMEDOOL-LAII-KUAN, Sh a h of Pyzabacl, it is hardly probable that she could at that time have bee n in a mood to examine very attentively the movements of his troops. But in spite of these and other most injudicious " amendments," w e h ave reason to believe implicitly in the genera authenticity of the tale. The sufferer , if we are rightly informed, is herself an Eurasian, and ha s thus been enabled to escape the horrible fate that awaited the "pal e faces." Her knowledge of the vernacular also stood her in good stead, th oug h h er lessons in the Koran must have been as edifying to h er . self as the Book of Genesis would be to a South Sea Isla n d er unacquainted with English. The Koran happens to be written solely in Arabic, though a Persian version is in some cases inscribed upon the margin, but without being recognized as authentic. Portion s o f t h e Mahommedan creed are learned by rote, without the slightest attention to their intelligibility, and in this manner become the Shibboleth of Islam. The discrepancies as to dates can only be accounted for by the mental confusion likely to arise from the strange adventures to which this young lady was subjected. The readers of Mr. EDWARDs' pathetic narrative will have learned how difficult it was to obtain any certain intelligence as to what was passing in the outer world, and will be disposed to make every allowance for the shortcomings of one who told she knew not what. Her apparent incapacity to observe rightly what was passing around her is one of the most striking proofs of the veracity of her tale. No Eurasian ev er yet succeeded in appreciating the purport of the . simplest events with which he happened to be connected, and the narrat rix is clearly no excep. tion to the rule. But this only proves that the story was really indited by one born in the country, and that its internal evidence is altogether in favour of its authenticity. The election intelligence of the present week, though not in the ordi nary sense of the word as applied to elections important, is still suggestive of many satisfactory reflections to the Conservative party. In North Cheshire, at Guildford, and at Leominster the language held by the Con servative candidates clearly enough shows that Toryism has struck fresh root into the soil of public opinion. Indications are not wanting that now as eighty years ago a great popular party is rapidly springing up whose motto will be, not so much in the letter as the spirit, Delenda eat oligar chic. It is very interesting to compare the language held by Mr. EVELYN, Mr. EGERTON, and Captain lIANBuny, at the three places we have mentioned—the more so, that although every one of these three gen tlemen is, we believe, very well fitted for the performance of those duties which he seeks to discharge, no one of them at present occupies a position which need lead the world to expect of him any original theory of politics. What they have all said is not attributable to individual speculation. It must be accepted as evidence of a much wider public opinion. Now and then s gifted individual arises whose theories, however true in themselves, are is advance of the age in which they are enunciated, and cannot therefore be taken to express the sense of any large section of the community. That, however, is not the case in the present instance. The three gentlemen we have mentioned are unquestionably speaking only the convictions of large masses of that great British public whose most distinguishing attribute is common sense. The people have at last found out that even if Toryism be obstructive, Whiggery is not one whit the less so. Having so far cleared away the mist which has long prevented them from forming a just estimate of parties, they are proceeding to push their investigations a little further, and have begun to question the original state ment propounded to them—namely, that Toryism is another name for abuse-worship. It is possible John Bull begins to think that, if the Whigs have deceived him in one case, they may have done so in another too; that, if they have cheated him in calling themselves Liberal, they may have cheated him just as much in calling their opponents the re verse. These thoughts have just begun to ferment in the British mind, and we see the results in such speeches as those lately delivered by the gentlemen aforesaid. The circumstances attending the lamentable death of the late Marquis of QUEENSBERRY are curious. It is stated that the contents of one barrel of his gun had penetrated his left side, and that the other barrel was found loaded. From the fact of the accident having occurred in perfectly °P en ground, precluding the possibility of a mischance in crossing it gap or a ditch, it is surmised that one barrel exploded while the Marquis was loading the other. Our sporting friends, however, will not require to be told that, under such circumstances, any but a left-handed man would be shot through the right breast, and not through the left. Was, then, the Mar quis a left-handed m an ? I t i s i n d ee d j ust poss ibl e t h at t h e deceased might have held the gun away f rom hi m i n suc h a pos i t i on th a t the left-han d barrel should have pointed t o war d s hi s left breast. But. if this we re so, in what condition would the o th er b arre l h ave b een f oun d? It is hurd l Y likely that the final tap of the ramrod on the l a st wadding should have Clued 780 THE PRESS, AUGUST 14,1858. THE WEEK. and the narratrix never again beheld her companion. Her own s t un , sufficiently romantic, even when cleared of the evident interpolation; introduced by a half-caste scribe. It is, perhaps, a little too hasty t o In the foreign intelligence of this week her Majesty's visit to Cher- speak of /IPSTUART in this manner, but, if he be not what w e i mag i ne, ' h e is assuredly a European born in the country. Of those inte r p o l at i ons there are bourg will naturally assume the prominent place with Englishmen. But many intrinsic evidences, as, for example, the marching in open columns and the news which we continue to receive from various parts of Europe is of the manoeuvres in the Moulvie's camp. However interested the young lady a highly interesting character, inasmuch as it betokens an unsettled and may subsequently have become in the success of AIIMEDOOL-LAI I -K HAN,S 4 disagreeable temper in many of the second-rate Powers of Europe, which of Fyzabacl, it is hardly probable that she could at that time h ave b een in h a mood to examine very attentively the movements of his troops. But • must inevitably be dangerous to the general tranquillity. In the North spite of these and other most injudicious " amendmgoels,"swteeuthaxt•ehoru_ghnhitenor the old quarrel between Prussia and Denmark has been revived, and believe implicitly in the general authenticity of the tale. The sufferer, if although, thanks to certain concessions made by the latter Power, matters we are rightly informed, is herself an Eurasian, and has thus been are at this moment less threatening than they have been, yet we cannot enabled to escape the horrible fate that awaited the "pale faces." Her • disguise from ourselves that between these two States there is a continual knowledge of the vernacular , also stood her in les . epns in the Koran must have been as edifying to h conflict of interest which nothing but the greatest tact and statesmanship er. sett as the Book of Genesis would be to a South Sea Islander can prevent from ripening into hostilities. In the South the King unacquainted with English. The Koran happens to be written solely in of NAPLES seems only to have been goaded into fresh cruelties and Arabic, though a Persian version is in some cases inscribed upon the illegalities towards his own subjects by the prompt and uncompro- margin, but without being recognized as authentic. Portions of the raising interference of Lord MALMESBURY in behalf of Her MA- Mahommedan creed are learned by rote, without the slightest a tt ent i on to their intelligibility, and in this manner become the Shibboleth of Islam. JESTY'S. Long accustomed to have his own way, it appears that The discrepancies as to dates can only be accounted for by the mental the resolute opposition to his will has maddened him. But unless confusion likely to arise from the strange adventures to which this young his infatuation be almost beyond that of even the most deluded de- lady was subjected. The readers of Mr. EDWARDs' pathetic narrative will spot whom history records, he must be conscious of a powerful protector have learned how difficult it was to obtain any certain intelligence as to what was passing in the outer world, and will be disposed to mak e every somewhere, when he ventures to defy the public opinion of all Europe by allowance for the shortcomings of one who told she knew not what. Her each atrocious severity as characterized his recent proceedings towards apparent incapacity to observe rightly what was passing around her is one NICOTERA and his compatriots. Turning Eastward, we see but too of the most striking proofs of the veracity of her tale. No Eurasian ever many indications that the great Powers of Europe are still hovering, yet succeeded in appreciating the purport of the simplest events with like vultures over a dying man, around the supposed deathbed of which he happened to be connected, and the narratrix is clearly no excep- the Turkish Empire. The Principalities and Montenegro are names of tion to the rule. But this only proves that the story was really indited by one born in the country, and that its internal evidence is altogether in ominous import to the welfare of Turkey and to the peace of the world ; and we only sincerely trust that before the next session neither of them favour of its authenticity. may have become standing topics of conversation throughout Europe. The horizon is black. England, by maintaining a good understanding with her continental allies, may avert the storm. But we must not pre- The election intelligence of the present week, though not in the ordi- t end to disregard the elements of danger which exist. nary sense of the word as applied to elections important, is still suggestive of many satisfactory reflections to the Conservative party. In North Cheshire, at Guildford, and at Leominster the language held by the Coo- Poor Mr. ROEBUCK has been snarling again. We fear he is incurably servative candidates clearly enough shows that Toryism has struck fresh bilious. If his ease is not quite hopeless, why doesn't he go—we won't say root into the soil of public opinion. Indications are not wanting that now to Bath, but to Cheltenham, and take the waters ? It would be better as eighty years ago a great popular party is rapidly springing up whose than squinting at France through jaundiced eyes, and taking revenge for motto will be, not so much in the letter as the spirit, Delenda eat oligar- his nausea by abusing and sneering at the allies with whom England has Chia. It is very interesting to compare the language held by Mr. just been exchanging graceful courtesies. We know that Mr. ROEBUCK'S EVELYN, Mr. EGERTON, and Captain HANBURY, at the three places we bark is worse than his bite ; but he does not seem to know how annoying have mentioned—the more so, that although every one of these three gen- e cynical growl may be. There is a certain old-fashioned rule for dealing tlemen is, we believe, very well fitted for the performance of those duties with our neighbours which he quite loses sight of. He would not, nor which he seeks to discharge, no one of them at present occupies a position would any Englishman, be pleased at reading the report of a speech which need lead the world to expect of him any original theory of politics. similar to his own at North Shields, as delivered to a French audience What they have all said is not attributable to individual speculation. It must (let us say) by the celebrated await and deputy, M. DE CIIEVREUIL. After be accepted as evidence of a much wider public opinion. Now and then a premising that the speaker was affreusement enrhume, the reporter would gifted individual arises whose theories, however true in themselves, are is proceed to say that " the learned gentleman seemed impressed from what - he had witnessed at Cherbourg with a profound contempt for the insular advance of the age in which they are enunciated, and cannot therefore be barbarians who had come to glance enviously at the mighty evidences of taken to express the sense of any large section of the community. That, French greatness. He had been struck at first with a sort however, is not the case in the present instance. The three gentlemen we of busthng agility in the English sailors ; but, after all, have mentioned are unquestionably speaking only the convictions of large there was nothing worthy the name of a fleet. Ile went on board some of the vessels, and what did he see there ? Men with trousers tight masses of that great British public whose most distinguishing attribute is at the hips and loose at the ancle, that reminded him of white-legged common sense. The people have at last found out that even if Toryism be bantams. And the women—such dresses! such coiffures! Mail effrayant ! obstructive, Whiggery is not one whit the less so. Having so far cleared And, as for their Members of Parliament (continued the learned speaker), away the mist which has long prevented them from forming a just `je n'y trouvais point l'air noble,'" &c. We will not pursue the imaginary estimate of parties, they are proceeding to push their investigations a pal allel further, but suppose the French speaker, after eulogizing the little further, and have begun to question the original state- Zouaves, ridiculing the imperfect defences of the English coast, and ex- ment propounded to them—namely, that Toryism is another name tolling the marvels of French civilization, to conclude with " Enfln, je me for abuse-worship. It is possible John Bull begins to think that, if the moque de ces Anglais! Je suis Francais, moi. Vive la France ! Vive Whigs have deceived him in one case, they may have done so in another la guerre!" This would be much milder than Mr. ROEBUCK s actual too; that, if they have cheated him in calling themselves Liberal, they harangue, but how would it be relished on this side the water? Would may have cheated him just as much in calling their opponents the re- not Mr. ROEBUCK himself quote it in evidence of the implacable hostility verse. These thoughts have just begun to ferment in the British mind, of France, that even her legislators had not the grace to be civil ? and we see the results in such speeches as those lately delivered by the gentlemen aforesaid. Truth is stranger than fiction. The remark is not, perhaps, very original, but it happens to be true--a matter of nearly equal importance. The circumstance s a tt en di ng th e l amenta bl e d ea th o f the late Marquis . With this brief preamble we proceed to endorse a letter that has lately of QUEENS BERRY are cur i ous . I t i s state d t h at t h e con t en t s o f one barrel o f appeared in the Times under the auspices of Mr. KNIGHTON, the author of his gun had penetrated his left side, and that the other barrel was found " The Private Life of an Eastern King." Of course we do not accept the loaded. From the fact of the accident having occurred in perfectly ope n narrative in its integrity, although w e happ en t o be in a position to vouch ground, precluding the possibility of a m i sc h ance i n c rossing a gap or a ditc h, for its general veracity. At the unfortunate surrender of Cawnpore, it is surmised that one barrel exploded while the Marquis was loading the among the female members of the inhabitants of the intrenehments was a other. Our sporting friends, however, will not require to be told that, young lady whose name we suppress f or o b v i ous reasons . A cco rdi ng t o under such circum s ta nces , any b ut a l e ft-h an d e d her own account, she became stupified w ith terror during the savage through the right breast, and not through the left. Was, then, th e Mar - attack upon the boats, and was only brought to consciousness by being quis a left-handed man ? I t i s i n d ee d Just possible that the deceased mi g ht thrown into the river. With some di ffi culty she managed to reach the ma n would be shot have held the gun away from him in such a position that the left- hand land, where she endeavoured to secrete her se lf among t h e b us h es an d underwood. By a strange coincidence s h e was s h ort l y a ft erwar d s barrel should have pointed t o war d s hi s l e ft b reast . B u t. if this were so, is joined by a daughter of General WHE ELER , b ut w i t hi n an h our in what condition would the other bar re l h ave be e n found? It hardly the poor trembling fugitives were discovered by a pa r ty o f ma r au d e r s , likely that the final tap of the ramrod on the l a st wadding should have ca used _ 1 bi