The Press. — London, England, 1854-05-20 00:00:00

MAY 20, 1854. that technical knowledge is the result of in spiration. Of this Mr. GLADSTONE has lately furnished an example, by detecting illegality which, after long and elaborate argument, had escaped the notice of the Barons of the Ex chequer. The problem those learned indi viduals had to solve was whether Mr. DICKENS'S Narrative of Current Events was a newspaper requiring a stamp. They decided it was not, and then defined a newspaper in the abstract to be " a publication containing " public news, public intelligence, or public " occurrences." Here was delightful food on which to chew the cud of dialectical refine ment! To distinguish clearly between news, intelli gence, and occurrences, so that when we are reading a paper we may know which we are enjoying, and then to decide in what propor tion the ingredients must be mingled to con stitute a genuine " plum pudding,' transports the mind to those earlier and happier days when men doubted whether goods taken in withernam were repleviable, and disputed as to how many angels could dance upon the point of a needle at once. With these tempting materials before him, is it to be wondered at that Mr. GLADSTONE should de clare the Court of Exchequer wrong in point of law, and then proceed to try a series of experiments to establish the accuracy of his own judgment? It is admitted that publica tions devoted to one subject, such as music, literature, or the turf, are not newspapers liable to duty ; and one of the Learned Judges decided that " a little news " would not confer upon them that character. To what quantity of news the term " little " may be accurately applied Mr. GLADSTONE proceeded to ascer tain. He prosecuted Mr. SHAW, the proprie tor of the Penny Commercial Journal in Dublin, but the Irish Judges were as ignorant as their English brethren, and held the publication to be exempt from duty. On the Ath of this month an intimation was sent to the proprie tor of the Musical Times that another experi ment was to be tried on his journal, although it has been published without the payment of duty during the last ten years. That these prosecutions are instituted from a pure love of legal science is proved by the circumstance that when judgment is given in favour of the Crown, which happens occasionally when pro ceedings are carried before Justices of the Peace, instead of the Barons of the Exche quer, the fine is invariably remitted. But the ex pense to which the defendants are put is always great, and the annoyance of being exposed to the penalties of a law which is uncertain in its operation is intolerable. Mr. GLAD STONE'S modus operandi is that of the wealthy blockhead in ADDISON'S Spectator who silenced the poor scholar in argument by offering to support his own opinion by a bet to a large amount, producing the money, and sternly calling on his opponent to do the same. Mr. GLADSTONE asserts that a particular publication is a newspaper. and offers to support his opinion by a prosecution at the public expense. Sometimes the threat is carried out,—sometimes, as in the case of the Racing Times, withdrawn. The Attorney- General explained the caprice with which the law is administered, by stating it was only enforced against those publications which offended against the spirit of the prohibition. But the enforcement of a law should not de pend on a matter so fluctuating as the opinions of officials, especially when expe rience has proved how little they are to be relied on. An attack of the gout, news from the City, a casual phrase in the publication itself, might influence opinion; and it is probable some or one of these dis turbing causes have been at work, otherwise these prosecutions would not have so often failed; and we know the number of the Penny Commercial Journal which was prosecuted stated that the Coalition would not be per manent, because it was not based on principle. Mr. MILNER Gissos's ulterior object is to abolish the stamp altogether, which Mr. BRIGHT says will increase the circulation of newspapers from 100,000,000 to 1,000,000,000. What change a circulation of newspapers amongst the labouring classes, and especially in the agricultural districts, might effect is an important subject for consideration. Would Tz•Tn• - ..!-7 THE PRESS. they be raised in the scale of intellect, or would newspapers descend to their level? But this is a separate subject, which we have not space to consider here. So strongly was the House impressed by the evils of the existing system, as enforced by Mr. GLADSTONE, that the motion was agreed to without alteration, despite the qualified op position of the Government, to whom Mr. MILNER GIBSON administered the significant hint, that if Lord DERBY had remained in power these abuses and anomalies would have been long since removed. SPAIN, AMERICA, AND CUBA. THE Spanish Government has, it is said, refused to accede to the demands arising out of the affair of the Black Warrior made upon it by the Government of the United States. The nature of those demands, the terms in which they were couched, and the agent through whom they were conveyed, rendered compliance with them on the part of a nation which, if fallen, is brave and proud, impossible. Whatever may have been the written answer of Spain, the real answer has been conveyed in a powerful reinforce ment to the garrison of Cuba, which was formidable before. We are aware that the possession of Cuba, the Queen of the Antilles, is coveted by the Southern planters as much to add to their political power as for its own intrinsic value. In addition to luxuriant crops, it also bears on its teeming soil a popu lation of slaves. One of the most powerful organs of the Abolitionists in New York, in some judicious re marks on this subject, warns the South to " mind its eye." We hope the North will be equally vigilant itself, for, with Mr. Sour.E at Madrid, the outrageous demands he was authorised by the American Govern ment to make, and the piratical expeditions from the South in conjunction, present a menacing aspect. Powerful nations should beware of a false step : it, is rarely discovered in time to be withdrawn. Despotism presents an instance of this in the East. Will De mocracy furnish another instance in the West ? Amer,ca would do well to remember that England and France are at this moment banded together in armed alliance to support the principle that the age of conquests has passed for ever. "THE NATIONS OF RUSSIA AND TURKEY." TO THE EDITOR OF " THE PRESS." Sir,—Will you be kind enough to allow me, in answer to your critique on my work, " The Nations of Russia and Turkey, and their Destiny," to say that I had no occasion to speak of Blanqui the Socialist, who is in prison and has not published any work—that the Blanqui I speak of is his brother, Professor of Poli tical Economy, a Member of the Institute, and a Knight of the Legion of Honour ? The latter is a Con servative, and the author of the "Voyage en Bulgarie." In respect to statistical figures, I have followed Tegoborski's "Forces Productives de la Russie," and I think that it is the best and the most recent work on that subject. I may perhaps be called a refugee, but it is long since I finished my career as a student. Without entering into any discussion in respect to opinions, I request the insertion of these few lines. —I am, sir, your obedient servant, London, May 17, 1854. IvAN GOLOVIN. [With respect to M. Blanqui's opinions, we readily accept M. Golovin's correction. An identity of name misled us. On the other subject referred to we be lieve our decision to have been correct.] Yesterday's Moniteur states that the avowed com plicity of the Greek Government in the insurrec tional movement on the Turkish frontier has given a fresh impulsion to acts of brigandage. l'iracy is every day on the increase in the Archipelago. The Greek Government have granted letters of marque to the pirates. Special and energetic measures are about to be taken for the safety of navigation. It is certain that the Czar has furnished to the Greek Government military subsidies amounting to 1,000,000 of drachms. Macedonia has been invaded by 2,000 adventurers and robbers, commanded by Chanis Karatasso, a former aide-de-camp of the King of Greece. This band is committing every unheard-of atrocity. In one place they burnt alive 150 Turks —men, women, and children—in their mosque. Lord Cardigan and General Scarlett arrived at Marseilles on Wednesday, and were to leave next day for Constantinople. The French Government has decided on increas ing the cavalry to be sent to the East, by a second regiment of dragoons and a second' regiment of cuirassiers. "..Ik7 .T" 459 NOTES ABOUT THE NAVY. No. VL—" OLD CHARLEY," AND HIS TIMES. WEST INDIAN txpLorrs. IN the summer of 1808 some despatches from the Colonial Prefect of Martinique to the French Minis ter, exposing the wants of the island, had been intercepted, and it was judged proper by our Govern ment to attempt the reduction of Martinique. An expedition was accordingly prepared, and that dis tinguished officer, the late Sir Alexander Cochrane, was appointed its commander. In February, 1809, a landing at Martinique was effected, and some very sharp fighting took place between the English and French troops. After the loss of 7(k) men, the French retired on Fort Dessaix, and it became ne• cessary to bombard Pigeon Island from the land. This was a very difficult operation, as it was neces sary to drag up the guns from the ships without the aid of horses. But the " blue jackets" can be as useful on shore as they are glorious at sea, and on that occasion the brave tars rendered vast services by their physical power in hauling up heavy pieces of artillery. Under the direction of Captain Cock burn, of the Pomp& (the late Sir George Cockburn), this service was ably performed, and in doing it " Charley" had his full share of work, and cheered on his men, and lent his own strong arm to them in " ready, aye ready," spirit. But it was not merely in transporting the guns that Charley and his brave lads from the Recruit distinguished themselves. There were several forts dotted about the height, and one of these occupied a most formidable posi tion. It was called Fort Edward, and was about a hundred yards from Fort Bourbon. After the bombarding had taken place for several hours night came on, and it was thought that the forts had been abandoned. The Recruit, along with some other vessels, was accordingly ordered to beat up in the night between Pigeon Island and the main, and anchor close to Fort Edward. The French, fearing the assault, burnt their shipping. Morning dawned, and Napier cried that Fort Edward was abandoned. This assertion was doubted. " I'll go and see, if you like," cried Charley, and with but live men he volun teered, scaled the walls, found the fort empty, and planted the union jack upon the ramparts. In doing so he was undiscovered by the French gunners in Fort Bourbon, which commanded it. No sooner was the news told to Sir Alexander Cochrane that the union jack was flying in Fort Edward than he ordered a regiment to be landed, placed it at Fort Edward, and turned the mortars against the enemy. This conduct of Napier won the most cordial acknowledgment from his commander, who wrote a certificate to the effect that Napier had shortened the siege by several hours, and had saved several lives. In a few weeks afterwards Napier further sig nalised himself. A. large naval expedition had been sent by the French to the relief of Martinique. On the French admiral hearing that the island had surrendered, he entered the Saintes with the intention of getting across to Ciaudaloupe. Sir Alexander Cochrane went in chase, taking Napier, in the little Recruit, away with him. On the 12th of April the French and English squadrons sighted each other. A running fight commenced between them. It began to the south of Guadeloupe, at ten p.m. on the 14th of April, and ended off Porto Rico on the 17th. In that fight Napier and his little Recruit were for twenty-four hours wider the guns of three French line-of-battle ships. He got near enough to discharge a broadside at the Haut poult, 71 guns. The Frenchman fired stern-chasers in return, being afraid to haul his wind, as he saw that the English squadron might close on him, as bow-chasers were going slap-bang from the English admiral's ship. The Recruit for hours continued to harass and annoy the Frenchman; and so galling was Napier's fire that at last the Hautpoult broached to, and brought her heavy batteries to bear upon the little Recruit. She opened her main and quarter deck guns, cut away the Recruits larboard shrouds, crippled her rigging, and wounded some of her crew. Even then Napier was not intimidated. No sooner was the Frenchman again before the wind than Napier hauled across his stern, and kept flying double-shotted broadsides. At last the other English ships came up, and the Hautpoult was captured. The part taken by Napier in that running fight is honourably registered by an official act. Sir Alexander Cochrane at once ap pointed Napier to the H (Jut poult, in reward of the intrepidity and skill shown by him, and the Admiralty sanctioned the promotion by giving Napier a com mission, 22nd of May, 1809. The Hautpoult (or more properly d'Hautpoult) was a ship of 1,871 tons, and under the name of Abercromby cruised for three or four years in the British service. _ _ Thus Napier at twenty-three years of age had fought his way to command. He returned to Eng land in the Jason frigate, and we will now have to see him in sifter scenes. PILOT. [To bor continued.] 1111 1 ■ _______ 4 r.' I 1 ,