The Press. — London, England, 1857-06-20 00:00:00

JUNE 20, 1857. was proposed by Sir WILLIAM JOLLIFEE, and " The Absent Mem bers," for whom no room could be found, was given as a parting toast by the Earl of HARDWICKE. The coming Educational Conference, under the presidency of his Royal Highness Prince ALBERT, is satisfactory in as far as it is calcu lated to elucidate the causes of juvenile crime and ignorance. There can be little doubt of the sincerity and ability of every one concerned in this undertaking, and we sincerely trust they may do all the good they anticipate. At the same time it is impossible to divest the whole affair of a slight taint of dilettantism. Experience will soon show whether this is really the case or not. The practical cha racter of the Conference will be shown by its willingness to avoid cut and-dried theories, and its readiness to surrender the show of authority for the substance. Allowance must be (made for the feelings and the prejudices of the poor in all schemes intended for their improve. ment, and neglect of this is the rock upon which philanthropic re formers usually eplit. The speech on Monday night of Mr. WHITESIDE on the propriety of the Jews being admitted into the Legislature was a most brilliant piece of impassioned eloquence. Though parts of it were rather too declamatory, there was great oratorical dexterity shown in the treat ment of some of the topics ; and the description of the debate in the Roman Senate fifteen hundred years ago between SYMMACHUS and AMBROSE was executed with great felicity. Mr. WHITESIDE is undoubtedly one of the greatest acquisitions that the House of Commons has received in late years. Ho has much of the humour of his country, and is some times too exaggerated in his jocularity. His forensic experience has given him adroitness in controversy ; and though sometimes he lays himself open to an adversary, his thrust is quick and formidable, and his play of fence is skilful and sustained. He has the vehemence and enthusiasm that usually characterises Irish speakers of the first class ; but he never indulges in the meretricious tinsel and the motley metaphors which were a reproach to the second-class orators of Ireland. There is more po lemical fierceness in his manner than is perfectly agreeable to English habits; and one passage on Monday, though evidently not so intended by the brilliant speaker, was taken by some Members of the House as having been " personal" towards Baron ROTHSCHILD. There is thorough earnestness in Mr. WHITESIDE ; his gesture is too redundant, and wants the dignity of repose, but it is natural and unaffected. His voice, that cardinal point to a public speaker, is full, resonant, and clear, and it has little of provincial intonation. Mr. WHIT ESIDE has realised all the expectations entertained of him by his friends, and even the Premier bore willing testimony to " the brilliant speech " of the Member for Enniskillen. The highest Parliamentary merit in Mr. WHITESIDE'S eloquence is the ready command of his faculty. Few other speakers like him can, on a short notice, undertake to plead a great question, and produce much effect. Thus, though less dazzling than the late Mr. SHELL, Mr. WHITESIDE is a far more dangerous oppo nent in Parliamentary warfare. There are certain rising political questions on which it is likely that this brilliant Conservative orator will gain new laurels, and the Conservative body has reason to rejoice in the possession of so bold and effective a champion. The decision of the National Gallery Committee in favour of retaining the Gallery in its present site, is to regretted for many reasons. In the first place, we are forced to accept a gallery as intended for the purpose as a famous leg of mutton was once for dinner. 111-fed, ill-killed, ill-kept, and ill-dressed, as was JOHNSON'S mutton, it is quite rivalled by our National Gallery, ill-designed, ill-built, ill arranged, and ill-ventilated, as it is. The Committee decide that the Gallery is to be retained in its present central position. Well, if that is the point, why not remove it to Smithfield ; that would be infi nitely more central. The notion of a gallery at Kensington, we are told, is the rich man's notion. It is the artist's notion also. It was the notion of the most eminent men in art, science, literature, and politics, with the Prince Consort at their head, and it is difficult to find a single solid argument against their proposal. However, since it is decided that we are to be confined to the building in Trafalgar square, it may not be inopportune to ask how room is to be provided for our collection as it now exists, and how the Academy is to be got rid of? The " Old Court Suburb " of Kensington has had a loss in the last few days which will be regretted by some of our club gossips. " The King's Arms" has been totally destroyed by fire. It was the last place in or about London where the old coffee-house style of society was still preserved, and where Members of the Legis lature and a high class of gentry were to be met with in rooms open to "the town." It was extremely old fashioned in its furniture ; and the upper rooms, with their wainscotting and faded finery, took one back to the days of Queen ANNE. It gained its vogue from its having been actively patronised for many years by the family at " Holland House," and. Moos in his " Diary " alludes to it 605 In summer-time it was a favourite haunt of gentlemen of the most opposite tastes, and occasionally members of " Brookes's," the " Carlton," and other clubs, were to be seen there engaged in animated talk with " the Lord knows who." Several very interesting " charact ters " were amongst the frequenters of that quaint old hostelry. Amongst them was " VESEY junior" (Lord ELDON'S Law Reporter), who preserved his forensic name to his eightieth year. FLAXMAN, the sculptor, was fond of retiring thither, and always dined in one of the small rooms overlooking the gardens ; and it was there also that " the Doctor" (WILLIAM MAGINN) was to be found in his best conversational mood. It was a pleasant summer lounge, where old friends drank old wine, and thought and talked of " the days that are no more." II " THE PRINCE OF W(H)ALES "1 My name it is Pen Hall, Magnifique. Peer was I once put small; Yet now they do me call Magnifique ! My crest, as you'll perceif, Is a leek; Like Pistol, to my grief, I've eat 'em—l—th3 chief Magnifique ! " Obstant virtuti quorum" (That's cood Creeks !) " Angustee res," to bore 'em, Don't easily oversoar 'em Magnifiques. But as for that "virtuti; Truth to speak, Who values that a shoe-tie When it checks you in pursuit high Of the Magnifique ? So like an old pird dropping From my peak That stick, as not cool topping For my nest—l without stopping Was Magnifique. THE PRESS. The Vestry-room attending Twice a week, Prains, prass, and pellows lending To a cause : that's sure to end in Magnifique. You can cut the dodge when " spiled," Like a steak; There'll pe some pig people riled, But what matter while you're styled Magnifique ? And then the joy of spending (Hard to speak !) People's cash, and the park-mending, With the endless " tick " attending The Maguifique ! To plan from morn till noon, Tongue in cheek, And when questioned to what tune, Like Scipio or Moon, To say, " that's coming soon," Magnifique ! And the honour ! farther then Not to seek, Of the pell that tells all men. Pim ! Porn ! Pin pig prass Pen, The Magnifique ! My name, I said, 's Pen Hall, Magnifique ; And I don't talk very small, Magnifique ; But at my country's call For a Coronet and Stall I'd change it—that is all— Put don't speak