The Press. — London, England, 1855-04-21 00:00:00

APRIL 21, 1855. they appreciate every blunder. Nothing is any longer hidden front them. And the incapacity of generals, com missaries, admirals, staff officers, and harbour -masters, aro as familiar to them as to the employers of these miserable functionaries. Should this misrule continue unremedied, and should it continue to produce the same effects of op portunities lost, armies sacrificed, millions flung away, and the nation stamped with incapacity and disgrace, then we nay depend upon it the people will, in some way or other, take the matter into their own hands. It is for the Conservative party to seriously con sider warnings like this, and to reflect that through want of energetic and united action they are afford ing the democratic party a pretence for raising the ery of revolution. The " Reorganisation of the Civil Service " examines and a Ivocates the report lately issued. The paper on "The Administrative Example of the United States" makes some candid admissions. Ex. gr.:— in fact, nothing is so corrupting to the Commons as what is called a-' Liberal Ministry." Under it, the liberal and iudepe 'dent members become so emascu lated that it is very common to hear sound•hearted re formers say : " We want a Tory Government to restore in dependence to our Liberal M.P.s." The corruption is indeed sometimes (or alas ! very often) of a coarser kind, being effected by distributing patronage according to the desire of those M.P.s who will support the Government. This is as real, and to the country as pernicious, a bribery, OA that which went on by hard cash in former days ; but we have not space here to dwell on it. Even where this is not of avail, still the fear of ejecting a Liberal Ministry parslyees honest men. That sturdy economist, Joseph Hume, voted against his own judgement, in the matter of the Russo-Dutch loan, through this influence. in this same paper a reform of the House of Peers is proposed to which it is sagely suppo ed that the " house would willingly consent." Three principal enactments, it is suggested, would suffice :- 1. That all new peerages shall be for life only ; 2. That no peer shall be created without a recommendatory vote from the Commons; 3. That the Queen shall have the right of permitting every Minister (whether in the Cabinet or not) during his tenure of office, to sit and speak in the Upper House, but without a vote. Of the other articles, that on " Memoirs of the House of Austria" gives a rapid sketch of Austrian history from the election of Maximilian in 1493 to the accession of the present Emperor. In " Dryden and his Times" we are presented rather with a bio grayhy of the poet than a critical examination of his genius; just praise is, however, given to Mr. Bell's annotated edition of Dryden's poems. In the paper on Victor Hugo, he is " estimated as " great in every department of letters." He corn menced his career as an enthusiastic royalist, anti received from Louis XVIII. a pension of 2,000 francs. The Government of Charles X., on sup pressing his drama of Marian de L'Orme, offered in compensation to raise his pension to 5,000 francs, 'hut he declined the offered gift. We are glad to Sneer that in his exile in Jersey his pecuniary re sources are not likely to fail him : Five thousand ponnla have been offere,l him for e novel he has announced, to be trued " Les Nii,erables ;" and everything he writes meets with immense pecuniary success. .A hundred closely written pages are devoted to a general survey of contemporary literature. In tke BMW' Quarterly the first article, on " The Literature of the Italian Revival," is by far the most laborate. For a long period in the middle ages taly was, in the opinion of the reviewer, the mind of ,he world : For four centuries every engine of intellectual domino• tisen was in her hands, and thought ran in the channels in rhich she ordained it to flow. . gloomy view is taken of the present state of Italy. It is conceived that the last stage of national decline is near at hand, unless Austria should be led, by the contest which at present absorbs the attention of Europe, to relax her gripe upon the fairest provinces of that favoured country, end thus afford scope for some modem Theseus to consolidate its governments, and form out of the fragments of its broken people a free, happy, and united nation. In the article on James Watt a condensed memoir of this great mechanical genius is given. " Our New Religions" brings together those various speculations en theism and atheism which have lately excited notice. The "Military System of France" gives much information on a subject peculiarly interesting just now. The "War Controversy " meets with an exposition in which the principal diplomatic proceed ings are carefully related, though we suspect the reading public have had rather too much of such expositions previously. The other articles, as they are chiefly made up from recent publications, do not call for special notice. In this Review, also, a hun dred pages are devoted to short notices of recent publications, English and continental. The London Quarterly is remarkable for some able papers on religious history. The opening article on " the Albigenses" relates the chief facts in the history of this much persecuted sect. The re ►iew of Dean ➢lilwau's "Latin Christianity," alter ;lancing at some leading historical facts, dwells —.— Five bevel II and evt sweet) A hw tvsnen In t Liters elabor Italy the w For flan w which A Oa It is ( is nee be attenti provin for sol and fc happy In th of thi Relip en tl notic mud .just expo logs xeadi expo are c call 1 dred pub! TI able erne the 1 hew Ilan THE PRESS. shortly on the influence which Christianity has bad on the progress of modern society. The writer, in conclusion, conceives that the doom of the Latin, if regarded as synonymous with the Butuish Church, is scarcely a subject for inquiry, because the " sure word of prophecy " has already determined, with a clearness sufficient for all practical purposes, the things which shall come upon her. . The "Prisons of the Continent" is one of the most careful and useful papers in the number, from the mass of facts collected. The article on " Costume " seems out of place in a Review of so grave a character. The papers on Addison, on Astley Cooper and Abernethy, and on George Giltallan (who is too harshly treated), are of the usual average of " Quar terly" writing. The " Wei with Russia" goes over the who e question, from the aggressions of Catherine to the death of Nicholas. In the Irish Quarterly Review we notice a con tinuation of those elaborate papers on social ques tions, as reformatory schools, education, an.i prison discipline, which bavo lately occupied much space in this periodical. The biography of Juhn Banim is eloquently continued, and there is a good critical article on the " Poets of Labour," Robert Nicoll, and Gerald Massey, but the Review seems to want more systematic editing and better management. In these hurried notices of so many volumes—for each Review is a volume in itself—we have probably made errors inseparable from the cursory perusal we could give to their contents. But we can at least state the impression they have made on our mind. In general they seem to us wanting in character, and to be deficient in originality of view. A con siderable number of the articles are made up, we will not say exactly on the scissors and-paste prin ciple, but certainly with less labour, and manifest ing less thought, and less critical ability, than the literary notices which appear in weekly journals of the class of our own. Now, we think that in a Review, published at the high price of these publica tions, it is scarcely fair to make up articles by pick ing out the plums from newly published books. If a writer has anything to say on a book, either in the way of disquisition, or criticism, or supplementary information, it is very proper that he should be heard at length, but that kind of reviewing is very dif ferent rom such epitomising as is now commonly pra :Used in the"Quttrterlies," and from such narratives 0 made up from the daily newspapers and blue books, as are presented to us, ad nauseam, on the Russian war and other questions of the day. It is true we see. these reviews unfavorably from having them brought before us in the mass. But, still, it must be evident to every candid reader that their literary composition deelining—that they are becoming su perficial a id careless—that mechanical writing which any bit c .head, wi .h given ma:erials, can furnish by the mile, is i er •asin;4—that mere labour is superseding t—that quantity is more looked to than quality—Enid that they are in danger of sinking alto gether, if a better spirit be not infused into them. l'he principle on which many of them appears to be constructed is, to get two or three articles of some literary merit, and to make up the other contents of the number from any materials more readily available. The publication of the "Oxford Essa)s" is one proof that those really thoughtful and critical minds which should be the support of Quarterly Reviews are choosing a distinct vehicle for the expression of their opinions and knowledge; and unless our reviews become more intellectual, and less mere publishing speculations, they will find it impossible to maintain the station they once held. Reviewing is so much easier than original writing—in other words, it is so much easier for a certain class of penmen to pick another man's brains than to exercise their own— that we have now a score of reviewers for every author. To daily and weekly journals may be safely left the task of making the general character of a book known : a quarterly review should disdain the drudgery work of mere extract and compilation ; and if it cannot live without such aid, its cessation will be no loss to the community. We are satisfied that many of the writers now employed in getting these bulky periodicals together might spend their time more profitably in higher departments of literature. We certainly want at the present time more author. ship and less criticism, more genuine literary work and less pilfering and manufacture. OurAnglo-Indian Army. A Military History of the British Empire in the East. By Captain Rafter. London : Bogue. AN intelligent narrative compiled from the works of Mill, Thornton, Beatson, Orme, 6m., of the operations of the Anglo Indian army since its earliest establishment in India down to the cam paign of the Punjaub. The volume thus forms a popular history of our wars in Intlia, and marks the sueces•ive steps in the growth of our empire. The wochleuts Are so indifferent that they might ..ith at vantage be omitted. Captain Ratter, in hi- preface, appears to be a thorough Indian reformer, and rejoices over the coming destiny of the " Twenty four," and of the time "when under the auspices of " a liberal and enlightened responsible Government " the mighty resources of India " will no longer be " diverted into private channels ; the prizes in its " wheel no longer be predestined by family patronage " to individual aggrandisement, but thrown open to " general competition; and India herself, freed from " the grinding rule under which she has long " suffered, shall be allowed to 'wear her plumed And jewelled turban wail a smile of paw,: " lusit. DRURY LANE.— fhe operatic season commenced on Aitani..y n►ght with the performance of SeLm►'s opera, La Sonaanata.., by an Italian co►npan,. The new Amines (Madame Ga,sier) ach►eved a decided success. lids lady, who is from Paris, possesses a voice which, although somewhat worn, yet retains considerable brilliancy and sympathetic quality. Her intonation is good, and her execution ma u ►testa a fair command over mechanical difficulties. The air in the first act, "Come per me strew)," given with brilliant effect, called forth the warmest applause; and the favorable impression thus created was maintained to the close of the opera, when the finale, "Ah non giunge," in which Madame Gassier went up to F in alt., fully established her success with the audience. Signor Bettini was a good Elvino, and sang throughout with pure and refined expression. In the aria, " Tutto e scoilto" he received an unafia mous encore, and his performance altogether was highly finished and artistic. The part of Count Rodolpho was well filled by Signor Gassier, who was very efficient in the concerted music; and with an excellent orchestra and fairly good cliorm., caretully conducted by Mr. Tully, the ensemble was perhaps superior to most of the previous performances of the Drury-lane Italian opera. The principal artists were called before the curtain at the end of each act, and warmly applauded. In the course of the evening the National Anthem, and "Partant pour is Syrie," were performed in honour of the speciality of the occasion; and a pretty ballet concluded the entertainment. SOCIETY.—The third conct it took place un Monday evening. The programme was as Willows:— PART I. Sinfonia in A, No. 2 Aria, "Vi etriunando," Mr. Wei (Faust) Concerto, Pianoiorte, in 13 fiat, Up. 19, I Beethoven. Nay bluper Aria, " Bald acillagt die Abschieda atuude," I Mozart. Mine. Ruderedurtt Overture," Euryauthe" • Weber. PART 11. Sinfonia in C minor, No. S Heat., "lui W'eeh.eliwwerdar"l M me. Itudre „ Aria, "Ja, ich tiih'es" Overture," Lea Deux Juurneer " Conductor, Herr Richard W riper. Herr Formes, who was engaeed to sing at this con cert, was prevented by Mills, osition from am raring, and Mr. Weiss in his stead sang the aria, " sbra mantic, ;" and the scene from Faust, in the second part, was sung by Mine. Rudersdortf in place of the duet from Der Alchymist, which was to have been sung by that lady and Formes. The concert did not at all suffer from these changes. Mendelssolm's "Italian Symphony," the finest of his orchestral works, was played with an effect not surpassed on any former occasion. The times of the different movements were taken as we have been accustomed to hear them, excepting toe " Saltarello " at the end, which was quicker; yet in the rapid, impetuous whirl of the Neapolitan dance the utmost distinctness was preserved. In Beethoven's great symphony in C minor, the final movement, the triumphal march, was taken very quick, and with immense energy. Through out the whole symphony its lofty character was nobly sustained, and we never were more strongly impressed with its grandeur and power. Beethoven's pianoforte concerto was played by Mr. Lindsay Sloper. Consi dering its extreme beauty, the neglect it has met with is unaccountable ; and Mr. Sloper showed his taste and judgment in choosing it on this occasion. It is very much in the style of Mozart, whom Bee thoven in his early productions seems to have made his chief model ; but the fiery and original genius of the composer is apparent throughout. Mr. Sloper's playing was exquisite; beautifully cleat and articulate, rich in tone, finely phrased, and full of grace and expression. He was most warmly ap plauded. Mr. Weiss sang the "VS abramando" ad mirably, though it is not entirely suited to his voles. Mme. Rudersdorff, who appeared for the first time at a philharmonic concert, had a great and well-merited success. The first air she sang is a musical curiosity. It was written by Mozart for the part of Palmitin, in the Zauberflott, but not sung, because the performer had not sutticitia execution for it. It is in the style of the two well-known airs in the part of the Queen of Night, and c:fritaiffs passages of the same kind, and nearly as difficult,. It is, moreover, a beautiful aomposition, and bears the swap of Mozart in every losiUon, iind bears tug ■wr..y