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

THE WEEK. THI expectancy on which we dwelt two or three weeks back is rapidly giving place to action. The visit of the Emperor Louis NAPOLEON will long be remembered—not only for its owu sake, but as marking a turning-point in the eventful siege of Sebastopol, and in the Con ference now sitting at Vienna to determine the great question of peace or war. The visit has kept the metropolis in continued excitement luring the week. For the time telegraphic messages from Vienna and Kamiesch have excited little interest in comparison with presence of the Emperor and Empress. Their entry into the metropolis took our public by surprise. Stories had been circulated for some days pre viously of the precautions that had been taken. The Emperor's car riage, it was said, had been lined with iron—and when his Majesty, with the Empress, were seen in the lovely afternoon of Monday, seated in an open barouch, advancing, at a slow place, and affording to the multitudes which lined the way from the Bricklayer's Arms Station to that at Paddington, a full view of their persons, the surprise of the spectators was hardly inferior to their gratification. The Imperial carriage was escorted by a squadron of Life Guards; beyond this there was no state, though the flags at different parts of the route, and the good-humoured crowds assembled, gave a holiday aspect to the scene. The Empress has not, we think, been seen to more advantage than on this occasion. The fair, pure, open face, wore in the midst of the turbulent rejoicing an aspect of delightful serenity, and enchanted the people by its noble grace. The procession to the city on Thursday was less stately than was anticipated. The carriage was closed, the Emperor sat back, and the pace was brisk. The tumid, clumsy speech of the Corporation was replied to by the Emperor with his wonted felicity of expression, usually tinged by a kind of poetic imagery and phrase which, though not common, seem natural to him. This was particularly remarkable at the close of his reply, when he spoke of "the imposing spectacle which England " presents, where Virtue on the Throne directs the destinies of a " country under the empire of a liberty without danger to its " grandeur." Of the reception of the Imperial guests in the streets different accounts will be given according to the stations at which spectators happened to be. It was not at any point under our obser vation enthusiastic, but it was invariably respectful, and at times hearty. The reporters have, unfortunately, fallen into such a habit of exaggeration, and have always so much frantic cheering and enthusiasm made to order, that there is really no believing a word they say. The grand reception was at the Italian Opera, on Thursday. The house was decorated in a novel style. White draperies, ornamented with gold, covered the fronts of the whole five tiers of boxes ; the drapery fell from a broad edging of fluted satin with gold border. The white was relieved by festoons of artificial flowers, and satin panels divided the drapery into compartments answering to the front of each box—the panels laced with gold, having a crimson wreath encircling the letters V. N. E., or A., placed alternately. With the splendidly-decorated Royal box in the centre, and the gay dresses and gleaming jewels of the ladies, the whole scene more resembled a tableau by Watteau, than any spectacle ever previously presented in our capital. The Queen, with her Imperial guests, arrived shortly before ten. As they entered the box, curiosity seemed the predominant feeling. Their reception was loyal, but certainly not tumultuous, nor was the applause which followed the " Partant and " God save the Queen" unusual. The contrast between our Queen and the Empress as they stood in front of the box was singular. The Queen is stout, and somewhat tanned by exposure. She was dressed in blue, without pretension to style, and might from her appearance, if we except her crown of brilliants, have seemed a happy wife and mother from any English home ; but the Empress was a I - gure, as regards• dress, that could only have come the hands of a Parisian modiste of the most exquisite taste} A white dress, flounced to the waist, trimmed with Marabout feathers, was set out in a wide circle, like the hooped petti coats of the last century. On her neck she wore a necklace composed of large emeriilds, in elegant setting, and most tastefully disposed, and thi s lofty brow was ,crowned with a superb circlet of brilliants. The figure once seen was never to be forgotten ; yet, for an English taste, the dress was perhaps too elaborate—at least it appeared so in contrast to that of the Queen. The Emperor sat on the right hand of the box, next to him was the Queen—the Empress sat next, with Prince Albert on her left. Conversation was kept up during the whole . of the performance, and the Empress looked smiling and animated. . Four of the youthful Princes and Princesses occupied the private box of her Majesty. The sight for those without was almost equal to that for those within. The line of way from Waterloo-bridge to St. James'satreet was magnificently illuminated. The display in Pall mall was dazzling —the brilliancy seeming positively superior to the unclouded noon of a summer's sky. The streets were densely thronged, and exhibited all the signs of a great festive occasion. Such a display would be Fuited to the pride of glorious victory, or still better to the pomp of I.lmions peace ; yet on that night of the 20th of April who could tell what scene was faintly lighted by the crescent moon before Sebastopol ? Had the assault then taken place? if so, who were the victors in the bloody strife, and how many thousands lay, never more to rise, on the b..ttle ground! Yesterday, the visit to the Crystal Palace, and the Queen's Grand State Ball in the evening, splendidly commemorated the birthday of lb.- THE PRESS. SATURDAY, the Emperor, and terminated the fifth day of festivities which must be numbered among the most brilliant the English Court has ever known. We are assured, by a communication from Paris, that the Emperor has fixed his departure for the Crimea for the 3rd of May. The Conferences at Vienna have not yet led to any decisive result. The telegraphic messages are mere rumours. The facts yet known are that the Russian Ministers received the despatches for which they had been waiting on Sunday evening A Conference was held on Tuesday, and lasted four hours and a-half ; and it is supposed that the propositions of the allies f;n* the reduction of the Russian fleet in the Black Sea were then rejected by Prince Go wrscHAnury and M DE TITOFF, and that a counter-proposition was submitted, which was thought worthy consideration by the allies. Another Conference, lasting two hours, was held yesterday. It is believed that Austria leans to the side of Russia. We hear, from high authority, that the accounts from Vienna are most unfavorable, and that it is considered certain, should the Conference break up without result, that Austria will not take part against Russia. The Campaign of 1855 has at length been inaugurated. Upon the morning of the 9th of April, some five hundred guns and mortars opened fire upon the Russian intrenchments, and on the right attack directing their fire principally upon the Malakoff tower. The result up to the 14th does not appear to have equalled the too sanguine expectations of the allied Generals. The latest despatch received states that the bombardment was kept up, though without any deeided result, although the advantage, if any, in point of fire and weight of metal, appeared to he on the side of the allies. If in five days bombardment we can produce no sensible result, the option of assault must alone remain to the allied Generals. Meanwhile rumours and telegraphic despatches rapidly arrive, now bringing the report of a breach, and now that OMER PACHA and 15,000 men are to aid in the assault, according to one version, or to create a diversion by landing on the north side ; and according to another that a combined assault by sea and land is to take place. The fleet has already taken up a position before the port of Sebastopol, and at the moment of assault will doubtless attempt to create an efficient diversion in favour of the assailants. We have received intelligence from Scutari up to the 2nd of April. The nurse question seems to continue a difficult and perplexing one. A correspondent writes to us, under date of Scutari, April 2. — The Romanists are trying in most quarters to convert, and I hesr many accounts of their attemp a; but it is nA necessary to take up your time with more than 1 can well prove. The books are some of them very bad which they distribute, and there is one full of the pictures of the torments of hell, which is very bad. Ought not there to be some censorship of their books ? Miss Nightingale is sadly perplexed. The ladies defy her ; and she fears that Lord Panmure is against her, and so dare not move without orders. Miss Cleugh runs off with Sir Colin Campbell, and says she will live in a tent alone, if she likes; and Miss Talbot says she will stop and be a Socinian, if she likes. I suppose we may expect a Mormon or two next. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER yesterday succeeded in effecting his proposed loan of 16,000,0001. For every 1001. sterling, he is to give 1001. Three per Cent. Consols, and an annuity of 14s. 6d., termi nable at the end of thirty years, which annuity, it is computed, is now worth 121. 7s. 6d. sterling This, with allowance for interest, would show the loan to be- contracted at about 86i. The offer of M. ROTHS CHILD was below the minimum fixed, and was therefore at onco accepted. Last night the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER brought forward his Budget in the worst financial speech heard since the retirement of Lord ALTHORP. The expenditure for the year is estimated at nearly 81,000,0001. In addition to the loan for 18,000,0001., he proposed to raise 5,300,0001. by additional taxation. Sugar would be taxed 3s. per cwt., coffee ld. per lb., tea, 3d. per lb., and the income tax would be raised one per cent. The enumeration of the several items of sugar, coffee, and tea, was received with great ironical cheering. The reason given for these taxes is curious. As the bulk of additional revenue was raised by direct taxation last year, the main stress ought to be laid on indirect taxation this year. The statement, confusedly delivered, was ill re ceived. It is very unlikely that Sir G. C. LEWIS will ever have to go through the painful duty of another financial exposition. Three "Liberal" candidates (while we write) are contesting the County of Cork between themselves, and, although there are five thousand Conservative electors in the constituency, not one Conser vative candidate has appeared in the field. We are sorry to he obliged to record a fact which shows so much apathy amongst the Conserva tives of the south of Ireland. We have no local knowledge to explain , such a state of things; but, with the high polls recorded in " Dodd at former elections, we are justified in thinking that, with moderate energy and little outlay, a constitutional candidate could be returned. The competitors for the seat (vacated by the promotion to the peerage of Mr. BURKE ROCHE) are Viscount ENnstdoax, son Of the Nall of LISTOWEL, one of the heroes of the Alma, where he was " serclely wounded ;" Mr. ALEXANDER M'CARTRY, formerly M.P. for Cork city ; and Mr. RICKARD DEASY, the leader of the Munster Circuit Bar. The latter two gentlemen are Roman Catholics, and each of the three can didates proclaims his attachment to " tenant, right." Next week we may possibly comment (when the result is known) on some of repotted proceedings ofthis rather singular contest -.. • Lere to ye that Lord h runs of and Misa y expect a affecting ie is to , termi- , is now , would . ROTHB- - onco ward his ment of • I nearly 300,0001. )flee ld. one per and tea, 'or these deed by indirect s ill re- .ve to go iting the are five Conser- obliged onserva- explain Dodd" noderate .eturned. peerage 3 Ettil of sever ely ork city ar. The nee e,an- wet k we e0t4.4