Northern Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-01-26 00:00:00

..•,••••••°° has me t boat, arid 'she rode 'ere freely it, on her her heel e manse and a-half sterdah't_ --- ea hir )s, n ,ps of the and with sels in the d of all/ Monday tures lc? 1,11 , gr . ith -Lord :he roam. industrial al bene fi t Absil . teased for to the peatecilt istout 0! rly asl geatest which, L cordial )n - being nted to airman, aiject--- lie age called Cement —Th or side - Sing" scar wl* HE BURNS' CENTENARY. ST. GEORGE'S HALL. The celebration which took place in St. George's Hall last night, may, for various reasons, be fairly classed as P re ceding in importance any other during the evening. annumbers, th e gathering in the hall equalled proba b ly festival which ever took place. More than 2,500 tickets had been sold, we understand, at an early period of the day, and probably many others were disposed of before the opening of the hall in the evening. The arrangements of the hall were very much similar to those which prev a il e d on the occasion of the fancy d ress " all in 18 57, and the flooring •in the great hall was laid down by Messrs. Montgomery and Kilpin in §e same manner, carriages drew up at the north end; and the st eps at the entrance were carpeted with red cloth. m Fr 'uf-past six o'clock carriages, cabs, and convey ances of every description began to stream towards the 11411 —in one instance an omnibus chartered specially for a th e occasion, an d full fre i ghted w i th ga i ly- d ressed b eauty, ttracted particular attention. The halls, corridors, and aljacent rooms soon became crowded. There was but a sprinkling of Hi g hl an d k e lt s an d eag l e f ea th ers, b u t t h e brethren of Masonic Lodges in the insignia of their Orders, made a very considerable muster. In the Pe rth hall was stati one d th e b an d of the Royal nsioners. which, during the first hour, performed vari ous sele c ti ons of mus i c at intervals door of the great hall was not thrown open for pro lacnaders until the hour for commencing the ball ; but there was a path kept open, and marked off with ropes all round, so that visitors could make the circuit of the whole under the statues and pillars. Before long there Was crowding everywhere 7 -in this promenade, in the lib rary, in the concert-room, on the stairs, in the corri- The dancing into- which. visitors could compress fle at first seemed not quite to know themselves, but before long the stream irectly towards THE CONCERT-ROOM, sal of the evening was virtually to open Ince of a vocal and instrumental concert. c l "..- - ;k . the beautiful little room was densely crowded. The vocalists engaged for the concert, were Air. Armstrong, Mr. Graham, Mr. Hughes, the Liverpool Miss Union, and an orchestra of about 40 performers ; 4 `iiss Clan Fraser, Mrs. Steedman, Mrs. Keef, Mr. Kennedy, under the direction of Mr. R. B. Stewart, of Edinburgh, conducter of the orchestra of the London Caledonian. Mr. Joseph Bagot Robinson presided at the piano forte. The first part of the concert consisted' of Burns' "Jolly Beggars," set to music by Sir henry Bishop. What may be termed the narrative parts of the famous Beggar scone, were read by Mr. Kennedy, the solos were sung by Miss Clan Fraser, Mrs. Steedman, Mr. Kennedy, and Mr. Armstrong, and the chorus were finely performed try the Vocal Union. The opening chorus had a splendid and thrilling effect, the solos were, on the whole, well sung, the choruses were AU full and in harmony ; and yet perhaps this part of the evening's performances was felt, by most present, to be somewhat of a failure. The portions read, or recited,' by Mr. Kennedy were decidedly ineffective, that gentleman wanting. strength of voice to make the humour and the varied meanings of the poem impressive to such an audience. Perhaps the best sung ballad in this portion Aof the concert was, " I am a son of M ars ," by M r . 111 strong. The second part of the concert wa s mis llaneous and seemed to be more success f u l i n it s e ff ect. Sonic of the solos were beautifully sung ; and, as we could not praise Mr. Kennedy's reading, we are the more f'llifified to be able to give especial praise to his singing uf a' the Aids the Wind can blaw." During intervals i n e Vie concert Mr. Best played a fantasia on Scotti s h effect throughout in th e grea t h a ll , an d pro d uce d a magn ifi cent throughout the whole building. The following 11,21 e programme of the miscellaneous concert, in the ,i`_ l4 l part of which, that performed between ten and "et c o'clock, Mr. Joseph Bagot Robinson acted as condactor. ,;4 The J°ll3' PART FIRST, 's," a Cantata. Music by Sir IL R. Bishop. Overture on Scottish Airs .... !,3511g, " There wa s .. Bur s s ... Arranged by R. B. Stewart. Lad Was born in Kyle" . '"g; " John ode ion my jo, John " .... ~ ..... .. Burn Scott • 8 Scottish airs arranged ' for the orchestra ... R. B. Stewart .Burns 8„ ° !g, " Coin 6 through the Rye " •,• ' '" Burns „`ne, " 0' a' the Airts the Wind can Blaw ', Burns g' o ' n et, " Oh, Wert thou in the Caul(' Blast t'q g' IDuncan Gray cam' here to Woo" . . t. 4adtLe c° . occasion by ... ...R. B. Ste wart, li on „ , niposed for the . Tr,c,g, liere Awa, There Awa, Wandering Willie" . B and chorus ? "Oh, Willie Brew'd a Peck o'Maut .. "• ' Burns 7, o ng, " 011, Whistle and I'll come to ye, my Lad." B s D ue t' . Burns "Yeßa k B ' b nie D00n"...... bo ng' „ , n s and raes 0 on Burns, g ' S cot, wha hae wi' Wallace bled" PART SECOND. PART THIRD .I.ur_der to m eet the wishes of those ladies and gentlemen who 2111 ° n ot take p art in the dancing, the following selection of ,v,),pl,,Music was sung between the hours of ten and twelve. Last Jav a braw Wooer cam down the lane So.,„_ Green Brow theo" .804utrtet,l—m Love is lik e a re d , red Rose ' G ather 111 - Gather in, Idle an' a' " • Poetry bk . R. Gilfillan, Music by Peter M‘Leod Burns in We - should not think it in place to enter into a 'zigtiletied critical notice of the musical performance e ven if it had been possible for us to do so. The manner 1 1 which the room was crowded throughout the night, the counteracting attractions set up in other parts of the tl lilai ng, and the impossibility, once having left your s te to the concert-room of ever getting near it again, Will c-xplain sufficiently to ' all who were there why we of cannotte pretend to any ' further notice of a great portion performance. Was 1 THE LIBRARY auci. d evoted t o t h e exh ibi t i on of portra i ts, relics, h an Put?graph s o f Ro b ert Burns; fac-similes of his inci and sketches of places id en tifi e d w ith ZT e ritin g , .„ 0 LS in his life, or made famous by allusion in his Teen Several drawings of this latter cl as s were 5 larly interesting, an d were, perhaps, the most looked although not the most aluable among the articles 1 4 splayed. A splendid collection of autographs, belonging of Mr. Joseph Mayer, formed the . most remarkable portion the Whole. Some of th e ear li es t e di t i ons of Burns ' s Poems 2' Were exhibited— one c h a i ne d to the table like an 1 (1 college Pl ato i n the days before printing. Some of these editions were those published by subscription, entitled " Poems, chiefly Scottish, by Robert Burns," and having the dedication to the members of the Caledonian Hunt Club, Who generously took one hundred copies, and a list of the mimes of all the subscribers. Locks of the poet's hair and of hts "bonnie Jean's," were also shown. A bust, in Plaster, of Mrs. Begg, Burns' sister, from a model taken after death, by Mr. Douglas Harvey, sculptor, of Ayr, ,Was shown which we believe the Misses Begg, and all who knew 'the deceased, pronounced to be a perfect like ness. Although not exhibited in this room, we may also refer here to a bust of Robert Burns, which was placed In front of the orchestra in the concert-room, with sta tuettes on either side of Robert Bruce and William Wallace. Behind the bust of the poet was a small figure, representing the genius of poetry with a lyre in one hand, and in the other a laurel wreath,which she appeared about to lay upon the head of Burns. In the library were various busts of the poet, and several portraits of him -self and of his wife. Many other objects of an int eres ti ng c h arac t er connected with the subject were also shown. Mr. Reay, of Church-street, exhibited cast of the poet's skull. Medals commemorative of the Event, were sold here. 'lt was announced that the prize Poem would be read at nine o'clock in this room, and a ccordingly, it became densely crowded about that hour. INo 'he company, however, had their long delay for no result. poem was read there —no reader made his appear ance. It was known that . Mr. Macbride, the hon. 'secretary, was to have been the reader, and no small it mount of grumbling at that gentleman's absence, cir culated through the room. It appear, however that b Y an alteration in the arrangements, the poem was , to be read i n the concert-room, and no public tineouncement to this effect having been made, gathering in . the library was left to 'tsperse itself when quite tired of waiting. The poem, 4,l)sever, was read by Mr. Macbride in the Concert- THE BALL i$ DPened at t en o ' c l oc k i n the great hall the Programme of the dances : l r : Quadrille, composed for the occasion , R. B. Stewart h• Martha, (Laurent). 3. P olka —Soldiers (D'Albert). 4. Reels. Lancers. 7. Ga lop—Leviathan (D'Albert). The following S. W altz —Haunts of the F airies . Athole (R. B. St ewar t). 100. Polka —French. 12, Lancers (Laurent) 13, G al o P Gabesdoon (It. B. Stewart 14. Martha (D'Albert). Nit o - Et a i l o t p_ z— „A V lar olante (D'Albert.) 16 . Reel. (D'Albert). 1). Queen's. ,18. Balmoral (Lowe)—arranged by R. B. Stewart. we Alaacing the seemed to be b kept up with a spirit and vivacity (D'Albert which 'Would have delighted the poet in whose honour the festival took place, could" he hive mingled in the revels or even looked upon the moving and whirling groups. All that interfered with the perfect enjoyment of the ball was the crowd, who would insist on dancing. Seen from the galleries, or the steps opposite the organ end, the sight was something amazing. Such an immense and confused mass of people moving to "something like" harmony and music. THE REFRESHMIENTS were provided by Mr. Anderson, of the Merchants' Dining Rooms, Castle-street, who supplied an excellent supper, at prices of a singularly modqate character. No part of the whole arrangements was better conducted than this most important department. 44 AULD . LANG SYNE! It was arranged that the musical performances should close with " Auld Lang Syne," to be sung in the great hall, and chorussed by the company. At twelve o'clock Mr. Kennedy led off with the solo part, which he sung well and expressively. We must say, however, that we never saw a meeting more thoroughly unemotional, genteel, and disappointing. The chorus was the feeblest and faintest, few in the room appearing to observe that anything of the kind was going on. An encore was demanded by a few voices, and the last verse was repeated, but even then the chorus was scarcely more vigorous, and an imperturbable composure characterised the bulk of the assembly. Probably, it would not be easy to find many companies who, on such an occasion and at such an hour, would not warm into irresistible emotion at " Auld Lang Syne !" THE ' ARRANGEMENTS We must spare ,some lines to comment on one part .of the arrangements—that of the hat and coat room. Anything so utterly and disgracefully mis-managed, no Liverpool assembly has ever seen. Soon after 12 o'clock, a few persons came to this room to look after their hats and coats. The attendants were not quick in giving them out, and some impatience was manifested. The crowd began to increase, and it was feared that some of the tickets received by gentlemen did not correspond, with those on their property. There was some confusion, and every one tried to get at his own. It was proposed that the doors should be shut until the attendants had arranged all the hats and coats. This was agreed to, and all the gentlemen went outside. At half past twelve,waiting the writer was one of those out side ,the door. An hour passed over, and no progress seemed to be made. The crowd had greatly increased, and became naturally impatient and clamorous. Those inside seemed utterly unable to do anything, and it was at last announced that many of the numbers had been lost. 'Further time was asked for arrangement. Up to nearly three o'clock the crowd kept increasing round the door to such a degree as to render danger of accidents, by crushing, very probable. A member of the committee endeavoured to get a hearing, but was listened to with very little attention or patience, inasmuch as all he could say was, that the ball was fo r the benefit of pUblic chari ties, and visitors, therefore, ought to make some allow ance. At three o'clock, as there seemed no chance of any order being restored, or of any arrangement being made to re-arrange the coats and hats, or to allow people to look for their own, the writer was obliged_ to leave, as did numbers of others, in a cab, without coat or hat. What followed afterwards he is unable to say. More shameful imbecility of management was never seen. Arrangements had to be made for about as many gentlemen as usually attend . a concert at the Philharmonic, or an opera in Covent Carden ; and no means could be found of allowing them to get at their coats or hats within three hours. To the vast majority of the, male visitors, the enjoyment of th e even i ng was , we nee d no t say , tterly marred by such an exhauiting, insufferable, and, as it proved, fruitless delay. SOIREE AT THE CONCERT HALL A soiree took place at the Concert-hall, Lord Nelson street, last evening: There was a crowded attendance, numbering about 2,000, and composed of the middle and humbler classes. The proceedings commenced ,by the audience—or at least so many of them as could get at it—partaking of tea. This over, the chair was taken by Nathaniel Caine, Esq., who made a few general obser vations upon this first centennial commemoration of the birth of Scotland's great poet, of whose works and genius he spoke in terms of the highest praise. Mr. Adam Gibson then sang some original lines to the tune of " Auld lang sync," the audience joining in the chorus. The lines were encored ; and the chairman, having expressed himself gratified at so good a beginning, called upon Mr. Robert P. Scott, who read an original poetical address on the genius and character of Burns. The lines possessed considerable merit, and were much applauded. An address on " Barns as a Poet," the greater part of which was inaudible to the reporters (but which was fOrtunately, probably, in manuscript), was-then delivered by Mr. J. M. M'Diarmid. He eulogised the Scottish character generally, and gave instances of their courage in battle, under such leaders as Sir W. Wallace (cheers) —and many instances of their bravery against religious tyranny. Such a people was TrodUctive of great men, and amongst them was Robert Burns. (Cheers.) He then, at much length, gave a biographical sketch of the poet's life, being occasionally interupted by cries of " Time," and "Cat it Short," and the 'speaker concluded amidst some uproar. In " Green Grows the Rashes, 0" which followed, and which was somewhat more lively, the audience joined in the chorus, the song was loudly encored, and the joke of a person who called out, " A kiss after that," created much laughter. The songs by the Misses WTemyss were given with great taste, and afforded much delight to the demonstrative audience. The Chairman here announced, that there was on the platform, an old lady, 80 years of age, who knew Burns, and she would take part in the proceedings ; as there were few persons now living who knew Burns, she should be seen._ _ (Cheers.) . _ The old lady, who was dressed in a very homely man ner here rose, and was .enthusiastically applauded, the audience rising and cheering her as she advanced to the front of the platform. On resuming her seat, the old lady was again. loudly cheered. [lt was understood the old lady's name was Ellen Grayson.] _ _ An address, on "Burns as aMan," was then delivered by Mr. Robert Wands. He defended Burns against the insinuations which had . been thrown out against him by those who did not understand him. Song by Mr. Gibson : "A Man's a Man for a' that," the audience joining in the chorus, but with indifferent success, the first attempt to " do" the chorus breaking down. A "haggis" was here introduced amidst much laughter, but before' it was carved, Mr. Gibson read Burns's lines to a Haggis. Tho Chairman said the haggis had a very good smell, though he had not the slightest idea how it would taste ; they who desired to taste it could do so in the committee room. Mr. A. Leighton volunteered to sing, previous to which lie offered some comments upon the "genius " of Burns, but was stopped by loud cries of " song," He then attempted a song, but failed, amidst great laughter, Mr. J. Skeaf, sen.,—who was a favourite with the audience supplying his place by giving, in the most charming style, Of a' the Airts the Winds can blaw." • Mr. A. Gibson, after reading some observations on poetry, especially that of Burns, some of the beauties of which he pointed out, recited, in a very effective and telling manner, the poem of "Tam o' Shanter," giving the required accent, which created much laughter. At its conclusion he was lordly applauded. It was now eleven o'clock, and the entries that re mained on the programme to be gone through were-- Song " Bonnie Jean," by Mr. Wands ; song, " Blythe, blythe, was she," Mr. Adam Gibson ; duet, " Coming through the rye," the Misses Wemyss : and, finally, " Auld Lang Syne," by Mr. Gibson, the audience heartily joining in the chorus. Mr. J. Skeaf, jun., presided at the pianoforte. It was after eleven o'clock when the proceedings concluded. CRYSTAL PALACE, SYDENTIAM, The 100th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns was celebrated yesterday, at the Crystal Palace, the directors having done everything - they could to make the festival worthy the memory of Scotland's poet. . . . Although the morniug/was not- of the brightest cha racter, vast nnmbers of persons flocked to the railway stations at London-bridge and Battersea, where ample accommodation was provided for them by special trains, which ran at frequent intervals to the palace. The in terior of the building soon presented an animated appear ance, and some well-known Scotch airs were played by the band of the Royal Caledonian Asylum and the Scots Fusilier Guards. At twelve o'clock the main proceedings of the day commenced by the unveiling of a colossal bust of Burns, modelled and executed expressly for the occasion by Mr. W. Calder Marshall, R.A., and of a select collection of portraits, autographs, the writing-desk of the poet, and other interesting personal relies, which had been placed at the disposal of the directors by Colonel William Niohcil Burns and Colonel J. G. Burns, the sons of the poet, by Sir James Burns, Mr. A. Stevens, Mr. John Richardson, and a large number of the poet's admirers. A concert followed, in which some of the most admired songs of th 6 Scottish poet were introduced —amongst them being "Auld Lang Syne," "Duncan Gray," "A Man's a Man for a' That," " Green Grow the Rushes 0," and " Scots wha hae wi' Wallace bled ;" and the whole audience joined in chorus in the well known lyrics. After the first part of the concert, Mr. Phelps, the tragedian, recited a poem which gained the first prize offered by the Crystal Palace Company, and which was loudly applauded. It was as follows : ODE ON THE CENTENARY OF BURNS. We hail this morn, A century's noblest birth ; A Poet peasant-born, Who more of Fame's immortal dower Unto his country brings, Than all her Kings ! As lamps high set Upon some earthly eminence,— And to the gazer brighter thence Than the sphere-lights they flout, — Dwindle in distance and die out, While no star waneth yet; Sothrough the past's far-reaching night, Only the star-souls keep their light. A gentle boy,— With moods of sadness and of mirth, Quick tears and sudden joy, Grew up beside the peasant's hearth. His father's toil he shares; But half his mother's cares From his dark searching eyes, Too swift to sympathise, Hid in her heart she bears. At early morn, His father calls him to the field; Through the stiff soil that clogs his feet, Chill rain, and harvest heat, He plods all day; returns at eve outworn, To the rude fare a peasant's lot doth yield;— To what else was he born? The God-made King Of every living thing; (For hie groat heart in love could hold them all ;) The dumb eves meeting his by hearth and stall, — Gifted to understand! Knew it and sought his hand ; And the most timorous creature had not fled, Could she his heart have read, Which fain all feeble things had bless'd and sheltered To Nature's Feast, — Who knew her noblest guest And entertain'd him best, — Kingly he came. Her chambers of the east She drap'd with crimson and with gold, And pour'd her pure joy-wines For him the poet-soul'd, For him her anthem roll'd, From the storm-wind among the winter pines, Down to the slenderest note Of a love-warble; from the linnet's throat. But when begins The array for battle, and the trumpet blows, A King must leave the feast, and lead the fight • And with its mortal foes, — Grim gathering hosts of sorrows and of sins,— Each human soul must close. And Fame her trumpet blew Before him; wrapp'd him in her purple state; And made him mark for all the shafts of fate, That henceforth round him flew. rh he may yield Hard-press'd, and . W . Ounded fall Forsaken on the field ; His regal vestments soil'd ; His crown of half its jewels spoll'd ; He is a King for all. Had he but stood aloof Had he array'd himself in armour proof Against temptation's darts! So yearn the good ;—so those the world calls wise, With vain presumptuous hearts, Triumphant moralise. Of martyr-woe A sacred shadow on his memory rests ; Tears have not ceas'd to flow; Indignant grief yet stirs impetuous breasts, To think,—above that noble soul brought low, That wise and soaring spirit fool'd, enslav d, — Thus, thus he had been saved ! It might not be ! That heart of harmony Had been too rudely rent ; Its silver chords, which any hand could wound, By no hand could be tun'd, Save by the Maker of the instrument, Its very string who knew, And from profaning touch His heavenly gift withdrew Regretful love His country fain would prove, By grateful honours lavish'd on his grave Would fain redeem her blame That He so little at her hands can claim, Whl unrewarded gate To her his life-bought gift of song and fame The land he trod Hath now become a place of pilgrimage ; Where dearer are the daisies of the sod - That milli his song engage. The hoary hawthorn, wr, - ...ath'd Above the hank on which his limbs he flung While some sweet plaint he breath'd ; The streams he wander'd near ; The maidens whom he lov'd ; the songs he sung ; All, all are dear ! The arch blue eyes,— Arch but for love's disguise,— Of Scotland's daughters, soften at his strain; ller hardy song, sent forth across the main To drive the ploughshare through earth's virgin soils, Lighten with it their toils And sister lands have learned to love the tongue In which such songs are sung. For doth not Song, To the whole world belong ? Is it not given wherever tears can fall, Wherever hearts can melt, or blushes glow, Of mirth and sadness mingle as they flow, A heritage to all ? The day's proceedings concluded with the National Anthem, to which were appended the following words, written for the occasion by Mr. Thomas Oliphant, the honorary secretary of the Madrigal Society, with special reference to the Princess Frederick William of Prussia : Long live her daughter fair. Lov'd wife of Prussia's heir, And future Queen. On this their wedding day, Sing we a joyful lay, God bless them both, we pray, God save the Queen ! THE NORTHERN TIMES, WEDNESDIY, JANUARY 26, 1859 ENGLAND AND PIEDMONT The following article, which may be received as at least semi-offici4l, appears in the Indipendente of Turin : The English press in general has disappointed the hopes which many had placed on it concerning the Italian question, IV° had previously seen the English press turn that question into a weapon of liberal opposition in the Parliament, and into a means of popu larity in the electoral meetings. We had witnessed the public opinion cheering the downfall of Lord Palmerston, to whom nothing caused greaterharm than the opposi tion of Mr. Disraeli, who had revealed the project of a secret treaty with Austria to guarantee her Italian possessions. We had seen the same public opinion passing a. severe condemnation on Lord Malmesbury's conduct in the Cagliari affair,- and changing, in an unexpected manner, the politics of the government. After such facts some flattered themselves that the popular dispositions in the Lombardo-Venetian provinces and the manly words pronounced by , the King of Pied mont would again stir up British sympathies for the Italian cause. Far from it ; we have seen that the English press, with but few exceptions, pres erves a co ld and even malevolent countenance towards Italy, that it forgets its own preceding protestations against the foreign domination and the great number of other evils with which Italy is afflicted, and that it proposes diplomacy as the only sure means of curing her sores. In our opinion, this conduct of the English press is owing to two causes—the first of which is that the • English having, always presented themselves, at least in words, as the only protectors of the oppressed people of our peninsula, their . pride is wounded on. account of their not having been the first, this time, to get up the ques tion of Italian regeneration; the second is, that the power on which the Italians rely is France—England's most ancient and dreaded rival. They might possibly have applauded an insurrection, but cannot bear the . thought of an attempt assisted by French arms. In spite of this partly hostile and partly cold demeanour of the English press, we hold fast to our.belief that the generous portion of the nation is favourable to us, and that its numerical force is great enough to frustrate any attempt which the more selfish might make of assisting our enemies. The better portion of the English nation would not bear the disgrace of an alliance with Austria, with the object of preventing a nation from recovering its independence. The country which boasts of being the oldest and staunchest champion of freedom would feel ashamed and humiliated to spend her treasures and pour out her blood to support absolutism and foreign oppres sion. It is possible, with impunity, to preach neutrality in England, where commerce asks for nothing better, in order to avoid a crisis; but it would be impossible to saddle the nation with the disgrace of an illiberal war. It is only on account of some of her great interests being threatened, that England could interfere in favour of Austria, and run the grave chances of an European war. But her interests are not threatened so long as the liberation of Italy is only iu question. On the contrary, England herself must acknowledge the advantages which would accrue to her from the establishment of a free and independent Italy. Commerce being the main source of her wealth, she cannot hope to develope it completely but under the shield of a lasting peace ; and such a peace, no one can any longer doubt it, is impossible, unless the Italian question be settled. It surely is the interest of Great Britain that no one of the great Powers which can be her rivals should augment its territory, so as to menace the European balance, and she ought therefore to wish that national and strong governments should establish themselves in Italy, and thus become an ob s t ac l e . t o th e encroac h ments and to the increase of the greater Powers, as well as a guarantee to the preservation of that balance. So long as Italy is feeble, .enslaved, diiided, and restless there will be reason to fear that she may fall a prey to the most daring of the_invaders. On the other hand, when she is constituted as a nation, she will be able to defend herself, and to enter upon a system of friendly intercourse and alliance with the other nations. Inde pendent Italy will even consolidate that alliance, which has been on all hands acknowledged so useful between France and England. It appears that a considerable portion of the English press allows itself to be carried away by suspicion about the ultimate intentions of France, and by fears of a Eeneral complication. What co u ld b e more l og i ca l f or ngland, in order to prevent such dangers, than to asso ciate herself with the just aspirations of Italy ? The alliance between France, England, and Piedmont, resolved the Eastern question, which was one of the greatest dangers for Europe ; the same alliance would much more easily resolve the Italian question now, when the most poweful adversary, who was t o b e f eare d some years ago, is an adversary no longer —we mean Russia. Certain it is that such an alliance could not be of the kind which appears to be wished .for .by some English journals—namely, a co-operation of the cabinets to obtain, diplomatically, half measure reforms from Austria. This is one of the gravest mistakes now being committed by the English press, which is not aware, or pretends not to be aware, of the fact that the knot of the Italian question consists in this—Away with the . foreigners. It is of no use for Austria to grant reforms, for England to exert herself in obtaining them ; the essential part of the contest will ever remain unsolved, and Europe will never have peace. Nor is it a less error to think, as some English.journals appear to do, that the solution of the Italian question, to which Italy aspires with the assistance of France, can consist in a simple change of foreign domination. The general conditions of Europe,. and. Italy's well known aspirations to an absolute independence, ought com pletely to dispel such a mistaken notion, which we do not suppose to be seriously entertained by the English journals, but which seem to us to be merely a preteil for opposition and a scarecrow held out by stock-jobbers. England has two means of keeping the actual system of alliance ; either actively to co-operate, and this possibly does not agree with her interest; or to stand by and allow others to act, keeping only a good watch that no Power extraneous to It'aly shall bo increased. This last way of proceeding, which, under the name of neutrality, is proposed by the most liberal of the English journals, agrees best of all with the traditional policy of England, and is in keeping with the ancient protestations of her sympathy for the Italians. The news of the death, at Rutchuk, of Redshid Pacha's younger son, Mazai Pacha, is contradicted by the Constitutionel. The Duke of Buckingham has two volumes of "Memoirs of the Court of George IV." in the press. These memoirs, it is understood, are made up from original family papers. Our American brethren will like to hear, sayS the Illustrated Hews, that America is about to send to England a ripe scholar to complete his studies of Chaucer in Chaucer's native country. Professor Child, of Harvard College, is to be in England next month. The professor gave us a good edition of Spencer in 1855, and has recently printed eight volumes of old ballads and popular poetry. He will find English scholars ready to receive him with a warm hand, and just as ready to assist his studies towards a new, and in America much-looked for edition of Chaucer. A letter from Bombay of the 24th ultimo says : —" We have had several sailing regattas here during the present month. Although we have a neat little theatre,, per formances very seldom take place, owing to the want of an organised band of performers. Such as we occasionally have are mere amateur performances, but they are not much encouraged by the public. The natives have taken to theatrical performances' in imitation of their more' enlightened brethren; and it is not uncommon to see some of the leading plays of Shakspere announced for per formance in the Guzeratte language." Apropos of the interesting ballet girl, the Era says : Managers have much to 'answer for in first compelling girls to throw themselves in the way of temptation; and then, as a safeguard to the door of facile vice, giving nine shillings a week to ward off seduction and hunger. There is one manager, however, and we aro proud to know the fact, who gives to the lowest girl in his ballet. the wages of a man—not less than a guinea a week ; and in doing this does all he humanly can in his position to counteract the deadly and insidious appeal that vice ever makes at the door of necessity. That manager is Mr. Charles Kean. We (Maidstone Journal) are happy- to learn that the Lord Chancellor has just been pleased to confer upon Sir Walter Riddell, Bart., the important and lucrative office of Judge of the County Courts of North Staffordshire. This is a spontaneous acknowledgment of the legal attain ments and Worth of our fellow-townsman, as we under stand that Sir Walter's name was in no way brought before the Lord Chancellor. The appointment will not affect the discharge of Sir Walter's duties as Recorder of Maidstone and Tenterden ; but t of course, his University friends will no longer think of him as a candidate for the seat supposed to be vacated by Mr, Gladstone.. SomximnuLisx.—An extraordinary case of somnam bulism occurred at Hatherleigh, on Monday night last, when a boy named llurford, 14 years of age, rose from his bed in the middle of the night, being still asleep, passed through some plants without disturbing , them, and opened the window, through which ho passed into the street 11 or 12 feet below. He then skipped over the street and knocked up an opposite neighbour, whom he asked for the loan of " a washing tray, as mother was going washing." Seeing the boy's .almost naked con dition, the neighbour aroused the father, who took home his still unconscious sop, whom he had great difficulty in waking. The descent from the window to the ground Without injury is nigst mitrYollo46,--- Western Tinted, A. CLERGYMAN DENOUNCING BURNS The Daily Scotsman says :—" The following remarks, which are sent us as those with which the Rev. Dr. W. L. Alexander closed his lecture on Sunday, will be every where read with disgust at their spirit and contempt of their shallowness Is there not an idolatry of genius among you ? What is the homage which thousands in this city and throughout the country are going to pay to the memory of a man this week but something of this kind ? I am not about to detract from the genius of this man, in what I am going to say. If ho had been a mighty prince who had de livered a nation from cruel bondage, and raised it to a high condition of liberty and civilisation —if he had been a discoverer in science and philosophy who had conferred the benefits of wealth and social improve ments upon the world—l should - consider the homage about to be paid to him as both foolish and wrong ; but when he was a person who never loved a woman but to betray her, and who never made an acquaintance among either young men or women but he injured and corrupted, I am at a loss to explain the infatuation that has fallen upon my country. England would not do so for her Milton—Germany would not do so for her Goethe—ltaly would not do so for Tasso or Dante ; but Scotchmen are about to do this for a man who was far beneath either of these great sons of genius. I cannot but regard this conduct, in every view of it, as both foolish and wicked.' " BEAUTIES OF BURNS Air Ye Banks and Brae A' ranks this day, through a' the town, Baith bonnie lads and lassies fair, lla'e donned the kilt and " brew new gown," And to St. George's hall repair; To celebrate that famous nicht Which, for the hundredth time returns— On which auld Scotland's Bard knew light, And spend a merry "nicht wi' Bums." Air—Auld Zang Syne. Should auld acquaintance be forgot, Or ever left behind? No, no, the public, weel I wot, Would ne'er be so unkind As e'en, for Burns' sake, to slight That personage beningn ; lirtLy, our glory and delight, • Since the days of auld lang sync. Air—Green Grow the Rushes, There is naught of care on any hand s Nor discontented mutter, 0, For almost all the festive band Have tasted Kelly's Butter, 0. Heigho the butter, 0, Height)! the butter, 0, " The milk," you'll find, " Of human kind ness," lurks in Kelly's Butter, 0 Air—Willie brewed a peek o' maul, KELLY'S sued, and told he ought, The brilliant sight to come and see ; But he reflected, ere he bought His ticket, and thus reasoned he : "It would not do, I might get fou,' And what would then become of me? For, at cock-crow, To work I go, And sell my BurrEa busily." CHARM , . AGAINST A FATHER OF HAVING ------- - - - - - BEATEN HIS CHILD TO DEATH Yesterday, at the Westminster Police-court, George Clarke, a labourer, was charged before Mr. Arnold on suspicion of having caused the death of George Clarke, his son, a boy of 12 years of age, by beating him. The neighbourhood of Holland-street, where the alleged offence was committed, having been thrown into a state of agita tion by the boy's cries and subsequent death, the court was thronged by persons anxious to hear the case. Inspector' Humphreys said : I heard that the boy came in-doors on Saturday evening-, in good health ; his father beat him, and some one cried out, "You brute, leave the boy alone." A witness came down stairs, and found the boy dead, or just upon the point of death. Mr. Arnold : Then I must take it as on suspicion of having illegally caused the death. Inspector Humphreys : I thought it right to take prisoner, as he was at large. Sane Tooley, 12, Holland-street, Westminster, said: I live in the same house with the prisoner. I heard Clarke beat his boy about nine o'clock on Saturday - -ht. I did he did not see t_ ooy just before he was beaten. I heard the boy cry, "0, father don't." I heard a man hollow through the window, " Leave the boy alone." Heard no sounds of blows. I heard the boy cry and say, "Father, don't," which made me think he was beating him.. A few minutes afterwards, I was told the boy was dead. I did not believe it at first. The boy did not cry long. I went downstairs where the boy was lying on the bed, I said, "Is he dead ? 7 His wife said " Yes." I said, "Try some hot water." Prisoner was leaning over the boy. Mrs. Clarke said, " Hot water is not good : Mr. Pearse says he's dead." , I don't think it was more than twenty minutes between prisoner coining in and my,going into the room. It might have been ten minutes when I was told he was dead. Clarke seemed much agitated, and ordered me and his sister-in-law out of the .room. The boy was dead when I looked at him. He said, "Go out, or there will be murder." I think he - said that. He never ill treats his children nor drinks. Police constable Powley, 228 B, —From information I went to take the prisoner at ten this morning ; told him he must go to the station ; he was there told he would be charged with causing the death of his child. lie made no reply. In spector Humphreys said he had within the last hour received a letter from Mr. George Pearse, surgeon of Regent-street, lVestmin s t er , s t a ti ng th a t he bad made an outward examination of the body, and could find no out ward appearances sufficient to have caused death. He might say Mr. William Pearse, of Marsham-street, had seen the boy at the point of death, and thought he had died of a fit, but neither of the surgeons had heard the woman's statement. TIPPERARY REFORM MEETING The Freeman's Journal, of yesterday, had an account of the meeting of the Independent Club, of the County Tipperary, held in Thuries, on Monday, in reference to the question of parliamentary reform, tenant right, and other matters. The meeting was only preliminary to a great county demonstrition and banquet ; but before separating three resolutions were passed o n th e ques ti on. Mr. Maher, who represented, the . county for several years, proposed, and the Very Rev. Father Lafford, P.P., seconded a resolution to the effect that the efforts of Mr. Bright to procure parliamentary reform was deserving of the warmest approval and co-operation of the Irish peo ple, and, although there are some details of his project, particularly with respect to the distribution of the repre sentatives of Ireland, which could be more favourable, yet they hail the sound principles he has enunciated, and, above all, his making vote by ballot an indispensable condition of his bill, and the basis of his electoral independence, without which the advantage arising from an extension of the franchise would be lost in Ireland by the extension of any oligarchical domination, and the further prostration of the popular liberty. Resolutions-were passed in favour of tenant right, and one in condemnation of the proposed landlord's meeting. The O'Donoghue was pre;cut, together with the Mayor of Clonmel, and a number of catholic clergymen of the county. THE POLICE AND THE LICENSED VICTUALLERS. The Horning Advertiser, referring to a letter in the columns of that paper, from a correspondent, relative to the hardships and injustice to which the licensed vic tuallers of the metropolis are subjected, owing to the capricious views which law and police courts alike take of the way in which they ought to act when disturbances are created, or improper language used, in their houses. In the Court of Common Pleas, on Monday, Mr. Skeate, a licensed victualler, had to defend an action brought against him on the ground of alleged injury done conduct of the latter. No decision in the case was come to by the jury, and the result is that not only will Mr. Skeate have to pay his own expenses, but the point is still left undecided as to what amount of force a landlord may use in expelling an ill-tongued or uproarious person from his house. Another case occurred at the Southwark police court, on Friday, in which Mr. Carr, the landlord of the King's Arms Tavern, Thornton-street, charged his barman with being drunk and disorderly, and wilfully breaking a glass. On this occasion the landlord, instead of himself expelling the drunken disorderly person, called in a policeman, who ejected him, at once. But for doing this the policeman was severely reprimanded by Mr. Combo, the sitting magistrate, who told him that the police had no right to interfere in such cases, but that it was the duty of land lords themselves to turn out unruly characters. What, under these circumstances are licensed victual lers to do ? One of their number is punished in a court of law, by having to pay the costs of an extensive defence, for expelling a person from his house who had been using most improper language, and otherwise mis conducting himself. In another case, another licensed victualler is told by a police-magistrate that he ought to eject unruly characters himself, and that the police have no right to assist any landlord to expel drunken and disorderly persons. This is really a most painful and perplexing position for licensed victuallers to be in. How, we repeat, are they, under the circumstances, to act ? Whatever course they pursue they are sure to be wrong, either in the eye of the Court of Common Pleas, or in that of the Southwark police court. We trust that the licensed victuallers of the metropolis will not allow the coming session to pass away without insisting on having a clear definition of the law on the subject. ANOTHER FALL OF BUILDINGS On Sunday morning, shortly after ten o'clock, a re newed scene of excitement was created in Kentish Town by a loud crash, -resulting from the sudden fall of another portion of the same pile of buildings which fell on Thurs day last. This result will afford matter for serious investigation by the officials of the Metropolitan Board of Works, who had already ordered an investigation into the previous . occurrence ; as, had this second fall taken place to-day, at a time when the workmen were engaged in the scaffoldings and elsewhere, there is no knowing what amount of life or injury to person might have taken place. The . buildings in question consisted of . a clump of three or four houses forming the commencement of a new street, to be called Gaisfor-street, and it will be remembered, in the account already given of the previous fall, that it was stated that the stacks of chimneys first fell, carrying with them the upper portions of the party walls of the two adjoining houses. This fall took place in an easterly- direction. On the western side still existed another party wall, on the 'summit of which remained another high and double stack of chimneys ; and still further to the west was the flank wall or gable end. of the newly erected row of houses ; the whole being. surrounded by scaffolding. It has been remarked by practical men that in this flank wall a great deal of what is termed " buck ling,"' or "bulging" was observed, and at the time men tioned yesterday, the upper part of this think wall fell outward hi the direction of the Kentish-town-road, with a tremendous crash, carrying with it the scaffold poles, &c., or breaking them short off where it came in contact.. The buildings present a singular and dangerous ap— pearance, the double stack of chimneys standing alone in the centre, although evidently, even to the most un practised eye, some considerable extent out of the perpendicular.. TIER YOUNG ENGLLSIK, NOBLEMEN, who were supposed to have been murdered by the Sioux Indians, and. whose return from their adventures in, the Red River country has been noted, have :arrived in New Yolk, wlwre • they will remain a short time before leaving for England. silver salver ° l: B A: a : k a li : 4 th: TESTIMONIAL TO: A, STATION-NIASTER.—A, few days since, a committee, deputed by the gentry ita y i and its vicinity, waited on Mr. Edward Dunclan.Chapp lan , the station-master of the North Kent place, and presented him with an elegant with a suitable inscription, and also a purse 0 01) 1 • £7O in money, as a token of the courteous andaliling efficient m anner in which for many years he‘l i A: duties. As kuscharged his EOILXIL EXPLOSION IN AN lIOUL AT HALIFAX.--- . On Monday, about noon, the inmates of the White Swan terriao repo r t, w hi c h was foqHotel tow e h r e a v m e n a c r h i a e ta r f u r i .o e ixt d b t y he exploaion of a boiler in the cellar of the hotel. .Several of the elate-glass win dows were blown out, and considerable &map was done to the crockery and the viands in course of preparation, There were three women in the kitchen when the acci dent happened., the. cook, the charwoman, and the house maid. All vv*re, severe] scalded, and the charwoman had her right arm 6eNereiy contused also. MATEIMONfAE ADVENTURF, OF A PENNSYL VANIA DUTCHMAN. Henry Swingle is a Pennsylvania Dutchman. A few days since he left the Keystone State, came to this city, and took board in the family . of Mr. William Baker, in Thirty-sixth-street, near Ninth-avenue. Mr. Baker had a daughter named Angelina, to whom Swingle soon com menced making desperate love. Angelina, it seems, received the attentions of Swingle with a chilling reserve. Swingle changed his tactics, and asked Mr. Baker for his daughter, the request being accom panied by a statement that he was a large lumber-dealer in Pennsylvania, and that in the event of the marriage he would take them all home with him and support them in fine style from the rich products of his extensive lumber sales. Mr. Baker at once saw in the person of. Mr. • Swingle a charming husband for his daughter, and a most desirable son-in-law fOr• himself. He commanded Angelina to marry Swingle, and Angelina yielded obedience to the parental injunction. The mar rinrrs tank nlace last Friday evening. Or morn inrk:, the happy bridegroom and bride, the delighted Mr. Baer and wife; and several jubilant juvenile Bakers, were, seated at the breakfast-table. Th e y were a ll in the most complacent frame of mind, and were arranging for a . speedy removal to the log-productive lands of Mr. Swingle. Suddenly one of the blue -coated city guards walked into the room, laid his potent hand upon the shoulder of the bridegroom, and exclaimed, " Yon are my - prisoner.:'. The bright visions of Mr. Baker were greatly darkened by this occurrence, and the juve nile Bakers became less jubilant. The bridegroom was marched to the Jefferson Market police court, and the young bride coolly tied on her' bonnet and bore him com pany. Mr. Swingle was charged with having stolen a coat, pants, and stock, belonging to Anthony Bennet, a pair of boots belonging to 'William Clark, and a vest and shirt belonging to Michael Dooley. The articles of wearing apparel named then decorated the form of Mr. Swingle. It was alleged that Mr. Swingle had boarded same house with the complainants, and had. from their respective wardrobes purloined his wed ding suit, and then decamped. Swingle did not deny the charge, and the magistrate committed him. to a cell to answer at the . Court of Sessions. The bride, who is- only seventeen, and remarkably . . good-looking, seemed delighted at the issue, as Swingle is nearly forty, and haS an ugly face.. • Before leaving- the court, she whispered to the magistrate, but loud enough to b e h ear d by those around, "I h ave had a good lesson, but never mind, lom as good as new yet:"—New - York Times. AN AMERICAN DIVORCE. There is a tremendous divorce case pending at New Haven, which has already occupied certainly not less than sixty or seventy columns of the New York papers, and created great interest here. One Bennett, a pill maker, fell in love with and married a pretty milliner, who sac rificed herself for. the sake of money. Bennett was ugly and odd. He was not so rich as was thought. He was scurvy, too, and would not let my lady do as she pleased. He wanted her to work a little, but "she had married to be a fine lady and would'nt. For some time there were tiffs, nevertheless the lady contrived to dress well and learn a few accomplishments, which it seems - attracted butterfly admirers, particularly one Smith (or one of the Smiths) upon whose knee one day my lady incontinently sat. She kissed him too, all of - course in the most Platonic way, for she felt for dear Smith as a brother.. By and bye she finds out she hates the unhappy and ugly compounder of bolusses and she thinks his odd ways and. an occasional use of the term " shccps mamma," in brief, which is vulgarly called swearing, will enable her to be divorced from her liege lord. Her male and female friendes encourage the idea, and among them - they cook a pretty kettle of fish. On the trial all the women seem to have turned against the heroine of the drama and to have sided with the ugly doctor. The evidencp is all d. - /lean out the result will not bt known for a- lieek or two. The trial shows more things than one. It shows that it is a great pity , thewomenyf New ll:wen can't find something better to no than talk about the failings of their husbands, and it also shows that some people have a very light - opinion of - the marriage tie, for this matter of getting a divorce seems to have been for many months as much a topic of conversation between. Mrs. Bennett and her casual acquaintances, not to say friends, as getting the last new novel or the last new bonnet shape should have been. It also shows that Ame rican counsel are permitted by the judges an, undue latitude of expression, an impudence unbecoming gentle- men. It also shows that the New York press - is quite ready to pander to the-vitiated taste of the people, for it published much of this trial which certainly Ives not fit for publication even according to the great-city-paper enflp of Innral;tv fmk. AMERICXN B,EPUDUTION.—Of the thii of the Union, there are four who still repudiate their obligations, and two that have compelled their creditors to accept compromises. The repudiating - States are Michigan, Mississippi, Florida, and Arkansas, and those that have paid only in part are Indiana .and Illinois. Thus six States, or nearly one-fifth of the entire body, occupy a situation of disgrace. They - seem, however, to be reminded of it' much less frequently than might be desired or expected by expressions of opinion from the honest States who have the mis fortune to be politically bound up with them. Their representatives appear to enjoy equal consideration in Congress with those. of unstained constituen cies, and at a very recent period one of the most prominent advocates of repudiation 'occupied a lead ing post in the Cabinet at Washington. This condition of affairs has now prevailed for 19 years, but with regard to Florida it should be mentioned that the default *turns upon a dispute between the State and the Federal Govenment. The debt was - contracted when. Florida was a " territory," and she insists that the authorities at Washington are therefore liable. The Federal Government deny this, and neither party is in any hurry to settle the question. Each repels the charge of repudiation, and the British bondholder stands between them waiting for his dividends.—Times City Article. three States TILE NEW YORK PRESS.—There is quite a newspaper mania here just now, no end of newspapers are an . — nouneed and some have already appeared. Among tho latter the most noticeable is the Century, a paper got up in express imitation of the London. Times. It is the same size, same width of column, same description .of type and of a somewhat similar arrangement of k matter. The first number was published last Thursday, and . its leading articles have a calm and argumentative tone, which, if continued, must make the paper a favourite with reflecting persons. It cites British example in many places as worthy of emulation here, in this-respect a g ree-- ing with all the • best papers in the country, which I am glad to • say, arc constantly evincing a good. feeling towards the old home of the nation. The Century is, I believe, the property of a company ; Mr. McElrath, who was publisher of the Ti'ibune and a bank president, but fell in with the crash. of last year, is the publisher of the new paper, and • is. so energetic = individual that no one doubts the success of the enter sooioabe_a_ d p a ri i s ly e . , T T h h e o p ze ap dg er o i . s so n o o m w s a to w ha eek vo ly t - o , k. b ea. ut a w f i-i r r eshb bound; Edward Everitt's papers are pushingst int?. a fresh . range of circulation, Its proprietor; Bonner, is particularly jubilant at the success of his last spec,. and blows and puffs monstrously. His enemies dub him- the Barnum of literature, and his friends the Napoleon of literatnre. I don't know that he is not the Napoleon.; Roney relied on main force and Banner on legerdemain; the difference is sl(e)ight.—Letter from ifelv. York. JAPANESE CIVILISATION. —At the theatre the ladies change their dresses three or four times, and afford as moreeneur,talorit rauch.amusement and interest as the actors themselves ; they have a praying. machine, which, as often as you turn the handle, carrias up a prayer. to heaven; but they have something better than all - these peculiarities. nan . ddy roads, and which are to be taken simply as pec u l iarities of lr th a w l o l r t s i e je th th ai w i us ti i g n l d it- a la bs cin ur g: ti l e d s tcrinoline= and four-post beds,, paper shoes, o n picked out of our a th gl e li c fi e c rre r own national doings. rri w , ‘ Japanese, in the midst have good ideas, theses the length of their jed d 0 , m , ours, marked by mi. es twicell radiate,, and as milestones, ci...i:ta.. of r e t rest. They .) divide wi te lia wholell ' build rro noble and ma 'ft gni cent bridges.; have fire brigades and fire escapes • , calculate, eclipses exactly, have good tele scopes, and excellent mathematical instruments and car, centers' tools ; they make good clocks and watches; engrave -Wood to perfection; have' a' cheap literature, a child's literature ; are. universally tolerant to all their thirty-five sects, and only intolerant of Catholicism, which represents to them Portuguese insolence and Portuguese rapacity. They are happy, peaceful, temperate, and brave; they hold their wives on an eqUality . with themselves, and. the sexes visit and mix as freely as in Franee•or. England; they cultivate the arts and sciences, and are rational and civilised enough to delight in music, games, chess, and for feits; they do not lament at death, but accept it as a release from temporal troubles; and in spite of their dense popula tion, both infanticide and the prevention of berths are unknown among them. This is the. singular people, so _ well-bred and refined, whom it has fallen toth: lotf of this present generation to bind into the family of n ations, ci vili sation . and initiate into the weal and woe of we stern It is a solemn mission, a nd one in which ' we can but hope . , for we for the ultimate progress and g ood of humanity forsee too clearly the individual mischief that must b e any present good to the virgin. undergone, to believe in have invaded, and virgin I empire, whose sanctuary w e . . whose. tro ed.-4:1'0.04i Gazette. seclusion we have des 7 . , e nor is for latorll ctore, 11 the 5 stste rifted rdny. I 1 the hinds ch il e per' iibe ttion, hie the 'Lon- cage' he i and cunt• ra blr ) Jr. k.atecl aker shot! 150 13 .dog ILO int4' he of