The Press.
London, England, 1855-11-10 00:00:00

THE HYDE PARK RIOTS.

Ix was a just ground for complaint against
the noblesse of ancient Rome that they claimed
for themselves exclusively the title of " The
People." But those who would be the first to
rail at the arrogance of the Roman populus,
have long been encouraging exactly the same
kind of pretensions in the English mob. We
have been surfeited with enthusiastic articles
concerning the " People's Palace," and the
" People's Park," and the " People's War ;"
and we have now to congratulate our eloquent
contemporaries on this addition to their no-
table catalogue—the " People's Riots."
The subject, however, is indeed too serious
for jesting. Of the many symptoms indicative
of the paralysis of all power, and the disor-
ganisation of society in this country, the re-
cent occurrences in Hyde-park are among the
most lamentable. We do not for a moment
pretend to say that any portion of the London
press has ever really confounded this licen
tious rabble with the people of England;
though their ill judged ad captandum rhap
sodies have had much the same effect as if
they had. But they undoubtedly have fallen
into the error of opposing the people to the
aristocracy, forgetting that dukes, earls,

SATURDAY,

and marquises belong every whit as much to
the former as to the latter. And the result
has been that the minds of the ignorant masses
have naturally come to the conclusion that
everything done against the aristocracy is for
the people. And, even if—for the sake of ar-
gument—we concede the existence of a dis.
tinct class entitled to the appellation of the
people, who and what are they that they
should be made the arbiters of everything
The most reliable, respectable, and sober
classes of the community, it will be said. Pos.
sibly ; but that is not to the point. Are they,
or would they even claim to be, the best edu-
cated, best informed, or most experienced in
public affairs?
The " People's Palace," and the " People's
Park," are, indeed, comparatively harmless
expressions—certainly more silly than dan-
gerous ; but the constant repetition of the
phrase the " People's War" is pernicious in
the extreme. Is war then, especially a war
about which the wisest statesmen, the most
learned jurists, the most patriotic leaders,
feel grave and anxious, to be made the holiday
diversion of "the people ?" Is not some little
knowledge of the law of nations, some little
acquaintance with political history, some little
insight into the meaning of past treaties and
alliances, necessary to the right understand-
ing of this momentous question? But is
even this little to be acquired without a
solid education? Declaim as men may, they
know very well that the so-called " people"
of England have not this education. The
upper sections, indeed, of the class which
is complimented with this grand title are too
wise to accept the greatness thrust upon them.
Not so, unhappily, their inferiors. These
poor creatures, the habitués of the gin-
palace, and the penny-theatre—hug them-
selves in triumph at their new-found dignity,
and proceed to assert their independence in
the only way they know of--by violence of
speech and action. If this license be not in-
stantly repressed, we shall soon have all
" people" and no " law". Where is that
boasted love of order by which we have so
long felt confident of checking popular tumults
without the irritating interference of military
force ? Or are we, one and all, so silly
as to 'imagine that a few fine speeches,
and perhaps a few mild threats, will tame these
ignorant young ruffians like the music of an
Orpheus ? There was an old farmer once,
whose bedroom was broken into by burglars.
" I wish you would withdraw," said the civil
old rustic, from his pillow ; but they beat and
plundered him instanter. Let us not imitate
that courteous, but infatuated agriculturist.
Let us allow the police to do their business,
and Londoners to do theirs—a matter which
will become impossible if we tremble at a
raised trunchion, and turn every injured
pickpocket into a Don Pacifico.
We have really had enough of this nauseous
cant. Let it be thoroughly well known to the
mob, that if for the future they choose to turn
Hyde-park into a combination of Bettersea-
fields and Donnybrook Fair, they must take
the consequences. Neither sex nor age has
been safe from their brutality. The Royal
Parks are places for the recreation of all
classes, not for the usurpation, riot, and black-
guardism of one, and that one the lowest.

PARLIAMENT, according to the Ministerial papers;
will not be opened before the usual time, there being
no apprehension on the part of the Government, it is
further stated, of any events occurring of sufficient
gravity to require the assembling of the Legislature.
THE KING OF SARDINIA, after opening the Cham-
bers in person on the 12th, leaves Turin for Paris on
the 20th of November. The King will be attended
by Count Cavour ( President of the Council of Minis-
tors), the Marquis M4ssimo d'Azeglio, General
Dabormida, M. Nigro. (Intendente of the Civil List),
and the whole of his military household. His
Majesty it is expected will also visit the Queen at
Osborne.
PRINCE FREDERIC WILLIAM, son of the Prince of
Prussia, according to the orders of the King of Prus-
sia, is henceforth to take part in the sittings of the
Council of State, and also in the business at the dif-
ferent Ministries, in order to become initiated in
public affairs.
M. DE KISSELEFF, late Ambassador of Russia at
Paris, is expected at the latter end of next week at
Berlin, from whence he will go to Rome, to represent
the Russian Government.

NOVEMBER 10,1855.

THE WAR.

THE despatches which have been received this week
from all sources tend rather to point out that nothing
of much importance will be further attempted this
year in the Crimea. Preparations for establishing
the troops in comfortable winter quarters were
making in all parts of the allied camp. At Eupa
toria alone were signs of activity apparent, but it is
probable that those reconnaissances in force were
more meant to harass the Russians than to force
them to any general engagement; while in the
Dnieper, so satisfied were the allied generals with
their easy conquest of Kinburn, that the English
contingent was about to re-embark on its return to
head quarters. The Russians, on their side, were
making great exertions to strengthen their position
in the Crimea, and to put Kherson and Nicolaieff in
a respectable state of defence. The addreses of the
Emperor to the Marine Brigade of Nicolaieff, and of
Prince Gortschakoff to the Crimean army, speak only
of determined defence.

From Asia intelligence has been received up to
the 13th ult. that Omer Pacha meditated a winter
campaign, and that the advanced guard of his army
had ahead) left en route to Kutais. Kars still held
out, and there was every belief that it would be
enabled to successfully sustain the close blockade of
the Russians.

OFFICIAL DESPATCHES.
DESPATCHES FROM GENERAL SIMPSON.

Lord Panmure has during the week received the fol-
lowing despatches from General Sir James Simpson,
G.C.B.

Sebastopol, Oct. 23.
I have the honour to transmit the copy of a letter from
Lieutenant-Colonel Ready, of the 4th October, and its in-
closure, giving an account of the proceedings of a detach-
ment of the force which was sent to Taman for the purpose
of collecting firewood and building materials.
The service was satisfactorily performed. Unfortu-
nately three soldiers of the 71st lost their lives in conse-
quence of their having strayed beyond the limits prescribed
to them.

I transmit the nominal return of the non-commis-
sioned officers and men of the 10th Hussars who were
taken prisoners, on the 21st September, in the affair with
the Cossacks, reported by me in my letter of the 29th
September.
I have reason to believe that the greater portion of the
Turkish Contingent are now assembled at Kertch.
No further intelligence has been received from Kinburn.
The health of the army continues very good. A few
cases of cholera have occurred during the past week, but
it is confined entirely to the new corners.
JAMES SIMPSON, General Commanding.
PS.—Since I commenced writing this despatch I have
received the accompanying report from Brigadier- -
the Hon. A. Spencer.
(Enclosure 1.)

J. S.