The Press.
London, England, 1855-01-06 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

i—suggested mainly, we believe, by
of Cabinet Councils lately; the
lurnal " on Lord RAGLAN ; the pro-
the change in Russian policy in-

USEDOM ; the last judicial job of
appointing Mr. DIOBY SEYMOUR Recorder of Newcastle ; the Queen's
letter to Mrs. HERBERT ; the last despatch of General CANROBERT from
before Sebastopol ; the manifesto of the Emperor NICHOLAS ; the trial
of BARTHELEMY and unaccountable recommendation of the jury to
mercy; with last, not least, the startling discovery that one of our
police-constables, supposed to be specially active iu the discharge of
his duties, has been in league with a gang of young thieves in the
metropolis, have all excited more or less attention during the week.
It is reported that the Peelite section of the Cabinet is at open
war with the Whig section; and Club-men—the great retailers of
gossip in our day—are ready to report exactly what Lord JOHN Res-
SELL said to the Duke of NEWCASTLE, and what some one else retorted,
and how the Whigs would be very glad to make a Jonas of the Duke,
and throw bim overboard, only the Peelites won't allow it. To all this
tattle we attach no importance, but the lengthened sittings of the
Cabinet lately are a fact, and, corresponding in date with the meetings
of the Conference at Vienna, appear to indicate important proceedings
in that quarter.
Various versions reach us of the conclusions come to by the Con-
ference ; all agreeing that the interpretation to be put on the famous
four points was settled and embodied in a protocol of the 28th De
cember, and that the Conference now waits the decision of the Czar
on these last and final terms. Prince GORTSCHAKOFF had an interview
with the Emperor of AUSTRIA on Thursday, which lasted one hour and
three quarters. Evidently an agreement or a rupture with Russia is
near at hand ; but which of the two this interview and the renewed
activity of the diplomatists at Vienna may forbode, no one can tell.
The universal impression seems to be, that the answer from St.
Petersburg will be a positive refusal, and that, immediately, Austria
will join the alliance of the Western Powers, and with them direct
her forces against Russia. We hear, on very distinguished authority
from Vienna, that the Austrian Court, though most anxious to avoid
war, has at last taken its resolution to definitively break with Russia
should this final effort at negotiation prove—as every one expects it
will prove—wholly abortive. The result at which the Conference has
arrived, after prodigious labour, is regarded as a complete triumph by
the party favourable to the Western Powers, while the Russian party
is furious. The members of the Russian Embassy do not appear at
Count Buois ; and surprise is expressed at Prince GORTSCHAKOFF'S
continued stay at Vienna. It is considered that Austria is now firmly
committed to the policy of the allies, and that, knowing she has
offended Russia too mortally to be forgiven, is resolved to decisively
take part with them. It is supposed that Austria will be prepared
for active hostilities early in the spring, and meanwhile great pre-
parations are made for the anticipated struggle. We repeat that
these are the views of a person having access to the best sources
of information, and generally we find the same tone prevalent
among experienced observers, though we are far from regarding this
impression as decisive of the question.
The manifesto of the Emperor Nicitotas furnishes na clue to his
real sentiments and intentions. The expression that, "anxious to avoid
" a prolonged effusion of blood, he would not repulse conditions of
" peace, compatible with the dignity of his empire, and the interests of
"his subjects," may be merely a commonpl tee, or may be indicative of
a real intention. But if continued war is meant, it must severely test
the solidity of the Russian Government. Speculation is busy as to
" the ways and means " for supporting the enormous hordes to be
called out ; a double tax on tea is spoken of ; there are limits to
despotism, and perhaps even the power of the mighty Czar may be
shattered, if directed against that chief comfort and luxury of Russian
existence—the steaming samovar. " Contre la force it n'y a pas de
resistance," says a French proverb; and Russian statesmanship will
be wanting in that astuteness which has hitherto marked it, if it does
not count the forces opposed to it, and make the best of the necessi
ties of its position. Another week will probably bring us the reply
from St. Petersburg. If again it be La Guerre, the war must assume
wider proportions, and a more desperate character. But yet there is
no prospect that CANNING'S prophecy will be fulfilled. It will still be
a war of diplomacy, not of opinion.

The despatch of General CANROBERT, dated from the camp, Nov.
22, gives a more cheering account of affairs there than we have lately
been accustomed to receive. The reinforcements which have
arrived in such numbers to the French army have done wonders
_ _
the troops. Their
their works are
landed in force at
of the allied lines
dy, and threaten
Alen further re-
does not appear to
A an expectation
ly ensue. If so,
yet taken place,

has been the condemnation of its tone among men of all parties.
That journal, however, aid not venture on sc bold a stroke without
reckoning on support. We know that in high Ministerial circles Lord
RAGLAN'S conduct has lately been mentioned with " doubtful phrase "
and " ambiguous giving out," expressive of distrust. In fact, there
was privately an attempt to represent Lord RAGLAN as the
author of the disasters which had occurred, and to
shift on him the blame and responsibility of the mismanage-
ment of the Home Departments, before the Times commenced
its thunder. That journal must now, however, clear itself of
the grave suspicion widely spread, that it was, in its at-
tacks on Lord RAGLAN, actuated by personal feeling, as it is
understood that Lord RAGLAN determined on Mr. RUSSELL
leaving the camp. Newspapers, the exponents of opinion, arc them -
selves amenable to it. The Times is on its defence. The detraction
of Lord RAGLAN corresponds with the silence of " its own corre-
spondent ;" and it is remarked by the public that the commander
whom the Times eulogised in most extravagant language for the flank
march to Balaldava, and other achievements of the campaign, has
committed not one error which can fairly be made ground of accusa-
tion. It has been his Misfortune, not his fault, that he commanded
an inadequate force—that he had not men sufficient to discharge the
duties which devolved on them—and that ho has been left to the
mercy of the most bungling and incompetent administrators—mal-
administrators rather—who ever presided over our War Department.
Every fault attributed to him is found on examination to resolve itself
into the inadequacy of his forces and his means.

We have reason to believe that Baron USEDOM contemplates a
protracted residence in this country. It does not appear why there
should be any objectioh to the conclusion of a separate treaty with
Prussia, whose relations with this country are nearer than those of
Austria. It certainly is not our interest to increase the authority of
the latter power in Germany at the expense of that of her rival ; and
if the proposals from Berlin assume a tangible shape, more especially
as regards the prohibition of Russian produce, and aid afforded to our
arms, it would appear expedient to embrace the opportunity of effec•
tually detaching the leading Power of Northern Germany from its
relations with Russia, and thus perhaps lay the foundation for a
league of the Northern States, which might prove most dangerous to
the security of Russia's Baltic provinces. Madame USEDOM has ex-
cited some interest in London society, from the good fortune which
has crowned her earliest wishes. She desired, above all things, diplo-
matic rank and residence in London, and is now gratified in both
respects.

Among topics of the week we can hardly omit to notice the specu-
lation to which the opening paragraph in the last number of the
PRESS has given rise. Our excellent Paris contemporary Galignani
supposes that our allusion is to the Court of St. Petersburg, and that
the Emperor NICHOLAS, to avoid division between his two eldest-born,
has been anxious to carve out a new empire in the East for one of
them. Whether this solution be correct, time, we suppose, will show ;
but we mention the subject here merely to say that our announce-
ment did not, as Galignani supposes, hint that a " dynastic change
" was likely to take place in one of the great European monarchies."
The express but guarded words of our announcement will bear no
such construction. We said simply, that, "in the present state of
" the great European monarchies, it is not to be expected that
" dynastic considerations can be wholly separated from the policy of
" Courts."

Of domestic topics, the moat curious at the moment is the exa-
mination of the " detective" police-constable, KING. if the witness
against him is to be believed, this man took advantage of his position
to carry on an organised system of theft to an enormous extent. The
juvenile pickpocket declared that he had made from 901. to 1001. in one
week by theft. This disclosure renders it necessary that a sharp eye
should be kept on our detectives, as thby have peculiar facilities for
concocting schemes of plunder with the expert thieves they are
specially appointed to watch.

FOREIGN ENLISTMENT EXTRAORDINARY.

Ara.—" Paddy Carey."
'Twas on the night when votes ran low
The Whipper-in met Digby Seymour;
To seize his prey he was not slow,
And'thus began the practised schemer :

" Oh! what a pity 'tis to see
Such wit in Opposition sighing !
Both you and I are traders free,
Still in the cheapest market buying.
Take heart of grace,
We've got a place,
And you a vote that's sadly wanted ;
Now think and say
If every day
Is ermine to the bricfless granted ? "

Down went the bait—he voted straight,
To show by his example willing,
In law, as arms, what Swiss await
The magic of "the Saxon-shilling."*
* For this pleasant alliterative, see the Minstrelsy of " Young Ireland," deposited
with the Clerk of the Crown, Dublin.

to raise the spirits and lighten the labours of the troops. Their
duties have become lighter, they enjoy more rest, and their works are
more actively proceeded with. The Turks have landed in force at
Eupatoria ; and this diversion, with the extension of the allied lines
before Sebastopol, inconvenience the enemy already, and threaten
altogether to cut off communication with the town when further re-
info . 14. : Lia; .q this position of affairs it does not appear to
be th • Til• ::td 4 les to precipitate a battle, but an expectation
pre an, lit. . r u of Sebastopol will speedily ensue. If so,
jl.l t '4.)::* '''.l ; . ..I.' .:.1 . of the fighting which has yet taken place,
it
.:41'• •;:‘.":, It ;p°= : t engagements on record.
vi'll 114-IYi
la
~,,, . •, ,Nitsiaki t- ,
C' , -ia , 1
.7. • AGLAN have b een the town-talk, and none
dim ' Itt:, 4 r: ;44,7' acute conduct° ra of the Times how general
VagrirtigALSEN