The Press.
London, England, 1854-08-05 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

AUGUST 5, 1854.

THE COALITION COURT AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE.
JoioNG the attractions which are being added to the Crystal Palace at
Sydenham is a new court, which will, it is expected, offer much
invaluable information and instruction to the intelligent people of
England. It is the contribution of her Majesty's Government, who
have desired to lend all the assistance in their power towards the
success of the Sydenham undertaking. It will be called the Coalition
Court, and, although not yet thrown open to the public, its position
can easily be discerned by remarking that it is under the statue of the
double-faced Janus, who is a sort of presiding deity to it, and that it
has Peel's effigy at one end, while the other closely adjoins the Roman
department. The handbook to the court is not yet ready, but we have
been favoured with a few of the proof-sheets, from which we subjoin
an extract or two :
COALITION COURT.
" UNION IS WEAKNESS."

The decoration of this court is of a mixed description, and is intended
to show with what success juxtaposition may be preserved without the
least approach to unity of purpose. Immediately to the right is an
ancient fresco, representing a Jew approaching the table of a legis-
lative assembly to take an oath to regard a Christian constitution,
while a Protestant nobleman, having torn a sacred volume into two
parts, is offering the Hebrew one of them upon which to be sworn.
In the next compartment are several Hibernian labourers, who, under
the direction of a Romish priest, are busily undermining a church
whose wardens are asleep. In a third, a warlike expedition is being
despatched from a port, and its apparent promoters are waving hand-
kerchiefs and otherwise expressing joy at its departure, while sub-
marine ropes, attached to the keels of the vessels, effectually prevent
any real progress from being made. These frescoes are somewhat
obscure, but discoveries which are daily coming to light will elucidate
their meaning.
STATUARY CATALOGUE.
1. A PREMIER, OR FIRST LORD.
This piece of stonework bears the date 1784. It is not remarkable for
grace, but is interesting as a type. The attitude is singular, com-
bining doggedness with irresolution. The head turned back denotes
a reluctance to advance, but there is something almost ludicrous in
the way the foot is lifted, in pretence of making great progress. The
pedestal which supports the person is malachite—a Russian marble.
The student of art will notice the want of truthfulness which charac-
terises the composition.

2. A TREASURER.
Not an ungraceful production, but pretentious, and frittered away into
endless details. Great art in the concealment of the real nature of the
figure affected to be shown. Has obviously at some time or another
been used for Roman Catholic purposes. The cup and ball would
seem to denote a juggler. Was first discovered at Oxford in 1831, and
formed part of the collection of the late Sir Robert Peel.

THE ELECTED OF BEVERLEY.

733

" In reference to the war he (the Hon. Arthur Gordon) said he was desirous of seeing it
carried on with the utmost vigour of which human nature was capabk."—lieerley Election (Tunes,
July 31,1854).
So the Beverley crowd by their votes have allowed
That Young Rapid will cut quite a Parliament figure,
And doubtless surmise they've no end of a prize
In a Gordon who threatens to make war with vigour.

The quidnuncs approve, at a single remove,
That the Aberdeen blood should break out in such bristles ;
And the prodigy warns we shall find grapes on thorns
If we gather such figs from such very Scotch thistles.
It occasions less shock to find of one stock
Sir Charles Wood and a sage, Robert Lowe and a nigger,
Than to hear that Parolles can beget valiant souls,
Or Bob Acres be father to Lucius O'Trigger.

The Stagyrite tells of a nation that dwells
On the confines of Greece in an easy condition,
Where the husbands and wives led the freest of lives,
On a partnership system or wife coalition ;
Where each daughter and son were assigned one by one
To the father whom most of the tribe they resembled ;
But, were this the plan here, the Premier, we fear,
Couldn't claim his own offspring unless he dissembled.
Take the father and son and combine them in one,
And two such extremes make a proper concoction ;
Though they do not compare, or by any means square,
And could never be sold as a pair at an auction.
Could Britain and Beverley change them as cleverly,
As Hamlet and Laertes change in the scuffle,
To Britain at least, in respect of the East,
No loss would accrue from the family shuffle.

Such a close of the piece Aberdeen pare et fils
Omit from their stage tricks and scenic sdjustings,
So feebleness reigns and prepares our campaigns,
While "vigour" is freely displayed—on the hustings.

X.