The Express.
London, England, 1855-03-29 00:00:00

ENGLISH PAINTINGS AND SCULPTURE.

It is my pleasing duty to inform your readers that
arrangements have been made between her Majesty's
commissioner, Mr. Cole, and the French government,
the result of which is the approaching arrival of the
English pictures in Paris. I hare already referred,
at some length, to the causes which once threatened
to leave the English space in the art gallery unoccu-
pied. I wrote on French information; but on French
information of the most precise and reliable nature.
I was told that the English committee, with Lord
Cowley at its head, had pronounced against the
safety of the art galleries, in opposition to the gen-
tlemen at the head of the pompiers, who declared the
building to be safe. I hithfully reported to your
readers the tone in which the resolution of Lord
Cowley had been received in Paris. It was chattered
about in the ateliers, as a happy dodge, by which
proud England might escape a damaging competi-
tion. It was deliberately stated also, that the
building presented no extraordinary points of
danger. I have been at some pains to sift the real
facts of this matter, from the statements based purely
upon Parisian imagination. The result of my in-
quiries, and of the information the English committee
have freely afforded me, are these.
A report reached the government in England that
the fine art building, the materials of which were
chiefly wood, bad been built near a sugar refinery—
and that the walla of the two establishments almost

touched. Now, as a sugar refinery is a property all
fire insurance companies are loath to touch—as Mr.
Braidweod declares it to be a building which, once
on fire, people have only to run for their lives, there
being no hope of extinguishing the flames—and as
the government are in the position of trustees in
regard to the English fine art contributions—it
became a matter of good faith, of honour, not to
place the cream of the English school in a position
of positive peril. For, it should be here observed,
the English contributions are not the contents of a
single Royal Academy exhibition transferred to Paris,
they consist, on the contrary, of the choicest spnimens
of our British artists Thus there are some Ninlreadys
which could
of this artist's earlier time. These are the property,
not of the artists, but of private collectors, who bed
been induced, in some instances most unwillingly, to
make temporary gaps in their galleries. The govern-
ment had undertaken to return these borrowed pic-
tures to their proprietors, uninjured. Well, having
been informed of the above risk, the government at
once consulted with Mr. Braidwood. The result was
that an experienced person, in the confidence of Mr.
Braidwood, was sent to examine the building. His
report was most unsatisfactory. We will pan by the
heaps of damp rubbish found in the cellars, &0., and
come to the real danger, viz., the proximity of the
sugar refinery. This proximity was declared to be
dangerous ; and I believe it was officially declared that
the English government could not assume the re-
sponsibility of placing the best specimens of the
national school of art in a building so menaced. It is
just to add, that the danger once fairly pointed
out to the Imperial government, every possible
effort was made to remedy the error of placing
an art gallery in such a position. Consulta-
tions and meetings with M. Fould ended, on
Saturday last, in an arrangement by which
Mr. Cole, on the part of the English government,
agreed to hand the English pictures over, the impe-
rial government undertaking to build up a thick wall
between the galleries and the refinery, and to erect a
large reservoir in the vicinity. These precautions
having been adopted, the pictures will be safe. I
may add that the English government has assured
them for 180,0001. It may be also interesting to
your readers to learn that the English contributions
consist of about 1,000 oil and water colour paint-
ings, including architectural drawings, and of about
fifty pieces of sculpture. lam assured also that the
best productions of our first artists are included in
the collection. This should be welcome intelligence to
all who know how slow our allies are to give us an
inch of ground in art, a realm of which they aspire
to be sovereign rulers.
Turning from the picture controversy, I may state
that the greater part of the British contributions has
arrived in Paris; but people complain of unnecessary
delay in the erection of counters. Many exhibitors have
also arrived from England during the last few days;
and they are said to have given orders for stall de-
corations to a fabulous amount already. A report
is also very general that the Queen will be in Paris
in the course of next June. Her Majesty may rely
upon a moat hearty reception, if she come. Another
report, to which I have once or twice alluded, but
which I have already contradicted formally, on the
authority of the Imperial Commissioners, is again
bandied about the cafés. People pretend to have
heard from people—not exactly upon the throne, but
near enough to touch it—that the Exhibition will
not be opened before June. Let not English exhi-
bitors rely upon this rumour : undoubtedly, whether
finished or unfinished, the doors of the Palais de
l'lndustrie will be thrown open on the Ist of May.
The catalogue framers are being pushed ahead vigor-
ously, in consequence.

or men.
But a more serious strife is no doubt at hand. The
very importance of the position to the Russians renders
it imperative on our parts not to permit their securing
it for themselves without contest. The French and
English general officers commanding the engineers,
and General Canrobert in person, were seen for some
time busily surveying the neighbourhood of this new
point of interest, and engaged in close conference.
shortly after they had taken their departure, orders
were given for every available man of the Light
Division of the English, servants and batmen in-
cluded, to be under arms at sunset; in part for a
working party, the remainder to form a guard.
This body of troops moved off, and remained in a
convenient situation in silence, which was interrupted
only by the fire kept up between the batteries on
Frenohman's-hill and the Reden and Round Tower
—the rushing noise of the Lancaster throwing grape
in the direction of the enemy's working parties—the
occasional roll of drums in Sebastopol, mingled with ,
the barking of dogs, who always make themselves
heard in great numbers whenever there is more than
ordinary disturbance in the garrison—or the loud
call of the Russian sentries passing on at regular
intervals the accustomed watchword. At length
sufficient darkness, favoured by the absence of the
moon. was spread around for the working parties to
advance, and follow the directions of the engineers
unobserved by the enemy. At the same time a large
body of French troops moved on the right, and, the
necessary dispositions being made, the Allies worked
in concert at a covered approach in a direction
toward the new Russian work, which daylight
alone exposed to the attention of the enemy. This
approach was connected on the left with the advanced
works on Frenchman's hill; on the right with the
line of advanced works held by the French on the
Inkermann heights. During the night the enemy
threw a considerable quantity of shot and shell
against Frenchman's hill, and several times there was
an interchange of musketry between the sentries
thrown out in front and those of the enemy. Our
casualties, however, amounted only to one man of the
34th Regiment killed and one of the 88th wounded.
So far in advance on the left was the sap carried that
a number of the pits used by the Rues= riflemen
were either filled up or carried into the line of
work, and there will now be sufficient cover to pre-
vent them from again lodging themselves in this
position.
This double advance of the enemy on the east and
west sides of the deep ravine which leads to Careen-
ing Bay is now the chief subject of interest in the
right attack, and must within a very short time lead
to a closer straggle. Large working parties will,
this evening, continue the approaches, commented
last night, towards Gordon's-hill.
No rocketa were fired last night from the Victoria
redoubt. So strong is the glare of light at the mo-
ment the rocket starts from the gun, and so wide the
distance over which this is reflected4that on the night
of the 9th inst. a working 'party employed on the
extreme left of Frenchman's-hill, and very much in '
advance, were by this means suddenly exposed to the
tight of the enemy, who at once took advantage of
the discovery by commencing a heavy discharge of
shells in their direction. On the following night the
discharge of these powerful missiles was continued,
and a small building in the dockyard was set on fire,
but speedily extinguished.
Several &sorters have come into camp from the
enemy, and have reported that Prince Mentehikoff
has been wounded. One story is, that he was
wounded in the leg by a round shot while going
round the fortifications, and that amputation has
been performed ; another is, that he has been
accidentally wounded by a shot from a Avian rifie-
ESCAPE OF THERE RUSSIAN PRISOIMILL—LEWES,
gIONNIDILY Arreasoon.—This morning, while Lieut. man.
the irwma„ of the War prima, wee out on the The Rev. Mr. Sheikh's, one of the most devoted of
Beath Downs with them 200 of the prisoners, three of these the Roman catholic chaplains with the army, died is
Le is the pd.' absted la* Wye- As they had Ml' camp yesterday. Ble had not very long returned
irteed to melees p 1 **has, any walked through the from the hospital at Scutari, to which he had gone
lowa to the ronworesseise. salt were taken for Germans by after suffering .
tram e very severe illness in the early
Government have called upon a number of the the towlisPr& WWI.?
ha :Mr" ter Londong
sad Fast of the winter.
lest distinguished officers now in Bogland---both of ' 11:477'1eft,1 Thri thee walked leisurely n The last day on two we have had high wend and
the Queen's and the Indian armies—to state, in writ. to;eards High-wriest, when the guard who wezietz smug nits, but the weather continues mild. The health
/tag. their opinions a• to the advisability of am caught caught sight of them. Finding they were_ p_ .
the end aPPearannn bt 4,e troops continue to improve
mating the two services. Sir Erskine, Peery started off up Sigh-street at fall speed, followed ay the daily
gillallirelotios of **lotion, bearing en Pain sabitat, ftsr guard, mob of people, and Mr. Smith, a Welter, on horse- •
to-meerew(Friday). back. Al he rapidly gained ea them, they toned up Maxon 18.
OA piatemtreet sad into the stabs-yard of the White Ban As let all is preparation, but no events. The.
.1
Hotel, where they seamed themselves. One of them was wcather is beautifully mild, but the wind is strong
, •
It is stated in a second edition:- of the Bones that raptasidtn *store, a second had
‘._bolted the khan', though it does little harm. My shanty hen been
M. Droste do Lime, the Miaistr.r of Foreign Affhirs, left aZdjahedtat ld net be found, bat hae:iii:ealtrgil lave_ blown down by one of the wind-bursts. I have
%tie en Wednesday evening far tosigoa, sad that on his ea the outskirts of the town, and roavoloa ejaak
"To been obliged to have everything packed up to pre-
nt'"'l be :I: Ifilr4"Yier aktf a,* M. ds A0ur440,11 ar prison. How they effected their mr,pe ie a vent petty larceny, bud am sitting Ithg Muhl, among
st the Con aim ' mystery, as thin prina Is surreundecl 17 s li!phingh wal. the Tullis of C4lttttage.

TEE TURKISH ARMY lIQ
(PEON THE SPIIICI•L CORIATAPONDINT OF FRI DAILY
NEWS.)

j
dwaoel notn°tt oki 4Ant'cl cwldi withthik e
°1
.h° rt
cantvaßlascry,haneElsdlik,
losainy. g Othrtethonetposarritsv,alheofrecoguth
stolleregot,enettlirdloaperaiedlOsooCimfuparma
0 us.
in him an old acquaintance and countryman,PPrice
Radler'. A short conversation ensued, in which
the
Turkish general announced to the ot her thedeath of the
Emperor Nicholas, the news of which it appeared hind I
not yet reached him, and after an interchange of oo 1
plimenta, they separated. Today it was determine'
to renew the oonferenoe, for the purpose of wanes,
an exchange of prisoners, and with this view Zee;
Pacha again went out with a squadron of Woo,
and accompanied by a small party of officers id Ili
duty, amateurs and others. As soon as they got past ass
own videttes the lancers halted, and the rest, about
thirty in number, galloped on towards the enemy's
videttes, which of course ran away towards their
main guard. We followed for a distance of about
five hundred yards, and there halted. An aide-dr.
camp, accompanied by a trumpeter, was sent on la
front ; the Cossacks awaited them all on the alert;
the main guard mounted, swarms of grey -coated
little men on horseback began to rise out
of all the hollows and across the brow
of the high ridge which surrounds the gait
Lake, and gallop hither and thither like ce
many ants. Our arrival had created great sensation,
and we were evidently viewed with no small susp.
don. The alums all ()eased, however, when sir
trumpeter blew a long blast, and at the samemomast
'the general and his whole party dismounted and be.
gun to stroll about. Two or three Cossacks now
came cautiously forward, and a conversation hem
at shouting distance, but they could not be induced to
approach nearer until Zaffir Pacha himself rode up,
spoke to them in Russian, and pledged his word this
nothing unfair was intended. A message was this
sent down to the lieutenant commanding the deter*.
sent forming the main guard, and stationed at a t
bridge in a hollow at the head of the lake, about five
hundred yards from us, who sent off a Cossack imme
diately to Prince Radivil.
Apparently the head-quarters were a long distance
elf, for we were at least two hours onlthe ground before
there was any sign of his highness'. approach. We
spent the time either in walking about and smoking,
at 'vatting on the hillocks, and dozing, or examining
the /leaden lancers with telescopes. The trumpeter
and the aide-de-camp had in tho meantime got on
terms of the warmest friendship with the Cossacks,
and were treating one another to potations of raki.
'ln spite of the fineness of the day and the novelty of the
scene the whole affair was beginning to get very
tiresome, when we perceived a party of horsemen
crossing the ridge on our right and descending to the
bridge at a tearing pace. The lancers in the hollow
jumped to their feet, ranged themselves in a line oa
the roadside, and, in reply to the usual inquiry oa
the part of the Prince as to how his children were
going on, wished him the enjoyment of good health
with a very loud yell. This is the formula of which
all the superior officers, from the Emperor down,
make use of in addressing the regiments or corps
drawn up to receive them, or when passing before
them in review, and the soldiers are taught to
repeat a certain phrase in reply immediately on their
entering the army. In addition to this, on the Em-
peror's saying he is satisfied with them, the corps
shouts in answer, " We wish it were better." Apropos
of all this, a Polish officer told us, on our
way home, a droll story of a Jew at Warsaw, who
some years ago received a thousand blows of a stick
and was sent into Siberia, because he was in the habit
of collecting flocks of turkeys, and exclaiming to
them, " How are you, my children ?" to which the
turkeys responded by their well-known eeries of
guttural ejaculations. In two or three
notes the Prince arrived at the spot, where
Zaffir Pacha awaited him, at full gallop,
followed by three or four aides-de-camp. The rest
of our party were one or two hundred yards is the
rear, and though the proceeding was by no means
ere regle, we began to sneak up by degrees, our cu-
riosity gathering strength at every step, and at last
mounted, and surrounded the two generals com-
pletely. Outside of us formed a row of Cossacks on
foot, as ruffianly-looking a pack as my eyes have ever
rested upon, and who examined and commented upon
us with considerable animation. The individual who
seemed to excite most of their attentioa was a young
French officer of engineers, resplendent with epau-
lettes and aignillettes, who, when called forward by
Zaffir Pacha to be presented to the Prince, dashed up
at a gallop, making at the same time one of those
magnificent French bows which consists in taking
off the cap and holding it in the hand for four or five
minutes. Upon witnessing this, every Cossack gave
his neighbour what is vulgarly called " a dig " in the
ribs with his elbow, and all grinned broadly. I no-
ticed that several were decorated with very handsome
crosses, which they wore outside their long greatcoats.
The conversation which followed had relation prin•
oipally to the prisoners, nine or ten of our men
having been taken in the late reconnaisunce,
and we boasting the possession of five ever since the
affair of the 17th of February. It was fnally agreed
that an exchange should take place to-morrow at
noon, on the spot occupied by the foremost of the
Russian videttes. Prince Radivil then inquired after
Iskender Beg, whom they believed to be dead, sent
him a thousand compliments, and hoped he would
soon be cured, &c. The captain of the Colombo was
called forth, and introduced as the gentleman who
brought up the news of the Emperor's death.
Whereupon he took off his hat, made a very profound
bow, and, in a neat speech, requested the Res-
sign general to accept his sympathy for the
lose of so great a man, which that functionary
agreed to do ; then everybody pulled out his tobacco
bag or his cigar case, and an exchange of tobacco
and cigars took place, each side extolling its own
wares as the best and purest specimens of the deli-
cious weed to be found in the Crimea; after which
Prince Radivil inquired if there were many vessels
here, and if we were short of any item in our sup-
plies ; to which the Pacha replied to the effect that
on the contrary we were rolling in luxury, and had
only to clap our hands to have our fondest wishes
gratified
limed
on the spot. On this the enemy con-
that they had not always a sufficiency of
wine, which called forth from our side exprea.
alone of deep condolence. Everybody now for
about the tenth time took off his hat or made his
salaam, a la Turque to everybody else, and Zaffir
Pacha started off at a gallop, followed by all the
party, and after a quarter of an hour's hard pricking
we came up with the squadron of lancers, and re-
entered the town at a walk, highly delighted with
the day's entertainment.
March 9. Another meeting between Zaffir Pasha
and Prince Radivil took place to-day, in which I war
afraid the former would have cut a very sorry figure,
as three of our five prisoners were ill, and it would
have looked rather ounoos for two generals and their
staff to meet in a plain to exchange two prisoners.
However, the Russian expressed his regret that he
was unable to do what be had promised without first
receiving instructions from head-quarters, which he
had sent to request. Compliments were again ex-
' °hanged, and we were leaving the ground when a
leaptain of the Tartars, who bad sneaked out in our
sear, suddenly bolted to the enemy. An officer was
sent al to request that he should be delivered up, as
deserted
weatherlll d el
h was
e had
heaia of
rev
talk of our mewing.
March 10.—Ooronel Simmons and Lord Brugheal
arrived from Balaklava last night, and to-day., to
mag truce,uifice bnut,t tbhuist
everybody's astonishment, they are going out to told
another coaterence with the Russians. This will be
the fourth day in succession that these pourparlers
have taken place. One would suppose thy. were
making sirrangements for the resurrectiosi of Roland,
or the amnion of the Crimea to the allies, or at least
the ruing of the fortifications at Sebastopol. It is to
be hoped that one of them results will follow from
these multiplied palaver.. No great pfortess hue as yet
been nude,_ however, since, as you are already aware,
Abe first day was devoted to an exchange oe. comply
'mints—the second and third to irxrkegtsg the'
.exchange of two prisoners, private %soldiers; and`,
unless the fourth is more fruitful, there will certaial(
be ample ground for the observation, of certain mal
licious individuals, who say that 'the whole affair ir,.
so much child's play—ridiculr,us at• any time, but
doubly ridiculous w hen Enp',and, France, and the
whole world, are looking tr., us for hard blows, and
are in nowise iuterested in au exchange of bows and