The Press.
London, England, 1857-09-26 00:00:00

Germany as in England—in Italy as in Russia The reformers of the
present day are neither atheists nor revolutionists, neither do they wish to return to
the errors of the past. They advocate peace and reject war, and, strong in their
moral and political convictions, they faithfully believe in the benefits of a social progress,
the patrimony of the human race, which, by consolidating the union of States by an
attention to their individual interests, will perfect a universal and national harmony,
that has been too long obstructed by jealousies, rivalities, and carnage.
_ .

There will be few who will not read this passage with satisfaction,
since it proves convincingly that " Reform ' is a truth, and that the
example of England is about to effect a general change on the Conti-
nent that it would be dangerous to delay. Further:—
The present generation believes that for governments and peoples to be lasting they
must live together in strict amity, and, in order to secure a true confraternity, they must
unite in developing their internal resources, and in carrying out the principle of free
trade. (Rappel des tarifa ultra Protectiunnixtes et prohibilifs.)

And then follows the eulogy of a free press, or rather, it should be
said, of an enlightened journalism " impartiale et veridique."
The value of the Nord as a general and European journal has long
been felt, and, unlike many of its contemporaries, it has never swerved
from the line originally adopted. That its tendencies are strictly
Conservative, firm and moderate, supporting order and combating
revolution, is guaranteed by the quarter from which it emanates ; yet
not a line has ever appeared that can give offence to national pre-
judice, or excite national jealousies. The Nord has adopted for its
motto—" Solidarite, internationalite—entre Gouvernements et Crou-
" vernements, entre peuples et peuples, entre les Gouvernements et
" leurs peuples ;" and in offering itself to be the channel of political
harmony, it assumes the duties of a high mission to which all must
wish success. The ability of the Russian journal is patent, and its
sincerity shall not be doubted.

The arrival of Lord ELGIN at Calcutta will be a source of consola-
tion or otherwise to the public as they may be more or less acquainted
with that nobleman's character. It is quite evident that all
solicitude about China is at an end for the present. We don't
know that we are altogether sorry for this. Perhaps it is as good a way
of getting rid of that miserable squabble as any other. But it only
shows how little there was that was real in the Chinese business from
the beginning, and how that once the political end has answered
Government cared very little what happend in the matter. But how
remarkable is the change which has come over our Government? Six
months ago it was war to the knife with the insulting barbarians ; now
we are as mild as any sacking-dove. It is " so hard to see" what we
are quarrelling for, it will be so cruel to fight in " cold blood," that it
will be not only a gratifying act on our part, but a piece of accommo-
dating civility on the part of " these bloodthirsty barbarians," if they
will shake hands over a cup of their superfine Bohea, and consent to
forget and forgive." How touching is this Christian feeling in Sep-
tember, and how consistent with the cries o f March !

We are all in a delusion about Delhi. For weeks past the reports
have been " finely confused and very alarming," but we rejoice to hear
that they have not the slightest foundation. In fact, we have no
cholera in the camp, we have ample supplies, plenty of men and
ammunition, and we have not yet lost a man by sickness or poison.
Those reports about the death of poor General ANSON, or brave General
BARNARD, or General REED, of the failing ammunition, of the deadly
spread of cholera, of 530 sick out of a camp of 4,000, and all before
the arrival of the sickly season, of the daily losses in men and officers
inflicted on us by the rebels, of the utter exhaustion of our troops at
the arduous labours and harassing anxieties of their position, and last,
not least, the serious councils of war held to discuss the necessity of a
retreat to Kurnaul, are villainous fabrications, mere myths and idle
fancies of the brain. It is nothing of the sort. Our camp is the heal-
thiest place in the world ; while, as to the feelings and spirits of all
there, " when depression and alarm " has pervaded other quarters,
Delhi camp, with a temperature of 140 deg., and a hot wind to boot,
was the scene of " unbounded vivacity and confidence." Why, what
a charming picture is this ! A harvesting or a Blair
Athol! gathering is nothing to it. And then the situation !
so healthy, that under its invigorating influences the " delicate and
ailing" grow " strangely robust." What a paradise must this
camp be ! But, alas ! there is a reverse, for the Generals appear to
have taken a practical view of affairs, and, amidst all this happiness
and healthfulness, to have discovered the existence of " considerations
" of other kinds" which " may have suggested the removal of the army.'
What, in the face of " unbounded vivacity and confidence "? Poor
soldiers ! How vividly, how truly do these words picture your coming
back to camp, haggard, hungry, and footsore, bespattered with the
blood and brains of your companions, worn out with your superhuman
efforts to repel the foe, and resting, if you dare rest, wet. and weary
among your dying comrades ! Woe to those who have left you to
perish, and thus libel your struggles and your sufferings !

The subscription of the Sultan to the fund for the Indian suf-
ferers is generous and chivalrous, and it is all the more gratifying us
showing that sentiments of honour and humanity can still prevail over
affinities of race and creed. The Turkish people have, as a whole,
many of those qualities which in this country we peculiarly associate
with the term " gentleman"—(we mean, of course, the genuine Turks)
—a certain lofty disregard of potty distinctions ; an unwillingness to
take a,lvantage of a rival's reverses, and a something approaching to
lavishness in their treatment of the precious metals. We honour them
most sincerely for this opportune display of sympathy, and we regard
it with the more satisfaction as a proof that our alliance with the
Sultan and his subjects is as firmly rooted as ever. We sincerely
trust that the people of this country %%111 learn a lesson from the con-
duct of this higlintinded and benevolent sovereign, and show towards
the people of his faith a little of the forbearance and reflective charity
which he has displayed towards them.