The Press.
London, England, 1856-08-09 00:00:00

ID :)U J+

LONDON, SATURDAY, AUGUST 0, 1856.

POSTSCRIPT.

A despatch from Berlin, August 7, states :

Accounts have just bee.i received here that Russia has
made some concessions with respect to the occupation of
the Island of Serpents, and that the order to the English
admiral to proceed with his fleet into the Black Sea has
been countermanded.
Another despatch, dated Paris, Thursday, says the
British squadron has positively received orders to enter the
Black Sea. The Governments of France and England
are waiting important despatches from St. Petersburg.

The Paris correspondent of the Times (second
edition) says :

The irregularities of Russia in carrying out her part of
the treaty of Paris have hitherto attracted in France little
of the public attention or of newspaper notice, but I hear
that the Government begins to occupy itself concerning
them. The Russians maintain, up to the last accounts,
their right to the Isle of Serpents. As regards the pro
gress of affairs and what has really occurred on the Bess-
arabian boundary and at Kars, we are rather in the dark.
A few days will probably throw more light upon the sub-
ject. It is certainly to be regretted that the Isle of Ser-
pents shoule have been, to all appearance, entirely over-
looked at the Conferences. The importance of its situation
might have obtained it a word of mention. Its occupation
by Russia will be found, however, quite inconsistent with
the spirit of the treaty. Meanwhile, we learn to-day that
the British naval forces in the Eastern waters have re-
ceived orders to rendezvous in the Black Sea.

Despatches from Spain to the oth states :

Carlist chiefs are at the head of the bands that overrun
Catalonia at this moment.

Generals Echagues and Garcia have been created
Grand Crosses of the Military Orders.
General Zapatero, Marchessi, Armero, Macrohon,
and Mantillon are raised to the rank of lieutenant
generals.
General Ros de Olano has resumed the general
direction of the infantry.
Three incendiaries have been executed at Rio
Seco.

The intelligence from Spain continues to be of a
pacific nature. Marshal Espartet o had an audience
of the Queen before leaving Madrid for Lograno.
The conditions on which the Saragossian insurgents
had submitted to General Dulce were not yet pub.
lished, but it was reported that they were of a very
mild and lenient character.

His Excellency Count Creptovritcb, ci - devant
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
of Russia to the King of the Belgians, and now ap-
pointed Ambassador to the Court of St. Jtaries, has
arrived at Brussels.

Prince Adalbert of Bavaria has arrived in Paris.
He travels under the name of Count Andrechs. The
Prince is acccmpanicd by four officers and four
servants.

A letter from Vienna, 3rd, in the Deutschland,
says :—" We learn from good authority, that General
Count Giulay, who is now here, has been ordered to
proceed to Monza, to announce to Field-Marshal
Count Radetzky that the Emperor intends to visit
tbe Lombardo-Venetian kingdom with the Empress
in the course of next month." 1

Count Morny, the French Ambassador to the
coronation, arrived at St. Petersbu.g on the sth
instant.

The Fulton steamer arrived at Southampton yes-
terday morning en route to Havre. She brings in•
telligence from New York to the 26th ult. No poli-
tical news of moment.

HER MAJESTY'S MILITARY COSTITME.—Her Majesty,
at several of the late reviews, has, observes the
Globe of last night, with her usual gracious consider •
ation, exhibited the most anxious desire to pay com-
pliments to the pride of her brave soldiers by
appearing in a most splendid military uniform,
the particulars of which will doubtless please our
lady readers. The habit is of the finest scarlet cloth,
the ornaments on the collar of which are beautifully
embroidered in gold and silver, with the device of a
Field-Marshal. A brilliant star upon the left breast;
across the left shoulder the blue ribbon of the
Garter, and a very gorgeous crimson and gold net
sash, terminated with gold bullion tassals. The hat
is of a remarkably light black felt, with a round
clown and of most graceful design, having a very
elegant general of plume of white and ted
feathers, and a rich cord of crimson and gold thrice
round the crown, ending with two handsome gold and
crimson bullion tassels. Nothing can exceed the
beauty of this costume and its accessories.

THE. ECCLESIASTICAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE have
issued their third report. The committee regard as
desirable the continuance of the Church Estate Corn
mission, as a separate commission, for the purpose
of sanctioning the enfranchisement effected by
ecclesiastical corporations, the consolidation of the
Church Building Commission with the Ecclesiastical
Commission, after a certain date, and the withdrawal
of the Bill for the Better Management of Episcopal
and Capitular Estates. The committee have agreed
to a long string of resolutions, including certain ones
to the effect that the present constitution of the
Ecclesiastical Commission be continued with the
modification that the second Church Estates Com-
missioner appointed by the Crown should be paid,
and that the payment of his salary be defrayed from
the funds of the commission; that the act 14th and I
15th of Victoria, chap. 104, be continued for one
year, with a view to its further continuance (with
cerain amendments) till the end of the year 1859 ;
that it is desirable that landed estates sufficient to
afford the clear statutory income of each bishop
should be secured to each see, and that the manage
ment of such estate should be in the bishop, subject
to a periodical inspection by the commissioners, for
the maintenance thereof—any difference of opinion
to be decided by arbitration ; that power be given to
the Estates Committee to inspect the accounts of
Chapters, and to control or supervise the administra
tion of the capitular funds; that it is expedient to
make provision for any surplus revenue in the hands
of an ecclesiastical corporation for the spiritual wants
of the place in which the tithes, &c., arise ; and
that it is desirable in making additional provision for
the spiritual wants of populous places to give a pre-
ference to those in which such additional provision
is met by local contributions. The committee report,
finally, that several important questions will here
after require consideration :-1, the particular mode
of assuring the estates and incomes of bishops; 2, a
similar question with respect to deans and chapters;
3, the mode of augmenting small livings, and pro-
viding for the spiritual wants of populous places ;
and, 4 the provision for local claims.
VISCOUNT CRANLEY, son of the Earl of Onslow,
expired at an early hour last Saturday morning, after
a lingering illness of a pulmonary character, at Lady
Maria i Alford's residence, at Prince's gate, to which
his lordship hal only recently been removed. The
deceased was only son of the Earl of Onslow, and
was born in 1820. He married, a few years since,
Lady Amelia Cust, second daughter of the late Earl
Brownlow, by his second marriage with Lady Emma
Sophia, eldest daughter of the late Earl of Mount
Edgecumbe. By his union with that lady he leaves
issue two youthful daughters. Several noble families
are placed in mourning by this event.
THE DUCHESS DOWAGER OF LEEDS died last week
at Hornby Castle in her 81st year. Her grace was
daughter of the first Marquis of Townsbend, to whom
Quebec surrendered after the death of Wolfe.

SATURDAY,

THE HISTORY OF A CROWN DIAMOND.
THE history of the Hoggarty diamond has already
been given to the world, but its romance scarcely
equals that of one of the world famous Russian
Crown diamonds. Two gems of the Imperial Crown
are called the " Orloff" and the " Shah." The
latter formerly belonged to the Sophis, and was one
of two enormous diamonds ornamenting the throne
of Nadir Shah, and designated by the Persians "Sun
of the Sea " and " Moon of the Mountains." When
Nadir was assassinated, his treasures were pillaged
and divided among a few of his guards. An Arme-
nian, named Shafras, resided at that period at Bus-
sore with his two brothers. One day an Affghru
came to him and offered for sale the large diamond,
the " Moon of the Mountains," as well as an eme-
rald, a ruby of fabulous size, a sapphire of the finest
water, called by the Persians the "Eye of Allah,"
and a number of other stones, for the whole of which
he asked such a moderate sum that Shafras, sus-
pecting they had not been honestly come by, ti id
the Affghan to call again, as he had not the money
in the house. The Affghan, fearing Shafras was
going to act with treachery towards him, left Bussora
that night and could not again be found, although
the three brothers made every search for him.
Some years afterwards the brothers Shafras were at
Bagdad, and one day in the street the elder brother
met the Affghan, who told him that be had just sold
all his precious stones for 65,000 piastres and a pair
of valuable horses. Shafras bad the residence of
the purchaser, who was a Jew, pointed out to him,
and going immediately to the house, offered the Jew
double the price he had given for the stones. The
Jew declined. Shatras went home, consulted his
three brothers, and they agreed to murder the Jew
that night and rob him of his purchase. That
night the Jew was murdered and robbed. The
next day the Affghan, after a feast with the brothers,
died suddenly. A dispute soon after arose between
the brothers as to the division of the spoil, which ter-
minated in Shafras getting rid of his two brothers by
poison, after which he fled to Constantinople, and
thence to Holland, where he made known the riches
he possessed, and offered them for sale to the
different Courts of Europe. Catherine 11. proposed to
buy the " Moon of the Mountains" only. Shafras was
requested to come to Russia. The terms demanded
by Shafras were—letters of nobility, a life annuity of
10,000 roubles, and 500,000 roubles, payable by equal
instalments in ten years. Count I'anin, who was then
Minister, delayed the settlement of the bargain as
long as possible, and in the meantime had the Ar-
menian led into such extravagances that he fell into
debt, and when the Minister found that he had no
means of paying what he owed he abruptly broke off
the negotiation. Shafras, according to the laws of
the ccuntry, could not leave until his debts should
be paid, and the Court jeweller prepared to take ad-
vantage of his embarrassments, and intended that
the diamond should fall into his hands for a fourth
of its value. Shatras, however, discovered the trap
laid for him, and, disposing of some of the less valuable
stones, paid his debts, and disappeared. Agents were
sent after him, who had even orders to assassinate
and rob him, but he escaped them. Ten years
after he appeared at Astrachan, and renewed offers
were made to him by the Russian Government,
hut he refused to enter into any negotiations unless
the bargain should be settled at Smyrna. Catherine
accepted, and became the possessor of the " Moon"
diamond for letters of nobility, 100,000 roubles, and
170,000 paper roubles, making together about two
and a half millions of francs. Shafras, not being
able to return to his country, where he would have
had to give an account of two homicides and two
fratricides, fixed himself at Astrachan, where he
married, and had seven daughters. At last one of his
sons-in-law poisoned him for the sake of possessing
his share o the property. The immense fortune
which the murderer had acquired (from ten to twelve
millions) was then divided, soon spent, and now the
grandchildren of Shafras are living at Astrachan in
abject misery.

FROM THE LONDON GAZETTE
Tuesdny, August 5.
BANKRUPTS.—JOHN JAMES VONDER HEYDE and Crum-
TOPHER OCTAYUR VONDER HEYDE, Lower Thames•atreet, City,
tobacco manufacturers and merchants—HENßY EDWARD BURNS,
cabers Tavern, St. Martin-street, Leicester-square, Middlesex,
licensed victualler—Wuziax UNDERWOOD, Frith-sUeet, Soho,
tailor— ROBERT JOHNSTON and Jamas JLREAM PRATT, DURUM%
square, City, merehants—RlCHAßD THOMPSON JOPLINO, South-
ampton-buildings, Holborn, Middlesex, bookseller and publisher
—JOHN DREATWOOD, Handsworth, Stafford, confectioner and
fruiterer—WlLLlAM REAP, Worcester•street. Birmingham, corn
and provision dealer—Faaticts JELLEY the Younger, Stamford,
Lincoln, brewer and seed merchant—JOHN STOPYORD TAYLOR.
Liverpool, apothecary.
SCOTCH SEQUESTRATIONS.—PETER SINCLAIR, Waterloo-
place, Edinburgh, hotel keeper—Jonx CAMPBELL, Falkirk,
writer and insurance agent.
Friday, August 8.
BANKRUPTS.—WILLIan ROSE, Sydenharo, Kent, ship
smith—JOSEPH WALTER DAY Locicwoon, 9, Crown•oourt,
Threadneedie•street, stockbroker and dealer In shares--Daviw
Tuowas Plymoatb,grocer.
SCOTCH SEQUESTRATION.—JowI Ksiso HuitTSß,
Glasgow, boot andishoo maker.

I

I

AUGUST 9, 1856•

Nittraturt.

Memoirs of _Frederick Perthes. From the
German of Clement Theodore Perthes.
Two Vols. Edinburgh : Constable.
IT is not uncommonly the case that the life of
a private individual is for the term of his
active existence a type of the life of his nation.
This was peculiarly the case with Frederick
Perthes. His career was bound up with the
political fortunes and literature of Ger-
many for the half century following the
French Revolution of 1789. For nearly the
whole of that time he was one of the principal
booksellers and publishers in Germany; he
patriotically
opposed the despotism of Napo-
leon, and was compelled to fly from Hamburg
to save his life. All his goods were confis-
cated, and, from being a wealthy trader, he
was reduced to beggary. When better times
came round he resumed his business, and
again became one of the centres of the literature
of his " Faderland." His profession brought
him into contact with the most eminent German
writers of iris time. We do not hear that he ever
wrote for the press himself, but his correspon-
dence seems to have been extensive and un-
ceasing, and these volumes sufficiently show
that his mind was comprehensive, penetrating,
and refined.
He was born of a good family in 1772, but
his father died early, leaving his family
" almost destitute." The boy was cared for by
his uncle ; his education was necessarily
scanty, and at the age of fourteen he was
taken to the fair at Leipsic to seek a master.
The first person to whom he was brought asked
him to conjugate amo, and, finding this too
great a demand on his learning, refused to
engages him. Ultimately Adam Bohme, a
bookseller at Leipsic, consented to engage
him un the condition that he went home for a
year, as he was " too delicate for work yet."
When the year had elapsed the boy was
apprenticed to Bohme, and left home to com-
mence the great journey of life. Bohme was
a strict, but not unkind master :
He laboured uninterruptedly every day from seven in
the morning till eight at night, with the intermission of
one hour at noon. He never played, never entered a
publiahonse, never received company at home, and drank
nothing stronger than water.
Perches had a fellow-apprentice ; they fared
hardly :
Their master's house was in Nicholas•street, and there
they had an inner chamber up four pair of stairs, so over-
crowded with two beds and stools, the table and the two
trunks, which constituted its whole furniture, as scarcely
to admit of their turning in it. One little window opened
on the roof; in the corner was a small stove, heated during
the winter by three small logs of wood, doled ont every
evening as their allowance. Every morning at six o'clock
they both received a cup of tea, and every Sunday, as a
provision for the coming week, seven lumps of sugar, and
seven halfpence to purchase bread. " What I find hardest,"
said Perthes to his uncle at Schwartzburg, " is, that I have
only a halfpenny roll in the morning—l find this to be
scanty allowance. In the afternoon, from one till eight, we
have not a morsel—that is what I call hunger ; I think we
o ight to have something."
The letters sent home by Perthes during his
apprenticeship show that his mind dawned
early, and that his inclinations all leant to
virtue. He was very desirous of improving
himself, but he could not afford to pay for
lessons, and had not much time at his dis-
posal. He studied philosophy, however,
which had the good effect of opening his in
telleet, and of teaching him the value of
thought. In 1789, when the politics of France
began to powerfully stir men s minds, Perthes
was seventeen. He shared in the hopeful
dreams which the first acts of the revolution
universally excited. In 1799 he wrote to his
uncle :
I believe that humanity is now involved in a chaos from
which it will emerge with splendour, having made a great
step towards perfection.
But in the spring of the following year he was
less sanguine
I cannot contemplate the political world without sorrow.
In France a raging, blinded people; here among us a set
of perjured tyrants. I used to believe that even if the
individual man fell, the race, at least, would gradually
attain to a high development; but this, too, seems a
dream. Confusion to the French bloodhounds who so
outrageously dishonour the sacred cause of freedom !
These notices have their worth as showing
the current of sentiment in the ingenuous