The Press.
London, England, 1854-07-22 00:00:00

lortign ,Art, Xittraturt, &r.

PRUSSIA, and mostof all the city of Berlin, has met
with an almost irreparable loss by the death of Borsig,
the well-known ironfounder and builder of locomo
tives, whose funeral took place on the 10th inst. By
his indefatigable energy he had succeeded in creating
a profitable and extensive manufactory of engines,
and employed nearly 3,000 men up to the time of his
comparatively sudden death. His works turned out
eighty-five engines last year. His services in the pre-
servation of order, and the employment of so many
hands during the revolutionary times, when all busi-
ness was entirely at a stand-still for a year and a
half, have made his memory highly valued through-
out Prussia. The estate he leaves behind him is
valued at two millions and a half of thalers.
ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION between Stockholm and
Gottenburg was opened on the 4th, the anniversary
of the King's birthday. The first despatch was from
Gottenburg, and consisted of a compliment to the
King, sent by Major-General Akrelle. The Major-
General and Captain Fahnejelm have left Gottenburg
for Helsingborg and Copenhagen, in order to make
arrangements with respect to a submarine telegraph
across the Sound.
THE LARGEST PICTURE ON GLASS executed in
modern times has just been terminated in the royal
establishment of painting on glass in Munich. It
is to cover a window in the church of St. Catherine
at Hamburg, forty-five feet high and fourteen and a
half wide. It has been painted by M. Fernster, from
designs by Overbeck representing our Saviour teach-
ing the Apostles to pray. The superb work has been
executed at the cost of M. Vorbe* of Hamburg.

THE PRESS.

THE MEMOIRS OF THE IMPERIAL ACADEMY OF
SCIENCES IN VIENNA contains a paper by M. Schlager
upon the ancient Court theatre of that city. This
curious historical disquisition commences at the
year 1560. The registers of the Court treasury for
that year contain the following entry :—" Received
an order to pay 4 thalers of 70 kreutzers to Siem
Audtorf S. Pillmann and his company for performing
before his Majesty." In 1617 there is an account of a
prima donna whose salary was 20 florins a month.
Her name was Angela Stamp. The Emperor Fer
dinand 111. and his son Leopold were both skilful
and fertile composers. The score of an opera
written by the Emperor Leopold is still preserved.
The libretto is written in Italian, its subject being
the struggle of a young man placed between vice
and virtue. The songs in this opera were accom•
panied only by two violins, a bass viol, and a bassoon.
M. Schlager says that the score is enriched by many
very happily-conceived melodies.
AN EQUESTRIAN CORPS, under the direction of
Ducrow and M. Hinne, has been giving nightly per-
formances at Christiania, in Norway, in a vast circus
built expressly for the occasion. This species of
spectacle being a complete novelty in Norway has
attracted immense crowds of spectators, each repre-
sentation being attended by about 5,000 persons out
of a population comprising altogether only some
44,000 souls.

THE COUNCIL OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC
intend, it is stated, to erect an academy upon a site
offered by John Laurie, Esq., of Hyde-park-place,
a late sheriff of London, in a central position in
Cavendish-square. The building is to vie with any
in the kingdom, and not to be outdone by any in
Europe, erected for the cultivation of musical science.
Mr. Mayhew, their architect, has made plans for the
site in question.

THE WAR WITH RUSSIA IN 1808.
(From a Correspondent.)
IN justice to one distinguished officer deceased,
the late Rear Admiral Webley Parry, whose name
was wholly omitted, it is right to give a corrected ac-
count of the action with the Russian man-of-war
Smola, 84, which appeared in the pages of Fraser's
Magazine and copied into the PRESS. If, as that
article affirms, it was one of the most brilliant actions
" in the annals of the British navy," each party con-
cerned should have his meed of the credit..
The Centaur, 74, Captain W. Webley, bearing the
flag of Sir Samuel Hood, and the Implacable, Cap-
tain Byam Martin, joined the Swedish fleet, sailed
with them from Oro roads on the 24th of August,
1808, chased the Russian fleet for thirty-four hours,
and forced them to seek shelter in Port Baltic. The
two English ships, however, outsailed their colleagues,
and on the morning of the 20th of August the Impla-
cable brought the leewardmost of the enemy's ships
to action, in the words of the despatch, "in a most
brave and gallant manner, and only the near approach
of the enemy's whole fleet could have prevented her
then falling, her colours and pendant being both
down." The Russian admiral then sent a frigate to
tow the Sewolod out of danger, but Sir Samuel Hood
gave chase with his two ships and obliged the frigate
to give up her companion. The Russian admiral
again came to her support with several line-of-battle
ships, but she grounded just at the entrance of the
port, though towards evening she rode at anchor.
Every exertion was used to repairher damage from the
morning action, and one hundred seamen and soldiers
put on hoard to supply the place of those killed or
wounded. At sunset the boats of the whole Russian
fleet were sent to tow her into port, upon which Sir
Samuel Hood ordered Captain Webley to stand in
and cuther off. " This (says Sir Samuel) was executed
in a manner that must ever reflect the highest honour
on Captain Webley, the officers, and ship's company of
the Centaur." The boats were making considerable
progress, and the enemy's ship just entering port,
when she was laid on board by the Centaur, her bow-
sprit taking the former's fore rigging and her bows
grazing the muzzles of the Centaur's guns, and driven
in by a raking broadside. Captain Webley lashed
her with his own hands by the bowsprit, assisted t. ‘;
the master, Mr. Strode, and the boatswain and secuy
her then, under a heavy fire of musketry from the
tops ; a seaman and carpenter killed beside him , and
the first lieutenant, Mr. Lawless, severely wo'
,coded.
She was boarded and taken in half an hour, captain
Webley being the first man on her deck. 13(
,lb ships
going on shore together, Captain Martin, ir the Im-
placable, rendered all the assistance in nis power,
and by the exertions of both ships' emir
the Cen-
taur was got off, though obliged to burn
her prize, as
there was too much water in thehad take her out.
Two Russian line-of-battle ships weft bearing down
upon them just as the Centaur got t iff, but then re-
treated. The loss of the Sewe&v I in killed and
wounded in both actions was imam . ise, amounting to
103 ; whilst the Implacable had. 41 - killed and twenty-
six wounded, and the Centaur t.tir T killed and twenty-
seven wounded. Sir Samuel)/ ood stsys, " I cannot

speak too highly of the brave and gallant conduct of
Captain Webley and every officer and man under his
command ;" and the commander-in chief in his des.
patch also says, " The brave and highly meritorious
conduct of Captains Webley and Martin, with the offi-
eers and men under their orders, entitles them to the
highest commendation in my power to bestow, and
excited the amazement and admiration of the gallant
Swedes who witnessed their heroic bravery and per-
severance."
After this action the two captains were made C. 13.,
and second-class Knights of the Swedish Order of the
Sword; and Captain Webley was also given an aug.-
mentation to his coat of arms, emblematic of his ser-
vices. Sir Samuel Hood was made a baronet and a
first-class Knight of the same Swedish Order.

SxrtirmAy,

THE CRYSTAL PALACE.
THE first report of this company since the comple-
tion of the edifice and its opening for business was
presented by the directors at the meeting of share-
holders held on Thursday last. The document is
tolerably satisfactory. It states that the amount
expended on capital account up to the 10th of June,.
1854, the day of opening, was 910,3291. The further
amount expended, up to the Bth inst., has been
91.000/. ; and the remaining liabilities, so far as they
can be possibly ascertained, amount to about 209,000/..
additional, for completing works now in progress. In
addition to the above, a sum of 90,0001. will be re-
quired to erect the water-towers, and to carry out the
whole scheme of the palace and park, comprising
the fountains, gardens, terraces, and interior fittings
and decorations, to final completion. The total cost.
of the understanding will thus be 1,300,00 W., of
which about 100,000/. arises from objects such as
the refreshment department, stabling approaches,•
purchase of additional land, and improvements of
the Dulwich-wood property, which are either pro-
ductive of a large separate return in themselves er
are available as assets to be realised at some future
period, with every probability of a profit. The re-
ceipts on revenue account from all sources,. (Wen to
the Bth of July, comprising four weeks from the
opening, have been as follows :—Season tickets,.
35,388/. ; admissions, 13,032/. ; rental for space (ions
account of first half year's rent), 12,`384)/.; refresh-
ments, 11,5001.; miscellaneous (including stabling,.
cloak-rooms, Ac.), 7041. Total, 72,9131. The ex-
penses of staff maintenance, repairs, &c., is esti-
mated at 1,0001. per week, or 52,0001. per annum.
The directors have determined, under the opinion,
of the Solicitor-General, to leave the question of ire-
posed gratis Sunday admission for thei r shareholders
to be settled by Parliament. Sir R. Bethell con-
sidered the legality of the step dor,btful, and appre-
hended that it might even comp ..omise the validity
of the company's charter. The attendance continues
to increase. On Saturday last 't,213 persons. paid five
"
shillings each. On Monday
shilling visitors; on Tuese
,ay, 10,559; Wednesday,
7,7
15,606 ; and Thursday, there were- 16,763.
,414 Henceforth there
are to be five one-shilliw
days in the week, Saturday
only being reserved fe c season-ticket holders arull
" exclusive " visitants.

THE II MOD MONUMENT.
THE public mon-
Hood, erected it ament to the memory of Thomas
gurat i Kensal-green Cemetery, was inau-
friends and ad. •ed on The?
,day in the presence of a number of his
Monckton hl, .nirers, assembled for the occasion. Mr.
.Ines mounted the adjoining tombstone,
and briefly r Adresse& the assembly, expressing the
honour in
which Hood was held as an English hu
monst, tF -
public e, ough at the same time shrinking from a
.logy at the tomb of a man of his character,
whose' iesire was
"To kneel remote upon the simple sod,
And sue inforsui pauperus to (}od."
The monument was then uncovered. It consists of
aI. Arge bronze bust of Hood, elevated on a handsome
rw :dental of polished red granite. On a slab beneath
t .he bust is his own self-inscribed epitaph—" He
sang ' The Song of the Shirt '"; and upon the pro-
jecting front of the pedestal the inscription is carved,
"In memory of Thomas Hood, born '23rd of May,
1798 ; died 3rd of May, 1845: erected by public sub-
scription A.D. 1854." On the sides of the pedestal
are medallions illustrating "The Bridge of Sighs"
and "The Dream of Eugene Aram." The monu-
ment is the work of Mr. Matthew Noble.

machi

FROM CINCINNATI, U.S., we are told that an "infernal
machine," enclosed in a box, had been sent to the Marine
Hospital, and deposited in the room of the steward, J. It
Allison. About ten o'clock the steward and his wife,
being alone in the room, opened the box. when it exploded
with terrific force, mangling the bodies of both in a horrible
manner. Mrs. Allison had both her arms blown off and her
skull fractured, while Mr. Allison was dreadfully mangled.
The furniture, windows, and ceiling of the room were
shattered to atoms. Mr. Allison made a statement
before his death which may probably lead to the detection
of the guilty parties. It is said that a fellow named
Conwell committed a murder some time since, and that
Allison was acquainted with the facts.

JuLY 22, 1854.

Tiir. affair of the Norwegian rioters, Thrane and his
comrades, has been brought by petition before the Norwe-
gian Parliament. These men, the Chartists of Norway,
have already passed three years in a miserable prison, and
their ease is not yet decided. So much for a land
without jury. The Parliament decided by large majorities
to take the question into immediate consideration.
THE returns of the Bank of France show that during
the past month the metallic reserve has declined '2l mil-
lions in Paris, and 14 millions in the branch banks. The
discount accommodation has diminished 15 millions in
Paris, and 11 millions in the provinces. Advances on
public securities remain with very little alteration either
in Paris or in the departments. Advances on railway
securities have increased 31 millions in Paris, and
declined 3of a million in the provinces. The advance to
the state by the treaty of June 30, 1848, has been reduced
from 70 millions to 05 millions, and the advance to the
Government of 30 millions on treasury bonds has dis-
appeared from these returns altogether. On the side of
the liabilities, the notes in icirculation have increased in
Paris 201 millions, and have diminished in the provinces
21 millions. The credit account of the Treasury has
declined 171 millions ; those of private individuals have
fallen off 601 millions in Paris, and 21 millions in the
branch banks. The whole amount of the metallic reserve
is at present 4511 millions to 601 millions of notes in
circulation.