The Express.
London, England, 1856-03-10 00:00:00

LONDON, MONDAY, M.412C11 10.

Tut Ran papers are an important contribution to
the history end statistics of the civil and military ad-
ministration of Turkey from August, 1854, to
January, 1858. They also afford insight into the
manner in which the influence of the Allies—and
in particular of England—has been brought to bear
upon the Turkish Government, with a view to such •
regeneration of Turkey as will enable it to maintain
a place in the European system. It is to be hoped
that these important documents will be used in a
proper spirit—as guides and monitors to enlighten
the Government and Parliament of England re-
specting the footing on which our future nla.
tins with Turkey ought to be placed, with a
view to promote the interests of both countries
and of Europe at large. To this end it will be ne-
cessary, after mature investigation, to canvass the
merits and demerits of public men in an indepen-
dent and fearless spirit, to distribute praise or blame
with the utmost impartiality, and without affectation
of reserve to declare who can, or who cannot, with
advantage to the public service, be retained in offices
of high responsibility.
Amongst the variety of subjects which require to
be patiently and dispassionately investigated, is
the defective administrative organisation of the
Turkish Government, and the character and con-
duct of its Ministers. Another is the conduct
of the Allied Governments of France and Eng-
land with returnee to the keeping back of the
Turkish loan. A third is the opposition offered by
the Allied Commanders to the withdrawal of the
Turkish troops in the Crimea for the relief of Ears.
A fourth is the effect which Lord STRATFORD Di
RADCLIFFE'S neglect in not writing to General Wu,
LIAM/ had upon his estimation with the Tarkish
authorities in Asia, and his influence for good. There
ma be no doubt that the fall of Kars his been is a
great measure the consequence of grave erron; but,
with a view to our guidance for the future, it is sees►
cry to ascertain who and how many are reeponeible
he them errors; in how far their mistakes imply such
a want of judgment or integrity as to render it and-
visable to employ them in future; and how far eir-
cumstances, rather than individual misconduct, have
contributed to bring about events which all deplore.
It mast be borne in mind that while the military
operations of Russia were dictated by one will which
was implicitly obeyed, the military operations of the
Allies were conducted by a multiplicity of indepen-
dent authorities; it must be borne in mind that
while Turkey had for a long tract of years been a
familiar field of operations to Russia, it was is a
great measure sew and untried ground to France
sad England. Oar sole aim ought to be to ascertain
what measures ought to be adopted with regard to
Turkey in future, and what men may be trusted with
the arduous task of carrying them into effect.

IT is proposed to obtain for • joint stack company
power to purchase certain grounds, with a view to
ost•blish a Grand Model Hotel in the metropolls, and
to originate • reform in our whole system of hotel ad-
ministration. To this project, in the abstract, there
can be no reasonable objection. If a sufficient number
of
persons, possessed of sufficient funds, can be per-
suaded to undertake the experiment, by all means lot
damn do so. If they noosed, the public will be a
phase; if they fail, they an do harm to nobody bet
themeless. But the projector, of this usaguilleent
scheme have mat covetous eyes on the site of the
National Gallery as the locality on which they wish
to try their experiment : that le quite a different
matter. In the first plan, then are many
who an of opinion that the finest site is the metro-
polis may be more worthily occupied than by an este-
hindmost which iasolely devoted to render more eon-
A:stable the lovers of nit, Gina, and well-aired beds
and luxurious dinners at moderate charges. Is the
need place, a still larger properties of the public are
anxious to retain our national sellestion of *Minis
Is &situation that is easily meeessible to all. Asd
hotly, there are not a few who are of opinion that
when a play of reception for chefs Amore of the
hie arts has been erected at great soot by the public
nosey it is inexpedient to pull it down again in
seder that spetelaton emulative of the Chisiit
Nor of Paris may play their pranks en the ground it
wee occupied, jobbing straitens Sad prodtable ea-
playmate in the erection of new paths buildings, and
/Mensal patrons of architecture gratify their vanity
sad meddling propensities at the public expense.
We are free to admit that we can Imagines more
sable specimen of architecture than the prune No
Gallery, and on the internal arrangements of
which might be better adapted to the use for which
it was erected. Ball we nest in candour suntan
that the building is far from being devoid of merit as
hr as external appearaness go. It is chaste and
elegant, though, if one may be allowed a metaphor,
somewhat feminine—with more of gran than of
power and vigour in its expeessios. The internal
arrangements might be improved, sad one-half of the
apartments intended for the display of panders are at
present only used for a few ninths in the year.
Both as a matter of taste and a a matter of economy
it is desirable that the present streets» should be
retained, with any internal changes er say additions
beyond that may be deemed advisable. Above all, it
is imperative that oar National Collection of Paint-
ings should remain where it is easily accessible to all
trams of citizens, instead of being removed to •
locality where it would be virtually beyond the daily
reach of all bat the inmates of Belgravia and
Tyburnia.

Nor will it be diScult for the project= of
a Grand Model Hotel to Sad a site equally
if not more eligible for the realisation of their
hospitable dreams. The Wised of the North
has prepared a place for them. It is impossible
that any persons can be found venture's enough,
to restore the theatre of Covent-garden from its
Our monster theatre' have ceased to be the
abodes of the drama. The fete of their shareholders
will not tempt others to embark is a similar ewer.
Here, then, is a large vacant space, admirably sites=
for the purposes of those who wish to give Load's asaotiel
hotel. The site of Covent-garden, and of the
block of houses which intervene between it and Long-
er:re, may be obtained for a cost that certainly cui-
ng be greater than would be required for the awini-
'Mon of the site of the National Gallery and the
adjacent streets. From Covent-garden there is a
broad and direct thoroughfare leading to Piccadilly
and the far west. The Spacious street leading
to St. °PIA with the osatieuations through
Bedford-square and Gower-street, supplies easy
access to th 3 stations of ohs North Western

and Great Northern Railways. Equally direct and
open is the line which leads through Bow-street and
Wellington-street, and over Waterloo-bridge, to the
station of the South Western Railway. The situation
of Covent-garden is central se regards the stations of
all the great metropolitan lines of railway, with facili-
ties for armee to each. It is in the very heart of
the district in which the beat frequented theatres and
halls devoted to concerts and public meetings cluster.
It is nearly midway between the City world of busi-
ness and the West-end world of gaiety, and not very
_ . .

remote—abeit omere--from the hinuti of the lawyer..
We cannot spare our National Gallery, and its site
for hotel speculators to eat and oarve upon. But to the
site of the late Covent-garden Theatre they are
heartily welcome ; and may their undertaking, if they
select that site, be profitable to them and pleasing to
the public.

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