The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-12-22 00:00:00

THE RUSSIAN IMPERIAL FAMILY.

The late Emperor of Russia has left three brothers and
two sisters. he names of his brother ; are Constantine,
Nicholas, and Michael ; his sisters, Mary, Grand Duchess
of Saxe-Weimar; and Anne, Princess of Orange. Con-
stantine, the present Emperor, was born in 1779. Ile
served under Suwarrow in the campaign of 1799 against
France, and meant to have joined the Austrian army
under the Archduke Charles in 1800, but the defeat
of the Russians in Switzerland occasioned his return
to St. Petersburgh. In 1802 he paid a visit to
Vienna, where the Emperor of Austria gave him the
honorary command of a hussar regiment. In 1805 he
took the command of a Russian corps destined to act against
France, and took part, at the head of his regiment of
Guards, in the unfortunate battle of Austerlitz. lie fol-
lowed his brother, the late Emperor, in the campaigns of
1812, 1813, and 1814, and entered with him the city of
Paris, but did not accompany him to London. Ile went
afterwards to the Congress of Vienna. Nicholas married,
in 1817, the Princess Charlotte IVilhelmina of l'russia, by
whom he has a son and two daughters. Constantine has
had no issue by either marriage.

We have received Caraooas Papers to the 9d of Novern.
ber, but they contain no new information of any import-
ance. The Custom-house returns of the port of Laguira
are regularly printed in the Culonthiano. The receipts for
the month of August, of duties on imports, amounted to
24,788 dollars.

New South Wales Papers to the 10th of August were
received yesterday. They mention the arrival of the
French discovery ships at the Cove of Sydney, when they
saluted the fort with the usual quantity of guns, and the
compliment was duly returned. It is stated that the pro-
posed measure of removing the Government House from
Hobart Town to Brighton, had been finally adopted, and
had given general satisfaction.

A mtlancholy accident has plunged in grief the town of
Nienbourg, in the Duchy of Anhalt. On the 6th inst. the
people had formed a design of celebrating the arrival of the
Grand Duke, and for that purpose got upon a chain bridge,
which has for some months been open to the public. It
appeared that one of the chains had got out of order,
which, diminishing the strength of the supports, sunk half
the bridge, with all the persons on it, to the number of
between 6 and 700, 30 of whom have not been found.—
Elate.

We do not recollect during the most interesting periods
of the late war, or during the late Queen's trial, to have seen
such an anxiety for the arrival of the papers as was evinced
several evenings last week on 'Change. On Tussday even-
ing in particuiar, when the mail, partly owing to the der.
siry of the fog near London, and partly to the circumstance
of its having been overturned near Rellburn, was an hour
and a half after its time, the exchange room was nearly,
if not quite, .as crowded as it is wont to be during the
most bustling period of the market, and so thickly were the
tables surrounded, that the porter found it quite impossible
to place the papers on them, but was obliged to throw them
over the heads of the congregated multitude, to be scram-
bled tor.—Nsischesler Mercury.
WkSTIIINSTEIt NATIONAL SCHOOL.—On Monday, a
half-yearly public examination of the children, instructed
at the Westminster National Free School took place;
the Dean of Westminster in the Chair, supported by the
Rev. W. F. Bentinck, the Ministers of the parish, and a
highly respectable company. It is impossible to speak in
too high terms of the proficiency of the children generally,
!Mt particularly the boys, whose answers to the questions
put to them by the Dean far exceeded what could have
been expected from children of such tender age. The
greatest praise is due to the master and mistress of the
school • to the former the Dean felt himself called upon
publicly to express his approbation of the manner in which
the boys had conducted themselves.
Two young ladies, sisters of the late Miss M. Tree (now
Mrs. Bradshaw) are at present exciting peculiar interest
and attention in very opposite departments of the drama
at the Bath Theatre.
We understand that the Sunday Paper at which the
('eerier so mysteriously hints, as being the object of Mr.
Rothschild's prosecution fur libel, is the English Gentleman.

NATIONAL PA LACE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE BRITISH PRESS.

Ste,—(laving this day seen, fur the first time, a patiliiitt writ
ten by a Member of Parliament, and dedicated to his
containing a plan for a National Palace, and feeling, as I do,
th
probability that it will engage a considerable portion of public al
tension, I lose not a moment in offering a few remarks upon a sub
ject on which I have bestowed a good deal of attention, and *hit,
I consider as one of great natior,al interest.

In many of the opinions expressed by the Member of parpirra
I entirely concur. I agree with hint in thinking that Bunito,
House is a position most unfit for a royal residence; I belt"
with him, that public opinion would bail a project of a great n
tional palace with acclamation ; and I think that, by judicious m
nagemcnt of the great resources of the Crown, ample means thigh
be provided foe the speedy acccomplishment of this object,
But in some other points I must venture to differ from th
Member of Parliament. I would not alienate or destroy thew r
spectable and ancient establishments which hare for In many yea
belonged to the Crown, and should be very much grieved to,
Hampton Court converted into a place of education fur 31r
flume's operatives, nor would I advise buildings to be nate,
round the border of the parks. As to the time malmsey it,
the accomplishment of such a work, 1 cannot agree wilt
tii
Member cf Parliament that ten or fifteen years would be requite
If a grand general plan, well digested and well considered, we,
mice determined on, I can't help thinking that as much
of i
(suppose one quarter) as is necessary for the bldg's irninediat
accommodation, might be completed in lets time than is now pt,
posed for the finishing of what are called the repairs of Buckin
ham House; and if any man will look at the progress made •
York House, I think he will be of opinion that eighteen momb
or two years would be quite sufficient for the completion diem
portion of a grand palace as may be necessary for his Majesty'
immediate accommodation. I must confess I think that such a pit,c
as the Member of Parliament proposes would be straggling and un
connected, and that his garden would be defective both in sp.-4
and privacy. '1 he situation he has suggested is that pan of Hyd
Park between Stanhope-street and Grosvenor-gate.
The palace and garden are to be about the size of Grolrenor
square t the south front to range with Stanhope-street, sod to ex
tend towards Oroavenor-gate; three sides to be enclosed by bel,'
ings 60 feet high, and the fourth by a range of stables and
along Park-lane, only 10 feet high ; and the
is whole, wits
to he raised upon a rustic basement of 20 feet, me' .
of 76 feet. '1 he terrace to be ascended by •
of which is to lead from Stanhope-street to the sus.,
trance front. The west front is to contain the grand
state rooms, and that to the north is intendell

tate apartments. I think 1 have quoted quite
my conclusion that such a mass of building in tit
not be tolerated. From page 51 to $8 give the
inent's ideas upon this subject more at large.
Now I do think that the occupation of thi
would be repugnant to public feeling, as well
private prcperty ; and even if no obstacles of t
still I venture to assert that it would be dif*icul
less desirable. It is not my intention to offer
the plan of the Member of Parliament; but.
to suggest another, which, like his, springs from
professional individual, as far, at least, as situat'
idea, for in all matters requiring judgment and
of the following outline has hod the discretion t
of as able architects as are to be found in the

encouraged by public feeling and public opint,
may hereafter be laid before the people of Engl
with confidence, that there would be but few di

_ .
to the propriety and the necessity of providing a
London worthy the Sovereign of this great country.
I rejoice that the M. P.'s pamphlet has directed its
non towards this important question, and I should
find other suggestions ;springing from other quarters. It
canvassed in this manner that the subject will be better ut.
and I feel a strong conviction that the more it is distussed t,
decided will be the impression in its favour. till the tecum
weight of public opinion shall compel his Majesty to abandon.
system of economy which has no doubt been adopted by him ft
a gracious and benevolent desire to avoid laying burdens upon h.
people for objects apparently connected with his personal meet
and personal gratihcation. His Majesty's taste would Batumi!)
lead him to adopt designs splendid and magnificent; red I 3T4
dently hope, that the small and single voice of the M.P. may to
echo from every part of the empire, till it swells into an unirma
cry which his Majesty will find it impossible to resist.
I understand Buckingham House is actually about to be rebuilt
with alterations, which may, perhaps, make it a residence fit for a
great Nobleman, but it never can be a palace suited for a Sore
reign of the British empire. The work alnaay done cap t..:
amount to many hundreds of pounds • but if the amount we••
thousands, I confess I am of opinion that it is better to pay ti.
trifling forfeit in the first instance, than to persevere in' •
a situation so full of every sort of objection. It was
public papers that three situations had been stiggesu
jetty's town residence—Carlton House, St. James'
borough House), and Buckingham House; and
well and wisely given the preference to the lett
its inconveniences., is much the least objectionain
Is connected with a spacious garden on one side,
the two parks on two ether aides. But alas ! wh,
side present ?—a public-house, and a range of
within thirty feet of some important apartments
a great mound of earth constructed to shut out ,
dently calculated to re, der the situation more
unwholesome; quite close, we find a steam engine
brewery, always smoking—nuisances that cannot
at a great expense ; and close under his Majesty
the main sewer of that part of the metropolis
short distance, and occasiot.ally emitting the most .
this sewer cannot be removed, and cannot be closed,
be blown up by the influx of water at
The basement story of Buckingham House it,
similar occasional influx of water, which must oink
with many inconveniences, and is an evil incura!
Inherent in the situation. The fog of the wbolt
part of the town inclines towards that quarter, is
vapour arising from the canal in front and the
the proposed palace ; and, upon the opinion of
tare to pronounce the situation p .sinvely un.
much inferior to a position in Hyde Park as an

street would be lesi cheerful and healthy than
venor-street or Park-lane. With such an seen'

•ionable circumstances. how comes it dist Bucki

fixed upon by his Majesty ? The obvious and only
question is, that his Majesty was influenced by a reit:Liam
upon the nation for more than was absolutely necessary fut kit
comfortable accommodation; and he was probably led to suppew
that the repair of the Queen's house would give him this meow-
dation in less time and for much less money than it would cost to
build a xew palace in a new position. Now, without preterdirg
either to architectural skill or to a spirit of prophecy, I will verun
to foretell that both these expectations will be disappointed. So.
thing is so tedious and so expensive as repairing an old house. wit
I may fairly add, so unsatisfactory, for you are confuted to situationt
however unfavourable, and cramped and embarrassed in your pki
in order to make are of what had much better have been pulled
down altogether. Speaking from experience of what has passed
under my own eye, and from observations of the rapid zit:n.ll,l4
York House, I have no hesitation in asserting, that if theme,
quantity of apartments which it is now proposed to erect at Buck.
Ingham House had been begun, de nova, in a ..ew situation, they
wculd liars been finished many months before the projected altos-
tion can be completed, and with this advantage. that the sante ar
comniodation would kern a part of a great national work to be coo
pleted now or hereafter according to circumstances.
1 confess I should much like to be employed to present a perks
signed by a million of his Majesty's subjects, entreating him to
yield to the wishes of his people, and praying hint. instead of
making a cheap and comnicstious, residence, to build a poi
National Palace, and to put forth all that grandeur and mad•
nificence of taste which he is known to possess in so citincri
a degree.
1 need, therefore, hardly repeat, that I entirely agree with the
M.P. in his idea of the necessity of a great National Palace:
as 1 differ widely from him both as to plan and site, I an, pm,
cularly anxious to draw the public attention to the peculiar nice.
tags of the site I am about to propose. Of tke plan of tl.e paira
propnaed to occupy that site I shall say but little, slid
in tiit
mostgeneral terms. A mere outline will suffice to wined I!'e
plan with the position, and upon the reception these hints onl
meet with from the public, it will depend whether the writer Li
venture to add another syllable upon the subject.
The palace should occupy a square of 600 feet, which, &Old
of by the skill of the architects, would be amply sufficient to unit
all the splendour and magnificence which ought to distinruish
palace of a great Monarch, with the comfort and convenience
private gentleman's residence ; there should be two courts std Iva
gardeos, a court of entrance, and a court of offices-a god"
the palace and a private garden for his
.11.1sjinity. There is ar.
of Kensington garden very little frequented, which lies
the Powder Magazine near Mr. Rennie 's new bridge ea l'e
gate near Bayswater-wall; this space is bounded by the sunk ter f.:
on the rant, and by that part of the Serpentine River t
e
garden on the west; on the south by the broad Green-walk, ar!
i
on the north by the Uxbridge-road; close to the magraine the WI
fence wall of the garden assumes the form of two bsstiona. suit a
curtain between them; each of the bastions in 200 feet dintreter,
and the curtain alone in in lengtb 600 feet ; the whole spare bet 4
about 1000 feet. Of this space the proposed palace would oretiP!
SOO feet ; and its cast front line would stand on or a few fret it: c--
'ranee of the present stink fence.
The palace garden would occupy the apace between the ar'':
front of the building itself and the Serpentine River within 12.
garden, while the King's private garcl,r, would contain part !"
cartain, the whole of the south bastion, the ground on sincn
tic
magazine now stands, and as much the beautifal and 1'
turesque sloping ground from thence to the edge of the Serprili!
River as may be deemed expedient. This garden may be
to ipe
to contain several scree, and without the slightest injury
public, the ground in question being at present entirely urosed„,.
The new road now runs along the north aide of the Serpentiner'''
Yen ; that road must be removed, and I should propene bell! 8$

tor
The
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of stables anti elit
hole, with it. tense
making a total hug
r inclined planes, on
e Routh or greater en
grand suite of pebli •
for the King's pel
ite enough to justif
such a position reel
e Illembee of Paths
his part of the Par
1 as most injurious t
this nature existed
ult to select a posiur
r any critienm up,
with great humiliti
um an unlearned, un
ration and the genet
to employ the talent
s.
I
cg; dunent
,ngl:ta°nhePtc: ft: e naimr:einnt;idt he procession
eulap
ol"tb d tßir°ltneb ilb4r
al :mei nee"lti:ytsi
lances. It is by her
be better understeoc
le distussed the tror
, till the acrumulat
uesty to abandon th
adopted by him fe
ing burdens_upoe hi

teem in buildusgi
It Wu stated in t 6
ggested for his Me
antes's (with 31E
nd his Majesty h'
iter, which, with
stile of the three ;
de, and bounded it
what don the four
of mean buildin:
of the palace itssi
she mews, but eel
e dark, damp, an
engine, and a ere•
trot be removed 1
jesty's windows TUT
Dill, open within
pet offensive sfßavi.
Diked, being liable
high spnng nes
must be subjtct
beiously be sued,
urable, bemuse it !
bole of the norther.
independent of th
pond it. the nor t
if the faculty, I arc
s wholesome. and is
n house jn Flusder
one in Upper Ova
simulation of ohjec
kingham flonse wit
only answer to such
y a reluctance to call