The Sun.
London, England, 1855-04-05 00:00:00

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DEATEI OP ROBERT ivALLAciviirotk •-•-
LATE OF KELLY. till";

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fiat* We mentioned a few days ago (says the GOVAN' -
Mail) that Mr. Wallace, the veteran reformdr,- slcrovi -
rnerly member for Greenock, was labouring under aliede.,4
den attack of bronchitis, which was alarming his friends.
is now our melancholy duty to announce the fatal
issue of that attack. Mr. Wallace died at his residence,
Seafield Cottage, near Greenock, early on the morning
of Sunday last, at the patriarchal age of 82 years. Mr.
Wallace was the first member for Greenock in the re-
formed Parliament, and it was ample evidence of the sal
tisfaction of his constituents with his services that they
4eturned him at four successive elections free of expense,
nously. He entered Parliament in 1833,
end u alldqeu
13 years' faithful and laborious ser-
distinguished himself from the ieut•
i tibtiutnet
duni
it,
1845. n afterit n
He
e
set in attempting to break down the monopoly of the
who had hitherto reserved to _
Ministersthemselves o fththeeprCwivriolegne, of introducing public measures -
in Wallace's labours in con-
nection nfMr. post office abuses, however,
and in procurine.
penny postage, Which especially entitle
to Parliament.
with
ith
te
reform
him to notice. procuring
laboured long and assiduously in this
cause, and it was while doing so that Mr. R. Hill
stepped in with his scheme of penny postage. That gen•
tleman frankly admitted that it was Mr. Wallace's expo-
sures that led him to take up the subject at all, and that
it was his indomitable and persevering energy in and
out of Parliament which obtained the inestimable mes.
sure of penny postage to the country. Mr. Hill wrote—.
"By four years of incessant attacks, Mr. Wallace de-
stroyed the prestige once enjoyed by the Post-office, and
exposed it to the wholesome influence of public opinim
That Mr. Wallace was confessedly the author of such a
national blessing as the penny postage was a distinction
of which he had great reason to be proud, and which,
now that he has passed away, entitles his memory to
place in the regards of not merely a section of the
people, or of a district of the country, but of the world
at large. Mr. Wallace's great services to the country
in connexion with Post-office reform were universally
appreciated. He had honours showered upon him sit& '
'Meta to satisfy any man of ordinary ambition. He re-
ceived the freedom of the city of Glasgow, of Aberdeen,
f Paisley, Perth, Dingwall, Inverness, and of Dornocb.
e was presented with an address, by the inhabitants of
Kilmarnock, and a beautifully written communication
kom the Postmaster-General of France, complimenthig-
Isim on -tire reforms he bad .w....fiod in thaTaigr7.43'"'
besides comraiw.uta and addresses innumerable from
other quarters.
Our brief tribute to Mr. Wallace would be incomplete
lwere we to omit mentioning that his quitting Perna-
talent in 1845 was the result of certain reverses of L3r.
tune, of which it is not here necessary more fully ';o
;speak. It was then that the aid of political and per.
'sonal friends was delicately exercised in a way not to
offend the good and faithful servant, then bordering
on fourscore years. A. public testimonial realised
(between three and four thousand pounds, which sum
'was invested in the purchase of an annuity of .
jabout 5001. a-year. We- are far from, admitting
that this was commensurate with the claims of a faithful
!public servant, who had done so much in such a short
period to benefit his fellow-men ; but it was sufficient to
maintain Mr. Wallace in a position among his old friends
to his own satisfaction, and he acknowledged the boon
with becoming gratitude. Scarcely four years have
elapsed since this arrangement was completed, and
during that period Mr. Wallace has enjoyed the associa•
tion of a wide circle of friends, who cannot but regret-
that the intercourse has been so soon closed for ever.
Mr. Wallace used to boast of his descent from Sir
Liam Wallace, a name which, he said, he was proud of,
and which he hoped he had never done anything to sully.

SIR ROBERT PEEL AT THE MARYLE-
BONE LITERARY INSTITUTION.

A very crowded and fashionable audience filled the
lecture-room of the above institution yesterday evening,
attracted by the announcement that Sir Robert Peel had

invited them to spent an evening with him and ;the
poets. Such an invitation coming from a baronet and
a bachelor was sure to be promptly responded to by the-
ladies, and accordingly we were not surprised to find all
the reserved seats occupied at an early hour by the
fairer portion of creation. The members of the institu-
tion also mustered in great force, and to all who at-
tended, the lecture of the hon. baronet evidently.
afforded high and sustained gratification. He began
by pointing out the connection between the poetry
and prosperity of a nation. When the sense of inde.:
pendence was strong, the poetic feeling was high, and
there was nothing that excited people to such daring
deeds as a spirit•stirring ode or war song. From poetry
in general, Sir Robert soon came to that of England in
particular, starting from Shakspere, of whom his admira-
tion was of course unbounded. The naturalness, creative
power, and peculiar beauty of the language of " fancy's
sweetest child," were pointed out in a few judicious ob-
servations, and several well-known passages were recited
" with due emphasis and discretion." Hamlet's advice

to the players 'quite brought down the house ; and there
were several other quotations which were only less at-
tractive. Milton, who came next, was rapidly sketched,
not forgetting the munificent price paid for " Paradise
Lost," well-named one of the six epics written since the
creation of the world. The lecturer critically remarked
that Milton was, of all the poets, Christian or pagan,
the only one who represented God otherwise than as a
tyrant. It was the blind poet's beautiful peculiarity to
paint the deity as a father, and a judge who tempered
justice with mercy. Addison's criticisms were then
mentioned, as placing Milton on his proper pedestal, and
then he took leave of epic, and hurried to the poetic
satirists. Under this head Dryden's well known sketch
of Buckingham was given with wonderful fire, and
was loudly and deservedly applauded. Polie and John•
son were ti-_en glanced at, with appropriate quotations
f:oin each, and the audience next found themselves

deeply interested with the poets of their own time.
o
The name of Campbell brought up reminiscences
of
Poland,
of
on
Russia Polands
causes.
nosue. Theregshtup wereßuss some
aned
little
e
name
nalur and it
red the lecturer into a semi-political
episode
ths seai wda
disapprobation evinced at this portion of the proceedings,
but whether it was that the dissentients thought politico
out of place, or that there is a concealed Russian party
in Marylebone, we were not able to ascertain. Sir Robert
pointed out that this was the first time an English army
had invaded the Russian territory, although it was 302
years since our ships first visited the country for the pur-
poses of trade. Now we invaded Russia to put an end
to the imposture of fifty years, and to teach that pow sr
that she was about to receive at the hands of civilisation
the retribution her crimes deserved. A well-merited
eulogium on the late Lord Dudley Stuart closed thin
part of the lecture, and a few not very novel but exceed-
ingly well-delivered recitations introduced the topic of
shipwrecks generally ; and, apropos of shipwrecks, the
lecturer, amid the most profound attention on the part
of the audience, detailed his own escape from that dire
calamity in the spring of last year. They left Genoa, he
said, on the 24th April, 1854, a happy party, of whom
the only survivors were himself and a gentleman who was
at that moment one of his auditory. They started at
mid-day, with full crew, and full passengers, 90 in all, and,
singular to say, there was a presentiment of coming dan-
ger in the minds of every one on board. At about seven
in the evening they could just see the land, and then the
clouds gathered. Shortly after they broke, and the pale
moon cast her silver light on everything. The wind
whistled sullenly through the tackle, but what did
they care, the word was passed, " All's well," and they
were sure to reach Marseilles on the morrow. But
hark ! hush ! what sound was that ? The wind had been
gradually lulling, when the man at the wheel was heard
to shout frantically—" Ease her " " Stop her "
" Back her "—then a horrible crash—they had come
into collision with another vessel. He (Sir Robert) was
on deck in his carriage, awl by a miracle escaped the
first crush ; then he saw numbers of his fellow-passen-
gers engulphed, and knew that several more were en-
tombed alive in the cabin, by the accidental closing up
of the companion passage. He could hear their stifled
cries for help, as the vessel went down, and the next
moment he was in the sea swimming for his life. He
swam strongly, and was sufficiently collected to turn
round and watch the last of the sinking vessel. He soon
grasped a floating mast, and was quickly joined by three
other persons. One by one, he saw those three drop off,
feeble and benumbed, and he was himself beginning to
despair, when suddenly he saw a light upon the water,
then he heard the sound of oars, and in the next moment
he was saved. " Oh," exclaimed the lecturer amid the
deep silenee of his audience, "If any of my hearers knows
what it is to be saved from imminent death, he can
imagine what my sensations were on finding myself in
that little boat." He bad often, he added, been in great
danger—once before of being drownedoff Barcelona,
and twice of being shot as a revolutionist—once so near
as to have had fourteen muskets pointed at his breast ;
but never did he feel himself so near what Carlyle called
the "conflux of eternity" as on the terrible occasion
descr.
which he had attempted
to
As soon as the cheering whichibe greeted the termination
of this little narrative had subsided, the hon. baronet
exhorting the
concluded by young men of the institution
to improve their leisure by the diligent cultivation of
their intellect and the careful perusal of the best English
authors.
NJ,. Jacob Bell, who presided, proposed a vote of
thanks to Sir Robert Peel, which was rapturously re•
voided to, and the proceedings terminated.

HOLYROOD-PARS.—A large addition has just been
made to the public park at Holyrood, by embracing within
it a field of about 13 acres, situated north of the Duke's
walk, acid east of the ground used for military, exerciser,
and parade. This field was purchased by the Board of
Works some years ago ; but, the lease having just ex-
pired, it is only now available for conjunction with the
pasturage of the Royal park. The rectangular wall
which formerly cut it off has been removed, and the
public park has thus been extended to its natural bon -
dary loomed by the Old Portobello-read. The addition
will undoubtedly enhance the beauty as well as the
utility of this portion of the park. From the summit.. 4
a gentle rise in the ground lately enclosed, and whirl
may now be reached by a slight divergence from the •e•
dinary path, a beautiful view on all sides may be et,.
taMed ; while the removal of the wall opens up the out.
lines of the ground in such a manner as greatly to
improve its appearance, not only from the Duke's-walk,
but from the Palace of Holyrood itself.—Scottisli. Pres.,
A letter in the lndependance Belge states that Lora
John Russell was on the point of leaving Vienna far
England, when the telegraph informed him of the app
proaching visit of M. Drouyn de l'Huye. The swam
letter states that France and England have insisted that
the last symptoms of animosity between Austriar and
Piedmont shall disappear, and that M. Buol, after =flat
hesitation, has promised that the sequestration of' the
property of Lombard refugees naturalised in Piedmont
shall be annulled. The writer thinks, however, tUi
Austrian promisee are not invariably kept.

rAVAair4 euT.I,T,I-;d, in pcst xvo., Prise 71. 61, cloth,
50312 ACCOUNT of Mrs. CLARINDA
SINGLEHEART.
By the author of "Mary Powell." With Frontispiece.
By the-atone Author,
CHERRY AND VIOLET. In antique.
THE OLD CHELSEA BUNHOUSE. Ditto.
CLAUDE THE COLPORTEUR. With Coloured Frontispiece.
MADAME PALISSY. Ditt•.
MARY POWELL. In antique.
EDWARD OSBORNE. Uniform.
PORE'S HOUSEHOLD. Ditto.
Arthur Hall, Virtue, and Co.. 25, Paternoster-row.

THEATRE ROW, HAYMARKET.
trader the managerr.ent of Mr. Bnckstene,
ON EASTER MONDAY
Will be presented THE SECRET AGENT. principal characters
by Mr. Backstone and Miss E. Chaplin.
To be followed by a new Ballet, in which the Spanish Dancers
Will appear, entitled THE EVENING FESTIVAL. erecters
After which. a new Extravaganza, called TEM NEW HAY-
MARKET SPRING MEETING, 1855.
To ccrelude with THE GALICIAN FETE.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S TIIICATRE, OXFORD-STREET.
Under the Management of Mr. Caaat.ss /Iwo*.
ON EASTER MONDAY
V7lll be performed LIVING TOO FAST.
To be folowed by THE CORSICAN BROTHERS. Principal
aracter by Mr. C. Kean.
To conclude with (first time) a Romance, in two acts, entitled
TuE MULRTEER of TUI.O.DO ; or, King, Queen, and Knave.

TFIZATRR ROYAL ADELPHI.
Proprietor, Mr. B. Webster.—Directress, Madame Celeste.

ON EASTER MONDAY
will b. performed the Drama entitled THE MYSTERIOUS
STRANGER-

oiTo conclude with A NEW EDITION OF THE FAIRY TALES
mciTIIXE: GOOSE, with nume ous highly-coloured Illustrations.

ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.
Lessee and Manager, Mr. Wm. Cooke.

Mr. William Cooke begs to acknowledge one of the most successful
seasons of the Eoyal Amphitheatre, and announces that on EASTER
MONDAY there will be produced an original Equidrama, to be called,
TfIE FIELD AGAINST THE FAVOURITE ; developing events of
peculiar character and general interest i
Novel SCENES in the CIRCLE, and a variety of amusements, will end their aid to the evening's entertainment.
Bux-office open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W.
West. Acting Manager, yr.W. H. Cooke. Equestrian Director,
SI:. W. Cooke, jun.

ROYAL STRAND THEATRE.
Under the direction of Miss Rebecca Isaacs.
THIS EYENLNG,
ike WIZARD of the WORLD will appear in his Magic Saloon,
With a variety of amusements.
To be followed by THE BARBER OF CADIZ,
Drury-lane Ballet Convany, introducing the

HIGH WAWA AT LONDON BRIDGE.
Ting b'AT —Morning 34 niiia.after 3 I Evening 49 min.aft. 3
To•MOnao ► - Morning 6 min After 4 Evening 23 minalt. 4

TIM WRATHICR.—Sun Orna, April. 5.
TEIHRMONZTZB, IN THZ SHADE.
53—highest since noon yesterday.
37—lowest this morning and during the night.
56—this day, at noon.
BAROMETER, 30'11—rising rapidly.
WIND, S.W.--Light breeze, and fine, mild, sunshiny
Weather.

g

2fl,

LONDON, THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 1855.

One valuable result may at least be anticipated
from the visit of M. DROTTYN DE L'HUYS to
Vienna. It will bring the system of procrastina-
tion hitherto adopted to a speedy and unequivocal
conclusion. The French statesman will not linger
doing nothing, or, what is tantamount thereto,
seeing the fancied progress of one day completely
annihilated on the following. As the Minister
presiding over a very important department, he
will not easily consent to any course involving
prolonged absence from his official duties.
Months, weeks, even days, will not be recklessly
wasted, while business, for the efficient discharge
whereof he is responsible, is entrusted to others
who have quite enough to do in matters in which
they themselves are peculiarly concerned. We
may also add that the French Minister has not
transferred his establishment to the Austrian
ciapital—is not accompanied by wife or children,
tutors, governesses, nurses, or servants. He has
not resigned himself to the anticipation of a long-
continued course of diplomacy, during which the
labours of the day are to be alleviated by all the
domestic enjoyments, all the comforts, which teen
can hope to obtain during their earthly pil-
grimages.
There is therefore every reason to hope that
the specious humbug may be brought to a de-
cided termination—that the Austrian PENELOPE
may decide in favour of some one of her suitors,
and at once enter into a Russian or French and
English alliance. She is manifestly desirous of
selecting the most eligible "parte," but unfortu-
nately she has not yet materials sufficient to
enable her to form a sound judgment on that
• part of the case ; she therefore temporises with
all, and as her feelings are in no degree engaged
she can hold out sufficient encouragement to all,
to keep up the hopes of her suitors to the
_requi-
site point. She is waiting for further intelligence
from the Crimea sufficiently decisive to warrant
her in putting an end to all the doubts and fears
of the rivals, by flinging herself into the arms of
the fortunate competitor. Up to this time she
has managed to distribute her favours with
strict impartiality ; but France now demands
a plain and decided answer to a simple question,
and it must be rendered without further coquetry
or vacillation.
It is ridiculous for Austria to put in argumen-
tative pleas to attempt to show that she will join
the Western Powers heart and hand, because, she
asserts, it is her interest to do so. This is a mere
petitio principii, a literal begging of the question.
The plain and obvious answer is by another inter-
rogatory—a demand, " Why she has not already
done so ?" If it is decidedly for her advantage that
the predominance of Russia in the Euxine should
be abolished, or at least her power materially
limited, so that she can no longer have at her dis-
posal the means of mischief, why has she not
joined the Western States in demanding the de-
struction of Sebastopol as a fortified port ? It is
cc& standing menace" to the trade of the south
and east of Germany/ as well as to the integrity
of the Ottoman Empire. It commands the
mouths of the Danube as completely as the Bos-
phorus, and while it remains with unabated
ntreng there is no security for that thcom-
merce.
.A 34 'et almost the only decided

Y
been to induce
step taken by Austria has
France and England to abstain from pressing for
that which can, alone
offer a satisfactory solution
of the difficult problem, and enable itself to shake
off the incubus by Which it has so long
been op-
pressed. The arguments based
on her apparent
worth an
interests thus fall completely to the ground. If
thin the they must be carried to a mach
greater extent, and shculd, as we
ration of Austria,
have stated,
lead to the most energetic co-ope
in obtaining the cession or dismantling of Sebas-
topol.

There are, however, so many • • indings in
the
devious path of German policy—so many wheels
within wheels, that it is impossible to form an
accurate opinion as to what is really desired.
Many counteracting influences are in operation,
for which it is impossible to make adequate allow-
ances. There are too many unknown quantities
to permit a just solution of the complicated equa-
tion ; we can only judge from actual results—from
what has been in place of what ought to have been.
Regarding matters iu this point of view, we can-
not avoid being forcibly struck by the past
conduct of Austria, and still more by the extra-
ordinary neutrality of Belgium. We might
have supposed that the Ilia-sus of the House of
Saxe Coburg would be the first to array himself!
Aide by side with the Sovereigns of France '