The Sun.
London, England, 1868-04-27 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, APRIL 27, 1868.

I.IOLEAN HUM'S IiEW .PICTURE.

lIE LATE EDITION of g' THE SUN" at
W. SMITITS, '' Camden Stores," 78, Park-street, Camden

town,

LONDON, MONDAY, APRIL 27, 1868.

The news from Abyssinia, which will to-day
circulate through the country, will cause one
general feeling of satisfaction and delight. For
the last few weeks some anxiety was felt for the
safety of the captives, and it was feared that their
friends might revenge their wrongs and yet come
too late to save their lives. Now, however, all
these gloomy forebodings have been set at nought,
and the brightest anticipations more than realised
by the intelligence from the seat of war. Seldom
has a General had more decisive and gratifying
intelligence to communicate than that which
Sir ROBERT NAPIER has just sent home.
The captives are rescued ; that is the most
important point to dwell upon, and the
people of this country will rejoice that the primary
object of the expedition has been attained. King
• THEODORE is dead, and has paid with his life the
penalty of having insulted England, and perse-
cuted the unfortunate foreigners who were thrown
into his power by the force of circumstances. The
extraordinary character of this news is yet further
increased by the intimation that the British sus-
tained no loss of life, and there were only about
ten wounded in our army. It is strange to think
that when the Chancellor of the Exchequer was
speaking to the House on Thursday last on
the subject of this expedition, and men-
tioning that the affair would probably soon be
over, it was even then concluded in the most satis-
factory style possible. It appears that all the ar-
rangements were planned and carried out with the
most perfect precision, and they reflect the highest
honour upon Sir R. NAPIER. He evidently appre-
ciated the vast importance of using despatch in his
movements, and pressing on whenever he had fairly
got the start. Sir STAFFORD NORTHCOTE has re-
ceived two telegraphic despatches from the Com-
mauder-in-Chief of the Abyssinian force, and the
various items of intelligence which they contain
succeed each other with startling rapidity, and
recall to mind the more brilliant and exciting
days of past history, rather than the
more tame doings of our prosaic times. On
Good Friday au engagement took place near Mag-
' Bala, between our troops and the army of THEO-
DORE, in which the latter was defeated with heavy
loss. During the two succeeding days THEODORE
sent into our camp every European that he had in
his power, both captives and employes. Sir R.
NAPIER demanded that THEODORE should surrender
himself, and gave him twenty-four hours to decide.
This telegram concludes by stating that the KING's
troops are completely demoralised. The next
telegram also contains some astounding in-
telligence, for on Easter Monday Magdala
was taken by assault under cover of Arm-
strong steel-guns, eight-inch mortars, and
rocket battery. In this assault THEODORE was
killed, defending to the last, and our loss was small.
The ascent to the gates is said to have been most
formidable. THEODORE was greatly disheartened
in consequence of the severe losses he had sustained
on the tenth, and Borne of the chiefs had surren-
dered the most formidable position of Shilasse, and
many thousand fighting men had laid down their
arms. Notwithstaning these preliminary advan-
tages, it is evident that it was hard work to carry
the place, and such an achievement will enhance
the reputation of all who assisted in the great
work. THEODORE retired to Magdala with all who
remained faithful to him.
It seems a just retribution that he should have
met his fate there in the very place where he had so
long confined the unfortunate Europeans, and he
certainly affords a warning to all the contumacious
tyrants who may come after him. His conduct has
been cruel in the extreme, and it seems difficult to
account for his perversity except under the suppo-
sition that he was greatly incensed by various ru-
mours. At any rate we hope and believe that a
lesson has been given that will not likely be for-
gotten, and that in future the subjects
of our Sovereign may dwell in greater safety in
those barbarian lands now that the supremacy of
England has been asserted so completely and effec-
tually. It must be admitted that THEODORE pos-
eessed some striking qualities; he possessed great
determination, and died with a spirit worthy of a
better cause, and was doubtless a hero in the esti-
mation of the uncivilised people he ruled over. Had
he been able or willing to control his passions he
might, even with his opportunities, have effected a
great deal, but it is always most unwise and unsafe
to allow prejudice to attain so great a mastery over
the mind. We must bear in mind that Sir
ROBERT NAPIER and his forces did not fight their
hardest battle when they attacked THEODORE and
chief difficulty lay in
stormed Magdala. Their
the nature of the country itself, and it was in over-
coming these obstacles that so much recognition is
due to our army, and so much credit belongs to its
General. The march of our troops from Annesley
Bay to Magdala is a trophy of military skill, and
will remain a striking record in the annals of his-
tory when the more immediate incidents of the
affair arc forgotten. After the painful and weari-
some march was over there remained the dreadful
idea that THEODORE WO:11d remove the captives
and consume valuable time in making our
forces pursue him. This has happily been dis-
pelled, and the result the best thing that could have
taken place for all parties has taken place. We are
saved an awkward task in disposing of the KING
by his exit from the scene of his vices and his
struggles, and our work in Abyssinia is all the
sooner accomplished, as Sir It. NAPIER puts it.
" The army will return immediately." And why in-
deed should it remain ? Its mission has been nobly
fulfilled, its work effectively accomplished, and its
honours well won. All that we desired to do in
Abyssinia has been done, and those who wished for
some more lasting connection to be made between
England and that distant sot must be disappointed,

while those who have been amusing themselves by
declaring that an increased territory was an ulti-
mate object will be effectually answered by the
speedy return of our troops.
In looking at the matter, as it now stands, we
may remark that the brilliant and striking success
of our arms in Abyssinia furnishes a complete con-
tradiction to those who have been busy, throughout
the whole of the affair, in circulating unpleasant
hints, and declaring that the whole thing would be
a failure, and so on. The climate was against us,
the captives would never be rescued, the expense
would be enormous, the country did not care for
these outlandish wars being entered upon, and so
on. A more complete discomfiture has seldom been
met with than has befallen those croakers, and
it is well that it should be so ; another proof has
been afforded of the courage and constancy of our
forces, and, what is of equal importance, of the
skill and efficiency of our General. A more com-
plete and finished piece of work than this Abys-
sinian expedition it has seldom been our lot to wit-
ness, and it is not saying too much to affirm that it
could not have been better accomplished. This
gratifying intelligence comes happily for the Minis-
ters, who are just now rather roughly assailed, and
the rescue of the prisoners of Magdala is a bril-
liant triumph for the Conservatives. This Abys-
sinian affair was in some respects the most vexa-
tious legacy left to the new Government when Lord
RUSSELL retired ; the task of decision was an ardu-
ous one. The honour of the country was at stake
—English subjects were in peril—and yet there
were not wanting hints of the difficulties in a rescue,
and the expenses of the affair, joined to the extreme
doubtfulness of the issue so far as saving the pri-
soners was concerned. Lord STANLEY has carried
another triumph, and may well be congratulated
upon the success of his work. When the noble lord
announced his intention to the House of Commons
of proceeding to extremities in the event of THEO-
DORE refusing to liberate the captives he was met
with general approval, but there were not wanting
those who declared he was mistaken in his policy.
These may now recognise their error, and, although
it is impossible to control circumstances, and
events must be left to the doctrine of
chance, this Abyssinian Expedition may prove au
example for all statesmen to copy, and a lesson that
the timorous and hesitating may derive profit from.
We had unfortunately of late years been too much
in the habit of letting things alone, and the influ-
ence of England was materially affected thereby.
The past year or two has done much to retrace our
steps in this particular and retrieve our errors, and
the good work must be continued. The fact that
England has extended the majesty of her power to
the wilds of Abyssinia, and rescued with a strong
hand her captive subjects, will strike terror into
many a tyrant, and the effect upon our position
abroad cannot be overrated. It can no longer be said
that from motives of expediencyor ideas of compromise
we leave our fellow-countrymen to their fate ; and
this part of the affair must not be overlooked amid
the general rejoicing which the intelligence of
to-day will give rise to. Public opinion will ratify
the wisdom of those who, in the day of doubt,
chose the better part, and recognise that we have
them to thank for the brilliant success that has
attended our arms, and the happy exploit that has de-
livered our friends from a fate that was worse than
death.

The news which we published on Saturday from
Australia comes in startling and painful contrast to
all recent intelligence from our southern colonies.
The reception given by the colonists to the Duke of
EDINBURGH was unprecedented in its warmth and
its demonstrativeness. No pains were spared to
do him honour, while gold was lavished with a
readiness only possible in such an auriferous coun-
try. Melbourne especially distinguished itself by
the magnificence of its festivities and the splendour
of its preparations, but every colony was equally
cordial and equally prompt to bring its best to
greet the young sailor Prince. The enthu-
siasm everywhere manifested by the colonists
was the more remarkable, because Australia is
separated by so wide a space that it might reason-
ably have been supposed that the sentiment of per-
sonal loyalty would not be strongly developed, and
that, if the Prince received a mere courteous and
ceremonious welcome, it was all that could be
looked for. On the contrary, the Australians wel-
comed him as if he were a long absent and dearly-
loved monarch, and have thronged to greet him
from every quarter.:l3usineas, and politics, and do-
=Ale engagements have all been at a standstill as
the Prince passed from colony to colony. Even the
great political difficulty, which has for so long para-
lysed the people of Melbourne, was suspended by the
great occasion, and amity was for the nonce restored
between the members of the Council and of the
House of Assembly. The Duke of EDINBURGH,
we have good reason to believe, was much gratified
by the cordiality of his reception, and the ties be-
tween England and her far distant children were
materially strengthened by his visit. It is difficult
no doubt for us in the first shock and consternation
of learning the attempted assassination of the Duke
to realise adequately the horror and indignation
which must have filled the minds of the colonists,
who had been spending their time, their thoughts,
and their money so lavishly in the Prince's
cause. That his confidence should be thus
abused, and his pleasant and friendly inter-
course with them should be turned into an occasion
of danger and suffering, must have caused them the
greatest vexation and disappointment. We can
fancy the intense eagerness with which news of the
PRINCE'S health would be watched for by the popu-
lace, and the fervent rejoicing with which they
would learn that he was at last out of danger. The
wound was evidently a serious one, the ball having
entered the back and followed the course of the
ninth rib, traversing altogether a distance of twelve
inches and a quarter. Most fortunately it did not
prove fatal, and the ball was extracted two days
afterwards by the surgeons of her MAJESTY'S ships
Challenger and Galatea. Since then his Royal
highness seems to have progressed as favourably as
could be wished, since on the 28th March he was
able to go on board his ship, and it was thought
would be sufficiently recovered to return home the
week following. The name of the assassin is
O'FaneeL, and he was fortunately captured on the
spot, not,however, before he had fired another shot,
severely wounding a gentleman near. The crime
was committed at a public pick-nic given in Sydney
harbour in aid of the Sailors' home at Clontarf,
Port Jackson, and the cowardly nature of the at-
tack is shown by the Duke being shot in
the back. England and Australia may both
be thankful that the attempt war unsuccessful.
Had the shot proved fatal Australia would have
bitterly mourned so tragic au issue of her festivities,
while England, besides sympathising in the maternal
grief of her QUEEN, would have deeply regretted the
death of the frank and popular young sailor prince.
Happily that grief has been spared us. Our Royal
Family of late years has especially endeared itself
to the people by mixing freely among them. Its
members have laid aside the formality and exclu-
siveness which in the days of the GEORGES hedged
round the Court circles, and kept them aloof not
only from the intrusion, but from the sympathie

of mankind. Our QUEEN has set th© more
timorous or pompons sovereigns of Europe an ex-
ample of simple and pleasant holiday-making,
which some of them have been glad to
follow. She has broken through the old conven-
tional insular prejudice, which kept an English
King or Queen in this country as if those who had
so many interests involved in Continental affairs
were bound to know nothing of ether nations ex-
cept by hearsay. Her sons, too, have been brought
up in a manner very different from that of older
reigns. They have studied at the public colleges,
they have not only explored their own country,
but have actually crossed the broad oceans,
and made acquaintance with shores on which
certainly no English Prince set foot before. The
Prince of WALES in his extensive travels has been
able to compare the fading relics of Eastern splen-
dour with the fresh young civilisation of the West,
and that southern hemisphere—a world in itself—
which he has left unseen has just been visited by
his brother. It is a matter of deep regret that the
free and friendly spirit in which the young Princes
have everywhere mingled with the people should in
this instance have met with so ungenerous a return.
We must not, however, attribute any blame or want
of vigilance to the Australian authorities. Such
crimes are always possible, and their results can only
be determined by the decrees of PROVIDENCE. In the
French capital, in the midst of every State form and
courtly escort, in a street thronged with gens d'artnes
and guards of honour, an Imperial visitor narrowly
escaped from a similar attempt. Such criminals,
if not always madmen, are at least monomaniacs.
They are infatuated by one idea, whether it be re-
venge for a fancied wrong, or a miserable craving
for notoriety, and they are for the time being
reckless of the consequences. We hear that a de-
fence on the ground of insanity is to ba set up ;
but, unhappily, we cannot exonerate Fenianism on
that score. Like the Clerkenwell outrage the
Fenians could not have devised a surer method of
disgusting men of all shades of opinion with
them and their dastardly scheme. We knew long
ago whAt Fenianism was worth, and what were its
chosen weapons. Treachery, assassination, secret
attacks, incendiarism, all the worst and most con-
temptible and cowardly crimes are its fitting agents.
We have just had conclusive evidence how little
influence it has really gained among the warm-
hearted and quick feeling Irish people, and they,
in the midst of the sorrow and indignation with
which they will learn the tidings of this last and
worst manifestation of Fenianism, will be heartily
thankful that at least they have been spared the
disgrace and humiliation of such an outrage being
committed on their own shores. The visit of the
Heir-Apparent to what was supposed to be the
very stronghold of Fenianism, accompanied, as he
was, by his charming Princess, shows a confidence
in the people which has proved not misplaced, and
we can only rejoice that no catastrophe or shadow
of annoyance has interfered with the accomplish-
ment of so graceful and generous a project. The
Duke of EDINBURGH,
we may hope, will shortly
recover from the effects of his wound, and we may
look for his return among us—a return that will no
doubt be as cordially greeted by the English people,
who rejoice over his safety, as his arrival in the
Australian seas was welcomed by her MAJESTY'S
loyal subjects in the southern hemisphere.

LATEST INTELL MENGE.

CONCLUSION OP THE WAR IN
ABASINILL

DEArat OF THEODORE.

FOREIGN-OFFICE, April 2G.

The following telegram, dated Alexandria, April
25' has been received from her MAjesty's Agent and
Consul-General in Egypt :—.

"The following telegram just reached me from

Suez :

" Theodore defeated near Magdala. Surren-
dered all captives and artificers. Retired into Mag-
dala. Magdala taken by storm on the 13th.
Theodore killed. Troops suffered very little lose.
Fourteen thousand men laid down arms.' "

Secretary Sir Stafford Northcote has received the
two following telegraphic despatches from the Com-
mander-in-Chief of the Abyssinian force :
(Without Date.)

1. " Au engagement took place before Magdala
on Good_Friday between our troops and the army
of Theodore, in which the latter was defeated with
heavy loss.

" Casualties on our side—Captain Roberts, 4th
Foot, wounded in the arm, and 15 rank and file
wounded.

" No one killed.

" On the two following days Theodore sent into
our camp every European that he had in his power,
both captives and enzployds.

" Theodore has not yet surrendered himself ac-
cording to my demand.

" He has been given 21 hours to decide.
" The King's troops are completely- demoralised.
" ROBERT NAPIER."
" April 14.
2. "Theodore's army much disheartened by the
severe losses of the 10th inst.

"A portion of the chiefs surrendered the most
formidable position of Shilasse (?), and many thou-
sand fighting men laid down their arms.
"Theodore retired to blagdala with all who re-
mained faithful.

" Magdala taken by assault on the 13th under
cover of Armstrong steel guns, eight-inch mortars
and rocket battery. _

" Asemt to gates most formidable.
" Theodore killed, defending to the last.
" Our loss small.
" Army will return immediately.
" About - guns and mortars taken.
" ROBERT NAPIER."

We have received the following telegrams from
our (lintes),Special Correspondent with the expedi.
tion is April 10.

" The British forces are crossing the Bashilo•
Magdala is about ton miles distant.
" The enemy is in front of Magdala, posted in
very strong positions, with escarpments and ravines,
presenting great difficulties of approach. Appre-
hensions prevail iu Maglala lest Theolore should

escape.
" Sir Robert Napier has demanded that the elp-
tives be given up to him, but Theodore hca not yet
returned any answer. A battle is shortly ex-
pected.

" The weather has been very severe.
" The health of the army is generally good,
" APRIL 12.

" King Theodore attacked the First Brigade) :near
Magdala on Good Friday, but was re2ulsed. Ivith
heavy loss—about 500 men being killed. lirit,ish
loss—One officer wounded, 19 non- CQMraiS3lollo‘l
officers and mon wounded.

"Darkness stopped the pursuit.
" The enemy left their wounded on the field.

" On Saturday 'Theodore sent in a flag of truce
and offered to treat for unconditional surrender of
the English prisoners. The captives have joined
the camp.

~ It is believed the remaining Europeans will be
surrendered.

"The Abysieiau troop are utterly didheart-
cued.

" Theodore has attempted suicide.
" Captain Roberts, of the 4th King's Own, is
wounded seriously.

"APRIL 14.

Magdala was stormed yesterday.
"Theo lore was deserted by nearly all his army,
but made a desperate resistance with a few devoted
followers.

" Theodore killed hi►nsjlf with his pistol as the
Biitish troops approached him.
" The British loss was about ten men wounded."
[These telegratns wore forwarded from Suez, tia,llalta
line, April 23, 9 p.m.]

Another despatch, direct from Suez, dated Head-
quarters, April 14 :
" Magdala was stormed yesterday. Theodore
was deserted by nearly all his army, but made two
desperate attempts at resistance with a few devoted
followers, and finally killed himself with his pistol
as the British troops approached him.
" British loss, ten men wounded."

(REUTER'S TELEGRAM.)
HEAD-QUARTERS, BRITISH ARMY,
MAGDALA (date not given).

All the European prisoners, numbering GO men,
women, and children, have been delivered over to
Sir Robert Napier, and are now on their way to
Zoulla. All Theodore's army have been either
killed, wounded, or taken prisoners.

The representative of the New York Herald in
London yesterday received the following telegrams
from the Special Correspondent of that journal
with the Abyssinian Expedition :
" (No. 1.)

(No. date. Probably April 7.)

" Reports having been received from spies to the
effect that King Theodore intended moving,
Sir Robert Napier instantly crossed the Jeddah
river, and established his heal-quarters on the
plain of Talanta, 20 miles from Magdala.
animals were lost while crossing a terrible ravine,
eight miles wide, 3,500 ft. descent, 4,500 ft. ascent.
The troops marched over King Theodore's road,
which is 30ft. wide, Sir Robert Napier made a re-
connaissance of Magdala this morning. Ile sighted
the King's camps and defences. The fortress ap-
peared to be impregnable. To-morrow we expect
to be at the Bashilo, tcn miles from Magdala. A
letter has been received from Rassam, dated yester-
day, warning uc to beware—that Theodore was
moving."

cc (No. 2.)

" Basliilo, April 8.

" A second reconnaissance was made before
Magdala this morning. Theodore has 28 guns
mounted outside. Sir Robert Napier has sent him
a letter demanding the release of the captives.
Meanwhile the army is concentrated on the river.
Scaling ladders and torpedoes are ready for an
attack upon the fortress."

(No. 3.)
" April 10.

" The army is now concentrated before Mag-
dala, in position, six miles from the fortress. Theo-
dore's camp is in view, on a tremendous height.
Attack soon."

" (No. 4.)
" Alagdala, April 13.

"The truce ended this morning. King Theodore
had not surrendered. FAllas Silasso Islanze (?)
surrendered at once without fighting. Theodore
had retreatel to Magdala. He plantel five guns
at the base of the ascent. When General Napier
came in sight the King opened fire. The English
replied with 10-pounder Armstrong guns and 7-
pounder rockers. The King left his guns, barri-
caded the sally-ports, • and opened with musketry.
Ile gave no signs of surrendering. The bombard-
ment lasted three hours. An assault was then
ordered. The fortress was carried after vigorous
resistance. The Abyssinian loss is 68 killed and
200 wounded. 'The English loss is 15 wounded,
rank and file. King Theodore was found dead, shot
in the head. his body was recognized by the Euro-
peans who had been released. Some say that he
was killed in battle, and others that he committed
suicide. His two sons have been taken prisoners.
The fortress presents mmy evidences of barbaric
splendour. Among the trophies taken are four gold
crowns, 20,000 dollars, 1,000 silver plates, many
jewels and other articles, 5,000 stand of arms, 28
pieces of artillery, 10,000 shields, and 10,000 spears.
The European prisoners will depart for the sea-
coast to-morrow. The army will depart imme-
diately."

AMERICA.

NEW YORK, April 25.

According to Messrs.Wiight's report the receipts
of cotton at American ports during the week
amount to 18,000 bales. The exports to Great
Britain daring the same period were 38,000, to
Franco 4,000, and to other ports 6,000 bales.
Stock at all ports 229,000 bales.

VENEZUELA.

PARIS, April 27.

Official advises from Venezuela state that a
severe conflict had arisen between the Congress and
General Falcon. Armed men, partisans of General
Falcon, forced their way into the Chamber of De-
puties, the members of which withdrew, after mak-
ing a protest.

The United States have demanded reparation for
the insults offered to the Government of Caracas.
The American agents have granted a delay of ten
days to obtain all the necessary information before
presenting a definitive ultimatum.

THE CHANNEL SQUADRON.
PLYMOCTII, Monday, 10 A.M.

At 7 o'clock this morning four ships of war, sup-
posed to be the 'Minotaur and three others of the
Channel Squadron, from the westward, were in
sight, hull down; they wore under easy steam, pro-
ceeding apparently for Portland.
Wind southerly ; a strong breeze.

FRANCE.
BOURSE, April 25.—Three o'clock.—The market
closed as follows :

4-1 per Cent.
End of month —
3 per Cent
End of month 69 25
Credit Mobilior
End of month 240
Credit Fonder 1172 .50
End of month — -
RAILWAY

Bank Shares
ItAP.an Loan —
End of month —
Mexican Loan 19 75
Do. Bonds
Spanish Threes
Home
Deferred —

Account
865

Orleans •

N orthern

1183

Lyons and Mediterranean
Southern—

Western
Eastern

Sardinian
Austrian

JJS4

42}
555

372!

Lombard
North of Spain
Saragossa
Roman

AN IRISH RESIDENCE FOR THE PRINCE OF WALES.
—A Dublin contempora►y says it is rumoured that inqui-
ries have been made as to the probable cost of renovating,
enlarging, and decorating the mansion of Castloton, near
Celbridge, as a royal residence in Ireland. The Prince
drove through the picturesque demesne lands on his return
from Carton, the seat of the Duke of 14,inster, on Wednes-
day..

Another great work of art, in many respects the
greatest of any be has yet produced, Holman Hunt
has now added to the series of his masterpieces.
The picture is at present on view in the Messrs. Gem.
bart and Company's Gallery, at No. 1, King-street,
St. James's. It is of considerable dimensions and
of extraordinary elaboration. For what must be
termed chromatic effect, it may take rank with
" The Light of the World," for luminous beauty
with the "After Glow," for profound imprasive-
ness with the " Finding in the Temple." As the
latest, and, in very many particulars, the most re-
markable evidence of the daring originality of the
artist's genius, it shows him to us as he is now—
namely, at his best and at his greatest. Begun at
Florence and finished in England, this extraordi-
nary painting has occupied him, as we are given
to understand, about two years in its pro-
duction. For his subject he has again
had recourse to the imaginings of the most sensuous,
as he is also one of the very greatest, poets of the
century—Keats. But since the period (1848) when,
in his twenty-first year, he gave us his bodying
forth of Keats's " St. Agnes," the ripening of Hol-
man Hunt's powers has, iu truth, been something
marvellous—comparing that youthful picture of his
with the present one, this wonderful product of the
artist's capacities, which are just now in their full
maturity, this bodying forth thus, in his forty-first
year, of Keats's " Isabella." To the author of the
" Decameron," of course, rather than to the author
of " Endyinion' and " Hyperion," the love-lora
heroine of that profoundly pathetic story of the
Pot of Basil owes her existence originally.
Yet by means of the exquisite sheen of
poetry through which English readers have
long since learnt to contemplate the terrors
and anguish of her affecting history, now that that
history has been sublimated by the bewitching
verso of Keats, Keats has made her and her
sorrows far more his own than they ever were
Boccaccio's. To Keats, therefore, rather than to
Boccaccio, Holman Hunt has gone for inspiration.
To Keats and to Nature—to Poet and to Reality
—guided in his quest throughout by the unerring
instinct of his own rare genius as an artist. As
when in the " After Glow," the moment selected
by the Painter was (as indeed the very title of the
work itself indicated) immediately after sunset—
so here in this still more remarkable picture of the
"Pot of Basil," the moment chosen is immediately
before sunrise. In the former the glory was fading or
glimmering down in the West, whereas in the latter
it is faintly dawning or glimmering up from the East
—there in an Egyptian, here in a Florentine atmo-
sphere. The "After Glow," it will be remembered,
was an out-of-doors picture—the "Pot of Basil"
reveals to us, on the contrary, the interior of a
luxurious apartment, or rather suite of apartments.
Narrowed though the glimpse afforded us down
that suite of apartments is, by reason of the re-
stricted width of the canvass, the distance suggested
by the perspective is something really astonishing.
We see at a glance that the grief-stricken maiden
has left her bed at the earliest glint of
morning and wandere 1 into the adjoining
room, which she has mede the sanctuary of
her despairing love, the spot consecrated by her to
the preservation of her ghastly treasure. Lorenzo's
head—secretly dug up by her from the forest dell to
which her lover had been lured, and in which he had
been murdered by her two brothers: the mouldering
relic (unknown to them) being afterwards brought
home by Isabella, and buried away in a beautiful
vase (or pot, as the old loped calls it) under the
roots of a Basil, watered by her tears ! In that
one sentence lies the whole pathos of the story.
Upon the form, but more especially upon the
features of Isabella herself, the whole re-
sources of the painter of this wonderful picture
have been lavished. Clad-as the beautiful maiden
is, merely in her night dress, the symmetry, and
even, in a partial manner, the warm flesh tiats of
her lovely limbs, of her whole lithesome shape
in its ductile and Rowing outlines, are
discernible through the semi-transparent texture of
the delicate white drapery. Her feet are uncovered.
Her left arm is clasped right round the capacious
orb of the basil pot. Iler right hand is pressed
upon it tenderly, yearningly--as she stands, there,
beside the depository of her cherishe 1 but dreadful
secret, gazing upon it askance, gazing into it rather,
as though, in spiritual vision, her sight could pens-
trate to the very heart and innermost core of that
fair-seeming and blooming trophy of her undying
tenderness. She gazes, as (before the exhumation
and decapitation) --

"Sian gad into the fresh thrown moult, l as though
One glanea did fully all its secret
feapecsrywateaulld know
well."s t
el :
LhobssaatwbaosttOtnalmor
Clroaarlley
Her eyeballs tearless, now, as if her heart
and brain had already rained away all
her command—shine 1 •
unnuously with love and
anguish, as only (it might have been thought
until now) eyes of lovers and mourners actually
living and in the flesh •
could shine. They are the
glory, the " bright particular stars," the wonder of
the whole picture. Looking at them, it •Is almost
incredible to think that they are mere painted
semblances of woe. A •
soul shines through them,
as it does, iu truth, through
all the sentient lines of
the grief-worn, mobile
we had almost said, breath-
ing countenance. Examining the picture for the
first time the attention •
is absorbed, is swallowed
up, is wholly mastered,
as it should be, by a
contemplation of the central figure, the one human
form upon the canvass, the form and features of the
fair Florentine maiden of
Keats and of Boccaccio.
Afterwards,when the glamour exerci •
sed by the pain-
ter's genius over our • • nagmation has had its swing,
has been fully recognized, and when we turn to a
consideration of the va • nous accessories of the nu-
merous details introduced into this extraordinary
picture, we perceive that there, too, in those
seemingly trivial details minor and
•
nor accessories of
it as a work of art, there is
not
one amongst them
but has its peculiar and affecting • •
significance, there
is not one amongst them but what is a wondrous
achievement in its way,
of executive skill in the painter's art. With a full
assurance that we exaggerate nothing when so
speaking, we here quite confidently assert, for ex-
ample, that never yet has there been pourtrayed
upon canvass, in Italy or England—anywhere for
that matter— .such a basil plant, such a jar or pot of
majolica, such a cabinet of inlaid Ni ood, or such a
water-pot of opal glass as stands in front of that
piece of furniture. The realistic effect of each and
all of them fills us with astonishment. Of the
green flowering basil plant we could pluck a
branch—and smell to it ! While the ma-
jolica jar or pot, out of which it is growing, bears
all the appearance of an actual specimen of the
ceramic art in its vitrious gloss and all its gor-
geous colouring. Exception may be taken to the
grimly death's heads, symbolically introduced here
and there into the design of it, as rendering un-
likely its selection by Isabella for her strange pur-
pose—unlikely, because so directly suggestive to
her brother of the " wormy circumstance" of " the
thing" "vile with green and livid spot," of
the poor head with its " wild hair" calmed
with a golden comb, hid away within there
under the roots of the sweet-smelling basil. The
very piece of furniture, even, which in the picture
forms the pedestal or pediment fur the pot of
basil, as it is here depicted by the brush of Hol-
man Hunt, is such in its absolute verisimilitude, in
its solidity, in the sheen of its polished sides,
that it might be wheeled aside, one might think, as
readily to one part of the picture as to another.
The embroidered coverlet, too, is just as marvel-
lous in its verisimilitude—bearing evidence of the
haunting memory of Lorenz) in the heart of Isa-
bella, of whom, in the hippier days of her love,
the English poet sings—
hf,r lute strings gave the echo of his name ;
She spoilt her half -done brJidery with the canto.
Regard should be had, moreover —by every visitor
to the Messrs. Gambart's gallery, or rather to the
studio set apart there especially for the display of
Holman Hunt's latest and greatest work of art—
especial regard should be had, we conceive, to one
other of those marvellous subordinate portions of
the picture, in the delineation of which the artist
has given the last and crowning evidence of his
peerless capabilities as a realist in art. So trium-

HER MAJESTY.

OSBORNE, April 25.
The Queen, accompanied by her Royal High'
ness Princess Beatrice, drove out yesterday after'

noon.
Fier Majesty, accompanied by Princess Chris-
tian, drove out this morning.
The other members of the Royal Family also
went out.

APRIL 2G.

Her Majesty has to-day received a telegram fro►
his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, ill-
forming her Majesty that he is progressing Lilo°
favourably.
Tier Majesty, Princess Louise, Prince Leopold'
Prince and Princess Christian, and Princess Bea'
trice, attended divine service at Whippingllo2
Church this morning.

THE SUSPECTED FENTANS AT BUCKINGITA-lf

PAL .ACE

- -
At B3w-street, this day, the two men nawel
Barry and Keeffe were placed at the bar, chargeu
with having an explosive substance is their Po'
session with intent to commit felony.
Mr. Poland attended on the part of the Treasury
th e prosecution.

Mr. Poland said on the present occasion be
should only call the professor of chemistry, whf
had examined the tin case, and then he should as'
for another remand.
Dr. Henry Low said—l am a Fellow of the Rarl
Society and lecturer on chemistry at St. George's
'hospital. On Wednesday Inspector IVildanisag
and Sergeant Sears brought to my laboratory a ti°
case, 13 inches long and 6 in diameter. It was
brought in a bucket of water, and removing it frog
the bucket a quantity of water came out of th°,
canister, in which some holes had been made.
opened the case by removing the lid, which Avgs
not secured in any way, and then found an inner
case, on opening which I found it to contais,
phosphorus. T j
his second case was 8 in. long and
in. wide.
Mr. Poland—You have examined the case 0.133
you are quite sure it was phosphorus ?
Witness —Yes ; the box contained a large bled`
of phosphorus which would weigh about lA'.
or Gib. It is worth about 4s. a pound. I ol:.
not tell how it could be purchased in that
block. It is usually sold in sticks, and it must
have been melted to have run in so solidly. 121)e
substance melts at 112, and if it had been placed
in the box and then immersed in hot viratt'd
at 120 it would dissolve into the state I fngli
it, I know the mixture ordinarily- called Greek
fire. One of its chief ingredients is Pl3°s:
phorus ; the other is bi-sulphate of aarb,°:
The phosphorus becomes a liquid, and when t“i"
mixture is thrown against anything the bi-sulphate
of carbon evaporates, and the phosphorus takes fire,;
I found no trace of bi-sulphate of carbon. I d°ll,
know that phosphorus is used in any other van°
but by lucifer match makers, and then the,l
would not keep it in the form iu
I found it. When I removed the sen3°`
cylinder from the water, I placed it an 0
stone slab while I went to the laboratory, but tit
soon as I turned round the whole
into a flame, and I had great difficulty in eit'll;
guishing it. This occurred twice. The friction °`
the air was quite sufficient to make it take fire.
Mr. Vaughan—Is phosphorus itself explosive ?,
e
Witness—Not explosive, but highly inflanarnab l;
Mr. Vaughan—Do you know any trade by which
such a large quantity of phosphorus could be ro'
quired.
Witness—No, Ido not. f 1
Mr. Vaughan—Nor any other thing of a law-LI
nature where so large a quantity would be re.
(paired ?
Witness—No, I don't. I don't know hew
could be purchased in the state I found it.
sold ordinarily in sticks about the size of a tobaee"
pipe.
Mr. Vaughan (to the prisoners)—Do you wish t°
ask any questions ?
Barry—Yes. Was the phosphorus in the state
you recovered in an explosive state ?
Witness—l have stated that it was not explosige'

but highly inflammable.
Barry—Then I say I am charged with havivg
my possession an explosive material. Hoyt can i°,,f
keep me in custody after that ? I 0°
nothing further about this matter than that.
Keeffe said he was simply asked by a parV
Totteuham-court-road to carry a parcel As f°: be
Buckingham Palace, and that having done 8°
ifet
was taken into custody by the police, and ne'ht
told what he was charged with until he was br°"

to the Court last Wednesday. i• teli
Barry—Do you think we are two persons -1
to carry out any such nefarious design ?
;ioll'
Witness—That's not a question. It's an 013n- eel
Sergeant Langley was then called aad elanuno
in corroboration of the evidence given by Serge

Campbell. bt et
Mr. Vaughan—Am I to understand that far
investigation is being made into the ease ? ace
th
e
evidence Poland—Yes, sir, and I expect to tbo
evidence to show a further development of

case.

The prisoners were then remanded.

THE ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATIO,
THE DUKE OF EDINBURG-11

THE PRISONER SENTENCED TO Di"—es
COLONIAL OFFICE, April 27, 18"4-6.6,
By a telegram, dated Sydney, March 319 1.11 of
information has been received from the
ed
Belmore that the prisoner O'Farrell was arraigoo
on the 18th March, before the Supreme Courtit to
the capital charge of wounding with intel3.t of
kill. The prisoner applied for a postponeWeillrieclf
his trial, which was granted. lle has beenod
and was found guilty on the 31st of March/
was sentenced to be hanged.
11. S. BRYANT, Private Secretor Tl
all.
REJOICINGS ON THE RESULI
ABYSSINIAN WAR.—(THIS DA11")
This afternoon the glorious news of the te-
tion of the war, and death of King Tbeo3orey'cro'
confirmed by order of her Majesty's G°6oo'
merit by firing the Park and 'Tower tI9 tl
Thousands flocked to each place, 13;101 the
greateSt order prevailed, and at the eu feel'
firing the multitudes gave way to
eryiug.,lod
ings in no unmeasured terms by thel oot,
" God save the Queen and her family." iflic;
achieved by the British army, it is uudersOf tv
ter
'
be celebrated on a similar scale ai.that 3! 00
Russian war, viz., by a general illuraloittl°
tlivlay of fireworks, &c.