The Liverpool Standard, and General Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-09-26 00:00:00

remain at a distance from the scene of action in the East,
till it was decimated by disease. These questions even
the apologists of Ministers admit themselves unable satis-
factorily to explain.
Speculation relative to the conduct of the war, and the
PREMIER'S expectation of its results, has received anther
and an unpleasant turn during the past week, by the pub-
lication of a letter from the valiant Earl of DIINDONALD,
who states distinctly enough, " That there is but one
means whereby to place the opponents (ships and such
fortresses as Cronstadt) on-an-equal-footing, and that I
have confidentially laid before the Government, with the
hope that a protracted defensive war should not linger on,
to the disorganiiation of Europe, and the ruin of our
country." What the Earl of ABERDEEN may have
thought of his gallant countryman's plan, the public is

as yet unacquainted with ; but, comparing the small
results with the great and expensive preparations for the
Baltic expedition, no inconsiderable portion of that public
has become somewhat particular in a desire to know how
far their lordships agree or disagree as to the ruinous
nature of "a protracted defensive war." From Vienna
we are informed that our somewhat equivocal ally, the
" brave and resolute young Emperor" of Austria, has
resolved on supplying his artillery with gun-cotton as a
substitute for gunpowder, and not a few in this country
incline to the conjecture that some such sage design for
ending the present war has entered into the cogitations
of our clear-headed PREMIER. A prevalent opinion, how-
ever, in regard to this supposed device inculcates the sus-
picion that his " trusting noble nature" has sent him
to the wrong market for his material. In short, that he
has depended for his explosive mixtures on the Peace
Society's laboratories, whose chemists, have been engaged
in vain endeavours to realise COBDEN'S singular trick of
"crumpling up Russia like an old newspaper," and dis-
tilling the oxide of bathos in futile efforts to secure a
golden residuum wherewith to construct a "BRIGIIT tes-
timonial."

The "Upas laurels" achieved by the officers of HER
MAJESTY'S 46th Regiment seem likely to assume a more
"verdant" hue, day by day, while they remain in this
country. The gallant major, and no less gallant adjutant,
of that distinguished corps, the dcfcaL of legal em-
prize I last week alluded to, have been served with sum-
monses at the suit of the next of kin of the boy SIMMS,
for false imprisonment : the damages are laid at £25, and
the case is to come on before the county court magistrate.
In the meantime, PERRY'S defence and testimonial fund
is making fair progress, having already reached £l,OOO.
Among the remarkables connected with it, is the contri-
bution of £5O from the Duke of CLEVELAND, a major-
general in the army, accompanied by a letter, in which
his grace severely stigmatizes the proceedings against
Lieutenant PERRY, and expresses his surprise that no
inquiry has been ordered into the conduct of Colonel
GARRETT, and also, that that gentleman should be con-
tinued in the command of the regiment. The Earl of
SHAFTESBURY and Lord ASHBURNHAM are likewise con-
tributors to the PERRI fund.

The blind poet of Paradise, in one of his rarely occur-
ring facetious humours, tells us " a book was writ of late,
called Tetrachordon," which, among other matters,
" walked the town awhile," and, furthermore, that it
created a great sensation. In our own day, a not less
marvellous book has made its appearance from the classic
shades of old Edina's laurelled bower. It is called by its
author, "A Spasmodic Tragedy," and is named " Firmi-
lian." It is a wonderful compound of poetical power and
biting satire. Its author, whose pseudo-name is T.
PERCY Joxiss, says, in his highly diverting preface, " I
am not arrogant enough to assert that this is the finest
poem which the age has produced ; but I shall feel very
much obliged to any gentleman who can make me ac-
quainted with a better." This may be taken,as a key to
his satire and its treatment. He ridicules with wondrous
tact and caustic sharpness the "spasmodic school" of
poetry, as that finds favour in the public appreciation of
Swim's " Life Drama," and other popular poems. He
also launches a barbed dart, as is supposed, at the preten-
sions of. Mr. GEORGE GUTMAN, a pseudo-poet critic,
who is understood to be represented in the following
graphic burlesque :

Enter APOLLODORITS, a Critic.
Why do men call me a presumptuous cur,
A vapouring blockhead, and a turgid fool,
A common nuisance, and a charlatan ?
I've dashed into the sea of metaphor
With as strong paddles as the sturdiest ship
That churns Meduste into liquid light,
And hashed at every object in my way.
My ends are public. I have talked of men
As my familiars, whom I never saw.
Nay—more to raise my credit—l have penned
Epistles to the great ones of the land,
When some attack might make them slightly sore,
Assuring them, in faith, it was not I.
What was their answer? Marry, shot tly this:—
" Who, in the name of Zernebock, are you ?"

I have reviewed myself incessantly—
Yea, made a contract with a kindred soul
For mutual interchange of puffery.
Gods—how we blew each other ! But, 'tis past—
Those halcyon days are gone; and, I suspect,

That, in some fit of loathing or disgust,
As Samuel turned from Eli's coarser son,
Mine ancient playmate bath deserted me:
And yet I am Apollodorus still!
I search for genius, having it myself,
With keen and earnest longings. I survive
To disentangle, from the imping wings
Of our young poets, their crustaceous slough.
I watch them as the watcher on the brook
Sees the young salmon wrestling from its egg,
And revels in its future br.ght career.
The book, from its originality and talent, has attracted
much attention, and rumour assigns it varied parentage.
Among those to whom its paternity has been assigned, is
the quizzical and able author of " The Glenmutchkin
Railway;" an origin which the style, or rather the nume-
rous and all excellent styles of the poem, and the impri-
matur of the Messrs. BLAcKwooD, appear to lend some
countenance to. Other literary novelties are promised to
succeed with coming days. Among these, " The Literary
Life and Correspondence of Lady Blessington," under the
editorship of Dr. MADDEN, author of " Travels in the
East," is promised shortly, by Newby. The authoress of
" Uncle Tom's Cabin" threatens a new novel, an edition
of which, from the press of Mr. Low, of Ludgate-street,
may be expected to appear simultaneously with the Ame-
rican one, notwithstanding the dense pecuniary cloud
which so speedily enveloped the same lady's " Sunny
Memories."

After a recess and a redecoration, the Adelphi Theatre
has been reopened by WEBSTER and Madame CELESTE;
and, among the marvels by which they seek to win the
popular applause, has been the reproduction of " Monsieur
Jacques," with 'Mr. MORRIS BARNETT as his inimitable
representative. The piece and the actor were both de-
cided favourites more years ago than it might be discreet
in me to plead distinct remembrance of ; but even yet the
merits and power of the representation are little, if at all,
impaired, and crowds are deservedly attracted to see and
welcome the " old man eloquent." At the Haymarket,
the Spanish Dancers retain the lead, and, manure the
loss of Mrs. FITZWILLIAM, the house still fills. The
Sadler's `Yells management promises a readaptation of
" Pericles, Prince of Tyre." If the pruning knife be used
with skill and judgmen, an excellent acting play will, not
doubt, result from this attempt.

CHESHIRE AND WALES.
-40

EMIGRATION 02 MORMONITES.—A large number of
persons in South Wales have left, and others are still pre-
paring to follow, for the Mormonite settlements in North
America. They make their way to Liverpool, Bristol, or
Plymouth.

CHESTER AND HOLYHEAD RAILWAY.—The half-yearly
meeting of this company was held on Wednesday, at the
Euston-square terminus, Mr. S. M. Peto, M.P., in the
chair, when the report of the directors was adopted, and
a dividend of Bs. 3d. per share was agreed to.

BIRKENHEAD FRIMHOLD LAND SOCIETY.—The mem-
bers of this society celebrated the taking possession of
their first estate with a procession, a public meeting, and
tea party, on Monday, last weeks Considerably over 100
persons sat down to partake of refreshments, presided
over by Mr. W. Jackson, M.P. The secretary having read
a report, which showed the society to be in a prosperous
condition, the chairman proceeded to address the meeting,
and, in a lengthened speech, inculcated the observance of
determination, perseverance, honesty, sobriety, and indus-
try, as necessary to success. He hailed with delight the
prospect of seeing so many industrious and honest men
endeavouring to obtain a footing in the soil, and to have
property, and, consequently, political influence, attached to
them. He concluded by anticipating the utmost success
from the future exertions of the society. The festivities
of the day were closed with dancing.
• DISTURBANCE BY EXCURSIONISTS IN BANGOR.—OR
Saturday week, Messrs. Brassey, Peto, and Co., treated
1100 of the men employed in their Canada Works, Bir-
kenhead, to a pleasure excursion to Bangor. They, how-
ever, behaved themselves very disreputably. Large num-
bers of them were in a state of intoxication, and made an
irruption into the Britannia-bridge refreshment-rooms,
taking and destroying everything in their way. Then
they set to fighting all the way along the Menai-bridge
road, and entered Bangor in a most riotous and disorderly
manner. Some of them went into the inns and seized
upon the porter and spirits, and others again began fight-
ing. The whole city, from the station to the market-
place, was scandalized, and the tradespeople were obliged
to close their shops, such a scene of confusion occurring.
The ruffians, who so disgraced themselves, were not con-
tent with inflicting violence on each other, but beat and
ill-treated women and children. The police at length
interfered, and three of the fellows were captured and
kept in the lockups till Monday, when they were brought
before the .magistrates and fined—N. Wales Chronicle.