Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-03-15
From a London Correspondent.
LONDON, February "a, 1854.

The eastern question absorbs the attention
of the Parliament and of the public. The
ministry has not been seriously attacked in the
House of Peers. Lord Clanricarde who took
the lead in the discussion, does not belong to
| the opposition. He sits on the cross-benches
and is fully satisfied in reminding the admin
istration from time to time, by show of oppo-
sition that it was unfair not to give him a seat
in the cabinet council. He censures the con-
duct Of his former colleagues, but his structures
are not severe; he has NOT the intention of i'm
pugning the credit fthe cabinet. The samewas
expected in the House of Commons. DIR. Layard,
the Nineyite, is personal friend of Lord Gren-
vile and of several other cabinet ministers;
and he has lately been treated with such
marked consideration at oil the ministerial
parties, that people believed already he was
muzzled. The learned doctor, however, disap-
pointed the cabinet His review of the past
conduct of England, from the first beginning
of the eastern difficulties, was clear, straight
forward, and severe; though, of course, he wound
up his speech with the declaration that he
was ready to support the government in future,
as it was about to take more dignifed course
of policy. Layard's speech has established his
reputation as good debater; but he is not a
brilliant orator. Eloquence on the whole, is
not to be sought in the British Parliament.
Even the best productions of Sir William
Wordsworth and Darlington Macaulay are only
mastery essays, calculated to be read, not to
be heard. One only man, in the present House
Of Commons, is really an eloquent orator; it is
Benjamin Disraeli. His speeches are likewise
previously arranged, like those of Wordsworth
or Macaulay; but Disraeli delivers them in a
really artistic way. The invectives and sarcasms
pour forth from his lips with force which
makes the ministers quail, and the public is
equally admiring how keenly he has pointed
his arrows, and how mastery he hits his aim.
1t is said that Disraeli studies his speeches be-
fore the looking-glass; but surely it is impossi
bic to guess it when hesdeliyers them. There
is nothing of the theatrical, nothing studied in
his department; and yet, at the height of the
debate, his rather clumsy Jewish features be-
come grand and inspired, and he looks like a
prophet of old, rebuking the malconduct of
those who sit at the helm of the State. His
speech was cunningly curtailed by the London
Times. The managers of that press felt it well,
as did everybody present on Thursdays dis.
cussion, that the first reply Of Lord Palmers-
ton was not equal to Dsraeli,s great effort. A
few liberal phrases, and, as we have so often
heard from the noble lord, renowned for such
phrases could not destroy the effect of that
masterpiece of oratorical skill.
! The preparations for war, both in England and
France, are on greatscale, and yet war has not
been declared against Russia. 1t seems, indeed,
as if the western powers were more afraid of
the name of war than of the war itself They
wish the Emperor ofRussia shonld declareit be-
cause they fear Austria might take advantage Of
an Anglo French declaration and withdraw from
the union which has prevailed until now; since
we must remember that Austria joined the con-
ference of the western powers only in order to
| al
. to attack the Emperor of Russia If, on the
contrary, It's the car who declares war against
England and France, Austria cannot easily de
clare openly for Russia, which is the aggressor.
The English are dissatisfied with the conduct
of Admiral Dundas in the Black sea. He seems
to lack pluck, and has no great desire to make
the acquaintance of the Russian red hot bullets.
His return to Constantinople and his quarrels
with Lord Radcliffe have considerably impaired
the English prestige in Turkey. The feet in
the Baltic is likewise to be ridden by the sep
tuagenarian Rear Admiral Berkely, who has
not been at sea for the last twenty years. 1t
is indeed strange that the government selects
, such placemen for the command of the feet !;
} and therefore there are.yet some persons who
do not believe in serious war. Count Morny,
: in France, the ex-minister of the emperor, and,
, according to the "ctronique scandaleuse," his
half brother, has dearly paid for the faith he
put in the continuation of peace. He was
!. deeply engaged in speculation on the stock ex-
change, and the stubborness of the car, and his
refusal to accept the terms offered by the west
ern powers, and lately by Emperor Napoleon
himself, cost the count not less than two mil
lions of dollars. Emile Girardin, the editor Of the
Presse, has likewise lost considerably by the
sudden decline of the stocks. The Emperor of
France shows now openly his determination to
curb the power of Russia, and to excite the
anger of Nicholas. A few days ago he raised
Count Branizky, a Russian exile, to the dig
nifty of senator of France. 1t is said that an
offensive and defensive treaty, between France,
Belgium, Switzerland, and Piedmont, is to be
signed in few days. with the full and hearty
concurrence of England. Such treaty is the
most effective threat against Austria, should
she persist in her Russian predictions.
Mr.. Buchanan has fully succeeded in carry
ing out Governor Marcy's instructions as re-
CARDS diplomatic costume. The English court
does not further object to his citizens dress
In France, however, Mr.. Mason for reasons
that were good and sufficient has given up
the stand taken by Mr.. Sanford; he appeared
in gold embroidered livery at the court of Ma
poleon. Seeing such discrepancies in regard
to the diplomatic dress Of the American am
bassadors, who appear in the citizens dress
In England, uOlland, ana Swltzerlanu, anu IN
court dress at Paris, Berlin, and Vienna, peo-
pie in Europe ask whether the American Sec
rotary of State has given different instructions
to the ambassadors, or whether republican
liberty allows the diplomatic agents of the
United States to disregard the circular of the
Secretary of State. tits difficult to make them
understand that the matter is left to the dis
cretion ofthe ambassador, and that the circular
expresses rather desire than command; for
people in Europe cannot conceive why the
dignity of the United States should suffer in
Paris by dress coat, when it is fully respected
in London in the same coat.
Smith O'Brien has been pardoned; he is to
return in autumn to Ireland. The deputation
of the Peace Society, which, headed by Mr..
Joseph Surge, rich Quaker of Birmingham,
went to St. Petersburg and held along interview
with the Emperor Nicholas, is now the laugh.
ing-stock Of England. Those gentlemen wished,