No. 2,674.]

SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 1859.

PRICE,

(STAMPED...,SIXPENCE. UNSTAMPED...FIVEPENCE

THE POLITICAL EXAMINER.ment, or forces them into the navy. But this is only one plomatists have been like country bumpkins pitted against instance out of many of what our neighbours have to suffer, sharpers at a knavish game. They have been like the duped If I might give a short hint to an impartial writer It would be to tell him his fate. and of the greater miseries in store for them. We have seen guests at the President's ball the night before the coup If he resolved to venture upon the dangerous precipice of telling unbiassed truth how soon France sickened of the Russian war, and it was d'état which consigned them to prisons and exile. let him proclaim war with mankind-neither to give nor to take quarter. If

be tells the crimes of great men they fall upon him with the iron hands of the but a skirmish compared with the struggle upon which she At the Mansion House Lord Derby stated, with a regret law; if he tells them of virtues, when they have any, then the mob attacks him has now entered, or, we should rather say, has been dragged at which the two Emperors will smile, that just at the mowith slander. But if he regards truth, let him expect martyrdom or both sides, and then he may go on fearless; and this is the course, I take myself.-DE FOE. by her unscrupulous ruler. The crime carries the penalty ment when Lord Cowley was bringing his negotiations to a with it in ruinous commercial and financial embarrassments. successful issue, Russia interposed with the proposal of a And here we must have a care not to be tempted to join in Congress, which our Prime Minister did not hesitate to THE WAR OF FALSE PRETENCES. the race of ruin, and not to weigh ourselves down with arms accept, though he was aware that it was a mode of proceedLord Derby is not a speaker to be misunderstood, ex- with the mistaken notion of security. To make the most of ing less conducive to a solution of the difficulties than a pressing himself, as he does, with admirable clearness and our resources at the smallest cost should now be the great mediation conducted by one person. Why, the very fact force, and listened to, as he deserves to be, with the closest business, and our fleet being a match for the combined that France was ready to waive the good offices of England, fleets of France and Russia, the whole adult population and to prefer the proposal of Russia, should have been attention. Yet, strange to say, that most important pas- should be trained to the use of the rifle. A few hours every sufficiently indicative of her feelings and views. Lord sage in his speech of the 18th, respecting the course to be Saturday evening, of six months of the year, devoted to Cowley's success was not desired, and the Russian had sutaken by this country in the event of war, has, as his lord-firing at a mark, and movement in bodies, would prepare a perseded the English alliance, which had served its turn, ship explains, been interpreted in a sense quite opposite to million of men for the protection of a country having the and was to give place to another to make a new map of his meaning. Now the words reported in the Times, Daily best means of defence of any in the world, for the intersec- Europe, and perhaps of Asia.

News, and Morning Herald can only bear one construction, tions of hedge-rows, all of which would be available as posi- But something more than the co-operation of Russia is that our neutrality was to be armed, in order to enable us tions, present a tougher barrier to an enemy than necessary to the schemes of Napoleon III, who wants both to take a part on the side best deserving of our support. Lord mountain passes. The formation of volunteer rifle corps money and men to carry on the war, twenty millions of Derby now explains, however, that the part he had in mind will, however, encounter all discouragement and opposition the first, and 140,000 of the second. And here, for the first was not a part in the war, but a part in the exercise of in- at the Horse Guards, where the opinion is that nothing is time, we find the French backward and the Germans forfluence, but the context respecting the armed neutrality is like leather. The Times truly observes: ward, for Austria, with greater financial difficulties than utterly irreconcilable with this construction, and the most Our older officers, those to whose obstinacy and incapacity we owe France, is in a better state of military preparation. Naроcharitable conclusion must be that Lord Derby has, for the the disasters of the Crimea, and indirectly the complications of the leon III played his bad game ill in uttering his menaces first time, miscarried most egregiously in conveying his mean- present hour, have constantly discouraged the formation of those before he was in a condition to carry them into effect. ing If so, he has no right to attribute misinterpretation corps to which countries like Prussia and the United States look for Austria lost no time in putting herself into an attitude of their safety. To keep "civilians" apart, as entirely distinct from ton Lord Jobat ustun bu ochuren Confess & slip of the military men, to have the regular army everything and all the rest both defence and attack, and upon the delivery of the ultitongue of most unfortunate occurrence, for there can be no of the nation nothing, has been the policy of the old fogies of the matum Piedmont found herself unsupported by the doubt that his words were conveyed forthwith to Vienna, Horse Guards, and it is of a piece with all that we know of pre- and exposed at overwhelming odds to her powerful foe. It and understood there in the same sense as here, but with Crimean administration. "Volunteers, Sir," would exclaim a was not so that Napoleon I used to manage his affairs. plethoric Colonel, "all nonsense, Sir; it takes three years to make a very opposite effects, in Austria comforting and encouraging, soldier-not an hour less. Volunteers in war are not of the slightest The blow with him followed swift and sure upon the word. bere fifling all minds with astonishment and alarm. But use only get in the way, Sir." This has been the enlightened The Austrians, forward as they were, have been induced to may it not be possible that within seven days Lord Derby's criticism of the Regulars for many a year past, and it is likely to forego the advantage they might have gained by the interviews of the policy of this country may have been very ma- prevent all attempts at creating a cheap and efficient force for service in these islands, unless the popular voice be loudly heard. The only cession of our Government to stop their march! So terially changed. On the 18th he evidently thought Austria notion of patriotism current in certain quarters is the payment of disastrous are our intermeddling counsels. most in the right, and that if England's part in the war taxes for new regiments. More money, and still more money, and France and Italy might hardly be a match for united should be determined by the merits of the quarrel, it would ever more money, is the cry. But there must be a limit both to Germany, but the reported adhesion of Russia makes the be on the side of Austria, but before the 25th Austria had taxes and standing armies. For the purposes of national defence we taken a step putting her apparently flagrantly in the wrong, contain immense resources. have a mine never as yet explored, and which we may predict to complication undoubtedly more serious, and threatens a forIt is the spirit of our young men midable diversion in the north, especially in the disaffected and it would no longer do to pledge England to support by throughout the country, and their willingness to form themselves Austrian provinces. force of arms the cause which had most justice in it. What into bodies for the support of the regular troops in case of need. But after all, in the distribution of blame, for there is noLord Derby may have had in mind may have been to side Educated men are not like ploughboys, and there cannot be a doubt thing else to be awarded, we must bear in mind the possibility that a few days' drill and rifle practice in the month would shortly with Austria if possible, or to have nothing to do with the give us a hundred thousand men perfectly fit for the ordinary duties that Austria may have been better informed of the designs of war, except as an intercessor for peace. of a soldier. Commanded by officers who have served in the regular her enemy than our Government has been of those of its Gover army, accustomed to the use of a perfect weapon, what strength special ally, and that her forward move to war has been would they not impart to this country on the eve of a war! made for the advantages of the first blow, knowing that war

At the commencement of the Russian war we were told

on their trial.

In this hat

eir trial,

for man

Lord Derby repeats and amplifies his expressions that England, with Europe in arms, must not, in the interests of peace, assume a helpless and defenceless position. But The militia is a false reliance that should now be aban- was the fixed purpose of France, backed by Russia, and that who thinks of her assuming such a position, and certainly doned. The men are not equal to volunteers in spirit and the negotiations and Congress were only expedients of delay her existing position is far from helpless or defenceless. If, character, and they are so badly officered as to make it at to allow of her enemy's necessary preparations for the field. however, Lord Derby means that England in her neutrality least doubtful whether they would be of any efficiency in the She would not wait like a penguin to be knocked on the should augment ent her armaments, we hope that the sense of field. The militia is, indeed, only the worst way of getting head. Our Ministers and Diplomatists seem to have been the country will put a veto on so extravagant a proposal. soldiers for the line, and at the cost of twenty or thirty duped throughout, and Lord Derby's blame of Austria's last The fact that a million of men are engaged in destroying thousand bumpkins in red coats, drilled to turn out their step is probably as little borne out by the real circumstances each other on the Continent is no reason for adding a man toes, and to roll their eyes right and left, we might have a as his praise of her previous conduct. land the terrible pudiese forces, for our segurity is mereased by million of volunteer riflemen in these British isles. the fulness of occupation given to the only armies No people have more aptitude for the use of fire-arms by the Prince Consort that representative institutions were from which we could apprehend danger. Our commercial than the English, not even the Swiss, who owe their indemost causeless, wicked war, it caninterests will necessarily suffer from a Continental war, but pendence so much to their rifles, and all that is requisite is not be said that despotic Governments on their we shall trouble our heads less about Cherbourg from the the first training, all the rest of the marksmanship comes they are actually condemned by the honest verdict hour the French, the The war is a as a pleasure. kind as scourges of humanity. great but it is well for us that it is not nearer Let us now glance back at the passage through which we The report of the treaty between Russia and France is hometogp sain vede Brune have passed to the present fearful position of things wholly denied in certain quarters, and perhaps there may be no These remarks apply to the state of things with reference unforeseen by our sagacious rulers, and especially by the treaty, but an understanding between the two Powers, withto which Lord Derby spoke, but the aspect of affairs is un- boasted guardian of the world's peace at the Foreign Office. out which we do not believe that Napoleon III would run the doubtedly much darkened by the report of the alliance, Not a step has been taken in this great European quarrel risk of involving France and Italy in a war with all Germany. offensive and defensive, between France and Russia, the ru- without a change of the public judgment as to the culpability There has been so much duplicity in this affair that we moured combinefensive, between France for no other pur- of the parties, all having been blamed and acquitted of incline to believe the worst of all concerned in it, but it is pose than keeping a check, or presenting a menace, to this blame in turn. France was first found in the wrong for a comfort that Russia is not in a condition for much active country. It is now too probable that the two great despots commencing the year with a menace to Austria; next Sar-mischief. Spain, too, it appears, is providing herself with have confederated to rule Europe between them, and to dinia was blamed for blustering; next Austria drew upon her gun-boats built in our own yards. She is doubtless prehack and bow it to the shape of their ambitious designs. the anger of the friends of peace by her obstinacy and arro-paring to pay her debt of gratitude to us for driving the Sardinia is the cat's-paw, Italian emancipation an impudent gant demands; next Russia was discovered to be the Mar- French over the Pyrenees. It is thus only that she acquits There is, however, happily in civilisation a plot of Europe by thwarting Lord Cowley and proposing an herself of her obligations.

THE GOVERNMENT BRIBERY FUND.

も

pretence. security for civilisation, and a barbarous confederacy like impossible Congress; next again, all the blame was cast on this, if such a confederacy there be, is an anachronism, when Austria for her peremptory ultimatum; and lastly, the dismoney and credit and moral force are elements necessary covery is made that Russia has been at the bottom of all the to success. Russia has not recovered from the exhaustion mischief, the moving spring of all, in concert with France. of her last war, and, farther, the Emperor has enough on The combination of Russia and France is an event which In war the poisoning of the enemy's springs is justly his hands at home is in financial difficulties great, we foresaw and predicted upon the close of the war, but it considered so foul and barbarous a proceeding as to brand but only now beginning; Sardinia is weighted with arms far now bursts upon us as if it was not a thing that should have the general adopting it with everlasting infamy. Is there beyond her powers; and their adversary Austria is in no been expected in the order of revenge for the Crimean cam- an opposite rule of morality in the affairs of peace? Is it paign. The Muscovite, it is true, allies himself with two of honourable political fighting to poison the springs of public France will be thate of the bankrupts. to feel the pinch. Her people's his former antagonists, but it is to have his active revenge conduct? Is it legitimate warfare to do what her Majesty's interests have opposed them vehemently to the war, but upon Austria, who failed him in his time of need, his indi- Ministers are notoriously doing at this moment to debauch latterly the working classes have been moved to utter cries rect revenge on England, and the ultimate success of his the electors of the kingdom? Lord Derby, the captain of of sympathy with Italy. The same mouths, when they want designs on Turkey, the party, wants a majority, and is determined to purchase

better case. It

bread, will shape themselves to other sounds. Thousands The alleged treaty between France and Russia explains one, if it may be had for money. It has been publicly will be thrown out of bread. Already an embargo is laid everything, and if diplomacy had had the wit even to suspect stated and remains uncontradicted, though stated by so on the vessels employed in the deep-sea fisheries. Their the understanding between the two Powers, Lord Cowley might eminent a man as Sir James Graham, that the Prime crews are wanted for the war. This cuts off an important have been saved the trouble of running backwards and for- Minister has himself subscribed 20,000l. to the general fund supply of food, and source of wealth, at the same time that wards on bootless errands, for it should have been clear that for the corruption of constituencies. That fund amounts it deprives a large number of hardy seamen of their employ-war was a foregone conclusion. But our Ministers and Di- probably to not less than the tenth of a million, swelled as

LATEST EDITION.

A

THE FRENCH EMPEROR UNMASKED IN

FRANCE.

No rational Englishman, of course, ever gave the French

choose?

it has been by the contributions of all the wealthy Conser-Jitself at a moment like the present. "They took that irre-["an ally." The Russian alliance dissipates the delusion vative grandees; the most prominent members of the 62 party vocable step," says Sir James Graham, "at the very that the war with Austria is a war for freedom. A war of subscribing, it is to be presumed, either in proportion to" moment when their boast of preserving the peace of Europe liberation might well be popular in France, but we may be their opulence, or to their personal interests in maintaining" has been falsified, and when the aid of the great council very sure that the Czar does not come upon the scene as a the present Ministry in power. We have not heard what" of the nation was most necessary to strengthen the Execu-sympathiser either with revolt in Lombardy, or constitutional tax has been levied on the three new peers, but as their "tive, and to guide the policy of England.' Well may Sir government in Piedmont. His help could not possibly be affluence constitutes their only known title to the peerage, James add that "in the history of party struggles he remem-wanting for the professed purposes of the struggle; he can, their donations are probably among the handsomest."bers no such responsibility or national risk incurred by any therefore, only have been called in, or only have thrust himLet it not, however, be supposed that this sum of "Ministers for the purpose of retaining place and power." self forward, to support and participate in its unavowed ob100,000., large as it is, includes the whole resources jects. on which the Ministry depends for the purposes of bribery. The supplies at the disposal of the Carlton Club are only a rate in aid of the funds to be adMINISTERIAL CORRUPTION IN IRELAND, vanced by candidates themselves to secure their elections, Again let us earnestly entreat the serious attention of The mode of proceeding is this. The money necessary to buy a small constituency having been ascertained, the Go- Emperor credit for a grain of genuine sympathy with the English electors to the profligate game which her Majesty's vernment (her Majesty's servants!) engage to contribute a cause of liberty in Italy. Here the imposture of any such Ministers are playing in Ireland. We should be the last certain proportion, generally one half the amount, the can- pretence for invading the peninsula has all along been to upbraid any administration with fairly courting Irish didate coming down with the remainder out of his own pocket. transparent. We have now the most decisive proof that the popularity by attentively considering Irish complaints, or The stimulus thus given to the numerous class of Parlia- French liberals themselves, wherever there is an opportunity liberally redressing any Irish grievance remaining to be redressed. But we are not now speaking of anything of the mentary adventurers is obvious. An unprincipled man for making their voice heard, are just as little deceived as with five hundred or a thousand pounds at command has we are as to the real motives of the Imperial Government. kind. We are not talking of concessions to the people, only to choose his borough and apply in "the proper quarter" The small democratic phalanx in the Legislative Chamber, but of treachery to their most precious interests. It is not for the help of the Government to carry it. A writer the the sincere sympathisers with Italy, have unanimously a question of currying favour with the bulk of the Roman other day in the Daily News explained so clearly how the refused their support to the bill authorising the extraordinary Catholic community, which is only another name for the machinery of demoralisation in Pallmall works all over the levies, and the monster loan for setting Europe on fire. Irish public, but with truckling to that mischievous faction country that we cannot do better than quote his letter: These honest men, of whom we lament to say there are only in the Church of Rome, which in Ireland, as in every other five, have just as little confidence as we have in the sin- part of Europe, seeks to establish its power on the ruins of It is on a knowledge of the existence of such funds that a great part of electoral corruption of the kingdom is based. If a Tory candidate go cerity of Louis Napoleon. They value his words by his freedom and enlightenment. The ultramontanist boroughto Sir W. Jolliffe or Colonel Taylor, either will give him an estimate deeds; they refuse to believe that the destroyer of liberty on mongers have seats to sell, and the Government, in their of the cost of an election at every venal borough in the kingdom. The the western slope of the Alps has its interests at heart upon desperate circumstances, have offered nothing less for their candidate hesitates to go to the expense; an offer of 5001. or 1,000l. the eastern. an offer of 5001. or 1,000. the eastern. Faithful to their revolutionary principles, they purchase than the priceless principle of united education; assistance out of this common fund is made by the "managers," and overcomes his economical scruples, and down goes the candidate to would not object to spend the blood and treasure of France that principle with which the Prime Minister identified his spend as much money of his own as he obtains from the Carlton in an honest campaign on behalf of the oppressed people of name in his better days, when the National Schools were joint-stock purse, to which, as Sir James Graham says, Lord Derby Lombardy or the Legations; but against the war now con- opened under his auspices, and to which he solemnly enhas given so profusely. This Tory fund of 60,000., or of whatever templated, if not begun, they protest as being a war with gaged himself over again as a member of Sir Robert Peel's larger sum, will lead to double or treble an expenditure, chiefly applied to the corruption of the borough constituencies of the kingdom. Very different objects. Here is the expression they have Administration, when, in furtherance of the same policy, England will partake principally of this expenditure, Ireland substan- given to their opinions by the mouth of their able spokes that truly Conservative statesman founded the Queen's tially-for Irish Tory candidates are unusually greedy at a general man, M. Ollivier. The language is measured, as becomes Colleges. As well before as since his apostasy to Toryism election; but Scotland, where Toryism is in a hopeless plight, will, a discreet speaker in an age of iron, but it nevertheless Lord Derby stands pledged, as never Minister stood happily, get little or none of it. unmasks the hypocrisy of the French Government most pledged before, to maintain what he is now bartering with It is, of course, against the smaller boroughs that the effectually. Archbishop Cullen for the base services of his nominees. battery of all this corruption is brought to bear. The public Ten or a dozen of these creatures of Rome, affecting the The congress being now an abortion, has the Government, assumwill not fail to observe how admirably Lord Derby's ma- ing a dignified attitude, frankly avowed its intentions? Will the character of Liberals, but sent into Parliament expressly to nagement of the general election tallies with his idea of a war be merely a local one, or does France, in concert with Russia, do the dirtiest work of the Vatican, degraded themselves House of Commons, as developed in his sham Reform Bill. meditate a re-modelling of the map of Europe? And what does Italy by voting with the enemies of Reform in the late struggle. herself propose? An intervention might lead to emancipation, but All the opportunities of corruption of which he is so cleverly on the other hand it might lead only to a territorial aggrandisement This step, it is to be carefully observed, immediately folavailing himself were as religiously preserved in his measure of Piedmont-to another treaty of Campo Formio, or to a new expedi-lowed the public announcement that Mr Disraeli, on the as ever a patriot minister guarded the liberties of the people. tion to Rome. Between these hypotheses, which does the Government part of the Cabinet, bad distinctly promised his counteAs he preserved the game, he thinks he is now entitled to bag We are in utter ignorance on the subject, whatever it may nance to the grand ultramontane device which we exposed The "independent opposition," as ing provision for his electioneering interests, had it been exhi- an ally; considering, that as to home politics we find power without these thorough-paced hacks of Lord Derby and the Pope bited in our foreign affairs, might have saved Europe from check or control, citizens without any guarantees, public opinion have the audacity to style themselves, sold their votes for its impending dangers. Now that we see the inestimable without any independent organs; and remembering, moreover, all the the promise of a charter to an exclusive Popish University, events of late years, have we not the right to entertain a fear that value of the petty boroughs to a Ministry in embarrassed the only object of the present expedition is to gain a little of that glory a promise only to be redeemed by undoing everything circumstances, we perfectly understand the policy that re- with which people have the weakness to console themselves for the loss that has been done for the last thirty years for the educaspected them. These boroughs are the venal beauties of of their liberties; and that instead of serving Italy, the real intention tion, improvement, and peace of Ireland. the existing system, and were spared expressly for their is to make use of her for selfish objects? I and my friends feel that In comparison with this all the bribery going on at the to vote for this bill would be to imply a confidence in the governeasy virtue, especially easy at a great crisis, when in propor-ment which we do not feel. On the other hand, to vote against it Carlton Club, though exceeding the examples of the cortion to the excitement and interest of the contest, the appe- would be, in appearance at least, to abandon Italy and those brave ruptest elections on record, sinks into the most venial breach tite for corruption is always the sharpest. We are far volunteers which she has sent in such numbers to Piedmont; it of public morality. Here it is not with gold that parliafrom asserting that this is the first time that a Ministry has would be to seem to take part with that Austria which we detest mentary support is purchased, but with things compared resorted to unjustifiable means to obtain a false verdict in its more than the Government does, since we look upon her as the in- with which gold is dross. Let the guilty engagement that favour at a general election; but we firmly believe that no more fully explained itself, we shall withhold our votes. Happy shall has been entered into be fulfilled, and Ireland might as Administration for the last fifty years ever carried the foul we be if the spectacle of Italy emancipated and united shall shortly well at once be conveyed to the Pope in fee-simple. It is influences to the extent to which the present occupiers of prove to us that our distrust was ill-founded. therefore of vital importance to expose this infamous negoDowning Street are now carrying them. Money, that is to Happy shall we be also to confess our error if the event tiation. We need scarcely tell our readers that Archbishop say money in hard cash, is only one of their engines. shall belie our forebodings. Light after all may proceed Cullen and his minions are straining every sinew to Every branch of the Government, from the First Lord of from darkness, and despotism bring forth the unnatural strengthen themselves in the new House of Commons. the Treasury downwards, has exhibited a sinister activity to fruit of liberty, as the lion's carcase yielded the honeycomb. They know the commodity the Government wants, and they which we recollect no parallel either for its energy or its It is only when we look to the usual sequences of things, are determined to bring the greatest possible amount of it unscrupulousness. The Admiralty was ready to sacrifice and judge by the ordinary analogies of human affairs, that into the market. The Popish faction is leaving no stone unthe strength of the navy itself to gain the representation of we incline to despair of Italian freedom under French and turned to increase the number of its tools in the House of a couple of seaport towns. The War Office followed by Russian patronage. When we come to talk of miracles it Commons, and the Government on their side are giving every seasonably bribing the publicans throughout the country on is another matter. Even divines have considered impos- support and encouragement to Roman Catholic deserters from pretence of raising the allowance for billeting soldiers. The sibility a ground of faith. the Liberal ranks. They are ready to buy as many traitors as Chancellor of the Exchequer, with a special view to the M. Ollivier and his friends, it will be seen, did not vote can be found to sell themselves. They are openly bidding for Irish elections, played his part no less efficiently by receiv-against the war proposals; they only abstained from voting, renegades, and buying with public interests the betrayal of ing ultramontane deputations with open arms, and encou- waiting, as they said, "until the Government shall have public duties. We have before us the latest number of the raging them with hopes, nay with actual promises, of Go-"fully explained itself." If they wait until the Government Tablet, the great organ of Ultramontanism, and we find it vernment support in their most pernicious schemes. Other explains itself truly, they will need a good stock of patience, there declared that it is the duty and interest of every members of the Cabinet have, no doubt, been equally busy "Attendez moi sous l'orme," says the mocking French Catholic to sustain Lord Derby's Government. in their respective offices, and according to their respective proverb. Has the Imperial Government spoken the lan- or two reasons of the most trivial description are given opportunities. From the practices that have come to light guage of truth in a single instance from the beginning of in support of this recommendation, but the true ground, not we may safely infer the deeds of darkness that are yet to these dark transactions to the present hour? Has it been being of a nature to bear the light, is stated to be "the be disclosed. Nor is the actual amount of foul play by men frank for a moment even with this country, to whose alliance" attentive consideration given by the Ministry to questions in the highest stations the worst part of the evil. Much it owes so much? What European Power but Russia has" affecting Catholic interests, the details of which we are not worse is the example set to the small fry of corruptionists had its confidence all along? The Emperor will, of course," at liberty to publish." scattered over the country. It is easy to conceive the effect never avow his real designs until they are ripe for execution. This will satisfy our readers that it is no mare's nest we of the announcement that the Prime Minister has invested Has he not denied his very military preparations, though have discovered; that we have even the admission of the so largely in the speculation on the new Parliament. notoriously on the most gigantic scale? Has he not de- Ultramontanists themselves of their intrigue with her Money never breeds money with such fertility as in a case clared over and over again, both in the Moniteur and to the Majesty's Government, and its expected fruits. In the same like this. Every subscriber to his local bribery fund hopes gullible Malmesbury, that there was nothing extraordi- number of the same journal we find much more to the effect to establish a claim on the gratitude of the Government. nary either in the magnitude or the position of his of what we have quoted. There is a letter by the Very Few are rich enough to make the offerings that tell in peer- armies, the declaration being untrue in both respects? Rev. Canon Oakley, entitled "How should Catholics vote?" ages and baronetcies, but even a 51. note might be grate- Is there now a man in England but our feeblest of We shall cite only a short passage: fully remembered and repaid with usury at the Admiralty Foreign Ministers so simple as to believe a word that or the Post-office. proceeds from the Tuileries? The only departure from appointments. Will you be surprised if I express my own humbly But you still harp upon Ireland, the Phoenix trials, and the Orange But what really constitutes the worst feature of this the monotony of truth violated has been truth suppressed. opinion that the most rabid Orangeman you could name is less really scandalous immorality is its notorious hopelessness of suc- If the treaty or convention or understanding with Russia harmful to us than a Catholic who has been squeezed into min, Like the dissolution itself, it is a measure of had been an honest one, would there have been any secrete only fair to Lord Derby to remember that the freedom of his power nageable shape by the killing process of Whig manipulation. Again, political desperation. We might well be stupified at the about it? The very concealment of it betrays its real cha-cal movements is terribly hampered by Protestants; yet that his poster sight of a Ministry opening a public subscription list to buy racter. We observe that M. Ollivier regards it with as of serving us depends, in no small measure, upon his not wholly losing a majority in Parliament, if we had not already seen them much suspicion as we do ourselves. "If we have Austria favour with them.

it. One half the forecast which his lordship displayed in mak-considering that if we have Austria for an enemy we have Russia for in our last number. know itself as to its own intentions. In this state of uncertainty,

cess.

carnation of despotism. Until therefore the Government shall have

One

committing the worse enormity of destroying the Parliament "for an enemy," he says significantly, "we have Russia for Mark this well, ye Protestant electors, and digest it, if

Ministers are terribly hampered with you! Only Government for the clothing of their regiments; and the position of the assembly that makes such laws as these. for the necessity of keeping some terms with the English worse the soldier was dressed the better was the Colonel It does not contain a single independent element. Every constituencies, Lord Derby would bid more openly than at paid. Tailor-Colonels have gone out of fashion, and Tailor-member of it is removable at the will of the party appointing present he dares to do for the support of the Irish. His Ensigns have come in. Armstrong and Co. inform the public him. Out of 150 millions of natives, not one has a voice in fordship is constrained to be a little cautious how he acts, that they have on hand at all times a first-rate assortment of the Council. It contains no English merchant, manufac so as to get as much as possible out of Protestantism on one military uniforms and commissions for cash prices, at twenty turer, banker, or agriculturist. Every man in it is a highly side of the Channel, and out of Popery on the other. Canon per cent. below the Government rate, and to be disposed of paid functionary, the lowest salary being 5,000. The joint Oakley perfectly understands the Ministerial difficulty, and upon terms most favourable to purchasers. No limit as to amount of the salaries of the whole Council comes to a explains it most correctly. He is for supporting the Govern- age, and educational difficulties overcome. The Tailor's hundred thousand pounds a year, a sum for which the public ment cordially, not for screwing them too tight. He sees workshop is the Road to Glory. When an ambitious youth might reasonably have expected a somewhat better return in that they must keep up their Protestant appearances, or they has vainly pleaded the services of his family and his own legislative ability. would soon lose all power to promote Archbishop Cullen's merits before the authorities at the Horse Guards, let him views. The Popish interest is quite content that Lord not be discouraged by a refusal, but go to his tailor's backDerby should wear the Protestant disguise, provided he parlour. That is the High Court of Appeal against the deadvances the cause of the Church of Rome under it. But cisions of the Commander-in-Chief, and there he will have what will the Protestant electors say to this compact? If justice done him. Measures not men, should be the motto there is a voter in the kingdom so simple as to support the of the army. present Ministry under the impression that he is at least supporting a Protestant Government, we trust that what we have said will go some way to dispel his error.

THE NEW INDIAN TARIFF.

COMMERCE WITH AFRICA.

Our attention is called for a moment to this subject by a pamphlet recently published, not the production of a closet philanthropist, but a man of practical benevolence, a merchant thoroughly versed in all the details of the question he deals with, and who has himself made many pecuniary sacrifices in his endeavours to put down the greatest disgrace of European civilization, the African slave-trade. The The new tariff which Lord Derby announced in his place author comes to the conclusion, in which all men of sense in Parliament is already in full operation. It was a word and experience must agree with him, that our treaties and THE COMMISSION JOBBING CASE. and a blow. The correspondent of the Times justly describes blockading squadrons are not only useless, but actively When a successful burglary has been committed in broad it as "a measure of as unparalleled precipitation as any that mischievous, and that the true and only remedy for this daylight, the public is apt to inquire where the police was at "ever issued from the Indian Legislature," and surely the enormous evil lies in commerce, the common civiliser of the time, and echo generally answers, "Where?" If, upon five years' career of that body has been distinguished by many mankind. This is the same conclusion to which shrewd old inquiry, it should transpire that the robbery was but one in a a rash act. The Governor-General, to whom the measure Dampier came a century and a half ago, when, in referlong series of lawless acts systematically committed by an is personally attributed, comes one day into the legislative ence to a similar state of society with that of Africa, he said, organised gang established in the neighbourhood, the tax- chamber, bill in hand, moves and carries the suspension of The more trade, the more civility; and on the contrary, the less payer who contributes to maintain a police force naturally the standing orders, and the next day the bill becomes law. trade, the more barbarity and inhumanity, for trade has a strong incomplains that he gets no value for his money, and suspects The law is communicated to Bombay, 1,000 miles off, by fluence upon all people who have found the sweets of it, bringing with that the men whom he pays for protecting his property are telegraph, and the new duties are levied at the Custom-house it so many of the conveniences of life as it does. neglecting their duty, and instead of being watchful at before the law is officially communicated to the tax-payers, We proceed to epitomize briefly the evidence which Mr their posts are probably dropping into public houses, flirting Lord Canning, oblivious of Blackstone and Adam Smith, Jamieson adduces of the utter inutility of the system of in areas, or perhaps even acting in collusion with the thieves, must have come fresh from the perusal of the Institutes of treaties and squadrons. We ourselves abolished the trade in Some recent police reports have brought before the public Timour and the Edicts of Aurungzebe. African slaves in 1807, and in the following year our good the doings of a gang which has been carrying on its The new duties are almost all on imports, just what they example was followed by the United States of America. illicit practices for some years past, with hardly an attempt ought not to have been, some of the old duties being Two of the principal parties have, therefore, been long at concealment, for it is not to be believed, nor indeed is it doubled, some trebled, and some quadrupled or more. Some out of the field. Prior to these abolitions the annual pretended, that the case which formed the immediate sub- of them from their nature fall exclusively on particular export of slaves from Africa was about 85,000; and ject of inquiry was an isolated one. Messrs Armstrong and classes. Thus the duties on potables of all kinds, on in 1857, or after an interval of half a century, it was Co. have not subsisted since 1863 upon the proceeds of the haberdashery, millinery, groceries, tea and coffee, fall en- the same. For forty years after the abolition the trade solitary transaction with Mr Cuningham; they have pub-tirely on the Christian community. Take the favourite kept constantly increasing, during the last five the licly advertised their readiness to procure commissions from beverage, " bitter beer," as an example. The old duty was average yearly export being 135,000; and if it has the Horse Guards, and we doubt not that they have been as about five per cent., and the new one, 6d. a gallon, is equal to since declined, it has been owing to the good conduct good as their word. a fourth part of the prime cost. This duty will make the of the best government of tropical America, that of

In order to understand this subject, it must be borne cost of a hogshead at Calcutta or Bombay 7. 10s., while Brazil, which withdrew from the trade, and made it unin mind that a commission in the army, unlike a civil the tedious river and land transport will raise it at Delhi to lawful. In the fifty years ending with 1857, the total appointment, is a legally saleable commodity, and represents 157., and at Lahore to 201., namely, from 5s. to 7s. a number of slaves exported from Africa, as is shown by Mr a positive sum of money. A civil employé receives an an-gallon for small beer! Jamieson from the official returns, was 3,882,500, that is nuity while he performs a certain duty, and has no claim British cotton fabrics constitute the largest of the Indian to say, more slaves than there are now living Africans in upon the public if he chooses to resign it. A military imports. The original duty was two-and-a-half per cent.: it Brazil and all the West India islands put together. Most officer, on the contrary, when weary of the service can sell was then raised to five per cent., and is now raised to ten. probably, one half of them perished in the middle passage, his post, and when he retires can claim its value from the It is clear that these are goods which ought not to be and the remainder, from the inequality of the sexes and Government. Consequently, when we read that the Com- taxed at all, unless we come to the conclusion that the the necessary demoralisation of servitude, were unable to mander-in-Chief has appointed A B, gentleman, to an Hindu manufacturer is entitled to a protecting duty of ten keep up their numbers-a precious result this under the ensigncy," without purchase," we must understand that his per cent. against the British manufacturer, both being alike auspices of moral Christendom. Royal Highness has made that individual a present of a sum British subjects. In the short period of forty-five years We are next to consider the cost of our ineffectual efforts of public money, varying, according to the arm or corps to the consumption of British cottons in India has risen to suppress the trade. We paid Spain and Portugal the which he is appointed, from 4501, to 1,2601. from nothing to the value of 4,700,000l., and it will be strange, sum of 1,300,000l. to bribe them to abstain from the Far be it from us to uphold the system of selling commis- indeed, if a duty higher than is imposed on the same articles inhuman traffic. They took the bribe but did not sions, but while that system is maintained the rule should be by the Emperor of China does not arrest the progress of a abstain. Our blockading squadron on the coast of that commissions without purchase are only to be conferred branch of commerce purely the creation of private British Africa or elsewhere is estimated to have cost us yearly, upon deserving objects; that is to say, upon individuals who enterprise. since it was established in 1817, the handsome sum have either by their own merits, or by services rendered to Next to cotton fabrics, the most important articles of of 600,000l. per annum, the aggregate of which for the the country by their families, entitled themselves to ex- Indian importation are the useful metals. Except iron, which forty-one years which have elapsed, added to the douceurs to emption from the regulated payment. is very bad, India produces none of them, and England, Spain and Portugal, will make within a fraction of twenty

Now let us see how this rule works. During the year directly or indirectly, supplies nearly the whole. To England six millions sterling, a sum which, with simple interest only 1858 the total number of commissions disposed of "without they are manufactures, but to India raw materials, which on will exceed the whole annual civil and military expenditure "purchase" amounted to eight hundred and eighty, repre- principle ought not to be taxed at all. The duty on them is of the United Kingdom. Had this monster sam produced senting at the lowest computation a sum of 350,000l. paid doubled by the new tariff, or raised to ten per cent., having suppression, we would not have grudged it; but the result out of the public Treasury. Of these commissions one been originally only one-fourth part of that amount. With being what it is, the expenditure must be pronounced a hundred and thirty-two were conferred upon deserving non-signal inconsistency the principle of forbearing to tax raw mischievous extravagance. And to the pecuniary loss is commissioned officers, meritorious students from the Mili- materials is insisted on in the case of cotton yarn, techni- to be added the continual waste of valuable lives on tary College, and militia officers; 60,000l. would thus be cally called twist, and the duty on this article is but onepestiferous shores. satisfactorily accounted for; but it might not be altogether half that of the fully manufactured commodity. The value impertinent to inquire what were the peculiar claims of the re- of the useful metals exported from England to India is now maining 648 gentlemen, who have shared among them in one about 1,700,000l., and as in the case of cottons, a decline year nearly 300,000l. of the public money. Are they the is inevitable.

Our impotent treaties with European nations have, as might well be expected, been constantly involving us in squabbles, not unfrequently, indeed, bringing us with the more powerful nations to the very brink of war itself. Our sons of gallant officers who have given their life's blood or But the metals are not the only raw materials that are conventions with the African chiefs, who can neither read their best services to their country, or are they the friends taxed. Alum, the principal mordant used by the natives in nor write any language, nor understand one word of of Colonel Steinbach? Are they the support of widowed their dyeing processes, pays a duty of ten per cent., and the tongue in which the conventions are written, are less mothers or the pupils of Mr Stocqueler? Are their names in- ratans, purely and entirely a raw article, are treated as a dangerous, but not less mischievous. Our naval diplomascribed on the scrolls of fame, or only in the books of army luxury, and charged twenty per cent. That there may be tists on the coast assure the native princes that, when slavetailors? If the country could only be satisfied that the no mistake in this matter, these little canes present them- trading ceases, commerce will start up at once and profitably majority of the number who have been so generously dealt selves in odd company," coffee and ratans." Respecting take its place.

with were deserving objects of the public bounty, then we the first of these two articles, let us observe that coffee is

stances with the chiefs on the river Gallinas. A fleet of British

might be disposed to leave this enormous patronage of the now beginning to be largely produced in India itself, and doctrine, and, dazzled by the receipt of presents as from the Queen The poor ignorant men (says Mr Jamieson) give credence to this Horse Guards unquestioned; but the ugly revelations in thus the article of native growth will be favoured by a of England, put their marks to papers the nature of which they the case of Armstrong and Co. justify the prevailing mistrust, protecting duty equal to one-fifth part of its value against cannot be supposed to comprehend. Dealing in slaves is suspended, and prompt as to ask again and again, where was the police imported coffee, and this, even if the latter should be the and the immediate advent of the promised lawful commerce is when those things were done? We pay certain functionaries produce of another part of her Majesty's dominions. If for commerce, as every sensible man knows, cannot be formed in a anticipated as the necessary consequence; but it does not come,quartered in Pallmall and Whitehall somewhere about the Governor-General had not hatched his project in secret, day or a year. Disappointment and a return to slave-selling are 200,0001. a-year for guarding the public property kept on he would scarcely have committed such egregious mistakes. the natural consequences. But this is an infringement of the treaty, those premises; what were they about when they allowed The only excuse to be made for such rude legislation must and the issue is illustrated by what took place under such circumthe money of the people and the honour of the army to be be that which Shakespeare's Apothecary pleads for vending men-of-war assembled at its mouth, and on the 3rd of February, traded with by a military tailor? poison. The needy Indian Government expects to realise 1849, landed 300 armed men, who burned to the ground towns, It is curious that the sartorial element should always have 1,000,000l. a year by the increased duties, but the strong villages, and stores, with all the property in them, to the distance of played an important part in the affairs of the army. At first probability is that the tariff will but afford a fresh illustra about twenty miles up its banks. sight there appears but little connection between the sword tion of the long-known truth, that in the arithmetic of the and the needle, but on better acquaintance we find that there Customs two and two don't make four. Meanwhile the is a strong affinity between the soldier and the tailor. It merchants of India have petitioned Parliament against the was but a few years ago that Colonels-Commandant derived tariff, and the merchants and manufacturers of England their principal emoluments from the allowance which their will be sure to support their prayer. tailors could afford to make them out of the sum allowed by Our readers will, perhaps, be curious to know the com

Now let us turn to the more agreeable task of showing what commerce can effect, and, in fact, has largely effected

Suppression of the African Slave Trade, and their Injurious Influence
Commerce with Africa.-The Inefficiency of Treaties for the
Effingham Wilson.
on British Commercial Interests in Africa. By Robert Jamieson,

THE LITERARY EXAMINER.

A Tour in Dalmatia, Albania, and Montenegro; with an
Historical Sketch of the Republic of Ragusa, from the
Earliest Times down to its Final Fall. By W. F.
Wingfield, M.A. Bentley.

In the opening days of the last war which engaged the arms

already. Down to the year 1835, according to the report and Novara, these latter will have to fall back on their own terof the Hon. Captain Denman, the Bight of Biafra was ritory, as their flank would be exposed to an attack of the Pied"the great focus of slave traffic, north of the Equator." montese from Alessandria and Casale. In 1839, or in four short years, the slave trade had ceased, All campaigns of this nature, from those of Louis XII and and has never been renewed in "the Bight." Palm oil did Francis I of France to those of the first Napoleon, almost invait all. The little palm which yields this oil, the Elais riably begun by an inroad into the centre of Lombardy, and an Guiniensis of botanists, a fitter emblem of peace than its Syrian ever, in all probability be modified in the present instance, attempt to occupy Milan. Such a plan of campaign will, howcongener, has been the potent talisman that has effected owing to a variety of reasons, but especially to the strong posithis deed of usefulness and benevolence. In fact, it is an tion taken by Austria at Pavia with a view to cover the Lomabolitionist hero, a vegetable Wilberforce and Clarkson, as bard capital. An occupation of Milan, however rapid and suc- of France and Russia, Mr Wingfield travelled over the ground it were, rolled up in one, with the advantage over these great vast Austrian armament can find a safe shelter behind the walls the first days of another and a greater war. It paints cessful, would have no important military result, so long as the which he now so well describes. His book appears in philanthropists, of living for ever. The Bight of Biafra of Pavia, Mantua, Peschiera, Verona, Piacenza, and Ferrara, an Austrian Dalmatia which must surely be included in the furnishes about two-third parts of all the palm oil imported all which places have lately been raised to the impor-battle ground that France and Russia have been secretly into England. The trade in this now most important tance of fortresses of the first order. A more natural and article, without which the machinery of Watt and Steven- rational course for the French and Sardinians will be an arranging for themselves. The good will also of the Monteson could not move with effective economy, commenced advance into the territory of Parma. A large force collected negrins for the Russians, whose religion is their own, and only in 1806, when the quantity imported into England either at Parma or Reggio would enable them either to with whose armies they are prepared always to act, is was but 150 tons. In 1857, according to the Returns of Verona, and Ferrara. It is not likely the Austrians will show struggle this week said to be begun. Political interest will achieve the investment of Piacenza, or to threaten Mantua, destined perhaps to appear as an element in the great the Board of Trade, it amounted to 42,720 tons, of the any great anxiety to sally forth from those strongholds to give be attached, therefore, to the pleasant record of a traveller value of 1.700,000l. Allowing all other European nations battle; nor is it probable that their enemies will lose their time to import no more than one-half of what we do, the total the siege of places which modern art has rendered all but who passed over his ground quietly, with none of the quantity of this article furnished by Africa would be, in impregnable. So far as mere military manoeuvres are con- political intentions ascribed to him by reason of his journeyround numbers, 63,000 tons, or cargoes for 116 ships, each cerned, the war is likely enough to turn out a drawn game be- ing alone with a note book and a thermometer, of 500 tons burden, while the total value would be above tween the two immense forces, as the Austrian army will to a Every new war imposes on the reading public more certain extent be placed in a position inaccessible to its adver- exact study of some chapter of geography. two millions and a half. saries, and it will at the same time be too much divided into Mr Jamieson, as well as Mr Macgregor Laird, Dr Living- different garrisons, and compelled to be on its guard on too now opened is likely to demand a pretty wide study stone, and other benevolent and intelligent individuals en-many distant points, to be able to strike any decisive blow. A of the geography of Europe by the quidnunc who "wears "three nations in his face," if he is to avoid showing gaged in African trade and discovery, are mistaken in war pursued under such circumstances must needs leave ample fancying that the negroes of Africa are capable of furnishing scope for the work of diplomacy; and it is extremely likely the rents in that cloak of ignorance commonly bought for our manufactures such articles as cotton, indigo, and efforts to prevent an outbreak of hostilities, will lose no oppor- Whether attached as a province to Rome, Constantinople, that England and Prussia, unweary as they have been in their in the name of education. Dalmatia has a busy history. The effectual production of such commodities, tunity which may offer, either to put an end to the war, or at Venice, or the "Roman Emperor" now at Vienna, it has partaking, as they do, more or less of the character of least to hem in its ravages and limit it to the narrowest possible been visibly affected by all great disturbances among the manufactures, belongs to a much higher order of civi- sphere. lization than they have yet attained, or are likely for a There is no doubt in my mind that it will require little short nations. Mr Wingfield dwells especially upon the story of long time to reach. One might almost as well expect of a miraculous effort to wrest from the Austrians the Lombardo- Ragusa,

sugar.

in

The war

from them an export of steam-engines, locomotives, ormont united are not, speaking in a military sense, more than boasted Cadmus and Hermione as its progenitors, the Lacedemonians Venetian kingdom by mere force of arms. France and Pied- the last of the middle-age republics; the little free state, which telegraphic cables. Whatever is suitable to their soil, their a match for Austria alone, and were they to obtain too great as its founders, the Romans as its colonists; which counted Greek climate, and their rude industry, whatever can be pro- and sudden an advantage over Austria, they infallibly would emperors, Slave bans, Norman dukes, Hungarian kings, Spanish duced by a rude husbandry and a rude manipulation, we have to measure their forces against the whole might of Prus- potentates, Turkish sultans at different epochs, the popes always as may fairly expect from them, and the list, although not a sia and Germany. To what extent Prussia and Germany its protectors; the parent of Gondola, Palmotta, and Giorgi; the long one, may assuredly be made so, At present, besides may be kept in check by the attitude of Russia, and how far fosterer of a school of Latin, Italian, and Slave writers, which the great staple, palm oil, their productions consist of gold Austria herself may be paralysed by discontent, or even anni- flourished through four or five centuries; the scene of the fatal earthquake in the seventeenth century; the oligarchical republic, dust, ivory, capsicum pepper, earth nuts, and a few oil bilated by disorganisation in her Hungarian and other eastern whose protracted history is epitomised in its four names, Epidaurus provinces, it is not easy to determine. The strength of her of the Greeks and Romans, Rausium of the Byzantines, Dubrownik seeds, with a small quantity of timber. The forests of military position wholly depends on the certainty of her politi- of the Slaves, and Ragusa of all the rest, in more modern times; tropical Africa will in all probability be found to contain cal situation. Were her Hungarian battalions at Verona and which retained its own form of government from its earliest days plants yielding elastic gum, as do those of Asia and America, Mantua to play false, the war might be at an end even before quite into the nineteenth century, and some years beyond the term with Gettah-percha, as do those of the Malayan Islands. the expiration of those three days allowed Sardinia to digest alloted to its powerful Venetian rival, surrendering at last to the One article which has lately been brought into notice, the the Vienna ultimatum. But supposing her own troops as well gigantic power of Napoleon I, after so many centuries of inde"shea butter." is likely in due time to rival in quantity and as her Transalpine people to be staunch, there is no doubt but pendence." value the palm oil itself. This, according to that emi- Austria must reckon on the most cordial hatred of her Italian There is not only an account of his own visit to Ragusa nent botanist, Sir William Hooker, is the produce of the subjects, and must look out for the rise of all the rest of in the record of the writer's travels, but an interesting outthe Italian peninsula against her. We have seen already line of its history appears as an appendix to the book. Bassia Parkii, which seems to be the same or nearly the volunteers flocking to Piedmont, in the mere hope of a same with the Bassia which produces the vegetable tallow national war, to the number of twenty to five-and-twenty Upon the town, as it now stands, the following notes are of the Indian Archipelago, already an article of importation thousand, submitting to hardships, braving dangers, and expos- worth citing. Journeying up the steep hill from Gravoss, into this country. Samples of the "shea butter" have been ing themselves to all the possible consequences of a disappoint- "somewhere," the traveller says, brought into the English market, and, as Mr Jamieson ment of that hope. But who can foresee what the movement I passed a Greek chapel on the road-side; and, on the top of the informs us, fetched 57. a ton more than palm oil, 77. in- in Italy will be when the first roar of the cannon turns the hope ascent, got a full view of the whole green oasis amongst rocks, in into certainty, when Austria falls back from Ancona and Bo- which "Dubrownik" (so called, apparently, in reference to the wild stead of 21. a ton. In a commercial point of view, the logna, when the fiery cross freely runs from town to town, and spot on which it was originally founded) stands, studded with little western coast of Africa has the great advantage of being the French and Sardinians enable and even invite the Italian youth white villas in gardens, not unlike English cottages at Deal or Dover nearer to us than any other tropical country. How little to arm and muster in the rear of their ranks? In such a state of or Broadstairs, but all detached, and four out of five untenanted, and this signal advantage has been turned to account is easily things it will behove Austria and her allies, if she have any, to guard well against any untoward slip, against any disaster however partial shown. India is four times as distant from us as and temporary, for the example and the instigations of the Piedwestern Africa, and yet we import from India the seeds of montese and the encouragement of the French, will embolden the such plants as mustard, flax, rape, with the oil of the coco Lombardo-Venetians to fall upon their masters wherever a chance palm and palma Christi, to the value of more than a million, offers, and the ground will soon be too hot under the feet of the while we do not import a pound's worth of any of these Austrians even within the walls of their impregnable strongholds. It is very clear that Austria is bound to a tout ou rien policy. She articles from Africa, although equally productive of them. must either lose the whole of Italy, or keep the so-called independent From India, and chiefly from such rude and under-peopled parts of the Peninsula under such complete control as to disable them countries as Arraccan and Pegu, we import rice to the value from ever breaking the peace of her own territories. And so indeed it was. Napoleon, as it will be remembered, having of 1,800,000l., but from the west of Africa none at all, Were Piedmont and France to fail in their object, Austria would occupied Dalmatia and Ragusa, the English and Russians fortified although the soil and climate of tropical Africa seem emi-acquire so vast an ascendancy over Italy, and over Sardinia herself, Lyssa, whence the English fleet stopped all the trade down that as to give umbrage and uneasiness to her very staunchest friends. coast, caught especially the Ragusan "Argosies," for the town was nently suited to the production of this valuable cereal. Were Austria, on the contrary, worsted, it is not likely that her then a flourishing little commonwealth, and declared them prizes of The same may be said of maize, a hardy and easily-raised enemies would stop half way and be satisfied with the emancipation In the meanwhile the Montenegrins, aided by a body of Ruscorn, of which the geographical range extends to fifty de- of the Italian states, leaving the Lombard question to be settled at sian troops, made an attempt on Ragusa, and, failing of that, burnt a future time. All rules of political wisdom advise the arrangement all the houses around the city, as one sees even now, destroying grees on each side of the equator. of the whole matter at once and for ever; and what seems just and everything up to the very gates. This happened in 1809. The poor reasonable will all the sooner be made acceptable to the parties con- Ragusans, for no fault of their own, beyond falling into the hands of cerned, the readier the negotiators show themselves to back with the all-powerful French, perched in their rocky nest, saw at one coup arms the counsels of their diplomacy. d'œil their villas smoking, their gardens devastated, and jolly British Britannia," and in the best humour possible. The place has never tars towing away their merchantmen, no doubt to the tune of Rule recovered this final blow.

apparently dismantled by fire!

"Why, you seem to have suffered much from incendiaries here," said I to a Ragusan fellow-traveller, whom I overtook just as he had struggled up the hill, on the top.

"That, signore," said he, "was the work of the Allies in the last war-the Russians, the Montenegrins, and the English." "Gl' Inglesi!" exclaimed I-for all the educated classes here, as in the rest of the towns on this coast, speak Italian. "Si, signore, and the Inglesi were the worst of the three, for they prevented our houses from ever being rebuilt."

AN ITALIAN VIEW OF THE ITALIAN CRISIS. sad of dos TO THE EDITOR OF THE EXAMINER. D To 1950 evooralls & behte and bas Genoa, April 23. acilliW Blodnid seil angst acil y boles Sir,-The telegram brought us yesterday the "beginning of 3rd. Without the risk of anarchy and disorder in Italy, and by a godleme nga lua eno 1810Taro guimuno the end. Austria has broken through the meshes of Anglo- contagion in the rest of Europe. damer owd bodudisiaco Jessly pre lle ved bna dand Prussian mediation, and sends the Sardinian Government Now if England could be made to understand that the European The Election Statutes and Corrupt Practices Act: a Guide direct intimation to disarm." The answer can only be, "If treaties must needs be violated either in favour or else to the detriCandidates, Electors, and Returning Officers. Austria wants Piedmont to lay down her arms, let her come and ment of Austria; if it could be nice without robbing Piedmont and 10 Edited by William as it is self-evident, thats befor Agents, take them.minaquos lo die and a steam aid bodididzs other states of their own, then the best solution of the problem would four wrister-at-Law. Murray. Jada eqane ed no qma Austria cannot retain her own in Italy Edited by William Henry Cooke, Esq., M.A., Barno It is not easy even for those who have for the last three be found in the combination of all the European states in working es months given all their attention to the subject to calculate the out this expulsion. If the negotiators would co-operate with France English Election Law, as it is contained in the statutes chances of the forthcoming struggle. Till the French take the and Sardinia to this end: 1st. They would be able to see what com- now in force, will be found well condensed in this little field in sufficient numbers, it is very clear that Piedmont must pensation could be offered to Austria for her inevitable loss. 2nd. manual reprinted and edited with a few succinct but suffilimit herself to a strictly defensive warfare. The Austrian army in They would limit and partly counteract the influence of France in cient references and an index. It is an inexpensive pubLombardy is calculated at 250,000 combatants; that of Sardinia Italy by aiding in the work of emancipation. 3rd. They would will only be on a par with it when the Emperor Napoleon has guard against misrule and dissension amongst the Italians by strength-lication, which brings home this branch of the law clearly sent down the 150,000 men promised, as it is said, to Cavour. ening the power of Piedmont-the only state on the continent of and opportunely to everybody concerned in it, whether as a Sardinia has taken great pains to avoid a collision on the Ticino. Europe which has given evidence of polítical wisdom and moderation candidate or a voter. A careful reading of the clauses in She has concentrated her forces at Casale, Alessandria, Tortona, the Corrupt Practices Act which lay down the seven sorts and all along the Ligurian Apennines, and will offer no resist- There will hardly be a stage in the forthcoming hostilities in which ance to the invader north of the Po as far as the Dora Battea at such principles might not be applied. It is no little triumph for the of bribery, now to be regarded as the seven deadly sins, and Chivasso, abandoning thus the defence of Novara and Vercelli. and the wholesale banishments of 1831, should now have become the exercise now to be suggested to election agents, and a re Italians that their cause from the dungeons and scaffolds of 1820, also define undue influence and treating, is an agreeable It is doubtful, however, whether the Austrians will avail them- main subject of dispute amongst the greatest European Powers. It freshment lawful to be offered to the voter. selves even of this momentary advantage; but what is quite has at last become necessary to do them practically that justice which it spread before him upon pages 202-6 of this timely issue sure is, that long before the French have mustered in sufficient the world awarded to them in theory. Shall England be behindhand strength to give the Austrians battle on the plains of Vercelli in this work? A. GALLENGA. of Election Statutes.gied nisanom eds no dyin

FINE ARTS.

ROYAL

ACADEMY.

the mountain top, and through the mist about its glazing | 280 students in the second or higher grade, of whom 113 ob-
eyes sees a Kind Star," as the light of a pitying angel
who will take its head to rest between her hands.

There are three pictures contributed by Mr Stanfield, of Sir Charles Eastlake, Mr Webster, Mr Elmore, Mr which the chief shows a Maltese Xebec in trouble on the Solomon Hart, Mr Frost, and Mr Poole are the acade- rocks. Seldom content with the mere painting of certain micians and associates whose handiwork is missed from this combinations of sea, land, and sky, Mr Stanfield is alone year's exhibition. Mr Mulready is a contributor of a de-in his rare power of putting human life and thought into lightful bit of colouring, a mother with a rather large boy on sea pictures. Here, for example, there is active stir of her knee in naked prayer. The art of the painter has human energy in battle with the waves. The painter so disdained his nightclothes. The art of the sculptor at work contrives to represent moods of the sea that they set us think on the same subject is shown by a specimen in the sculpture-ing, not about the water and the fishes, but about brave room to demand the unclothing of the mother also.

sailors' hearts.

THE THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL

EXAMINER.

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA, COVENT GARDEN.
The revival of La Gazza Ladra, following immediately

tained rewards, and 400 children of parish schools, of whom 50 obtained rewards in the lower grade. At St Martin's 232 students in the second or higher grade, of whom 82 obtained rewards, and 552 children of parish schools, of whom 88 obtained rewards in the lower grade. At Gower Street 102 students in the second or higher grade, of whom 30 obtained rewards. At Spitalfields 155 students in the second or higher grade, of whom 52 obtained rewards, and 180 children of parochial schools, of whom 52 obtained rewards in the lower grade. At Finsbury 55 students in the second or higher grade, of whom 12 obtained rewards. At St Thomas Charterhouse 58 students in the second or higher grade, of whom 8 obtained rewards, and 274 children of parochial schools, of whom 56 obtained rewards in the lower grade. At Lambeth 71 students in the second or There are some pictures of great mark exhibited this Mr Millais furnishes the walls with three pictures, of which higher grade, of whom 20 obtained rewards, and 222 children year, and they are the more welcome because, if we except the chief, Spring, is one that represents eight girls all in a of parochial schools, of whom 56 obtained rewards in the lower the ingenious extravagance of Mr Millais, none of the good row eating curds and whey, upon a terrace in front of an grade. At Rotherhithe 36 students in the second or higher pictures glare abroad in search of admiration. They are orchard full of apple blossoms. Seven of the young ladies grade, of whom 3 obtained rewards, and 159 children of paroindeed unusually quiet in their character. Mr Leighton are happy, with minds at ease. Having plucked spring At Hampstead 7 students in the second or higher grade, of chial schools, of whom 25 obtained rewards in the lower grade. has vacated the large space once occupied by him with a flowers and otherwise disported themselves, they are idly whom 4 obtained rewards. At St George's-in-the-East 34 stusingle picture, and contributes only three small studies of busy with their curds and cans, their milk jugs and their dents in the second or higher grade, of whom 7 obtained reyellow female heads, which are all masterly in their way. wooden bowls. The eighth lies on her back, spitefully wards, and 76 children of parochial schools, of whom 7 obtained The drawing is good in all, there is expression in them all, gnawing at a string, which represents part, doubtless, of her rewards in the lower grade. and they are all pictures of women coloured by the southern tangled skein of life. The figures are all good as to action sun, with aid from some disorder of the liver. and expression, but in every other respect the work is conIn point of size alone the great work of the season is spicuous only for obtrusive affectation. The simplest and a boundless portrait scene of Lady Londonderry and some quietest of subjects thus extravagantly treated is to the eye children. With this it may be well to compare the modest what a soft serenade might be to a lady's ear, if her lover dimensions of the best portrait of the year, Charles Dickens to secure attention were to play it on the kettledrums. The in his Study. Here there is not the form itself without the melody is good, and the attention may be drawn to it most after Easter, has given life and strength to the Covent spirit, or the spirit contained only in a few hints of the form. forcibly; nevertheless the performance does not afford un-Garden Opera season. There is the face itself, with its own look. The life that is mixed pleasure. Mr Millais represents also two nuns dig- first night, as noticeable as the stage. There was a settled The full house itself was, on the in the real face is in the picture. The transcript is literal ging a grave before a singularly well painted evening sky, air of attentive enjoyment very manifest, a manner of hear and it is ideal also, simply because it is true. It might not against which the passing bell is seen in clear relief. The ing never to be witnessed when it is the Siguor Verdi who be well to deal in this way with the portrait of an alderman, nun who digs is good; the other nun who sits by the grave, is master of the scene. Long as it is, the exquisite over but the same treatment has been well carried out by Mr and is meant to be the centre of the sentiment of the picture was heartily encored, and the performance of the Phillip in his portrait of a brother artist, Mr Augustus ture, is a failure. Mr Millais sends another work, a bright eutire opera proved to be most efficient. Mile Lotti not Egg. This, like the work of which we have been speaking, blue gown with a head on the top of it, the Love of James only looks the heroine's part but feels it, and as she prothe only work that Mr Frith exhibits, is a portrait and in the First of Scotland. the best sense of the word a picture too. ceeds wins more and more upon the listeners. In this Mr Egg's name directs us to a work of his own, The whose Sunday in the Backwoods is hung close to the ex- that she has no faults to unlearn. To the utmost of her It is a pleasure to turn from Mr Millais to Mr T. Faed, young lady's favour one thing is especially worth noticing, Night before Naseby, remarkable for its unostentatious ceedingly bright Spring in the apple orchard. excellence. The puritan camp is still under the moonlight, colouring, the pathos that lies in deep sentiment expressed her short-comings lie only upon the line which represents The quiet skill and power, whether as actress or singer, she is good; except that in the distance round one leader of prayer a by the most natural and homely grouping, which has yet her starting point for future progress. She puts mind into small group of worshippers is gathered. In Cromwell's tent an artist's hand in all its lines, never leave room for ques- her work, and mars it with no kind of affectation. Signor the lamp still burns, and before the Bible laid open upon tion over the best pictures of this artist. The Sunday in Ronconi crowds with minute touches of art his acting of his sword-hilt which serves as its prop, Cromwell kneels by the Backwoods is one of his best. the unpressed pallet. From the dim light that surrounds will find its own way home to every heart. Mr Faed's Madame Didiée the Pippo. The simple truth in it the part of the Podesta. Signor Gardoui is the lover; him he looks beyond the stars in earnest imploration, other and lesser work. My ain Fireside a husband, wife, farmer and his wife being entrusted to the skill of Signor The minor parts of the with lips firmly closed, hands tightly clasped. It is a noble and child by their own hearth-is worth observing for its and Madame Tagliafico, help greatly to brighten and perfect picture. revelation of the secret of his magic. There is some difficulty to be settled between the youth joint is put in attitude, and yet how exquisitely full of life trained, that the vocal execution of the finale to the first Not a finger- the whole performance, and the chorus has been so well on horseback, who neglects the beggar at his side, and the and meaning is each homely gesture! There is a like skill act is worthy to be paired as a success with the performance scornful damsel whom he watches as she is brought by an in Mr J. Clark's Draught Players, where the grandfather of the overture. Piqued, possibly, by rivalry, and possibly susold woman to the priest under the orange trees. The girl's is beaten by the boy, and the boy's triumph is cleverly tained by the enjoyment which all good musicians must feel companions look furtively at the horseman, and Mr Phillip shown, though his face is averted, and we see only his body when they are set, as Rossini sets them in this opera, really in the title of the picture tells us that there is a Huff. The and the outline of his cheek. offended damsel is so very handsome in her pride that we do not care to ask what quarrel is afoot, or how the priest is to adjust it. We simply rejoice to look upon the Spanish beauty. The whole picture is exceedingly attractive.

3

More spiritual and not less beautiful is the one picture exhibited by Mr Maclise, The Poet to his Wife. It is illustrated by for it would be less than truth to say it

illustrates-Moore's lines:

Oh, could we do with this world of ours
As thou dost with thy garden bowers,

Reject the weeds and keep the flowers,
What a heaven of earth we'd make it!

In Mr Cope's Cordelia receiving intelligence of her fa-
ther's ill-treatment, the face and figure of Cordelia herself,
with her hands clenched on the letter, and the tears telling
secrets that her face would hide, is good; the other figures
are conventional.

scene, Hotspur taking leave of Lady Percy-with the light
There is more expression in Mr Leslie's Shakespeare
face of a man who looks for pleasure. The horse is held
for him outside the open door of the great hall, in which

to make music, Covent Garden does its best on behalf of
La Gazza Ladra. The delightful music is heard to the
last note by the entire audience, which then departs en-
livened and refreshed. The opera, though not short, is in
two acts only; these are not artificially broken, as is the
therefore, throughout the whole performance.
their integrity.
custom in performing the Sonnambula, but are preserved in
There is but a single interval of pause,

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA, DRURY LANE,

arms are the wall ornaments, trumpet and drum are the This house is now open for the nightly performance of child's toys on the floor. The gentle trouble of the wife, Italian Opera at " Old Playhouse prices," except the conAt noonday, in the beauty of their youth, the poet and his in which there is the dread without the cowardice of version into stalls of almost the whole of the Old Playhouse wife are by a bower in their garden. She trims the flowers woman, is expressed with skill, and for the simple and har- pit. Mlle Victoire Balfe, on the first night, re-appeared that trail over it. His eyes are on the flowers, and his monious beauty of its colouring this picture should be in London as Amina in La Sonnambula. Her success was mind sees in them symbols of a world that might be. Her studied well by followers of Mr Millais. Jeanie Deans, her genuine. When formerly heard, her voice was deficient in hand is among the flowers, but her eyes are upon his face, natural Scotch earnestness contrasted with the trimness of power, and although time has partly remedied what was deand there they see what is the world to her. This is another a formal avenue and the subdued sympathy of polite fect of youth, there still remains so much of the old diffiform of Milton's thought, "He for God only, she for God courtiers, as she pleads her sister's cause before Queen culty as to make it questionable whether this lady's genius in him." The soul of the picture lies in the two faces. Caroline, is Mr Leslie's other picture. for the stage and the true charm of her voice will ever be Thoroughly good, too, is Mr E. M. Ward's picture of Mr J. C. Hook has painted some more English idyls. fully and truly perceived in a theatre so large as Drury Marie Antoinette listening to the Act of Accusation the day They are of his best, and we shall hereafter speak of them Lane. The new tenor, Signor Mongini, promises well. He before her Trial. There are, again, but two figures. The in detail. Mrs E. M. Ward makes a pleasant picture of rose from a sick bed to keep faith with the public, and conQueen resigned to death, with a royal and a womanly nobility Mr Carlyle's Little Fritz, with Wilhelmina looking over trived to give token enough of his skill to establish himself in her wan face, the book of devotion on her knee, is listen- him, strutting about with a drum. One of Mr Creswick's in the public confidence.

ing with hands half folded and half clasped to the accusa- landscapes, Coming Summer, must be named at once. Nor

CAVENDISH ROOMS.

tion that is in fact a sentence, read to her by the well-fleshed must we close this sketch of first impressions without Miss Roden has transferred the interesting lecture on the Fouquier Tinville with n full-blooded relish of the taste of remembering Mr Herbert's grandly conceived head of Mary beauties of Gay's Beggar's Opera from the Polytechnic to these all its phrases. Mr Ward's other works are of the most Magdalene, and the calm religious tone of Mr Dyce's Good fashionable rooms, and has added a Miscellaneous Concert, in unassuming character, one is of a girl smelling at a rose- Shepherd. We must record also that Mr David Roberts has which she is assisted by Miss Freeman, Miss Binfield Williams. bush, and they all are pleasant. contributed two remarkable interiors; that Mr F. Grant a rising young pianiste evincing great talent, Mr Thorpe Peed, Sir Edwin Landseer, in his Doubtful Crumbs, tells of the sends, among other works, a full length portrait of the Earl and Mr Cooper. Miss Roden was in fine voice, and never sang cogitation of a little terrier who, with hungry eyes and an of Derby; and that Mr A. Solomon, among three pictures, Cooper read the lecture with good effect, and did full justice to the lovely melodies of Polly's part with more true feeling. Mr uplifted hesitating paw, questions the prudence of an of which one is a companion to his Waiting for the Verdict, the satirical vaudeville snatches of Peachum, while Mr Peed attempt on the scraps that still hang to a bone which sends a clever picture of a Female Barber's Shop in exhibited his mastery over the art of accompaniment, and made is lying at the kennel door of a mastiff asleep after Brittany. The sturdy Breton who is under hand looks an effective Macheath. Mr Coote was as charming as ever on his meal. The great dog's paws rest very lightly on the with some concern for his own skin at the busy operator the flugel horn. In the Concert Miss Roden sang a very beaubone. He has fed heartily; he should be sound asleep. who is working at his chin, while eyes and tongue, with all tiful new song, the poetry by Mr George Soane, A.B., the music Would it be prudent to attempt the seizure of his crumbs? a barber's and a woman's privilege, are busy in communi- by Mr Peed, called the "Deaf and Dumb Mother," with great pathos and dramatic effect. This young lady also sang the never-tiring, or Another of Sir Edwin's pictures shows a stag with his head cation with her gossips. Two old women, two young women, rather never public-tiring, "Annie Laurie," with much sweetness above water in the critical moment of the chase, when there and two babies have her mind while she gives to the cus- and feeling. Miss Binfield Williams executed a piano-forte solo, as are within a few inches of his throat the teeth of a single tomer her hand and razor. also a duet for the piano-forte and violin, in a way to command unidog, his last pursuer. Another picture is The Prize Calf, versal approbation. As a pianist this lady bids fair to occupy a very elevated position in her profession. The violin was played by Mr W. led home over the stepping-stones by a Highland lass. H. Ezares, a pupil of Sainton's, who, we think, with experience will The fourth and last picture is one that may fairly be taken The public examinations in drawing held in the Metropolitan rise in his profession. This entertainment is one of the most pleasant to represent Sir Edwin Landseer's faith as an artist. He District Schools of Art have just been completed, and show of the Easter productions, and will amply repay the visitant. satisfactory progress. 1,039 students have been examined, of

EXAMINATIONS IN DRAWING.

Successful Easter extravaganzas have been produced at

has always put souls into the creatures he has painted. whom 298 have taken rewards of the second or higher grade, Now we are shown the dying stag by the tarnside at mid- and 1,760 being almost entirely parish children, have taken 334 night, on the mountain height; it stretches its neck heaven- of the lower grade. The numbers at each district school have the HAYMARKET and the NEW ADELPHI. A few words of ward towards the stars that seem so near to watchers on been as follows: At the Training School at South Kensington comment on them we defer until next week,