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    \ Jggrjg7, May 29, 1858.J . T.HE-' LEADE...

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    Miscellaneous. Txie Court.—Prince Albert...

    fabric of the church . It might as well be said ( argued Mr . Eofcerts ) that a rate could be laid to provide a vehicle for the clergyman , or a sentry-box to protect him . from rough weather- while performing the funeral service . The third objection was , that some of the votes in favour of the rates were given by persons who were not present at the meeting , tut who sent servants to give their votes as proxies . Forty-nine votes had been given for the rate and forty-two against

    it ; but of the forty-nine , sixteen were the votes of proxies . The magistrates said this last fact would be conclusive as to the invalidity of the rate , if Mr . Roberts could prove it . Mr . Roberts then called witnesses who proved that fact , and the magistrates at once dismissed the summonses . Before Mr . Roberts ' s arrival in court , eight cases had been disposed of , and decisions given in favour of the rate . If any attempt is made to enforce these decisions , appeals will be made . —Manchester Examiner . .

    Cruise of the Yacht Miranda . —A few days ago , Mr . Gray's yacht , the Miranda , arrived in Southampton Water from a six months' cruise to the Canary Islands , the "West Indies , and the United States of America . The Miranda is about 90 tons "burden and has a crew of nine men , chiefly natives of the Isle of Wight and Southampton . Mr . Gray undertook the voyage in search of entomological specimens , and obtained a rare and beautiful collection , of insects , particularly from the Canaries and Barbadoes . The Miranda reached Jamaica about the time at which the Americau man-of-war Susquehanna arrived there with her crew struck down

    with yellow fever- The Miranda ' s crew escaped the fever . Mr . Gray ' s insects are in a beautiful state of preservation . He landed at Charleston in South Carolina , and sent his yacht home thence , purposing to travel one thousand miles in the United States , and then to come to England in a steamer . He fully expected to reach this country before his yacht , but . the latter has arrived at Southampton before him , having made a splendid run of four thousand miles in twenty-three days , averaging about one hundred and sixty miles a day . There is only one instance known of such a yacht performing a similar voyage as the Miranda has done during the last six months .

    Memorial to the late Lord Dudley Stuart . — - The Earl of Carlisle has consented to preside at the inauguration of a new building situate in Blarket-street , Edge ware-road , which is designed as a memorial to the late Lord Dudley Coutts Stuart , who for some years represented the boxough of Marylebone in the House of Commons . The building is intended for a nightly refuge for the houseless poor , in whose welfare the deceased lord always took a deep interest . A likeness of his lordship , in bronze , executed by the late Mr . Thomas Campbell , will ~ be fixed over the building in the course of the ceremonial . Ma . N . P . Willis , the American author , after recovering from an illness , took a ride on horseback , and was thrown , and dragged for some distance by the stirrup . He -was badly bruised , but no bones were broken . ¦

    The British Embassy at St . Petersburg . —The Russian Gazette of St . Petersburg , under the title of "Diplomatic Change * , " says : — " Several modifications are about to take place in the diplomatic body here . Tlie Duke of Montebello , the new French ambassador , has already arrived . Lord Wodehouse , of the English Legation , Ieavc 3 his post in a short time , and it is said that the noble lord will resume his seat in Parliament , and quit entirely the diplomatic career . It must be added that the family of the English Minister has not been able to habituate itself to our climate ; Lndv Wodehouse

    lifts been frequently ill , and all the family Jire plunged into sorrow by the death of his lordship ' s youngest son , which took place this winter . Society here greatly regret the departure of Lord Wodehouse , who is justly esteemed . Almost all the members of his legation , which is very numerous , will leave Russia with him . Sir J . Crampton , Buecessorof Lord Wodehouse , is expected by one of the first steamers . The names of the persona who are to accompany him as secretaries or attache ' s arc not known . Mr . Seymour , Minister of the United States , is also to leave St . Petersburg ; and Mr . Pierce , his secrotary , went some time back .

    California , is the Paradise ov Skuvantgalism , wnerc Biddy , whose accomplishments don't rise beyond bDiling a lumper , spoiling a roast , and washing the floors and dislios , gets her forty dollars a month and found , with the privilege , too , of saying " I shan ' t ! " to what Jt doesn't please her to do , a privilege very extensively exercised ; and where ahc can also enjoy the franclnscs or having her mistress do the dirtiest and heaviest part of the work for her , such a s pumping water and the like , and of wearing fine clothca , and sporting California to extent

    ^ jewellery any her fancy will carry her . Yes , indeed , California in general , and Sun Francisco in particular , is the paradise of servant-girls . The extremes to which minplnced iinery is carried is very often exquisitely ridiculous . To hco some of the " gnls " deport themselves is ns good ( to u good-natured man , ot course ) as a well-sustained diameter in a furce . A lackadaisical-looking damsel , whom I saw performing the duty of ' taking the children out , ( o walk " ono day , was dressed 1 . 1 a manner which I would not dare nttempt to describe , the task being fur beyond my

    powers . I may however , mention the chief features of the " display . " On the fingers of both hands there were several gold rings , and from the neck a gold chain dangled long enough to bind the wearer " hand and foot . " Besides these ornaments , she wore a buckle in a girdle of leather which encircled her slender waist , and a brooch of gold stuck in some highly coloured mystery high up on her bosom or low down on her neck , I don ' t know which . But of all her finery , what struck my unsophisticated eye as the most remarkable object was " the love of a cap " which she wore , not on , but fax down the back of her head , stuck on the occipital region and held there by some mysterious agency to the deponent unknown . Her mistress , when I saw the servant , was very plainly dressed , and quite busy nursing one and amusing another child . I dare say the servant will marry a richer man than her master . —Letter from San Francisco .

    Testimonial to a Staffordshire Liberal . —A grand banquet took place on Tuesday evening , at Wolverhampton , on the occasion of the presentation of & testimonial by the Liberals of South Staffordshire to Mr . William Mathews , as a recognition of his long services to tie Liberal cause in the district , but more especially to mark the high sense entertained of his disinterested conduct at the last general election . On that occasion , Mr . Mathews was himself induced to come forward as a candidate for the representation , upon the unanimous invitation of a meeting specially convened for the purpose . Subsequently , however , he waived all pretensione of his own and withdrew , in order to conciliate the leading members of the iron trade , who were in favour of Mr . William Orme Foster , one of the present members .

    Mr . Foleys Equestrian Statue of LordHaedingk . —This magnificent work of art , the equestrian statue of . " Lord Hardinge on his charger ' Meeanee * Ferozeshah , " is now completed and on view in the court-yard of Burl ington House . It will be shipped for Calcutta about three weeks hence . We were able to express our high admiration of the model as it appeared in the artist ' studio , and we are now glad to have an opportunity of congratulating Mr . Foley on the completion of a work ¦ which does equal honour to the hero and the artist . We may extend our congratulations to our Indian fellow-subjecta whose capital city will be graced by this noble monument . May we express a hope that London will at least possess a copy , if only as a contrast to the venerable caricatures which at present disfigure and disgrace our metropolis , and as an example of what Jritish art , inspired by national feeling , can achieve .

    Photographic Miniatures on Ivory . — -Messrs . Beard and Sharp-are exhibiting ^ at their rooms , 28 , Old . Bond-street , some exquisite specimens of this new and precious application of science to art . The discovery of the means of taking sun-pictures on ivory is entirel y due to their persevering experiments , and the results in miniature portraits excel all former triumphs in photography in delicate finish and reiinement of expression . These ivory portraits combine the unerring accuracy of the photograph with the grace and freedom of manipulative art . -

    Enolisii and Russian Sailors at the Cai'k . —Between the sailors belonging to her Majesty ' s ship Castor and the sailors belonging to some Kussian corvettes , lying in Simon's Bay , about one hundred and twenty in number , there has lately been a dreadful fight . The town -was kept in an uproar . They fought with staves and stones . The English drove the Russians to their boats , and were punished by the magistrate for the assault which they were proved to have commenced . — Cape Art / us , Apri \ 20 . CoitpoKATiou Reform . —The bill for the reform of the corporation of the City of London was under the consideration of a special Court of Common Council on Wednesday . After a long discussion , the court resolved

    to waive , for the present , all minor differences , and to unite for repelling the common danger . The report of the Inquiry Committee concluded with the subjoined suggestion : — "We therefore recommend your lion , court to present n petition to the House of Commons to recommit the bill to the select committee , and praying that the corporation may be heard against the confiscating clauses thereof , and generally against the measure . " Mr . Deputy Harrison moved to add to the report a recommendation of the committee , with rognrd to petitioning against the bill—a recommendation that the committee should take all other measures that might be deemed advisable , either by printing and circulating the objections to he urged against the bill , or otherwise , to

    call the attention of the freemen , ratepayers , and others to the glaring injustice that , would ho done to them if the bill should puss . —Mr . Wood , as chairman of the committee , accepted thfi suggestion offered by the last speaker , as an addition to the report . —Mr . Andcrton denounced the measure at some length , and in conclusion tore to atoms u copy of the bill which he held in his hands , exclaiming , amid the laughter of the court , " Dnsh tins bill ! 1 don ' t like it nt all ; I should like to see it burnt by the common hangman . "—The motion ( that the report be adopted ) was put from the chnir , and agreed to unaiiiinou . sly , as wis also a resolution in favour of a petition to the lJouse of Commons , to besigm .-d by tho town clerk , anil presented by the sheriffs . —The court then adjourned .

    Supplying Convicts with Money . —A respectable looking young man has been convicted by the county magistrates at Rochester of having supplied with money some of the convicts confined in the convict prison , St . Mary ' s , Chatham . He was fined 3 / ., which he paid . An Inveterate Reader . —Shelley was always reading , at liis meals a book lay "by his side , on the table , open . Tea and toast were often neglected , his author seldom ; his mutton and potatoes might grow cold , his interest in a work never cooled . He invariably sallied forth , book in hand , reading to himself , if he was alone , if he had a companion reading aloud . He took a volume to bed with him , and read as long as his candle lasted "; he then

    sleptimpatiently , no doubt—until it was light , and he recommenced reading at the early dawn . One day we were walking together arm-in-arm , under the gate of the Middle Temple , in Fleet-street ; Shelley ,-with open book , was reading aloud ; a man with an apron said to a brother operative , " See , there are two of your damnation lawyers ; they are always reading ! " The tolerant philosopher did not choose to be reminded that he had once been taken for a lawyer ; he declared the fellow was an ignorant wretch ! He was loth to leave his book to go to bed , and frequently sat up late reading ; sometimes , indeed , he remained at his studies all night .

    In consequence of this great watching , and of almost incessant reading , he would often fall asleep in the daytime —dropping off in a moment—like an infant . He often quietly transferred himself from his chair to the floor , and slept soundly on the carpet , and in the winter upon the rug , basking . in the warmth like a cat ; and like a cat his little round head was roasted before a blazing fire . If any one humanely covered the poor head to shield it from the heat , the covering was impatiently put aside in his sleep . " You make your brains boil , Bysslie . I have seen and heard the steam rushing out violently at your nostrils and ears . "—Life of Shelley .

    Beyond this Barrier . —What volumes of smoke are rising all around us ! What a number of chimneys they 5 ssue from ! What ranges of large and dirty factories and workshops meet the eye in . every direction ! What a clanging there is of hvmmers in every direction ! What a rushing sound of steam ! What a busy hum of labour and labourers ! We are in the midst of one of the working quarters of the capital . Call it Grenelle , call it La Villette , call it La Chapelle , no matter which . They are all much alike . They are all centres of labour , of rough heavy labour that hardens the hand , broadens the back , and begrimes tb . 6 face ; Paris , you see , is not one vast Regent-street . It has its business quarters as well as its pleasure quarters . Could the one exist without the other ? Honestly , is it not as dirty as Dockhead ; as muddy as Southwark ; as repulsive as Ratclifle-highway ? How , in . fact , could it be otherwise ?—Aspects qfJPm'is .

    England an i > New Zealand . —With a working man in Eugland a large family is not unfrequently regarded as a social calamity . In New Zealand a large family proves a source of ultimate wealth , as any lad Of twelve or fourteen years of age can , in return for his services , readily obtain a comfortable home , with a salary of 20 / . or 30 / . a year . On this subject there is one important fact , the knowledge of which may be found useful to or taken advantage of by a few married but childless individuals in the mother country . While moat parts of the colony under consideration are ltighlv favourable to

    agricultural or-pastoral purposes , the invigorating effects of its delightful climate would appear to he equally favourable to a local increase in the population . We have met with settlers who for many years iii England had despaired of ever becoming parents ; but since their arrival in the colony they have been blessed with the parental title—a title without which man ' s estate , however beautifully supplied with the periodical riches of the land , would be still poor without those tender saplings which can alone perpetuate the seed of domestic blids . —Puschi /' s JVew Zealand . ¦

    JIetirki > Tradesman . —Horticulture , I have reason to believe , was the chief occupation of my neighbours ; although 1 do not speak with any amount of certainty up <> n the point . One , with whom I made acquaintance , entirely gave himself up to photography . Ho had becu in business in Paris ; had , comparatively early in life , made a fortune , and with much good sense , as it appeared to me , had at once retired to enjoy it . Tho class to which he belonged sire accustomed to net thus when they have made money , instead of waiting until old ago renders the enjoyment of that money almost as laborious as its acquisition has been . My photographic neighbour was thoroughly in love with his new pursuit . Although he followed it as a . simple amateur , he worked all day

    long , as though existence itself depended upon hii labours . You might have supposed that lie continually lwul a number of important orders on hand , which it was absolutely necessary ho must uxocutu without a moment ' s loss of time , lie was always taking views of everything . Now of tho front of his hou . o , now of tho back ; now of the little outbuildings . it tlio aide ; and now of tho rabbit-hutch in ona corner of his garden , He took portraits , too , by the lnu ' iitrcd . s . Portraits of hit servants , of his dog , of his old man . Whenever hu invited friends to see him ho took their portraits also . All tho people in the neighbourhood had baeu similarly treated . Imagine that striking likenesses wore produced , no fee , being asked by tho producer ! And yot not ex-

    \ Jggrjg7, May 29, 1858.J . T.He-' Leade...

    \ Jggrjg 7 , May 29 , 1858 . J . T . HE- ' LEADEB . . 51 g __

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), May 29, 1858, page 9, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_29051858/page/9/