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Leader (1850-1860), 1st June 1850, Edition Town of 1, Page 223, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      through Mr . Clay . They are unanimously of opinion that new states may be formed out of Texas , and that these should be admitted to the Union without any objection on account of their exclusion or adoption of slavery ; that the admission of California to the Union should be consented to , territorial Governments to be at the same time provided for Utah and New Mexico , -without allusion to the prohibition of slavery , leaving that , or its adoption , to depend on the will of the inhabitants of those territories ; and that slavery ought not to be abolished in Columbia , though a majority are for suppressing the slave trade within that district , upon the model of the law lately enforced in Maryland .

      The report also recommends certain measures for carrying into effect the provisions of the constitution relative to the recovery of fugitive slaves ; and proposes a settlement of the Western boundary of Texas , by cancelling ( for an indemnity ) her claim to any portion of New Mexico . The indemnity , it is expected , will range between 6 , 000 , 000 and 10 , 000 , 000 dollais . The bill has been twice read in the Senate . It was coldly received by those of ultra opinions from all sections of the country , and even among the framers of it . some of the wisest entertain no hope of a good result being produced . Should it pass the Senate by a trifling majority only , its defeat in the House of Representatives would be certain .

      Another expedition ha 3 been formed for the invasion of Cuba . From 4000 to 6000 men are said to have volunteered , commanded by General Quitman , formerly an officer in the Mexican war , and Governor of Mississippi , and by Sonor Lopez , the Cuba insurrectionist . The vessels have sailed at different times and for different destinations , some ostensibly for Chagres , but where the rendezvous is to be is a profound secret . Two or three vessels have sailed from New Orleans , one with 300 men on board . The expeditionists seem to be well supplied both with money and arms . Several of the leading men of the Southern States favour the enterprise , and have subscribed

      money . The accounts of the ravages of the cholera in many of the western states continue to be very alarming . The Canadian Parliament was opened by Lord Elgin on the 14 th of May , at Toronto . He delivered his speech in English and French to a full house , sixty members being present , amongst them Mr . Papineau , Mr . Lafontaine , and Sir Allan M'Nab . The speech was well received . The Governor staed that Canadian securities were in better demand ; that

      reciprocal trade with the United States was delayed by the want of action on the part of Congress ; that cheap and uniform rates of postages were required ; that public feeling was becoming opposed to capiul punishment ; that the Chancery practice of Canada required improving ; that improved assessment and jury laws , and cheaper courts of justice were n quired . He asserted that the annexation movement was becoming unpopular in Canada , and that neither the cause nor its advocates would be countenanced in

      any manner whatever by the Government . Notices have been given of the following bills , by members : —A bill to forbid the proscription of officers of the Government on political grounds ; to substi tute for the Council an Elective Senate ; to abolish the endowment of the clergy ; to abolish the Courts of Chancery ; to abolish the law of primogenitue .

      Untitled Article

      ETHNOLOGICAL AND ZOOLOGICAL CURIOSITIES . The arrival of General Jung Bahadoor Koorman Ranagee , Prime Minister and C «» mmander-in-Chief of the kingdom of Nepaul , accompaned by a suite of twenty-four persons , some of ihtm of distingui > hed rank , appears to have caused a great sensation at Southampton , where they landed from the Ripon steamer , on Saturday morning . As the General and his suite profess the religion of Buddhism ; and hold stiict notions respecting theii nligion , diet , and ablutions , counting it sinful to have their food , or the vessels which contain it , touched by Christians , thcv were compelled to engage the whole of

      the fore-c < ibins and saloons of the Ripon , in which they fitted up a cooking apparatus , in a lnrge square box made of planks and paddle floats , rilled with mud and sand . The fuel they used was charcoal . Their principal food on board was poultry , kids , eggs , rice , and vegetables . At each port they touched at they took in what water they required . The General is described as being a handsome and most intelligent man , about thirty-two years of oge , very dark , with long jet black hair .

      " He left the ship soon after nine o ' clock in the morning , to go to the Peninsular and Oriental Company s offices , just outside the dock gates . On walking from the ship , his excellency was preceded by one of the chiefs of his suite , and followed by a number of other chiefs . Such a strange and gorgeous sight is seldom witnessed . There were fourteen or fifteen princely personages , evidently from a refined and highly civilized state on the borders of the Himalayan range , with most

      strange but handsome countenances , clothed m dresses of elegant and costly workmanship . Many of their headdresses , when the sun shone on them , were literally biasing with brilliants . They were all armed with

      pistols , mounted , and many of their swords were in golden scabbards . " The Ambassador declined to go to any Southampton hotel unless he could have it entirely to himself . This arose from religious scruples , lest any food prepared for Christians should be mixed with his own . In consequence of this determination , immediate arrangements were made to enable him and his suite to sleep and cook their food at the Peninsular offices during their stay in Southapton . During the whole of Saturday afternoon , the Hindoo servants were busy conveying their cooking utensils , water pitchers , bedding , rice , and various abode tent

      kinds of food from the ship to their temporary . A was formed in a back-yard , where a Nepaulese cooking apparatus was fitted up . Messengers were employed running all over the town purchasing eggs and vegetables . The Hindoos refused hen eggs , and preferred the larger eggs of ducks and geese . They took a great fancy for cauliflower , which is very plentiful at Southampton , and purchased an immense quantity of that vegetable . They appeared to observe the utmost secresy in dressing and eating their food , and were much alarmed lest any of the blacks and other persons belonging to the Peninsular Company should observe them . But though so secret about their cooking and eating , they appeared to

      be quite indifferent as to who saw them at their extraordinary ablutions . They wash after they touch anything , the washing being more like a religious ceremony than for the purpose of cleanliness . Not only the Hindoo servants , but some of the chiefs were in the back-yard washing themselves almost perpetually . They stripped , with the exception of a slight cloth round their loins , and washed themselves all over with about half a pint of water . The servants of the embassy were evidently of the lowest caste ; some were meanly and miserably clad , many of them without shoes , and their clothing formed a striking contrast to the magnificent costume of the chiefs . "

      The General visits this country as Ambassador Extraordinary from the King of Nepaul to the Queen of England ; he is charged with a complimentary letter and costly presents , consisting of the most valuable Nepaulese productions and manufactures , worth , it is said , nearly a quarter of a million of pounds sterling , from the King to her Majesty . In anticipation of the arrival of the Nepaulese Embassy , instructions were sent down to the Southampton Custom-house authorities , ordering them not to search the baggage and presents brought by the Ambassador . On second thoughts , however , it appears that these orders were deemed too liberal , and a

      second notice was forwarded to Southampton , directing that the presents to her Majesty should not be opened , but that a partial examination of the Ambassador ' s baggage should be made . On being informed of this order , the General declared that if any portion of his baggage or that of any of his suite were touched he should remain at Southampton and return by the next outward Alexandria vessel . This created the utmost alarm : telegraphic messages were instantly despatched to the Treasury and the Board of Customs , and the result was a counter message , ordering everything belonging to the embassy to be passed without examination .

      The Ripon brought home a singular collection of beasts and birds from Ethiopia , Abyssinia , and other parts of the world : — " There was a fine young lion and leopard , a wild hog , a pair of pelicans , three eagl < s , a gazelle , three lynxes , two musk cats , a Sahara ibex ( a goat with magnificent horns ) , a number of kangaroo rats a little larger than English mice , of a very light brown colour , and remarkable for the length or their hind as compared with their fore legs , several Cashmere goats , a wild cat rather larger than a domestic one , marked like a leopard , with a beautiful head . There was also a number or venomous serpents and gigantic lizards ; several of ^ the cobra capellas were as big lound as a man ' s wrist . '

      The beasts , birds , and reptiles were carefully tended by several grim , p icturesque-looking Arabs and Abyssinians ; many of the former with large grisly beards . Amongst them were two African serpent charmers : — 11 One of the latter was a lad , n strange , little shrivelled-face fellow , who caused much amusement by his comic manners , his grotesque dress , and daring handling of the beasts and reptiles . In each or his ears were two brass b « d-curtain rings , his trousers did not reach below his knees , and he wore a pair of large Wellington boots . His Ices and boots appeared like two mwhogany posts m a pair of leathern buckets . He play * d with and teased the most savage of the beasts and reptiles with the most darina intrepidity ; but the most extraordinary performthe

      ances of this youthful charmer were with venomous serpents , at the roqucstof the Admiralty agent ; and for the trifling baehaheeuh of a silver sixpence , for which he made- a profound and slave-likc salaum , he exhibited his power over the serp . nt tribe . He took out the cobra capellas from a box , fondled with them , kissed their heads and mouths , held them in his mouth , irritated them apparently to madness by scratching them on the back , and even suffered them to bite him without experiencing any apparent injury . It was a singular sight to see one of these serpents irritated standing firmly on a small portion of hfs tail while the body was foiimng graceful curves , and it was preparing to spring upon the , boy with , ' t » month nnpn and its fanes Quivering . Although its

      body is perfectly round when it is not irritated , yet when it was savage the body for several inches immediately below the head would alter its eel-like form , and spreading out , would become perfectly flat , like the body of a plaice or a sole . "

      But the greatest curiosity on board the Ripon waa the hippopotamus , the first specimen of that huge animal ever seen in this country : — " The one brought home in the Ripon is a mate specimen , in good health , about ten months old , and 500 lb . weight . Some idea of the magnitude of these beasts may be formed when it is considered that thev are not full grown until they are fifteen years old . This hippopotamus is remarkably gentle and docile , although the animal in its wild state is considered fierce and stupid . It was caught on an island in the Blue Nile , near the seventh cataract . It was kept on board in a stable .

      close to which was an iron tank holding 400 gallons of fresh water , which was renewed every day , in which it bathed three or four times daily , accordin « to the temperature of the weather . It remained in ^ the bath sometimes three-quarters of an hour ; occasionally it would sink beneath the surface of the water , and at other times just the upper part of the head and the back would be above the water . It fed on milk and rice , about eighty pints daily of the former , and the latter was consumed both boiled and raw . A number of cows and goats were kept on board the Ripon to supply the milk . Its skin is much like that of the rhinoceros—so thick and hard that

      a bullet would scarcely penetrate it . " It gets from its bath to its stable by clambering by means of its fore legs up a step . It is remarkably fond of its keeper , an Arab , who talks good English , and the beast appears uneasy when the Arab is away . The keeper sits by day on a high stool , « la Turc , in one corner of the den , and uses a small stick to poke the beast about and make him do his bidding . The stable , tank , hippopotamus , and keeper were lifted bodily from the Ripon and placed on a railway truck . A special train on Saturday afternoon conveyed all the birds , animals , and reptiles , with their keepers , to London . "

      Untitled Article

      EPSOM RACES . The gathering on Epsom Downs on the first day , Tuesday , was rather below par , the weather being adverse . The day ' s sport was not very remarkable . The racing commenced shortly after two o ' clock , and finished , about five . The crowds that went to Epsom on "Wednesdaythe Derby day—were probably greater than ever were known before . The rush by railway was enormous , and the numbers by the old road were beyond reckoning . The first race was for the town plate , which was soon over . The race for the Derby stakes had an unexpected result : —

      Derby Stakes of 50 sovs . each , h . ft . for 3-year-olds , cnlts , 8 st . 71 b . ; fillies , 8 st . 21 b . ; the second to receive 100 sovs . out of the stakes , and the winner to pay 100 sovs . towards the police , and 50 sovs . to the judge . Mile and a half . Twenty-three horses started . Betting at the Start . —7 to 2 against Clincher , 9 to 2 against Mildew , 5 to 1 against Bolingbroke , 6 to 1 against The Nigger , 12 to 1 against Pitsford , 16 to 1 against Voltigeur , 20 to 1 against Deicoon , 33 to 1 against Nutshell , 40 to 1 against The Italian , 40 to 1 against Ghillie Callum , 50 to 1 against the Swede , and 1000 to 15 against any other . Penang and Deicoon got away together , and , withTheNigger , Mildew , The Swede , and Ghillie Callum laid up , Voltigeur next , in company with Clincher , cut out the work to the mile-post , where Penang died away ; Deicoon went on with the running at a good pace ,

      followed in rotation by Mildew , The Swede , and The Nigger , Ghillie Callum , Clincher , and Voltigeur remaining in their original positions . They went on thus to the road , where Deicoon was beaten , and Mildew took the lead , Clincher and The Nigger waiting on him , Ghillie Callum and Cariboo next , and Pitsford , who laid off for the first half mile , well up . Mildew was beaten at the distance , and Voltigeur and Clincher then singled themselves out , the former taking the lead opposite the stand , and running home a very easy winner by a length , Pitsford , who came up opposite the stand , beating Clincher for the second money by half a length ; The Nigger fourth , Mildew fifth , and tfhillie Callum sixth . Mavors laid forward in the early part of the race , but broke down at the turn , and was not persevered with . The race was run in 2 min . 60 sec .

      Untitled Article

      MR . COBDEN AND CAPTAIN AARON SMITH . The following correspondence appeared in the Morning Post of Thursday and Friday : — ( No . 1 . ) " 16 , Camdi-n Cottaees , Camden-town , May 25 , 1850 . « sir , —My friend Captain Aaron Smith has requested me to wait upon you in reference to a speech of yours , reported in the Times of yesterday . I shall be glad of an appointment for an eaily hour on Monday next ; and remain . Sir , your very obedient servant , " E . Garbbtt . 11 To Richard Cobden , Esq ., M . P ., &c , London . " ( No . 2 . ) " 103 , WeBiboume-terrace , May 25 , 1850 .

      " Sir , —If you wish to make any communication to me respecting your friend , Captain Aaron Smith , I request that it may be made in writing ; and , as you are a stranger to me , you will please to be good enough to add a reference to some person of respectability , by which I may be able to judge how far you are warranted in interfering in the matter in question , or entitled to any further answer from me . —I am , Sir , your obedient servant , "Richard Cobden . " E . Garbett , Esq . "

      ( No . 3 . ) " 16 , Camden Cottages , Camden-town , May 28 , 1850 . " Sir , —Yours of the 25 th only reaohed me this morn

      Untitled Article

      June 1 , 1850 . ] SttJ * & * && **? 223

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), June 1, 1850, page 223, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1841/page/5/