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Leader (1850-1860), 1st July 1854, Edition 1 of 2, Page 608, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      vast number of guests in the Town-hall . That room was hung ; with some of the finest works of Millais , Hunt , Collins , Ausdell , Allorn , Prout , Etty , andothers ; while water-colour *^ dra « rings were exhibited in stands ; aad some models of the best works of Calder Marshall , Macdowal , and other sculptors , stood here and there . A great company , " mixed , " composed of all classes literally , not rhetorically , filled the apartment ; aad the local journalists , giving way to the feelings of the moment , record with enthusiasm howanimated was the brilliant scene , and how fraternal

      the feeling that pervaded the actors . Among those present were some of the more conspicuous among our literary men and artists ; and these no doubt aided materially in fusing the mass of people so suddenly gathered together . It was a great success , of which Mr . Spiers may be proud . We may remark that the stewards on the occasion comprised not only the chief municipal authorities , but several members of the University . Of course there was singing , examination of works of art , and plenty of refreshments set out under a huge tent , covering the large yard at the back of the hall .

      The next and subsequent day the Mayor escorted some eighty of his friends on a visit to the beauties of the most beautiful city in England . The character of the whole proceeding is illustrated by the fact that they were received by the Vice-Chancellor , then by the Heads of Colleges , while on Friday the Junior Proctor gave a splendid luncheon in honour of the company . On Saturday , the Senior Proctor , with the venerable President and Fellows of Magdalen , entertained them , in their hall ; and the Pellows , taking advantage of the occasion , did a stroke of business , arid presented President Eouth with a piece of plate .

      " The result of all tins , " says an enthusiastic correspondent on the spot , "is most glorious . Everybody seems to be happier than before ; and many who never met before ' in society' will henceforward know each other ' s class better . " " Such , " he adds , "is the harmonising effect of literature and art : " and we may add , suph is the effect of the well-directed and kindly efforts of a gentleman who knows how to appreciate both , and who desires to promote peace on earth and goodwill among men .

      One more incident is especially worthy of remark . The hall was open to the public on Saturday ; 2 , 000 persons passed through it ; the schools , headed by bands of music , partook of the elevating spectacle ; and the town looked as gay as if a great festival was taking place ; as indeed it was . But although all were admitted , we are assured that " not one bit of sculpture , or picture , or other work of art received the slightest injury . " Thus the people showed their appreciation of art , and their sense of the responsibility of the occasion .

      The Commemoration of the University took place this week ; but there was nothing striking in its incidents . On Wednesday the usual essays were read and poems recited in the theatre ; and according to time-honoured custom the undergraduates kept up a great uproar before the business began , calling out the names of prominent persons and cheering or groaning them as they pleased . " Old Charley" was the hero , next , perhaps , Lord Palmerston . and Dr . Pusey ; while Lord Aberdeen , the Emperor Nicholas ^ and Mr . Hey wood , shared the displeasure of these young gentlemen . The real Oxford Commemoration was- that which ratified the union of Town and Gown .

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      THE ANGLO-FRENCH ALLIANCE . It is proposed to celebrate the alliance between France and England by a national festival which shall take the shape of a aeries of entertainments , beginning at London and extending throughout the country , to distinguished Frenchmen . As will be seen below the scheme lias been under discussion some time . It came before the public authoritatively on Wednesday , at a public meeting in the Mansionhouse , over which Lord Mayor Sidney presided . There -was a considerable ! attendance of gentlemen connected with the City , and among the more influential of those present were Viscount Ebrington , Mr . Masterman , M . P ., Colonel Freestun , M . P . 7 Mr Oliveira , M . P ., Mr . Gcach , M . P ., Mr . G . LanRton M . P ., Mr . W . Brown , M . F ., Mr . Mechi , Mr . Tito ! and Mr . Sheriff Wire . '

      The Lord Mayor , who ocoupied the chair , briefly stated the object of the meeting . Ho said that on tho 7 Th a private meeting was held in tho Mansionhouse to consider a suggestion made by Mr . James Andorton , that tho present was a fitting opportunity for tho people of England to show their appreciation of tho alliance with Franco , and thoir gratitude for the splendid hospitality dispensed three yours ago in A aria to a number of their most Uistinguiahed countrymen , by inviting over hero at least an equal number ot eminent Frenchmen , and entertaining them at a series of banquets to bo given in their honour . Hint BUggeBtion waa cordially approved , aiul a deputation waited by appointment on Lord Mnierstou for tho purpose of ascertaining what wore tho views of tho Government upon tho Bubject . Hio lordahip

      after consulting with his colleagues , informed the deputation that they one and all acknowledged the propriety of the proposed festival , and were willing to do everything in tlieir power to promote its' success . Another private meeting was held in the Mansion-house on the 14 th , when a series of resolutions were adopted and a committee was appointed , consisting of 350 influential gentlemen , including upwards of 100 members of Parliament . Of course , the

      movement would involve a considerable expenditure ; but subscriptions had already been received to the amount of 3000 / ., and several public companies and scientific bodies had promised to contribute to the entertainment of the distinguished foreigners . The Government had also agreed to throw open all the public buildings and palaces to the inspection of the strangers from France ; and there could , be no doubt that the people of England generally would give them a cordial and hospitable reception .

      Mr . Masterman , seconded by Mr . Brown , moved the first resolution , which was to the effect that the meeting , believing that the peace of the world , the advancement of science , the development of art , and the diffusion of knowledge , materially depend upon the cultivation of peaceful relations with France , were of opinion that some of her most distinguished men connected with legislation , the sciences and arts , commerce , and agriculture , should be invited to visit this country , with the view of demonstrating to the world the sincerity of the alliance now happily subsisting between the two nations—an alliance the continuance of which was eminently calculated to promote the permanence of peace , and its consequent blessings , order , prosperity , and . happiness . The resolution , supported by Mr . Davis , was unanimously adopted .

      Mr . Xangton , M . P ., moved , and Mr . Tite seconded , the second resolution , inviting the co-operation of the Common Council and other corporate bodies of London , the chief magistrates of Dublin and York , the Lord . Provosts oi Edinburgh and Glasgow , the municipal corporations of all the other cities and boroughs in the United Kingdom , the chancellors , vice-chancellors , and principals of the universities and colleges , as well as the heads of the learned and scientific societies . Alderman Moon gave an account of a visit which

      he paid , with Sir Joseph Paxton , to Liverpool and Manchester , as a deputation from the committee in London . The corporations of those towns had entered , very cordially into their views , and had pledged themselves to do everything in their power to promote the success of the proposed festival , and to impart to it a national character . A similar statement was made by Mr . Mechi , who had visited Oxford , Birmingham , and several large town 3 in the Midland counties . The resolution was then carried with acclamation .

      Mr . Geach , M . P ., next moved that a subscription be entered into for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the proposed fete ; that the Lord Mayor be appointed treasurer ; and that Lord John Russell , Viscount Ebrington , Mr . Masterman , Sir James Duke , and Baron Rothschild , be requested to act as trustees . The motion was seconded by Mr . Uzielli , and unanimously agreed to . On the motion of Viscount Ebrington , seconded by Mr . Oliveira , the committee was reappointed ; and after awarding a vote of thanks to the chairman , the meeting separated .

      Untitled Article

      CONTINENTAL NOTES . The news" of the week from the seat of war does not advan ce our information on th o subject much further than that obtained last week . Authentic intelligence has been received of tho raising of the siege of Silistria ; and it seems probable , although we have no direct accounts , that a strong Turkish force has advanced from Shumla , in the direction of Silistna and ftasova . Where tho Britian and French troops exactly arc ia not stated ; but it is probable that they have been pushed forward in the direction of Yeni Bazar , and Koshludahi , perhapB further north . A telegraphic despatch indeed informs us that they will 1 ) Q sent to the Crimea , but this hua not been confirmed .

      There ia no doubt now but that tho Russians are in retro at upon Moldavia . The troops at Kalnraah have fallen back partly upon Slobodsia , and partly upon Buldmresfc , at which plnco they have been joined by the troops occupying Glurgevo , and tho major part of General Liprandi ' a corps from tho AlutH . Tho pointof concentration would appear to bo tho left bank of the Soroth . Tho corps commanded by U « nerul Ludera is said to have been defeated by tho lurks near Knsgun on tho right bank , and to have passed Trajan ' s Wall and to bo in full retreat Jo rtHo forts on the Lower Danube . It ia stated that tho command of tho Ilussian army has devolved "P ° " G « n ? ral Danncnborg , ns senior officer . General bclillitoro la dead . According to tho Russian muster rolls , they havo lost 50 , 000 by war and eickneaa during this campaign . The chief newe , however , from tho seat of war ia the projected occupation of Wallochia by tho

      Auatrians . A telegraphic despatch from Vienna , states that the entrance of Austrian troops into Wallachia is decided . Count Coronini , with a first division followed by a second , has orders to keep himself in readiness to descend the Danube as far as Giurgevo . M . de Bruck has been ordered to put himself in communication with the Porte , and come to an understanding respecting the political and military combinations that will ensue from the movement of the Austrian army . Colonel Ealik sets out for the head-quarters of Omer Pacha , and has orders to communicate with the commanders of the French and English troops .

      The Austrian army on the frontier , numbering 300 , 000 men , has been placed under a new command , that of General Hess , noted for his anti-Russiau views . The Archduke Albert will command the South-eastern , and General Schlickthe North-eastern corps , as second in command to Baron Hess . Reports from Asia state that the army at Kars musters 25 , 000 men , and is now in a position to assume the offensive . This we doubt . Schamyl is said to be advancing upon Tiflis with 33 , 000 men .

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      The news from Russia is of considerable interest—a letter from St . Petersburg of the 17 th , in the Post-Ampt Gazette , says , that" the bad news from the theatre of war—several generals wounded , Prince Paskiewitch having received a contusion which has obliged him to give up the command , and . to retire to Jassy—has produced a profound impression on the Emperor and his suite . His Majesty , when he seceived it , was in thti square in which military exercises take place , inspecting some fortified works which had just been terminated ; but he immediately returned to the palace , »» d convoked the Minister of War and such princes of the Imperial family as are of full age . After a long conference with him these personages withdrew and Count Nesselrode was summoned . The Emperor wrote an autograph letter to

      Piince Paskiewitch , to express bis regret at what had happened , and to inquire after , his health . It is still very doubtful that the chief command will be left to Prince GortschakoiF The blockade of tho coasts of the Baltic and the Black Sea may be said to have nearly destroyed the ordinary navigation ; aad the importance of the damage done may be judged from the fact that , in 1852 the number of vessels with cargoes which entered the Baltic ports was 3800 , and of those wEieh left nearly the same ; whilst in the Black Sea there entered 2600 vessels . The united tonnage in both seas was about 1 , 500 , 000 . Another letter says that : — "In higher circles it is the question of unfavourable news which has been received from the Danubian army . In spite of the bravery of our troops , no impression can be made on Silistria , and the reports of

      Prince Paskiewitsch are gloomier than ever . Anotlber unpleasant symptom is the present impudent behaviour of tho Wallachians , who not long since were so cringing . The Emperor and the Grand Dukes are indefatigable , and continually on journeys of inspection . " The feeling or dejection which begins to prevail here is increased by rumours of new misunderstandings bctwesn two brothers of high rank , whose quarrels have until now been checked by 1 lie powerful influence of their reverad father . People oven speak of a most important document which one of the two Princes has deposited in the archives of the Senate .

      " ¦ In several of the south and west governments of Russia transportable provision magazines' are being formed . Great exertions are being made to accelerate the movements of the troops to the south and west . " The Emperor Nicholas , go runs tbe report , is about to visit Kief , so that ho may be near the seat of war .

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      It appears that the King of Prussia , in his recent tour along tine frontier , had some thoughts that his beloved brother , Nicholas , would grant him an interview . Nicholas , however , did not come , but sent an aide-de-camp , Gener al Griinewaldo , who carried compliments and nothing mor <; . They met for a brief space at Gumbinnon . Some evidence of Prussian popular feeling was shown at Dantzic on tho 18 tli , when the Prince of Prussia reviewed a body of infantry there . The flaga of Austria , Prussia , France , and England w « ro displayed , but tho absence of the Russian flag was remarked by all . Tho reply of tho Emperor of Russia to tluo Austrian summons has not been received , according to tlia moat authentic accounts ; but its reception haa been rumoured ( it Vienna .

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      " Orders , " says the Momteur , " havo just > oen sent to tho coinmnndeiH of tho allied squadrons in tho White Sen to establish from 1 st August next an effective blockade of tho Russian porta in tbut acn . Tho blockade haa hitherto boon dolnyed , in order to leave time for traders to terminate tho operations they might havo commenced before tho declaration of war . "

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      The MonUeuroV Saturday announced that tho resignation of M . do Potaijniy , us Minister of tho Interior , was accepted . Ho m named Grand OHicor of tho Logion of Honour , aiul tho Emperor lias oxpreaued hia rogrot in ft lottor to M . do I oraiguy tlmt ho liua declined to accept tho position of n Mmstor without a portfolio . M . do Billault , Preaidont of tlio Legislative llo < ly ^ succeeds to t )» o Minis t ry ol" tlio Intenor . Tlio tiinpci'or ' q cnemiea affect to think thia appointment inconuiatont with the present entente cordiak between fcngmnd n » d Franco , M . Uillnult luring been remnrkud for lib nnU-Aiiglicwii wpirit when ia opposition to M . Guizot . On the whole , M . Jttlllault luia hithwto been more generally on tho Liberal aido tlnut othorwiao , but hia convietioiiH , oilhor one way or other , aro not , aupponod to bo very utronu ; . Ho iu admitted by ull to bo a clover noun and a good udini-

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      6 D 8 THE LEADER . [ Saturday ,

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), July 1, 1854, page 608, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2045/page/8/