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Leader (1850-1860), 21st April 1855, Edition 1 of 2, Page 366, Untitled Article

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      of eacltofi t * e maritime pwwew , Fsanee * England and furkx * . Sw& a cwnsing squadron wOuM suffice to occupy toe . BIack Sea , aad to transplant ii » domiiudiioi * from the shores of-the Orinaea to the entrance of the Bosphoms . "

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      THE VIENNA CONFERENCES . Another week has past ; and yet we have no certain information with respect to the doings of the Confereaee at Vienna . Last Saturday , the Times startled its readers , and disarranged the money market , by a telegraphic message to tire effect that there was a serious difference between the Allies and Austria ; but although this turns out not to be the case , the assertion that Austria will not go the same length as England and France , and refuses to be a party to the destruction of Sebastopol , has

      reappeared so prominently this week , and has been repeated through so many channels , that a feeling of uneasiness has been engendered . It is added by some that England and France are inclined to waver in their demands . However , we have heard this before without any confirmation following ; . and it may prove a baseless rumour . In the meanwhile , Sir Geonge Grey announces in the House of Commons thereturn of Lord John on the 27 th or 28 th ; Russia fences ,. but will not yield on the Third Point ; and the end of the Conferences would seem to be at hand .

      Russia , it is said , has offered a counter proposition , namely , that the Euxine be reconstituted a closed sea , the Czar and the Sultan maintaining an equal number of ships therein . A report current at Berlin says , that Russia , while refusing to accede to the Third Point , has offered to pledge herself , by a separate treaty with Austria on the first two Points ; but that the Cabinet of Vienna has positively rejected the proposition . The O est Deutsch Post , however , thinks that the counter propositions of Russia will be of a nature to be accepted ; and the Debate astounds the world by the suggestion that , after all , no ultimatum has been dfiered by the Allies . But all these rumours must be very jealously received .

      We have intelligence of the arrival at Vienna of the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs , and of his reception by the Emperor . The following passage from a letter from Constantinople of the 29 th ult ., in the Courrier de Marseille , publishes what are alleged to be his instructions : — " A grand council was held here the day before yesterday , at the residence of ltifaat Pacha ., in order to decide on the instructions to be given to AH Pacha . The French , English , and Austrian Ambassadors were present . The following are the principal points which were decided on , particularly as concerns Turkey : —1 . The Sultan does not admit , under any pretence , or under any form , the protectorate powers , neither will the Porte

      consent , unless compelled so to do , to the common protectorate of the Danubian" provinces . —2 . Turkey is ready to abandon , her claim to an indemnity for the expenses " of thewar , if" that point should be an obstacle to the conclusion of peace . In any other case she maintains her right to claim an indemnity . — 3 . Turkey Is resolved not to give her consent to the establishment of a European arsenal , on any part whatever of her territory- —Such are the instructions given . On every question agitated , Ali Pacha is to refer to his Government , and the resolutions of Turkey will not become definite until they have been approved of by the Sultan . The embassy of Ali will be on a most princely scale . Ho has in hia suite six secretaries , a numerous staff of oflioera . and intendants , and eighteen : servants . "

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      THE IMPERIAL VISIT . The visit of the Emperor and Empreas of the French has been the great event of the week ; eclipsing Parliament , throwing the Crimea into the shade , completely extinguishing any interest , which might otherwise have lingered , in the stammering , mumbling " news" from Vienna , that will keep on chattering , though its talk may amount to nothing , and . altogether throwing sober England into a state of holiday excitement . The columns of the daily newspapers during the past week suddenly became radiant with the record of purple velvet and gold , crimson satin and ditto , gilded mirrors , magnificent carpets , lace curtains , embroidery , marqueterie , &c , to say nothing of military pageants and stately processions , so that to read the morning journals was as good as seeing an Easter show piece . From these resplendent details , we proceed to make some selections .

      TUE PHEPAKAXIOMS . Dover on Sunday presented a very animated appearance . A great number of visitors arrived from Franco ; and several English ladies and gentlemen , of high rank , besides those of humbler station , helped , to . flll the town , and give it a gay arid unusual appearance . Sir Robert Peel arrived early , and shortlje after went on board the Black Ewglc , accompanied by hi * secretary , who unfortunately mot with , an accident in getting on board . leaving aUpp « d » . lie would have lulleu into tho water , but hia

      ifall was arrested by the grasp of a sailor ; who , howiever , saysd , his life art the expense of dislocating his ! shoulder . The Lord Warden Hotel , at which the Emperor and Empress rested on their arrival , was entirely remodelled and fitted up for the occasion . From Wednesday morning to Saturday morning was all the time allowed for this task ; but it appears to have been admirably executed . We derive the following account of the decorations and arrangements ¦ from a contemporary .: — " Prince Albert ' s bedroom was onithe right hand of the great western corridor , next the grand staircase , and was massively and handsomely furnished in mahogany and velvet . The whole suite of rooms right and left of the

      western corridor , from his royal highness ' s apartments to the sea front of the hotel , were appropriated to the different members of the suite . The three grand state rooms overlooking the sea , and forming the whole front of the hotel on that side , were entirely refurnished with a suite of richly-carved walnut , inlaid with marqueterie , and mounted with ormolu ; the chairs , settees , lounges , and centre pieces being covered with crimson satin trimmed with gold . The first room entering from Prince Albert ' s side of the establishment was appropriated to his royal highness ' s own use , and was fitted as an elegant drawing-room . Next to it is the centre room of the suite , which was fitted as a saloon ; and beyond is the drawing-room appropriated to the Emperor and Empress of the Frenob . The tables in these rooms were of various elegant shapes—the writing-tables especially , which were covered with crimson morocco" leather ,

      elaborately gilt , while the greatest care was taken to match everything , even to the blotting books , which were identical with the tops of the various tables on which they lay . The rich velvet sofa , Axminster carpets , and table covers were also exact matches , and the lace curtains were of the richest embroidery . These three rooms were so arranged , that , the sliding doors being drawn together * , each was a complete aad detached chamber in itself . Next to the state rooms , on the right side of the east corridor , was the dressing-room of the Empress , which was superbly furnished en suite with the state rooms , with the addition of the toilet , which was shaped and covered with crimson satin overlaid with lace ^ the flounce being of pure MechlinT The mirrors were richly gilt and elaborately carved . The Emperor ' s dressing-room was also en suite , the furniture being of fine carved-walnut , with crimson satin coverings trimmed with gold . " .

      At Windsor there was great stir and bustle through the whole of Saturday . Sixteen saddle horses for the use of the Emperor and Empress arrived . A company of Rifles , 160 rank and file of the Foot Guards ( made up from what remains of the battalions of the three regiments ) , and seventy of the metropolitan police , took up their station in the town . Immediately after twelve o ' clock on Sunday night , the workmen employed in the construction of the triumphal arches recommenced their labours ; and the chief of these—that in Castle-street—lias been thus described : —

      «« The ~ structure was 40 feet wide and 50 feet . high , divided into three parts , the centre arch being 35 feet high , and 20 feet wide . There was an arch on each side 14 feet high and ' G feet wide , for the accommodation of foot passengers . The panels were filled , in with insignia of the Orders of the Garter and the Thistle . The upper portion was formed of -wreath and scroll , supporting the Imperial Crown and Eagle of France , and was decorated ¦ with standards of England , France , Turkey , and Sari dinia , the spaces being filled in with crescents . In the centre was a wreath and riband , with the word ' Welcome' written on the latter . The whol « of the arch was decorated with variegated lamps and evergreens . Tho arch at tho entrance to the Great Western Railway Station was smaller , but equally beautiful . "

      The luggage belonging to tho Imperial visitors arrived by the South-Westorn Railway on Sunday evening , under the charge of two couriers . The packages occupied six of the Imperial vans , which were conveyed to the Castle by post-horses . The directors of tho Crystal Palace , in anticipation of the visit of Friday , caused a suite of reception rooms to ho made . These rooms consisted of one large saloon , apartments for the suite , and dressingrooms , furnished with every kind of toilette luxury , for tho ladies . The decorations have been made in the style of tho Renaissance period , with a great amount of gold and colour relieved by a dark chocolate ground .

      THE ARRIVAL ,. Tho proceedings of Monday commenced with the presentation , by tho Mayor and Corporation of Dover , of an address to Prince Albert , cxpressivo of the loyalty of the said Mayor and Corporation , the sorrow they felt at tho existence of war , and the joy they felt at the approaching visit . Princo Albert having made a brief ronly , echoing those sentiments , ana thanking Messrs . tho Mayor , Aldermen , and Burgesses for thoir address , there was a pause of anxious expectation . Tho weathur was by no means fnvourablo ; for a thick fog crept over the Channel , and ovory moment waxed in density . " Tho licet of war steamers in tho oiling ( says tuo

      Timt 3 \ the . fine outlines of the chalk elife , thft castfo and batteries , were all alike concealedin . its misty foifi , Tlie danger of-navigating the Channel , crow < ied -with shipping , in . such , weather was , of coarse , obvious to every oae , and fears began to be entertained that some change m . the programme of the day ' s proceedings mjgjjt be-necessary . Speedily , however , " it was ascertained that at half-past 9 o ' clock the Imperial visitors had , left Calais in the Pelican , screw-steamer , the sk y being thew

      quite clear . Then began from every pierhead a ringing of bells as indefatigable as if it had been Sunday , -wii ^ at intervals from the batteries on shore and afloat came the muffled boom of the signal guns . Meanwhile the approach from the landing-stage to the Lord Warden Hotel had been lined with detachments of the Roys ! Bucks Militia , the North Lincolnshire , and the Kent Mounted Rifles . The band of the first-mentioned corps occupied the top of the landing-stage itself , and hi the course of the forenoon played with much spirit . "

      At 20 minutes past 11 o ' clock , the royal salute broke forth , first from the fleet and then from the batteries on the heights . Prince Albert and his suite , together with Count "Walewski and the secretaries of the Embassy , hastened down to the point of debarkation ; and the public excitement was at fever height . Minute after minute passed , however , and the Imperial visitors did not arrive . It was then discovered that the fleet had fired the salute in mistake , upon seeing some ships passing through the Channel . Fears began to be entertained that some accident had befallen the expected vessel , the Pelican : but suddenly she appeared within a hundred

      yards of the landing-place , preceded on her way by the Empress mail-packet , and carrying the English flag at the fore , the Imperial standard at the mahimast , and the tricolour on the staff at the poop . The bands immediately struck up " Partant pour la Syrie ; " the Emperor and Prince saluted each other ; the troops presented arms ; and the crowds on shore and in the boats cheered loudly . The Emperor wore the uniform of a General of Division ; and the Empress was dressed in a tartan . The Pelican was at least an hour and a half behind time ; and it appears that the voyage was not accomplished without serious peril . ~

      " The Imperial yacht ( says the Times ) left Calais under the experienced charge of Captain Smithett , as pilot , but had not advanced far when she became enveloped in the fog . Though preceded at two cables' length by the Empress mail packet , and progressing at less than half speed , she had a narrow escape of running on shore at the South Forelaud , the high cliffs of which were happily distinguished in time to avoid the consequences . A fine corvette of the French navy , -which accompanied them , had a still more narrow escape . " The Austevlitz , French line-of-battle ship ,, actually did run ashore off the South Foreland ; but assistance was speedily sent , and she was towed off .

      Having arrived at the Lord Warden Hotel , and par taken of lunch , the Emperor and Empress received the Mayor and Corporation of Dover . The addTessrread by the-Recorderv set forth . in the usual language the honour felt by the Corporation at the landing of their Majesties at Dover , and the hope which the citizens entertained that the visit would knit still closer the union between France and England . To this address , the Emperor replied , in a slightly foreign accent , but with great facility , as follows : —

      " I am exceedingly grateful that your Queen has allowed me to find such an occasion to pay my respect ? to her and to show rny sentiments of esteem and sympathy for the English people . I hope that the two nations will be always united in peace and in war , for I am convinced that it will be for the welfare of the -whole world and for their own prosperity . I am exceedingly grateful to you for the sentiments you have expressed towards myaelf and the Empress , and I hope you -will be the interpreter of my sentiments and hers to your countrymen . "

      Their Majesties , accompanied by Prince Albert , then departed by train , and reached the Bricklayers Arms terminus by 5 o ' clock , p . m . From thence , tne route to the terminus of the . Great Western lay through tho Kent and Westminster-roads , over Westminster Bridge , through P arliament-street . Whitehall , Charing-cross , Pall-mall , St . Jnmua-strecr , Piccadilly , Ilydo Park , and by Victoria Gate anu Eastbourne-terrace . Very few flags were to bo scui along this line ; but a large crowd of cou f ° ° . ' looted , and the weather , which had now become bright , hot , and summer-liko , added to the 1 ven nest of . the scene . Tho narrative from which w have already quoted thus proceeds : — .

      " Everywhere along tho extended route the <» ' " > astic welcomes of tho multitude greeted tho Einpcior Ky the humbler inhabitants of tho Horough ami u " both ho was received with even greater cordm « tf ™" by tho wealthier clusaea of tho community nt u «¦¦ '' end ; , yet nowhero waa there any lack ol hoMiy b feeling and interest . Tho window * , tho puyon untj balconies , tho liouaotope , and , every » I ? V n , ^ mS » , a commanding viow could bo obtained of tho piocosawn ,

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      gfgg THE L 1 AD 1 R . [ SAicujuiAa : ,

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), April 21, 1855, page 366, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2087/page/6/