On this page

• Text (2)

  Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

  • 

    Untitled Article

  • 

    Untitled Article

• Transcript

  • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

    Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

    Untitled Article

    Another glimpse of Fox : — I saw Lunardi make the first ascent in a balloon which , had been witnessed in England . It was from the Artillery ground . Fox was there with his brother General F . The crowd was immense . Fox , happening to put his hand down to his watch , found another hand -upon it , which he immediately seized . " My friend , " eaid he to the owner of the strange hand , " you have chosen an occupation which . .. will be your ruin at last . "— " O , Mr . Fox , " was the reply , " forgive me , and let me go ! I hare been driven to this course by necessity alone ; my wife and children are star-ring at home . " ! Fox , always tender-hearted , slipped a guinea into the hand , and then released it . On the conclusion of the show , Fox was proceeding to look what o ' clock it was . " Good God , " cried he , " nay watch is gone I "— " Yes , ' * answered General F ., "I know it is ; I saw your friend take it . ' . '— " Saw him take it ! and you made no attempt to stop him ?"—' Really , you and he appeared to be on such good terms with each other , that I did not choose to interfere . "

    Chesterfield certainly ought not to be robbed of two such witticisms as these : — Witticisms are often attributed to the wrong people . It was Lord Chesterfield , not Sheridan , who said , on occasion of a certain marriage , that " Nobody ' s son had married Everybody ' s daughter . " Lord Chesterfield remarked of two persons dancing a minuet , that " they looked as if they were hired to do it , and were doubtful of being paid . " I once observed to a Scotch lady , " how desirable it was in any danger to have presence ofmind J" "I had rather , " she rejoined , " have absence of body . " With the next anecdote we must cease quoting—for this week at least : — I have several times stayed at Oatlands with the Duke and Duchess of Yorkboth of them most amiable and agreeable persons . We were generally a company of about fifteen ; and our being invited to remain there " another day" sometimes

    depended on the ability of our royal host and hostess to raise sufficient money for our entei-tainment . "We used to have all sorts of ridiculous " fun" as we roamed about-the grounds . The Duchess kept ( besides a number of dogs for which there was a regular burial-place ) a collection of monkeys , each of which had its own . poles with a house at top . One of the visitors ( whose na . rue I forget ) would sing le out a particular monkey , and play to it on the fiddle with , such fury and perseverance , that the poor animal , half distracted , would at last take refxige in the arms of Lord Alvanley . —Monk Lewis was a great favourite at Oatlands . One day . after dinner , as the Duchess was leaving the room , she whispered something into Lewis's ear . He was much affected , his eyes . filling with tears . We asked what was -the matter . "Oh , " replied Lewis , " the Duchess spoke so very kindly to me !"— "My dear fellow , " said Colonel Armstrong , " pray don't cry ; I daresay she didn ' t mean it . " < f Next week we may call upon , the volume for some more good things .

    Untitled Article

    the Seven Years' War , on the official account of Golz's mission , and on the memoirs of Baron Tott . From the dramatic incident which occupies the first chapter , his story presents an unbroken series of anecdotes and pictures , of historical as well as of romantic interest . History , indeed , supplies few events more curious than those connected with Lieutenant Golz's mission . The Prussian King determined to engage the Tartar hordes , ruled by Krim-Girai , in a descent upon Russia , and then to draw the Porte by the prospect of territorial advantage into a military alliance . " While accepting

    the aid of the sixteen thousand Tartars , to be commanded by the Khan himself , he also desired another corps for the invasion of Hungary—and a third to inarch with Golz through Poland , along the foot of the Carpathians , to Kosel . Entrusted with this important commission Golz travelled with the barber as far as the Dneister , where , falling iLL , he was compelled to allow him to proceed alone . Rising from his bed , after a fortnight of sickening fever , he was informed that a splendid sledge with a tent-like cover , and a turbaned and bearded Tartar in the seat , waiting his pleasure . This was the royal carriage of the Crimea , and in . it Golz was driven , along wild and

    dreary roads , across tie salt plains , through the narrow gate of Perekop , out of the dismal region of the steppes , into the bright and soft climate of the peninsula . Flocks of cranes and storks were seen . in the sky , swans on the lakes , tulips and hyacinths in the garden . The road lay through a continuity of valleys , connected by ravines with Tartar villages built on the terraced rocks until the spires of Simpheropol came in view . Thence to Bakschi-Serai the surface was sprinkled with ruins , temples , towers , aqueducts , palaces , memorials of a decayed civilisation . Crossing the vale of the Altna—perfumed by a peculiar grass—he entered the capital one evening after dark . In this city all he saw ., and all he met , appeared to be parts of a strange world . The houses , each situated in a small garden , ascended in terraced lines on both sides of the valley , the lowest range beine

    composed of shops and bazaars , high minarets and domes of the mosques intervening with avenues of the Lombardy poplar . At the head of the main street , a bridge led to the ancient palace of the Khan , composed of buildings in immense groups , decorated with the utmost richness and elaboration . There were inscriptions and paintings over all the doors , fountains in all the courts , gorgeous and fantastic mosaics as the floors . Inside , in the great halls , the pavement was inlaid with Turkish characters in gold , the little saloons lined with Turkey carpets , glittered with silver , gold > and crystal ; and the dignitaries of the realm displayed all the ostentation of a proud and luxurious people . The Khan himself , imposing , jovial , and munificent , proved a keen diplomatist . For some time Golz remained at Bakschi-Serai , obtaining occasional interviews , but no decision . Every day a train of slaves brought

    A MISSION TO THE CRIMEA . Krim-Girai , Khan of the Crimea . Translated from the German of Theodore Mundt , by the Hon . W . G . C . Eliot . Murrav . FHEDERiqK the Greatwas encamped with his army at Strehlen . He had been defeated at Schneiditz ; his Pomeranian fortresses were besieged . The Russians , victorious in one part of Europe , encouraged the Austrians , victorious in another . For many weeks the king ' s fortunes had heen disastrous ; for once his plans seemed confused . It was at this crisis that—in October , 1761—the rumour spread in Strehlen that ambassadors had arrived from the xkuuiI of the Crimea to propose a league between Prussia and the powers of Tartary against Russia . This surprising announcement had not long been discussed , when a procession of persons , fantastically dressed , with Oriental flags and symbols , appeared , entering the camp . The King ' s aides-de-camp hastened to meet them . They desired to be conducted to Frederick , the

    wamor-monavcli , renowned in the east and west . Frederick was then residing in a farm-house at Woselnitz ; and the ambassadors were speedily introduced . He looked curiously at their caftans , their beards , and their robes ; but his gravity repressed the satire of the high officers around , who smiled in half-concealed derision at the barbaric embassy . The King invited the most richly-dressed of his visitors , who stood in advance of the rest , to be seated , and to declare the objects of his mission . With a hold and sonorous voice , the ambassador complied . First recounting the glories that shone round the name of the great King Frederick , he said , that he came from the wise and mighty Krim-Girai , Khan of the Crimea , and of all European Tartars . That his own name was Mustapha Aga ; that he was the Khan ' s barber ; and that , having gained in that post the confidence of his master , he had been deputed by him on a mission of friendship and alliance with " the Hero-King of Prussia . "

    At this point Frederick ' s generals yearned to laugh ; and Frederick himself smiled , but not in satire . He turned to his staff , and gravely remarked that to be a barber and , at the same time , a diplomatist , was by no means astonishing , since , in the East , nobility , or personal rank , did not exist , political and social dignity being conferred by the favour of the sovereign alone . If , then , a man was worthy to shave his master , and to bring a razor into proximity with a royal throat , ho was certainly qualified for a confidential mission . Upon the utterance of this politic speech Mustapha Aga drew forth an emblazoned document bearing the great seal , and , kneeling , offered it to the King . " After compliments , " as the blue-books say , the Khan of the Crimea

    proposed tor a consideration to make war on Russia with sixteen thousand men . Sixteen thousand trained Tartars , led by the descendant of Genghis Khan , would be no despicable auxiliaries . Frederick , therefore , accepted the proposal . He hud known Krim-Girai when only Scraskier of the Bukschkoi Tartars , and was sensible that a great impression might be made by an invasion of Russia from the Crimea . Suspicions , indeed , flashed into his mind when he considered that Mustapha Aga , in spite of his Eastern costume , spoko the German language , and that the enemy might have sent him as a . spy m the character of an ambassador . However , he was satisfied with deputing Baron Alexander Golz , a Prussian officer only twenty-two years of age , to attend and watoh his Tartar Excellency with the utmost vigilance and civility . 1 he barber was sumptuously lodged and entertained , loaded with gifts , and finally tusmissed , rejoicing in spirit to boar rich presents and a tnentl y rojjly to " the mighty Khan . " Golz accompanied him , armed v aywTOirtMJ powcra , and thus flouriahed the relations of Frederick William 01 Prussia and Kxim-Girai of the Crimea . Theodore Mundt , whose singular narrative lias been translated with case ana elegance by Mr . Eliot , lias relied for the materials on various histories of

    him , from the palace , in salvers and vases , a sumptuous plenitude of pilaws , cakes , sweetmeats , fruits , and all the luscious and dainty things allowable to pious Tartars ; Ala-ddin was not more superbly served . Meanwhile , he lived at the house of Boskamp , a ruined . Dutch student of theology , who had been once a cornet of Austrian hussars , then an English spy , then a German courier , and then the King of Prussia ' s agent in the Crimea . Boskamp was vain , impertinent , and intriguing , and as he suspected that Golz ' s presence at the capital interfered with his own importance , he worked sedulously at least to procure the Prussian officer ' s dismissal . Having given , to the Khan his reasons wliy Golz should leave Bakschi-Serai , he gave to Golz certain reasons for leaving the Khan . Among other things , he disclosed the fact that Krim-Girai was jealous of him , Boskamp , on account of a lovely Tartar , whom he would now show to his particular friend , the Lieutenant : —

    At these words , stepping out into the entrance-hall , he clapped has hands three times , and called out a few words in the Tartar language , whereupon immediately the light tread of a woman was heard above . Soon , with , an ea 3 y , graceful movement , a slender figure descended the steps ; and Golz beheld , to his great surprise , beauty which until now he had only found described in Eastern tales and poems . The fair one wore a short close-fitting garment , confined round the hip 3 by a gold and silver embroidered girdle , fastened by two large silver clasps ; wide trousers were confined at her well-turned ankles , and boots of yellow morocco covered her beautiful feet . Her face , on which shone innocence , peaeefulness , and artlessness , -was , as well as her throat , of dazzling white ; her eyes were dark and languishing ; and her glossy black hair fell in thickly-plaited braids over her shoulders .

    On the crown of laer head was placed a little red cap , adorned with small Turkish silver coina , which heightened in a most agreeable manner the air of liveliness and coquetry with which this Tartar girl approached . Here is an example of the incidents contained in this book , and of the style in which they are narrated . Boskamp being successful , Golz was sent to Jassy , to treat at a distance with the Khan , Here he heard that Elizabeth of Russia had died , that Peter the Third had succeeded her , that he was inclined to peace , and that Frederick would make war upon Austria alone . When , therefore , at last , Kritn-Girai left his capital , with an army of Tartars , it was to invade the Austrian territories—not the Russian . Avoiding the political intricacies of the sequel we will divulge to the render that there was a story connected with the girl in the morocco boots , with save * coins in her froim rivate had

    hair . Seineb was her name . Krim-Girai , a p impulse , forbidden his favourite , Boskamp , to possess Seineb , but , as Boskamp carried her with the army to the city ot Kawschany , and as Krim-Girai was of the type of that imperial Paul Pry , the great Alraschid , a catastrophe happened : —• Krim-Qhai was in tire habit of taking walks nt night alone , sometimes in disguise . As he passed ouo evening through a street of Kawschany lua attention waa attracted by loud laughtorand the noiso of mirth , wad ho stopped before the houso from which tlio sounds issued . Soon was heard the sweet voice of a woman , singing , with the moat touohing and oharintng expression , a Tartar song to the Houad of tlio guitar , and Kriin-dirai , who was ready for every land of adventure , could not refrain from climbing on the balcony of the house and taking a poop through the half covered windows . What ho saw suflleod to iuflamo his auger beyond all bounds , and ho with difficulty restrained it from immediately bursting forth .

    The Khan of the Crimea continued peeping : — Tho beautiful Tartar appeared more lovely than over in the joyous company in which oho now was with hor Prusnian friend . She wore a black and rod embroi-

    Untitled Article

    February 16 , 1856 . ] THE LEADER . j ^

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Feb. 16, 1856, page 161, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2128/page/17/