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¶ 1 Leave a comment on paragraph 1 0 482
¶ 2 Leave a comment on paragraph 2 0 THE ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS
¶ 3 Leave a comment on paragraph 3 0 [June 18, 1853.
¶ 4 Leave a comment on paragraph 4 0 as the marvel-monger ? And the marvel-mongers are a numerous tribe. It does not astonish them to hear that the spirits of the mighty dead are at the beck and call of any one of the gentler sex who chooses to establish herself as a “ medium.” It pleases them to think that Adam himself, the venerable father of the human race, will respond to a duly qualified practitioner in petticoats, and make his presence known by rapping upon a table. Although the spirits, summoned by different “ media” contradict themselves; although one class of spirits anathematizes the Protestants, and another hurls the Roman Catholics to damnation; although one “medium” called up Lemuel Gulliver as a veritable spirit, and another Allowed her mahogany to be rapped by a spirit, calling itself the Baron Munchausen ; although the spirits that rap for Mrs. A. stigmatise as impostors the spirits that rap for Mrs. B.; although the spirits spell their responses, and sometimes make woful blunders in their orthography; and although the sum total of the spirit revelations as yet recorded amount to nonsense, or to nothing, the spirit rappings of our day have crowds of enthusiastic believers. Contradictions, meannesses, blasphemies, impossibilities – all are believed, all are gulped by a voracious credulity, that
¶ 5 Leave a comment on paragraph 5 0 may sometimes be fatigued, but that never can be satiated. Witnesses of the most extraordinary statements are never found wanting. A proof is always at command, and the loosest evidence reported at second-hand, and, in all probability, perverted or exaggerated, is amply sufficient to satisfy those who have made up their minds to believe.
¶ 6 Leave a comment on paragraph 6 1 The philosophic observer is not astonished at this result. Nothing is so little understood as the laws of evidence. Every barrister and attorney in the kingdom knows how difficult it is to hunt out and to capture that shy and retiring creature, a veritable Eact. The mass of mankind are so apt to believe that no one tells an untruth except from pecuniary and interested motives, that if the honesty and purity of a witness be undisputed, his testimony is held to be unassailable. In countless instances the wish to believe is the father of conviction. The credulous believe, because they are credulous. The honest believe, because they do not reflect that honesty itself can be misguided, and that erroneous evidence may be given by the innocent and the disinterested. The unthinking believe, because of their incapacity for thinking, or because they have not the faintest comprehension of the philosophy of proof, and have neither the means nor the will for detecting errors; and because they are content to take upon trust the statements which are dinned into their ears by the self-deluded on the one hand, or by the designing upon the other. Let not Absurdity be ashamed of itself: it will always find good company to keep it in countenance. The lion on the top of Northumberland House did actually wag its tail!—and will wag it again if one man has a will potent enough to induce ten other men to believe that it did so. The ten men will prove it, each to the satisfaction of the other, and will gain thousands of adherents—-especially if they attempt to explain it by magnetism, or electricity, or the agency of spirits. Another fact as wonderful as the spirit-rappings will thus be added to the mystical history of the nineteenth century. As for the lion himself, it is to be hoped that the Duke of Northumberland will take care of him. Who knows but what he may become as good a “ medium ” as any that have been sent to us by our friends on the other side of the Atlantic ?
¶ 7 Leave a comment on paragraph 7 0 HOUGOUMONT.
¶ 8 Leave a comment on paragraph 8 0 THE FIRST—LAST MEETING.
¶ 9 Leave a comment on paragraph 9 0 “At a quarter to eleven (June 17) the French second corps advanced in close columns against Hougoumont, and the battle commenced. The efforts were repeated to carry this important port, only to be bloodily repulsed, and the resistance of the Guards was heroic. At last, despairing of success, the French artillery opened with shells upon the house—the old tower of Hougoumont was quickly in a blaze—the fire reached the chapel, and many of the wounded, both assailants and defenders, there perished miserably. Though the flames raged above, shells burst around, and shot ploughed through the shattered walls and windows, the Guards nobly held the place, and Hougoumont remained untaken.”—Maxwell.
¶ 10 Leave a comment on paragraph 10 0 There, as we stand, a little further on,
¶ 11 Leave a comment on paragraph 11 0 Where Hougoumont had rolled the battle back— Not yet the glory of their eagles gone—
¶ 12 Leave a comment on paragraph 12 0 The Old Guard thundered to their last attack,
¶ 13 Leave a comment on paragraph 13 0 And first defeat, and final overthrow,
¶ 14 Leave a comment on paragraph 14 0 And field of doom, and close of long career:— These walls remember, and these ruins know, What sentence from on High was spoken here.
¶ 15 Leave a comment on paragraph 15 0 Sweetly the smiles of musing sunset fall
¶ 16 Leave a comment on paragraph 16 0 On homes of peace and toil’s secure rewards, Where battlemented fragments of a wall
¶ 17 Leave a comment on paragraph 17 0 Still mark the dreadful meeting of the Guards,
¶ 18 Leave a comment on paragraph 18 0 But once they met: and broken was his dream Who thought he saw upon the waves of war Reflections of an eldritch planet’s beam— Mystical flashes from a fated star.
¶ 19 Leave a comment on paragraph 19 0 But once met they who then each host arrayed— Rivals reserved for conflict from their birth—
¶ 20 Leave a comment on paragraph 20 0 But once they met—and shivered was the blade Which long had waved its terrors o’er the earth.
¶ 21 Leave a comment on paragraph 21 0 Where whole battalions found a sudden grave, And sank together to their bloody rest, Peace broods full-breathing, yellow corn-fields wave, And silent shadows creep from out the west.
¶ 22 Leave a comment on paragraph 22 0 And other shades, more awful, hover round, And, haunting, visit the long summer here: Be that peace theirs they died for on this ground— They fought and conquered at this time of year.
¶ 23 Leave a comment on paragraph 23 0 June, 1853. Miles Gerald Keon.
¶ 24 Leave a comment on paragraph 24 0 New Facilities for Continental Travellers.—-The Customs authorities now allow the luggage of passengers from Paris, by the mail train, to be brought to London without examination at Dover, in order to prevent detention in the latter place. The passengers by the mail-packet have merely to point out their luggage at the railway station after landing at Dover, and take their places in the train for town. On arrival, the luggage van is run into the new Custom-house at London- bridge station, where officers from the Customs are in attendance, and where the examination is made. At present this facility is confined to the train leaving Paris at 7.30 p.m., the passengers by which arrive in London at 8.6 a.m. the following morning.
¶ 25 Leave a comment on paragraph 25 0 The Rebellion in China.—A curious statement is given in the New York papers concerning the rebellion in China. It appears that Commodore Aulic had just arrived, having been lately in command of the East India squadron, and being the bearer of despatches. This gentleman gives it as his opinion that the British ships of war would not assist the Emperor, even if called upon, as the foreigners in China are almost all in favour of the success of the rebels. The present Emperor is stated to have alienated the aflection of the people by his sensuality and addiction to opium, and his Cabinet also was unpopular and corrupt; moreover, the Commodore asserts that no assistance which could now be given would be of service, as the rebels are fast progressing towards Pekin, where a naval squadron could not approach. Finally, he anticipates, as we believe most people in England do, greater advantages, commercial and political, from the insurgents than from the reigning dynasty.
¶ 26 Leave a comment on paragraph 26 0 Ships and Tonnage.—On Wednesday a return printed showed that last year 17,819 sailing and steam-vessels were employed in the foreign and home trade of the United Kingdom. The tonnage was 3,380,884, and the crews, including masters, mates, and apprentices, numbered 177,982.
¶ 27 Leave a comment on paragraph 27 0 FOREIGN AND COLONIAL NEWS.
¶ 28 Leave a comment on paragraph 28 0 FRANCE.
¶ 29 Leave a comment on paragraph 29 0 (From our own Correspondent.)
¶ 30 Leave a comment on paragraph 30 0 Paris, Thursday.
¶ 31 Leave a comment on paragraph 31 0 The state of the Emperor’s health is a source of much uneasiness to those immediately about him; for, though not prevented by it from going about as usual, he suffers considerably from symptoms indicative of a condition that requires the utmost attention; while his constant attendance to the weighty cares which press on him, render impossible the repose which would go far to aid his recovery. Violent swelling of the legs and feet is one of the symptoms to which he is subject, and which causes him the most inconvenience: he still, however, appears in public as before; and has, of late, visited several of the theatres.
¶ 32 Leave a comment on paragraph 32 0 The Imperial household has, since the residence of the Court at St. Cloud, been temporarily placed on quite a different footing to what it was at the Tuileries, nearly all the officers and ladies composing it having received their conges; and the Emperor and Empress live in comparative retirement and simplicity. This arrangement is, we believe, in accordance with the earnest desire of the latter, on whom the etiquette kept up in Paris weighed most heavily.
¶ 33 Leave a comment on paragraph 33 0 A report that the Garde Nationale of Paris was about to be dissolved, has, for the last week, been going the rounds, and had at length gained such general credit that a formal contradiction of the rumour has been inserted in the Moniteur to destroy the impression.
¶ 34 Leave a comment on paragraph 34 0 Many fresh arrests, almost entirely among the Legitimist party, have been taking place within a few days. Under the present state of affairs, with regard to the possibility of the war with Russia, the members of this cause art viewed with peculiar suspicion ; and, as the maxim that prevention is better than cure is considered the wisest in such cases, these measures are adopted par precaution.
¶ 35 Leave a comment on paragraph 35 0 The Societe d’Horticulture de la Seine has just given a fresh exhibition of flowers in the Champs Elysees—the finest of the year, owing to the much greater variety of flowers the more advanced season affords ; the roses and geraniums were particularly brilliant. Our compatriots, Messrs. Standish and Noble, successful with several species of flowers, and won a number of prizes.
¶ 36 Leave a comment on paragraph 36 0 M. Sallandrouze de la Momaix, who so ably and successfully filled the. post confided to him at the Great Exhibition two years since, is about to proceed to New York on a most important mission of the same nature, entrusted to him by the Government which he is charged formally to represent: he is further instructed to examine and compare the productions of the various nations; to state in which France holds the superiority; where she is deficient, how such deficiency may be repaired ; and to ascertain by what means and in what points her commerce in that quarter of the globe may be beneficially extended. Every importance is to be given to the bearer of so grave and interesting a responsibility. The steamer La Heine Hortense, which last year was employed for the Ministre de la Marine and of the Emperor himself, is to be fitted up -with the greatest luxury for the beginning of July, when M. Sallandrouze takes his departure, and is to be under his orders during the whole of his stay in America, and until his return to France.
¶ 37 Leave a comment on paragraph 37 0 The success of ” Les Filles de Marbre ” at the Vaudeville continues unabated; and it is asserted that the result of the visit of Louis Napoleon to the theatre will be the bestowal of the croix d’honneur on M. Theodore Barriere.
¶ 38 Leave a comment on paragraph 38 0 The Emperor has granted to Mdlles. Corneille, descendants from the great writer, a pension of 2000f. from his private purse, on the occasion of the 247th anniversary of the tragedian’s birth.
¶ 39 Leave a comment on paragraph 39 0 The marriage of Mdlle. Madeline Brohan with M. Mario Huchard took place a few days since at the church of St. Roch, before a small circle of friends. The popular comedienne is not to quit the stage, but is expected shortly to make her re-appearance in the “ Misanthrope ” and the “ Jeux de 1’Amour et du Hasard.”
¶ 40 Leave a comment on paragraph 40 0 Report states that Thalberg, who is now at Milan, proposes to write a partition for the Opera Comique here; this news excites much interest in the musical world, and earnest hopes are expressed that it may be realised.
¶ 41 Leave a comment on paragraph 41 0 A little brochure, entitled “ Mdlle. Rachel, ses Succes ses Defauts,” has just made its appearance. What the result of such temerity on the part of the author, M. de Chambrun, may be, we pretend not to say; nor do any of the critics seem disposed to venture very freely on such dangerous ground; hitherto it seems to have been considered inadmissible to state—in print—that Mdlle. Rachel had or could have defauts; and we suspect M. de Chambrun would have done wiser, as far as the success of his book goes, to wait till time had brought its usual effects on a public almost always more or less ungrateful to its favourites.
¶ 42 Leave a comment on paragraph 42 0 M. de Kisseleff, the Russian Ambassador, had ah interview with Louis Napoleon on Wednesday morning. It is stated that he mentioned to his Majesty that the occupation of the Danubian provinces was not meant by Russia as an attack on the independence of Turkey. The Emperor was of opinion that the treaties did not authorise Russia to cross the Pruth, except under certain circumstances, which have not taken place.
¶ 43 Leave a comment on paragraph 43 0 A certain degree of activity is displayed in all the military ports of France. Detachments of marines, on their way to Toulon, pass almost daily through Paris. Orders have been issued to all seamen on leave of absence, whose term of service has not yet expired, to proceed forthwith to Brest, and to report themselves to the Port Admiral. This order has been executed at Havre. Orders were received at Honfleur on Saturday last to raise all the seamen disposable. This measure will include fathers having three children, and having served in the navy three years and nine months. Letters from Bayonne announce that orders were received there to raise 200 seamen. On the 10th, orders reached Brest to arm the steam-frigates La Pomone and Le Caffarelli, and the vessels L’Hercule and Le Duguesclin. Nothing is known of their destination.
¶ 44 Leave a comment on paragraph 44 0 The Bourse, which was comparatively firm on Tuesday, was agitated on Wednesday with various reports of an alarming character, which caused a serious decline in the prices of public securities. The Three per Cents opened at 78f., fell to 77f. 5c., and closed at 77f. 20c. for the end of the month. The Four-and-a-Half per Cents closed at l0lf. 60c.
¶ 45 Leave a comment on paragraph 45 0 AUSTRIA.
¶ 46 Leave a comment on paragraph 46 0 The King of Bavaria has arrived at Vienna. It is asserted that the Russian Ambassadors at Vienna and Berlin insist on Austria and Prussia discontinuing that passive part which they have up to the present played in the Oriental question.
¶ 47 Leave a comment on paragraph 47 0 BELGIUM.
¶ 48 Leave a comment on paragraph 48 0 The Belgian journals mention a report that negotiations are in progress for causing Belgium to join the Austro-German commercial union. The marriage of the Duke de Brabant and of the Archduchess Maria will not take place by proxy. The ceremony will be performed in the month of August, but the day has not yet been fixed.
¶ 49 Leave a comment on paragraph 49 0 The Chamber of Representatives of Belgium terminated its session on Saturday. Before breaking up, it voted a bill for allowing 518,000 fr. for a monument in honour of the National Congress, and 450,000 fr. for one to the late Queen. The Chamber expressed a wish that the column, which is to form a monument to the Congress, shall be surmounted by a statue of the King.
¶ 50 Leave a comment on paragraph 50 0 HOLLAND.
¶ 51 Leave a comment on paragraph 51 0 The King opened the session of the States General on Tuesday, in a speech which will be read with interest, in consequence of the change of Government and the recent agitation in Holland upon the subject of the alleged Papal aggravation. His Majesty’s speech was as follows:—
¶ 52 Leave a comment on paragraph 52 0 Gentlemen,—I was much affected, some time since, when thousands of my beloved subjects, fearing for their national interests, came to me and desired me to take measures to provide against the evils which they dreaded. Being deeply impressed with my obligations to protect all their interests and rights, I thought it better not to follow the advice given me by the advisers of the Crown. I felt that by following it I could not remove the great anxiety nor calm the excited feelings of my people. When the Ministers offered me their resignations, I accepted some of them, and replaced them by men who possessed my entire confidence; therefore, I felt myself bound to dissolve the Chambers, and to give an opportunity to the electors of expressing their feelings on the subject. Now with gratification I see myself surrounded by both Chambers of the States-General, and I was anxious, gentlemen, to open your Assembly myself. I am glad I can do this with satisfaction. We are on good terms with foreign powers. The development and welfare of the country are increasing. These are the favourable auspices under which the Legislative Body can recommence its labours. The difficulty, however, to which I adverted in the beginning, I am sorry to say, is not yet removed; I have tried to arrange it, as well by inviting explanations from those parties who have originated the dissension—I suppose involuntarily —as by taking measures to be carried out by ourselves. The Government are convinced that many of the difficulties can only be disposed of by a law. The sixth clause of the Charter assures equal rights to the religious associations; but it imposes also duties on Government, which cannot be fulfilled without the power of the law. It is my intention to request your co-operation in this matter; I shall do it with greater confidence, as I am sure that the spirit of moderation and quiet investigation so natural to our country will preside at your deliberations, and that it will be your serious desire, as it is mine, firmly to maintain the principle of religious tolerance which has belonged to our nation, and to avoid all that could cause discord and schism between the sons of the same country. In that way it will be possible to arrange so that the Government can give equal protection to all the religious associations, by which they can obtain security for liberty, and substantial solidity under the same reasonable and impartial law. 1 intend to bring before you, in this session, only those projects of law for your deliberation that require a speedy decision. I now declare the Assembly to be opened, and I conclude with wishing that Heaven’s wisdom may actuate and govern us, so that our efforts for the benefit of our beloved country may be characterised by order, peacefulness, and justice.
¶ 53 Leave a comment on paragraph 53 0 The King has just granted permission to the new Catholic prelates to accept the title of supernumerary Chamberlains conferred on them by the Pope, and to wear the insignia of that ecclesiastical dignity.
¶ 54 Leave a comment on paragraph 54 0 THREATENED HOSTILITIES BETWEEN RUSSIA AND TURKEY.
¶ 55 Leave a comment on paragraph 55 0 Since our last the actual position of the Eastern question has not been materially altered. We now know, from the statements of the British Government in Parliament, that the British as well as the French fleet is on its way to the Bay of Besika, in the vicinity of the Dardanelles. Couriers and diplomatic agents have been busy hurrying backward and forward between Western Europe and St. Petersburg: the course of events confirming the impression that the Russian forces will again occupy the Danubian Principalities. It would appear that official information of that determination has been communicated to the Courts of Vienna, Paris, and probably London, accompanied with the assurance that the Emperor Nicholas does not construe that act of aggression as a declaration of war with Turkey and the protecting Powers. He thus adroitly attempts to throw the resposibility of a rupture upon the Porte and her allies. The question is now narrowed to this single point:—Will the other powers of Europe regard the Russian invasion of Moldavia and Wallachia as a casus belli? According to present appearances they will not. That step would be a clear infraction of treaties which declare that the Pruth shall be the boundaries of the two empires. But, unfortunately, the Czar can plead precedent in his favour —these provinces having been occupied by his armies in 1848 ; and the following years—and upon that precedent he now bases a right to pursue the same course, under certain contingencies, which he asserts have now arisen. It is supposed that the Czar will defer any real negotiations with the Porte until the Russian armies are in possession of these provinces of the Ottoman empire, when European diplomacy, it is hoped, may accept the alternative of their permanent occupation by the Czar, which would be a further dismemberment of Turkey, or compliance with his demands respecting the Greek Church.
¶ 56 Leave a comment on paragraph 56 0 Letters from Constantinople of the 2nd instant are full of details relating to the great preparations for defence, of which the city and its environs are the theatre. They state that “ the Turks, indignant at the unjust pretensions of Russia, and conscious of the duties imposed on themselves for the maintenance of their dignity, are preparing for resistance with energy and enthusiasm.” The Bosphorus was covered with vessels of every size, transporting ammunition and troops to the camp of Buyukderi, which is now composed of 30,000 men, and the same activity was manifested in the arsenal of the Admiralty, where ten vessels were ready to sail. The population were working from daybreak to midnight, and the mahomes were laden with cannon and military stores of every kind. An ordinance was issued on the 28th May, prohibiting merchant vessels of 10,000 kilogrammes burden and upwards from quitting the port. The Turkish merchant service was furnishing its contingent of seamen, and Husseik Bey was charged with enrolling volunteers for the independent corps. Each volunteer is to receive sixty piastres per month during the whole period of his service; the pay of the Nizam is only twenty. The excitement of the population against Russia was at its height.
¶ 57 Leave a comment on paragraph 57 0 The quantity of gold put into circulation was very great. It proceeds, no doubt, from the treasure kept for extraordinary occasions like the present. All that was purchased for the service of the Porte was paid for in cash. Orders have been sent to the provinces to fill the magazines of the Government with wheat and Indian corn. The Egyptian fleet was awaited with much anxiety.
¶ 58 Leave a comment on paragraph 58 0 The force which the Turks can bring into the field is a subject on which there are conflicting opinions. Those who insist on the extreme feebleness of Turkey put forward statements representing her armies as composed of unwilling soldiers, badly disciplined, and badly armed. Those, on the contrary, who look more hopefully on Turkey, reckon her hosts by the hundred thousand, her artillery as efficient, and the readiness and courage of her soldiers as above the average. The French, English, and Prussian officers in the Turkish army are actively employed in taking measures of defence. One of them (Captain Jungmann) is placing the citadel of the Bosphorus in a state of defence. Admiral Slade is engaged in organising the fleet; he has not, however, as yet, been appointed to any command.
¶ 59 Leave a comment on paragraph 59 0 On the 30th of May, the Turkish fleet anchored at the entrance of the Black Sea : it consists of twenty-two sail. In the arsenal great progress was making in the armament of twelve corvettes and several frigates, which were to be ready for sea on the 2nd of June. Throughout the week 140 flat-bottomed boats had been engaged in transporting artillery and ammunition to the fleet and the citadel which commands the Bosphorus. On the 27th, five Turkish vessels transported troops and martial stores to Varna. The militia are pouring in from all the provinces. On the 30th of May the Sultan proposed passing the troops in review.
¶ 60 Leave a comment on paragraph 60 0 From Jassy, under date June 3, we learn :—“Colonel Hernoff, the Commander of the Russian Pontoon Brigade, has arrived at Ainga, on the Moldavian border, on the left bank of the Pruth.
¶ 61 Leave a comment on paragraph 61 0 Omar Pacha, who takes the command of the army of Roumelia, had arrived at Varna, and was occupied with inspecting the fortifications.
¶ 62 Leave a comment on paragraph 62 0 RUSSIA.
¶ 63 Leave a comment on paragraph 63 0 Letters from St. Petersburg state that Prince Gortschakoff, who had been appointed to command the active army of 120,000 men now on the Pruth, had been summoned to the capital to receive instructions. The Grenadier corps had been ordered to be in readiness to march for Poland, in case it should become necessary to withdraw troops thence. Letters from Warsaw state that Paskiewitsch is busy inspecting the troops and arsenals. It is broadly hinted that Count Nesselrode, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, is no longer so perfectly possessed of his Imperial master’s confidence as formerly; that he had, from the beginning, opposed the mission of Prince Menschikoff; and that the specific- Russian party was now getting the upper hand.
¶ 64 Leave a comment on paragraph 64 0 The Russian fleet at Sebastopol consist of thirteen ships of the line, six of which mount 120 guns, namely—the Varna, the Twelve Apostles, the Rostilar, Sviatorlar, Selafond, and the Three Swiagyteli; eight frigates of sixty guns, six corvettes, and twelve smaller vessels. The crews had been lately completed, and the 120-gun ships were amply supplied with heavy artillery. The fleet, however, wanted steamers, which rendered its evolutions more difficult.
¶ 65 Leave a comment on paragraph 65 0 The Emperor of Russia, by a recent ukase has ordered the construction of an electric telegraph between Odessa and St. Petersburg, and the re-organisation of the mail communication along that road. The same ukase adds that the establishment of a railroad in that direction was considered indispensable, and would be the object of a subsequent decree.
¶ 66 Leave a comment on paragraph 66 0 AMERICA.
¶ 67 Leave a comment on paragraph 67 0 By the Franklin, we have advices from New York to the 4th instant. From Washington there is no intelligence of a political character. Baltimore and its vicinity has been visited by a tornado, which destroyed a good deal of property.
¶ 68 Leave a comment on paragraph 68 0 Vigorous measures have been taken by the British Government for the protection of the British North American fisheries. Her Majesty’s steamers Basilisk and Devastation are to be anchored off Newfoundland ; four small vessels, each manned by twenty-five men, are to be fitted out from the [flag* ship Cumberland, and to cruise near Halifax.
¶ 69 Leave a comment on paragraph 69 0 We briefly noticed in our last the passing of the bill to increase the representation in the Canadian Legislature. This bill passed the Legislative Council at Quebec by two more than a two-thirds vote, which was the number necessary to carry it. For five or six years past this two-thirds majority was not obtained by only one or two votes every session of Parliament. This adds to. the eclat of the present success of the bill. The bill will, of course, now become law, as, according to the theory of. responsible
Addison Belliveau
Taylor Posik
Fact