On this page
-
Text (5)
-
Ko. 484. July 2, 1859-1 THE LEADER. 797
-
lTt e r a t u re.
-
LITERARY NOTES OF THE WEEK.. ——?— ¦ —
-
Among the meetings of the learned societ...
-
admiration, to cite his own. words * wer...
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.
-
-
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.
Ko. 484. July 2, 1859-1 The Leader. 797
Ko . 484 . July 2 , 1859-1 THE LEADER . 797
Ltt E R A T U Re.
lTt e r a t u re .
Literary Notes Of The Week.. ——?— ¦ —
LITERARY NOTES OF THE WEEK . . ——?— ¦ —
Among The Meetings Of The Learned Societ...
Among the meetings of the learned societies those of the Royal Geographical may perhaps be considered the most universally interesting . The last meeting of this society for the present session was held on Monday evening , the Earl of Eipon in the cliair . Among those present were Sir Roderick I . Murchison , Lords Overstone and Strang ford , Sir John Rennie , Sir John iLogin , Admiral Trotter , General Portlock ; and many other savans . After the election of Fellows , two interesting papers were read , the first of which was , " Notes on a Voyage to New Guinea , " by Mr . Alfred R . Wallace , F . R . G . S . These notes were the results of the author ' s residence at Dorey , in the N . W . part of
NEWS in the literary world , this week , is at a premium , and with the exception of the first appearance of Oncea Week , there is scarcely anything to talk about . The opening number of this new serial displays variety enough in the choice of subjects ; though some of the articles can by no means be called the best efforts of their authors , We have Terse , palaeontology , natural history , and fiction of the serious as welt as oi the comic kind , and both the information and the entertainment may fairly be classed above tlie average . The illustrations are as diversified as the letter-press , some good drawings by Tenniel ; a most singular piece by Mr . Millais , displaying as much of that gentleman ' s eccentricity . as it is possible with the limited effects of a small wood-cut ; and three by John Leech , one of which , the boys in the bun ^ shop , is in his very best vein .
prior to his acceptance of the Vice-Consulship at Mytelenej the latter being an office . which he certainly would never have been induced to fill , were it not that it gave him opportunities of prospecting , as tlie diggers say , for remains of ancient art .. The marbles recovered by him , it may be as well to remind our readers , arcj from the famous site of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus , comprising several slabs from the frieze of that monument , portions of colossal horses , and of the quadriga thsit surmounted it , and two colossal statues , believed to be those of Mausdlus and his Queen Artemisia . These were all excavated between the years 185 G-8 . It is singular that in a paper contributed by Mr . Newton to the Classical Museum , so far back as 1848 , he pointed out the exact spot in which those treasures lay concealed , and from which he
afterwards had the good fortune himself to disinter them . But in addition to these marbles from Halicarnassus , we are indebted to Mr . Newton for another collection —namely , from the site of the Temple of Apollo at Diih / mi , near Miletus , and from Cnidus . This embraces a number of sitting figures , originally placed in the Via Sacra , that led up to the Temple of Apollo from the sea ; also a magnificent colossal lion , and many other specimens of ancient Greek art . Having done so much for the recovery of Greek antiquities , shall we not hope that his new consular duties will not be so burdensome as to preclude him from indulging a similar enthusiasm with respect to the remains of Roman art , vast numbers of which are , it is supposed on good aathority , still recoverable out of the Campagna , and other less extensive districts . "
the island , and the only place in which a trader can remain in safety . The statement that New Guinea is inhabited by Papuans and Malays is , it seems , incorrect , as the natives are composed entirely of the former , though several Malay settlements are scattered over the outlying islands . The whole northern peninsula , as well as the neighbouring islands , is rugged and mountainous , and an unvarying forest of somewhat stunted appearance spreads itself over the country . Dorey was found to be very unhealthy , fevers and dysentery being most prevalent . Tlie principal article of trade on the northern coast are a fragrant aromatic bnrlc , called " rnussocj " , tortoiseshell , Tlie Dutch
beche-de-mer , sago , and wild nutmegs . hold possession of JNew Guinea up to the meridian of 141 deg . K ., of Greenwich , and carry on an extensive trade along nearly the whole of the coast included within the northern and southern extremities . The paper gave rise to an interesting discussion in which Mr . Crawfurd , Dr . Kinkel , and Mr . Saunders took part . The second paper was " liemarks on Portuguese Journeys in Central Africa , ' by Mr . Jumes Macqueen , F . R . G . S . After some observations from Captain Burton in reply to Mr . Macqueen , Major Palmer , R . A ., F . R . G . S ., read some ? Notes on the Island of St Helena , " to accompany his new map of that island .
Towards the close of the sitting , at the suggestion of Sir Roderick Murchison , who introduced them with allusion to their travels , one of the brothers Schlagintweit offered some remarks in explanation of their drawings In the Himalayas , The annual oration in memory of the fjreat Harvey was delivered at the Royal College of Physicians en Thursday by Dr . Aldis , one of the Fellows of the College , and medical officer of health for St . George ' s , Hanover-square . The chair was occupied l ) v Dr . Mayo , President of the College , supported by the officers , numerous Fellows of the College , and a considerable number qf literary and scientific gentlemen . The orntiu ' n , as usual in Latin , and remarkable for its classical purity , was well delivered , mid cordially received by the distinguished assembly .
Mr . Hotton ( the well-known antiquarian books eller ) is about to publish a Cant Dictionary , to which he appends tlie very applicable quotation of South—• " liabblo-ehnrnring words , which curry so much wildfire wrapt up in them . " There will be much in this work to illustrate the old manners of the metropolis . Ho also announces a reprint of a hitherto unknown poem , written by John Uunyan , whilst confined in Hertford Jail , far tho support of his family , — -entitled , " Profitable Meditations , fitted to
iMfon ' H Different Conditions ; in a Conference between Ch » Bt and a Winner . " ' Tho appointmont of Mr Newton , " enys tlio Critic , 'lately Vice-Consul ivt Mytolene , to bo Consul at Rome , whore he succeeds Mr . liWborn , doecuscd / ls a fitting reward for that gentleman ' s distinguished eorrlcqs done to his country , by ucouriufr fbr ft those treasures of ancient art which are now housed in the British Museum , or rather -heridod uudor its yoxtico . Mr . Nowton has been for soino years himself an assistant officer in tho Museum ,
Admiration, To Cite His Own. Words * Wer...
admiration , to cite his own . words * were , unbounded . It proved to him that " republican and fool are synonymous terms . " Canning ' s own course was one between . monarchy and democracy , and consisted in bis desire to put constitutional limits on both . Similar distrust existed in England of the elder Buonaparte which now embarrasses political discussion in reference to his nephew ; so that when the usurper proposed peace , doubt of his sincerity prevented its acceptance . It was upon this occasion that Canning introduced the English language into diplomatic correspondence * using it in his reply to Buonaparte ' s letter to the King of England .
Mr . Canning ' s letters to liis friend , Lord Baringdon , reveal the secret workings of his mind , and in this kind of familiar intercourse we get an insight into his character highly favourable to a candid estimate of it . The administration . of Addingfon proved a sore trial to his patience . Mediocrity was triumphing in the deceitful cry of "Measures not men ; " at the very time when the country had to strive with a man of Xapoleon ' s genius . A successor was needed to Mr . Pitt , of % ~ j . _____ ^_ __ . » —i . . * T his rival
** equal or great abilities . Mr . Fox , great , was ill-supplied by the Grenville administration . On the formation of that of the Duke of Portland , Mr . Canning found himself at the Foreign-office , and " in a position which , gave him a full opportunity of exerting his best energies for the public good . " Public affairs were in a terrible state . The Continent was at the feet of Napoleon . The Emperor of Russia consented to meet his c 6 nque ~ r - in conference at Tilsit . " At this memorable interview betwpperors , the ordinary forms of'dinl ' aside , and the two Monarchs - ' viva voce , the important m arranged between them , better to preserve tlir because both so far - " unwilling to place th * took place on a raf + ...- •' Niemen . It was t . the fascinations of ceeded in obtainhv the mind of Alex warm admirer ; Alexander against to join in Napoleon ' s throw of British power . « The Treaty of Tilsit w ^ were several secret articles , w carefully concealed from the wo ever , these mighty men were , as t and each gave way to the unrese * each other , if not of their real sei . rate to what they intended should bt the appearance of being so , an indivi < cealed behind a curtain of the tent , secret witness of that most curious c He then and there heard Napoleon ; Alexander , and Alexander consent to the tion , that the French should take possessio powerful fleet of Denmark , which was lying * . waters of Copenhagen . " The individual who thus acquired a knowle . of this bargain , lost no time in communicating it tho British Government and gave such proofs tho _ aceuracy of his intelligence , as left no doubt o . its truth in Mr . Canning ' s mind . " Mr . Canning triumphantly overcome tho difliculties of the position , and go t himself possession oi ' the Danish fleet . Russia was stunned by the not , and put ujion her good behaviour for a time , but afterwards resolved to break openly with England . Napoleon wreaked liis disappointment by endeavour-ins to ruin tho commerce ol thif
GEORGE CAXXING and his Times . By Augustus Granville Stapleton . —John W . Parker and Son . This book has peculiar claims on attention . It is not so much a biography as a memoir , composed of personal recollections of its illustrious subject . To Mr . Stapleton , Canning communicated , as to a friend and confidant , most of the matter of the volume before us . Mr . Stapleton does not proceed chronologically , but takes up the topics as they arise ; and frequently with the - purpose Of defending his hero . Thus Mr . Stapleton , at the outset , encounters Lord ' Brougham ' s opinion as to foit and
Canning ' s oratory , claiming / r depth sincerity , - and far other qualities than those that go to make only the accomplished actor . No doubt George Canning was an accomplished artist , but his art grew out of earnestness and conviction . The account that he gives himself of his first speecli in Parliament in a letter proves the point abundantly . His greatness grew from this genuine , not artificial , effort ; and hence it has provc « l an enduring reality—a true deed honestly performed , and honoured with immortality . Mr . Staple ton enters into some unnecessary
explanations to elucidate Mr . Canning ' s statement , that in order to secure the consistency of his Principles it was needful to change his Opinions . Minds that have ever entered into tho great questions of politics and religion need no explanations of such felt truths—that is , such minds as have maintained their activity and freedom . Opinion , indeed , cannot be other than changeable;— -principle is of its own nature , steadfast . Both interest and conviction lqd Cauning to join Pitt in Ins first political endeavour ' s . Mr . Canniivrmriood withMrPitt to the oriirin of the iv ut tu iwv #
- . ns iiing a , £ iecu wicu < _ r . x . «» urijgui v » m « vwar , a . nil was opposed altogether to tlie views of Mr . Fox in relation to it . France hnd begun tho contest , unprovoked by England , nud her early successes , so far from daunting tlie young statesman , only the more powerfully excited liis energies . Yet , during the first three years of his parliamentary lifb , Mr . Cunning spoke little , lie was content to listen , and grow in political wisdom , before he removed the curl ) from his lips . Meanwhile ho devoted himself with earnestness to the
discharge of his official duties . As -we read in Canning ' s letters ' of the military operations of Napoleon 1 ., in connexion with the siege of Mantua , which the latter was compelled to raise , together witli the alternate defeats and victoria of the Austrians , we seem to recognise an identity of those times and the present . Wo behold in Bonaparte the conqueror of Italy . Here , too , wo have tho King of Sardinia , tho King of Naples , the Pope an exile at Sienna , with Switzerland conquered and subservient to trance . But thon Russia came to tho aid of Austria , and gave hov un advantage she now wants . Soon after tho republic fell at tho bidding of tho victorious soldier . Canning was bo pleased with this result , that he began u lotter ( Nov . It ) , 179 $ ) , ) with " llu . jsul Liiisza ! huzza ! " His enthusiasm and
country . . . It is not possible to go through these memoirs in . detail , highly interesting as they are . Our eoiii * - mondation must be gonpral , acknowledging the fulnoss of the information they tfiyo and the insight they oflbrd into the groat politician s character , motives , and conduct . His talent was ever active : —he was always on tho alert i—niiaronrosonted , opposed , yet still hopeful , vigorous , and ( lctermiiicil . Such wag g his conduct id ruinml to Sir John Mooi'O , rolativo to whom and his expedition there are « omo moat , remarkable anecdotes . Sir John ought never to have been entrusted with it ; his stnto of mind had unfitted him i ' or the proper conduot of tho undertaking . On this nnd other points tho present work adds materially to our stores of knowledge . Mr . Stapleton ' s opinion on tho point evidently coincide ' - > vitl »
-
-
Citation
-
Leader (1850-1860), July 2, 1859, page 17, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_02071859/page/17/
-