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March 10, 1855-] THE LEADER. 233
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TAMPERING WITH FAITH. A clergyman of the...
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[IK THIS DEPARTMENT, AS ALL OPINIONS, HO...
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There is no learned, man bvvt "will conf...
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THE GAME LAWS. (To the Editor of the Lew...
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Natural History.—From nature man derives...
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Transcript
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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.
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The New Reign In Russia. In Another Plac...
eenfc Emperor disapproved the invasion of Turkey , it needs but a very little good will on the part ol your Cabinet to restore to Europe the blessings of peace . It would be . imprudent just at this moment to rouse the serfs already agitated by successive levies : and when the Czar declares that be shall pursue the policy of his father , we have yet to learn whether it is the policy pf the Four Points ,- or the call of the population to arms . The acquaintance I Russia
have with political opinion in ( only ignorance imagines that no such opinion exists ) authorises me to say that the new Emperor will accept an honourable peace if it is offered him , but if it is refused , lie will pursue the war with more vigour than ever . On this point I am at issue with the Times , and I will state my reasons . The Times states that the late Czar had created means of resistance , and could demand of his soldiers a devotion to which his successor has no claim . That is a purely gratuitous
supposition . At the beginning of a reign there is an enthusiasm which never accompanies the end . The malcontents of the last reign will rejoin the standards , and young Russia will gather round Alexander II ., whose goodness of heart promises a reign of justice , of mercy , perhaps even of liberty . I would declare solemnly to Lord John Russell that if he is charged to demand the conversion of Sebastopol into a commercial port , peace is impossible for the young Emperor can never accept it on those terms . The great difficulty for the new sovereign at the present moment is the question of maintaining of countermanding the arming of the militia . In the first place it should be known that this
measure cannot possibly raise more than 80 , 000 inefficient soldiers . In 1812 , those warriors dragged from the plough were absolutely useless . If the corps francs , commanded by men like Davidofly attained some distinction , they were special corps ; the present levies would create nothing but vexation , and furnish subordinate functionaries with the means of extorting the price of exemptions . It is to be hoped that the young Emperor will listen to the advice of Prince Paskiewitch and the whole noblesse , and abandon the idea of arming the militia , especially now when the hostility of Austria and of Prussia is less probable than ever . Xet me say _ a few words about the late and the present emperor .
History will place Nicholas among the sovereigns who have been most fatal to Russia and to Europe . If he displayed a certain force of character it was because an enormous empire obeyed him blindly , as it will obey his successors . But when it is said that Nicholas developed the Resources of _ Russia , it is not considered that Russia was an alffiost virgin soil . Intellectually and morally , Russia has receded under Nicholas from the position assigned to her by Alexander I ., whom the Emperor of Austria used to call a Jacobin , and who was the crowned advocate of universal peace , even when he was dragged into the most terrible of wars ¦ 'by Napoleon I . Alexander II . is commonly reported to resemble his uncle , Alexander I . 4 Our angel is in
heaven , ' wrote the Empress Elizabeth at the death of her husband . ' Our angel is on the throne , ' are thei . ' \ v ofds ~ of a ; Russian friend writing to me on the accession of Alexander II . In him is the same goodness of heart , the same yearning after a liberal policy , and , it is added , the same weakness . But this weakness , after the fall of Nicholas , who blindly crushed every obstacle in his path , Russia will bless . If Alexander II . forgets the teachings of his father , I predict for him a prosperous and happy reign , for Russia has need of repose . All the energy expended upon the army has resulted in the reverses of Silistria , Alma , and Inkerman . Let us hope that a policy of peace will bring happier results . Nicholas used to confess that his education had been
deficient ; not so his son ' s . Alexander II . has been educated under the care of one of the best heads and hearts in Russia—the poet Joukoffsky—and a little poetry in the sombre and sullen Government of Russia will be a real blessing . " The wife of the new Emperor , the Princess of Darmstadt , whom he married for love , is a superior woman , simple in manners , and brought up in those traditions of duty and of virtue which belong to the potty courts of Germany Among tho intimates of the new sovereign , Jean Tolstoi is ono of the must distinguished noblemen in Russia , and M . de Lubonski is a person of the highest capacity .
Poland herself may welcome tho new Czar , for he has none of the prejudices of his father against that valiant nation . In 1815 , Nicholas said to his brother Michael , who was talking in the Polish language , * What makes you talk that cursed tongue ? ' When General Krasinski asked the Grand Duke now on the throno whether he spoke Polish , M have quite forgotten it , ' tho Prince replied , in Polish , with perfect grace . ' May your Imperial Highness , ' rejoined the General , ' apply those words somo day to all the grievances that divide the two peoples . ' Tho rivalry that oxiBtcd between Alexander and Constantino has shrunk to the proportions it should never have exceeded—a child's quarrel : or rather , it has
completely disappeared . The German party of the new Emperor will be the party of progress and of civilisation , and while it contains no elements hostile to the national party , it will have no reason to fear it . "
March 10, 1855-] The Leader. 233
March 10 , 1855- ] THE LEADER . 233
Tampering With Faith. A Clergyman Of The...
TAMPERING WITH FAITH . A clergyman of the Church of . England , who , for a long time jevinced opinions extremely inconsistent with the fundamental dogmas of that Church , has been detected in tampering with the technical arrangements of a marriage license , and sentenced to a severe punishment . He is effectually disqualified for the offices of the Church . He might previously have committed yet more serious ecclesiastical offences . He might have thrown forth views of Hebraical profundities which could not be maintained simultaneously with the official Church doctrine ; but it was difficult to grapple with a profound scholar on the subject of nonconfbrming views . Contests on the subject of prnevenient and subvenient grace are baffling enough . To place in the dock a sturdy champion whose quiver was filled with weapons
from the store-house or real knowledge , have been a formidable opening . Dr . Giles tripped himself up with a marriage license , — and then his Bishop pounces upon him , and the penal court condemns him . He appealed to the Bishop of Oxford for a merciful intervention to procure the withdrawing of the Chancellor ' s information against him ; but the Bishop would not receive this hint at an " enforcement of our Saviour ' s precept to forgive injuries . " Dr . Giles is condemned and sentenced to a twelvemonth ' s imprisonment without hard labour— -something- more lenient than a sentence of death . The Church must have her victims- —if they can only be caught at a disadvantage .
Dr . Giles ' s defence established upon evidence some facts upon which we have already insisted . The case is " exceptional" in—the recklessness to which he confesses , and in the candour which he shows . He states exactly how he came into his present position , and into the mood of mind that led him there . He is by nature audacious , he is not inclined to clerical pursuits and restraints , but his father forced him into the Church . So far his case is not singular . There is many a man who ought to be in the army or navy , following
literature or commerce , engaging m some eager pursuit , possibly of a rough kind , who is tamed , chained , and spirit-broken in order that he may conform to the rules of the profession , because " there is a living in the family . " We know such men . They do not fly out into overt indiscretions like Dr . Giles . They conform . Many of them acquire a peculiar disbelief , by the " familiarity" which " breeds contempt" in sceptical minds ; but they pretend that they believe in order that they may draw the tithes . Dr . Giles , therefore , is only more ingenuous than such persons .
It is the natural effect of compulsory belief , that it makes infidelity to conscience respectable . Put penalties on disbelief , and you may exact the most ridiculous pretence , until at last hypocrisy become superstition , and men believe against all reason . In this country we do not maintain the paraphernalia of the Church of England only—we have other institutions . It id decreed by the wisdom of our law that oaths shall be administered with religious tests , in order that the oaths may bo efficacious ; for here , conformity does not attain its own end . Oaths must be
administered in the faith of the testator . Chinamen arc sometimes witnesses in our courts ; and in order to secure tho due sway of superstition over the Chinese mind , our public officers maintain Chinese religious institutions . We are not saying this upon presumption ; the fact was
illustrated at the Thames-police this week . Twc Chinese men were defendant and prosecutor the latter having been wounded they had tc depose on oath , and in conformity with the faith of their country the solemn part of the oath-taking consists in the breaking of a china saucer . The saucers were produced . Prpsecutoi dashed his to pieces with enthusiasm ; the de fendant threw his upon the floor several timewithout breaking it . He was , perhaps , at firss
following the trick which Irish prisoners often play when they pretend to place their hand upon the cross , outside the New Testament , but hold it at a short distance , that the solemn part of the oath may hot fix the perjury upon their souls ; Protestant witnesses effect the same evasion by kissing their thumbs . The unbroken state of the saucer appeared to visit the Chinese soul with awe . Who could not see in it " a direct interposition of Providence ? " In the course of the case , came out
the fact we have already stated—that the public officers of the State in this country maintain the religious institutions of China . Denny , the housekeeper of the Thames police-court , keeps on hand two dozen saucers for the administration of Chinese oaths . In short , the Chinese faith is , to a certain extent , amongst the established religions of this country ; and that faith the State respects , though the love of truth , which makes men avow their doubts , is suppressed by punishment .
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[Ik This Department, As All Opinions, Ho...
[ IK THIS DEPARTMENT , AS ALL OPINIONS , HOWKTKE BXTBEME , ABB ALLOWED AN KXPJtESSION , THE EDITOR NKCES 3 ABILY HOLDS 1 J 1 MSELF RESPONSIBLE KOB ^ IfONE . J
There Is No Learned, Man Bvvt "Will Conf...
There is no learned , man bvvt "will confess lie hath much profited by reading controversies , his senses awakened , and his judgment sharpened . If , then , it be profitable for him . to read , why should it not , at least . "betolerablefor his adversary- to write . —MlMOH .
The Game Laws. (To The Editor Of The Lew...
THE GAME LAWS . ( To the Editor of the Lewder . " ) Sir , —The late game conviction at Berkeley is an instance of the not unfrequent legal and moral anomaly , a wrong without a remedy . The conviction will probably be supported , though the balance in its favour is not more than a feather weight ; but even if jit be quashed , the sufferer will have sustained the penalty . The maxim , cm / us est so-¦ Zunsp & c .-, —is not -without ambiguity If a fruittree stretch across a boundary , and fruit fall on another ' s ground , the fruit will belong to the owner of the ground . But it is not clear that he might cut off the overhanging bough . The party entitled to
the game in this instance might have shot the bird on Mr . Cox ' s tree , but had the bird been wounded on Mr . Cox ' s land , and he had followed it into his neighbour ' s field , he could not have been liable foi trespass , as he ha express permission to pick up game so fallen . This breach of forest law is very microscopic ; but , as it is just appreciable , the more urgent concern is with the punishment . This is tangible enough ; suitable to a wanton trespass or an unqualified poaching , but here so far exceeding the offence as to raise suspicion of some predetermination against the sufferer . Tho plaintiff , the evidence , the magistrates , and the pheasant , all appear to have belonged to Earl Fitzhardinge . Libkr .
Natural History.—From Nature Man Derives...
Natural History . —From nature man derives everything . The spider taught him weaving ; the fish furnished tho idea of the boat ; the swan tho pleasing model of tho sail ; tho palm led to the erection of tho pillar ; the skin of brutes gave us tho idea of dress ; and the cocoa-nut led to tho beer-jug . The tax on wood alone appears to mo to be a purely human Invention . AutukWoihu ' s a STA 010 .-TI 10 author demands his entrance money buck . Ho ' a not been ublo to flnd a
zVULC * m . „ , »»•»* 1 sivvt or * ¦** Natural Mistaicc—An agricultural gentleman , in reading a fashionable newspaper , exploded in a g" « aw . On boinff ontroatcd to ¦ cotmnuiiUmto tho cuuao of . hia m ? rth ?» o pointed to the description of a marriage m high life , in which the reporter » tated _ « Wo have been favoured with a peep at the bride ' s trousseau . " » lo ha ' em made aforoftaud , " the farmer Bald , " showed pretty well us how the lady had made up her mind to wear ' em artonvarda . "
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), March 10, 1855, page 17, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_10031855/page/17/
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