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No. 473, Apbk. 16. 1859.1 THE LEADER. 49...
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LITERATURE, SCIENCE, ART, &c.
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LITERARY CHRONICLE OF THE WEEK.
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— ^l^ The soiree given by the President ...
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TUSCANY AND AUSTRIA. Toscana . e Austria...
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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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No. 473, Apbk. 16. 1859.1 The Leader. 49...
No . 473 , Apbk . 16 . 1859 . 1 THE LEADER . 491
Literature, Science, Art, &C.
LITERATURE , SCIENCE , ART , & c .
Literary Chronicle Of The Week.
LITERARY CHRONICLE OF THE WEEK .
— ^L^ The Soiree Given By The President ...
— ^ l ^ The soiree given by the President of the Royal Society on Saturday last is the first . which . Sir Benjamin Broclic , the new president , has given at Burlington House . There will be another this season , ° on the 14 th of March . The custom of having three soirees was inaugurated , we believe , by Sir Joseph Banks , who entertained the Fellows of the Royal Society at his own house , in Sohosquare , " upon cates and delicacies . " Scandal and Sir Joseph ' s enemies used , however , to say , that Sir Joseph only lavished his muffins and tea ( for Miss Banks deservedl
Paris press during the past fortnight . First of all , " kes Batards Celebres , " by M . A . Charguerard , an . exordium in favour of the sinister bar , after the fashion of the doughty Falconbridge . Another readable , though not very pure volume , is L'Ensorcelee , " by M . Barbery d ' Aureville ; and again , " Le Theatre en France , " by M . Cartouche ; " L'Einpire e ' est la Paix , " a piece in verse by M . Auguste Pourret ; " Roitelet , " by M . Jules de Geres , and some others . From Germany , we hear also of a contribution by Wilhelm Spieker to the History of the Morals and of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century ; a vacation ramble book of Travels by Professor Carl Wilte , of Halle , entitled " Alpinisches und Transalpinisches , " in which the theoi-y of the glaciers is very broadly treated , and many pleasant pictures given of Alpine life . Herr Helperich , another German , has written a book of travels about Ireland , called " Skizzen und Erziihlungen aus Xrland ; " and a profound criticism on German Progress , under the title of " Deutsches Cultur und Sitten G-eschichte von Johannes Schei'r , " has created some sensation in lfiarned circles . .
both of which his sister , , was y celebrated ) upon those-who were of his party , and strengthened his interest against that unbelieving party in the society who rebelled against the worthy but smattering baronet . Be that as it may , all succeeding presidents have kept up the custom ; some holding the entertainments in their own homes , and ¦' others availing themselves of the rooms of the society . It is no light matter to entertain five hundred persons , nor does every President of the Royal Society occupy a house large enoug h , for the piu-pose . The splendid soirees given by Lord Northampton are yet remembered ; but his successors availed themselves
of the rooms of Somerset House . The new rooms at Burlington House offer special advantages for such occasions , there being six good l-oonis on the first floor and two noble apartments ori the ground floor . The guests , numbering more than five hundred , were received by the President , and then paced about the rooms , forming groups , for conversation , and examining the numerous articles of artistic and scientific interest provided for their entertainment . Refreshments were liberally provided in the lower library . We are glad to perceive that in addition to the Fellows of the Society , many members of the other bodies and of . the literary class were included in the company .
We regret to find that a rumour is gaining ground to the effect that Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton is likely to be compelled by failing health and -failing mental vigour to retire from public life for awhile . Work , they say , is the cause of this , and the moral to be derived is , that a man cannot hope to be a successful novelist and a successful minister of state at the same time . His very last novel is said to have brought him . in at least 15 , 000 * .
. It is a fact of literary importance that Sir Ilemy Rawiinson , the eminent Orientalist , has been appointed to succeed Mr . Murray , at the Court of Teheran . Sir Henry ' s varied accomplishments and thorough knowledge of Asiatic manners and feelings will secure to us a competent and judicious representative ; while , at the same time , the now position opens to him a fresh field for studies which cannot but prove of the greatest value to our Oriental literature .
The liberality of the Messrs . W . and R , Chambers is no now feature in the character of that enterprising house . What Mr . William Chambers has done for his native town of Peebles exceeds , however , anything of the kind that has coino within our knowledge for some time . past . It is , stated tlint he has invested property worth about 30 , 000 / . in trustees , for the purpose of erecting an Institution , to be called " the Chambers Institution , " find which is to include a public assembly hall , a museum , and a gallery of art .
The determination of the polloge of Surgeons to compel all candidates to pass through an examination strict enough to render the system of " cram" inoperative must moot with general approbation . To bo of any valuo at all , such examinations cannot bo too stringent ; and . with thu medical profession this is especially nocossary , because its members deal with pei'sone who have no means of tasting their capacity . m The onl y book issuu of muoh note in the week is the novel of Mo . Charles Roado , " Love mo LitUo , Love mo Long , " of which wo shall record our opinion at length in due time . Somo amusiag trJllos liavo omanatod from the
Tuscany And Austria. Toscana . E Austria...
TUSCANY AND AUSTRIA . Toscana . e Austria . Cenni Storico-Politici . A Firenze . Spese della Societa Editriee . 1859 . We hail it as a favoui-able augury for Italy that the subjects of . her different territorial divisions are beginning to manifest signs of that union and combination from which alone they can derive strength to resist their common enemies , domestic and foreign . The most sceptical with regard to the feasibility of the schemes of Italian independence and nationality must find their misgivings removed to some extent by a perusal of the renowned pamphlet , " Tuscany and Austria . " . This production , remarkable in more respects than one ,
pension of hostilities . The treaties winch , have regulated the fate of Italy up to the present time have been armistices and not peace ; for that is not peace which leaves the causes of war still in existence . Any fusion or change in Italian affairs which falls short of securing the independence of the nation , would be an armistice , and not peace . It is , therefore , of the utmost importance that Europe should _ be fullypersuaded of this growing , unwavering , and inextinguishable desire on the part of Italians . When Europe can no longer doubt the truth , she will re ^ - cognise in Italy not only a danger to be removed , but an act of j ustic . e to be rendered . The influencewhich public opinion exercises over the cabinet counsels of civilised Europe is a strong indication of the progress of civilisation—a triumph which shows how much civilisation has already progressed . It is
a great fact that diplomacy no longer dares to ignore the interest and wishes of the people , as in 1815 , but admits that they may not only deserve consideration , but even . influence important resolutions . All Italians can co-operate in theobject we are now advocating— - the enlightenment of public opinion in Europe , and the prevention of its being still further led astray and deceived . To this end it is important that in every part of Italy , where speech is conceded to suffering-, there Italians should speak . To speak is to ; act at the present moment ; it is the citizen ' s duty and virtue ; nor is this duty more imperative and absolute in any part of Italy than in Tuscany . "
Inaction and silence , it is shown , are culpable in the extreme in the case of Tuscany at a momentlike the present , as being calculated to giv e the impression that she is contented in her position and willing to separate her cause from that of the nation . So far from this , however , she in reality feels that Austrian influence is no where more fatal than on her soil ; that no Italian State has heavier or more multiplied causes of complaint , or greater reason to take part with Piedmont and France . Her independence was fettered by the treaty ot June 12 th , 1815 , and her civil progress impeded-In 1849 her restoration was destroyed and . territory placed under military occupation whicfi : usurped sovereign authority . The traditions- of the past are invoked and illustrious names quoted to show that Tuscany has not always been deemed unworthy of independence or incapable of its
ex-. " Liberty was not formerly unknown to us ; the . Ciompi sat , and not unworthily , in Pallazzo Vecrfiio . To exercise liberty we had magistrates called Dante-Alighieri , and Dino Compagni ; to administer itr Niccolo Machiavelli and Donati Giannotti ; to reform it , the publicist , Grirolamo Savonarola ; tor defend it , the champions Ferruccio and Michelangelo * - Three times did our fathers defend it victoriously , and maintain our independence against German , forces ; and once again with equal glory , though , not with equal fortune . Medicean corruption had already been at work for a century ; nevertheless , though conquered , they stipulated ; and though , obliged , by Pope Clement and the JCmppor Charles ,, to accept a duke for the head of their state , they received him as chief of the republic , not as a-despot ,,
and ihoir liberty was still safe . " The treaty of Vienna , 1735 , was the first attempt of Austria against the liberty and . independence of Tuscany . The Tuscan * will never allow that the treaty was binding upon thorn , diplomatically considei'cd , since their Grand Duke declared that he submitted to it only ' under compulsion . Tuscany was recognised ns a sovereign state ; it was not comprehended in the Pragmatic to th
Sanction of Charles Vt ., nor , according e treaty of London , was it to be incorporated witl » the hereditary states of the house of Austria . *> y a special provision it was in < ended ' (> secure the separation of the'Auatrian Irom the Tuscan crown , and guarantee to the hitter count 17 its special sovereignty and independence . In maintaining this point , admiring reference in nuujo in a note to the recent pamphlet of Sitf . V . biilvagnuli . I <* quote again lrom the text : —
"Tho illoirioal and unjust rendering ot the stipulations of Vlomm with regard to Italy , produced coivsunuoiiuoH tho very reverse of thu inUiitions of tho contracting powers . Tho idoa of nationality chased ' from llio throno und excluded from treaties , took refuge nm tho people , and while \ mceaningly agitating tlioiu , tended toward the poriud of its
iuovifwarnily advocates the union of Piedmont and Tuscany ., with a view to the destruction of Austrian influence in the Peninsula . When on the point of being brought before the public , its sheets were ruthlessly seized , and the types used in . printing it destroyed by the police agents of the Tuscan government . It would surely have been hard if the six gentlemen who append their names to this little work , 62 pp . in length , exclusive of notes , which extend it to 110 pp . ; had not been able to muster force and tact sufficient to outwit the
government spies and present to the world the result of their united energy . The existence of the pamphlet , however , proves that though foiled in their first attempt they were more happy in the next . A slight glance at its contents is sufficient to show" why such a work should be distasteful to the Tuscan authorities and their virtual mistress , Austria . It opens with a series of questions which can but meet with a ready response , in the author ' s sense , from every Tuscan not totally -degraded and debased by tyranny .
" When the Italian cause appeals to Europe—when Italy is the general topic , should Tuscany keep silence ? Ought Piedmont to stand alone in everything that concerns Italy ? Because Piedmont complains , franco supports her remonstrances , and our cause is in good hands , ought we to remain inactive and silent ? Has Italy no claim upon Tuscany for energy and ' co-operation ? Wo have always believed the contrary . What is tho object now in view ? The first thing is , to explain tho grievances , burdons , and desires of tho Italian people , to Europo , who now lends us her our . Now is the time to convince
Europo that a national sentiment truly exists throughout Italy— a serious , unanimous , rosoluto , indomitable determination to obtain independence as a nation , whatever tho moans or cost involved . Now is tho time to make known tho public opinion oi ? this , tho falrost portipn of Italy . Whon Europe- is oneo miulo fully aware of It , the Italian question will bo resolved . It will then bo clear to her that to resolve that question signifies to recognise and constitute the independence of the nation \ that any othor solution whatovor could but prolong , fur Austria ' s bonoflt , n stato of thing's fraught willi dnngor t an unceasing causo of disorder anid periodical crisis , which must overturn tho peace of tho world at least oi \ ce in every ten years . fturopo desires peace , and will not be contented with a more brief , deceitful , and timidsus-
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), April 16, 1859, page 11, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_16041859/page/11/
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