On this page
-
Text (2)
-
March 22,1856-1 THE LEA BE B. 28I
-
THE LONDESBQROTJGH COLLECTION. Miscellan...
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.
Xil J"-T '*¦ • • • > Ws B ^ S0uth Of The...
It is the old stoiy of which we have heard so often , of gradual encroachment on one side and gradual decline on the other . We see in the wars between Russia and Turkey and Russia and Persia , admirably-organised and ably-commanded armies opposed to masses of brave soldiers , ill-fed and badly-clothed , indeed , but still worse led and handled in the field ; officers incapable of forming plans and still more incapable of executing them ; great tenacity in holding on to defensive works , but almost utter powcrlessness in battle and utter powerlessness in manoeuvring .. Those who desire to read a simply and clearly-told narrative of ions will find that narrative ithese
the conquests of Russia in these reg n volumes , and we think nowhere else in the same compass . General Monteith had peculiar opportunities of collecting accurate information . For twenty years he was attached to various missions in Persia ; he served in the field on many occasions ; and an official connexion with General Paskiewitch , brought much of the two brilliant campaigns of that great soldier under the personal-observation of General Monteith . No other volume that we are aware of , tin the English language , at least , gives such a clear , succinct , and spirited account of the campaigns of 1828-29 , than the one before us . The general reader will peruse it with pleasure , and the military student -with pleasure and profit .
We place one extract before the reader , an estimate from an impartial pen of the character of Prince Paskiewitch : — general Pasfeiewitch fortunately possessed an instinctive knowledge of character , and he completely trusted those whom lie employed . In his attention to the eivil administration he was indefatigable , and he put a stop to the abuses which had so long disgraced and ruined the Russian affairs . Men of every rank and class had free access to hiin ; they might t > ring their own interpreter and be sure of having justice quickly administered . His loss was deeply felt in Georgia , wMeh he was rapidly getting into order ; and he had nearl y succeeded in bringing the tribes of the Caucasus into pacific relations with tie Russia !? government , by employing a portion of their troops and not interfering with , their internal government—the only system of policy , as I often heard from Ms own lips , that he thought likely to succeed . A commencement was made by forming a Circassian body-guard at St . Petersburg , with high pay and great advantages , privates ranking as officers . The four Mahommedan regiments raised by Mm still form part of tbe Russian army ; and had the Polish war not summoned away the Prince , the native troop 3 would have been augmented to 25 , 000 men .
In Ms outward deportment Prince Paskiewitch was tasty and sometimes even violent , wMch appears to be a fashionable piece of affectation among the Russian officers—perhaps from a desire of imitating the eccentricities of Suwaroff ; but in his actions PaskieAviteh was as remarkable for Ms cool deliberation as for the rapid execution of whatever he had decided upon . It has been said of him , ( reversing the epigram on Charles II . ) that he seldom said a wise thing and never did a foolish one . I had myself a great deal of communication With him regarding the payment of the contribution levied on Persia , whici I had been appointed to superintend , and always experienced great kindness and consideration from Mm , having access to him at all hours when any difficulty arose about the payment , an annoyance that was constantly taking place from the caprice or insolence of the inferior agents .
We may remark , in conclusion , that the book is accompanied by a very valuable map , and an equally valuable index . It only required a few plans of the movements of the Russian armies , especially in . 18293 to make it a perfect work of its kind .
March 22,1856-1 The Lea Be B. 28i
March 22 , 1856-1 THE LEA BE B . 28 I
The Londesbqrotjgh Collection. Miscellan...
THE LONDESBQROTJGH COLLECTION . Miscellanea . Gt apkica : A . Collection of Ancient ., Mediceoal , and Henaissance Remains in tlie JPossession of Lord Londesborough . Illustrated by F . W . Fairholt . F . S . A . Chapman and Hall . Lord JLondesborough is issuing a work in twelve parts , containing illustrations of his ancient , mediaeval , and Renaissance collection . The principal plates , executed in gold and colours by the process of chromo-lithography , form a series bright with the lustre of antique gems , enamels , and burnished cups and vases . The others are carefully finished lithographs , drawn and engraved by Mr . Fairholt , whose pencil is firm and fine , and who seems to live and move in the religious light of early centuries . Among the most interesting of the gilded and tinted specimens are two metal filagrees , probably the decorations of an altar . The figures are those of Solomon and David ,
clothed fin Plantagenet splendour , the one tearing a harp , the other a book , and both sceptres . They are in gold , raised on a surface of copper , encrusted with enamel of a . deep opaque blue , varied by lines and touches of white , red , yellow , and green . In the same " part" Mr . Fairholt represents six rings from Lady Londesboraugh ' s remarkable collection , of two hundred and fifty jewels . One is n ghostly design , intended as a mourning ring , and is composed of two skeletons , covered with white enamel , that support a coffin , enamelled with a red Maltese cross , on a black ground studded with gilt hearts . Removing the lid , a third skeleton is discovered in the sarcophagus . It must have been a singular genius for the Dismal that prompted an artist to mould into a ring the contents of a sepulchre . The Hebrew betrothal ring , the " Joy be with you , " is a circle of enamelled gold , bearing a domed temple , another has the model of a square building on it , with a steep roof , domewindows , and movcablc vanes . In this specimen the congratulatory inscription is in relief oai a dork granulated ground .
Some of the old makers of cups displayed a more cordial genius than the workers even of the betrothal rings . In one specimen designed by a German , the goblet is of silver , in the form of a windmill ; it was held in tho hand to be lHleu , and its peculiar merit was that it could not bo set down until emptied . The same principle regulated the design of many of these cups , in which tho Rhine wine lay a moment bright , then , gone for over . One , of bronze , took tho form of a crowned maiden with flowing hair , her dress adorned with delicate dotted lines , the bodice rod , tho girdle green , and holy quotations on tho border ; in one hand she holds ( lower of red enamel , in tho other a saliunnndcr typical of innocence and purity . This lady must be reversed to be filled with tho wavm South , and . when emptied may bo restored to the tublc . Soino of the cups , moulded to represent women , unscrewed nt tho waist ,, and were for the use of more deliberate drinkers . A inorso of tho fourteenth century is one of tho most brilliant of tho specimens illuutratcd by Mr . Fuirholt . Tho circular plate ia wreathed with foliage , interspersed with groups of nnimnls , birds , and uhclla in bold relief ,
with small floriated filigrees between , enamelled in . blue and green and screwed fed the base , which is of gilt-silver . Upon each filigree is a fa ' nclral bosse , set with turquoise j in the centre is a sapphire surrounded by rubies and smaller sapphires , ornaments in filigree , flowers of blue enamel , with pearls between the petals , and birds , each bearing on its head a gem . This is a very rich and intricate design . Birds were favourite objects with the artists of the Mediaeval and Renaissance periods , the plumage tempting them to the use of gorgeous colours . Mr . Fairholt represents a variety of drinking cups designed in . this form , less for utility than for the decorations of the tabledoves and swans being ; cut in crystal , or silver gilded , and sumptuously bejewelled . One ingenious artist made a watch in the shape of an eagle , with a small figure of Ganymede seated on the neck . It is constructed to
stand upon the feet , the body containing the mechanism , and opening at the lower part to display the dial , richly engraved with scrolls and flowers on a ground of niello . Still more quaint is a watch shaped like a duck , with every feather elaborately chased . It was appended to a chain , passed through a ring at the back of the neck . The wheels work on small rubies , and the dialplate exhibited by opening the lower part of the bird , is enriched with a floriated scroll ; adorned with angelic heads . As an illustration of the quaint fancies which prevail in rude periods , the Bell of St . Maura is one of the most singular relics in the collection . It was long preserved in th « Abbey of Fahan , in County Donegal , but came ultimately into the possession of a poor peasant , who sold it to an antiquarian of Anglesea . From him Lord Londesborough purchased it for , = £ 80 .
The legendary history relates that this bell came slowly down from , heaven , ringing so sweetly , that a coneourse of persons assembled to witness its descent , and to hear its -marvellous tones . As it approached the earth , how =-ever , the tongue detached itself , and returned to the skies ; and from this circumstance the people concluded , with self-denying piety , that it was n , ever to be , profaned by being rung in this mortal world . The material is of bronze , and the form quadrangular , like that of the Irish bells of the seventh century . Being enclosed in an . elaborate casing , it was only by accident that-the . enrichments underneath were discovered . These , as far as they have beeaa laid bare , consist of a tracery of Runic knots , wrought in brass , and firmly attached to the belt by a thin plate of gold . The external decorations form a series of silver plates , variously embossed with a large crystal'ia
the centra , and sockets for other jewels around it . Only one , of ember , remains . Settings of gold in several paits indicate that other precious stones enriched this singular relic , the workmanship of which is remarkably firieC Who made the bell it is impossible to discover , unless , indeed , the quaint artist ' s name be concealed among the ornaments under the external coating . As it is , the relic tells no story , except that , in the early periods of Irish art , tlie workers in metals and jewellery attained to high perfection in their calling . The subjects of Mr . Fairholt ' s illustrations are exceedingly varied , the dignity of gold and colours being usually reserved for specimens of ecclesiastical ornament . One plate represents examples of middle age altar furniture , candlesticks of copper gilt with the figures of angels executed in incised lines , tlie heads only in high relief , a pyx of gilded copper ornamented with crystal and coloured glass , and eight emblazoned shields *
The plain lithographs contain examples of silver , ivory , bronze , steel , and wood work . Thus to recur to drinking cups , there " axe two from the Bernal collection which are perfect contrasts of design . The one is bell-shaped , with a skeleton globe wlie ' re the handle should be , with a little bell inside , which rings when the cup is reversed by the drinker . On the globe sits a demon , who supports upon an inverted arch of silver a smaller cup . The companion specimen , of silver gilt takes the form of a woman , dressed in the stiff elaboration of the early part of the seventeenth century . Her extended arms are raised to support a smaller cup above her head . Another goblet , heart shaped and glowing with gilt , stands in contrast with an ivory bowl , mounted with silver , in the form of a shell , and placed upon the head of a crowned nymph of the sea . The mediaeval artists introduced tbe
figures of women with extraordinary freedom into objects of art and utility . Not content with turning them into go"blets , laying them at the bottom © f dishes , forcing them to support , like Carians of tbe feast , the bowls and beakersof wine , . the Italians made poienards , with ivory hilts , carved to represent the female figure , which was often introduced in various degrees of beauty and modesty upon the sheath or scabbard ; perhaps , however , none of the cuvious objects in this collection typify so clearly the manners of tlie three epochs illustrated as the implements of disgrace and torture . We know who invented padlocks for the mouths of slanderers and cleft sticks for tlie tongues of railing women . From the old castle of Nuremberg , Lord Londesborough obtained a mask of punishment which would have done good to the heart of John Endicott . It was no doubt as effective in its way as the Scarlet Letter or the Sliort Halter . It is formed of bands of iron which fold overj the head , and ave fastened behind by a padlock , A paft of spectacles and asses' ears are attached ; a double plate fastens over the mouth , and a whistle passes ovor
the nose , " producing , " says Mr . Fairholt , " a loud sound should the wearer attempt to speak . " The mask is painted a flesh colour with a mouth delineated on the lower plate , and the eyes and ears shaded with an asinine grey . The appearance of such a machine upon tho head of a culprit must linve been at once diabolical and grotesque . The brand to mark tho felon indelibly with the wheel and gallows supplied tho suggestion of many a romance , hom tlie talc of that fair Florentine who found the ignominious mark on her husband ' s shoulder to the audacious invention of Dumas , whose heroine in the Three Musketeers is discovered by her husband to have tho brand on her bosom , who is privately hanged by him ., and wlio survives this and a thousand and ' one impossible perils to be decapitated at last by midnight on the bank of a vivcr . If there were no other value in antiquarian v « lics , " y arc interesting because they illustrate not only tho successive gradations oi art and ingenuity , but the changes of habit » and manners . Who can now imagine a policeman even in Germany rushing down tho street with a gigantic pair of pinccra to cutch hold of a thief ? Who can conceive a criminal ( except a piitviot at Cayenne ) wearing a collar so knobbed and spiked as to suggest thai the devil took fnr better hints from them than he ever took from Coldbafchficlda ? It would bo curious also to ace a General of Division wearing a
-
-
Citation
-
Leader (1850-1860), March 22, 1856, page 17, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_22031856/page/17/
-