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gl2 T HE LEADER. [No. 323, Saturday,
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THE PEACE REJOICINGS. -?—Whatever may be...
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CHARACTER OF COUNT CAVOUR. Me. Bayxe St....
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M. MANIN ON THE ITALIAN " THEORY Ol? THE...
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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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Gl2 T He Leader. [No. 323, Saturday,
gl 2 T HE LEADER . [ No . 323 , Saturday ,
The Peace Rejoicings. -?—Whatever May Be...
THE PEACE REJOICINGS . - ?—Whatever may be the degree of satisfaction or dis-Sftsas ^ r ° , « sss ? s ^ « ke a show , that they seemed determined to make the most of Thursday . The day was not remarkably finenot what is called by loyal folk " Queen ' s day ; but the people turned out from an early hour and remained out ML * late hour . Like the day on which the nation rejoiced for the last peace , the sky was overcast with clouds ; however , it did not rain , and all looked forward with confidence to the darkness which would show the firewo rks off to advantage . The streets were crowded , during the morning and afternoon , with idlers who lazily watched the preparations for the illumination ; the parks , also , had their throngs of sight-seers , looking at the soldiers and at the stir in the neighbourhood of St . James ' s Palace consequent on her Majesty ' s
drawingroom ; shops were partially closed ; dimng-rooms were more than usually crammed by those who more than usually crammed themselves ; green importations from the country ( human , not vegetable ) wandered with hands in pockets and eyes lost in wonderment through the main thoroughfares ; balconies were covered with crimson drapery , and windows mantled with evergreens ; flags waved and flapped in the wind , which was none of the warmest ; the boats on the river were adorned with streamers ; bells rang from the steeples ; and the holiday spirit declared itself after the usual English fashion .
The proceedings of the day were inaugurated by an inspection of the Foot Guards in St . James's Park by liis Royal Highness Prince Albert , accompanied by Prince Frederick William of Prussia , the Prince Regent of Baden , and his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge , in the presence of several military officers of distinction , including , among others , Lord . Hardinge , the Commander-in-Chief ; Sir George Wetherall , Adjutant-Oeneral ; Lord Cardigan , General Sir Richard Airey , Colonel Gordon , General Smyth , General Sir Charles Yorke , and Colonel Wetherall .
This , however , was but a faint foreshadowing of the magnificence reserved for the night , when the whole of London—not merely in the centre , but , in a lesser degree , out into the suburbs—stood forth from the dark background of clouds , painted in fire and coloured flame . The illuminations were very general and very superb . It would be impossible for us to follow the example of the daily press , and particularize the various displays ; but we may state that ambassadorial residences ,
aristocratical mansions , club-houses , public buildings , and middle-class dwellings , all contributed to the total effect . One of the most magnificent specimens , however , must be noted . This was at Dudley House , the residence of Lord Ward , in Park-lane . The entire front of this mansion had been surrounded with gas-pipes—the whole outline of the architecture of the building , including porch , cornices , and other projections , having been closely followed . The columns were ornamented -with spiral jets , and from the front of the edifice burst forth no fewer
than 20 , 000 jets of gas . The house stood out in gorgeous relief , visible far across the park , vying even with the fireworks , and showing like some enchanted palace of burning gold . The Turkish Embassy in Bryanstonsquare was also singularly brilliant . Long before half-past nine ( the hour at which the fireworks were advertized to commence ) , the sight-seers had congregated in large numbers in the parks . . At the stated time , the four displays , divided between the Green , Hyde , and Victoria Parks , and Primrose Hill , began simultaneously ; and nothing could exceed the grandeur of the effect when the darkness seemed to be in an instant kindled by an intense crimson glare , which , spreading upwards almost to the zenith , flushed
fho grey clouds which were lowering in the heavens , and struck them red hot as with the light of a gigantic conflagration . The writer of these lines whs at that moment approaching the scene of the display in Hyde Park , and was winding under the trees which lie between that locality and Kensington Gardens . From this spot , something of all the displays ( with the exception , perhaps , of Victoria Park ) was visible ; and the central darkness seemed to be half girdled with a fiery tempest . The effect of the light on the Serpentine was also very beautiful ; but the chief grandeur was in the union of glare and coloured radiance from several directions . The nearer view , however , was splendid . The official programme for all the localities included a profusion of
gorgeous works of pyrotechny ; and , for some two hours , the heavens , with but rare and short intervals , glowed forth ] Uke a vast dome of living jewellery , perpetually changing in form and colour ; now presenting one mass of gold ; now shooting up in long serpentine paths , or deatiAfadlng in fountains of Jight , or hanging' downward ^ ' like' the carved bosses from some vast cathedral roof : ' and now spreading forth into galaxies of many-hued stars , lapsing smoothly away before the' wind ! The large crowds gathered in all the localities tfere dettohteft with the display ; but the' - visitors to Victoria Park state that , though what they saw was magnificent , there was not enough variety . Some' of the devices In the Green Park were very Ingenious and beautiful .
The conduct of the people was admirable ; and we do not hear of any casualties . The grass in the parks yesterday presented a woful appearance , being terribly cut up by the trampling of the multitdues .
Character Of Count Cavour. Me. Bayxe St....
CHARACTER OF COUNT CAVOUR . Me . Bayxe St . John has favoured us with the following extract from his forthcoming work on The Sub-Alpine Kingdom . It has the advantage of coming from an eye-witness ; but we reserve our judgment upon the opinions expressed : — It would not be interesting to criticize the manners , or describe the personal appearance of statesmen whose names may never become familiar to the English public . I shall confine myself , therefore , to noticing briefly the characteristics of a very few who have already in some sort made European reputations .
There is , in the first place , the Count Cavour , whose portly person and aggressive countenance are tolerably well known in England . My first impression of him was favourable . He seemed to have a straightforward business air ; and it was not offensively apparent that he had been told his countenance was like Napoleon ' s ; and that he could overthrow an opponent , as could Chatham , by his eagle glance . I soon noticed , however , a sardonic smile f lashing now and then along his lip , and swiftly concealing itself under an expression of bonhomie . Some said the smile was affected : and had been learned from
the celebrated actress La Marchionni , the great predecessor of La Ristori . For my part , in the parliamentary manners of this Piedmontese minister , I thought I recognized reminiscences of Sir Robert Peel ; and it is quite certain that Count Cavour was an assiduous attendant in our gallery during a portion of the career of that statesman . At any rate , it soon became evident that the Count was playing a part ; and this , although the " make-up" was very good , naturally destroyed the first impression . We instinctively start and hold off on finding calculating cunning pulling the strings of
apparent honesty . I began to understand why the Piedmontese , almost to a man , even the ministerial deputies , even the other ministers themselves , are inclined to dislike Count Cavour . He is reported to be overbearing , and jealous of the talent of other people ; and his colleagues have the satisfaction of hearing it said , that he will never act with persons who rise in the slightest degree above mediocrity . Jt is undisputed that he has considerable talent , and that he shines especially in knowledge of the history of political economy ; but there is no doubt that he owes his present exalted position principally to the fact of his enormous wealth and aristocratic connexions . Englishmen have had many opportunities of knowing
that it is not necessary for a prime minister to be a man of genius . Count Cavour does not , certainly , merit that appellation ; but he is a clever courtier , quite capable of a caprice of independence now and then , a well-read man , may be a dexterous diplomatist , and is a successful manager of the inferior arts of debating . I have heard him try an eloquent " appeal" which was received with awkward silence by his supporters ; and derisive laughter by the two oppositions . But he is strong in stating a case , ingenious in finding plausible reasons for doubtful acts , moderately genial when he has really a good cause in hand , and speaks with a certain air of authority , not without its effect , when he knows he is
not provoking the hostility of the extreme left . He seems always to be in dread of that small knot of men , in whom naturally the chief talent of the house is centred , —turns his face generally towards them , and deprecates their hostility whenever possible . From that quarter comes the most effectual opposition to his financial schemes , not so much in the shape of votes , aa of criticism . The rest of the house almost always acquiesces in these schemes , which are never anything but trifling modifications of the old routine system of Piedmont ; or new experiments tending to make the new "tax on patents , " as it is called—that is , on industry—more acceptable to the country .
Both ministerialists and Codini know very well that as soon as the present system has been pronounced a failure , direct taxation must be tried , —in other words that land , which is now almost entirely exempt from burdens , must be made to contribute its due share , whatever that may be . This is the real question on which the Piedmontese are divided amongst themselves . It is the old quarrel . Aristocracy endeavouring to preserve the honours nnd profits of the government , and making the democracy
pay all expenses . We have not yet decided the matter in England . What wonder , therefore , that Count Cavour , pledged to oppose the income-tax , and every tax that does not fall directly or indirectly on the consumerpledged to preserve the unjust and absolute * exemption of wealthy landholders , whilst struggling tradesmen are made to pay nearly all their profits—^ should , in spite of his Voltnirean principles , and petty interference with church abuses , force the unwilling aristocracy to keep him as their leader . Faith , of course , must give way to property . Is it not so in all countries P
M. Manin On The Italian " Theory Ol? The...
M . MANIN ON THE ITALIAN " THEORY Ol ? THE PONIARD . " The following letter froriWli . Manin has been addressed to our esteemed contemporary , the Diritto of Turin : " Paris , May 25 . " Accustomed as I am to speak in terms candid , frank , and often bold , when I have the profound conviction of serving my country , I do not now hesitate to brave clamour , rancour , and even danger . " There is one great enemy of Italy which the national party must contend against without rest or pause , as without mercy , and in that contest it will be supported and seconded by the approbation and applause of the whole of civilized Europe . " This great enemy of Italy is the doctrine of political assassination , or , in other terms , the theory of the poniard . " I will not stop to discuss the morality of the question . I know that there are acute dialecticians who will undertake its defence , and among others , and above all others eminent for the exuberance of their zeal , of their acuteness , and their doctrine , the reverend fathers the Jesuits . But I also know , and as a political man this suffices for me , that the feelings of every honest man in Italy and abroad reject , reprove , and abominate such a doctrine—the doctrine of destroying human life by acts of treachery , at any time , in any place ,, and for any motive whatever . 41 The great national party in Italy invites to itself , and hopes to draw to it , the whole of its people who really love their country , and especially the most judicious , the most worthy , and the most respected for the unstained honour of their lives . But these men will never answer to that appeal unless the national party separate itself solemnly , absolutely , and irrevocably from assassins . That absolute separation is necessary to conciliate the sympathies of Europe , and to gain to our national cause the respect , the veneration , and the affection which it merits . " Recollect how the Catholic Church , especially in Italy , lost and loses a great deal of its authority from having , out of regard for mere temporal interests , employed means which the conscience of mankind condemns , and from having made use of the co-operation of corrupted and corrupting agencies . Moral purity , in theory and in practice , constitutes the living and real force of every religion . But the devoted and ardent lov « of our country is itself a religion , and it would lose aU authority in theory and in practice if it were deprived « f moral sense . " It is heartrending , it is shameful , to hear each day of atrocious deeds of stabbing that occur in Italy . I am aware that the greater part of these infamies are traceable to the vile partizans of Austro-clerical despotism ; but can we deny that a portion of them is perpetrated by men who call themselves patriots , and who have become perverted by the theory of the poniard ? And can we deny that the perpetual enemies of Italy use those atrocities as a formidable weapon against us , and that they call us barbarous , ferocious , and devoid of every moral sentiment , and unworthy of nationality as of liberty ? Let us not forget what was the principal argument made use of by the orators who proposed or who defended in the French Assembly the expedition to Rome . " By exposing to the world our foul and fatal ulcer , I know 1 perform an act of courage . I wish that to that courage I could add the power of words , and , in place of poor and rude language , that I possessed the persuasive eloquence which would move and agitate the innermost fibres of the heart , and with irresistible force infuse conviction into the mind ! Had I this gift , I should then Bay , in a manner more worthy , and with well-founded hopes of success , —* Italians ! Now is the time to efface that shameful stigma , to purify ourselves from that enormity . Our hands must be without stain . Let our purity from crime be the mark which shall distinguish the noblo defenders of our country from the suicidal instruments of the enemies of all law . Ours shall be tho honourable weapons which become nobly and truly courageous men , and our duty is to profess and propagate the doctrines of pure and indisputable morality- ' 14 Let the theory of assassination be left to the Jesuits , and let us abandon the poniard to the Sanfedesti . " MANIN . " Another communication from the same pon corrects some misapprehensions : — * * " Paris , May 20 . 41 I believe it urgent to answer another objection . I have been told that by advising tho national party in Italy to confide in the Piedmontese Government I render tho patriots of Italy apathetic and preach inertness . Now , nothing could be further from my intention . 1 said that the national party in Italy ought to g ive its co-operation to tho Piedmontese Government , m tuc event of that Government entering on the way whicu conducts to tho common end—viz ., the independence and unity of Italy . The national party does not abdicate : it co-operates . Co-oporation is action , and not inertnoBfl . Already in Mftreh , 1854 , when I protestca against tho counsels of Lord John Russell , I afflrmca that we should ever agitate until such time as our inextinguishable aspirations for national independence wero antisfied . And now . in tho name of the groat N ational
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), May 31, 1856, page 8, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_31051856/page/8/
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