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Certainly , all cant of Grerman unity apart , Danish 8 way is to be preferred to Prussian or to Austrian . But we are anxious to mark in this place , and to enforce upon the attention of our readers this latest instance of the summary fashion in which nations and peoples are disposed of by the "Five Great Powers" sitting in a back parlour in Downing-street . Rations and peoples indeed ! Such bodiless creations only exist in the disordered brains of democrats and revolutionists . Dukes
and duchies , thrones , and dynasties are the only " nations" recognised by thelted-tapeocraey representing the " Great Powers . " And as we have repeatedly urged , if the nations would take one leaf out of the diplomatic book- —if they would give up their wrangling , and false mystical phrase-making , and all the sound and fury of revolutionary jargon , and become quiet , practical and united ; if they would learn a little of the fixed adherence to a few firm principles of action , the unselfish self-sacrifice for the cause of the common safety ,
which these " Great Powers" practice so efficiently , what would become of these said " Great Powers" in a very few years ? What was the professed object in . . the settlement of the Schleswig-Holstein question ? To provide for the peace of Europe , and for the succession to the crown of Denmark in the Duchies . In other words , to get rid of all revolutionary elements in that direction . To effect this object , the Hed-tapeocraey appoint a meeting : they quietly attaint a Duke of illregulated mind , put him aside with a pension , and insert another prince , having issue , in his
stead ; they twist the royal succession , without regard to sacredness of title , or of right ; they shuffle the peoples about from one thimble to another , until you are puzzled to tell to what duke or king these peoples belong . True , they are backed by overwhelming force : but mark , wheirThrones agree , their unanimity is wonderful . Whilst the revolution was alive , Prussia fought against Denmark : now that the revolution is dead , Bunsen lends a willing hand to protocols , and signs away the duchies to the Dane . The principle is all .
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THE CONVOCATION MOVEMENT . Loed Derby told the assembly at the Mansion House , on Saturday , that the Cfhurch of England was a compromise ; and in that admission he surrendered the only grouud which men , honestly opposed to the revival of convocation and diocesan synods , have for a standing-place . Henceforward let no " supporter of Lord Derby , " say that the Church of England is a divine institution . A compromise in essentials involves a cession of truth , and an accession of falsehood for convenience sake . And although practical politics may fairly be defined as the " science of exigencies , " as regards things temporal , religion cannot safely bo defined as tho science of exigencies as regards things spiritual ; unless it be intended to admit that religion is not a divino but a human institution . We aro not arguing the latter alternative—we aro only putting strongly and logically the consequences of Lord Derby ' s doctrino . Tho Church of England claims to possess the re * ligion ; her ministration should have , therefore , tho outward and visiblei signs consistent with tho inward and spiritual principles of that religion } but manciples do not admit of compromise ); and ,
therefore , if the Church of England bo a compromise , she is not faithful to her principles , and is , so far , untrustworthy in matters of such awful moment as aro involved in her largo pretensions . But tho glaring fact , announced so publicly ,, and with such ostentation of stylo and occasion , is tho summons for all honest men to strive that sho ceaso to bo so . We look upon Lord Derby ' s confession as an additional reason for aiding in tho revival of synodical action , which ifl tho only possible remedy , tho very last chanco remaining , by means of which tho church may try to become honest and true , ¦
In looking " buck to . the famous dobuto of Juno , . 1 . 851 , when Lord lledesdnlo broke ground on the question , and thomso up to tho evirront week , ¦ whon his lordship placed tho Archbishop of York in a position so humiliating to ntruo churchman , thong !) * possibly , on tho pachydermatous low churchman it produced no such salutary effects , wo aro struck by tho progress winch tho idea of emancipating the church has made in a period so brief . Not only have successful mootings boon hold to forward the revival of diocesan , synods , in Dpi'by , London , and Gloucester , but wo have
seen a diocesan , synod in full operation at Exeter ; and , what is of far greater importance , we have seeii Convocation make a stand in the province of Canterbury , and Mr . Gladstone introduce and read a first time , a bill conferring powers on the Colonial church for the purpose of enabling her to manage her own affairs . We havealso seen attempts at partial legislation in Parliament set aside by the unfaltering directness , the admirable moderation , and the consistent teaching of the London Union in Church Matters , the able letters of D . C . L ., the statesmanlike leaders of the Morning Chronicle , and / the efforts of a host of
zealous partizans . Our own share in the work may have been small , but we have pursued our advocacy , and shall pursue it , actuated by pure motives , and stimulated by high unwavering principles . We have not concealed those motives , nor failed to urge those principles . What we claim for the Church of England , we claim for the People of England—the right to the fullest possible spiritual development , uncontrolled by state interference , and unassailed by penal laws . We have ever stood upon that broad and solid ground , relying not upon compromise , but upon principle , and acting rather with , a bravely honest Denison , than with a rashly inconsequent
Derby . It is a pleasure to us , therefore , when we see the movement steadily maintain its integrity , refusing Parliamentary remedies , and firmly demanding the opportunity of finding them for itself . From that posture it must not flinch . No hints to " support Lord Derby , " such as were thrown out by certain' organs at the jcommencement of the session , must be allowed to divert the friends of the movement from their straightforward course ; indeed , to all such of faith
hints , the Mansion House confession ought to be a sufficient reply . Neither must the advocates of diocesan synods neglect , as they did at Gloucester , to court discussion , to encounter hostile decisions / even to meet opposition face to face , for truly may it be saici of the Convocation party , that opposition is their opportunity . Their cause iB full of vitality ; it must advance ; nothing but cowardice can obstruct it ; while unflinching courage and courteous audacitywall alone command for it that success which persistent honesty is ever certain to achieve . .
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WAGNER ANALYZES . Why does the brave Englishman , in the midst of a wintry climate , p lunge into a cold ¦ shower bath , even before he is warmed with breakfast ? Because ho earns a robuster health by the process . Why does the foreign artist plunge into English society ? Because he earns health , of pocket by the process . Albert Wagner has stated the motive in a confidential letter to a friend , possibly with a candour too coarse for the abrupt publicity of a crabbed court . Other foreign artists , although thoy may think that - ' "England
rewards only with her money , " do not like to avow the incentive so nakedly . Nay , we believe that some of the highest will not bo solely governed by the one motive which too confessedly suffices for ph ~ Q Wagner ; but they cannot Tbo so blind to their own feelings as not to know how often it is true in Englisji society , that money is tho only i * oturn . Wagnor—whom tho British public is sharp enough to discriminate intliis matter from liis passive daughter—hap boon abundantly execrated for his uncomely candour ; but what is ho other than a Frco-trador P Ho docs no moro than apnly tho maxim , " to buy in tho cheapest market uhd sell
in tho dearest . " Ho vends ftong , which ho finds homo made , thus obtaining it « , t primp tost ; and ho sells it in the dearest inarkot—in England ratlior than in Franco , to Gyo rather than to Lumley . It may bo an ugly wight to sco art $ iu subject of vending , the sport of chapm ' on ; , but Avhafc olso does England give to art , oxeopt lior money P Do artists with their bright , glancing , sqnsitivo natures porno to England for tho pake of our genial climato , or for the enjoyment of our icstivo " SondayP " . Or , from a cordial , yearning towards social institutions , nmong which Steaks and Stout aro most conspicuous P
All tho luminaries of art come to London , it is truo : wo can afford to mako London an attractive sojourn to thorn : wo can even recognise tlio best . There aro amongusmon enough offinishodtaBto and rofinod fooling to impress upon tho general mind tho verdict of the nicest and most discriminating criticism . And tho gonoral mind , boing duly
impressed , - ^ ^ ttiiit ^ otely ; ' . i *^ coni 6 s ; a Xirid . per taps bur enthusiasm for a mensely heightene'd wheii we are told that Signer A . is a f good father , " or MadUe . B . an " u-reproaehable yoking la-d y ; " We insist jfer ihore on the domestic virtues than on the artistic excellence , and the pride of a " very moral people" is appeased by satisfactory family statistics—even in an artist . For those who cannot tell one note from another , have a proper sense of respectability , which demands to be gratified even When the ear is dull .
But we stick by public favourites . "We applaud an octogenarian tenor as ; vehemently as a Taniberlik in the prime of his powers . A fact that would rather establish the hearty tenacious affectionateness of the English character , than the artistic intelligence of an English audience . London is not , whatever we may think , the consecration of an artist ' s fame , and this all artists
know , We reward only with our money : just as Calcutta , where many an Englishman wastes his liver , if not his life , rewards only ( as Mr . Affable ¦ Hawk'yFOuld say ) -with , an ijt-Oalciittablefortune : and as San Francisco with its Lynch law murders , and its , wholesale conflagrations , rewards the adventurous ; deserter of an English , home—only with its gold ;
How are artists treated in English society ? Very vsrell , you say , *— too well ; for they are highly paid , they live luxuriously , and they are applauded to the echo—when successful . But that is not enough .- Follow thenl into society and see how they are treated . They are received into great rooms- —apart ; they are looked at , and listened to , as clever birds may be , or the Industrious Fleas . Sometimes they are railed
off . Mostly , in trust of their tameness , they are suffered to go loose ; for they will only hang about the pianoforte , and do no harm . They are treated with a-sort of supercilious indulgence , like creatures that , when well bred , behave almost like human beings . Sometimes , at feeding time—for the human bird does not sing well when starving—they are handed over to the graceful hospitalities of—the Pantry !
Now ' the artist is , above all creatures , human Development of the natural emotions is the very object of his training , as it is the original impulse of his nature . He seldom has any inordinate reverence for rank ; but ho has an Epicurean sense for all that is tasteful , splendid , dramatic , and ffustative . Hence he is fitted to enjoy the pleafellow
sures of society ; but being amidst his - creatures , he craves their sympathy , ho craves opportunity to express his own . The true artist hates to be tho mere exhibitor or show-boy to his own art- ; ¦ he detests even the cold-blooded vanity of a Candaules ; he would much rather have the freer licence of a gathering with others of Ma vagabond race , where tho mirth , the wine , the inspiration , the enjoyment , are their own , without , alien evescold eatranffCment , and hands that
, his are not to touch , though tho pulse 3 beating in them aro half of his own creating . It is not abroad as it is hero . Adversity malccs one acquainted with strange bed-fellows , ana many o , u artist in Italy can trace h * W 0 ?*™ liigh houses a , nd sovereign nobles . With a ba * o ibrffctfulness of the true spirit of heraldry , oui nobles know not their follows sunken in estate , though thoir genius may blush with the blood oi \ r ^ , ra o « rl mm ™ .,. Vnr ouraristocra cy is nioei'ij
a parvenu , purso-proud aristocracy . Abroad , t o nobility is not forgotten ; but oven it that w wanting , iho nobility of genius is welcomed ; ana the tailor who has tho utterance of an AmpM " enjoys tho triumphs of an Amphion . in a the artist is at homo . In St . . Petersburg itac £ tho Groat Boar forgets his autocratic lo »«« JJj whou ho enters tbo roalms of art , and is ino J companion of tho wandering gomus ; >*« ll . than . 0110 of tho brotherhoodlean W ' % . Petersburg has noico like JSngliBh good J doty ,. " A cowardly effrontery which biavo A . ^ T A' . i Vn » t . i / iT >] ftr lwu . mia ^ ll " , IS JlCOnSCCl U . Y .
powor . to bo insolent—a vulgar upstart nppition of things material abovo hmnnii * ° " ™ £ u ); or art—n , winHmracy of oxoluHivo doalJnff jn ' f toaios-a want oflile ; such urO tho . o ^ " ^ . tho ioo which covers good society in ^ . jfl ( not tho craggy ico and bounclloss snows oi av ^ not tho luscious fruity ico which . ^ j" ^ , , ^ burning mm of Italy , but the "at , bn ^ J ^ oe icoovor the muddy pond of w « t Bnfflj" garnished in fog and cuskotcd under leaacii o ^ Mirny a hot Italian who has fallen , and fltunn
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466 ^ ^ ^ f ^^^^ ¦
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), May 15, 1852, page 466, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1935/page/14/
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