On this page
-
Text (7)
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
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.
Untitled Article
to Constantinople is sufficiently denoted by that of lug staff ; he has a suite of officers of various branches and grades of the army . He is just the man to do no more an less than his instructions warrant ; but he is not the man to conduct the mystifications of a pacific solution . Otherwise , Ms political leanings would be towards Russia and Austria , as the preserver of " order" in Europe , and he would be disposed to resist the possibilities of a revolutionary or liberating war in Europe . . The correspondent of the Morning Chronicle tells auother good story ; the point of which will be best appreciated by those who know the universal gangrene of corruption which pervades Russian society and every brand of the administration of the empire : ¦— *
" General Jomini , aide-de-camp to the Emperor of Eussia , is at present at Paris . The other day some persons were conversing before him of the amount of stock-jobbing that had taken place within the last twelve months at the Paris Bourse . The general allowed the conversation on the point to arrive naturally at its conclusion , and then said , ' Gentlemen , a nation cannot live by the differences of Bourse transactions , or by speculations in railway shares . To me it appears inevitable either that Prance will become enervated b y such a course , and consequently be lost ; or she will again become the g reat nation she formerly was , both in politics and in military affairs—in which case she will be saved . But there is no medium between the
two . ' " The aide-de-camp of the Emperor of Eussia talking like a purist on political morals !
Untitled Article
While attention is concentrated upon the East of Europe , Eussia is not slumbering in the North . The Swedish government has been lately fortifying the island of Gotland . The new fortifications appear to have excited the jealousy of the Russian government . Two ships of war paid a sudden visit recently , and left as suddenly as they came without paying their pilots . " A glance at the map is enough to demonstrate the importance of Gotland to Eussia . A . war steamer and a frigate were lying in Copenhagen roads by the last advices , and a Russian fleet cruising east of Bornholm . England has not a cock-boat in the Baltic . Pew royal assurances have been more " rich" than the magnificent promise of the Eussian Emperor , that he would not molest our ships if we spared his in case of hostilities . The odds are so evidently in our favour ! There are apprehensions of a coup cPetat in Denmark in the Eussian interest . The Danish Parliament has demanded
a conference of the whole House , to consider the Government project for modifying the Constitution : but the Ministry is disposed to settle the question by Royal ordonnance , which would at once bring the Throne into collision with the Parliament : the latter being resolved not to sink into vassalage to Russia . The King of Denmark is , perhaps , the most disreputable of reigning- sovereigns—a superiority not easy to achieve by any ordinary amount of depravity . The King of Sardinia has recently made a batch of senators , among whom is Count Casati , Podesta of Milan in March , 1848 , and Count Borromeo , the Lombard exile , whose possessions have been confiscated by Austria . Among the other names is the estimable Massimo d'Azeglio , for whom all parties feel affection and respect .
Untitled Article
Princo Napoleon Jerome ifl reported to be contemplating a visit to Italy , It appears that the grudge of the King of Naples against the Due de Leaparre , one of the officers sent by tho French Emperor to the Neapolitan reviews , was , that he had already been complimenting the Kingj of Piedmont , for whom , as a constitutional sovereign , King Bomba lias a legitimate aversion . ' Princo Napoleon Jerome has returned to Paris from Stuttgard , whore he was welcomed by his uncle , the King of Wurfcomburg , with profuso honours and attentions The visit ; of Prince Napoleon Jerome to Stuttgardt is said to have- had reference to a proposed marriage with the granddaug hter of tho Princess Stephanie of Baden . There is great ; activity in tho Fronch navy . On tho 31 st « lt . tho Hcrow steamer Lo Joimnlle , of 6 * 50 horso power , "Was launched at Brent .
A steam frigate of tho largest size , to bo called L'lmpSrat rico MugSnio , in ordered to bo placed on tho stocks . She is to bo 8 ()() horse power , and to serve an a modol for sovoral other nliipn of tho mime class . Tho Austrian Government ; is said to havo contracted a loan subscribed by the Imperial Bank and other qreat ¦ financia l establishments at St . Petersburg . Talk of Austrian neutrality after this . Tho loan was ' impossible in Paris or London . Tho PruHniun Chambers are convoked for tho 28 th inst . Tho Dukci and DucIiorh of Brabant aTO oxpootod to pay i visit ; to tho courts of Wurtomburir and Bavaria next month . '
The Q rand Duke of Tuscany , who In travelling incognita , and his son , dined with tlio Pope on tho 2 O * h ulfc . ; Cardi-? ii Wiseman wan ono of tho giuwtfl . Boforo leaving Horoiuio tho Grand Duko signed a decree- leaving " tho ontiro government of tho Duchy to bin Ministers during bin " menee . II , ) in na \ ([ ( o bo' ^ rroirifr t-o Naplea to oak for Noapolitiui troops in ouso tho Auritriund aro wanted elsewhere . Great excitement exists throughout Italy . Numerous nrrosls havo boon inado in Loinburdy . >» y deem ) of tho 128 th ult ., . signed Do Burger , Imperial Wnl Itoyal Lieutenant of Lombardy , an additional tax of j * kroutzorH per florin ( about , one-twentieth ) , in to bo "viod ii , 1 H 54 upon land , meomos , and trade , to cover tho dnficMl . of IHRB .
the Belgian Eoyal Family in England to assure them of his friendly dispositions towards Belgium and the reigning family . His alliance with England is the guarantee for his pacific intentions towards Belgium and Prussia * We are glad to find among the appointments in the JkfoniteUr , the promotion of M . de Lesseps , the diplomatist , to the grade of Minister Plenipotentiary of the first class ; if , as we believe , it is the same M . de lesseps who , in 1849 , entrusted by the then French Government with a perfidious and double-faced mission to the Roman Republic , had the courage to forfeit the favour of his superiors by his good faith , and to speak of Mazzini as he found him .
I ho Queen of Spain presided on tho owning of tho 28 th l » t . at a Cabinet Counoil , at which it wnn decided to grant «• Hpw , ial burial ground to tho Protestants . Tho proHont ** ovornmont bus already Hoiaed a journal , tho Diario Ms-3 > anol , for a hostile article . Monoval Narvuez Iiuh loft . Turin on hit * rotum to Spain . kouia Kiipoloon hua availed bimoolf of tho aojdurn dt
Untitled Article
SIR CHARLES SHAW ON THE TURKISH ARMY . Sir Charles Shaw , the officer who drew attention to the Minie" rifle , has published a letter in the Chronicle , on the Turkish army . He disputes the claim of the Russians to a military reputation , and that of the Czar to the renown of a moderate and magnanimous king , He shows that the Turkish defeats in 1828 and 1829 had been preceded by the destruction of the Turkish fleet at Navarino and the massacre of the Janisaries , leaving only raw soldiers to contend against the Russian troops who had fought Napoleon . At the close of his letter he cites some valuable and recent opinions on the state of the army . To begin with the Circassians , as irregulars on whom much depends :: — " The noble Circassians , who have been fighting against Eussia independent of Turkey , have been within this short time taken into the Turkish army ; and it may be interesting to give a description , by a Prussian officer , of the Circassian cavalry , who are about to take a prominent part in the coming conflict . He says—' The Circassian wears a pointed steel helmet , with a long horse-tail pendant from it . A net of steel work hangs down from the lower part of the helmet , protects the front and nape of the neck , and is looped together under the chin , underneath a short red vest , cut in the Polish fashion . He is clad in a species of coat of mail , consisting- of small bright rings of steel intervened . His arms , from the wrist to the elbow , and his
legs , from the foot of the shin bone to the knee , are guarded by thin plates of steel ; he also wears close pantaloons and laced boots . Two long Turkish pistols , as well as a poniard , are stuck into his girdle . He has a leather strap with a noose , like a Mexican lasso , hanging at his side , which he throws with great dexterity over the head of his enemy . A Turkish sabre and a long Turkish musket are slung behind his back , and two cartridge holders across his breast . The skill with which the Circassians use their weapons is really beyond belief . I have seen them repeatedly fire at a piece of card lying on the ground , at full speed , without ever missing . They will pick up a piece of money from the ground while executing a charge , by bending themselves round below the horse ' s belly , and , after seizing the piece , suddenly throw themselves back into tho saddle .
They form the choicest body of cavalry in the Turkish service , and I have watched them when charging , attack their opponents with a sabre in each hand , managing their reins with their mouth ; they will spring out of their saddles , take aim and fire from behind their horses , then jump into their saddles again , wheel round and reload their gun as they retreat in full career . They aro perfect madmen in tho attack , and few troops could withstand tho utter recklessness of danger they evince ' Next take the irregular Asiatics : — " Hear what that most intelligent and experienced officer ,
Captain Nolan , of the 15 th British Hussars , says , in his admirable book on cavalry tactics . Speaking of tho British cavalry , ho says— ' By taking a lesson from the Asiatics , England might so arm and instruct her dragoons as to make them equal to any of the people of tlio EmnI . in single combat . ' Of the Russian cavalry , Captain Nolan says : ' Heavy Russian cuirassiers , whim opposed to tho Turks , " \ voro obliged to form in close columns , or in squares , requiring artillery and infantry to protect thorn from tho ( sharp scimitars of tho Moslem . Theso Turks had no discipline , no lances ; hnd nothing but their own good swords find steeds to trust to . ' "
Here in still later information : — "All accounts lately received are unanimouson tliesuperior equipment and o / Hcienoy of tho Turkish artillery , and tho opinion of Sir Charles O'Donnell , of the Turkish army , now in the field , is worthy of every attention . Sir Charles has Heen much service , and he has lately been visiting the greater part of tho European armies . He says : •—' The Turks are physically a fine race of men , capable of enduring fatigue , sober , patient , intelligent , and altogether well conducted . All is completely European , and the spectator may hero fancy himself amongst tlio Prussian or French Roldiers in thoir encampments . They aro animated by a laudable fervour for thoir religion and their country , and awn . ro of the consequences to thorn of the coming crisis . Their fatalism has exalted their courage , and they say they will conquer or dio with their arrno in . their bands . The Turks have
adopted for their cavalry and infantry tho Fronch system , and for their artillery the Prussian syHtem of organisation and manoeuvre . , Tho wholo army is well artried , equipped , and organised , and , upon , the whole , in good order . Tn-Htruetod by ICiiropouns in tlio various branches of tho military art , the Turks have totally given up their former syston ' i of warfare , and havo inado rapid strides towards ofllciono y in European tactics . Tlio artillery is the arm in which they most excel ; it in numerouH , well-managed , nnd understood . The equipment of the mountain gum earned on mules is well arranged . ' In IB 15 the Duke of Wellington reviewed tho IiiiHsin . il army of 100 , 000 men . IleexpreHsod admiration of them an a body , but was struck with the slowness of their movements , and said to the Marquis of Londonderry , ' Charles , my little army could move round them in any direction whilst they were ollooting a ninglo change . ' The navy of Russia is powerful in men and guns , but , having only one or two months in iniuicouyring diuring tho' wholo year , Admiral
Napier need not have much fear of that much dreaded 27 ships of the line in the Baltic , of which he speaks so much ; as one might say to him , ' Charley , with nve ships you would sail round and through . them whenever you choose . ' But the Russian ^ fleet in the Black Sea is powerful and weU manned , and , for the sake of Turkey , it behoves us not to talk and diplomatise , and nothing more , but to follow the hint given by Lord Palmerston m his letter of 19 th October , to the Edinburgh Presbytery— « Don't talk , but keep your powder dry , gentlemen . If this be true—and the witnesses are all credible persons—the passage of the Danube may not be such , a precipitate thing as the Russian organs would fain have us believe .
Untitled Article
SCOTTISH RIGHTS . It seems that Scotland is a wronged nation , and a " National Association for the Vindication of Scottish Rig-hts" has been solemnly formed . They held a grand meeting in Edinburgh on Wednesday , with the Earl of Eglinton , the paladin of the association , in the chair . His oration , full of bitter complaint against England , embodies the pith of the grievances . Centralization , he says , is carried out to a greater extent than the treaty of Union requires . The palaces and parks of Scotland , '' poor old Holyrood" and Mary's birthplace , are shamefully neglected , and are fast falling to decay . All the money is spent in London , whose streets are scarcely passable , while the grass grows greenly in Edinburgh . The Scotch are not represented in suffi cient numbers ; they have not a single harbour of refuge from Wick to Berwick ; the Scottish lion is degraded from his position in the regal shield ; and Scotland is handed over to the anomalous and irresponsible government of the Lord Advocate , instead of being placed in the hands of a Secretary of State for Scotland .
These sentiments were heartily cheered by the audience , and speeches were made in a similar spirit by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh , Sir Archibald Alison , the notorious Mr . Baillie Cochrane , and Professor Aytoun . It was stated that tiie defence of Scotland is entrusted to 1800 men ! and Sir Archibald Alison , with that accuracy of judgment which is his characteristic , dilated on the probability of the Russians overrunning the country , landing at Glasgow ( . ' ) , and sacking and plundering all around . Resolutions in the spirit of the speeches were carried , and the sturdy Scots of Auld Reekie departed well pleased .
Untitled Article
OUR SANITARY STATE . Choleea is making progress in London ; and the great fall of rain , and continuance of mild weather , seems to increase the ravages of the epidemic . No fewer than 96 perished last week in London—a small number compared to the vast population , but the total who have died since August is nearly double that of the corresponding period in 1848 . This shows that the present attack on the country ia more fatal than its predecessor . The South side of the Thames still maintains its fatal supremacy in deaths ; and all tho news wo receive tends to show the absolute necessity of the utmost preparation for the coming spring .
In the country the deaths are fewer , but extend over a larger surface—stretching from Tenterden , on tho south coast , to Berwick , on the Scotch borders . Cholera has also . appeared in Bedfordshire , Essex , and Bucks . It still lingers at Newcastle and tho adjacent partw , and has creased the border , selecting Dundee , apparently , an itn next victim . There diarrhoea is prevalent , and . several persons , not of the poorer classes , have died of cholera . Measures have been taken to
irieet the probable extension of the epidemic , and not before they are needed ; for Dundee in reported to be filthier than any town yet visited by the inspectors of the Board of Health ; the inhabitants lacking the meant * for performing in decency tho common necessities of exigence , except in horrible places , of public reHort . Edinburgh is also liable to an attack from the name cuunob ; and Arbroath is already tho / scene of death .
Untitled Article
THIC WA « E \ S QUESTION . Mr . Hume ban addies . sed a letter to the Chairman of the Operatives' Association , in Preston , in which he given a decided opinion , that " all strikes , whether of workmen or of masters , aro injurious to both , and detrimental to the public interents . " After glancing at the repeal of the Combination Lawu , in 1824 , ho tlniH rol ' erH to the Preston dispute :- ¦¦ - " You declare that workmen have always been for arbitration , and that the masters have refused that fair eourso . I am not in a condition to know whether you are correct or not ; but whichever party have refused to refer their differences to . arbitration , have much to answer for , both to
the public , and to the parties who have become the sufiororu thereby . I consider tho benetits of Freo-trudn to be great , and to bo increasing . The freeing of labour , in 1 . 824 ., from tho shackles that then interfered with and bound the working classes , wan the coiiimoneoiriont of that groat movement ; and 1 do yet hope that the good sense of both inimters and men will enable them to see the advantage of doing what was tho object in view by the repeal of tho combination laws - of referring all disputes to arbitration . " There in little hope , however , of any upoedy reconciliation . There iH no luck of placards , issued by tho workmen . ( Jeorgo Cowell still exorcises an onormouu influenco over the operatives—speaking in tho broad
Untitled Article
HotrEMBER 5 , 1853 J fSE LE 1 DER , 1061
-
-
Citation
-
Leader (1850-1860), Nov. 5, 1853, page 1061, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2011/page/5/
-