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THE PEACE REJOICINGS . —?¦—Whatever may be the degree of satisfaction or dissatisfaction at the terms of peace , Englishmen so seldom get a holiday , and are so rarely treated with anything like a show , that they seemed determined to make the most of Thursday . The day was not remarkably fine — not what is called by loyal folk " a Queen ' s day ; " but the people turned out from an early hour , and remained out till a 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 fireworks 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 ; dining-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 napped 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 his 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-General ; Lord Cardigan , General Sir Richard Airey , Colonel Gordon , General Smyth , General Sir Charles Yorke , and Colonel WetheralJ .
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 name . 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-lano . 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 im Bryanatonsquare 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 . ; an , d nothing could exceed . the grandeur of the effect when the darkness seemed to bo in an instant kindled by an intense crimson glare , which , spreading upwards almost , 1 ; q the zenith , flushed the grey clouds which were lowering in the heavens , and struck them ted hot as with the , light / pf / a gigantic conflagration . The writer of these lines was 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 . I ' rom 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 . hearen& i with but rare and .. short intervals , glowed
forth Uke . a vaqt dome of living jewellery , perpetually cnanring in form , and colour ; now presenting one mass of gold v now shooting up in long serpentine paths , or descending in fountains . of light , or hanging downwards like , the carved bosses from some vast cathedral roof ; and now . spreading forth into galaxies of naany-hu ' ed fttars , lapsing smoothly away before ^ e w ind . The largo . crowds gathered in all the localities were deHghte . d with , the display ; but the visitors to , Y iipjQrla Pack . state , that , , though what they saw was magnificent , there was not enough variety . Some of the deVlces 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 .
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CHARACTER OF COUNT CAVOUR . Mr . Bayi . e 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 . 1 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 , tho Count Cavour , whose portly person and aggressive countenance are tolerably well kno-wn 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 ah opponent , as could Chatham , by his eagle glance . I soqu noticed , however , a sardonic smile flashing 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 , 1 thought I recognized reminiscences of Sir Robert Pee ?; 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 ihe 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 . It 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 capr ice 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 , as 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 Boon as the present sj-stem has been pronounced a failure , direct taxation must bo tried , —in other words that land , -which is now almost entirely exempt from burdens , must bb made to contribute its due share , whatever that may be . This is tho real question on which the Piedmonteso are divided amongst themselves . It is tho old quarrel . Aristocracy endeavouring to preserve tho honours and profits of the government , and making the democracy decided the matter
pay all expenses . We have not yet in England . What wonder , therefore , that Count Cavour , pledged to oppose tho 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 Voltalrcan principles , and petty interference with church ubuaes , force tho unwilling aristocracy to keep him as their leader . Faith , of c 6 urse , must give way to property . Is it not so in all countries ?
M . " MANIN ON THE ITALIAN " THEORY Ol ? THE PONIARD . " * The following letter from M . Manin has been addressed to our esteemed contemporary , the Diritto of Turin — " Paris , May 25 . " Accustomed as I am to speak hi 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 tue national party must contend against without rest or pause , as without mercy , and in that contest it will he 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 t / ie 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 acutencss , and their doctrine , the reverend fathers tue 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 .
" 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 love of our country is itself a religion , and it would lose all authority in theory and in practice if it were deprived cf 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 formidableweapon against us , and that they call us barbarous , ferocious , and devoid of every moral sentiment , and unworthy of nationality as of liberty ? I . * t us not forget what was the pr incipal argument made usa of by the orators who proposed or who defended in tho 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 say , in a manner more worthy , and with well-foumladl hopes of success , —• Italians 1 Now is the time to efface that shameful stigma , to purify ourselves from that enormity . Our hands must bo without stain . Lot our purity from crime be the mark which shall distinguish the noble defenders of our country from the suicidal in-r strumeuts of the enemies of all law . Ours shall bo tha honourable weapons which become nobly and truly courageous men , and our duty is to profess and propagate the doctrines of pure and indisputable-morality . '
11 Let tho theory of assassination be left to the Jesuits , and let us abandon the poniard to the Sanfedesti . " MANIN . " Another communication from the same pen corrects some misapprehensions : — " Paris , May 20 .
" I believe it urgent to answer another objection . I have been told that by advising tho national party m Italy to coiifido in the Piedmontese Government I render the patriots of Italy apathetic and preach inertness . Now , nothing could be further from my intention , i said that the national party in Italy ought to give na co-operation to tho Piodmontesb Government , in tne event of thut Government entering on the way wnicn conducts to the common end—viz ., tho independence and unity of Italy . The national party does not auaicftto ; it co-operates . Co-operation id action , and not inertness . Already in March , 1854 , when I P" *** " " no-ulnnc t . lin ^ nunsola of Lord Joh n Russell , 1 am rmtu
that wo Bhould ever agitht ' o until such time an our uiox--tinguiuhable aspirations for national independence wcr « aatisfled . And now , in tho name of tho great National
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612 THE LEADER . [ No . 323 , Saturday ,
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), May 31, 1856, page 512, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2143/page/8/
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