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LITERATURE.
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Among the meetings of the learned societies those of the Royal Geographical may perhaps be considered the most universally interesting . The last meeting of this society for the present session was held on Monday evening , the Earl of Ripori in the chair . Among those present were Sir Roderick I . Murchison , Ixmls Overstone and Strangford , Sir John Rennie , Sir John Login , Admiral Trotter , General Portlock ; and many other savans . After the election of Fellows , two interesting papers were read , the first of which was , " Notes on a Voyage to New Guinea , " by Mr . Alfred R . Wal-These notes the results of the
lace , F . R . G . S . were author ' s residence at Dorey , in the N . W . part of the island , and the only place in which a trader can remain in safety . The statement that New Guinea is inhabited by Papuans and Malays is , it seems , incorrect , as the natives are composed entirely of the former , though several Malay settlements are scattered over the outlying islands . The whole northern peninsula , as well as the neighbouring islands , is rugged and mountainous , and an unvarying forest of somewhat stunted appearance spreads itself over the country . Dorey was * *¦ - , . ... 1 1 * 1 ..- i * . ... * - «• - # » .- » A / Ifrcrtn . lOUntl to oe very uuucmw ^ i « r >»« —— — j tery being most prevalent . The principal article of trade on the northern coast are a fragrant aromatic bark , culled mussoey , tortoiseshell , beche-de-mer , sago , and wild nutmegs . The Dutch hold possession of New Guinea up to the meridian of 141 deg . K . of Greenwich , and carry on an extensive trade along nearly the / whole of the coast included within the northern and southern extremities . The paper gave rise to an interesting discussion in which Mr . Crawford ,. Dr . Kinkel , and Mr . Saunders took part . The second paper was " Remarks on Portuguese Journeys in Central Africa , " by Mr . James Macqucon , F . R . G . S . After some observations from Captain Burton in reply to Mr . Macqueen , Major Palmer , RlA .,. F . R . G . S ; , read some 4 Notes on the Island of St Helen « , " to accompany his new map of that island .
v , NEWS in the literary world / this week , is at a premium , and with the exception of the first appearance of Once a Week , there is scarcely anything to talk about . The opening number of this new serial displays variety enough in the choice of subjects ; though some of the articles can . by no means be called the best efforts of their authors , We have verse , palaeontology , natural history , and fiction of the serious as well as of the comic kind , and both the information and the entertainment may fairly be classed above the average . The illustrations are as diversified as the letter-press , some good drawings by Tenniel ; a most singular piece by Mr . Millais , displaying as much of that gentleman ' s eccentricity as it is possible with the limited effects of a small wood-cut ; and three by John Leech , one of which , the boys in the bun-shop , is in his very best vein .
prior to his acceptance of the Vice-Consulship at Mytelene , the latter being an office which he certainly would never liave been induced to fill , were it not that it gave hicn opportunities of prospecting , as the diggers say , for remains of ancient-art . The marbles recovered by him , it . may be as well to remind pur readers , are from the famous site of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus , comprising several slabs from the frieze of that monument , portions of
colossal horses , and of ¦ the quadriga that surmounted it , and two colossal statues , believed to be those of Mausolus and his Queen -Artemisia . These were all excavated between the j-ears 185 G-8 . It is singular that in a paper contributed by Mr . Newton to the Classical Museum , so far back as 1848 , he pointed out the exact spot in which those treasures lay concealed , and from which he afterwards had the good fortune himself to disinter them . But in addition to these marbles from Halicarnassus ,
we are indebted to Mr . Newton for another collection —namely , from the site of the Temple of Apollo at Didymi , ' near Miletus , and from Cnidus . This embraces a number of sitting figures , originally placed in the Via Sacra , that led up to the Temple of Apollo from the sea ; also a magnificent colossal lion , and many other specimens of ancient Greek art . Having done so much for the recovery of Greek antiquities , shall we not hope that liis new consular duties Will not be so burdensome as to preclude him from indulging a similar enthusiasm with respect to the remains of Roman art , vast numbers of which are , it is supposed on . good aathority , still recoverable out of the Gampagna , and other less extensive districts . "
Towards the close of the sitting , at the suggestion of Sir Roderick Murchison , who introduced them with allusion to their travels , one of the brothers Schlagintweit offered some remarks in explanation of their drawings in the Himalayas . The annual oration in memory of the great Harvey was delivered at the Royal College of Physicians on Thursday by Dr . Aldis , one of the Fellows of the College , and medical officer of health for St . George ' s , Hanovcr-squaro . The cliuir was occupied by Dr . Mayo , President of the College , supported by the officers , numerous Follows of the College , and u Considerable . number ' of literary and scientific gentlemen . The oration , as usual in Latin , nnd remarkable for its classical purity , was well delivered , and cordially received by the distinguished assembly .
Mr . Hot ton ( the well-known antiquarian bookseller ) is about to publish a Cunt Dictionary , to which ho appends the very appliuablo quotation of South— ¦? Rabble-charming words , which curry so much wildfire wrapt up in them . " There will be much in this work to illustrate the old manners of the metropolis . Ho also announces a reprint of a hithorto unknown poem , written by John Uunyan , whilst confined in Bedford Jail , for the support ot his family , —entitled , " Profitable Mediations , fitted to between
Man ' s Different Conditions } in a Conference Christ and a -Hlnnor . " _ . " The appointment of Mr Newton , " says tho Critic , " lately Vico-C ' ousul al Mytelonc , to be Consul at Rome , whore ho succeeds Mr . Frcel ) orn , deceased , is a fitting reward for that gentleman ' s distinguished services done to his country , by euuurlng for it those treasuros of anelont art which uro now housed in tine British Museum , or rather shedded under its p ortico . Mr . Newton has boon for some years himself an assistant officer In the Museum ,
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admiration , to cite Ins own words , were unbounded . It proved to him that " republican and fool are synonymous terms . " Canning ' s own course was one between monarchy and democracy , and consisted in his desire to put constitutional limits on both . Similar distrust existed in England of the elder Buonaparte wliich now embarrasses political discussion in reference to his nephew ; so that when the usurper proposed peace , doubt of his sincerity prevented its acceptance . It was upon this occasion that Canning introduced the English language into diplomatic correspondence , using it in his
reply to Buonaparte ' s letter to the King of England . ¦ - ' Mr . Canning ' s letters to his friend , Lord Baringdon , reveal the secret workings of his mind , and in this kind of familiar intercourse we get an insight into his character highly '¦ favourable to a candid estimate of it . The administration of Addington proved a sore trial to his patience . Mediocrity was triumphing in the deceitful cry of " Measures not men ; " at the very time wken the country had to strive with a man of Napoleon ' s genius . A successor was needed to Mr . Pitt j of
equal or great abilities . Mr . Fox , his great rival , was ill-supplied by the Grenville administration . On the formation of that of the Duke of Portland , Mr . Canning found himself at the Foreign-office , and " in a position which gave him a full opportunity of exerting his best energies for the jpublie good . " . . ' ' Public affairs were in a terrible state . The Continent was at the feet of Napoleon . The Emperor of Russia consented to meet his conqueror in conference at Tilsit .
" At this memorable interview between the Emperors , the ordinary forms of diplomacy were laid aside , and the two Monarchs discussed and settled , viva vocc , the important matters which were to be arranged between them . The meeting ( either the better to preserve the appearance of equality , or because both so far distrusted each other as to be unwilling to place their persons in each other ' s power ) took place on a raft moored in the middle of the river Niemen . It was there that Napoleon put forth all - •• • . 1 * 1 - . n .,-.,, nrnt-iius . and SUCtlie lascinatiuiia uiiuouuuicuuud o ~; ceeded in obtaining such a powerful ascendancy over the mind of Alexander , as to convert his foe into his warm admirer ; lie also contrived so to prejudice Alexander against the British alliance , that he agreed to join in Napoleon ' s designs for the complete overthrow of British power . " The Treaty of Tilsit was then settled . There were several secret articles , which were to be most carefully concealed from the world . When , however , these mighty men were , as they thought alone ,
GEORGE CANNING and his Times . By Augustus Granville Stapleton . —John . W . Parker and Son .. . Tins book lias peculiar claims on attention . It is not so much a biography as a memoir , composed of personal recollections of its illustrious subject . To Mr . Stapleton , Canning communicated ,, as to a friend and confidant ,. most of the matter of the volume before us . Mr . . Stapleton does not proceed chronologically , but takes up the topics as they arise ; and frequently with the purpose of defending his hero . Thus Mr . Stapleton , at the outset , encounters Lord Brougham ' s opinion as to Canning's -oratory ,, claiming : for it depth and sincerity , and . 'far * " otlici' qualities than those that go to make only the accomplished actor . No doubt George Canning was an accomplished artist , but his art grew out of earnestness and conviction . The account that he gives himself of his first speech in Parliament in a letter proves the point abundantly . His greatness grew from this genuine , not artificial , eflbrt ; and hence it has proved an enduring reality—a true deed honestly performed , and honoured with immortality . Mr . Stnpletqn enters into some unnecessary explanations to elucidate Mr . Canning ' s statement , that in order to secure the consistency of his
Principles it was needful to change his Opinions . Minds that have ever entered into the great questions of politics and religion need no explanations of such felt truths—that is , such inin < ls as have maintained tlieir activity nnd freedom Opinion , indeed , cannot be other than changeable . __ principle is of its own nature , steadfast . Both interest and conviction led Canning to join Pitt in his first political endeavours . Mr . Canning agreed with Mr . Pitt as to the origin of the
war , and was opposed altogether to the views ol Mr . Fox in relation to it . France had begun the contest , unprovoked by England , and her early successes , so far from daunting the young statesman , onl y the more powerfully excited his energies . Yet , during tho first three years of hid parliamentary lite , Mr . Cunning spoke little . lie was content to listen , ( mil grow in political wisdom , before he removed tho curb from hi . s lips . Meanwhile he devoted himself with earnestness to tho
discharge of his official duties . As we read in Cniuiiiig ' B letters of the military operations of Napoleon J ., in connexion with the siege of Mantua , which tho latter was compelled to mine , together with tho alternate defeats and victories of tho Austriuns , we seoin to recognise nn identity of those times and tho present . Wo behold in Bonaparte the conqueror of Italy . Hero , too , wo have tho King of Sardinia , tho King of Naples , the Pope an cxilo at Sienna , with Switzerland conquered nnd subservient to France . But then liussia eauie to tho aid of Austria , and gave her an advantage she now wants . Soon after tho republic fell at tho bidding of tho victorious soldier . Canning wns so pleased with this result , that he began -a letter ( Nov . 19 , 17 U 0 , ) with " Hufc / . a ! husHsa ! huxisa 1 ' His enthusiasm and
and each gave way to the unreserved expression to each other , if not of their real sentimeuts , at any rate to what they intended should bear to each other the appearance of being so , an individual wns concealed behind a curtain of the tent , and \ va . s a secret witness of that most curious conversation . He then and there heard Napoleon propose to Alexander , and Alexander consent to the proposition , that the French should take possession of the powerful fleet of Denmark , which was lying in the waters of Copenhagen . k
" The individual who thus acquired , a nowledge of this bargain , lost no time in communicating it to tho British Government and gave such proofs of t lic e nce uracy of his intelligence , as left no doubt of its truth in Mr . Canning ' s mind . " Mr . Ciuming triumphantly overcame the difficulties of the position , and got himself possession of the Danish fleet , ltussia was stunned by the act , and put upon her good behaviour for a time , but afterwards resolved to break openly with England . Napoleon wreaked his disappointment by endeavouring to ruin tho commerce of tlup
country . It is not possible to go through theac memoirs in detail , liighly interesting as they are . Our commendation must bo general , acknowledging tlie fulness of the information they give nnd the insight they afford into tho great politician ' s character , motives , nnd conduct . Ilia talent wns e \ er active :-t-Uo was always on tho alert;—mmvepresenteil ' , opposed , yet still hopeful , vigorous , and determined . Such was Ins conduct in rcard to Sir John Moore , relative to whom and his expedition there are some most remarkable nnecdotos . Sir John ought never to hav « hoon entrusted with it ; his state of mind had unfitted him tor thu proper oonduut of the undertaking . On this anil other points tho present work adils materially to our stores of knowledge . Mr . Stoploon's opinion on tho point evidently coincided with
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— LITERARY NOTES OF THE WEEK . » ' _ "
Literature.
LITERATURE .
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Ko . 484 . July 2 ,. 1859- ] THE LEA DER . 797
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Leader (1850-1860), July 2, 1859, page 797, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2301/page/17/
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