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WHIG TREMORS ON RETURN TO OFFICE.

THE expectant whig ministers and their friends appear to be in a curious state of mind; they are eagerly anticipating the return to office, yet they behave as if they dreaded it; they do their best to make Sir Robert Peel's further occupancy impossible, yet disclaim the notion that they are striving to oust him, and seem to be really afraid of their own success. Their leading organ in the press especially deprecates our presumption that the object is to unseat the premier, and avers that there is no such wish or intent. Why, then, that great meeting at Lord John Russell's house, to concert with Mr. O'Connell measures of opposition? Why that ostentatious advertisement of whig movement, as if to invite consentaneous protectionist movement in the same direction? Says the Morning Chronicle, a totally new view of coercion in Ireland has sprung up since the coercion bill was so readily passed by the Lords; people have learned to see that the causes of Irish agrarian crime must be explored; and no other course was possible to the whig leaders but that which they have taken. It may be so; we will not dispute the possibility of sudden conversions, though not brought about by any change of circumstances, but simply by the internal working of the convert's mind; we will not insist on the remarkable coincidence that Lord John Russell should first conceive this bright idea, not when he was himself considering the occasion and structure of a coercion bill, but when Sir Robert Peel is engaged upon it.

Say, then, that the coercion bill was a subject which could not be avoided; but what pressing necessity was there for taking up the sugar dispute, before its time? Could not the national teacup wait another year, that Lord John must interpose the sugar duties before Sir Robert Peel has done dealing with the loaf?

the malignant oratory of the literary Disraeli; but the approving smiles and unsuppressed chuckle of whig statesmen and liberal Edinburgh Reviewers, and the exulting halloo of the whole opposition herd.

Yet we believe the more intelligent whigs, when they say that accession to office just now, quite apart from the corn question, is not for the interest of their party. Men often desire to eat their cake and have it; the whigs wish Sir Robert Peel out, and they wish him in; they long for their own readmission to power, and they fear it: and there are reasons both for the wish and the fear. Hint the possible event, that after all "Peel may not go out," and watch their looks of dismay! "Oh!" they cry, "he must go out." Very true. "But you cannot say that we did it." Then why not leave him alone? "Oh! we must he in." Well, go in, then, and do your best. "Ah! it is easy to say do your best; but it is not our interest to be in." Why, that is true again; so stay out. "Oh, shocking! you are growing factious."

Natural that they should wish to be in, of course it is; natural also that they should fear it. They know that their success is doubtful. Their friends know it better. They have put forth no sign of enlarged purpose or renovated vigor. What have they done in opposition? Nothing to entitle them to office. They are about to enter, not by their own force, but because place is vacant and usage invites them to walk in. Sir Robert Peel goes out, because he cannot work with the means at his command: he is no more turned out by the whigs than he is by the tories. They do their utmost, indeed, to spoil his tenancy, on the principle that every little helps; but, truly, we cannot reproach them for having done it. They are not "big with glorious great intent"-some mighty policy which it is their vocation to carry out, and on the strength Granting the possibility of that pressing neces- of which they are borne to power. Their antagosity also, there is something in the demeanor of nist retreats, but they do not drive him. They the whigs that can scarcely be reconciled to the have the march of victory without the exploits: notion that they would willingly leave Sir Robert those awkward tests of triumph are to come afterPeel undisturbed. They industriously seize oppor-wards-they gain the citadel, and then they will tunities for attacking him and his ministry on old scores the long past and the irretrievable. No matter what the occasion, what the subject in hand, no opportunity goes by without their raking up past misdoings. Lord John Russell, in particular, never makes a speech without insinuating or directly asserting disparagement. In his speech on Monday, the subject being coercion, he had something to say about Sir Robert Peel's borrowing measures a most gratuitous pertinancy of taunting, after Sir Robert's ample acknowledgments on that score and some old indiscretions of Sir James Graham on the subject of education were dragged out right gleefully. Those ancient conservative offences may have been very bad; the whigs may feel conscientiously bound to ex-tary occupation of disturbed districts: the state of pose them; but their selecting the present time for it is not quite reconcilable with the idea that they do not wish to promote the premier's ejectment.

Still less so is their encouragement of protectionist attacks on their great rival. They talk of political consistency," while they applaud the bitter enemies of the policy which they profess to advocate, in assailing its ablest and heartiest promoter. It is not in the countenance of the tory party that the sporting Lord George has found his chief support; it is not the shout of the rustic country party that has supplied the stimulus for

have to fight for it: is it surprising that with the victory their profounder anxieties begin?

What are their resources, to sustain the angry siege which is to follow their triumph? What measures have they in store? Who knows? They have ventured on few boasts, and those not large ones; old measures all, and not first-rate. The Morning Chronicle tries to show that it is against the interest of the whigs to come in on an Irish question. Why so? Is not Ireland their favorite ground? Are they not sure even there? It seems that Lord John has some Irish measures in view, such as they are: he will have no coercion bill-for that is not "constitutional," as it is called, not "ameliorating"-but he prefers mili

Ireland should be altered by something better than the landlord and tenant bills; he will not, however, have a real poor-law-he is afraid of that; but he will have that great measure the reclamation of waste lands"! Moreover, he will conciliate.

What are his English measures, to reconcile this country to whig government? Modified sugar-duties are advertised; nothing else, that we remember.

Setting aside special measures, what is to be the whig policy, in Ireland or England? In Ireland,

it may be inferred that they will soothe by words | ment, the committee believe that the surplus revand niggle at minor remedies; in England, their enue would by this time have been nearly brought policy is to be to supply omissions in Sir Robert up to the old level, and that the administration of Peel's tariff-" no further harm." the post-office would have been in much greater repute with the public.

What is to be their foreign policy? Irritation, after the old fashion? reciprocity, their old hag- Mr. Warburton, in proposing the health of gling? or imitation of Sir Robert Peel-setting" Mr. Rowland Hill, the author of Penny Postthe example in commercial freedom, and trusting to age," made some interesting statementsthat example, for its beneficial and peaceful results?

The public subscription had been a liberal one, but it was a most inadequate expression of the admiration which Mr. Hill's services had excited in the public mind. Sir Robert Peel's government had unwisely determined to dismiss Mr. Hill from his employment at the treasury in organizing the new methods; but it must not be forgotten that among the subscribers to the testimonial was Sir Robert Peel himself. Mr. Warburton trusted that, under the present or some future government, Mr. Hill would be installed in office, not in a subordinate capacity, but in a commanding position, from which he could superintend the details of postoffice administration.

What man is to lead them? Let us know that, because even from his character we may guess whether they will strike out a new policy, vindicate their unearned position, and make their government worthy of the country. Will it be Lord Grey, prepared to act on large principles? Lord Clarendon, preferring national to party interests? Lord Morpeth, able to act on a sentiment and a faith? Lord Palmerston even, an active and efficient statesman? No; it seems that Lord John Russell is to keep his old post. Is he a man to outrun expectation? Will he forget his self-references his fear of being morally answerable for Mr. Rowland Hill made his speech of thanks contingencies-his punctilious dread of doing any- the medium of fresh instruction as well as of gratithing beneath "the house of Bedford" by vulgar fying retrospect. One of his prominent topics heartiness of liberalism-his growing alarm lest was a generous recognition of the services of othhe should be convicted in any way of "playing ers; among whom he enumeratedsecond fiddle" to Sir Robert? We have no hos- Mr. Wallace, the indefatigable chairman of the tility to Lord John; we shall be pleased if he sur-parliamentary committee of 1833; Mr. Warburton, pass expectations founded on experience of the who drew up the report, the ablest document of past but as it is, we augur little advancement for the liberal party, because he is not liberal enough to lead that party; we anticipate little success for a ministry that must depend on progressive reform, because he cannot unsay those things which betrayed his doctrine of “finality." With all respect for 1831, we have no wish to restore that year fifteen stages after its legitimate position in the calendar.

its kind ever issued; Mr. Ashurst, the agent of the London Mercantile Committee. In the house of peers the cause found able advocates in Lord Ashburton, Lord Brougham, Lord Radnor, and the Duke of Richmond. An acknowledgment was also due to Mr. Baring, late Chancellor of the Exchequer, for the manner in which he exercised the powers conferred by the act of parliament. Personally, Mr. Rowland Hill felt indebted to that gentleman, for the confidence and friendship with which he was honored during the two years he acted under him.

The whigs claim credit for supporting Sir Robert Peel, and the Chronicle quotes a testimonial from the premier to that effect. No doubt, they are investing as much support as they can, consist- He contrasted the anomalies which existed ently with their party views, in the expectation under the old system with the results of the new. that it will be repaid in kind. Will their measures In considering these results, it should be borne in deserve support on other grounds; will they com- mind that the execution of the plan, in some of its pel it by the greatness and boldness of their de-essential parts, is still very incomplete. On the meanor? That is what some of their best friends doubt, wishing that they were not put to trial just yet; and the timorous doubt evidently infects the whig leaders.-Spectator, 20th June.

ROWLAND HILL.

From the Spectator.

THE formal presentation of the National Testimonial to Mr. Rowland Hill, the postage reformer, took place at a public dinner on 17th June.

subject of revenue he made the following statement. The year 1837, which was adopted by the parliamentary committee as the standard of comparison, gave a gross revenue of 2,340,000l., and a net revenue of 1,641,000l. He had estimated that under the new system the same gross revenue would be obtained, but that the net revenue would be reduced by about 300,0007. Last year, the gross revenue actually obtained was 1,902,000l., or full four fifths of the estimated amount; and the net revenue was 776,000l., or nearly three fifths of the estimated amount. The return, however, which showed this result had scarcely been issued before it was followed by another, stating that the "real net receipt of post-office revenue" is 47,5827. This amount would have been larger had not On which discrepancy Mr. Hill observed-" As I the maximum rate of subscription been restricted am very desirous of avoiding all points of controto 107. 10s. Regret was expressed by some of versy on this happy occasion, I shall not notice the the subscribers that the execution of Mr. Hill's return further than to state that it is a repetition plan, instead of being intrusted to himself, had of the fallacy the attempt to establish which so been transferred to the post-office authorities, the notably failed three years ago, and that any calcuundisguised and constant opponents of that plan. lation of net revenue which shall accurately adjust Others expressed a hope that Mr. Hill may soon both sides of the account, by charging on the be afforded an opportunity of perfecting his plans; one hand a fair share of the packet-service, and by and in that hope the committee sympathize. Had giving credit on the other hand for the cost of disMr. Hill's services been retained by the govern-tributing newspapers, will show a net revenue

The gross amount of subscriptions was 15,7257. 4s. 8d., and the expenses 2,3647. 5s. 34d.; leaving a net balance of 13,3607. 19s. 5d.

larger even than that exhibited by the accounts | monial; but had Sir Robert yielded to his entreatmade out in the ordinary manner. In short, the ies, and allowed him, at any pecuniary sacrifice, real net revenue, instead of being under 50,000l., to work out his plan-as he did offer to work it is above 800,000.

"The number of chargeable letters delivered in the United Kingdom, in 1838, was ascertained to be about 75,000,000; the number in 1845 was 271,000,000. And in January of the present year, the latest period to which the returns apply, the number was at the rate of 303,000,000 per annum, or four times the number in 1838. The increase of letters necessary to sustain the gross revenue, I estimated at fivefold. This estimate was attacked at the time as much too low; but it is now indisputable that the gross revenue will be made up when the increase of letters amounts to four-and-a-half fold. In the London District Post, (the old Twopenny Post,) the increase has been from thirteen millions in 1838 to thirty-one millions in 1845, or much more than twofold. The gross revenue of this department is larger now than at any former period. This fact appears to be conclusive as against a general twopenny rate. As to the increase of letters generally, it may be stated thus-there are now as many letters delivered in the London District, that is to say within twelve miles of the post-office in St. Martin's-le-Grand, as there were under the old system in the whole United Kingdom." But this increase, vast as it is, amounts to less for every man, woman, and child in the United Kingdom, than a letter per month.

He quoted the opinion of the chanceller of the exchequer as expressed in his last budget speech, to show the good hopes of increased revenue which that gentleman entertains from the post-office.

without cost to the public-his gratitude would have been unbounded. Still, even at that moment of disappointment, he could say that he felt no regret at having embarked in the great work of post-office improvement. By the aid of Sir Thomas Wilde, Mr. Baring, and some other friends, he was enabled to fulfil the only duty which remained, and that was to place the facts on record. The National Testimonial was then proposed; and the progress it made was such that all anxiety on his part as to pecuniary resources for the future was soon at an end. Nearly the whole fund has been safely and advantageously invested; and this investment, added to his own small property, is, with his frugal habits, amply sufficient to relieve his mind from anxiety with regard to a permanent provision for his family.

POST-OFFICE REFORM: THE NATIONAL TESTI

MONIAL.

THE tribute paid to Mr. Rowland Hill this week might be made, and ought to be made, the fulcrum of a new effort to remodel our post-office system thoroughly. The penny postage-the money orders-the increased frequency of mails-all these are important parts of Mr. Hill's system, but they are only parts of it. Their entire efficacy presupposes an extensive reconstruction of the internal machinery of the office. Until this be effected, they are inadequately worked, and do not produce their full amount of benefit; the expectations of the public are constantly suffering disappointment

business combinations frustrated, which would not have been attempted but for reliance upon them, or would have been attempted by some other means.

He should not go into the question of deficiencies in post-office management. A long list of them, with the remedies, appears in the report of the committee of 1843; and he was sorry to say that the last three years had done but little to reduce the number. He would mention one or Under all the disadvantages of having been two instances of improvement. Two years ago, worked by inadequate machinery and hostile workthe post-office very reluctantly made an approach men, Mr. Hill's system, as far as it has been tried, towards the hourly deliveries in the London district, has been successful beyond what the most sanwhich formed part of his original plan; and al-guine had reason to expect in so short a time. In though only three deliveries were added, instead 1838 the number of chargeable letters delivered in of six, the effect was immediately to advance the the United Kingdom was seventy-five millions; in annual rate of increase in the London district post-1845 it was two hundred and seventy-one millions. letters from 1,800,000 to nearly 2,700,000, or 50 per cent. By the adoption of two other suggestions, which at the time he proposed them were deemed impracticable, 11,0007. a year had been saved. He was justified in assuming, that but for the interruption in the progress of the measure which took place on the retirement of the late government, all his expectations would have been realized. Other countries had participated in the advantage: reductions in the rates of postage had taken place in Russia, Prussia, Austria, Spain, and the United States of America, in consequence of the good example set by the English parliament

Mr. Hill estimated that the former gross revenue would be sustained when the letters delivered had increased fivefold: it is now obvious that it will be sustained as soon as their number becomes four and a half times what it was; and already it is about three and a half times the sum. Mr. Dillon stated that the correspondence of his firm had increased since the cheap postage was adopted to four times its former amount, but that the private correspondence of persons employed by them had increased tenfold. Parties who enjoy opportunities of narrowly observing the habits of the poorer classes state, that the communication by letter among He had been more fortunate than many other re- friends and families, has increased among them in formers; for he had seen his plan brought into prac-a still more encouraging ratio. The money orders, tice, imperfectly as it might be. There was, how-too, have materially economized the circulating ever, one period of his course to which he could not medium in the case of extensive traders, who allude without pain. It was that when, with health receive large amounts in many small payments; impaired, after six years of incessant labor and and-what is of far more consequence-have done anxiety, he was dismissed from the Treasury, and much to facilitate the acquirement of habits of left to seek afresh the means of supporting his forethought and economy, and the maintenance of family. He had expressed his thanks on a former a kindly family feeling, among the poor. Morally occasion to Sir Robert Peel for the manner in and economically, the cheap postage has already which he had spoken of his labors; he now placed society in this country in advance of what it thanked him for contributing to the national testi-was seven years ago; and when the machinery is

5.

made adequate to the task it has to perform, the the by, characteristic of the panegyrical school of effects cannot easily be exaggerated by hope. Nor criticism, more especially in reference to art. are these advantages confined within the limits of "Woman's Mission and Woman's Position" is a our islands to no inconsiderable extent they are severe but measured and feminine attack upon the already participated in by our dependencies; and world on account of woman's position in society foreign nations are rapidly following the exam- and the difficulty she has in supporting herself: ple. The inventive genius of Mr. Rowland Hill, but it is mere attack; nothing practical is sugby a skilful combination of the natural postal sys-gested, still less any specific mode of remedy tem and the infant capabilities of steam locomotion pointed out, unless it be the following. by sea and land, has set the wits of men to sharpen each other, by converse, at an accelerated rate of speed; and has materially strengthened the influence of pure and enlightened public opinion. There is yet vast room for extension. Much remains to be effected towards the economizing of the post-office- not," as Mr. Hill remarked on Wednesday evening, "by reducing the salaries or increasing the labors of the men; but by simplifying the mechanism of the office." This having been accomplished, the unnecessary procrastination of deliveries which still prevails may be prevented; the system made to embrace every part of the empire; and restrictions as to weight in a great measure done away with. But to accomplish these objects, the conducting of the experiment must be intrusted to one who sees clearly what he aims at, and whose heart is in the business. That Mr. Hill possesses the talent of routine administration combined with his inventive genius, has been placed beyond dispute by the success with which he acted as chairman of the London and Brighton Railway. That his heart is in the cause of post-office reform, was obvious from his entreaties to Sir Robert Peel, to be allowed, at any pecuniary sacrifice to himself, to work out his own plan.-Spectator, 20th June.

"Either let the man in all the relations of life be held the natural guardian of the woman-constrained to fulfil that trust-responsible to society for her well-being and her maintenance; or, if she be liable to be thrust from the sanctuary of home to provide for herself through the exercise of such faculties as God has given her, let her at least have fair play; let it not be avowed, in the same breath, that protection is necessary to her and that it is refused to her; and while we send her forth into the desert, and bind the burden on her back, and put the staff into her hand-let not her steps be beset, her limbs fettered, and her eyes blindfolded."

From the Spectator.

1.

MRS. JAMESON'S MEMOIRS AND ESSAYS. THIS agreeable volume contains six papers. "The House of Titian :" a miscellaneous article, which certainly tells the legal story of the great painter's domicile, and describes a pilgrimage made to it by Mrs. Jameson, but which also diverges into a great many other subjects connected with art, more especially in relation to the Venetian school of coloring, and to nature as observed in the atmosphere and concomitants of Venice. 2. A sketch of the public career and character of Adelaide Kemble which is a fair critical estimate, in a large and genial spirit, of the youngest of the Kemble family; but, being written to accompany "a series of drawings executed for the Marquis of Titchfield, representing Miss Kemble in all the characters in which she appeared," it is perhaps a fully favorable picture, as if Mrs. Jameson had borrowed something from the flattering limning of the pictorial art. 3. "The Xanthian marbles:" a not very striking account of the antiquities brought from Asia Minor by Sir Charles Fellows; the general falling into common-place references to the departed greatness of the country, the particular exhibiting too much of the catalogue. 4. Is a brief notice of the life of the American painter Washington Allston, with a criticism on his genius and a list of his works. It is pleasantly written, and informing; but has this defect-it leaves us with the general impression of a great genius, without acquainting us with his exact school, or his grade in reference to other artists; a fault, by

* Republished by Wiley & Putnam.

6. "On the relative Social Position of Mothers and Governesses," in a practical point of view is the ablest paper of the whole; searching and sensible both in its particular advice and its general suggestions, and although going deeply into the subject, yet having nothing too remote for common use.

These essays are characterized by a refined and discriminating intellect, enriched, not spoiled, by German studies; and a style inclined to the dif fuse, and sometimes falling from reflection into reverie, but never degenerating into mere verbiage. The judgments are generally just, though with a conventional inclination to the favorable, which personal knowledge or mixing much in "society" generally produces. It is partly this circumstance not operating in so remote a subject, partly the greatness of the subject itself, that render the paper on Titian the most interesting in the book. The brief comparison between Titian and Raphael is a piece of delicate criticism: the description of the principles of coloring as displayed at Venice by Nature herself, and transferred by Titian to his canvass, is entitled to the praise of true invention, and as a contribution or help to the important "art of sceing nature:" the remarks on modern imitation of ancient styles, especially by the modern German schools, are distinguished by a profounder because a still larger truth. We take a few extracts from these topics.

PERFECTION IN ART.

"I know that there are critics who look upon Raphael as having secularized and Titian as having sensualized art: I know it has become a fashion to prefer an old Florentine or Umbrian Madonna to Raphael's Galatea; and an old German, hard-visaged, wooden-limbed Saint, to Titian's Venus. Under one point of view, I quite agree with the critics alluded to. Such preference commands our approbation and our sympathy, if we look to the height of the aim proposed, rather than to the completeness of the performance, as such. But here I am not considering art with reference to its aims or its associations, religious or classic; nor with reference to individual tastes, whether they lean to piety or poetry, to the real or the ideal; nor as the reflection of any prevailing mode of belief or existence; but simply as ART-as the Muta Poesis, the interpreter between Nature and Man; giving

back to us her forms with the utmost truth of imi-I tation, and at the same time clothing them with a high significance derived from the human purpose and the human intellect.

"If, for instance, we are to consider painting as purely religious, we must go back to the infancy of modern art, when the expression of sentiment was all in all, and the expression of life in action nothing-when, reversing the aim of Greek art, the limbs and form were defective, while charac-five-and-twenty leagues from thence, our road lay ter, as it is shown in physiognomy, was delicately felt and truly rendered. And if, on the other hand, we are to consider art merely as perfect imitation, we must go to the Dutchmen of the seventeenth century. Art is only perfection when it fills us with the idea of perfection-when we are not called on to supply deficiencies, or to set limits to our demands; and this lifting up of the heart and soul, this fulness of satisfaction and delight, we find in the works of Raphael and Titian."

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VENETIAN HAIR.

OUR last published particulars relating to the South American Expedition of Count Castelnau, left that enterprising traveller and his companions at Chuquisaca. A further report just addressed by him to the minister of public instruction, and dated at the end of January last, gives the following details of their further progress :-" From that town (Chuquisaca) we proceeded to Potosi, famed for its silver mines-so rich once, so fallen now. For through the most difficult passes of the Andes; inhabited only by the gigantic condor. The road afterwards improves; and, once on the great Bolivian table-land, is perfectly flat as far as La Pazthough traversing a barren region, where the rarefaction of the air, occasioned by the great elevation, causes the painful sensation known under the name of sarrache. These vast tracts of table-land abound in large herds of llamas and merinos-the latter wild. Passing by Oruro, we reached La Pazwhere the ambulant government of Bolivia was established. The anniversary of the battle of Ingari Every one must remember in the Venetian was being here celebrated. On arriving at the pictures, not only the peculiar luxuriance, but the shores of Lake Titicaca, we saw the celebrated peculiar color of the hair, of every golden_tint, ruins of the ancient palace of the Incas of Tiaguanfrom a rich full shade of auburn to a sort of yel- aco. One of the gateways is an admirable piece low flaxen hue-or rather, not flaxen, but like raw of workmanship, and we made various drawings of silk, such as we have seen the peasants in Lom-it. We entered Peru by the bridge of Desaguadebardy carrying over their arms, or on their heads, ro. Having reached Puno amidst violent and inin great, shining, twisted heaps. I have some- cessant storms of snow and hail, I deemed it advisatimes heard it asked with wonder, whether those ble to relinquish for the moment our intended route pale golden masses of hair, the true biondina to Cuzco; preferring to proceed along the coast to tint, could have been always natural? On the Lima, with the intention of returning to Cuzco contrary, it was oftener artificial-the color, not after the rainy season. I therefore took the directhe hair. In the days of the elder Palma and Gi- tion of Arequipa-whence I proceeded to Lima. orgione, yellow hair was the fashion, and the paler When we shall have taken the rest we so much the tint the more admired. The women had a need, we will turn our steps towards Cuzco: whence method of discharging the natural color by first we will endeavor to rejoin the Amazon river, washing their tresses in some chemical preparation, by embarking on the Apurimac. This will take and then exposing them to the sun. I have seen us across the whole length of the Pampa del Saca curious old Venetian print, perhaps satirical, ramento-and presents many dangers. I take the which represents this process. A lady is seated liberty of sending you a list of the different objects on the roof or balcony of her house, wearing a sort forwarded for the Museum of Natural History.' of broad-brimmed hat without a crown: the long We may add, here, that the committee appointed, hair is drawn over these wide brims, and spread by the Academy of Sciences, to examine into the out in the sunshine, while the face is completely results obtained by the Abyssinian expedition of M. shaded. How they contrived to escape a brain Rocher d'Héricourt, has reported them to be of fever or a coup de soleil is a wonder: and truly, of great interest, and recommended their publication. all the multifarious freaks of fashion and vanity, II recommend further that that gentleman's zeal, know none more strange than this-unless it be the contrivance of the women of Antigua, to obtain a new natural complexion. I have been speaking here of the people; but any one who has looked up at a Venetian lady standing on her balcony, in the evening light, or peeping out from the window of her gondola, must be struck at once with the resemblance in color and countenance to the pictures he has just seen in churches and galleries."

VENETIAN ATMOSPHere.

"I am acquainted with an English artist who, being struck by the vivid tints of some stuffs which he saw worn by the women, and which appeared to him precisely the same as those he admired in Titian and Paul Veronese, purchased some pieces of the same fabric, and brought them to England: but he soon found that for his purpose he ought to have brought the Venetian atmosphere with him. When unpacked in London, the reds seemed as dingy, and the yellows as dirty, and the blues as smoky, as our own."

knowledge, and skill in the use of his astronomical, magnetical, and meteorological instruments, shall be employed in some new and distant expedi tion.-Athenæum.

THE great congress of temperance societies which we, some time since, announced, is now holding in the Swedish capital. One hundred and thirty-two national and foreign associations are there represented; and the king, as president of the Stockholm society, with his queen, was present at the opening meeting.-Athenæum.

teenth session of the scientific congress of France WE may again remind our readers that the fourwill be held, at Marseilles, on the 1st of September next; and the managing committee desire to attract the attention of foreign scientific men to the programme of their proceedings, which they have just published.—Athenæum.

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