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October 21, 1854.] THE LEADER. 995
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THE ARCTIC EXPEDITION-. COURTS-SIARTIAX ...
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THE LATE SAMUEI, PHILXIPS. Samuei, Phill...
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VISIT OF THE EMPEROR A:ND EMPRESS OP THE...
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RESUSCITATION OF POLAND. A PABirnxET has...
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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.
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October 21, 1854.] The Leader. 995
October 21 , 1854 . ] THE LEADER . 995
The Arctic Expedition-. Courts-Siartiax ...
THE ARCTIC EXPEDITION-. COURTS-SIARTIAX ON THE COMMANDERS . CotrRTS-MA . iiTiAr , have been sitting at Sheerness for the trial of the officers commanding the different ships in the Arctic expedition . The first case was that of Captain M'Clure , of the Investigator , for having abandoned that ship ; and the next that of Captain Kellett , for the abandonment of the Resolute , and then followed the trial of Commander Richards , for the loss of the Assistance and Pioneer . Tie proceedings were summary enough , all the officers simply pleading and producing the written orders of Sir Edward Belcher , the commander-inchrief . The sentences on each were the same , no blame whatever was attributed to them , and as they acted under the orders of their superior officer , they ¦\ rere "fully and honourably" acquitted , and their swords returned to them with complimentary addresses from the President . The trial of Sir Edward Belcher was then proceeded with , and extended to some length . He -was charged with the whole responsibility of the abandonment of the ships . His defence rested oh the ground that he had acted to the best of liis judgment under the circumstances , and he showed that his in-Btmctions from the Admiralty gave him the fuLlest latitude to act as he should deem most advisable . He was also acquitted , bufc not by any means in so satisfactory a manner as his subordinate officers . The sentence ran thus : — - " The Court is of opinion that the abandonment of her Majesty ' s ship Investigator was directed b y Captain BLellett , who was justified in giving such , order . The Court is further of opinion that , from the great confidence reposed in Captain Sir E . Belcher by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty , and the ample discretionary powers given to him , he was authorised and . did not act beyond his orders hi abandoning her llajesty ' s ship Assistance and her tender Pioneer , ot in directing the abandonment of her Majesty ' s ship Resolute and her tender Intrepid ; although , if Circumstances kad permitted , it would have been advisable that he siould have consulted with Captain Kellett previously . A-nd the Coiirt doth adjudge the said Captain Sir E . Belcher to be acquitted , and lie is hereby acquitted accordingly . " : The word " honourably " was not used , and his STvord was returned to Sir Edward Belcher in silence .
The Late Samuei, Philxips. Samuei, Phill...
THE LATE SAMUEI , PHILXIPS . Samuei , Phillips , one of the cleverest and most successful writers of the day , died at Brighton on Saturday last , in his 40 th year . He had for some years suffered from an affection of the chest , w hich bad more than once been accompanied with spitting of "blood . A sudden attack of hemorrhage came on in the evening of Friday , and though chocked by prompt medical aid and every appliance of skill , it returned with accumulated violence , and in a few minutes he sank exhausted . He was the son of a Xondon tradesman , who died , leaving his business ,
which Avas unfortunately not a flourishing one , to bo managed by his two sons , who were th « u mere boys . Stunuel had no relish for the counter , and had already shown signs of a talent for the stage , having , ¦ whe n twelve years old , played Richard IlJT ., at Covent Garden , for the benefit of Mr . Isaacs , father of the popular singer . He was considered by his friends a sort of juvenile prodigy . His feeling for the stage never faded ; the theatre wa . s his greatest amusement , especially the French stage , and he constantly spoke in the highest terms of admiration of Leintiitre , Bouul f , and Kuchcl , liegnier was his intimate friend .
His sqhoolboy days were passed at London TJni" vorsity College School . Though his family were Jews , ho was induced to think of the English Church as si profession , and the means were found for entering him ns a student at Sidney Sussex College , Cambridge . Here , however , lie fleems to have failed in those qualities of hard study andisponsablo to a ( scholar ' s success , and ho luft Cambridge without taking his degree . He after-•\ vards vent to Germany , where he karat the language , tmd acquainted himself with tlio writings of the German philosophy . Subsequently ho received from the University of Gottingcn the complimentary degree of Doctor of Philosophy .
Returning to London ho soon found himself in-• volved in all tho pressing cares of m nrried Ufa , and turned to literature for support . Ilia first essays appourcd in BUwkwood . His story of " Caleb Stukoly " came out in Feb ., 1842 , and ho contributed some shorter pieces ; amongst them , "We ' re all Low People there , " all of which Iihyo ttinco boon published in a fiopanUo form by HouUedgo . His first political Writing wna in tho articles for tho 3 r <> rninr / Herald , in advocacy of tho Tory part \' , to wliich jourwil ho contributed regularly . At tho sumo time , ho endeavoured to incroaso his political influence hy bo-Coming a proprietor of tho John Hull newspaper . Ho iuwl reached tho climax of political Journalism when tao Derby party came to iiowor , and looked to his
intimate associate , the Chancellor of the Exchequer , for substantial acknowledgment of his good services to the party : to these , however , the official ear was insensible , and he was not included even in the batch of LX . D . ' s . This wound never h « aled ; and Phillips , having at last gained his own powerful point of attack at the head of the literary columns of the Times , opened a perfect battery of revenge , in that memorable article upon Disraeli—an article written with all his peculiar force of diction , and at the same time with all the unrelenting bitterness of an enemy made out of a friend . The notorious " suppressed pamphlet" appeared about the same time ( Feb ., 1854 ) in the Times , and wilho-ut the italics .
The literary notices by Mr . Phillips have been published in two volumes in Murray ' s series of " Reading for the Rail , " called " Essays from the Times . " The Crystal Palace is indebted to Mr . Phillips for everything in the way of literature that has emanated from it . The small hand-books were entirely suggested by him , and had it not been for his untiring energy- and determination , the place must have opened without any sort of guide or catalogue . The portrait gallery was also designed and carried out by him , and his book of biographies , written in a remarkable style of terseness and apt description of character , is really a valuable library book .
Mr . Phillips was a remarkable instance of a man attaining a very influential literary position , and a handsome money independence , without possessing a profound knowledge of the subjects upon which he wrote—to tlids , indeed , he never pretended . His literary capital was small , but liis credit was firstrate , and his courage and enterprise undaunted . He was eminently a writer for the Times . Whatever he said and did , was with an emphasis . He was of a fiery temperament , and often had to regret the loss of friends by sharp and hasty words ; but he was sensitive , and alive to generous prompting's , and had a great sympathy for poor clever nien . He loved praise , and was very impatient of blame . To the writer of this , helately said * in reference to an article in which the Leader expressed their opposition to his views : — " I don't mind what the : Leader says of me , they always speak like gentlemen . "
Visit Of The Emperor A:Nd Empress Op The...
VISIT OF THE EMPEROR A : ND EMPRESS OP THE FRENCH TO ENGLAND . It is stated with , soine distinctness by the Paris correspondent of the Morning Chronicle Ihat the Emperor and Empress of the French will pay a visit to the Queen in the month of November , and that her Majesty will return the visit in May next , and -witness the opening of the Trench Exhibition .
Resuscitation Of Poland. A Pabirnxet Has...
RESUSCITATION OF POLAND . A PABirnxET has recently appeared in Paris , entitled Lettre d VEmpercur sur la Question d '' Orient . It boldly and ably advocates the resuscitation of Poland as the best bulwark against Russian aggression in Europe . After showing that Finland , Sweden , and the Dunubian Provinces are not adapted to the purpose of holding Russia in . check ,, it is stated that at the end of the struggle now entered on in Kurope , recourse will be had to the only real force that can be disposed of against Russia independently of military means , and that must be an appeal to the devotedness and patriotism of the Poles . It is said that—In a struggle between right ami justice , between Kurope menaced and Russia monncing , thoro is but one | nlternativo possible ; either Poland will be for Kuropo , or uho will bo against her ; to ask her for neutrality , ibr complete inaction , m to ask what La impossible . Placed , us she is , between two belligerent parties , and exposed to become probably the theatre of war she cannot remain indifferent ; sho must bo either friend or enemy . Consequently , there arc two imminent dangers which it iis uliko essential to conjure nwny—1 st , that Poland , impatient of her yoko , shall not rise too soon ; and 2 ndly , lost at tho voice of Europe , sho may not wish to mo at : nil . Deign , sire , to tnko tho matter into consideration , and ! you will puraoivo that the-so two hypotheses arc or | unll y admissible . At n moment when nil men ' s minds arc agitated by a question of such murked interest , it is natural that tho patriotic mintinienr , ko greatly developed in Poland , should bo aroused unioaignt ; all oIuhhoh with a now ardour ; men whisper to each oilier their liopcn , « nd rejoice in nee-rot , at tho reverses of tho Russian arinfeH . A fooling of confidence in tho future is tho watchword which is circulating us by onchnmtmont throughout tho whole extent of tho Polish territory 5 men arc waiting for tlio apporimiioo of tho colours of Franco and Kriglnnri on tho soil of M 10 country to Hiiluto thorn avU . 1 i tlio old enthusiasm "which Iiuh tfiven birtli to so ninny prodlg-lcs ; theso colimrfl arc awnitcd , for i | , ih 11 wniimont ho < Uh-Hominntod amongst tlui masmss , that RuhmIii . ennnor . !> o conquered except in attacking her in Poland , that no 0110 doubtrt that tho decisive blows will ho given 011 that , side . There is danger In not considering Poland from that point of view , u 3 she might , lu rovcu # o for being held ( it a . dialuuco by Kuropo , throw herself
into the arms of Russia , and complicate a situation in which she will be called on , sooner or later , to play a part . The second danger which I have pointed out to your Majesty has also its probable side . Poland , completely disarmed and occupied by a numerous army , could not make an effort , except on conditions so completely disadvantageous that every insurrection would , first of all , have against it the very numerous class of persons whose interests are menaced . But , if Russia , assuming the initiative , should offer such concessions and guarantees as mi ght satisfy the national sentiment of all classes , it would he much to be feared that the whole country , so often deceived in its hopes on the side of the West , would place herself frankly on her side . That tendency of men ' s minds towards a Sclavonian union is not of recent date , and continues' to manifest itself by numerous symptoms . Panslavism is in Poland what the conservative party was in France ; under a deceitful appellation it shelters all kinds of egotism and recruits itself with all the adversaries of liberty . That powerful party , which every progress and enfranchisement of the masses terrify , prefers the Emperor Nicholas to the Invasion of what it calls the revolutionary doctrines of the West , because it sees in the Russian regime the best safeguard of its privileges and interests ; possessing the greater portion of the soil , it exercises a very groat influence on the masses , and -would not be averse to sharing the -destinies of Russia , at the price of some concessions on her part . It is for Europe to arrest that current of ideas which is in the inverse sense of the traditions and sympathies of the country ; but it is not by following the course which she has hitherto followed that she will ever succeed in doing so . In fact , in obstinatelyleaving the name of Poland , as she does , out of every negotiation in avoiding to make the slightest allusion to her , in fearing to arouse a cause at least as worthy of interest as that of Turkey or of Finland , in refusing the Poles any participation in the contest engaged in , and all hope to those who should wish to unite their cause to the reg-ular march of civilisation against barbarism , she will only discourage good intentions , in place of gathering round her tliese which are doubtful . And yet Poland , thrown into the enemy ' s camp , might beconie a grave danger ; for Russia , consolidated by the moral support of a country on ' wliich she could not reckon , would become invulnerable to all aggression . In conclusion , the writer says-France and England have an incontestable right to raise their voice in this great question , for they have always protested in favour of Polish nationality . ) and assisted with their money a numerous emigration ; their part is noble and elevated ; easy , beca-use it is not contradictory ; and generous , because it is disinterested . But there are other Powers nvhich , after having joined in the partition of Poland , now find their own security threatened ; they must at length understand that usurpation carries in itself its owrt chastisement . Their part , it is true , is more difficult , but it is only the more glorious an < l the more attractive . To make a striking reparation without violence and with goodwill for an act of injustice committed , is to introduce into the domain of politics tho finest precept of . the Gospel , and to inaugurate n new era . Everything- tends towards this result ;¦ the-will of men and the march of events ; Providence even lnrgoly contributes to it hy protecting in a peculiar manner nationalities which arc only tho political work of generations . In 'fact , the Gorman powers , led away into a false path , and 0110 contrary to their interests , appear to be eternally condemned to undergo tlio consoquences of their complicity . Providence opens to thorn un ensy issilu from this position with glory mid honour ; never could 11 Unur opportunity present itself for effacing , by a dash of ( lie pon , tlio must untoward souvenirs . Austria , thanks to tho pomomal influence of tho young sovereign who directs hor destinies , appears to comprehend it perfectly ; hIio fouls that an alliance with the Western Powors in not , a heavy yoko , but a Holcmn adhesion to all tlio principles of right and justice ; that tho pledge which nho has in her IiuikIh is mor « than sufficient to compensate amply for what on tho other band sho might havo to k Lvo up ; and that by allowing to < ix 5 « t by lier wide a nationality incoRHsmtly aspiring to its ) iiulepoiKloueo hIio would only secure her frontiers and ruturn gloriously within tho limits marked out , for hor by nature . May she only free horself from all thoso idojiH of routine wliich dcntroy tlio int ( illi ( j ; oiico of tiling , anil acquire tlio certainty that un indepondont l ' olund will uovor bo a danger for her ! PruHrtiu , ojiihurrfiHriori by tho family ties of her mtvurtntfn , appears to b « moru tenacious in heir prejudices , but dynastic iuterestn ounnot long prevail iigaiiwt . 1 I 10 evident interest of a country which would certainly Imvo nioro to yuin both in extent and security by 11 remodelling pf tho inn ]) of I'iuropa To sum up : lei , Poliinil Iw re-coristit . ut . od , anil all tlirmu N (! Hl , t (« nid doinoiit * which appear to Ixi revolutionary cinoM , will blond thciuHelvoii I 11 I . 0 oiw ooiiHervntlvu party , olttiriiiK every lUmirablo /{ ininmKie , luit which Had no rwiHoii for bdiitf ho in < lavH of <> xtlo iumI of < riplo foreign oceuoaUon . Thin coiwervuli vis party , tried by adversity , will l ) o 11 inuoJi more *<'"<* I ' lu'ltfo il > r !)»•> _ nip < wo _ ot Kuroiio , than nil ido . so enliiinnii : * and porHooutioiiM wliich drivo ii ' Hrt'itt nwl ^ inioniim nation to Llio moat udveuturoun find dt- 'Mjioivito nttcmiitn .
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Oct. 21, 1854, page 11, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_21101854/page/11/
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