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Leader (1850-1860), 22nd March 1856, Edition 1 of 2, Page 281, Untitled Article

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      Tf « t ^ p . rtld stor v which have heard often , of gradual encroach-L ^ t onone strand gradual deeline on the other . ¥ e see in the wars between Russia and Turkey and Russia and Persia , admirably-organised and ably-commanded armies opposed to masses of brave soldiers , ill-fed and badly-elothed , indeed , but still worse led and handled ia the field ; officers incapable of forming plans and still more incapable of executing them ; great tenacity in holding on to defensive works , but almost utter powerlessness in battle and utter powerlessness in manceuvxing . Those who desire to read a simply and clearly-told narrative of i will find that narrative these

      the conquests of Russia in these regons m volumes , and we think nowhere else in the same compass . General Monteith had peculiar opportunities of collecting accurate information . For twenty years he was attached to various missions in Persia ; he served in the field on many occasions ; and an official connexion with General Paskiewitch , brought much of the two brilliant campaigns of that great soldier under the personal observation of General Monteith . No other volume that we are aware of . ain the English language , at least , gives such a clear , succinct , and spirited account of the campaigns of 1828-29 , than the one before us . The general reader will peruse it with pleasure , and the military student with pleasure and profit . estimate from

      We place one extract before the reader , an an impartial pen of the character ofJPrince Paskiewitch : — General Paskiewitcn fortunately possessed an instinctive knowledge of character , and lie completely trusted those whom he employed . In his attention to the civil administration he was indefatigable , and he put a stop to the abuses which had so long disgraced and ruined the Russian affairs . Men of every rank and class had free access to him ; they might bring their own interpreter and be sure of having justice quickly administered . His loss was deeply felt in Georgia , which he was rapidly getting into order ; and he had nearly succeeded in bringing the tribes of tb _ e Caucasus iuto pacific relations with the JRussian government , by employing a portion of their troops and not interfering \ 7 ith their internal government—the only system of policy , as I often heard from , his own lips , that he thought likely to * succeed . A commencement was made by forming a Circassian body-guard at St . Petersburg , with high pay and great advantages , privates ranking as officers . The four Mahommedan regiments raised b > y him still form part of the Russian army ; and . had the Polish war not summoned away the Prince , the native troops would have been augmented to 25 , 000 men .

      In his outward deportment Prince Paskie-witch was hasty and sometimes even violent , which appears to be a fashionable' piece of affectation among the Russian officers - —perhaps from a desire of imitating the eccentricities of Suwaroff ; but in Ms actions Paskiewitch was as remarkable for his cool deliberation as for the rapid execution of whatever he had decided upon . It has been said of him , ( reversing the epigram on Charles II . ) that he seldom said a wise thing and never did a foolish , one . I had myself a great deal of communication with him regarding the payment of the contribution levied on Persia / which I had been , appointed to superintend , and always experienced great kindness and consideration from hinv , having access to Mm at all hour 3 when any difficulty arose about the payment , an annoyance that was constantly taking place from the caprice or insolence of the inferior agents .

      We may remark , in conclusion , -that the book is accompanied by a very valuable map , and an equally valuable index . It only required a few plans of the movements of the Russian armies , especially in 1829 , to make it a perfect work of its kind .

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      with small floriated filigrees between , enamelled in blue and green , and screwed to the base , which is of gilt-silver . Upon each filigree is a fanciful bosse , set with turquoise ; in the centre is a sapphire surrounded by rubies and smaller sapphires , ornaments in filigree , flowers of blue enamel , with pearls between the petals , and birds , each bearing on its head a gem . This is a very rich and intricate design . Birds were favourite objects with the artists of the Mediaeval and Renaissance periods , the plumage tempting them to the use of gorgeous colours . Mr . Fairholt represents a variety of drinking cups designed in this form , less for utility than for the decorations of the tabledoves and swans being cut in crystal , or silver gilded , and sumptuously bejewelled . One ingenious artist made a watch in the shape of an eagle , with a small figure of Ganymede seated on the neck . It is constructed to

      stand upon the feet , the body containing the mechanism , and opening at the lower part to display the dial , richly engraved with scrolls and flowers on a ground of niello . Still more quaint is a watch shaped like a duck , with every feather elaborately chased . It was appended to a chain , passed through a ring at the back of the neck . The wheels work on small rubies , and the dialplate exhibited by opening the lower part of the bird , is enriched with a floriated - scroll , adorned with angelic heads . As an illustration , of the quaint fancies which prevail in rude periods , the Bell of St .. Maura is one of the most singular relics in the collection . It was long preserved in the Abbey of Fahan , in County Donegal , but came ultimately into the possession of a poor peasant , who sold it to an antiquarian of Anglesea . From liim Lord Londesborough purchased it for <^ 8 O .

      The legendary history relates that this bell came slowly down from heaven , ringing so sweetly , that a concourse of persons assembled to witness its descent , and to hear its marvellous tones . As it approached the earth , however , the tongue detached itself , and returned to the skies ; and from this circumstance the people concluded , with " self-denying piety , that it was never to be profaned by being rung in this mortal world . The material is of bronze , and the form quadrangular , like that of _ the Irish bells , of the seventh century . Being enclosed in an elaborate casing , it was only by accident that the enrichments underneath were discovered . These , as far as they have been laid bare , consist of a tracery of Runic knots , wrbu ^ b * in brass

      THE LONDESBOROUGH COLLECTION . Miscellanea Gfi aphica : A . Collection of Ancient , JWediteval , and Renaissance Remains in the Possession of Lord Londcsbcrouglu Illustrated by F . W . Fairholt . F . S . A . Chapman and Hall . LoitD Londesborough is issuing a work in twelve parts , containing illustrations of his ancient , mediaeval , and Renaissance collection . The principal plates , executed in gold and colours by the process of chromo-lithography , forma series bright with the lustre of antique gems , enamels , and burnished cups and vases . The others are carefully finished lithographs , drawn and engraved by Mr . Fairholt , whose pencil is firm and fine , and who seems to live and move in the religious light of early centuries . Among the most interesting of the gilded and tinted specimens are two metal filagrees , probably the

      decorations of an altar . The figures are those of Solomon and David , clothed Jin Plantagenet splendour , the one bearing a harp , the other a book , and both sceptres . They are in gold , raised on a surface of copper , encrusted with enamel of a deep opaque blue , varied by lines and touches of white , red , yellow , and green . In the same " part" Mr . Fairholt represents six rings from Lady Londesborough ' a remarkable collection , of two hundred and fifty jewels . One is a ghostly design , intended as a mourning ring , and is composed of two skeletons , covered with white enamel , that support a coffin , enamelled with a red Maltese cross , on a Mack ground studded with gilt hearts . Removing the lid , a third skeleton is discovered in the sarcophagus . It must have been a singular genius for the Dismal that prompted an artist to mould into a ring the contents of a sepulchre . The Hebrew betrothal ring , the •* Joy be with you , " is a circle of enamelled gold , bearing a domed temple , another has the

      model of a square building on it , with a steep roof , clomevyiindows , and moveable vanes . In this specimen the congratulatory inscription , is in relief on a dark granulated ground , Some of the old makers of cups displayed n more cordial genius than the workers even of the betrothal rings . In one specimen designed by a German , the goblet is of silver , in the form of a windmill ; it was held in the hand to bo tilled , anil its peculiar merit was tliat it could not be set down until emptied . The same principle regulated the design of many of these cups , in \ vhich the Rhino wine lay a moment bright , then gone for ever , One , of bronze , took the form of a crowned maiden with flowing hair , her dress adorned with delicate ( lotted lines , the bodice red , the girdle green , and holy quotations on the border j in one hand slie holds flower of red enamel , in the other n salamander typical of innocence and purity . This lady must be reversed to be filled with the warm South , and when emptied may bo restored to the table . Some of the cups , moulded to represent women , unscrewed at the waist , jftnd were for the use of more deliberate drinkers . A morse of the fourteenth century is one of the most brilliant of the specimens illustrated b y Mr . Fairholt . The circular plate is wreathed with fohago , interspersed with groups of animals , birds , and Bholls in bold relief ,

      and firmly attached to the belt by a thin plate of gold . Tlyd external decorations form a series of silver plates , variously embossed wjtli a large crystal in the centre , and sockets for other jewels around it . Only one , of einber , remains . Settings of gold in several parts indicate tha £ other precious stones enriched this singular relic , the workmanship of vyhich is remarkably fine , " Who made the bell it is impossible to discover , nnless , indeed , the quainife artist's name be concealed among the ornaments under the external coating . As it is , the relic tells no story , except that , in ^ he early periods of Irish art , the workers in . metals and jewellery attained to high perfection in their calling . . . '

      The subjects of Mr . Fairliolt ' illustrations are exceedingly varied , the dignity ef gold and colours being usually reserved for specimens of ecclesiastical ornament . One plate represents examples of middle age altar furniture , ' candlesticks of copper gilt with the figures of angels executed in incised lines , the heads only in high relief , a pyx of gilded copper ornamented with crystal and coloured glass , and eight emblazoned shields . The plain lithographs contain examples of silver , ivory , bronze , steel , and "wood work . Thus to recur to drinking cups , there are two from the Bernal collection which are perfect contrasts of design . The one is bell-shaped , with a skeleton globe where the handle should be , with a little bell inside , which rings when the cup is reversed by the drinker . On the globe sits a demon , who supports upon an inverted arch of silver a smaller cup .

      The companion specimen , of silver gilt takes the form of a woman , dressed in the stiff elaboration of the early part of the seventeenth century . Her extended arms are raised to support a smaller cup above her head . Another goblet , heart shaped and glowing with gilt , stands in contrast with an ivory bowl , mounted with silver , in the form of a shell , and placed upon , the head of a crowned nymph of the sea . The mediaival artists introduced the figures of women with extraordinary freedom into objects of art and utility . Not content with turning them into goblets , laying them at the bottom , of dishes , forcing them to support , like Carians of the feast , the bowls and

      beakers of wine , the Italians made poignards , with ivory huts , carved to represent the female figure , which was often introduced in various degrees of beauty and modesty upon the sheath or scabbard ; perhaps , however , none of the curious objects in this collection typify so clearly the manners of the three epochs illustrated as the implements of disgrace and torture . We know whoinvented padlocks for themouthsof slanderers and cleft sticks for the tongues of railing women . From the old castle of Nuremberg , Lord Londesborough obtained a mask of punishment which would have done good to the heart of John Endicott . It was no doubt as effective in its way as the Scarlet Letter or the Short Halter . It is formed of bands of iron which fold over the head ,

      and are fastened behind by a padlock . A pair of spectacles and asses ears are attached ; a double plate fastens over the mouth , and a whistle passes over the nose , " producing , " says Mr . Fairholt , " a loud sound should the wearer attempt to speak . " The mask is painted a flesh colour with n mouth delineated on the lower plate , and the eyes and cars shaded with an asinine grey , The appearance of such a machine upon the head of a culprit must have been at once diabolical and grotesque . The brand to mark the felon indelibly with the wheel and gallows supplied the suggestion of many a romance , from the ( ale of that fair Florentine who found the ignominious mark on her husband ' s shoulder to the audacious invention of Pumas , whose heroine in the Three Musketeers is discovered by Her husband to have the

      brand on her bosom , who is privately hanged by him , and who survives this and a thousand and one impossible perils to be decapitated at last by midnight on the bank of a river . If there were no other value in antiquarian relics , they are interesting because they illustrate not only the successive gradations of art and ingenuity , but the changes of habits and manners . Who can now imagine a policeman even in Germany rushing down the street with a gigantic pair of pincers to catch hold of a thief' ? Who can conceive a criminal ( except a patriot at Cayenne ) wearing a collar so knobbed and spiked as to suggest that the devil took far better hints from thorn than ho ever took frotn Coldbathfields ? It would be curious also to ace a General of Division wearing ft

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      Mauct 22 . 1856 . ] T . H E X E A P E B . 28 I

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), March 22, 1856, page 281, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2133/page/17/