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Leader (1850-1860), 16th April 1859, Edition 1 of 2, Page 491

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    • LITEBATUKE, SCIENCE, ART, &c.
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      Untitled Article

      ^ F- The soiree given by the President of the Royal Society on Saturday last is the first which . Sir Benjamin Brodie , the new president , has given at Burlington House . There will be another this season , on the 14 th of March . The custom of having three soirees was inaugurated , we believe , by Sir Joseph Banks ,- who entertained the Fellows of the Royal Society at his own house , in Sohosquare , " upon cates and delicacies . " Scandal and Sir Josep h ' s enemies used , however , to say , that Sir Joseph only lavished his muffins and ten , ( for both of which his sister , Miss Banks , was deservedly

      celebrated ) upon those who were of his party , and strengthened his interest against that unbelieving party in the society who rebelled against the worthy but smattering baronet . Be that as it may , all succeeding presidents have kept up the custom ; some holding the entertainments in their own homes , and others , availing themselves of the rooms of the society . It is . no light matter to entertain five hundred persons , nor does every President of the Royal Society occupy a house large enough for the purpose . The splendid soirees given by Lord Northampton are } r et rcnienabered ; but his successors availed themselves of t , 1 m . rooms of Somerset House . The new rooms

      at Burlington House offer special advantages for such occasions , there being six good rooms on the first floor and two noble apartments on the ground floor . The guests , numbering more than five hundred , were received by the President , and then paced about the rooms , forming groups for conversation , and examining the numerous articles of artistic and scientific interest provided for their entertainment . Refreshments were liberally provided in the lower'library . ' " We . are glad to perceive that in addition to the Fellows of the Society , many members of the other bodies and of the literary class were included in the company .

      We regret to find that a rumour is gaming ground to the effect that Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton is likely to be compelled by failing health and failing mental vigour to retire from public life for awliile . Work , they say , is the cause of this , and the moral to be derived is , that a man cannot hope to be a successful novelist and a successful minister of state at the same time . His very last novel is said to have brought him in at least

      15 , 0002 . It is a fact of literary importance that Sir Henry Rawlinson , the eminent Orientalist , has been appointed to succeed Mr . Murray , at the Court of Teheran . Sir Henry ' s varied accomplishments and thorough knowledge of Asiatic manners and feelings will secure to us , a competent and judicious representative ; while , at the same time , the new position opens to him a fresh field for studies which cannot but prove of the greatest value to our Oriental literature .

      The liberality of tho Messrs . W . and It . Chambers is no new feature in tho character ot that enterprising house . What Mr . William Chambers has done for his native town of Peebles exceeds , however , anything of the kind that has come within our knowledge for some time past . It is stated that ho has invested property worth about j 30 , 000 l . in trustees , for the purpose of erecting an , Institution , to bo called " the Chambers Institution , " and which is to include a public assembly hall , a museum , and a gallery of nrt .

      Tho determination of tho College of Surgeons to compel all candidates to pass through an examination strict enough to render tho systoiu of " cram" inoperative must meet with general approbation . To bo of any value at all , such examinations cannot bo too stringent 5 and with thu medical profession this is especially necessary , because its jmcinbors deal with persons who have no means of testing their capacity . The only book issue of much note in the week is the novyl of Mr . Charles Hondo , " Love me Little , Love nto Long , " of which wo shall roeord our opinion at length in duo time . Some amusing trifles have emanated from tho

      Paris press during the past fortnight . First of all , " Les Batards Celebres , " by M . A . Charguerard , an exordium in favour of" the sinister bar , after the fashion of the doughty Falcon-bridge . ' Another readable , though not very pure volume , is L'Ensorcelce , " by M . Barbery d'Aureville ; and again , " Le Theatre en France , " by M . Cartouche ; " L'Empire e ' est la Paix , " a piece in verse by M- Auguste Pourret ; " Le Roitelet , " . by M . Jules de GroVes , and some others . From Germany , we hear also of a contribution by Morals

      Wilhelm Spieker to the History of the and of the Reformation of the Sixteenth . Century ; a vacation ramble hook of Travels by Professor Carl Wilte , of Halle , entitled " Alpinisches und Transalpiniscb . es , " in which the theory of the glaciers is very broadly treated , and many pleasant pictures given of Alpine life . Herr Helperich , another German , has written a book of travels about Ireland , called " Skizzen und Erzahlungen aus Irland ; " and a profound criticism on German Progress , under the title of " Deutsches Culttir und Sitten Gesehichte von Johannes Scherr , " has created some sensation in learned circles .

      Untitled Article

      TUSCANY AND AUSTRIAToscana e Austria . Gehni Storico-Politici . A Fireuze . Spese delta Societd Editrice . 1859 . We hail it as a favourable , augury for Italy that the subjects of her different territorial divisions are beginning to manifest signs of that union and coinbmation from which alone they can derive strength to . resist their common enemies , domestic and foreign . The most sceptical with regard to the feasibility of the schemes of Italian independence and nationality must find their misgivings removed to some extent by a . perusal of the renowned pamphlet , " Tuscany and Austria . " This production , -remarkable in . more respects than one , warmly advocates the union of Piedmont and Tuscany , with a view to the destruction of Austrian influence in the Peninsula . When on the point of being brought before the public , its sheets were ruthlessly seized , and the types used in printing it destroyed by the police agents of the Tuscan government . It would surety have been hard if the six gentlemen who append their names to this little work , 62 pp . in length , exclusive of notes , which extend it to 110 pp ., had not been able to muster force and tact suflicient to outwit the government spies and present to the world the result of their united energy . The existence of the pamphlet , however , proves that though foiled in their first attempt they were more happy in the next . A slight glance at its contents . is suflicient to show why such a work should be distasteful to the Tuscan authorities and their virtual mistress , Austria . It opens with a series of questions which can but meet with a ready response , in tlxc author's sense , from every Tuscan not totally degraded and debased by tyranny .

      "When the Italian causo appeals to Europe—when Italy is tho gonoral topic , should Tuscany keep silonoo ? Ought Piedmont to stand alono in everything tliat concerns Italy ? Uecauso Piedmont complains , Prance supports her remonstrances , and our cause is in good hands , ought wo to romain inactive and silent P Has Italy no claim upon Tuscany for energy and co-operation ? Wo have always believed tho contrary . What is tho object now in view ? The first thing is , to oxpluiu tho grievances , burdens , and desires of the Italian people to Europo , v'ho now lands us her ear . Now is tho time to convinco Eu-I'opo that a national sentiment truly exists throughout Italy— a soriotis , unanimous , rosojuto , indomitable

      determination to obtain independence us a nation , whatovcw tho means or cost involved . Now is -the time to mnlto known tho public opinion of this , tho fairest portion of Italy . WhoiiKuropo is onco niado fully aware of it , tho Italian question will bo rosolvod . it will then bo oloar to her that to rosolvo that question signifies to recognise and constitute tho indopcmilonco oftha nation \ that any otlior solution whatovor could but prolong , for Austria ' s bonofU , a stato of things fraught with danger ; an inioeasing cause of disorder and periodical crisis , which must overturn tho poacoof tho world at least onoc in ovory ton yours , Europo desires pi ? a « o , and will not bo contented with a mcro brief , deceitful , and timid

      suspension of hostilities . The treaties wiucli have regu > - lated the fate of Italy up to the present time have > been armistices and not peace ; for that is not peaces which leaves the causes of war still in existence-Any fusion or change in Italian affairs which falls short of securing' the independence of the natioit would be an armistice , and not peace . It is , therefore ^ of the utmost importance that Europe should be fully persuaded of this growing , unwavering-, and inextinguishable desire on the part of Italians . Wheat Europe can no longer doubt the truth , she will recognise in Italy not only a danger to be removed , but an act of justice to be rendered . The influences which public opinion exercises over the cabinet counsels of civilised Europe is a strong indication o £

      the progress of civilisation—a triumph which shows how much civilisation has already progressed . It Is ? a great fact that diplomacy no longer dares to ignore the interest and wishes of the people , as in 1815 , but admits that they may not only deserve consideration , but even influence important resolutions . All Italians , can co-operate hi the object vve are now advocatingthe enlightenment of public opinion in Europe , and the prevention of its being still further led astray and deceived . To this end it is important that in every part of Italy , where speech is conceded to suffering-, there Italians should speak . To speak is to " , act at the present moment ; it is the citizen ' s duty and virtue ; nor is this duty more imperative and absolute in any part of Italy than in Tuscany . "

      Inaction and silence , it is shown , are culpable in the extreme in the case of Tuscany at a moment like the present , as being calculated to give _ the . impression that she is contented in her positioiz . and willing to separate her cause from that of ther nation . So far from this , however , she in reality feels that Austrian influence is no where more fatal than on her soil ; that no Italian State has'heavier or more multiplied causes of complaint , or greater :

      reason to take part with Piedmont and France . Her independence was fettered by the treaty o £ June 12 th , 1815 , and her civil progress impeded - In 1849 her restoration was destroyed and her territory placed under military occupation which , usurped sovereign authority . , The traditions of the past are invoked and illustrious names quotedto show that Tuscany lias not always been deemed . * unworthy of independence or incapable of its

      ex-. " 'Liberty was not formerly unknown to us ; the Oiompi sat , and not unworthily , in Pallazzo Vecehio . To exercise liberty we had magistrates called Dante Aliglueri , and Dino Compogui ; to administer it , Niccolo Macluavelli and Donati Giannotti ; to reform it , the publicist , Girohuno Savonarola ; to defend it , the champions lterruccio- and Michelangelo Three times did our fathers defend it victoriously

      and maintain our independence against German , forces ; and once again with equal glory , though not with equal fortune . Modicean corruption had already been at work for a century ; nevertheless , though conquered , they stipulated ; and though obliged , by Pope Clement and tho Kmperor Charles , to accept a duko for the head of their state , they received ' him as chief of the republic , not as a despot , and their liberty was still safe . "

      The treaty of Vienna , 173 / 3 , was the first attempt of Austria ngainnt the' liberty and independence of Tuscany . The Tuscans will no vox allow that tho treaty was binding upon them , diplomatically considered , since thoii ¦ G rand Duke declared that ho submitted to it only under compulsion . Tuscany . was recognised as a sovereign State ; it was not comprehended in tho Pragmatic Sanction of Charles' VT ., nor , according to the , treaty' of London , was it to bo incorporated with tho hereditary ntntoa of the houso of Austria . By a special provision it wu , s intended to Hucure tho separation of the Austrian from tho Tuscan crow , and guimintoo to tliu latter country its special sovereignty ami indepondunco . in liiuinrmnrng this point , admiring rolbronco \* nuulo in a note to tho recent pamphlet of Hi ;* . V . Sulvugnoh . la quote again from tho to . \ . t : —

      « Tho illogical and unjust rc'iuluriiitf of tho stipulations of Vioiinu with rpffiml to Italy , produced con-80 < iuoncos the very rovbiwj ol tho intunUoiiH of tho contracting powers . Tho idon of nationality ohasctl from tho throno and oxdudod from treaUoH , took rottwo among tho puoplo , ami whilo uiiouuHingly agitating thorn , loaded toward tho porioU of its inon-

      Untitled Article

      LITERARr CHRONICLE OF THE WEEK .

      Litebatuke, Science, Art, &C.

      LITEBATUKE , SCIENCE , ART , &c .

      Untitled Article

      Kn . 473 , April 16 , 1859 . ] THE LEADEl / 491 ¦ ' ¦ ~ - ^^^ - ^ -- ^^— ^^^^^>—^—^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^~ " iii ¦¦¦¦ ¦ i 11 !¦»¦—¦ in i . IT ^ »«^^» j^— - hi » . „ , ¦ * ¦! . I . * . nia ^ Mg ^^ M

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), April 16, 1859, page 491, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2290/page/11/