THE EMPEROR OF RUSSIA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 677, 9 April 1875, Page 3

THE EMPEROR OF RUSSIA.

Whert the Emperor of Russia went to Guildhall in May, in tho course of his visit to this country, an address of congratulation was presented to him by tho citizens of Loudon. Illuminated and embossed the address was'.always meant to bo forwarded to Russia, and its words were worth preserving, although their allusions wore confined to two points—the ilnion between the two countries expressed by the marriage of the Dnko and Duchess of Edinburgh, and the emancipation of tho serfs by the Czar, a measure so consonant with English sentiment. Tho scroll of tho address was to be sent after the Czar to St. Petersburg in a golden casket, and in the competition for manufacturing the casket Mr Benson, of Ludgate-hill, succeeded. The design adopted is an oblong case of gold supported upon Falls of solid ’malachite. The minor ornamentation of the case is supplied by the heraldic insignia of England, Russia, and of tho City, hut the principle artistic detail is a miniature painting representing the delivery address. The scene is enamelled upon a plate of gold 2,Un high by 4jin. wide which will he framed in the obverse side of tho casket, the reverse of the casket bearing an inscription. Eleven figures are painted on these few square inches’of surface, and the figures is 1 11-lCin. in height, while any of the faces can be covered with the top of a pencil. In that small space, however, the artist, a young lady named Mdlle. Hochot, living at Geneva has given a life-like and effective reprosent atlon of the scone in Guildhall. On the right of the'picture sfandsuponadaistho Emperor Alexander in the uniform of a General of his A rmy, his tunic crossed by the riband of tho Garter and decked with the'other Orders which used to glitter on his breast ; on his right hand the Duchess of Edinburgh, wearing an orange-coloured dress, then our PrincebfjWales and the Grand Duke Alexis. On the left is the Princess of Wales, in light bine bodice and deep-blue velvet skirt, the velvet in the miniature such as only lady or Mr Millais could paint. The Duke of Edinburgh and the Duke of Cambridge, in ■uniform and' in their Orders, complete the Royal group. Tho dark crimson hangings used on state oecasions'at the Guildhall make a good background, but to the left there is a better effect in the stone (lutings of the 'ancient hall on which the sun, throughthe'mullioned windows, istrac-ing-delicate patterns in light "and shade. On this side of tho picture is tho group of citizens the Lord Mayor ( Sir Andrew Lusk M.P.) in front, and on bis right the Eight Hon. the Recorder (Mr Russel Gurney Q.C., M.P.) reading the address. Behind them stands Mr Edward Hart Chairman of the Reception Committee, who'proposed the?address in the Court of Common Council ; and his blue'Tobc of a member of the Common Council contrasts effectivelly with the crimson robes of office of the Lord Mayor, the Recorder and the seconder of of the address, Mr Alderman Besley. There are two other enamelled miniatures to be placed in stnaller'panels of the casket, and they represent 1 the eastern and western ends of the Guildhall. The risk to which this class of work is exposed are shown by the fact that one of , these two pictures (which are being executed in England) has twice been painted and has twine shivered to pieces in the burning. The casket cannot he finished till the pictures are all ready, but the most important part of the work has now been successfully accomplished.—the Times,

GoipsjrrTns’ Work. — The process of fine-art manufacture in-this branch of trade is strikingly exemplified in a little work published by Mr. J. W. Benson, of No. 25, Old Bond-street, and of the City Steam Factory, 58 and 60 Lndgate-hill, London. It is enriched and mhellished with designs, by Italian, French and English artistes, of brooches, bracelets, ear-rings, and other articles, suitable for personal wear, or for wedding, birth-day, or other presents, with their prices. Mr Benson, who holds the appointment to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, has also published a very interesting pamphlet on the Rise and Progress of Watchmaking. These pamphlets are sent, post free, for two stamps each, and they cannot be too strongly recommended to those contemplaing a purchase, especially to residents in the country or abroad, who are thus enabled to select any article they may require, and have forwarded in perfect safety.

Captain Cook is to ho commemorated as the discoverer of the Hawaiian Islands by the erection of a monument at Kaawaloa. A violin was lately purchased at Glasgow by Madam Norman Neruda for the sum of £SOO.

Mr Tenuisnn has declined a baronetcy, and Mr Carlylye a grand Cross of the Bath. A diamond worth £280,000 has been brought fre nr the cape by a French traveller The stone is pure white, not the yellow hue of Africans diamond, is very large, and was found at a deserted mine called the “Devil’s Table.”

The post of head physician at the Chinese Ceurt wouldmot appear to be very enviable if we are to judge from a telegram communicated to the Paris Figaro. The despatch ran thus.—“ Emperor died on the 12th January Head—Court physician decapitated. Edinburgh University is to be extended by the erection of a complete medical school close to the now Koyal Infirmary now being built. Birds in Germany have been taken under Government care. The minister of Public Instruction has desired all school teachers to interest their pupils in the protection of useful birds.

Salmon culture in Germany is increasing largely. The German Piscatorial association since its formation, has delivered 300,000 eggs to the breading ponds in the region of the Baltic.

Mr Benjamin AtWood lately deceased, according to English papers, gave away during bis lifetimethelargeaumof£3so,ooo in £I,OOO cheques, for charitable purposes, £45,000 of which was given during the last year of bis life. Ho died intestate, leaving a fortune of more than a million sterling. It.is also stated that a£ 1,000 note was found lying in his room, as if it had been waste paper.