ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VI, Issue 467, 23 January 1850, Page 3

ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

In the event of our foreign relations presenting a sufficiently peaceable aspect, Her Majesty accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales, and the leading .members of the Court, intends taking a trip up the Mediterranean next year, and honouring with a visit, during her marine excursion, s.ome of the aoutbern isles. The preparations for the grand exhibition of specimens of the arts, and manufactures of all nations, which is stated to be the project of his Royal Highness Prince Albert, are ia a state of active progress. The exhibition it is believed will be on a scale of unexampled | magnificence. Some of the prizes will amount to £5000, and' to enhance their value will be distributed by Her Majesty in person. It is understood that the exhibition will be held in a temporary building of enormous extent, to be erected^ in Hyde Park ; and that a limited charge will be made for admission. ' A serious difference seems to have arisen amoug the members of the Wesleyan Methodist connexion. A publication called the Flying Sheets has within the last few years made its appearance! in England, the authors of which, while avowing their attachment to Methodism, complai§ed of defects in its administration, especially in the department of the Mission House. This had excited the anger of the influential men of the connexion, and at a late meeting of the Conference the Rev. Measrs. Everett, Dunn, and Griffith were expelled by that body from the Ministerial office, and the Rev. Messrs. Walton and Burcliell admonished, in consequence of their supposed connexion with the obnoxious publication. This proceeding oh the part of the Conference appears to have been considered harsh and arbitrary and to have created a good deal of discussion.

• Venice. — The Journal dcs Debits publishes the following letter from a correspondent at Venice, d»tejl.22d iast., « few hours before the capituUtionV:—

"The Venetian republic approaches its end. The bombardment which the Aastrians commenced on the 30th ult. still continues. The people, compelled to fly under the incessant shower of murderous projectiles, have sQCcesssively evacuated three fourths of the city in order to concentrate themselves in the eastern quarter, called the 'Castello.' The palaces, the churches, the monuments of every kind which are situated within the reach of the shells and cannon balls have suffered terribly. The Republican Government has doubtless made an honourable and courageous resistance : but in the interest of Venice, for the safety of so many monuments of art, existing souvenirs of the heroic days of this glorious city, it has resisted too long ; it has allowed the work of destruction to continue too long, and which Austria certainly only commenced in the hope not to be compelled to piocecd to too great extremities. Austria herself to whom famine would certainly have opened the gates of Venice before the end of this month — Austria, who was, perfectly aware of the every dayjd(pcreasing.^respurces of the city, and under the' commencing ravages of the cholera, might for the few last days at Irast have spared a part of the expense of the bombardment. But who can tell- where the scourges of a war of nationalities, so deeply inimical, are to stop ? The friendly intervention of the French name in this terri' le struggle has been once again honourable. The high consideration in which Captain Belveze, who commands the French station in the Adriatic, is held both in Venice and on board the Austrian fleet, aided in the resumption of negotiations between M. Manin and the Austrian Admiial. These negotiations presented some cbance of success, when suddenly M. Manin, if we may credit the testimony of the most moderate and the most impartial men, departed from the frank line of conduct which could alone suit the high character of Captain Belveze. After having given a proof of honourable resolution, he now displayed sad hesitation and a line of conduct most calculated to destroy the confidence of an impatient enemy. The negotiations were therefore broken off, and the bombardment, which for a short time was relaxed, was again resumed. On the 17th the. President of the Venetian Republic, warned by the progress of public danger, again solicited the friendly interference of Captain Belveze. It would appear that a conference took place between M. Maning the commandant of the French squadron, and the French Consul. It was (hen decided, as the only and last, means of safety, to lend a Venetian deputation to the Austrian camp with an offer to capitulate. This deputation was only to demand some modifications of the conditions laid down by Marshal Radeizky in bis note of the 4th instant. It was also to demand the enlargement of the bases of the amnesty, and particularly the precise and definite designation of- the persous.who were tq be excepted trcm its advantages;, in- order that those who had taken a more or less prominent part in p/)Hticak events, and wha might remain in . Venice-, should not be incessantly exposed to the threat of imprisonment, exile,' Dr.perhaps death. The question of the paper ! .money, which was the only means of exchange j which remained to the peuple of Venice, was also to be spoken of, and recommended to the good feeling of the Austrian Government. A~ note was drawn upie that sense — the political question was carefully avoided — the note was signed by General Cavedalis, Count Prioli, and the Count de Medin ; protected by the moral aud friendly co-operation of the commanders of the French and English squadrons, and the Consuls of those two nations, it was sent to General Gorzkowski, who commanded the Austrian troops before Venice. He replied that he would receive the deputation on the following day, the 19th, but be declared at the same time that he could not accept any foreign intervention. On the following ;J»y the deputation left Venice. ' They met with the coolest reception from the Austrian General. He told them he- had no power to treat, but that be would send their note immediately to Milan ; that, during the time necessary to receive a reply from Marshal Radetzky, he would consent to slacken his fire, and that, moreover, Venice might place confident hopes in the paternal intentions of the Emperor, and in the enlightened and liberal spirit of its Government, &c. Such remarks were not sufficient to assure the deputation, and they returned little satisfied j The reply from Milan is still waited for. The fire of the Austrian artillery was, in fact, somewhat slackened on the 20th and 21st, but on the night of the latter day it again became very severe. What will be the nature t>f the reply from Milan? No one knows ? but it is feared that it will be very rigorous. Under all circumstances, Venice has only two day's provisions left, and those of the worst kind. The progress of the cholera is frigiitful. The -absolute surrender of the place within two days it inevitable. It is positively stated that the commander of the French squadron is to place ft steamer at the

disposal of those persons who are the most deeply compromised, in order to take them to Corfu. Those who cannot find accommodation on board this steamer ■ will embark on board the merchant vessels, of which there are fortunately a great number here. It is a subject * of deep satisfaction for the French established in this place, or whom chance may have* brought here, to receive the testimony of esteem and gratitude which is felt by the people of Venice for the attitude assumed by Captain Belveze. He has constantly observed the line of policy adopted by the French Government since April last towards the Government of Venice ; he has preserved neutrality, without being wanting in proofs of his known sympathies for an honest and moderate-go-vernment. The French flag continues in his hands the shelter for the unfortunate and pro-, scribed. The Venetian squadron has kept the sea for the last five days, but it has done nothing. The Austrians themselves showed but a slight inclination to come to. an engagement ; and that may be conceived, since they might injure by theirfire-ships which would become theirs in a few days. A strong Wind from the south-east and some cases of cholera forced the Venetians to return to the anchorage at Malamoceo on the 27th. . r " P.S. — At the moment I am writing the firing has ceased on both sides ; the Crist* is finished. The Republic of Venice falls as it has lived, free from excesses, free frdmiviolence, and without having held put the hand to anarchy ; it falls overpowered by superior forces, and under the weight of events which inevitably brought about its ruin. The men who have directed the defence are foil of the best intentions ; they only wished to establish, the ancient independence of their cduntty.by shaking off the yoke of Austria. They never wished to make an appeal to those impious doctrines which, under pretence of remodelling European society, have already" caused seas of blood to flow in different parts of Europe- History will be just with regard to them, and will not confound them with the majority of those men who, for the last 18 months, have been aiming at the overthrow of Italy and Germany. The Austrians will enter Venice to-morrow or the day after ; but what hatred will they there find ! What prudence must they not display ! What efforts must they not make to soften down the reaction which may declare itself as soon as their eagles deploy on the sqnare of St. Mark ! .The army which has besieged Venice dot* not appear to be intended to occupy, the city. Alarmed at the exasperation which prevails amongst them against the Venetian people; General Gorskowski has sent for fresh troops from Trieste, which have been for some time kept ia readiness to embark, and which troops alone will enter Venice. This is a politic measure." — Times, Sept. 3.

The Anarch Tyranny. — Discipline is so essential to military operations that the breach of it is not to be excused on any plea short of impossibility ; bat, ct fortiori, it follows thnt tyranny in command is the worst ! breach of discipliue, since it corrupts the very source, and ofttimes supplies the justifying plea of indiscipline, by rendering obedience impossible. Whirom discipliue, even with a lax obedience, whole armies or, fleets may be defeated, towns and coasts exposed to the enemy, the fate of nations decreed ; it should, therefore be cultivated to the very highest state of perfection — and that is only to be done by a patient perseverance. It fortunately happens that in military matter* the very highest motives may be employed in conducing to an intelligent but exact obedience. Such obedience implies no humiliation, where it has been the turn of all, and is the common religion of the service — that is to. say, a worshipful observance of a common duty. How well this spirit is felt by the officers of the British army and na»y it shown by tbt cheerful and complete manner in which the duty is fulfilled under circumstances the most irksome and perilous. Men of the highest birth, even of Royal blood, are proud to serve. There is scarcely a regiment in the army of which it may not be said that when it is drawn up in line you might call out any officer at random, and, though he should be a perfect stranger to you, laying your hand on his shoulder, you might say, " This man is a complete example of obedience ; in his duty, the order of his superior officer is as his own will ; he will march up to certain death." And you might hazard the same declaration on the deck •t-ioy ship in the navy. Hence our victories} hence our command of peace, the -shelter under which our greatness has developed its growth. It is the paramount duty of every officer, in his grade, io maintain this discipline, especially by a punctual observance of justice and regular conduct towards those beneath him in the military scale. The neglect of that duty is a military crime,., greater than mutiny, since it includes that -crime. " If a good officer is forced into mutinous conduct by tyranny, he may plead the tyranny in extenuation, bat

not in ; yet, at the worst, be is only an accessory to the crime ; it is the tyrant who is the principal. We say nothing of the cruelty which can induce a mad to use. his military rank as a means to torment one whom discipline renders helpless, although such advantage taken of an exalted influence, subsisting by the very virtue of the victim, amounts to a species of impiety ; we say nothing of the cowardliness, betraying as it does the worst incapacity to enter the manly feelings ; we say nothing of the lowness of mind which such conduct indicates. However revolting to all generous feeling, these are personal faults and social offences which cannot fail to incur their own punishment in the detestation of society. We are now considering solely that art of discipline which is the vital principle of military organization, and the offence which consists in arresting its transmission from grade to grade pure and unperverted. In a recent courtmartial at Plymouth, two officers, Lieutenant Graham and Master Elliott, pleaded guilty to desertion. Excellent officers they are shown to have been, on high testimonials j intelligent, diligent, and obedient — men, it would seem, of whom most officers in the service would be proud to declare that in capacity and conduct they stood above the average. Their defence was painful. They related how they bad both led in saving the ship in timfts ,of danger and doubt twice ; at one of these times her commander had been at fault in his navigation, and had prepared to give up the hope of saving the vessel. ' It was by the vexatious and tormenting conduct of that officer, Commander Pitman, that the two gentlemen were driven to the desperate act of desertion. He had crowned the ill treatment of Mr. Graham by calling him a liar in the face of the ships's company ; he had revoked indulgejacies voluntarily granted to Mr. El-liot,-had subjected him to serious charges which were afterwards formally shown to be wholly unfounded, and openly accused him of falsehoood. Every honourable motive forbids men to remain patient under conduct like this. Short of a divine superiority to emotion, the more admirable the mind the more it would resent these inflictions. Through the very qualities that made these two excellent officers, Commander Pitman made them deserters. Such was the defence. The sentence ? It was imprisonment for a term, and dismissal from the service for ever. For ever ! The sentence implies that the presence of such officers in the navy is bad for the service — a conclusion in which few will agree ; or it means that the penal expulsion is in some way conducive to justice — a conclusion equally difficult of acceptance. Their fault ought to be chastised ; but as it was specific, and caused by provocations which cannot be overlooked, and ought not to be suffered as a continued trait of the service, a specific and limited penalty might well expiate the offence. The two officers cannot be regarded as men who ought to be absolutely and permanently shut out from serving their country. A court-martial on Commander Pitman is proceeding. This officer stands charged with that worst breach of discipline which corrupts the discipline of others. It is a worse offence than that of the common mutineer, because it does not corrupt the ill disposed, but the best disposed. Captain Pitman is accused of violating the spirit of his instructions for the command of those beneath him, of defeating the object for which his commission was entrusted to him, and of thus cutting off the line of discipline which ought to flow uninterrupted from the Sovereign to the meanest drummer in every regiment, and the humblest swabber on every deck. We do not prejudge the defence, but the country will watch the treatment of the case with interest. — Spectator.

An Adventure in the Forest. — I had frequently taken journeys through parts of the forest with a very amiable and enterprising English gentleman. He was one of the most indefatigable and also abstemious travellers I ever met with. No bed was too hard for him, no food too coaise, and no drink too poor for him ; but he bad one peculiarity that as soon as ten o'clock at night arrived, no earthly power could keep him awake, and he could not keep his saddle without a short sleep : he did not require more than two or three hours' repose, and would then be quite ready for any hardship. One night, travelling with him and an Indian servant, ihe said hour of ten arrived, when he said he could go ho .further, for in another minute or two he should tunible out of his saddle, and that he .only, wanted a few minutes' sleep, after which he would be ready for the rest of the night. Pipking out the clearest spot we could find at hand in the forest, we dismounted, and my friend, throwing his pillions or sheep-skins, on the ground, was fast asleep before we had even decided what to do with the horses, so we left him were he was, and the Indian and I led the thieehorses to the nearjst spot where they could pick up a little food,>nd having gecurejd them with out lassos, returned to the

sleeper, carrying our Uwn pillions and my pistols. On arriving at the place where he was lying, we foqnd him in rather a perilous position, as at least a dozen cuyotes were round him, with their noses sniffing and smelling at him, but he was perfectly unconscious of their close vicini»y ; we both flung our sheepskins right in the middle of the group, which startled them as well as my sleeping friend, who, jumping up, was rather surprised at finding himself in such company. It was well we arrived when we did, for they seemed to be on the point of pitching into him, and I was afraid of making use of my pistols, for they were so close to him. However, away they went, and my friend's drowsiness was very effectually cured : so, rebridling our horses, we travelled all night, and found ourselves early the next morning at breakfast in his well-known hospitable house. — Beam's Wild Life in the Interior of Central Africa