ARRIVAL OF THE ENGLISH MAIL VIA SUEZ.

West Coast Times, Issue 572, 25 July 1867, Page 1 (Supplement)

ARRIVAL OF THE ENGLISH MAIL VIA SUEZ.

(FKOSI T|TE XONDON CORRESPONDENTS OF THE MELBOURNE PATERS.) London, May 26. One would not think that it was May the 26 th, for we are all wrapped up in the biggest of coats, and sitting before the most roasting of fires, trying to persuade ourselves that it ought to be summer. And so it is, according to the almanac ; but Avhat good is an almanac when the Derby is run in a snow-storm, and the Scotch and Welsh hills are covered with new-fallen snow near Midsummer's Day. Something is Avrong somewhere — either an iceberg has gone on the loose and come southward (perhaps to siec the Paris Exhibition), or the world has revolved into a wrong orbit, or else the glacial era is coming back again. But so it is; after a roasting hot' ten days, Avhen everybody had taken to suanmor wear, and when people were actually dropping down dead from sunstroke, here is a second arctic winter freezing -us to the marrow. There is certainly reform wanted in the weatheroffice, if nowhere else. I think Aye are all a little sick of reform, for the question has drifted into such extraordinary shapes, and assumed such wonderful phases, that nobody knoAVS where it has got to ; and lam quite certain that half the members of the Commons don't know where they vote 4 last night, or where they will vote to-morrow night. One thing, however, is Aery certain^ come what may, — we must agitate . what for does not appear very clear'

even to the agitators, but, at' any rate' it must be done. The great reform, meeting came off in due course in Hyde Park, after all, and was both a success and a non-success. A success, because, for a wonder, Mr Beales Avas in the right of it, and our ruling authorities were evidently floundering, both in their law and policy ; a non-success, because it was evident that the people did not

come to agitate, but to see the fun, and because it Avas a charming evening. However, as the " Owl " Avittily said, nobody was eA'en hurt but Sir Richard Mayne's feelings, and nothing was lost but Mr Walpole's head. That he was not quite up to the mark in dealing with such delicate and difficult eases is evident ; at the same time he carries away with him from office the regrets and good wishe- 5 of everybody — for he was a man with whom people liked to work — and it w>' Mr Walpole's misfortune, more than iui* fault, that such awkward questions ayoulc come cropping up just now. -~-^_- Lerd Stanle^ has covered himself with laurels ot the Luxemburg question, snd it is pleasant to think that a dreadpul continental war has been stavea of by means of England, who ■ haßbitterly 'jeen going doAvn somewhat in CTfropea;i reputation ; but the way in which we have negotiated the Lux- * eniburg difficulty will give us back our old ascendancy, and I believe every-

body is pleased except Bismarck. The rdost unpleasant topic which I see hanging over us is that of the Irish convicts who are sentenced to execution, and for Avhom (as yet) there is no reprieve. That the unfortunate men deserve hanging is not denied by anybody, but the question is hoAV far it is wise to elevate political rebels to a false and sentimental remembrance, Avhen

they would be soon forgotten, and their misdeeds with them, if they had to pick oakum instead. Even America has dismissed Jefferson Davis as not worth any i more count, Avhereas Burke and the rest of the Fenians avIU rarik Avith Emmett and other Irish " martyrs," if we hang them. Our other social rows are still much in the same position. The tailors strike is where it was, although it seems probable that it Avill end as every other strike has ever ended (all except the North Eastern Railway strike), A r iz., by compromise, and give and take. At prc*sent the tailors are well supplied with 'money, and are consequently defiant, but that can't last for ever, and people must have clothes — an axiom in itself so patent that it Avould alone suffice to knock the agitation oa the head after a time. The ritual row is now begun in good earnest, and St Alban's and its parti-colored incumbent are feeling the first brunt of the storm in the shape of a prosecution. Whether the laAv on the point is of that delightful vagueness that even a ritualist priest, can drive through it, remains to bo seen. I sincerely hope the law is clear and stringent, and that Mr M'Conochits will be made to adopt one creed or other. But after all, even if he gets the worst of it, what is to be done when even our bishops think it right to promulgate doctrines Avhich, to say the least of it, are utterly distasteful to nine-tenths of their flocks. The poor diocese of Salisbury is in a sad state of disunion, and certainly I should say that if Colenso is too heritical to hold dignity in the Anglican Church, his Grace of Sarum must be put in the same category. It is one thing to hold opinions, and another for a man in authority to promulgate them with all the weight that his authority giA r es. Noav for the last of our plagues — that of the cattle, I had hoped never to have mentioned it again, even in a retrospective sense, but unfortunately

it has broken out again with a virulence that argues a great deal of culpable laxity. We have not inexperience to plead this time, but are full aware of the danger kof the poison. It will scarcely be believed that after what we have gone through, no less than six or seven infectious centres have been discovered in London alone. I wonder if we shall ever learn common sense on sanitary questions. And while on the health question, the pleasantest neAvs I have to tell you is, that the Princess of Wales is really getting better, and that though it will take weeks and months before the imfortunate joint is good for much, yet it is evident that she has got over her terrible illness without any permanent constitutional danger. The Queen has gone to Scotland to catch the tail end of the winter before it is all gone, and the Prince of Wales is playing high jinks at Paris, being taken in tow by Mr Cole, C.8., for educational purposes at the exhibition during the da) r , and the observed of all observers at fetes and suppers by night. French cookery seems to have agreed with him better than Eussian, at least I have not heard of his being ill yet. Both the princes were said to have been at Chantilly (the Derby) races on Sunday, at least the French papers all said so. ■In England, however, the papers contradicted. The fact is English Sundays in France are by no means the same as they are in England to a great many people. They lose count of the Aveek days in the general dissipation, and never remember which is Sunday till Monday comes, and then, of course, it is too late.

There is no doubt but that the Exhibition is a splendid success, and if nothing else occnrred to make 1867 an anmes mirahilis, it would be enough to j have such a collection of kings and princes under one rooftree. The Emperor of France is undoubtedly a clever man, and is the first who has ever collected around him such an odd lot before. -How the old Duke and Blucher would have stared if they could have seen the present aspect of things in Paris. The Prince of Wales, the Emperor of Russia, the King of Prussia, the King of the Belgians, Prince Oscar of Sweden,, the Sultan, the Shah of Persia, the Tycoon of Japan (or at least his brother), all salaaming to his Imperial Highness Napoleon 111. What will be the next turn in the wheel, I wonder ? However, you must not think that Paris is having it all its own way, although she is certainly carrying' off a good many of our habitues. Still, London is showing a veiy respectable appearance, for it must be remembered that it is the height of the season, and that Her .Majesty -fesfe-apptsmri itrpiiblic" to per' form a great ceremony — the laying of the first stone of the Hall of Arts and Sciences — which was a. very pretty ceremony, and went off with great eclat, all but the ■weather, which was about as 'nasty and disagreeable as weather could be. I have no doubt that, when i finished, this central hall will be a great ornament to this side of London, but I cannot help thinking that there is a little touch of the "job " in it, and that, like the Alhambra in Leicestersquare, it will run some risk of becoming a popular concert-hall: Death, by the way, has been rather busy this last month amongst the arts and sciences, and we have to lament the • loss of several people well known in the literary world, including Sir Archibald Alison, whose history of the French Revolution and the subsequent eras are the standard historical works of the day. Stanfield, the painter, whose sea landscapes (an awful bull, I fear), like Phillips' Spanish pieces, never admitted of any questioning ; and Madame Persiani, one of our greatest singers, although seldom heard by the rising | generation. Lord Llanovcr, too, is gone — a man who, in earlier life, was a well known character in London politics as Sir Benjamin Hall, but who, later on, Avas better known in connection with the Jones-Herbert nomenclature, aiuV the squabble attendant thereon. Talking of the Paris Exhibition naturally reminds us of the Great Eastern, which was to bring over its hundreds upon hundreds of Americans, and to make a fortune for the owners. But its first journey was likewise its last, and the miserable vessel is now at Liverpool in the hands of the crew, who have seized it. in default of the payment of their wages. It certainly seems as though there was a limit to the practicability of big ships, for, with the exception of the laying of the Atlantic cable, there is very little else that she has succeeded in doing, save in losing money. The cable has been giving some alarm, too, in consequence of a hitch in the messages, but it has fortunately been discovered not very far from land, and in a place which can easily be remedied. Ninety messages have been lately sent per day, so that a breakdown in this quarter would be felt as a national calamity. The great event of the month of May is the opening of the Royal Academy, which I am glad to say, despite many losses by death, is better than ever, and really a magnificent collection of English modern painting. Where there are so many that are first-class, it is difficult to mention ail the most important. Sir Edwin Landseer surpasses himself in his Wild Cattle of Chillingham, which seem to start out of the canvas with their hearty, fierce life. Friths picture of The Last Sunday at Charles ll.'s Court is superb in its racket and riot and ungodly saturnalia, while the whole of the unpleasant

details arc relieved by the single figure of Evelyn, standing in graA r e and solemn displeasure. For eastern subjects, we have Goodall's Rebekah, Millais' Jephtha, and a large and elaborate picture by Mr Poynter of Egypt under the Pharoahs, in which the architectural details are filled in Avith extraordinary, care and fidelity. But if Millais had never painted anything before, he Avould haA'e stamped himself this year by his two hijoux " Sleeping" and " Waking," Avhich are as perfect and touching representations of baby life as could Avell be seen, except in nature. The Academy is worth going to see, if only for those two little pieces. As a rule, the landscapes are remarkably good, and there is a noted disappearance of pre-llaphaelitism, a feature not to be regretted, although it has no doubt done good, by inducing more careful study, The National Portrait Gallery is again opened Avith a new series of 866 Avorks, Avhich continues the collection down to the present century. Reynolds and Gainsborough figure largely here, but it is a curious fact that, notwithstanding the extreme iutei'est of the exhibition, the public visit it in such small numbers as. to be almost invisible. Then there is the Dudley Gallery, and the Institute of Painters in Water Colors, and a host of others, all more or less worth seeing, but which I certainly have not space to do more than mention. That is the Avorst of a " season," for such a lot of | things are crammed in at the same time | that the attention gets distracted and I the body fatigued. We arc now in the middle of a flood of concerts —pianists, A'ocalists, violinists, coueertinaists, all tumbling over each other Avith matinees, and chamber concerts, and benefits, at which the public is expected to "assist" — not to mention the stock dishes of the operas, Philharmonic, Crystal Palace, and Exeter-hall ; and yet the cry is "Still they come." Dr Wyld has opened a new St. Georges-hall in Langham place, Avith'a first-class concert, in which Beethoven figured strongly. St. Martins-hall is now being turned into a theatre, and a new amphitheatre, or circus, has been opened in Holborn, so that there is amusement enough and to spare. Her Majesty's opened prosperously Avith Mozart's "Nozze di Figaro," which, beautiful as it always is, could not fail to go Avell Avith Tietjens as the Countess Ahnaviva. Curiously enough, too, both houses luwehadVerdiVl Lombardi," the oue with Mr Santley as tenor, and the other Avith Mr Tom. Hohler, who has been doing better than he did last season, and Avinning some praise. The Philharmonic has signalised itself by giving Beethoven's 9th "Symphony, his most difficult masterpiece, and proved thereby that it has in Mr Cusius a conductor able to cope with auything. At the Crystal Palace, M. Benedict's neAV concerto has met Avith the decided approval of all musical critics ; and Costa has given at Exeter Hall a performance of his " Eli," at Avhich Sims Reeves sang as he neA'er sang before. These are the gems of the musical world of May, although one might have gone, to a concert every night in the month, aud sometimes twice in the twenty-four hours. But how is it possible to do it, especially when there are so many good things going on at the theatres ? Indeed, the theatrical world is amazingly busy just now, and judging from the crowded houses, Aye are getting as theatre-loving a- people as the Parisians. The two best things in London now are " Caste" — Mr Roberts' neAV piece at the Prince of* Wales, Avhich I predict will have as long a run as " Ours," and " The Great City," by Mr Halliday, at Drury-lane, Avhich for London scenes and associations, is an amazing piece. Probably the Avorst thing going is at the Adelphi, in the shape of " Henry Dunbar." The story is not pretty to begin Avith (no offence to Miss Braddon) ; and when, added to that, it is badly and carelessly put on the stage, very much cannot be expected of it. Indeed, it , is only owing to Miss Terry's- acting, which is always good, that the piece is saved, and the Adelphi will haA'e a great loss (as also Avill the stage generally) by Miss Terry's retirement from theatrical laurels ; but as it is for the happiest of reasons, Aye cannot but congratulate her while Aye deplore it for ourselves. Like the social and religious Avorlds, that of the sporting habitues has been, a little disturbed lately. The weather, for one tiling, has been infamous, and for another the favorites have behaved infamously, too, always coining in last, and allowing some outsider to beat them that Avas never heard of in the betting. Such a curious sequence of disappointments j has rarely been known as during the past year. The Chester Cup was certainly not won by an outsider, for BeesAving Avas at 12 to 1 ; but Lscturer Avas a dead cprtainty, as everybody said. Then everybody broke down for the Derby, and particularly The Rake, who, after having broke a blood vessel, could not be expected to run far, much less Avin the Derby, and yet Hermit, who had also broken a A r essel, and was at 100 to 1, not only ran but won, causing Mr Chaplin immense joy, and bringing him in an enormous sum of money. But the Derby day, Avhich is generally the day of Londoners, Avas sadly shorn of its splendor, so Avas the Oaks — for one can't very well be jolly when you are being pelted with hailstones as big as gooseberries, and champagne and lobster salad discussed under an umbrella is flat and insipid. Moreover, so many horses had broken down,

such as The Rake, D'Estournel, Plaudit, &c., that, with the exception of Vauban, there really were no favorities. Racing is a delightful pastime, but I should not like to have my daily dinner depending upon it. slpropos of sporting, the Gun Club has commenced its shootings again, to the great disgust of the pigeons, and it really does seem rather hard that some 200 or 300 pigeons should be quietly slaughtered to provewho isthe best shot. In this case, Captain Baskcrville proved himself the hero, and bagged the first prize of L3OO. The canny North has again been beaten, and on its own Avater — the Tyne — in a skiff match betAveen Chambers, of Newcastle, and Kelly, of London, who won easily. The excitement was kept up to the last by a dreadful accident, in which some fifty people Avere said to be drowned, but mercifully two or three children Avere all that suffered. lam sorry to have to report unfavorably on the prospects of the moors this coming autumn. From all parts of Scotland arc more or less unwelcome accounts of the grouse disease, Avhich, as usual, is attributed to fifty different causes, including the Aery sapient one of frostbitten heather. One of the theories advanced seems to me to be a more likely one, and that is, the overstocking with birds, Avhich experience proves is always followed by a decimation from death. Neither are the rivers in the good order they ought to be. The fish are unkind, as unkind as the Aveather. and both the Scotch and the Welsh rivers, or rather the anglers in them, are complaining sadly. But they have all been put to the blush by Miss Thornewell, Avho, after a two hours' spin, killed a fresh salmon of 331 b. somewhere near Granton, in Invernesshire. I must not quit sporting matters Avithout alluding to the Civil Service sports, which Avere signalised by Mr Williams walking three miles at the slapping pace of 23min. 37sec, as good going as any muscular Christian could expect in these ritualistic days. A few words about books before I. finish; and, first of all, I have to lumen the sudden death of the " Day," which during its short life was as Avell Avritten a paper as any in London. It Avas, moreover, \of good moderate constitutional principles, and the only deduction I can make is, that constitutionalism is not a paying principle now-a-pays. Moreover, it Avas printed on decent paper, and not on that horrible flimsy stuff like the " Star," Avhich looks as if the paper had been seized from a bankrupt paper-maker before it Avas half made. To compensate the literary world, however, two new papers have sprung up, both slightly professional. One is the " Whip," devoted to the omnibus interest, and the other " The Tailor," which speaks for itself, and AA r herein that injured race bewail their fate and defy the masters. But, after all, " The Whip" and " The Tailor" Avill only edify a select few ; and I am afraid there is less than usual to offer this month which is worth reading. " Constance Rivers,'' by Lady Lennard, and " Raymond's Heroine," (by Avhom I forget), arc both well written, and Avill please lady readers, Avho I suppose are the greatest admirers of lady writers ; but I would recommend those who are fond of a downright good hearty abuse to get the '• Report of the Commissioners on Bribery,'' which. after all, is a far greater advocate for Reform than all Mr Beales' speeches. Ah ! those good old times, I fear they are fast leaving us, when one could make an honest penny in Totnes or Yarmouth. Mr Murray is busy Avith his " Handbooks" against the approach of summer, Avhich may iioav be expected in a few months, and is going to bring out several neAv ones, such as Hereford, Worcester, the Midland Counties, and Scotlaud. The last has been long Avanted. A funny correspondence has taken place between him and a Mr Macphcrsou, a photographer of Rome, avlio sent a lot of vieAVs taken by him, to secure, as he thought, a very favorable recommendation in the " Handbook to Italy.' Hoavever, the " Handbook" took very little notice of Mr Macphcrson, who foolishly enough forgot .to Avash his dirty linen at home, but paraded the fact that he had offered the bribe, in the " Athenaeum." I need scarcely say that he has got a notoriety now that his photographic establishment Avould have been better without. A pleasinj little inciceut has passed betAveen America and England. When Mr Hepworth Dixon Avas in the former country he Avcut to the library at Philadelphia, and Avas there shown some curious state papers which supplied some missing links in our history of Ireland. He saw their importance, and delicately hinted that their return to us would be much appreciated, and it was done. Would that Jonathan Avould always behave as delicately as in this case. One of the most interesting facts of recent archceology has been the discovery at Pompeii of a vessel containing actual water, pure liquid waver, Avhich had been hermetically sealed up by tLe laA'a lake, and which, strange to say, had not evaporated in all these centuries of time. Still more Avonderful, a small vessel of Avine was afterwards found which had not lost its color or its body. It had doubtless been drawn for some banquet (perhaps Horace was at it, avlio knows ?), and Avas waiting the verdict of the lovers of Fallernian, who were struck down by the^rolcanic storm, leaving their driri&*pir the 19th century to tasto. ThiSwa, link of the ancient and modern histories Avith a vengeance.

Before I close, I must just mention the sale of the gallery of pictures known as the Noraz gallery, from belonging to Mr Munro of that ilk, when Turner's picture of " Modern Italy " fetched the enormous price of L 3300. The Avhole collection realised Ll 7,250. Long prices are the order of the day. And I see that there Avas a sale of shorthorns of the celebrated Kirkleavington breed, when Captain OliA-er gave 850 guineas for one cow, the largest sum ever paid as yet for a single animal. Do you know Miss Lloyd, of Layncs, in Shropshire ? She has forbidden all her tenants to wear crinoline, on pain of eviction. Sensible woman, but she might have spared herself the trouble, for fashion, which reaches cA r en Shropshire in time, Avould haA r e elaborated the hateful appendage for her.