ENGLISH EXTRACTS. The Siege of Venice. {From the London Evening Mail.)

Daily Southern Cross, Volume VI, Issue 328, 20 August 1850, Page 3

ENGLISH EXTRACTS. The Siege of Venice. {From the London Evening Mail.)

The siege of Venice has been considered, both in Italy and in France and England, as one of the most romantic and interesting events of the last campaign, and native and foreign writers have exhausted every figure of rhetoric in eulogizing a defence which lasted nearly a year and a half, and which cost the Austrians 10,000 men and an immense waste of time and treasure. I entertained the same opinion until I examined the localities, and I regret much that, after having done so with the greatest care and impartiality, I cannot arrive at that conclusion. In the first place, though the Austrians lost 10,000 men in the year and a half's siege, not 500 of them fell under Venetian fire. The rest were victims to fever and fatigue, and the mortality was at one time so great that soldiers could not be found in sufficient numbers to guard the lines. In like manner, though the Venetian combatants suffered from the same causes in the same proportion, and 400 perished in the fort of Malghera, I am certain that not 500 more were killed by shot or shell during the whole period. — With the exception of the affair at Malghera, which was brilliant both in attack and defence, as I have explained in former letters, what was the rest of the fighting? — and was it not, in plain English, confined to a cannonade on the fort in the centre of the railway bridge and on the little islet of San Secondo, the whole not comprising 100 square yards, both being at 2,400 metres from the enemy's batteries, and so well protected by immense mounds of earth that no direct fire had the least effect, and unless a vertical shot or shell fell into the forts, no mischief occurred? It is not very easy to arrive at such perfection of practice as to drop projectiles at 2,400 metres into a narrow space, so you may judge how many of these missives brought a billet with the bullet. As to the storm of fiery hail intended for the city, it was only useful to frighten old women and children — it answered no other positive purpose ; and shell thrown at 4,500 metres distance fell short, and vertical cannon-balls from the same range did not reach the centre of the town. The attack and defence both showed great patience in suffering, but as to fighting, thero was none since Malghera was abandoned ; and as to a fair stand-up battle, or bayonet work, it was all moonshine. The Austrians relied on the strict blockade maintained by sea and land, the Venetians on the success of the Hungarian campaign; but neither did the one adopt a dashing mode of attack, or the other offer anything more than inert resistance. The blockade, want of food, and hope extinct, closed the campaign effectually ; and had it not been for these causes, the Austrians might have fired shot and shell till doomsday, and the Venetians have enjoyed the carnival of 1900 with more relish than they will that of ] 850. The way to do quick work at Venice is to make a landing on the Lido, carry the fort, and erect batteries against the town. I know that a coup de main like that is difficult to bo managed ; but I know equally well that 2,000 British bluejackets and marines could do it without thinking twice of it ; and then where was the City of the Lagunes ? A ship could use her broadside two miles distant from the Lido, small craft could get within pistol-shot ; rig out a squadron of launches with 24pounders in the bow or stern ; let the men in smaller boats be covered by these, not afraid to wade waist deep in water ; choose a moonlight night in fine weather, when the sea is calm and no heavy surf on the bar, for dark night attacks are now condemned ; and if the Lido is not yours before morning, then Sir James Stirling. Captain Ramsay, or Captain Kobb, are not the men 1 take them to be.

The French President's Sotrees. — All parties now meet on this enchanted ground, and the salons form, perhaps, the most curious spectacle to be seen at this moment in all Paris. The plan upon which the Elysee Bourbon is built particularly favors this distribution of a numerous assemblage into small parties. There is no general reception-room, and the salons are cut up into small mysterious apartments, where coteries can be held and conspiracies formed

with the greatest ease. The President himself holds cour pleniere in the drawing-room which looks upon the garden. He generally leans, languid and fatigued, against the chimney, surrounded by a few intimate friends, and by the officers of his household. The verriest stranger can tell to what party belongs the guest whose name is announced, for the gesture of the President displays clearly the degree of consideration in which each name is held. — There is the slight bend of the figure for the representative — the cordial salute for the military friend — the advance of a few steps for the noblesse of the old regime — and the sudden start and hurrying to the door for the partizans of Henri Cinq. After a few J words of polite salutation, the company disperse to their various points de reunion with as much regularity as though the rendezvous had been given beforehand. The Dupins reign triumphant in one salon ; Achille Fould has of late been proclaimed sovereign of another, where assemble all the sommites of the Stock Exchange ; and here sometimes the crowd is so great, and disputation rises so high that it may be considered a very succursale of the Passage de l'Opera, or the pavement before Tortoni's. From the next salon (the one with the gilt panels and the painted Cupids) issues from time to time a thin shrill voice, always loud and piercing, as if in high dispute either with the speaker himself, or with some mute enemy, for the sound of the voice in reply but seldom penetrates further than the door, while that eternal penny-trumpet squeak predominates over the confused hum of the debates going forward on every side — over the roll of the carriages coming and going in the courtyard — even over the military fanfares which now and then salute the ear with harsh discordant sounds from the garden without. This is, of course, the theatre of M. Theirs, where he declaims to his eager listeners all the long speeches which he leaves unspoken in the Chamber. Beyond this, from a small apartment hung with green, scarcely of dimensions large enough to be denominated a salon, and therefore called, in the printed descriptions of the Elysee, the " Boudoir of the Princess Pauline," is wafted a perfume which brings back certain reminiscences of the old court, and of the ancien regime, rather startling to an unitiated visitor of the Chief of the Republic. Hence emenates no sound at all. A low, confused, agreeable murmur alone greets the ears of those who dare to rend the veil (that awful green curtain always half let down before the door) and penetrate the mystery of that secret retreat. This room is in comparative darkness, too — the girandoles upon the chimney being alone put in requisition — the lustre which hangs in the middle of the ceiling garnished with its countless tapers, | being suffered to remain useless. This arrangement is said to be made in compliance with the particular desire of the habitues of this little salon. By some this darkness is believed to have been requested in order to hide the faded toilets and withered complexions of the ladies who frequent the mysterious meeting, while others declare that it is intended to drive away all prying inquisitive strangers who might be led thither by curiosity or idleness It is certain that hitherto the latte - stratagem has succeeded tolerably well — the " Old Court" remains unmolested in its plotting and conspiracies — a stranger seldom venturing beyond the threshold, and never presuming to take a seat upon the faded green divan which runs along the wall. I have been much amused sometimes with the embarrassment of certain foreigners, who in their eagerness to behold every single episode of a reception at the President's, have been induced to enter the sanctum, and who have been suddenly arrested in their progress by the sudden pause in the conversation which their entrance has occasioned ; by the gaze of astonishment and displeasure which has greeted them on every side ; by the lorgnettes levelled at them with the prompt decision of a well - trained band, unanimous in its resolution of defence, until the unhappy intruder, conscious of indiscretion, hesitates, gazes timidly around, and withdraws, feeling himself expelled, and seeking in vain the reason of his expulsion. Before the chimney, leaning with courtly grace upon the mantel-piece, stands a tall thin figure with the lengthened features and aristocratic countenance characteristic of the French noblesse of the last century. He talks in grave and measured accents, and with low persuasive voice, and is listened to with well-bred courtesy, which forms a striking contrast to the vulgar excitement of the debates going forward in the next room. So regularly is this salon frequented every Thursday by the same society, that it is publicly known no longer as the * Boudoir of the Princess Pauline,' but as the Salon M. de Mole. — Correspondent of Atlas.

"Death of a Wealthy and Eccentric Lady. — On Tuesday night week, Mr. H. M. Wakley held, at the York Inn, Newroad, Marylebone, a protracted inquiry touching the death of Martha Joachim, an unmarried lady, late of 27, York-buildings, aged 62. The jury proceeded to view the body, but had to beat a sudden retreat until a bull-dog, belonging to the deceased, and which savagely attached them, was secured. It was shown in evidence, that on the Ist of June, 1808, deceased's father, an officer in the Life Guards, was murdered and robbed in the Regents-park. A reward of £300. was offered for the murderer, who was apprehended with the property upon him, and executed. In 1825 a suitor of deceased, whom her mother rejected, shot himself while sitting on a sofa with deceased, who was covered with his brains. From that instant she lost her reason. Since her mother's death, 18 years ago, she had led the life of a recluse, dres sed in white, and never going out. A char woman occasionally took her what supplied her wants. Her only companions were the bull-dog, which she nursed like a child, and two cats. Her house was filled with images of soldier 3 in lead, which she called her " body-guards." When the collectors called for their taxes, they had to cross the gardenwall to gain admission. A week previous to her decease, a man named Long, who said he was her cousin, visited her daily, and left at night. On Thursday night, the 24th ult., he refused to leave, as she appeared dangerously ill. She, however, insisted upon locking him in a room, from which he disengaged himself the following morning, and went in search of deceased, whom he found dead on a dirty bed in the parlour. Mr. Norton, surgeon, was instantly called in, who said that she had died of bronchitis, and would probably have recovered had she had proper medical aid. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with Mr. Norton's opinion. After the inquest, the jury, accompanied by deceased's relatives, examined the house, every window and door of which was bolted and well secured. That precaution she adopted in consequence of thieves having broken into and robbed the house a year back. Her mother's room, which had not been opened since her death, was forced open, and in it was found a strong box, containing Bank Stock to the value of £2,900., 62 shares of the Hope Assusance, of £50 each, deeds, leases of property, and life assurance policies. The room and furniture were in the same state as they were at her mother's death. The New House of Commons. — The ceiling is divided into eighteen compartments by moulded ribs, each space being again subdivided into panels. Over the Speaker's chair is the reporter's gallery, formed like the other fittings throughout, of oak, and left of its natural colour. There is a metal railing above the front of the gallery. The traceried openings seen above the Speaker's chair will be filled in with open metal work, to screen a gallery to which ladies will be admitted. At the bar end is a much larger gallery for strangers. The floor of the House is of iron, perforated for the purpose of ventilation. The windows will be filled with stained glass ; but there are no coloured decorations. The length of the chamber is 62 feet, the width 45 feet, and the height 45 feet ; nearly one third less in length, therefore, than the House of Lords, which is the same width and height, and is a double cube. The Commons' lobby, south of the bar, has a similarly - formed ceiling, in nine main divisions. The connexion of the Houses of Parliament with Westminster Hall, by means of an enormous archway nearly the whole height of the hall, is formed, although the steps are not yet constructed, and justifies our anticipations of its fine effect. This communicates with St. Stephen's Gallery — the stonework of which is being cleaned down. The groin vaulted roof of this gallery is a fine piece of work. The restoration of the Cloisters is being proceeded with ; the beauty of the old work there is marvellous. From 300 to 400 men, in the whole, are at present engaged on the building. — The Builder. Presentation of a Silver Sntjffbox. — Chatham, Jan. 8. — The sergeants of the 17th Regiment of Foot (the Royal Tigers) stationed in Chatham barracks, presented this day a very elegant silver snuffbox to their colour-sergeant, Bryan Kirby, upon his leaving the corps, after a service of 23 years. - The box is a creditable work of art, from the design of Mr. J. Pike, of Chatham. The lid and sides are frosted and burnished Jsilver, and decorated with the emblems of the regiment — the tiger, the badge of the corps, surmounts the Royal arms. The different achievements of the regiment are also inscribed — " Hindostan," " Affghanistan," " Ghuznee," and " Khelat." Colour- Sergeant Kirby was spoken of in terms of the highest praise by his j

brethren of the corps in presenting the above token of their esteem, for which he returned his warmest thanks. Judicial Affairs in India. — The following exquisite story is extracted from tie Agra correspondent of the Bombay Times. It must be premised that the names are fictitious: : — "Mr. Robold, Judge of Barabad, was sitting at breakfast one morning, when, to his horror and surprise, a file of police marched in, headed by a native official bearing the Magistrate's order for his (the Judge's) immediate execution ! The coffee cup was dropped, the muffin left untasted, and the terrified judge, who was a timid man, desired permission to read the document in question. It was handed to him, and you may guess his feelings when he saw the warrant was drawn up in the usual style, authorising the public executioner to carry out the last sentence of the law on Mr. Bobold, the Judge of Barabad, by hanging him by the neck until he was dead ! — dated at the Magistrate's Cutchery, and bearing liis most unmistakable signature. However, he was still judge, and as such, superior to the Magistrate, so he issued a formal reprieve to stay his own execution, and then, instead of at once proceeding to the Magistrate, with whom he was not on very good terms, he, on the presumption that the latter had laid this scheme to murder him, sent a formal statement to the Commissioner, demanding an immediate Court of Inquiry. This was summoned, and, on their investigating the mat- | ter, it appeared that, as in all courts in these provinces, the work at Barabad was so heavy that the Magistrate was obliged to trust in a great measure to the native officials, and to sign such papers as his amlah handed to him, without making himself master of their contents. A Mussulman, whose duty it was to hand in the papers for signature, had conceived an extreme dislike for the Magistrate in question, and concocted this plan to injure him He had drawn out a formal order for Mr. Robold's execution, which he had handed to the Magistrate, who had signed it with other documents, when the man, who had accomplices, immediately forwarded it to the police officers, knowing that, when served, Mr. Robold would resist, and trusting that he would accuse the Magistrate of an attempt to murder him — which in this case actually lie did, being either guided by his ill feeling to that officer, or his fear for personal safety. However, the native had laid his plans badly ; the writing was traced to him, and he and his accomplices were, I believe, transported. — Friend of China, Jan. 3 TnE Great Exhibition of 1851. — Tho following letter has been addressed to His Royal Highness Prince Albert : — " May it please your Royal Highness or Most Noble Prince, — Seeing that your Royal Highness has set on foot a subscription for a great exhibition of the 'industrious' of all nations, and feeling it to be the means, under God, of doing much good, and also calculated to bring about a more friendly feeling between the nations of the earth, I beg to enclose my subscription of one shilling. It is all I can afford, as I am a working man with a wife and four children, but always ready to every good work ; and would beg to suggest to your Royal Highness that if our great men could induce the working classes to give one shilling a family to be placed with your large subscriptions, you would be able to carry out the great work which has been begun by your Royal Highness, in a manner becoming a great nation like ours, presided over by a good and gracious Queen, whom I hope God will bless and long preserve. Hoping you will forgive every imperfection, and pardon my boldness. — " I remain your Royal Highness's most obedient servant, James Handle Parish Constable, Braintree, Essex. — To his Royal Highness Prince Albert, and to his Consort our beloved Queen." Marble Tiles. — The vessel 'Orion,' arrived from Leghorn, has brought a portion of a general cargo, nearly 5,000 marble tiles, the produce and manufacture of the Italian states. The vessel in which this importation took place belonged to Holland, and therefore this is an instance in which a Ductch vessel has been employed in bringing an Italian cargo to this country for home use, which would not have been allowable until the repealed laws of navigation and importation came into operation. The Marshals of France. — France still counts five marshals, namely, Soult, aged 80 years ; Gerard, aged 72 ; Sebastiani, aged 71 ; Reille, aged 71 ; and Docle aged 70 ; total aggregate age of the five marshals, 364 years — an average of nearly 73 years each. It is thought that the first new marshal created by the President of j the Republic will be M. d© Changarnieiv Oil from stone is now being made by a French company. It burns with a pure flame, is colourless, and makes no stain.