PAGE Piræus. Explanations were demanded in both Houses, and country-but as the Minister of England. "In the first place there is a MR. FINLAY (a British subject), who has been long established in Greece, and who some time since had lands there, part of which was taken forcibly from him for the purpose of forming a portion of the gardens of the palace which KING OTно was then building. MR. FINLAY has been for a long course of time, supported by HER MAJESTY's representatives, endeavouring to obtain proper payment for the land so taken. That payment, however, has never been got. The other case is that of a British subject-not a Portuguese Jew, as stated by my honourable Friend-of the name of PACIFICO. His house in Athens was violently broken into at midday by a mob, of which part were soldiers in the service of the KING OF GREECE, and some gendarmes, the son of the Minister of War encouraging them. There were, besides, Ionian subjects, who upon different occasions were the victims either of plunder or of corporeal ill-usage, for whom also compensation and indemnity have been required." With respect to the other and separate question about the two islands of Elaphonisi and Sapienza, LORD PALMERSTON made this statement: "By the treaty between Russia and the Porte, signed in 1800, the Ionian State was constituted with the consent of the SULTAN : and the State was to consist of certain islands therein named, and of all other islands and islets lying between those islands and the coast of Greece, up to a certain point. In pursuance of that treaty, the two islands in question, Elaphonisi and Sapienza-two very small islands, though from circumstances one of them is of importance-were by name aggregated to two of the larger islands named in the treaty, and those islands have ever since been considered by the Porte, and have been considered by the Sovereign of Greece, as part of the Ionian States. When the treaty of 1830 was signed, by which the Greek State was constituted, the territories of that State were specified as consisting of certain portions of the Continent, and of certain islands; those islands did not include the islands of Elaphonisi and Sapienza. There can, therefore, be no doubt whatever that those islands have been, ever since the treaty of 1800, confirmed by the treaty of 1815, and that they are, portions of the Ionian States." France and Russia took exception to the course England had pursued, and on the anniversary of HER MAJESTY's birthday the French Ambassador returned to Paris and the Russian Minister was absent from Court. Much discussion ensued in both Houses of Parliament, and a majority of 37 was obtained in the Lords by LORD STANLEY, condemnatory of the Foreign Policy of the Government in regard to Greece. After such an expression of opinion it was thought generally that the Ministry would have resigned, but LORD JOHN RUSSELL, in reply to MR. ROEBUCK, objected to place on the House of Lords the responsibility of controlling the Executive Government, and which would place it in a position it never hitherto occupied, and which it could not maintain, and he called upon MR. DISRAELI-if he coincided with the course pursued by his party elsewhere-to ascertain the feeling of the House of Commons upon the Foreign policy of the Government. LORD JOHN added, that if MR. ROEBUCK wished to make a motion, he should have the earliest possible opportunity, for "I can only say," continued his Lordship, "that we shall continue in that course which we have hitherto followed with respect to our foreign policy. So long as we continue the Government of this country, I can answer for my noble Friend, that he will act, not as Minister of Austria (cheers)—or of Russia (protracted cheering)-or of France, or of any other The honour of England, and the interests of England-such are the matters which are within our keeping; and it is to those interests and to that honour that our conduct will in future be, as it has hitherto been directed." (Loud and general cheering.) MR. ROEBUCK not entirely agreeing with the constitutional doctrines laid down by the noble Lord, said he should propose a resolution "according to the offer the noble Lord held out." To him it seemed that LORD JOHN RUSSELL had only stated one half of the great rule that governs the Executive of this country, adding : "I admit, a mere resolution of the House of Lords is not of itself a sufficient reason to lead to the alteration of a Government; yet it is so important in our double-chamber system of legislation, that both should act, if possible, in harmony, or if not, that there should be a complete understanding in the public mind as to the ground of the disagreement, that any Administration which has been thus censured by the House of Lords is bound not to shrink from an appeal to the House of Commons; and if that appeal, when made, is not successful, then their path is clear. (Cheers.) It is because I agree in the policy laid down by the noble Lord at the head of Foreign Affairs in this country, that I will test the opinion of this House, in order to learn whether we can find a verdict in the House in his favour, and also to learn distinctly and clearly, and sufficiently for the world to know, whether or not HER MAJESTY'S Government has the confidence of the people of England. (Cheers.) Therefore, Sir, I shall, in accordance with the permission of the noble Lord, to-morrow move the following resolution, of which I now beg to give notice, namely, "That the principles which have hitherto regulated the foreign policy of HER MAJESTY's Government are such as were required to preserve untarnished the honour and dignity of this country, and, in times of unexampled difficulty, the best calculated to maintain peace between England and the various nations of the world."" The debate extended over four nights, and resulted in a majority for the Government of 310 to 264. This debate will also be memorable as the occasion of the last speech of SIR ROBERT PEEL. It was adverse to Ministers. Within a few hours after its delivery, the eloquent statesman was dead. All remembrance of political differences were forgotten, and only his great practical reforms, his power of mind and strength of body remembered. In every part of England he was mourned and regretted. Among the miscellaneous measures of the Sessions, the Reform of the Universities, the Alteration of the Law of Marriage and the Amendment of the Factory Act attracted some attention, but a Motion by LORD ASHLEY to discontinue Labour in the Post Office on Sunday, and which he carried against the Government by a majority of 93 to 68, created almost universal interest throughout the country, as it caused the sudden closing of the operations of the Post Office on the Sunday. The vote of the House was acted upon for several weeks, and there was a total suspension of the delivery of letters and newspapers on Sunday, and the strongest remonstrances were made from all parts of the Country, and the subject being again brought before the House, the Post Office regulations were placed on their former footing in conformity to the votes of a very large majority. PAGE VOL. XVIII.] INTRODUCTION. [JANUARY TO JUNE, 1850. PAGE 2 NOTES. Three Butchers' Bride.-The high price of butcher's meat had been generally complained of in letters to the Times. 4 The exorbitant charges of the undertakers had also been dis- | 5 cussed, and the agitation resulted in a number of Cheap Funeral establishments. 21 35 38 39 42 The Protection "Dodge."-At intervals for some years a man, accompanied by a woman and children neatly but meanly dressed, has perambulated the streets of London bawling aloud an address, of which the " Suffering Landlords" is a political paraphrase. Agriculture-the Real Unprotected Female.-COBDEN and DISRAELI. The Hercules Cheap Paletot.-Public attention had been called to the miserable pittance paid by the cheap advertising tailors to their work women and men, and there is still reason to fear that the same system of "sweating," as it is called, prevails at this time. (1862.) Frightful Case of Stitch in the Side.-It was reported that the MARQUIS OF WESTMINSTER had his liveries made by one of the cheap tailors. Imposing Poses.-FEARGUS O'CONNOR. 48 Isle of Dogs a Penal Settlement.-The Isle of Dogs is opposite Greenwich Hospital, and now principally occupied by the works of MESSRS. SILVER, the celebrated outfitters and gutta-percha manufacturers of Bishopsgate Street. It is called Silvertown. 48 69 110 113 115 119 123 144 Clerical Conundrum.-PROFessor Keller was a German posture-master, and introduced that very questionable exhibition, the "Poses plastiques." The Worst of Taxes.-It is gratifying to know that MR. CHARLES KNIGHT lives to profit by his victory over the Exciseman (1862). Prospects of the Tunnel.-The Thames Tunnel-and the shareholders we fear have literally sunk their money in that undertaking. Mr. Finigan's Lament was occasioned by the rumour that the office of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland was to be abolished. The Grecian Difficulty. See Introduction. A Spider of Westminster Hall.-The beautiful roof of this Hall is made of chestnut wood, but is generally thought to be of Irish oak, which is said to be inimical to those primitive weavers-spiders. Knife and Fork Exhibition at the Mansion House. -The LORD MAYOR invited all the provincial Mayors to dine at the Mansion House preparatory to the Great Exhibition of 1851. PAGE Street Luxury.-Goffres are (or were, for they have dis- 157 appeared from the streets of London) large thin cakes made of batter. A Juvenile Teacher on Education.-The initial W 172 has attached to it a machine called a Baby Jumper. It was an American invention to supersede nursing in the ordinary way, and found little patronage from English mothers. The Whipper-in's Lament.-WILLIAM HOLMES, ESQ., 172 M.P.-or BILLY HOLMES, as he was more generally called, was long the Tory whipper-in of the House of. Commons, and was succeeded by LORD MARCUS HILL. MR. BRAnd now discharges that responsible office (1862). To Unlicensed Hawkers of Jokes.-MISS SELLON. 177 See A REMARKABLE MISNomer. 190 Maxims and Despatches, &c.-MR. WIDDICOMB has 179 been frequently referred to in preceding Volumes. Mr. Bright and his Mill.-The condition of the journey- 193 men Bakers has improved very little. Poor fellows! (1862.) The Political "Rouge et Noir" refers to the state 195 of France in 1850. Removals and Promotions.-CHOWLER was a noisy pro- 198 tectionist farmer. CUFFEY was a violent Chartist shoemaker. Resignation of Soyer.-ALEXIS SOYER was a noted man 201 in his day, and published many works upon Cookery. He was a good-natured fellow and rather a harmless charlatan. The Barley-corn Plot.-CHOWLER and other "Pro- 205 tectionists" had been making very violent speeches. The DUKE OF RICHMOND, as leader of the party, is included in the group. The Botany Bay for Artists.-The Octagon room was 208 a dark nook in the National Gallery, and formed a limbo for a few pictures at the Exhibition of the Royal Academy. It exists no longer. The Wofle New Ballad, &c.-MR. GILBERT A’BECKETT, 200 one of the Metropolitan Magistrates, has been mentioned in the Notes to a former Volume. Palmerston the Mischievous Boy.-LORD PALMERSTON 217 was said at this time to be embroiling France and England. Mr. Archer Ferrand was a rabid Protectionist and M.P. 219 The Greatest British Subject.-DON PACIFICO. 220 Field Marshal Punch on Epsom Downs, &c.-is a 236 parody on the celebrated picture of the DUKE of WellingTON and the MARCHIONESS OF DOURO visiting Waterloo. News for the Horse Marines.-The Hippopotamus on 242 its first arrival in England became the rage, and so continued for an entire London Season. - Master Jonathan tries to Smoke a Cuba. See 243 p. 244. An Author's Cry of Agony.-Printers' messengers are 245 called printer's devils, from their "inky cloaks." Carrying Coals to Newcastle.-When the Nepaulese 216 Jewels was playing at the Olympic Theatre. The Coming Animal is still in good health and spirits Princes visited England, a burlesque called the Island of at the Royal Zoological Gardens (1862). PLANETARY INTELLIGENCE.-There will be visible frequently in the neighbourhood of Smithfield a collision between Taurus (the Bull) and Gemini (the Twins), by which the Gemini will be thrown into the Libra (or Scales). The Dog-star, in a state of hydrophobic rabies, will rush away from Aquarius (or the Watering-pot); and the Virgo (or Maiden lady) will become a falling star, and drop to the ground suddenly. TO GAME PRESERVERS.-On the 14th of February give your gamekeepers a holiday; for, on this day, the feathered tribes pair: so that the poachers will not be able to destroy a single bird. SUSPICIOUS CHARACTER.-Nothing in England carries so much suspicion upon the very face of it as a moustache. SOLAR PHENOMENA.-Among the Eclipses for the year 1850 we must not omit to notice the total Eclipse of the Sun, which occurs every day in the Vernon Gallery. MEMS. FOR PAYERS OF ASSESSED TAXES. TAX ON BUTCHERS' HORSES.-Always having to trot ten miles an hour, and to go hardest over the stones. ON HORSES NOT EXCEEDING 13 HANDS HIGH.-Having to drag a four-wheeled chaise, with a stout gent., his stout wife, and four healthy children. ON CARRIAGES.-If the tax on a carriage be £5 5s., and the tax on "every additional body used on same carriage" be £3 3s., required the tax payable on a Hammersmith 'bus, with sixteen additional bodies on the roof. ON SERVANT-MEN.-Masters have to pay for one, £1. 48.-N.B. This do not include breakage, beer, or board wages. FOR EVERY WAITER IN ANY TAVERN OR EATING-HOUSE.-One penny per meal, if you wish to be looked upon as a gent.; or all your loose coppers, if you wish to be considered a gentleman. GENERAL DIRECTIONS FOR RAILWAY TRAVELLERS. TIME-Depends on the Railway. To ascertain it on the South-Eastern or North Kent Line, you must go to every station and wait till a train comes. CHILDREN.-Children under 10 years of age charged half fare, which is not half fair, when they 're big for their age. Infants in arms may not be strangled, though every one travelling out of town in their company is certain "to go to the country with a good cry," -as recommended by MR. DISRAELI. SMOKING-Not allowed, from obvious motives; except to the locomotives and the axle-boxes. RAILWAY SERVANTS-Are generally their own masters and yours into the bargain. A book is kept for complaints, called the Station Book, because, though complaints be entered in it, they very seldom get out but remain stationary. LUGGAGE.-The best adhesive label you can use is to stick to it yourself. RAILWAY CON.-Why are all English Railway Directors French Railway Shareholders? Because they all always take a Lyons share. THE YOUNG CUCKOO A CRICKETER.-Fact; for the old Cuckoo lays her egg in the hedge-sparrow's nest, and the young one, soon after it is hatched, bowls the young hedgesparrows out. HIGH AND LOW WATER.-It will be low water at the Charing Cross Fountains when it is high water at the adjoining Baths and Washhouses. A BLACK SUSPICION.-That accomplished young vocalist, JETTY TREFFZ, takes a trip to America; and the Yankees won't go and hear her on account of her Christian name. Fire Insurances must be Paid To-day (Jan. 8).-Better not. Be burnt out like a man, and trust to friends. Good Wishes for January-May you ne'er want a friend, and a barrel of oysters to give him. TO FIND THE VALUE OF A COOK.-Divide the services rendered by the wages paid; deduct the kitchen stuff, subtract the cold meat by finding how often three policemen will go into one area, and the quotient will help you to the result. TO FIND THE VALUE OF A FRIEND.-Ask him to put his name to a Bill. TO FIND THE VALUE OF TIME.-Travel by a Bayswater Omnibus. TO FIND THE VALUE OF EAU DE COLOGNE.-Walk into Smithfield Market. TO FIND THE VALUE OF PATIENCE.-Consult BRADSHAW's Guide to ascertain the time of starting of a Railway Train. FIGHT TO COME OFF IN FEBRUARY.-The mill between Spring and Winter will take place this month. It is expected that Old Snowy will show play; but the odds are ten to one on the Verdant Youth. |