THE OWL.

LONDON, MAY 10, 1865.

COMING EVENTS.

THE tide turned. The sun was setting, and the Owls on Monday evening were calmly watching the afterglow and the craft drifting lazily up the River. Their talk was of the Session and the coming Dissolution, and they all agreed in their praises of Mr. Lowe's speech, which has put a stop to the cant about Reform. Mr. BRIGHT, so voluble before a rabble, has found not a word to answer in presence of the best intellects of the kingdom. Mr. Lowe has released the Government from the penance of perennial humbug, and the country will find itself more free in dealing at the coming

elections with the tangible topics of the day through the abandonment by the two great Parties of the sham which was their torment and their hindrance. The cries of 1865 will at any rate be honest and practical.

The next subject started was the position of affairs in America. We all wondered by what possible process of reasoning SHERMAN could have agreed to terms which were a surrender of the fruits of every victory he had gaized, and the renunciation of all the North had fought for. While on this subject a diplomatic Owl informed us that the assurances received through the agents of the various European Powers all agreed that Mr. JOHNSON had to every one of them expressed himself in favour of a strictly conciliatory Foreign policy; though they all understood that at home he would be not only less accommodating but far more severe than Mr. LINCOLN.

We had just nodded our thanks for this information when our quiet was disturbed by a rustling of strange wings. One by one there settled on the balcony of the Trafalgar a company of foreign birds. The Owls, ever hospitable, asked them in to pick of white and black and red bait, and to dip their beaks in magnums of champagne and claret. Messieurs aud Mynheers willingly assented, and proceeded to explain the cause of their unexpected arrival.

A Prussian Eagle said that amongst birds the secrecy of the feather was sure to be respected, and therefore he had no hesitation in hinting that the object of his visit was to call attention to a distressingly imminent event. If it occurred, there was no knowing what might happen, as a neighbour of his, who had already displayed great voracity, might be tempted to appropriate a tempting morsel.

The French Eagle interrupted the guttural insinuations of the German bird, and at once excused himself from the accusation. He had no ambition. It was a mistake to attribute to him a greedy beak or appropriative claws. He would never consent to receive any stray chickens under his wing unless forced to do so by their vociferous clamour expressed in a free plébiscite. He was no vulture, preying upon carrion, but a bird of honour requiring a legion of voices before he would spread out his protecting wings.

The Austrian Bird here remarked that his respected confrère chose to hear a "cry of agony" whenever it was convenient to him, and that the commonwealth of birds thought the moment opportune for appealing to the British Lion to know how far he intended to act in defence of small neighbours who might be menaced by birds of prey.

The Owls said that they little expected the harmony of their evening to be disturbed by such unpleasant inquiries.

The British Lion had run down by the side of their drag, and was dozing in a corner of the room. They tried to rouse the animal, but ineffectually. At length, by twisting his tail, they brought him to a sense of the momentous question submitted to his sagacity, when the sage brute growled out that as he had

not interfered in Denmark, and that as treaties had been torn up, he did not see why he should bother himself about Protocols of 1830, and that the fate of Belgium seemed quite immaterial to him. The noble creature then turned over on his side and sank into a profound sleep, from which all subsequent attempts to arouse him proved vain. The Owls expressed their opinion that the British Lion had become more cosmopolitan, and that the European family and European He only cared about birds were to him of small moment. Chinese or American monsters. They themselves had in vain called his attention to the proceedings of M. VON BISMARCK On the one hand, or M. SPONNECK on the other. He cared as little about them as he did about Prince COUZA or the POPE, and thought them not worth a growl, much less worth moving about.

was

It

The Prussian Eagle complained that matters of vital importbe ignored and treaty rights disregarded. The Owls reminded ance were to be thus neglected, and asked if compacts were to him that, if the French Eagle had first set the example of revindication and annexation, he himself had recently improved upon it in so marked a manner that he must not be surprised if other birds followed closely upon the same track. a matter of indifference to the Lion whether, upon "the populations" being consulted, oue State or another were smally aggrandised. The country seemed resolved not to enter upon romantic wars, nor to incur unpleasant and unprofitable debt. They only looked to the construction of pleasant budgets, and to the maintenance of their country's commercial superiority. On this the conclave of foreign birds set up a chorus of hideous sounds, and declared their purpose of never again settling upon English land except for the purpose of improving it. We at once shut the windows, ordered our traps, and drove home westwards, giving the Lion a snug place under the seat, and, smoking pleasant weeds of peace, returned to our cosy nest.

THE harp that once in Tara's halls
Rang loud for Kings Milesian,
With nobler, fuller, music calls
For Ireland's loyal adhesion :
For the Heir of England's Empire vast,
To its notes of welcome listens,
And a hearty thrill of joy has passed
Through the Isle where the Shamrock glistens.
When MALACHI wore the collar of gold,
(A necktie inconvenient)

"Twas in half-barbaric days of old,

Of which be our judgment lenient;
But when ALBERT EDWARD lifts his hat
Amid Erin's bright-eyed daughters,
Then the Emerald Isle becomes with a smile
An England over the waters.

THE AMERICAN NERO. (Mr. JOHNSON's Speech in this Morning's American News.) THE PRESIDENT, his former trade reminding, Seeks to instil rebellious chiefs with fears; No other means but harshest seutence finding, Vows them one neck, and that beneath his shears.

THE GERMAN NAVY. THE following despatch has been sent to us for publication, and we are permitted to refer all inquirers as to its authenticity to Mr. HAMMOND, at the Foreign-office :

FOREIGN-OFFICE, May 1, 1865. SIR,-Her MAJESTY'S Government have for some time past been engaged in considering the question of the proposed formation of a German navy. It is a subject deserving of the deepest attention, and, though surrounded by many difficulties, is, in their opinion, capable of a satisfactory and possibly not altogether useless solution.

The obstacles in the way of the formation of a German fleet are many; the principal ones are that there are no ships, that there are no sailors, and that there are no German ports. I do not of course pretend to consider Kiel as ever likely to be available in the latter capacity, as M. VON BISMARCK requires it for Prussian purposes; and, in the opinion of her MAJESTY'S Government, he is very likely to have his own way.

Any scheme, therefore, which is to have any chance of success must provide for the deficiencies mentioned above, and in addition ought also to make arrangements for a suitable piece of water to float the German navy in when built. My proposal will, I think, meet the whole of these requirements.

Her MAJESTY's Government are not prepared to look upon the idea of a German fleet with any disfavour. On the contrary, they desire to encourage it, as they have generally found in the management of their own families that if a crying infant is supplied with the plaything it longs for a certain term of comparative quiet may fairly be expected. They consider the Germans to be in an analogous position; the Diet is longing for something they hardly know what, and it becomes, therefore, the duty, as well as the pleasure, of Her MAJESTY'S Government to supply that want. From what I have already stated—the want of water, ships, or men-it is evident the German navy cannot exist in Germany. Where, then, is it to exist? It is not without considerable anxiety that I have considered this question, and it is only after much consultation with the Cabinet that I find myself, under these unfavourable circumstances, able to point out a means of meeting all difficulties.

A German fleet will naturally have nothing to do. It is, therefore, unnecessary to place it in any position where it might be expected to do something. It will be sufficient for a German to say there is a German fleet, and it will be of little consequence to him where it is, as he could not use it anywhere in his own country. But it ought at the same time to be placed where it could not be used against Germany. All these considerations point one way. The German fleet must be in some inland piece of water, where, secure alike from offensive and defensive action, it may float, the pride and plaything of the Fatherland.

With regard to the want of sailors, there is likewise but one way of meeting this question. It will be absolutely essential to have ships which require none. At first sight this may appear difficult, but, as I have already pointed out, if the navy is placed in a secure position far away from the sea, and the ships are not wanted to sail, then there is no need for sailors, and thus perhaps the greatest obstacle is at once removed.

But if the ships are to carry no men, as is inevitable, there being no men to carry, there is of course no need for the ships to be large enough to carry them, and they may be mere models of a size conveniently proportionate to the water they are to be placed in.

In addition to this, the whole of our experiments lately in shipbuilding have tended to demonstrate that the smaller the ship is the less surface does she expose to the enemy's shot, and therefore the less danger is there of her being struck; while, at the same time, as I am informed by my noble friend, the FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY, that it is impossible to build ships to carry the only artillery heavy enough to pierce the ironclads of the present day, there is clearly no possible reason for the German navy to carry guns. I have thus shown that what at first sight appeared to be insurmount able difficulties are, in fact, positive advantages, and the German navy may become one of the most powerful in the world. But still there remains the question as to where the navy, when constructed, is to float. I have examined the map of Europe with great care, with a view to discovering some small piece of water possessing all the requisite qualifications for so remarkable a fleet as the German one promises to be. I, however, found the map of Europe offered no solution to the question, as there were strong objections to every site proposed. Her MAJESTY's Government have, therefore, after much deliberation, resolved to propose to Parliament to offer the Serpentine to the Federal Diet as a locality for the German fleet unsurpassed by any other. There it may float secure from any danger from storms or enemies, and receive the flattering admiration of the first naval Power in the world. The boat-house may be turned into a building-yard and dock, while the Humane Society would no doubt take in as a lodger the high officer deputed by the German Governments to look after the ships.

Her MAJESTY's Government feel that in making this proposal they are giving a most convincing proof of their good feeling towards the whole German nation; and, at the same time, I may state my conviction that

a fleet such as I have described is the only one that the Federal Diet can ever have any authority over, and perhaps, for their own sakes, the safest they could ever possess.

You will read this despatch to the Barou DE KUBECK, and leave a copy

of it with him.

EXHIBITION OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY. FIRST NOTICE.

In accordance with our usual practice, two Artistic Owls proceeded the other day to the Royal Academy in order to furnish the public with their valuable notes on the different pictures exhibited, and we have much pleasure in laying their impartial criticism before our readers.

the North Room is "The Strayed Herd" (560). The Cow on The first picture that meets the eye of the visitor on entering the right is a remarkable instance of vaccine instinct, for she has evidently found a Rabbit, and is pointing it with all the steadiness of a well-trained Dog. The exquisite curve in the tail of the centre figure is also worthy of notice. "Esther" (522) appears to be rather in difficulties. Her back hair is evidently insecurely fastened, and she is holding it on with her right hand. Mr. MILLAIS is also guilty of an anachronism in draping her in some of the loot of the Summer Palace at

Pekin.

"The Little White Girl" (530) and "The Scarf" (569) are both by the same artist, and exhibit the same characteristic of an unwashed face. The "little white girl" has partially cleaned that side of her face which is nearest the spectator, but has totally forgotten that the other is reflected in the glass at her side; while the young lady in the second picture has evidently acquired a slatternly habit of wiping her pen on her clothes, as is shown by the scarf which she holds in her dirty hand. An old Jew Poacher, out at night with his lurcher scattering grain to allure pheasants into his net, is ably represented by Mr. MILLAIS in his picture (528).

We do not envy Mr. W. S. BURTON his idea of an Angel (549). Whether we look at the one on the right in mauve, with yellow hair, or her companion in green, with bluish hair, In forcible contrast to this picture is 540, a Gentleman in we are equally astounded at the novelty of his conception. Black, the address of whose tailor we do not care to know. Standing, too, as he is in close proximity to Westminster-bridge, we are somewhat surprised at the style of hat he appears to be in the habit of wearing in town.

"Gentle

In 620, we notice a fact of which TENNYSON was clearly not aware when he wrote his "Idylls," namely, that King ARTHUR was afflicted with elephantiasis in his right arm. Mr. T. B. BEDFORD has represented this disease in a masterly manner. Entering the West Room, the eye is at once arrested by 431, "Habet." The savage energy and absorbed attention depicted in the faces of the Roman Empress and her suite forms a striking contrast to the listless apathy of the occupants of an opera-box in the present day. In close proximity is ESTHER's Banquet, where the two principal plats appear to be an entrée and a relevé, the former being furnished by the KING and the latter by HAMAN. Side by side, on the next wall of this room, are two remarkable works (359 and 360), a commission, we understand, from an eminent hairdresser. They represent two different modes of dressing the hair. Spring" has evidently by art made the most of the little that nature has given her, and, by the judicious arrangement of a rainbow, has produced a very remarkable headdress. We presume that the butterflies are introduced for the purpose of showing the origin of the dye, which will henceforward become very popular and which can be obtained only from Mr. TRUEFITT (Advt.). luxuriant flow of well-brushed tresses, no doubt the effect of the "The Lady of the Tooti-hameh," on the other hand, rejoices in a machinery now so much in vogue. As the labels of the bottles containing the cosmetics used to produce this enchanting effect are turned to the wall, we cannot inform our fair readers where they may be procured. Another picture by the same artist (405) is miscalled "The Flight of Jane Shore." As it is evident his heroine's ear is firmly nailed to a post, we are totally unable to conceive how it can be called a flight!

Before leaving this room we must not omit to notice the curious effect which is produced by the gradual transition from "Sunset-Tombs of the Sultans, near Cairo" (346), to "Morn. ing" (486). The last rays of the setting sun as he sinks behind the arid plains of Egypt are caught up and reflected on the golden hair of an English girl enjoying the early freshness of her garden.

Want of space compels us to reserve our remarks on the pictures in the remaining rooms until a future number. Any remarks by artists on the works of their rivals, if forwarded to us, will receive due attention.

AN EPISCOPAL SÉANCE.

A MEETING of the Archbishops and Bishops was recently held at Lambeth Palace to take counsel on the topics of the day, and to agree upon a line of action with reference to Church questions during the present Session.

Soon after the appointed time their Lordships began to drop in. In half an hour the assembly of prelates was very large, and the rustling of aprons was quite audible. Lookers on might have speculated with some curiosity upon the number of buttons which an English Bishop has to carry

about when not in evening dress. Buttons for use, buttons for ornament, buttons before, buttons behind, buttons on the cuff, and buttons on the legs. Those who are conversant with the home life of the Episcopate know that these buttons are a great trial to their wearers. The Archbishop of YORK uses forty-two. Let our readers, when his Grace next makes a morning call upon them, count for themselves. The result will confirm our statement.

The Episcopal member of our nest was, of course, present ex officio, and was very cheerful and charming, as he always is. He was not the first to arrive, for his habit, we are sorry to say, is not to be as punctual as he should be, and we have several times spoken to him about it.

The Archbishop of CANTERBURY, more suo, was all smiles and benevo lence, and greeted his guests and brethren with affectionate dignity. He said that although the hour for beginning business was past, and the attendance large, yet he thought it would be respectful to await the arrival of the Bishop of LONDON, whom circumstances of extreme pressure always prevented from being early.

The Bishop of ROCHESTER said—" Certainly;" and added, though they could not proceed to public business for the present, yet they might improve the time by discussing a few questions of more private and strictly Episcopal concern. He had had it borne in upon his mind of late that there was great room for improvement amongst the Bishops. He had been trying to improve his clergy, and he thought that he ought not to leave his brethren without an effort for their good.

The Archbishop of YORK asked-"In what respect?"

The Bishop of ROCHESTER replied that it was much talked about last season that the ARCHBISHOP was the greatest diner-out, and altogether the most prominent of all the prelates in London Society. He was afraid that his Grace would be thought worldly.

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The Archbishop of YORK did not agree with his respected brother. His own position involved much dining as well as much preaching, and if he went often to public dinners he also did his share of public meetings. If the Bishop of ROCHESTER were an Archbishop instead of a Bishop, he would know the trials of the place.

The Archbishop of CANTERBURY gently interposed. He thought that questions of this kind should be discussed generally and not personally. It would be better to take at once for a subject "the limits of Episcopal Recreations."

The Bishop of ROCHESTER said that that thesis would not cover the whole of the ground. The habits of the Bishops, as well as their recreations, should be discussed. He would explain what he meant by referring to his charge to his own clergy. There was, for instance, the habit of growing long hair-a habit in which his dear brother of Oxford was prone to indulge.

The Bishop of OXFORD bowed and smiled, and went on with his letters at the table.

Several prelates here rubbed their heads.

Volunteers on the Sunday before the camp broke up. After service, a Lady being asked what she thought of the ARCHBISHOP's sermon, replied, with that playfulness which lends so much charm to her manner, that "he was a capital shot," meaning that he had preached an excellent sermon. This little pleasantry gave rise to the rumour that the ARCHBISHOP had made high scores as a marksman.

The Bishop of CARLISLE said he disapproved of fishing.

The Bishop of ST. DAVIDS said they were fishers by profession. Was it not theirs to cast the aupißnoτpov?

discussion. Bishops ought to keep up their Greek.

The Bishop of RIPON was glad to hear a little Greek introduced into the

The Bishop of GLOUCESTER and BRISTOL defended fishing within reasonable limits. He bore in mind the kind of fish to which ST. DAVIDS alluded; but the River Severn ran through his own diocese, so that he had fish of both kinds. If he worked hard at the one, he did not see why he should not play a little at the other. At this moment the Bishop of LONDON entered. places, and, with the PRIMATE at their head, began the graver business The prelates hastily scuffled to their of the day. Most of it was strictly confidential; but we have already announced as much as was ripe for public promulgation.

THE GREAT SEAL AND THE LITTLE CLERK. A JUST AWARD.

1.

2.

THE Lords last night did rule

That neither reward should lack; So the CHANCELLOR keeps the wool, And EDMUNDS gets the sack.

THE PLEASURES OF ROWING. THE race is o'er, the boats have come to land, The fainting crews ascend the weary strand, The Owl who flutters by, so wise and wary, Says truly "Laborare est Oar-are."

DOUBLE ACROSTIC.

How strange a life from humble sources sprung,
The equal now of Emperor or King;
Yet to this name, his own unbridled tongue
Has caused a low and shameful stain to cling.
Another's life, and footprints, are the guide
To warn from stern unpitying revenge;
Whose latest accents e'er he foully died
Forgave, forgot what others would avenge.

The tired warrior sought retreat secure,

Nor dreamt this hand could deal the fatal blow;
Friendly the greeting, meant but to allure
Within her hands the long-detested foe.

Grey morning broke the last this man should see
Who held that Murder could make nations free,
The lot was Death-Stakes-Death, or Italy.

3. {Der Western shores, when shall those days return Those days of peace for which the mourners yearn?

4.

5.

The Bishop of WINCHESTER (to the Bishop of ROCHESTER), "You tried to put down beards, I believe?"

The Bishop of QUEBEC, who had recently arrived in England and wore an imposing black beard, began to look uncomfortable; but the Bishop of ELY, who wears none, told him not to disquiet himself; several Colonial Bishops did the same-as the late and present Bishops of TASMANIA, the Bishop of LABUAN, and others. In fact, he thought it quite the proper thing for "colonials," and it made a very natural distinction between them and the home prelates.

The Bishop of RIPON remarked that it would not do to draw the Bishop of ROCHESTER'S rule too tight. The clergy were very generally taking to beards; and if one of them, like the Dean of CANTERBURY, should be offered a Bishopric, it would be unreasonable to require him to adopt a clean shave, like the Dean of ELY. To have to choose between a beard and a Bishopric might prove a very embarrassing dilemma to a clergyman of delicate conscience and tender skin.

The Bishop of NORWICH would like to take the sense of those present whether a Bishop might, without impropriety, have his hair brushed by machinery?

Several prelates again rubbed their heads. Some confessed that they had no hair to brush, others said they should be sorry to submit to such an operation. Finally, it was left an open question.

Turning to the subject of Recreations,

The Bishop of ROCHESTER asked whether it were true that the Archbishop of YORK had shot at Wimbledon last year as a competitor for the Owl Plate?

The Bishop of OXFORD again smiled, and said he could explain about the Archbishop of YORK. The truth was that his Grace had preached to the

6.

7.

When shall oblivion as a drug efface
Undying hatred, warfare's bloody trace,

Where kin met kin, whilst Europe stood aghast,
And marvelled if this civil strife could last?
Dread though the slaughter on Italia's plains
Upon this height, 'tis freedom she regains;
And foreign hordes before the arms recoil
Which swept oppressors from her fertile soil.
What the POPE says in the Secret Consistory
Is expected to be an inviolate mystery,
And what the Consistory says to the POPE
Will never by him be made public, I hope:
But the POPE and the Conclave their trust will betray

Before the real birds see the light of the day.

WE have received correct solutions from-Two Owls in a Rat-trap-Celer et Audax-C. J. Hardy-E. M. W.-"Lloyd's"-Cooper-C. M.-Disorderly RoomR. R.-Cam-No. 3.-X. M. N.-C. S.-The Owls in N. C.

THE Hon. Member for Calne was at Sydney a promoter of strong democratic measures. Is it the experience gained from the effects of his own acts that makes him so violently opposed to any Lowe-ring of our franchise?