609 
THE FIELD. 
W HO lias ever enjoyed 
a good day’s duck- 
shooting, that does not look 
back to the time with pleasure, and 
hail approaching July with unfeigned 
delight? Has not the sedgy pool more claims for him than any accustomed amuse- 
ment ? The excitement of the rise of the fowl, or the sound of its plunge in the 
waters ; the quick report of the fowling-piece ; the fall of the bird ; the movements 
of the dogs, trained to bring the spoil to the hunter’s feet ; and lastly, the 
pleasurable feeling which accompanies the knowledge that you are rapidly filling 
your game-bag, — all these help to give weariness the slip, and time flies on until you 
find the shades of evening gathering in. Then your walk home, made cheerful 
by the cries of birds aud beasts; the hark of a dog from a neighbouring homestead; 
or a merry peal of bells from a distant village. On your arrival the prey is exposed 
to view, admired, and criticised, and a portion laid by for the night’s supper. Alas ! 
for the unhappy wight whose bag is empty : no emotions with a tittle of pleasure 
in them are his; but fagged, and, perhaps, a little out of temper, he longs for 
to-morrow’s sun, to retrieve his damaged reputation. May that fortune always be 
his! Is not life itself to be compared with duck-shooting? Man, with deter- 
mination in his hand as a fowling-piece, and money or talents for his ammunition, 
is ever ready to let fly at whatever may rise in the shape of profit or self-aggran- 
disement. Those who have a steady hand and sure aim generally bring down as 
much as they could desire; but how many fire almost with their eyes shut, and after 
wasting their resources, return to their hist home broken spirited and empty 
handed. 
GERMAN DUCK-SHOOTING IN JULY. ... *^0 
In the south, Austiin should odd to her empire Moldavia 
and Bossnrabia, and prolong her frontiers to the banks of the 
Dniester ; she would thus gain some fertile provinces, and on 
the Black Sea forts, which would marvellously assist her in 
tho development of her marine; whilst, by the possession of 
Galatz, and the mouths of the Danube, she would profit by tho 
transit of her productions from Central Europe. A Convention 
should be properly regulated, with a ju»l consideration for 
the commercial interests of all European States, and in har- 
mony with t lie principle of tho liberty of navigating the 
Black Sea. It is superfluous to demonstrate how, by the ad- 
vance of Austria on the Danube, Constantinople would have 
n surer barrier yet than the line of the Balkans. 
If it he objected that the Ottoman Empire would thus lose 
her right of sovereignty over Moldavia, think well to the 
magnificent recompenco which would bo offered iior: in Eu- 
rope, the Crimea, the object of her constant regrets, with the 
Asiatic sides of the Euxine ; in Asia, ths Transcaucasian 
countries, where the Russians established themselves to take 
Constantinople in the rear. This double restitution would 
have the effect of assuring the independence of the intrepid 
■nountninecTS of tho Caucasus, who, single banded, have for 
twenty years kopt the entire Muscovite forces at bay. 
By this arrangement Russia would find the road to Persia 
end India, that she lias planned with so much perseveranco 
and energy, closed against her. She could no longer possess 
on tho Black Sea more thun tho coast comprised between the 
mouth of the Dniester and tho Dnieper; but Odessa, 
Nicolnief, Kherson would remain to her, for the requisite 
outlet and exportation of her commerce, and for tho arsenals 
of her marine, reduced to proportions sufficiently worthy of 
a great people, but no more menacing to tho peace of the 
world. 
Would it be presuming too much on the wisdom of Austria, 
to expect that in cxchnngo for this aggrandisement of her 
teni'ory and extension of her commereo and maritime power, 
she should renounce Lombardy? Milan, re-united to Pied- 
mont, would strengthen without danger to any one, a state of 
secondary consideration, tho prosperity of whicli concerns 
Trance. Is it not of importanco to end the squabbles with 
Switzeilund, to give satisfaction to tho national feeling of 
Italy, u nil by this means deprive tho spirit of revolution of 
one of its pretexts, and perhaps tho most apparent of its 
grievances? The Venetian States, which include Frioul and 
Illyria, would remain to Austria under tho conditions of tho 
treaty of Cumpo- Fnrmio. Tho empiro would extend from 
Venice to Ackerman ; from the mouth of the Adige to those 
of the Dniester. Her extreme points would touch on two 
seas, one of which, that she most needs, is now closed 
to her. 
Such appear to bo the only proper measures on which to 
establish the true busis of tho equilibrium of Europe, at pre- 
sent compromised by the prepondorunco of Russia. To those 
"ho may be tempted to treat this plan as chimerical, we ask 
if they conscientiously believe that otherwise it will bo possible 
to preserve the statu quo which existed before this infamous 
war was forced upon England und France? Our propositions 
would put an end to all causo of division between the two 
powerful Western Stutos, nor peril the interests of either one 
or the other. Tho balance would be maintained between tho 
two German States, which, largely added to in the Slavonic 
elemont, and in nearly equal proportion*, shall no more 
trouble the breast of the Germanic Confederation with now 
pretensions. Sweden would be strengthened by the restitu- 
tion of Finland, the Ottoman Empire by that of the Crimea 
and the line of the Caucasus. Compelled to disgorge tho 
usurpings of an age, the aggressor would alone suffer by an 
arrangoinent which, north, west, and south, operates aguinst 
his revenue. We can see no other certain way of probing to 
the quick this oriental question, which Russian ambition lias 
made a subject of continual inquietude to every civilised 
nation. After the war will come the sovereign deliberations 
of an European Congress. Whether the way we propose be 
considered the best to attain the solution so ardently dosirod 
or no, wo would do all justly, but resolutely ; that is the secret 
of a far-seeing and enduring policy. Tho time has arrived 
when the power of one man shall no longer endanger with 
impunity tho security of all. Fax. 
~ HOME NEWS. 
The Court — The fashionable season may now be consi- 
dered at its zenith. The salons of tho nobility aro crowded 
with rank and beauty on those frequent occasions when the 
lmspitulity of their aristocratic owners is dispensed. Her 
Majesty and her illustrious Court are unsparing in their 
patronage of places of public resort, and however threatening 
an aspect affairs ubroad may assumo, at homo they have a 
brighter and more cheering influence. During tho week tho 
Court has sojourned at Buckingham l'aluce ; and the Queen, 
together with tho other members of tho Iloyal Family, hive 
enjoyed their customary exercise in the Park*, which huve 
been thronged by numerous and fashionable parties of equet- 
triuns and pedestrians, attracted to the spot by the fineness 
of tho weather, and tho presenco of the Sovereign and her 
suite. 
On Wednesday morning, the Queen and Prince Albert, with 
the Prince of Wales, Prince Allred, tho Princess Royal, and 
the Princess Alice, went to the Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly, and 
honoured Mr. Albert Smith’s cutei tain ment , “ The Ascent ol 
Mont Blanc,” with her presenco. Her Majesty and bis 
Royal Highness were attended by ilic Duchess ot At hoi I, the 
Hon. Matilda Paget, the Hon. Mary Seymour, Major-General 
Buckley, Captain tho lion Dudley do Uos, and Mr. Gibb-. 
Her Majesty was graciously pleased to express her approbation 
of tho entertainment. 
His Royal Highness Prince Albert, attended by Captain the | 
lion. Dudley de Ros, inspected tho Essex Rifles, in llydo . 
Park, on Monday morning. 
His Majesty the King of Portugal, and liis Royal Highness 
the Duke of Oporto, left Buckingham Palace at 20 minutes 
past eight on Monday morning, for the Huston Square termi- 
nus of tho London and North-Western Railway, nnd pro- 
ceeded to Birmingham, on a tour through tho manufacting 
and mercantile districts. Ills Majesty was attended by Lo 
Murecbal Due de Terceirn, Viscount do Carreira, Baron do 
Sarmcnto, Chevalier do Molo, Colonel Eolquc, Lord doTably, 
Major-General Wyldo. The illustrious tra» oilers, on Tuesday, 
visited the princely mansions nnd beautiful grounds of tho 
Duke of Devonshire at Chutsworth. 
The reigning Duke of Coburg bad a narrow escape from 
60 vero injnry on liis birthday, tho 2 1st. Whilst driving him- 
self from hie country palace of Cullenburg, to that of 
Ehronburg, In the town of Gotha, one of the horses of his 
phaeton fell, broke the pole, and caused such an abrupt 
shock to the vehicle that his Highness wos thrown out, but 
fortunately received no injury, so that ho was enabled to hold 
a Court immediately after. 
FASHIONABLE WORLD. 
Among the fashionable entertainments of tho week wo 
must not omit to mention those of Lady Ashburton, who 
gave a grand ball on Wednesday night, at Bath House, 
to their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Cambridge and tho 
Princess Mary. 
Tho ball was preceded by a banquet to a distinguished 
party. 
Shortly aftor 10 o’clock tho saloons were thrown open for 
the reception of a brillicut re-union of tho leading members 
of the diplomatic corps and the aristocracy. 
Their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Cambridge and tho 
Princess Mary, attended by Lndy Suffield and Major Parvus, 
arrived shortly after 11 o’clock, nod immediately dancing 
commenced to the music of Cooto and linney’s orchestra. 
At one o'clock u sumptuous supper was announced. 
The Duchess of Cambridge and the Princess Mary of Cam- 
bridge subsequently returned to the ball-room when dancing 
was resumed, nnd tho festivities were prolonged to an ad- 
vanced hour. . 
The Earl and Countess of Derby whoso grand banquet iook 
plaeo on Wednesday evening to their Royal Highnesses tho 
Duchess of Cambridge and tho Princess Mary, nt tho futility 
residence in Sr. JamesV-'quaro. Tho Royal Duclnss and 
Princess arrived at eight o’clock. 
Lady Wetlierell Warenford, who gave ft grand matinee on 
Monday lust, at her residence In Eaton-squure, t» u distin- 
guished circle. 
Tho Marquis of Lnnsdowno who gave a grand concert on 
Monday evening, nt Lansdowno House, . 
Their Royal iliglmes.es the Duchess of Cambridge aud tho 
Princess Murv honoured the noble Marquis with their com- 
pany. Their' Royal Highnesses arrived shortly before U 
o'clock, otteuded by Lady Sulfield and Miyor Purves. 
