10 JANUARY 1931, Page 12

A Hundred Years Ago

The Emperor Nicholas has, by a ukase dated the 13th December, appointed General Diebitsch generalissimo of the army destined to act against Poland. The same document declares the govern- ments of Grodno, Wilna, Minsk, Podolia, Volhynia, and the province of Byalistock, in a state of war. The army will, it is said, consist of 160,000 men ; it will be accompanied by the Emperor, who intends to quit Petersburg for that purpose, on the 14th inst. Oh! for the breath of that wind which blew in the face of Sennacherib, to lay the vauntinga of this spoiler of - men The Poles are active and resolute, and Chlopicki is again installed with ample authority ; but we fear the wishes of the insurgents go beyond their ability. Among other signs -of the times, seven new journals have appeared since the revolution—we take an interest in their names—the Conscientious Pole, the Spy, the Patriot, the Standard-bearer, the White Eagle, the Samaitiait Sybil, and the Bard of Free Poland.

THE IRISH GOVERNMENT.

The Irish Government has issued a manifesto against popular meetings—for the discussion of the " repeal," we suppose, for we have not heard of any other question that is at present in agitation - and, to enforce the manifesto, they have, it is added, determined on calling forth the yeomanry. " There are now. snow of Pro- testants in Ulster," say the Irish journals which give the news, " to save the country from ruin."

SENTENCE OF DEATH.

On Monday, a boy, apparently about fourteen or fifteen, was found guilty of assisting in destroying a mill at Guildhampton, and sentence of death recorded against him. He is to be trans- ported for life.

FINE ARTS.

Mr. Doyle, whose felicitous sketches of public characters have been so justly popular for their fidelity of resemblance and charac- teristic style, has put forth one of King William as he appeared at the Reviews in St. James's Park, surrounded by Prince George, and the Dukes of Cumberland, Sussex, and Wellington. The likenesses are excellent, and cleverly hit off. We look to Mr. Doyle for a companion-print of Queen Adelaide.

FEMALE MANAGEMENT.

Why should the theatres have a Salique law ? Why should they be exempt from the universal rule of woman ?

One smile, a wheedle, or, if that won't tame the monster, -a touch—a laying on of a small hand—will bring the creature to reason, and lead him off like- a tame bear, grumbling perhaps, but full of internal satisfaction at having been coaxed, taking his conquest for a pleasant victory. Thus are we all led, and shall players spurn the law of nature ? Man is born to be led nu bout ncz ; it is even a proverb among the -gallant French, and the English practice- confirms it. On the other hand, it is also true, that none but a woman can manage a woman ; so that it may be proved—demonstrated—to the satisfaction even • of a mathe- matician, that the theatres ought to be under female management.