SIR WILLIAM GORDON-CUMMING.
(Reproduced from "The County Gentleman.")

of the trial Her Majesty dismissed Sir William
from the army.
An American heiress married him
the day after the verdict, and the Town Council of
Forres welcomed him as a hero returning triumphant
from the war; but he has not yet been adopted as the
popular candidate for a mining constituency. The
Prince of Wales has been much criticised for
playing at baccarat with his juniors, and the fact that
he carried counters with him has given rise to much
ill-natured remark. My American Editor, Dr. Shaw,
thus expresses the view which is taken of the matter
across the Atlantic:-"Viewed from the American
standpoint, the foundations of the Throne itself would
appear to be seriously affected. In a country like
Great Britain, the chief security of monarchical insti-
tutions must rest in the conviction of the most of the

best people that such institutions are upon the whole exerting a beneficent influence. But without a certain degree of seriousness and moral elevation in the personal life and character of the monarch, how by any pretence, in this generation, can royalty be held to make for righteousness in government or society? The English people had forgiven the Prince of Wales very much; and their mood to-day seems that of profound discouragement mingled with indignation. It is not, perhaps, one thing or another in particular that gives offence, so much as the painful evidence of a seemingly invincible frivolity and lightness that has accumulated against the Prince. The censures pronounced upon the Prince, in view of the testimony at the baccarat trial, are without precedent for plainness, and seem to mark another distinct step in the progress of modern public opinion as against traditional forms of authority."

66

When Mr. O'Shea obtained a divorce Mr. Parnell. from his wife on account of her adultery with Mr. Parnell, Mr. Carnegie is reported to have telegraphed to the co-respondent, Retire, marry, return." Mr. Parnell refused to retire; but he has married, and according to the information from Ireland, his marriage will be a fatal obstacle to his return. Until he married, many of his followers refused to believe that there was any truth in Mr. O'Shea's evidence; now they reluctantly admit that they have been mistaken. The news of the wedding in the registrar's office at Steyning on June 25th fell like a thunderclap on his agents who were fighting his battle at Carlow; and the Irish hierarchy regard the battle as practically over; nor do they think that the "religious ceremony" which is promised at an early date will do anything to rehabilitate Mr. Parnell in the eyes of his followers. An action for libel brought by Mr. Campbell, his private secretary, against a Cork newspaper which assumed that he had written the letters to which Mrs. O'Shea-Parnell seems to have signed his name,

although it brought Mr. Campbell £250 damages,

still further compromised the reputation of his chief. He avoided a subpoena calling upon him to appear as witness in the case, and then wrote a letter making statements which ought to have been made in Court.

and conclusively demonstrates the impossibility of ever trusting his word whenever it suits his interests to break it. Not a single person with any claim to respect, religious, social, or political, supports him in this latest outrage on good faith and public morality, the impudence of which has even provoked a protest from the Times. The argument of some of his supporters, who, when pressed, will admit that he is this, that, and the other, but who still assert that he is too valuable a public man to be excluded from public life on that account, reminds us of a grim little incident that was reported last month from Frankfort. A poor half-witted servant girl, dreading death from starvation, sought death by entering the bear-pit in the Frankfort Zoological Gardens. The bear seized her at once, and as he began to tear the flesh in strips from her face, she shrieked for help. The keepers arrived, saw what the bear was doing, and expostulated with it mildly by means of a long pole. As he took no notice of their expostulations they allowed him to go on with his hideous repast of living human flesh until, after half an hour of agony, the poor girl expired. When the keepers were asked afterwards why they had not shot the bear and saved the girl, they replied that the bear was much too valuable an animal to be destroyed. They have been indicted for manslaughter. Conside ations as to the "value" of such a "statesman" will not, however, restrain the national conscience from effective action. Note as an indication of the set of Nonconformist opinion on this subject, that the General Baptist Association at Burnley, last month, unanimously passed the following resolution:—

That this Association, which at the institution of Divorce Court law sustained the Opposition so earnestly led by Mr. Gladstone, feels most strongly convinced that the persons found guilty of malfeasance in that court should be treated in the same way, with regard to subsequent civil rights, as persons scheduled under the Electoral Acts, or at least like men who have become bankrupt.

The German

On the 20th June the Emperor William Emperor on closed the Prussian Parliament in a speech his Travels. which, after referring with satisfaction to the re-establishment of peace with the Catholic Church, and with hope to the vital development in communal life expected from the new law for the regulation of the rural communes, concluded by a declaration that he had no reason to fear that the blessings of peace were imperilled. The maintenance of peace, he said, was the constant endeavour of this young father of his country. Having said this he proceeded to give practical proof of the sincerity of his speech by

setting off on one of his foreign tours. This time he visited Holland, where the Socialists lamented the expenditure entailed by the Imperial visit, and declared it foreshadowed the peaceful annexation c Holland by Germany. He came on to England, where unwonted demonstrations of welcome awaited him. Seldom has a monarch so completely reversed public sentiment as the Kaiser. Twelve months ago he was one of the least popular of European Sovereigns in the opinion of the British people; to-day no one stands higher in the public esteem. No Sovereign has done more to rehabilitate monarchy in the opinion of the democracy.

Imperial

Lord Salisbury was last month waited Federation. upon by two deputations, who, in their concern for the future of the British

Empire, called upon him to take practical steps to promote the closer union between the Mother Country and the Colonies. To each Lord Salisbury replied by expressing his sympathy with their ultimate objects, but suggesting that it would be well if they made up their minds what they wanted to have done before asking him to do it. His speeches were, however, encouraging in tone. He recognised the fact that Federation was emerging out of the region of aspiration into the sphere of practical schemes, and he invited the Federationists first to think out their plan, and then to convert the country to its support. A United Empire means a Zollverein and a Kriegsverein, a customs union and a union for war. The former is for the present unattainable; but the latter, which is growing more important every year, as the world shrinks under steam, and the Colonies lose the protection which distance formerly afforded them, already exists in some fashion, and is capable of indefinite development.

Politics.

The centripetal tendency of the age has Centripetal been asserting itself in Europe, where the Triple Alliance, which has just been renewed for six years, seems to grow more solid the more attempts are made to rend it asunder. There have been stormy scenes in the Italian Chamber, but they only brought into clearer relief the determination of the great majority of the Italian deputies to support the Peace League. Attempts are being made to bring Switzerland into a Customs Union, including Germany, Austria, and Italy a project which, but for the neutralisation of the little Republic, would be held to be the precursor of its adherence to the Peace League of Central Europe. Further East M. Tricoupis has been making an attempt to estab

lish a Confederation of the Balkan States. He met with support at Belgrade, but at Sofia M. Stambuloff told him that Bulgaria would side with Turkey rather than with Greece. If, however, Turkey were to be seriously pressed by the spread of the Arab insurrection which has broken out in Yemen, M. Stambuloff might reconsider his attitude, especially if Greece and Servia attempted to invade Macedonia in alliance. Macedonia, which, according to the Berlin Treaty, ought to be enjoying autonomous institutions under the ægis of Europe, has been left to the Turk, with the result that some day the Macedonians will set the East in a blaze.

Admiral Hoskins, one of the best of our England and the Peace sea-kings, has been entertaining the League. Emperor of Austria at Fiume, on board the Mediterranean fleet. The incident, coming immediately after the repeated declarations made in Italy that Lord Salisbury had virtually guaranteed the Italian coast against an unprovoked attack by the French fleet, has led to much newspaper writing on the subject of England's relations to the Peace League of Central Europe. Russia and England might well consent to unite with the Central European Powers in maintaining the peace of the Continent, which is permanently threatened by France, and France alone. The French make great parade of their devotion to Russia; but the Russian Emperor, with whom alone lies the decisive word, abhors war, and has no sympathy with France. The French last month further alienated themselves from the friendly concert of Europe by refusing to ratify the Convention drawn up at Brussels for the suppression of the slave trade. The French Government supported the Convention, which has the support of all the Powers, but the Chamber rejected it by a decisive majority. The Tzar, selected by France to be arbitrator in a dispute between the French and the Dutch as to a frontier question in Guiana, has given his award entirely in favour of the Dutch. But neither that nor the expulsion of the Jews, to whom France has become a second Canaan, can cool the ardour with which the Republicans of the West make court to the Autocrat of the East.

cynically remarked that such a decision was in accord with precedents, and represented the unbroken practice of our Administrators. practice of our Administrators. "That policy," he said, "was as old as the days of Tarquinius Superbus. Whenever a vassal showed too much independence and strength of character, the suzerain power got rid of him. Governments have always hated and discouraged independent talent and promoted mediocrity; in my own time I have known cases of this kind." And he proceeded to illustrate his point by referring, not to the promotion of Lord Cross to the Secretaryship while Sir John Gorst was kept as his subordinate, but to the cases of Cetewayo, Arabi, and Zebehr. Naturally there was a hubbub, and Lord Cross was put up to explain that his Under-Secretary did not mean what he actually said. Sir John Gorst, however, did not resign, and the incident passed. Sir John Gorst may have been right in his reference to the suppression of Arabi as an illustration of the adoption of the Tarquinian policy by Mr. Gladstone;

but no one can read the admirable interview with Mr. Alfred Milner, published in the Pall Mali Gazette of June 15th, without feeling that out of that evil great good has come.

Sir John Gorst.

Sir John Gorst being a man of independent talent, who was not sacrificed, à la Tarquin, survived in order to make his colleagues regret that they made an exception in his case. For a few days later, when the question of raising the age of half-timers in English factories came on for discussion, Sir John Gorst, by defending the action which he had taken at the Berlin Congress, in advocating the raising of the age to twelve, succeeded in inflicting a nasty defeat upon the Government, which, in the person of the Home Secretary, resisted Mr. Buxton's amendment raising the age to eleven, and got badly beaten in consequence by 189 to 164. After this the Government had no option but to give way, thus for a second time this session being overruled by a colleague to whom Lord Salisbury has not yet conceded Cabinet rank. The Labour Commission was of Sir John Gorst's appointment, but that was managed behind the scenes without inflicting upon the Administration the humiliation of an open defeat. On the Factory Bill, although he did not vote, he put the Government into a minority. Notwithstanding this, Sir John continues to act as Under-Secretary for India, deriving such satisfaction as he can from the fact that he is now recognised as the strongest man, after Mr. Balfour, on the Conservative side of the House.

Debate in the Italian Senate on the Triple Alliance.

The Spanish Senate passes Bill for regulating Sunday labour, making it apply to members of all religious creeds as well as to freethinkers.

Hon. J. J. C. Abbott accepts the Premiership of Canada.

Regent of Manipur condemned to death. The City of Richmond arrives at Queenstown having carried a cargo of smouldering cotton for six days.

Giving way of a bridge, and consequent serious railway accident, at Basle. Demonstration of laundresses in Hyde Park, demanding to come under the operations of the Factories Act.

states the intention of the Government to consult the Catholic Church.

Annual Meeting of the Women's Liberal Unionist Association.

4. Arrival of the Itata at Iquique, and her surrender to the United States war vessels. Election of Dr. Hermann Adler as Chief Rabbi. 5. Meeting of the Church Union passes resolution declaring that friends of voluntary schools cannot support a Free Education Bill which does not adequately secure the pecuniary interests of voluntary schools. Deputation of medical men and Members of Parliament to Board of Trade, to ask for official recognition of a proposed British Institute of Preventive Medicine. Sir M. Hicks-Beach declined to permit the association to be registered without the word limited. Meeting of the Directors of the London General Omnibus Company to consider the threatened strike of 'busmen.

6. Portuguese Chamber of Deputies ratifies Anglo-Portuguese Convention by 105 votes to 6.

Earthquake in North Italy. Strike or 'busmen commences. 8. Deputation of representatives of 'busmen to the Directors of the London General and the London Road Car Companies.

Sir Edward Clarke's speech for the plaintiff in the Baccarat

case.

9. Summing-up of the Lord Chief Justice in the Baccarat case. Verdict given for the defendants.

States for the establishment of a close sea

13.

19.

20.

22.

French Chamber votes a credit of £60,000 for the destruction of locusts in Algeria. Labour Commission resumes its sittings. Meeting of Imperial Federation League. Lord Brassey urges that they should endeavour to frame a practical scheme for bringing together the Colonies and the Imperial Government.

First section of the Ship Canal opened at Eastham, Cheshire.

Prince and Princess of Wales visit Eastbourne to open the new Children's Hospital, and a children's wing in the Princess Alice Memorial Hospital.

Imple nent show of the Royal Agricultural Society opened at Doncaster.

M. de Freycinet defends the War Department in connection with the melinite scandal, and claims a vote of confidence. Vote carried by 138 to 137.

DR. ADLER.

10. Provisional Government of
Chili issues circular note to
the Powers, asking them to
recognise the Junta as a belligerent, and to
preserve neutrality in the struggle against 16.
ex-president Balmaceda.

Portuguese Chamber of Peers passes Bill
for ratification of the Convention with
England.

Breach of promise of marriage action of Miss Wiedemann against Mr. Walpole 17. came up for trial a third time. 11. Meeting of Directors of the London General Omnibus and London Road Car Companies decides to make no further concession to em loyés beyond reducing the working day to one of twelve hours.

12. 'Bus strike ends.

Funeral service held in Westminster Abbey in commemoration of the late Sir John Macdonald.

son in Behring Sea signed at Washington. Meeting of Standing Committee of the National Society and representatives of Diocesan and Local Boards of Education, under the presidency of the Bishop of London, decide that amendments should be introduced to the Assisted Education Bill. Sentence of high treason passed on M. Turpin, M. Tripone, and two others involved in the melinite scandals. Deputation of the Imperial Federation League to Lord Salisbury, urging a Conference of the Colonies to consider the question of their securing a real share in the privileges and responsibilities of Imperial Government. Wiedemann-Walpole case concluded, jury finding for plaintiff, £300 damages.

30

Depuration of Limited Empire Trade League to Lord Salisbury, to urge the abolition of foreign treaties restrict ing British trade with out Colonies, and to ask for a Colonial conference. 23. Arrival of the Austrian Emperor at Fiume. Deputation of newspaper proprietors and publishers to Mr. Raikes to ask for revision of regulations for postage of newspapers, magazines and books.

Installation of the new Chief Rabbi at the Great Synagogue, Aldgate.

24. Duke of Connaught lays the foundation-stone of the new Church House.

The Austrian Emperor visits the British Fleet at Fiume. 25. French Chamber rejects Bill for ratification of the Convention agreed to at Brussels Conference for suppression of the slave trade. 26. New buildings erected in connection with the London Hospital opened by the Duke of Cambridge. 27. Uproar in the Italian Chamber of Deputies consequent on the withdrawal of Signor Cavalotti's interpellation on the foreign policy of the Government.

Crisis in the Welsh tin-plate
trade. Sixty works stopped
and25,000 operatives thrown
out of employment.
29. Christening of the infant
daughter of the Duke and
Duchess of Fife. Sponsors,
the Queen and Princess of
Wales.

Petition of King's and Uni-
versity Colleges for Charter
to establish in London a
teaching University before
the Privy Council.
Oxford aud Cambridge at
Lords'.

French Squadron anchors in Copenhagen
Roads, en route for Cronstat.

Oxford and Cambridge Match at Lords' finishes, Cambridge winning by wickets.

UTTERANCES, NOTABLE AND

OTHERWISE.

two

June 2. Sir John Lubbock makes the annual statement of the work of the County Council and its position, and declares that considering the benefits conferred the increase in the rates was moderate.

3. Mr. Balfour at the annual meeting of the Women's Liberal Unionist Association on the improved condition of Ireland.

4. Mr. Findlay, General Manager L.N.W.R.,