POLITICS AND TABLE TALK.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 33, 9 February 1891, Page 3

POLITICS AND TABLE TALK.

(from our special correspondent.)

Londojt, December 19

The Riot at Ballinakill. The rioting which commenced on Monday at the various scenes of the Kilkenny election, continued on Tuesday, when the rival factions held a simultaneous meeting at Ballinakill, which ended in a thoroughly " Oirish " free fight. The aggressor on this occasion was unquestionably Dr. Tanner,whose insulting allusions to the uncrowned King could distinctly he heard by Mr Parnell and party some 20 yards away. The fiery doctor commenced by shouting, " Yoicks ! Tally ho ! Let's run down Mr Fox," and then denounced his late leader aa a double-dyed traitor and hypocrite. What (he asked) did Mr Parnell get for making Captain O'Sliea a member of Parliament. They all knew. Oh, the shame of it. If Parnell triumphed in North Kilkenny, the flag of Ireland ought in future to be Mrs O'Shea's petticoat embroidered with a fire-escape. About this time the Parnellites' high car, drawn by a cheering mob of howling Paddies waving blackthorns, was moved close up to the enemy, Mr Parnell, Mr Jack Redmond, and the candidate being particularly prominent. The former, says a " Daily News" reporter, sat in front like a driver. As the car came to a stop he bowed, smiled and waved his hand to Mr Davitb, who acknowledged the courtesy. After all the howling and yelling and flourishing of sticks, of which we had had so much, this interchange of courtesies between fche.two rival leaders came to one as a positive relief. It was not much in itself, but it looked like " a good deed in a naughty world." Then came the recrimination. " Will he now call us the scum of the earth !" exclaimed Mr Uuvibfe, in a voice that might have been heaid all over Ballinakill. " Does he apply that epibhet to Dillon, to O'Brien, to me, to Dr. Walsh, to Dr. Croko, to the bishops and the clergy of Ireland ?" Derisive cheers from the Parnell side. Mr Davitt's speech, however, was mainly a challenge. D. Tanner's was of a different nature. " The man who stands there," cried Dr. Tanner, at the pitch of bis clear ringing voice, " is a convicted liar, lie sent us word, he assured his countrymen and countrywomen that ho would come out of court without a atain upon his character. I followed that man. I trusted him until I discovered that he was a traitor. Even if he was nob a traitor, Ireland is greater than any of us, and that man's ambition is to wreck our country's hopes." Turning his pale, worn face in our direction, and gazing tor a moment or two, Mr Parnell stepped down and Mr Harrison took his placa. The doctor was down upon him like a phot. " There, , " roared out Dr. Tanner, shaking his finger at him, " there is a man against whom the Irish Government issued a warrant of arrest three weeks ago. Why is he not arrested ? Is it because he is fighting ParnclFs battles? If William O'Brien and John Dillon were to come from America would nob the police se'ze them on the spot?" "They would; they would I" yelled the crowd ; " Down witb the Castlo !" " Well," continued Dr. Tanner, "Parnell was once my trusted leader, but I have washed tny hands of him, and I hope that North Kilkenny may wash her hands of him next Monday." Mr Harrison has a stronger voice than Mr Parnell's, and Mr Harrison's words came clearly and distinctly to our quarter of tho field ; n vigorous denunciation of Mr Davibt, who, rising, said " He was sucking his feoding bottle when I was suffering for Ireland in prison, and in prison thinking out our plans for the peace of Ireland." By this time the excitement amongst the roughs in Mr Parnell's audience had risen to a dangerous pitch. The some band whom we had met outside the town now left Mr Parnell's audience, and came up to Mr Davitb's, hooting and cheering, and flourishing their sticks. They came to break up the Nationalist meeting. Threats, curse?, and other angry exclamations were flying about. The Nationalist speaker was inaudible Father O'Halloran, Vi ho stood on the car beside Davitt, called out to those near him, " We can't help it; we must drive them back—they began it." And in the twinkling of an eye the plucky priest bounded off bhe car, flourishing his cudgel, and elbowing his way with astonishing rapidity through the dense mass. But Mr Davitb, brandishing his whitethorn in his lefb hand—the only one he has—pressed ahead of him. Dr. Tanner, with his blackthorn, forced his way alongside of them, and in a few moments was in the thick of bhe scrimmage. Then followed shrill whooping and the rattling of sticks. The assailants were pressed back, and fortunately without cracking of crowns or spilling of blood. The roughs were driven up to their own ground close to Mr Parnell's car. A cowardly fellow dealt Mr Davitt a blow on the temple and another on the hand, while a man held him by the elbow. Then, upon Mr Davitfc's assailant came a thwacking blow trom Dr Tanner's blackthorn. The Nationalist band, having driven back the rioters, were now returning to hear the interrupted speech, when Father Ryan, who was sitting on the front of Mr Parneli's car, was caught by somo of his friends, and borne upon their shoulders in the direction of the Nationalist host. He was beginning, " My friends," when Mr Davitb struck one of the bearers on the arm. This caused him to loosen his hold of " his reverence," and he came down to earth again rather more quickly than he went up. The counter assaulb of the Nationalists cowed the rascals, and we had no further molesbation from them. Dr. Tanner came out of the scrimmage all bespattered with mud, Mr Davitb came back white with wrath, swinging his whitethorn in his left hand, bleeding a little, and his black felt hat torn about the rim. The cheering over the repulse of the rioters lasted for several minutes. Paenelliana, The Irish party are now known as the Split Pa.the majority being called by bheir friends " Patriots," and by their enemies " secessionists." The minority are essentially " Parnellites," though by some this fifth party has been rudely, bub wittily, christened the. Cave of Adul-tery. Mrs O'Shea smokes ! A portrait of the heroine (!) of the hour in Tory circles was given with the " Pall Mall Budget " of Saturday lasb. Ib was taken some years back by Ward and Downey, and bears a curious, not to say striking, likeness to Miss Gencvieye Ward, in "Forget-me-not." The current " National Observer " contains an article in which Mr Parnell is lauded after the Tory fashion jusb now. That 13 thus : " Ib is by comparison with his rebel subjects the uncrowned king shines. The combination of unscrupulousness with unusual ability is to our mind much more admirable than the combination of noisy cowardice with intellectual impotence The more, however, we exfcol Mr Parnell, the more sensible we are of bhe great good fortune of Britain in being delivered from so implacable, so ingenious and so unscrupulous an enemy." Another writer says : " The Home Rulers of both sides are exhibiting their cvi bono in all its hideous dofbrmity. Their cause is coming out the cau?e which is no ' union of hearts,' but a rebellious conspiracy of which hatred is the inspiration, rapine the means, revenge the hope and joy, and the vindictive ambition? of him who was once a People's William the necessary tool. That is what is coming out, whether we look to Healy's utterances or Parnell .expositions, the evidence is ' swellen wisibly.' !i . Rival Counsel. Sir pharlgs K.qp?eli's aesiciuity in the Marks case will be understood when 'tis known fchab the great counsel's brief was marked ono thousand guineas, with re-

freshers of 500 guineas per diem. Mr Gill, who represented the defendant Butterfield, and " bucked up " so piuckily against Sir Charles and Mr C. Matthews, has long been considered one of the most rising men at the bar in company casen, bub never really had a chance of showing his consummate ability till now. Sir Charles tried in vain to bully or cajole him. Mr Gill comprehended perfectly why Harry Marks had briefed the great; counsel so magnificently, and was not to be put down. "You are not judge yd, Sir Charles," he said signilicancly when the latter was trying to bounce the Court into aa important ruling, and again, " Do you preside here, Sir Charles or docs the learned judge?" The poor old recorder (Sir Chas. Chambers).who is quite unfit to try any but the commonest criminal cases, went nearly crazy between the rival counsel. They snarled and fought over every important move in the game like dogs over a bone, and were constantly calling for definite ruling? on complicated issues. Mr Harry Marks himself wap as cool as a cucumber in the witness-box, and completely baflled Mr Gill. His examination and cross-examination occupied the Court for the greater part of two day?, and it was generally admitted ha pulled through the ordeal most successfully. Peakcey's Reliques. Messrs Tussaud purchased the whole of Mrs Pearcey's furniture and have erected a replica of the room in which the Kentish Town tragedy occurred in the Chamber of Horrors. There may also be seen the blood-stained bassinette which Mr Frank Hogg (little skunk) sold for £25, and a likeness of Hogg himself. Some difficulty was experienced in procuring the latter, as for obvious reasons (not to mention bricks and bad eggs) the bereaved husband shuns recognition just now. Bassbtlaw Election. The thumping majority by which th e Conservative candidate was returned fo 1 ' Bassetlaw indicates that the events of the last six weeks have affected tho Liberal party to the full as disastrously as their bitterest enemies could wish. Even the Gladstonian whips admit that nothing short of a miracle can save the general election now. If the U.O.M. would consolidate tho party by (for the time being) abandoning Home Rule and fighting the election on a popular English and Scotch cry, something might, no "doubt, still be done. Bub of course he won't do that, though even those who Mill believe in the capability of the Irish to govern thoinsolvos, allow nothing is to be gained (whilst a great deal may be 10.->t) by hurrying matter?. The general impression is that the general election will take place at Easter, if not before. Theatrical Notes. The " Lady of Lyons" matinee at the comfortable new Olympic on Wednesday was such a brilliant success that it is not improbable this stilted and unnatural, yet powerful, old piece will be revived in the evening, when " The People's Idol " fails to draw. The critics agree that Wilson Barrett is the most natural and unconventional Claude Melnotte the present generation has seen. Irving, of course, failed miserably in the part, and Kendall was only passablo. Charles Warner, in his younger days, wav too bouncing and unromantic to be a firstrate Claude, and I can't remember that Torriss was much of a success when he played up to Mits Anderson's Pauline. The Paulino of Wilson Barrett's revival is Mis 3 Winifred Emery, who has made giant's strides in her profession since sho delighted us all as Dearest in " Little Lord Fauntleroy." Miss Emery, like Mr Barrett, literally carried the house away by tho vigour and naturalness of her acting. Ignoring the traditional business, she thought! tho part out for herself, and the result was a huge triumph. Mies Emery and Mr Barrett were thrice recalled after bhe third act. " Itavenswood " has not (despite tho big booking ab first) lasted as Jong as some Lyceum successes, and on January fath "Much Ado About Nothing" will be revived, " Ravenswood " being played every Friday evening only. " King Lear" is, on dit, Irving's next venture. Literaky Notes. The serial stories in "Temple Bar" during 1891 will be by W. E. Norris and Kathcrine Lee, author of " In London Town " and other succossful works. Norris' novel is named " The Three Brothers " and Miss Lee's " Love or Money." The new novels of the week include " A Life Sentence," by Adeline Sergeant (bhe I story of an unfortunate man wrongfully sentenced to penal servitude for life). Mrs Sutherland Edwards' Russian romance, "The Story of the Princess," and "A Sensitive Plant," by bhe sistere E. D. Gerard, authors of "Eeafca," and now for the first time publicly announced as E. and D. Gerard. I have not read the story yet. These ladies are also the authors of "A Secret Mission," now running through " Black wood." Cassells announce a new "Robinson Crusoe" with 100 illustrations specially designed by Walter Paget. This will be in ]2eixpenny parts, the first issued on December ISfch. ' Tho " organ " of Mr Herbert Vivian is to be raised in price from a penny to threepence. I am told that this youth, though indubitably smart and as a -postur a joy to both friends and enemies, is the reverse of a solace to his family. He has tried many roles and partially succeeded in several, but his relatives complain that he never sticks to anything or anybody long. To with, the lad's peacocky conceit generally rather amuses people, but he invariably ends by making himself altogether insufferable and leaving self-respept-ing persons no option bub to quarrel with him The chappie at presenb finding the coin'to keep bhe " Whirlwind " going is believed to be a well-known artist. " Later Leaves '" will be the title of the sequel to Mr Montaerue Williams' successful " Leaves of a Life," to be published next month by Macmillan. In this work the Dopular Q.C. will deal with many interesting cases omitted from his earlier book through want of space. He further describes his magisterial experiences, dwelling more particularly on the condition of the East End. After describing horrors of destitution he has himself witnessed, Mr Williams dwells upon bheir causes and suggests a simple plan for improving matters. He also propounds an ingenious theory concerning the Whitechapel murders. ■ . The Charity Organisation Society have issued an authoritative pamphlet in which General Booth's scheme is scientifically pulverised. No doubt bhe plan has crucial defeebs, and may not impossibly fail, bub that it will do actual harm instead of good, as Mr Loch and hie companions of the (i O S. boldly state, I beg leave to doubt. The pamphlet is.called " An Examination of General Booth's Social Scheme," and published by Swan Sonnenschein ; price, one shilling. If you desire to have your charitable impulses permanently soured, by all means buy it ; not otherwise. Journalistic Notes. Mr Newnc's latest venture, the " Strand Magazine," has —owing mainly to the admirable reproduction of the popular picture " Tit-Bits," which is given away with che initial issue —scored a big success. The letterpress consists mainly of translations from foreign periodicals, and is not specially wood. The photographs of notabilities taken ab different periods of their lives, from childhood up to the present day, are, however, distinctly a novel feature, and worth coiitirminpr. In bhe face of monthlies of thi3 class and the "Review of Reviews- , , , ' there can be little doubt the old-fashioned, un-illustrated magazines must go to , the wall. Firstclass serial stories (originally the great attraction of this class of publication),

one now gets in the penny weeklies, "Temple Bar," " Macinilans," " Good Words," and "Cornhill," the "Leisure Hour," "Quiver" and " CasselPs Family Magazine " fairly hold their own, whereas " Longman's," " Murray's," the "Argosy," and the "English Illustrated," are waning, and such rubbish as " Belgravia," "London Society," " Time"and "TinsleyV are semi-moribund. American magazines are still popular on account of their illustrations, and " Lipoiucobt's :; complete one volume story in each issue suits people who dislike serials. Mr Shorter, who succeeds Mr Latey as editor of the " Illustrated London News," is a clerk in Somerset House, who has dabbled in literature. He edited " VVilhelm Meister" for David Stott's, and wrote a monograph on " Charlotte Bronte " for Walter Scott's series. He is now editing a special edition of " Wordsworth." " The Silent Chimes," which is positively the last of Mrs Henry Wood's posthumously published stories, and "The Fate of the Hard Diamond," a sensational serial, commence in the " Argosy " for January.