SPIRIT OF THE PRESS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4317, 29 May 1885, Page 4

SPIRIT OF THE PRESS.

Not the least interesting portion of Major Atkinson's speech was that which related to the native policy of the present Ministry. It is a subject on which he is especially entitled to be listened to with respect and attention, for he knows well what he is talking about. He has the history of the past at his fingers' ends; he understands the Maoris thoroughly; and he lives in a part of the country where are the best means of procuring information concerning native doings and native temper and intentions. In short he possesses the materials for forming a trustworthy as to what should be the native policy in the present and future. His commendation of Mr Bryco's administration must bo looked on as something of more importance than a passing and lightly uttered complimentary noticed a former colleague. The speech contained a rather elaborate criticism of Mr Ballancc's actions as Native Minister, and of his intentions as far as they havo been made known. The conclusions arrived at were unfavorable to the new regime. Major Atkinson admitted at the outset that an outbreak, " though possible," was improbable, and he attributed that condition of affairs mainly to Mr Bryce, " who made the natives understand that when ho said a thing he meant it. Thoy did not like him, some of them, but they believed him." A great deal has been recently written concerning the removal of the Armed Constabulary, and the effect the change has had on tho natives. Let us see what sort of testimony Mrjor Atkinson gave on that part of tho "native question. He said that.the natives still believe absolutely in To Whiti ; that they aro not following their usual avocations, but aro parading tho country; that thoy are selling produce at ruinous prices to procure money ; and that To Whiti still adheres to his prediction that the land is to come back to tho natives, and that they have faith in the story. —New Zealand Times.

"Society in London" is the title of a book likely to make a stir this season, and to cause, perhaps, not a little heart-burn-ing, as it is the mirror held up to certain distinguished persons to enable them to see how they appear to other eyes than their own and their countrymen's. The volume is supposed to bo written by a certain Count de Montcglas, for many year 3an attache of the Austrian Embassy. Many distinguished foreigners, such as M. Tamo, Max O'Rcll, and others have been very free of late with their criticisms, so that it must be presumed there is something attractive in these islands and their inhabitants which induces our friends across the Channel to give us so much fatherly advice, with a view, no doubt, to our moral and intellectual progress. _ The present volume mingles much praise with some chastisement, but the Count is goodnatured enough to say of society in the metropolis that it is always misrepresented —by foreigners because they never mix with it long enough to understand it as a whole, by English writers because they are only acquainted with one or two aspects. " ' Society in London,' " says the author, (and when you have seen that you have seen everything) " may be compared to a piece of patchwork, which you look at from one point of view, and it is all very familiar from another, and it is very strange." . .

'' People feel both more at homo and more strange in London society than in any other society in tho world. The explanation is that London society is the most cosmopolitan of any in existence. I shall not err if I say that London is tho only city in Europe which possesses a society upon anything like its own scale." In his opening chapter tho author deals with tho Queen aud Court life iv a free manner— " With the exception of the Duke or' Richmond, the Queen has, among statesmen of her epoch, no personal friends who would dare openly express their opinion to Her Majesty. Lord Beaconsfield, who by his adroitness, patient ccmrtiership, unbounded and extravagant adulation, had completely overcome tho Royal prejudices against him, which at one time seemed insuperable, and had won tho heart and trust of his sovereign, was the last minister who fully enjoyed the royal favor. Mr and Mrs Gladstone periodically visit Her Majesty, but the personal relations between tho Sovereign and the Premier arc of a tepid kind, and have been known to be actually strained and chilly." The lot of the Maids of Honor is then described, and i t is asserted their position is entirely unenviable. They are expected to know no fatigue and be always within call, as Her Majesty seldom even reads the paper herself. The Queen likes young people, find has few favorites past middic age, and it often becomes tho unpleasant lot of the Marchioness of Ely, who is the Queen's confidante and manager, to have to toll some servitor or other that her Royal mistress is wearied of her presence, and desires a change. Thus the author; but the tale he tells is not by any means in accordance with what has been generally understood about Her Majesty's private character, nor does it agree with many of her known and public acts. As to tho coming marriage of tho Princess Beatrice with Prince Henry Battenbcrg, it is alleged that the engagement began really four years ago—the Princess got rather tired of her humdrum life, and secretly espoused herself. When Madame la mere camo to know about it there was a scene, and a rather warm one, too, whilst it lasted. Space forbids me to quote much more, but the work is full of interest. The account of tho Princess is amusing. The future heir to the Throne is set down as quite a censor of the proprieties. He is most particular aud fond of sitting in judgment and giving an opinion. Whether it be on the cut of a lady's dress, a marriage, or anything else, the Prince volunteers advico in the best anel most genial spirit ; but iv all matters of ceremony he is a firm reprover of any de-viationfi-om the proper standard. It appears, however, that Her Majesty in her turn sits upon her sou and heir, and gives him a piece of her mind upon occasion. Tho portraits of public men, from Mr Gladstone downwards, aro equally entertaining. Writing of Lord Hartington, the present War Minister and future Duke of Devonshire, the Count says, "He is the embodiment of 'Le spleen.' He is the embodiment also of English common-sense. One of my compatriots once fairly summed up the air and demeanor of this distinguished nobleman, when he siid to an English friend, ' What I principally like about your Lord Hartington is his you bcdamuediuss.' 1 Ho has hauteur, but he has not insolence ; for insolence implies something whi»:h is ill-bred or underbred, and no one can accuse Lord Hartington of being either. He says little, and presents to most people the front of an impenetrable reserve He is an Englishman to the backbone, and he understands and manages certainly better than Mr Gladstone, and probably better than any other Emrlishm.m could, that peculiar amalgam "of prejudice and shrewdness, passion and judgment, emotion and sound scuso—the House of Commons." The sketch of tho almost certain to be successor of Mr Gladstone at no distant date is eminently interesting.—London Coriespondeut.

Mr. Larnach, so wo hear, has given dire offence by the strict economy he insisted on having observed during his recent tour through the Otago goldfields. It seems that a prominent member of Parliament, prominent both politically and corporeally, whom we dare not allude to more particularly than to mention that his initials arc "Vincent P., accompanied the Minister part of the journey, but getting pretty sick of playing bear leader, left him at an early sta"-o. Imagine his indignation and contempt on receiving a bill for fifteen shillings for fluid medicaments consumed by him as a remedy for the gout, during his attendance in the Ministerial suite ! There is also much growling down there because a Daily Thnes'reporter, who made the tour with Mr. Larnach, aud wrote voluminous, and

mellifluous reports of each clay's and each. hour's proceedings, has been dunned for ] twenty-five shillings for soda and water aud other tonics ordered by the doctor to sustain him in his labors. Fancy a reporter being compelled to pay for the necessaries of "life—and travelling with a Minister too ! Why, Johny Sheehan always used to shout for the whole country sicleas he went along, aud stick it up to native contingencies'. "What are we coming to?" asks J. C. Brown, with a sigh for the degeneracy of New Zealand politics. The best point of the joke is that in private life the present Minister of Mines is about the most open-fisted fellow living, with the extremely liberal ideas regarding creature comforts, and always ready with the needful whenever lie has people with him who don't happen to be as well off as himself. Hence his friends and followers in Otago naturally supposed he would be doubly generous with public money, and stand Sam for all hands. But "No," says Mr Larnach, "What's mine's my own, and I can chuck it away as Hike. The money of the taxpayers is another pair of shoes, and gentlemen travelling with me will be kind enough to find themselves in liquor or else go dry," Rather rough on genial souls like Messrs Pyke and Brown, but honest and right for all that!— Wellington Press.