LONDON GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 9644, 11 March 1895, Page 4

LONDON GOSSIP.

[Fkom Our Special Correspondent.]

London, January 26, M. CASIMIR-PERIER,

The only explanation of M. CasimirPerier's sudxlen resignation of the Presidency of France, suggested by a study of the various pen pictures of the man sent by news gleaners in Paris, is that he found himself a square peg in a round hole. The nature of his private life prior to his acceptance of the great position thrust upon him rendered the daily round at the Elysee a terrible "grind," and produced a condition of physical health which, acting upon a temperament of peculiar sensitiveness, left hiin a mere wreck of a manat a time when he required his mental and physical capacities to be at their very best. M. Casimir-Perier was never a strong man, never a fit man for the posts his friends pushed him into. He was always dangerously sensitive to hostile criticism, and had not sufficient strength of mind to copy President Grevy's rule never to look at papers systematically hostile to him. He fretted under the unkindly badinage of the meanest political journal, and considered that his position as first magistrate of the Republic should be a protection against attack. In fact, M. Perier wanted to wear the crown without carrying the cross. Another weakness in M. Perier was his possession of a wife who is above all things a mother and a careful housekeeper. Madame found the restrictions which living at the Elysee placed upon her very irksome. Her own private circle of fiiends contained the wives of many Reactionaries, and she found that, as 'the President's wife, she could no longer be very intimate with them. On the other hand, her visiting list had to be extended so as to embrace people with whom, as plain Mrs Perier, she would, vulgarly speaking, have had "no truck." Her frugal mind, too, revolted against the squandering of money on people she did not care about and things which brought her no amusement. Her mother mind worried over the restrictions which she deemed necessary to place on her children's lives. Master Perier was reduced to taking exercise in a riding school, aud his sister to confining her walks to the palace gardens, "both father and mother being apprehensive for their lives if they went with their tutor aud governess into the Bois as in former times. Madame Perier's ambition was to live comfortably, and there being no comfort at the Wysee, but only tedious cares and worry, she doubtless made her husband's brief spells of private life the reverse of pleasant. Home influence, no doubt, played a considerable part in M. Perier's resignation, and possibly the grave signs of renewed Anarchist activity aided Madame not a little in obtaining her desire—namely, her husband's resignation. France will hardly sutler by the change from Casimir-Perier to M. Faure, who was la3t night elected to the Presidency by 430 votes to the 301 scored by M. Brisson. Mons. Felix Faure is a Protestant—the first of the sect to achieve the honor of ruling France. The 'Daily News'gives the following character sketch of M. Perier's successor :—" M. Felix' Fame, the newly-elected President, became acquainted with Carnot in !> 3 7'), when the latter was Military Administrator at Havre, and M. Faure, a franc-tireur, though sou of a wealthy shipbuilder, who happened to be of Nimois ancestry and of the Protestant community. The hardships of war fast ripened the mind of M. Faure, who, like most Frenchmen of old Protestant families, is thoughtful and 'finds pleasure in serious work. Being a Havraise, and in the ship agent and chartering business, M. Faure was also thrown much in the -way of M. Siegfried (Minister of Commerce i r »r M ,- Ribot) au ' ] a Protestant from Mulnouse, who early migrated to the great Norman port. M. Seigfried is the Frenchman who takes the deepest interest in the Young Men's Christian Association. I dwell on this fact, keeping in mind the proverb ' I will tell thee what thou art if thou tcllcst what company thou keepest.' Tim friendship between M. Faure and M. Seigfreid speaks volumes in praise of the new President. M. Seigiricd showed as much joy at his election as though he were a beloved son. M. Faure's Protestantism is not narrow, since one of his two daughters married M. Reueberge, a Catholic, not long ago ; but he has never embraced Roman Catholicism, and is therefore the first Protestant ruler France has ever had, for Henri IV. mounted the throne after recanting at Notre Dame. The new President is within a few days of being fifty-four. He is an able speaker, speaks generally out of fulness of knowledge, and chiefly on administrative questions connected with the navy, the colonies, aud finance. Gambetta was greatly attached to him, and appointed him Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies in his Ministrv. He filled that olhce in the Ferry, Brisson, and Tirard Cabinets, was Minister of Marine in the outgoing Dupuy Cabinet, and often spoke with the authority of thorough knowledge on Budget questions. M. Faure has southern fluency and imagination, and the hard head and practical sense of the Norman. He looks on colonial enterprises a3 being of the ' kill or cure' nature. If well managed they may be a source of wealth aud strength, if badly a cause of ruin. Like Carnot, his political opinions are rather neutral, but in fast hues. He has a gravity the opposite of dillness, and so free from conceit that he can agree with almost anyone, and as Minister under M. Casimir-Perier managed to transact business with him without friction. M. Faure's presence is finer than that of any other President, the figure being tall and well knit, but that of a man in whom the nervous system predominates over the muscular. There is the seriousness of the Arab-Semite in the well-set eyes, though I fancy he can have no Semitic blood unless through the Saracens who overran the south of France and settled some time at Nimes. The features are finely shaped. When a smile lights up the pensive countenance it makes it charming. M. Faure has the name of being obliging, and a kind, conscientious, master. His being attached as UnderSecretary of State to the Ferry Cabinet of 1883 proves, nothing against him. The character is too harmoniously developed for streaks of dishonesty to get into it. M. Faure greatly owes being President to m! Casimir-Pener's hatred of M. Brisson, whom he regarded as his personal enemy, aud on whom he avenged himself for some fancied slight by keeping back from him on the 15th 111st. the fact of his resignation. The friends of M. Faure and M. WaldeckRousseau in the Senate and Chamber were secretly informed and able to canvass for six or seven hours before M. .Brisson was informed through the Havas Agency. I dare say that those electors of the Congress who looked higher aud wider than party politics were glad to find one so well balanced as M. Faure, so steady in all things, and so versed in administrative business to place at the helm. M. Faure's black eyebrows and moustache. contrast with his snowy close-cut hair. There is a look of M. Clemenceau in eyes, forehead, and shape of head, which is round and well developed. President Faure has had his eye a good deal on China since she and Japan went to war, and looks forward to startling developments of Far Eastern affairs. He is not one of the Jingoes, but the reforming spirit he showed at the Marine Ministry and his great activity there have endeared him to them. He has been too hard and serious a worker at his own business and public affairs to be mixed up in the Reinach, Felix Martin, and other financial affairs so detrimental to the Republic."

A DETECTIVE STORY. (( The dirty tricks of a certain class of "private detectives" have been responsible for a good deal of domestic unhappiness. A husband suspects his wife, and sets one of the "agencies" to watch her. Probably the woman is quite innocent- of all wrong towards her husband; but, if this be the case, the "private detective," instead of reporting "all well," will proceed by devious ways to attempt his subject's downfall. Or maybe a husband is tired of his wife, and seeks a ground for breaking the marriage tie. For a sufficient consideration the "private detective" will endeavor to get up a case, in most instances ealliu" in "a woman" to help him to bring about another wonian'u ohanic. It is a dirty trade; the riek'i are ouiall, however, in comparison to the profits, and these "agencies" flourish by dozens in the metropolis alone. They will probably walk more

circumspectly when the courts have done with Henry Clarke and Ellen Lyons, who figured in the dock at Bow street on Monday, cLugcd with a criminal conspiracy to prevent the due course of law and justice in connection with the divorce suit cf Barrett v. Barrett. That suit ended in the jury finding misconduct against the petitioner, but they expressed their opinion that her shame was brought about by the persons employed by - her husband to assist in obtaining evidence in fivor of his counter-petition. Acting on this strong hint, the Public Prosecutor at once applied for warrants to arrest Clarke and Lyons. The woman evaded the police for some time, but in the end the precious pair were both in custody. MrsTkrrett told the s,tory of the attempt at her undoing in the witness-box at Bow street. She is a slight, pale, sweet-faced girl of two-and-tweuty, and told her long story very concisely. She wedded Barrett in 1891, but nnbappiness commenced very early in the honeymoon, and she filially left her husband in February, 1892, and applied for a separation. To 166 Ear'lsCourtroad,whercßheboardodaftcrleaving her spoute, came there a " Mrs Watson," wife of an electrical engineer, who in event proved to be Ellen Lyons. " Mrs Watson" was very kind and sympathetic to the little grass-widow, aud the two became fast friends. Soon Mrs Watson persuaded the girl to move to Denbigh street, Pimlico, and a little later suggested that as.they both had bad husbands they should make the best of their lonely lives. " Let's go to the Empire and enjoy ourselves," suggested the tempter; and seeing no wrong Mrs Barrett put on her smartest frock, lent Mrs Wilson a sovereign to pay for seats and champagne, and accompanied that lady to the " 'All of Dazzling Light" which Mrs Ormiston Chant loves so well. In her innocence Mrs Barrett knew not the mysteries of the "Tarts Parade." Mr 3 Watson did, and, leaving her companion, walked round to see if she could "find any friends" out of whom she. could get a "fiver." In a f ew minutes Mrs Watson came back, having in tow a " swell," whom she introduced to Mrs Barrett as " Mr Stephens, of the Stock Exchange. " Stephens was Clarke, and he talked to the novice for, some time quite nicely. Then he showed the cloven hoof by suggc3tiup that Mrs Barrett had seen enough of the performance, and could amuse herself much better at a private hotel. She was not quite sure what "Stephens" meant, but wisely refused the invitation. Clarke then asked her to go to supper with him, and as Mrs Watson was invited to come along Mrs Barrett accepted the offer. Ciarke paid for the spread, and took them home to Denbigh street in a cab. He kissed Mrs Watson v good night, and would fain have favored the other lady similarly, but she declined the caress. Some time after Mrs Watson again persuaded Mrs Barrett to the Empire, and this time introduced her to a "Mr Charles Wilson—a tremendously rich young man." After champagning Mrs Watson suggested supper at Rupert's Hotel, but Mrs Barrett had a dislike for semiprivate concerns, and expressed a decided opinion in favor of the Monico. So to the famous cafe the trio repaired, and whilst discussing the various courses with the aid of copious draughts of champagne "Wilson" romanced about his father (the'M.P.), his ancestral halls in Yorkshire, his house in Orosvcnor Gardens, and his yacht. " Wilson" was a decent-looking fellow, aud his apparent possession of money in plenty made his offer to correspond with Mrs Barrett very tempting to the forlorn little wife, but she steadily refused to receive any missive from him. When the woman got home again Mrs Watson expatiated on " Wilson's " wealth, and strongly urged her friend to accept his,overtures. Next day the unhappy girl took the first step down the steep path. She met "Wilson" at Hyde Park corner, and he asked her to go away with him for a week. She said that was impossible, but he continued to urge her, and finally she consented to go with him to look at some rooms at St. John's- Wood, "Mrs Watson" was delighted at the turn matters had taken, and said " That's right, love. Make the most of your chances. His money will be very useful to us." It was then arranged that the women should "keep house together." But Mrs Barrett rued her promise very soon, and it took a tremendous amount of persuasion on " Wilson's " part to get her to go to Wellington road. They went thither by way of the Metropolitan Music Hall, and, according to Mrs Barrett, Wilson got so drunk that when they got "home" to St. John's Wood he lay down on the sofa aud slept there all night, herself retiring to the bedroom. Next day she insisted on returning to Denbigh street, and in spite of Wilson's opposition (he hid her hat in the coal - scuttle and collared her purse) she achieved her object. "Mrs Watson" laughed over the incident, and remarked that it was "experience gained." She also arranged that the companionship should terminate, her plea bein<* that " the electrical engineer " was comin" home almost at once. Mrs Barrett fell ill° and became an in-patient of St. George's Hospital, and, recovering, found herself in possession of a citation for divorce, "Wilson" being named as the co-respon-dent. By this time Mrs Barrett seems to have begun to " smell a rat," and took her case to a solicitor. Subsequently she met a "Mr Bloomfield," who introduced himself to her as "of the London and County Bank." He was wearing a silk hat, which Mrs Barrett recognised as having been worn by Wilson, a peculiar scratch at the side showing its identity with the "topper" which had done service for the " son of the M.P." Acting on her solicitor's advice,-Mrs Barrett allowed "Mr Bloomfield " to improve the acquaintance.

Since the dismissal of her suit she had received nothing from her husband, and was now earning a livelihood as a private nurse. Sir John Bridge adjourned the inquiry at this point, remarking that to proceed further would impose too great a strain on the unfortunate young woman. UK CHEATED DKATII TWICE. It has become a habit with a certain class of people with suicidal tendencies to prepare for their exit from this world by writing what the daily papers term "extraordinary " letters. Somehow the writers of these epistles never, except by accident quite complete their self-slaughter. Either they " funk " at the last moment, and rush of to drag some unhappy doctor out of bed to stomach-pump them, or some friend to whom they have confided their intention of suicide ' ■■ crabs the deal." Walter Harris, a young Socialist, thought life not worth living, so he took a dose of laudanum, went for a walk in the Old Kent road, and, just when the dose was operating nicely,' met a friend. Harri3 at once sent him for a

policeman, to whom the would-be suicide at once admitted that he had taken poison "Bobby" lugged Harris to the nearest doctor, and, the emetic applied havin« fulfilled its mission, escorted the very%ick young fellow to the police station. He appeared next day before Mr Slade instead of his Maker. A letter found on Harris addressed "To Society" explained his intentions. The act he meant to commit was " neither insane, selfish, nor cowardly." He "retired from the battle of life" (or meant to, rather) " weary of its selfishness, cant, and shams; weary of its brute struggle for existence, its misery, poverty, and degradation; the crushing of all that is noble and good, the fostering of all that is ignoble and bad." Harris had lived a bare nve-and-twenty years, but ho had for many years held the opinion that life for the wageearner under the present economic conditions was not worth living. So he tried to end his life and failed. Why, he does not explain. Then he got converted to Socialism. His life was filled with new hopes ; he saw new possibilities, and resolved to strive to help to bring about " that inevitable transformation which will beautify the world." But the transformation was long in coming; the struggle meanwhile was too hard for poor Harris. Society refused his claim to exist, "except under conditions utterly intolerable"" to him. It refused his claim to be " one of its useful members," and so he contended that society had no claim upon him either in respect to its laws or its obligations, and thereforo he was free to dispose of his life in whatsoever way lie chose. Dcatli was the highest bidder, it seems, so Harris closed with the grim King forthe second time, and —cheated him again ! Mr Slade remanded Hams for a week, but for what purpose it j is not possible to guess. The fellow is a maae of undigested education and conceit. '

A round dozen, with the cat would amply meet his case, and would probably do more towards turning him into a respectable citizen than all the. prison chaplain's exhortations. Personally, since the man had no wife or children, I think he might have been left to the tender mercies of the laudanum.